Rafael Nadal: Discuss His Future Scheduling Strategy

[Iona16]

clay death may not appreciate Nadal's efforts, but Nadal's fans certainly do. This year has been even more fun than 2010. The only thing left is to say hello and goodbye to Murray. Let's hope they meet soon, although either way they'll surely meet at the World Tour Finals (where Nadal beat Murray in 2010). I've always found Nadal-Murray more entertaining than Nadal-Djokovic.

Do you know what happened when Murray played Nadal in Tokyo 2 years ago? Andy beat Rafa in 3 sets. The last set was 6-0 and Rafa won just 4 points in that set. Do you what that means? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Do you know why? It's because it was TWO years ago and it was ONE match. Rafa isn't the player he was then but neither is Andy. Does that mean Andy will win? No, it doesn't. It doesn't mean Rafa will either.

Actually, a think a lot of folks are really itching to see the two of them play...precisely because it has been 2 years, and Rafa hasn't played Andy since Lendl came on board. And yes, Andy won the last meeting.

I'm actually trying to get the point across to NADAL2005RG that a match from 2011 (the one I mentioned) or the even earlier 2010 matches that NADAL2005RG has mentioned time and time again have no relevance now. Both of them are very different players. Rafa is the phenomenon he has always been. However, Andy has a new coach and a couple of slams now. He's a very different player.

 

[Moxie]

clay death may not appreciate Nadal's efforts, but Nadal's fans certainly do. This year has been even more fun than 2010. The only thing left is to say hello and goodbye to Murray. Let's hope they meet soon, although either way they'll surely meet at the World Tour Finals (where Nadal beat Murray in 2010). I've always found Nadal-Murray more entertaining than Nadal-Djokovic.

Do you know what happened when Murray played Nadal in Tokyo 2 years ago? Andy beat Rafa in 3 sets. The last set was 6-0 and Rafa won just 4 points in that set. Do you what that means? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Do you know why? It's because it was TWO years ago and it was ONE match. Rafa isn't the player he was then but neither is Andy. Does that mean Andy will win? No, it doesn't. It doesn't mean Rafa will either.

Actually, a think a lot of folks are really itching to see the two of them play...precisely because it has been 2 years, and Rafa hasn't played Andy since Lendl came on board. And yes, Andy won the last meeting.

I'm actually trying to get the point across to NADAL2005RG that a match from 2011 (the one I mentioned) or the even earlier 2010 matches that NADAL2005RG has mentioned time and time again have no relevance now. Both of them are very different players. Rafa is the phenomenon he has always been. However, Andy has a new coach and a couple of slams now. He's a very different player.

Agreed. That's why we're all so anxious to see them play. I think the next possible opportunities favor Andy...WTF, AO.

 

[ClayDeath]

its official sports fans.

clay warrior is headed to rio early next year. its a brand new atp 500 series event.

 

[Kieran]

its official sports fans.

clay warrior is headed to rio early next year. its a brand new atp 500 series event.

Not happy. Wish he'd take a huge break after Oz and try spread himself a bit across the year. If he's heading to Rio then he'll surely load up February and March with clay then IW, again.

Next year will be different to this: he had seven months off before he went to South America this year...

 

[ClayDeath]

at least he skips Dubai and Miami masters which is a step in the right direction.

he suddenly finds himself in a race against time general Kieran.

he is looking to go out in a blaze of glory.


other changes that needed to me made are not being made:

why bother with basel and shanghai. that is taking way too much risk.

why worry about the bloody #1 rank at this point when he can just declare an assault on history anyway.

 

[masterclass]

Hmm. I'm glad some of you managed to keep this discussion on-topic.

2014 scheduling by Nadal so far:

He is already scheduled to play in the inaugural Rio Open dual ATP 500 and WTA event in Rio de Janeiro:

"Rafael Nadal will be in Rio de Janeiro from 15-23 February to play South American’s biggest tennis event, the inaugural Rio Open.

The tournament, distributing a total prize money of U$ 1,5 million (US$ 1,25 million for the ATP) will be held on the eight clay courts of the Jockey Club Brasileiro, including a Stadium. The Rio Open will have an interactive area, a Food Court and a Village for the public. Tickets go on sale in November."

Looks like he wants to repeat the strategy that worked for him this year, and have his clay season start in South America. I imagine he will get a hefty appearance fee. No word yet on whether he'll play in Chile or Argentina before that or Acapulco thereafter. I imagine it will depend on what he does in Australia and how tired/healthy he is.

I'll take a crack at his 2014 schedule, and assume he is healthy

Note that Nadal will receive a 2 Masters 1000 tournament commitment reduction in 2014 for 600+ matches and having 12 years of service (since 2002) on Jan 1, 2014. So he only is "required" to play 6 Masters 1000 events.

Jan 13-26 - Australian Open
Feb 17-23 - Rio Open (ATP-500)
Feb 24-30 - Acapulco (ATP-500)
Mar 03-16 - Indian Wells (Masters 1000)
Apr 04-06 - Davis Cup QF*
Apr 14-20 - Monte Carlo (Masters 1000)
Apr 21-27 - Barcelona (ATP-500)
note: Skip Madrid for a better go at the RG-Wimbly double
May 12-18 - Rome (Masters 1000)
May 26-08 - Roland Garros
Jun 09-22 - grass prep somewhere (’s-Hertogenbosch on 16th gives him enough rest after RG and no UK high taxes)
Jun 23-06 - Wimbledon
Aug 04-10 - Toronto (Masters 1000)
Aug 25-07 - US Open
Sep 12-14 - Davis Cup SF*
Sep 29-05 - Beijing (ATP-500)
Oct 06-12 - Shanghai (Masters 1000)
Oct 27-02 - Paris-Bercy (Masters 1000)
Nov 10-16 - London World Tour Finals
Nov 21-23 - Davis Cup Final*

*If Spain is still playing

I think Nadal will probably also schedule Madrid and Cincinnati... but not me.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[ClayDeath]

excellent post general masterclass.


keep them coming general.

 

[zalvar]

Hmm. I'm glad some of you managed to keep this discussion on-topic.

2014 scheduling by Nadal so far:

He is already scheduled to play in the inaugural Rio Open dual ATP 500 and WTA event in Rio de Janeiro:

"Rafael Nadal will be in Rio de Janeiro from 15-23 February to play South American’s biggest tennis event, the inaugural Rio Open.

The tournament, distributing a total prize money of U$ 1,5 million (US$ 1,25 million for the ATP) will be held on the eight clay courts of the Jockey Club Brasileiro, including a Stadium. The Rio Open will have an interactive area, a Food Court and a Village for the public. Tickets go on sale in November."

Looks like he wants to repeat the strategy that worked for him this year, and have his clay season start in South America. I imagine he will get a hefty appearance fee. No word yet on whether he'll play in Chile or Argentina before that or Acapulco thereafter. I imagine it will depend on what he does in Australia and how tired/healthy he is.

I'll take a crack at his 2014 schedule, and assume he is healthy

Note that Nadal will receive a 2 Masters 1000 tournament commitment reduction in 2014 for 600+ matches and having 12 years of service (since 2002) on Jan 1, 2014. So he only is "required" to play 6 Masters 1000 events.

Jan 13-26 - Australian Open
Feb 17-23 - Rio Open (ATP-500)
Feb 24-30 - Acapulco (ATP-500)
Mar 03-16 - Indian Wells (Masters 1000)
Apr 04-06 - Davis Cup QF*
Apr 14-20 - Monte Carlo (Masters 1000)
Apr 21-27 - Barcelona (ATP-500)
note: Skip Madrid for a better go at the RG-Wimbly double
May 12-18 - Rome (Masters 1000)
May 26-08 - Roland Garros
Jun 09-22 - grass prep somewhere (’s-Hertogenbosch on 16th gives him enough rest after RG and no UK high taxes)
Jun 23-06 - Wimbledon
Aug 04-10 - Toronto (Masters 1000)
Aug 25-07 - US Open
Sep 12-14 - Davis Cup SF*
Sep 29-05 - Beijing (ATP-500)
Oct 06-12 - Shanghai (Masters 1000)
Oct 27-02 - Paris-Bercy (Masters 1000)
Nov 10-16 - London World Tour Finals
Nov 21-23 - Davis Cup Final*

*If Spain is still playing

I think Nadal will probably also schedule Madrid and Cincinnati... but not me.

Respectfully,
masterclass

Wow, I'm glad he's playing Rio. Definitely, entering a clay tournament is the way to go for him. I don't think he'll skip Miami next year because he hasn't won that tournament yet and would like to try. He just won't enter too many South American tournaments this time. Maybe Rio then onto IW and Miami.

I also hope he skips some Davis cup. Why are Davis Cup weeks so horribly placed? lol. Maybe just show up for SF and F.

As far as RG and Wimbledon b2b, he should go Williams style and forgo that awkward stretch of two week grass tune up. Rest after RG and go to London earlier and practice.

I don't see why he has to skip Cincy after a long break between Wimbledon and Canada.

 

[ClayDeath]

if he manages to grab the Australian open, he will most definitely skip Miami.

he is also a bit of a creature of habit. I don't think he will go to Miami.

he should skip Beijing and shanghai next year to save the knees.

no need for WTF either if he happens to be sitting on 2-3 slams but you just know that he is going to be there.

 

[zalvar]

if he manages to grab the Australian open, he will most definitely skip Miami.

he is also a bit of a creature of habit. I don't think he will go to Miami.

he should skip Beijing and shanghai next year to save the knees.

no need for WTF either if he happens to be sitting on 2-3 slams but you just know that he is going to be there.

God, Aussie Open would be amazing for him, Clay. I hope hope so.

I still don't think he'll skip Miami or WTF or Paris because he wants those titles specifically. If he's as OCD as he is with those bottles and not stepping on lines, he damn well wants the whole shebang when it comes to titles.

And as for being a creature of Habit, he won't skip Madrid either. That would ruin the French Open juju.

Him skipping Beijing or Shanghai ... I'll give you that. It has the least significance as far as next year goes. So skipping it won't hurt TOO bad if he thinks he's in dire need of rest.

 

[ClayDeath]

2014 is the most significant year in tennis history.

it will decide a lot of things for our sport.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

clay death may not appreciate Nadal's efforts, but Nadal's fans certainly do. This year has been even more fun than 2010. The only thing left is to say hello and goodbye to Murray. Let's hope they meet soon, although either way they'll surely meet at the World Tour Finals (where Nadal beat Murray in 2010). I've always found Nadal-Murray more entertaining than Nadal-Djokovic.

Do you know what happened when Murray played Nadal in Tokyo 2 years ago? Andy beat Rafa in 3 sets. The last set was 6-0 and Rafa won just 4 points in that set. Do you know what that means? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Do you know why? It's because it was TWO years ago and it was ONE match. Rafa isn't the player he was then but neither is Andy. Does that mean Andy will win? No, it doesn't. It doesn't mean Rafa will either.

Yeah that result was expected, as Nadal is inconsistent after the US Open most years. The result that was not expected in 2011 was Nishikori defeating Djokovic 2-6 7-6 6-0.

The thing that has not changed since 2011 is that Nadal has a huge mental edge over Murray at the slams. Murray has to go all the way back to 2010 AO to recall a time when he beat Nadal at a slam. Nadal has won their last 4 slam meetings. Even worse for Murray is the fact that 2 of them were Wimbledon 2010 and Wimbledon 2011 (the others: 2011 US Open and 2011 Roland Garros). And now with Nadal on this 22 match hardcourt streak.....even playing Nadal after the US Open will be a tough task.

 

[masterclass]

I don't believe Nadal or Federer will play the Sony Open in Miami as long as IMG owns it, unless IMG delivers some big bucks to them or perhaps if IMG management changes. They both broke off from IMG. There is a lot of politics going on behind the scenes. It was IMG reps in ATP that tried to prevent Ellison paying more money out to players at Indian Wells.

It is interesting that Nadal is playing in Rio. I believe IMG is part owner of that tournament. I'm guessing that they came up with big bucks for Nadal to play there.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[NADAL2005RG]

That's a shame about Miami. Nadal has played very well there in the past, including losing a 3rd set tie-breaker in the final vs Djokovic 2011. Nadal very good chance at completing the full set of Masters shields if he plays Miami. The biggest problem is probably not IMG but that its scheduled next to Indian Wells, so its like playing a hardcourt slam almost if you play them both.

 

[Jelenafan]

My guess is that if Rafa feels ok knee wise he will play Miami.

One, I think he knows he's very popular in Florida with the Hispanic community, plus I do think he's committed to the IW/Miami swing. To me it's more doable then the Canada/Cincy which is truly back to back weeks. Plus the temptation to add points before the claycourt season where he's basically just defending points in 2014 is hard to resist.

I'd rather Rafa slow down after the W where he plays only one Masters before the USO.

I think a lot will depend if he wins AO. That's 2000 points that will probably tide him over until the fall. A good AO and IW/Miami swing ironically makes him less dependent on the clay, which I think is good. I don't care if clay is easier on the body, I don't like the back to back to back claycourt schedule Nadal keeps. Mentally the fatigue creeps in by the FO at times.

 

[tented]

I don't believe Nadal or Federer will play the Sony Open in Miami as long as IMG owns it, unless IMG delivers some big bucks to them or perhaps if IMG management changes. They both broke off from IMG. There is a lot of politics going on behind the scenes. It was IMG reps in ATP that tried to prevent Ellison paying more money out to players at Indian Wells.

It is interesting that Nadal is playing in Rio. I believe IMG is part owner of that tournament. I'm guessing that they came up with big bucks for Nadal to play there.

Respectfully,
masterclass

IMG also owns or partly owns the Barcelona tournament, so their involvement alone wouldn't stop Rafa from playing Miami, but it could be a factor.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Hmm. I'm glad some of you managed to keep this discussion on-topic.

2014 scheduling by Nadal so far:

He is already scheduled to play in the inaugural Rio Open dual ATP 500 and WTA event in Rio de Janeiro:

"Rafael Nadal will be in Rio de Janeiro from 15-23 February to play South American’s biggest tennis event, the inaugural Rio Open.

The tournament, distributing a total prize money of U$ 1,5 million (US$ 1,25 million for the ATP) will be held on the eight clay courts of the Jockey Club Brasileiro, including a Stadium. The Rio Open will have an interactive area, a Food Court and a Village for the public. Tickets go on sale in November."

Looks like he wants to repeat the strategy that worked for him this year, and have his clay season start in South America. I imagine he will get a hefty appearance fee. No word yet on whether he'll play in Chile or Argentina before that or Acapulco thereafter. I imagine it will depend on what he does in Australia and how tired/healthy he is.

I'll take a crack at his 2014 schedule, and assume he is healthy

Note that Nadal will receive a 2 Masters 1000 tournament commitment reduction in 2014 for 600+ matches and having 12 years of service (since 2002) on Jan 1, 2014. So he only is "required" to play 6 Masters 1000 events.

Jan 13-26 - Australian Open
Feb 17-23 - Rio Open (ATP-500)
Feb 24-30 - Acapulco (ATP-500)
Mar 03-16 - Indian Wells (Masters 1000)
Apr 04-06 - Davis Cup QF*
Apr 14-20 - Monte Carlo (Masters 1000)
Apr 21-27 - Barcelona (ATP-500)
note: Skip Madrid for a better go at the RG-Wimbly double
May 12-18 - Rome (Masters 1000)
May 26-08 - Roland Garros
Jun 09-22 - grass prep somewhere (’s-Hertogenbosch on 16th gives him enough rest after RG and no UK high taxes)
Jun 23-06 - Wimbledon
Aug 04-10 - Toronto (Masters 1000)
Aug 25-07 - US Open
Sep 12-14 - Davis Cup SF*
Sep 29-05 - Beijing (ATP-500)
Oct 06-12 - Shanghai (Masters 1000)
Oct 27-02 - Paris-Bercy (Masters 1000)
Nov 10-16 - London World Tour Finals
Nov 21-23 - Davis Cup Final*

*If Spain is still playing

I think Nadal will probably also schedule Madrid and Cincinnati... but not me.

Respectfully,
masterclass

In 2014 Acapulco will be played on Hard courts. Hence, I believe Nadal will
not play in it. I also believe that Nadal will play in Argentina Clay ATP 250 tournament
the week before Rio. I don't think he would want to travel all the way to South
America for just one tournament. However, I don't think he will play in
Chile or the Indoor Clay tournament in Brazil (both of which he played in 2013).

 

[zalvar]

I don't believe Nadal or Federer will play the Sony Open in Miami as long as IMG owns it, unless IMG delivers some big bucks to them or perhaps if IMG management changes. They both broke off from IMG. There is a lot of politics going on behind the scenes. It was IMG reps in ATP that tried to prevent Ellison paying more money out to players at Indian Wells.

It is interesting that Nadal is playing in Rio. I believe IMG is part owner of that tournament. I'm guessing that they came up with big bucks for Nadal to play there.

Respectfully,
masterclass

IMG also owns or partly owns the Barcelona tournament, so their involvement alone wouldn't stop Rafa from playing Miami, but it could be a factor.

Also, Miami (IMG) trying to prevent IW to pay more is just a business tactic to be more competitive. I'm sure these tennis players know that's a normal move in IMGs part to try. Also, obviously, it didn't work since IW pays more. No harm.