Rio De Janeiro - ATP 500 - Feb 15th to Feb 21st 2016.

[nehmeth]

The worst when Rafa loses is the crap that some people talk (usually Federer fans)

Realistically, what do you see going forward for Nadal? Are you still certain that he will get to back to his previous levels?

If he changes his strategy and shorten the rallies, Yes he can reach those levels again

Does he have to tools to be able to shorten the points? His serve percentage for that match was in the low 40's (?) during the second set. His balls are dropping short and his opponents are teeing off on them. How can he shorten the points when he's hitting like that?

 

[herios]

Cuevas will go for his 4 title in his career. He won his first at 28y age and will play Pella who has never been in an ATP final before.

On paper, Cuevas should be the favorite.

 

[Kieran]

Realistically, what do you see going forward for Nadal? Are you still certain that he will get to back to his previous levels?

If he changes his strategy and shorten the rallies, Yes he can reach those levels again

Does he have to tools to be able to shorten the points? His serve percentage for that match was in the low 40's (?) during the second set. His balls are dropping short and his opponents are teeing off on them. How can he shorten the points when he's hitting like that?

He obviously has to play better to be able to tee up the shot to shorten the rallies. But at the moment, he's not winning close matches against players he would normally dispatch with relative ease. When I see fellas of Nadal's stature lose close matches like this, then their problem is as much in the head. He had mp's against Thiem and couldn't finish it off.

You once mentioned the yips, buddy, and to an extent, that panic-fright in the clutch is still with him. Obviously, the harder he tries, the worse it gets. Not sure what'll happen next because at least before Christmas we saw evidence of improvement. His confidence has been shot to bits since then, and he's going to have take out the old drawing board again...

 

[Front242]

Here's what will happen next.

 

[nehmeth]

You once mentioned the yips, buddy, and to an extent, that panic-fright in the clutch is still with him. Obviously, the harder he tries, the worse it gets. Not sure what'll happen next because at least before Christmas we saw evidence of improvement. His confidence has been shot to bits since then, and he's going to have take out the old drawing board again...

Jeez, but I caught hell for bringing up the "yips". :snicker Watching him fall apart in clutch moments, reminds me of the older golf champions. Able to get it to the green like always, but then when it comes time to putt it in the hole, they just can't.

Back to the drawing board.

 

[Fiero425]

How bout that? Cuevas not only beat Rafa, saving a MP, like Thiem, went on to take the tournament; 6-4, 6-7, 6-4! :clap Gives rise to another poll; who will upset Rafa and will they do well afterwards? Who will be the next star off beating the guy? That's the real question concerning the decline of Nadal! :ras: ;-)

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It is only fitting that Cuevas won the tourney. :clap

 

[the AntiPusher]

It is only fitting that Cuevas won the tourney. :clap

"Fitting that Cuevas won the title"
U said a few days earlier that if Rafa won the title that he would have achieve it without facing a serious opponents.Now you say it's fitting:nono

 

[Carol]

It is only fitting that Cuevas won the tourney. :clap

"Fitting that Cuevas won the title"
U said a few days earlier that if Rafa won the title that he would have achieve it without facing a serious opponents.Now you say it's fitting:nono

Yep, contradiction by contradiction just with the only intention to discredit Nadal, typical from a Roger's fan instead to be more worry about his 'recovery' which is going to be dificult

 

[mrzz]

It is only fitting that Cuevas won the tourney. :clap

"Fitting that Cuevas won the title"
U said a few days earlier that if Rafa won the title that he would have achieve it without facing a serious opponents.Now you say it's fitting:nono

Yep, contradiction by contradiction just with the only intention to discredit Nadal, typical from a Roger's fan instead to be more worry about his 'recovery' which is going to be dificult

C'mon people, he said the first thing before the tournament began (something a disagree with, but he's entitled to his opinion), but given how the tournament unfolded, he gave credit to Cuevas. Nothing wrong with that.

And both things are not even necessarily contradictory...

 

[Fiero425]

"Fitting that Cuevas won the title"
U said a few days earlier that if Rafa won the title that he would have achieve it without facing a serious opponents.Now you say it's fitting:nono

Yep, contradiction by contradiction just with the only intention to discredit Nadal, typical from a Roger's fan instead to be more worry about his 'recovery' which is going to be dificult

C'mon people, he said the first thing before the tournament began (something a disagree with, but he's entitled to his opinion), but given how the tournament unfolded, he gave credit to Cuevas. Nothing wrong with that.

And both things are not even necessarily contradictory...

It's just :devil being miserable; fave player betraying their fandom and they can't stand it! They're going to abuse us and our commentary until Rafa either wins something so they can "crow" or retire a broken man which is the way I see it now! :angel: :ras:

 

[Carol]

"Fitting that Cuevas won the title"
U said a few days earlier that if Rafa won the title that he would have achieve it without facing a serious opponents.Now you say it's fitting:nono

Yep, contradiction by contradiction just with the only intention to discredit Nadal, typical from a Roger's fan instead to be more worry about his 'recovery' which is going to be dificult

C'mon people, he said the first thing before the tournament began (something a disagree with, but he's entitled to his opinion), but given how the tournament unfolded, he gave credit to Cuevas. Nothing wrong with that.

And both things are not even necessarily contradictory...

Yeah.......

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It is only fitting that Cuevas won the tourney. :clap

"Fitting that Cuevas won the title"
U said a few days earlier that if Rafa won the title that he would have achieve it without facing a serious opponents.Now you say it's fitting:nono

It is only fitting that Cuevas won the title, being the one who dismantled Rafa. I don't see what is the contradiction here.

 

[Front242]

Can't believe so many Nadal fans didn't even cop that, GSM. Unreal. Yes people, that's right, the winner was the guy who beat Nadal which is why he's the most deserving champ. Not really that hard to grasp. Jeez. :s

 

[isabelle]

Congrats to Pablo, he had a great tourney