Nadalites – Rafa Nadal Talk

[Jelenafan]

If Rafa was , say 25, I would expect him to work vigorously all this time off on say, his serve, or his 2handed BH, etc, etc. Not anymore.

One way I think he's very different to Novak/Federer of his great contemporaries is that Rafa's had career threatening injuries sprinkled out throughout his career. He couldn't defend his 2008 Wimbledon title, couldn't defend his 2013 USO crown, missed Majors where he was a prior year finalist etc, etc. Crazy as it seems , his longest stretch of consecutive Majors played was from the 2016 USO until this years 2020 AO, a streak of 14 Majors. (compare Djokovic 51 and Federer 65 consecutive Majors). All those comebacks had to be mentally and physically exhausting.

Rafa fans have scar tissue the fans of the other 2 players can't conceive/imagine. Hey it is, what it is.

So Rafa knows that nothing is predictable or guaranteed in tennis. Hard work doesn't always automatically pay off. More than the others, he's grateful for what he's been able to accomplish , so yes, it's great he can for once recharge himself personally during the tennis season without being obsessed about his career.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa Nadal has confirmed he plans to play in Madrid,according to Feliciano Lopez,who is the event's tournament director,but still plays on the tour.
(Rafa will be helped by the ATP's ranking adjustments,which will allow the 19 time champion to keep the points he earned during his title runs in 2019,regardless of whether he plays them this season.Players will not be able to count the same tournament twice in their point totals).

 

[Moxie]

If he's playing Madrid, I doubt he's planning to play the USO, then.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

If he's playing Madrid, I doubt he's planning to play the USO, then.

I dont think he will,he will keep his points,due to the new revamped ranking system.Quite frankly I am glad he is not playing the USO.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

I dont think he will,he will keep his points,due to the new revamped ranking system.Quite frankly I am glad he is not playing the USO.

Did Nadal confirm that he’s not playing the U.S. Open?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Did Nadal confirm that he’s not playing the U.S. Open?

Not as yet,though I did see him practice on clay on Twitter the other day at his academy.

 

[Moxie]

Not as yet,though I did see him practice on clay on Twitter the other day at his academy.

Yeah, that and confirming Madrid...as the Magic 8 ball would say: "Signs point to No."

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Yeah, that and confirming Madrid...as the Magic 8 ball would say: "Signs point to No."

Yes.

 

[Moxie]

Yes.

Well, it's the smart answer for Rafa. He's been good about his quarantine, not playing exhos, and, at 34 and prone to injury, it would be just stupid to go into a period of play that intense. Let's be honest: particularly with the notion that he won't lose all of his points, the right thing to do is not come to the US, travel as little as possible and protect his RG.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa has own the American hardcourts the past two years. I would think that he would defend his title especially since his game is more suited to the surface in NY instead of the slower courts in Australia.

 

[Moxie]

Rafa has own the American hardcourts the past two years. I would think that he would defend his title especially since his game is more suited to the surface in NY instead of the slower courts in Australia.

This is the sad thing about the current schedule for us Rafa fans. Between 22 Aug and 11 Oct, there is hardly a breath to be taken in between really important tournaments, and particularly there are only 14 days between the end of the USO and the start of RG. With Madrid and Rome in between. Let's face it: it's not a schedule that was designed for anyone who hopes to win both. The Channel Slam, considered a pretty hard double, was 4-weeks and is now 5-weeks apart, and has only been won 3 x in the past 21 years...twice by Rafa. I'm pretty sure Thiem is going to try for it, but I'm not even sure if Novak will think he can get both.

 

[the AntiPusher]

This is the sad thing about the current schedule for us Rafa fans. Between 22 Aug and 11 Oct, there is hardly a breath to be taken in between really important tournaments, and particularly there are only 14 days between the end of the USO and the start of RG. With Madrid and Rome in between. Let's face it: it's not a schedule that was designed for anyone who hopes to win both. The Channel Slam, considered a pretty hard double, was 4-weeks and is now 5-weeks apart, and has only been won 3 x in the past 21 years...twice by Rafa. I'm pretty sure Thiem is going to try for it, but I'm not even sure if Novak will think he can get both.

The allure of #20 is just too tempting to pass up NY. I agree that Thiem is going to be one of the favorites at both Grand Slam events..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well, it's the smart answer for Rafa. He's been good about his quarantine, not playing exhos, and, at 34 and prone to injury, it would be just stupid to go into a period of play that intense. Let's be honest: particularly with the notion that he won't lose all of his points, the right thing to do is not come to the US, travel as little as possible and protect his RG.
[/QUOTE

This is the sad thing about the current schedule for us Rafa fans. Between 22 Aug and 11 Oct, there is hardly a breath to be taken in between really important tournaments, and particularly there are only 14 days between the end of the USO and the start of RG. With Madrid and Rome in between. Let's face it: it's not a schedule that was designed for anyone who hopes to win both. The Channel Slam, considered a pretty hard double, was 4-weeks and is now 5-weeks apart, and has only been won 3 x in the past 21 years...twice by Rafa. I'm pretty sure Thiem is going to try for it, but I'm not even sure if Novak will think he can get both.

From what I read earlier today,I do not think Novak will go to the USO,he plans to play clay tournaments before RG.Too short a time between GS tournaments this year,Rafa is not 21 anymore also there is a new surface at the USO this year,we are still yet to see if the USO will go ahead? there are still issues with quarantine etc,they will make a final decision around mid July.what I read yesterday.( Nick K also had a go at Theim today lol! he really should have become a policeman)

 

[Moxie]

Nick K also had a go at Theim today lol! he really should have become a policeman

I haven't seen that...do you have a link?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I haven't seen that...do you have a link?

No I do not,I read it on Twitter via tennisnow.com

 

[Jelenafan]

Personally I’m bummed. Totally understand why Rafa may not play the USO. However he’s defending champ, so yes it would suck.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

What about the roof at RG, is it completed?Hopefully that will not change things for him. I just want him to get #20 this year and I hope the pandemic didn’t break his rhythm from the past couple of years.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

What about the roof at RG, is it completed?Hopefully that will not change things for him. I just want him to get #20 this year and I hope the pandemic didn’t break his rhythm from the past couple of years.

The roof on Philippe Chatrier was completed in January this year and will be in full operation if needed.

 

[Moxie]

The roof on Philippe Chatrier was completed in January this year and will be in full operation if needed.

Where it might be more needed is for the lights, since they're playing in Paris so late in the year. I'm guessing Rafa will want to play day matches.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Where it might be more needed is for the lights, since they're playing in Paris so late in the year. I'm guessing Rafa will want to play day matches.

There are lights on the 4 show courts this year,including Phillipe Cartrier.