Novak's Approach to this Clay Season

[Front242]

^ There's probably a whole thread of him saying "I am not happy with the Clay Warrior" even after he won 2 slams and 5 masters!

 

[Kieran]

I think winning Monte Carlo last year may have gone to Nole's head. He eased off a little and kept his powder dry for RG, maybe thinking he'd made the definitive strike against Rafa, and would take the advantage all the way to Paris. He's better off if he maintains his level this year, through the whole season. Beating Rafa at RG will be a huge enough ask as it is, without letting Rafa settle into the rhythm of winning everything else on the way to the Big Event...

Righteous.. This is the year that concerns me, I am not comfortable with Rafa's form to date.. I really could use some quotes from Clay Death(aka Samson), someone put up the bat signal for my guy. From what I read so far over the past few weeks Moxie, Tented, BS, and myself are a bit nervous.

Well, God Himself doesn't know young Ralphy as well as Clay, so his advice would be welcome.

But fear not, brother! If Rafa plays his darndest in Paree, Nole will be downed in four. I was correct last season, when I told you that because Rafa missed seven months, Nole would have a great RG and take Rafa to five. That one shoulda been done in four, too...

 

[Riotbeard]

I think winning Monte Carlo last year may have gone to Nole's head. He eased off a little and kept his powder dry for RG, maybe thinking he'd made the definitive strike against Rafa, and would take the advantage all the way to Paris. He's better off if he maintains his level this year, through the whole season. Beating Rafa at RG will be a huge enough ask as it is, without letting Rafa settle into the rhythm of winning everything else on the way to the Big Event...

Righteous.. This is the year that concerns me, I am not comfortable with Rafa's form to date.. I really could use some quotes from Clay Death(aka Samson), someone put up the bat signal for my guy. From what I read so far over the past few weeks Moxie, Tented, BS, and myself are a bit nervous.

I can't imagine Clay Death being of much help. Would you like me to try my best? Rafa will lose, because he played three hard court tournaments last spring which will have latent knee effects. Andy Murray, the baron of Bash and Last King of Scotland (maybe misappropriating that title...) will win the French Open, because Rafa aka the great clay warrior, aka Mr. Glass, does not realize that he has knee problems and doesn't schedule like he is halfway retired.

Also here is a purple picture of a wolf howling at the moon with a castle in the background (use your imagination).

Sorry in advance CD, just teasing.


Also I found a quote about the Miami final from Rafa (said it this week though) interesting (read it earlier, cannot it, so I will paraphrase). He said something along the lines of I was not ready for that kind of match yet. Will he be on clay, we are yet to see.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I think winning Monte Carlo last year may have gone to Nole's head. He eased off a little and kept his powder dry for RG, maybe thinking he'd made the definitive strike against Rafa, and would take the advantage all the way to Paris. He's better off if he maintains his level this year, through the whole season. Beating Rafa at RG will be a huge enough ask as it is, without letting Rafa settle into the rhythm of winning everything else on the way to the Big Event...

Righteous.. This is the year that concerns me, I am not comfortable with Rafa's form to date.. I really could use some quotes from Clay Death(aka Samson), someone put up the bat signal for my guy. From what I read so far over the past few weeks Moxie, Tented, BS, and myself are a bit nervous.

Well, God Himself doesn't know young Ralphy as well as Clay, so his advice would be welcome.

But fear not, brother! If Rafa plays his darndest in Paree, Nole will be downed in four. I was correct last season, when I told you that because Rafa missed seven months, Nole would have a great RG and take Rafa to five. That one shoulda been done in four, too...

That's my Dawg!! Thanks Kirean

 

[the AntiPusher]

I think winning Monte Carlo last year may have gone to Nole's head. He eased off a little and kept his powder dry for RG, maybe thinking he'd made the definitive strike against Rafa, and would take the advantage all the way to Paris. He's better off if he maintains his level this year, through the whole season. Beating Rafa at RG will be a huge enough ask as it is, without letting Rafa settle into the rhythm of winning everything else on the way to the Big Event...

Righteous.. This is the year that concerns me, I am not comfortable with Rafa's form to date.. I really could use some quotes from Clay Death(aka Samson), someone put up the bat signal for my guy. From what I read so far over the past few weeks Moxie, Tented, BS, and myself are a bit nervous.

I can't imagine Clay Death being of much help. Would you like me to try my best? Rafa will lose, because he played three hard court tournaments last spring which will have latent knee effects. Andy Murray, the baron of Bash and Last King of Scotland (maybe misappropriating that title...) will win the French Open, because Rafa aka the great clay warrior, aka Mr. Glass, does not realize that he has knee problems and doesn't schedule like he is halfway retired.

Also here is a purple picture of a wolf howling at the moon with a castle in the background (use your imagination).

Sorry in advance CD, just teasing.


Also I found a quote about the Miami final from Rafa (said it this week though) interesting (read it earlier, cannot it, so I will paraphrase). He said something along the lines of I was not ready for that kind of match yet. Will he be on clay, we are yet to see.

I see that you have your Djoker's chin sticking out awaiting another sharp punch from the Rafa's 2nd best hand at RG:clap

We shall see

 

[Moxie]

^Nice job channelling Clay Death, Kieran. :snigger And for the record, A-P, I'm not nervous. I'm trying to stay practical and humble. Rafa is still The Man on clay; the only one with a shout is Djoker…and that has to be a top day for him.

 

[nehmeth]

Very focused match from Novak today. Only a few seconds of highlights here, but the shots they recorded were pretty much what he did the whole time he was out there.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/16/Monte-Carlo-Tuesday-Djokovic-Berdych.aspx

 

[Front242]

^ Nice. Looked good.

 

[Mastoor]

Here's Novak working on his focus and psyching himself up for the week ahead.

Would love to hear the sound too.

I agree that Nole just put too much pressure on himself thinking of RG too early in last two years, however I think what made him not focused enough was that in both years he lost loved ones during clay season. In 2012 his grandpa, last year his first coach and "second mum" as he called her.

I am worried about his wrist injury this year, but I must say I am relieved there is no only Becker in Nole's box but Vajda as well.

 

[Moxie]

I am worried about his wrist injury this year, but I must say I am relieved there is no only Becker in Nole's box but Vajda as well.

I'm trying to get someone to tell me about this wrist injury. Also, is Vajda in the box at MC? He wasn't scheduled to be. Any updates on the coaching situation?

 

[Kieran]

I heard about the wrist injury. It seemed okay yesterday, but that can change. I hope it's only a minor thing that wears off and doesn't escalate. When was it first mentioned? What happened?

 

[brokenshoelace]

I agree that Nole just put too much pressure on himself thinking of RG too early in last two years, however I think what made him not focused enough was that in both years he lost loved ones during clay season. [In 2012 his grandpa, last year his first coach and "second mum" as he called her.

Ahem...

 

[the AntiPusher]

^Nice job channelling Clay Death, Kieran. :snigger And for the record, A-P, I'm not nervous. I'm trying to stay practical and humble. Rafa is still The Man on clay; the only one with a shout is Djoker…and that has to be a top day for him.

Got ya..

 

[Moxie]

I heard about the wrist injury. It seemed okay yesterday, but that can change. I hope it's only a minor thing that wears off and doesn't escalate. When was it first mentioned? What happened?

I looked it up. He says he's got an "annoying pain" in his wrist since last week, though I don't see if he indicated which one. Also, still wondering if anyone can say if Vajda is back in his box this week. That just came from Mastoor.

 

[Riotbeard]

I heard about the wrist injury. It seemed okay yesterday, but that can change. I hope it's only a minor thing that wears off and doesn't escalate. When was it first mentioned? What happened?

I looked it up. He says he's got an "annoying pain" in his wrist since last week, though I don't see if he indicated which one. Also, still wondering if anyone can say if Vajda is back in his box this week. That just came from Mastoor.

I watched a replay of his match yesterday, just Boris in the box.

 

[Moxie]

I heard about the wrist injury. It seemed okay yesterday, but that can change. I hope it's only a minor thing that wears off and doesn't escalate. When was it first mentioned? What happened?

I looked it up. He says he's got an "annoying pain" in his wrist since last week, though I don't see if he indicated which one. Also, still wondering if anyone can say if Vajda is back in his box this week. That just came from Mastoor.

I watched a replay of his match yesterday, just Boris in the box.

Cool, thanks, RB.

 

[Mastoor]

I heard about the wrist injury. It seemed okay yesterday, but that can change. I hope it's only a minor thing that wears off and doesn't escalate. When was it first mentioned? What happened?

I looked it up. He says he's got an "annoying pain" in his wrist since last week, though I don't see if he indicated which one. Also, still wondering if anyone can say if Vajda is back in his box this week. That just came from Mastoor.

That's all we know about wrist what you said. As for Vajda, seems Nole is confident enough to continue with Becker only. I don't think we (Nole's fans) know any more than you do on any of the two questions.