Rolex Paris Masters, 2019, Bercy, France, ATP Masters 1000

[monfed]

I'd tell you how tennis can be saved and then people like you could disappear........soon

Cya in Mickey Carlo, Mamacita

 

[Bonaca]

I say Rafa's running from an inevitable loss to Shapo on the fast, indoor courts of Paris! People were so sure he'd win, the jinx was on! :whistle:

Don't agree. You really would put serious money on Denis?

 

[Bonaca]

Even if Novak wins his 34th Masters 1000 tomorrow, it wouldn’t be the same.
Hope Bull can play WTF healthy and in form!

 

[Fiero425]

Don't agree. You really would put serious money on Denis?

In more ways than one! :heart: :whistle: - Then there's the possibility of trying to avoid Nole as well! Nadal's gutless at times!

 

[monfed]

So apparently faker and dull had a practice session before today's matches and they had a long conversation and the gist was this -

Ralph - Hey DJ, if I tank you'll get no 1.So you can break Rojer's #1 weeks, no? We can trade for 2nd AO no?

DJ - That sounds very interesting, Rafael. Deal!

 

[Bonaca]

In more ways than one! :heart: :whistle: - Then there's the possibility of trying to avoid Nole as well! Nadal's gutless at times!

Haha, either you are brave or suicidal!

 

[Fiero425]

Even if Novak wins his 34th Masters 1000 tomorrow, it wouldn’t be the same.
Hope Bull can play WTF healthy and in form!

I'll take them anyway they can be got! Fedal have had enough gift titles; why shouldn't Nole reap some benefit being the top player every once in a while? Nadal needs to go to the YEC if he has any hope or want to finishing the season #1! He'll say it's not important since he's nowhere near taking over that record! :whistle:

 

[Bonaca]

I always count Novak´s big titles twice, in which he defeated at least one of the other two GREATS! (and Murray in his prime).
So tomorrow falls away.

 

[Bonaca]

I'll take them anyway they can be got! Fedal have had enough gift titles; why shouldn't Nole reap some benefit being the top player every once in a while? Nadal needs to go to the YEC if he has any hope or want to finishing the season #1! He'll say it's not important since he's nowhere near taking over that record! :whistle:

I am totally on your side, but a win against Bull in a final is always special. Above all, to improve the h2h even further!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fiero425]

OMG, did you guys see that doubles' match? Rublev/Khachanov were done, but clawed all the way back from 3 match points! WOW!

 

[Fiero425]

I am totally on your side, but a win against Bull in a final is always special. Above all, to improve the h2h even further!!!!!!!!!

Oh, for sure and I'd put everything on Nole winning, but at this point it's getting close to the end for all of them! You take these titles when they fall into your lap regardless of how ya got it! Heaven knows Fedal have had pigeons in finals as well as walkovers due to WD! :whistle:

 

[the AntiPusher]

Amazing how Nadal's injuries always come during the indoor season and hardly ever during the clay season. These pullouts never seem to happen at Monte Carlo or Madrid or Rome.

The only fact is Rafa has 19 Grand Slam titles . Cali/Nalbandian Zero

 

[El Dude]

I understand why you say that Rafa was rather more exciting ('08-'13,) I think you expose your prejudice in the part I bolded above. Roger always so "fleet of foot," and Rafa "chugging along," and "workman-like." But you're not giving credit to the changes that Rafa has made to his game, esp. in terms of serve, and shortening points. There are still lots of jaw-droppers from Rafa, but he seems to have eschewed that for the sake of shortening points, etc. Is he less-good? He just became the player to win the most Majors post-30. Is his game really "less good," or is that it's not as dynamic as in his early years? If it's more effective, for his later-years, is it less-good? Especially if the results are there?

Moxie, must you see EVERYTHING as a dig at Rafa? It is not a "prejudice." I am not saying anything negative about Rafa. But yeah, his game just isn't as dynamic. If anything, I'm saying he's such a great player that even without the highs of 2008-13, he's still great. But I agree: he has adapted it, figured out a way that works for him to excel deep into his 30s, and deserves kudos for that.

As for Roger, one of the reasons he was the best player on tour in 2017 is that he had a little extra in his step, which allowed him to get around the ball and deliver his shots. I think that was (and is) the main difference for him, compared to his still great but not awe-inspiring 2013-16/18-19 play. Thus fleet-footed.

 

[El Dude]

Oh please, stfu. LOL. Nadal should have lost on dozens of occasions to Federer and Djokovic that he didn't.

Cali why is it so hard for you to understand that a win is a win is a win? That there are different ways to be good? And that, in the end, player A is simply not even a fraction as good as player B, no matter what you think "should have" happened?

Player A: 0 Slams, 1 WTF, 2 Masters, 11 titles, highest ranking #3
Player B: 19 Slams, 35 Masters, 84 titles, 196 weeks at #1

 

[El Dude]

On a different note, I see Rafa retired with menstrual cramps.

Countdown to Moxie's temper tantrum, 3...2....1.....

 

[atttomole]

I am totally on your side, but a win against Bull in a final is always special. Above all, to improve the h2h even further!!!!!!!!!

I don’t think Nadal relishes playing Djokovic outside of clay. He knows that once Djokovic neutralize his average serve, there is nowhere to go for him.

 

[Fiero425]

I don’t think Nadal relishes playing Djokovic outside of clay. He knows that once Djokovic neutralize his average serve, there is nowhere to go for him.

IMO it might end up being a repeat of '19 AO getting wiped out; close to '16 Qatar Final annihilation! Lendl & Nole love indoor HC's! :whistle:

 

[Bonaca]

I don’t think Nadal relishes playing Djokovic outside of clay. He knows that once Djokovic neutralize his average serve, there is nowhere to go for him.

Absolutely. If Novak shows up with QF level he would have won, todays level would not be enough. I think it would have been a real battle!

What i do not agree with, is that some here suggest that Bull avoids playing Novak, that sounds like fake injury. No way, you can say what you want about Nadal, i dislike him very much, but he is no coward, at least for that matter.

 

[Bonaca]

IMO it might end up being a repeat of '19 AO getting wiped out; close to '16 Qatar Final annihilation! Lendl & Nole love indoor HC's! :whistle:

I would be the happiest to see Novak again in 2016 Quatar shape, he is far from that.

 

[atttomole]

Absolutely. If Novak shows up with QF level he would have won, todays level would not be enough. I think it would have been a real battle!

What i do not agree with, is that some here suggest that Bull avoids playing Novak, that sounds like fake injury. No way, you can say what you want about Nadal, i dislike him very much, but he is no coward, at least for that matter.

I agree with you. I don’t think he pulled out because he was afraid of playing Djokovic in the final. Mine was a general statement.