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

[GameSetAndMath]

Don't be coy. You are still hoping that Rafa gets the YE#1, because Novak is getting so close to passing Roger. Am I wrong?

Yes, you are wrong.

But, I do seriously think despite all the troubles, Rafa will retain his YE #1 (assuming he can recover in time to play in WTF).

As far as hoping is concerned, I hope Roger wins WTF this year.

 

[Moxie]

Dude, I really don't know what you're talking about. Federer was the far better player for large parts of the 2011 Roland Garros final until he choked away the first set. The mythical Nadal of old was very beatable and arguably worse on hardcourts than he is now.

It's funny how when Nadal's early losses are brought up, his youth is blamed. Then when his later losses are brought up, his age is blamed. It's like there was never a good reason for his losses. But why exactly was 2013 Nadal better at the US Open than 2019 Nadal? Just because one had a higher age on paper next to his name?

I can recall but perhaps one match in which Nadal's youth was provided as an excuse: Miami 2005 final. Other than that, aren't we Nadal fans famous for blaming it on injury? You have some really weird theory that involves age not being an issue, and this seems you just buffing it up.

 

[Moxie]

Yes, you are wrong.

But, I do seriously think despite all the troubles, Rafa will retain his YE #1 (assuming he can recover in time to play in WTF).

As far as hoping is concerned, I hope Roger wins WTF this year.

Cool, but aren't you hoping that the YE#1 isn't Novak? That would put him a lot close to Roger's record.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Cool, but aren't you hoping that the YE#1 isn't Novak? That would put him a lot close to Roger's record.

Yes, it would be nice - but am not obsessed over it.

Actually, in the first place if Novak finishes YE#1, he would surpass Roger in number of years to finish as YE#1 and tie Sampras (Novak would have 6, Roger 5 and Rafa 4) and I don't realistically expect Roger to finish as YE #1 any more. On the other hand if Rafa finishes as YE #1 all three would be tied at 5 a piece in number of years finishing as YE#1. That is the immediate concern.

As far as weeks at #1 is concerned, Novak is about 35 weeks behind Roger and anything can happen in the future.

 

[Moxie]

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.

You asked a question and I answered it. You might appreciate that I responded, rather than being a putz, just because you didn't like my answer. Rafa's pretty "fleet-footed," too, you have to admit. If you don't see the way you color your words, as to how they sound as being rather biased, I can't help you. I know what you think and your preference, but if you don't want an honest answer, don't ask the question. And if you're just going to sneer at my answer, then I won't respond, thank you very much.

 

[Moxie]

Yes, it would be nice - but am not obsessed over it.

Actually, in the first place if Novak finishes YE#1, he would surpass Roger in number of years to finish as YE#1 and tie Sampras (Novak would have 6, Roger 5 and Rafa 4) and I don't realistically expect Roger to finish as YE #1 any more. On the other hand if Rafa finishes as YE #1 all three would be tied at 5 a piece in number of years finishing as YE#1. That is the immediate concern.

As far as weeks at #1 is concerned, Novak is about 35 weeks behind Roger and anything can happen in the future.

Lots of posts from you about what it's going to take the get the YE#1, but I'll go with your word that you're not obsessed. Interesting stats about YEC and YE#1. But let's face it: if Novak gets YE#1, he gets a lot of free weeks. It would make passing Roger a near-certainty.

 

[mrzz]

It would make passing Roger a near-certainty.

Free weeks help, but that is far from certain. Right now I guess Djokovic has 276, and Federer 310. 36 weeks difference, which amounts to more than 8 months. Given that Djokovic defends A0 title, not a given that he will stay on top for long. I mean, if he does, it is because that he earned it the hard way. In that case, he deserves the record.

Still, Federer is scheduled to play the WTF so he can protect his record himself. Better than having to rely on anybody else -- even if it would be ironic if it was precisely Nadal the one to help. If Djokovic gets the #1 by beating him, it makes it even more deserved. If Federer shows his Basel form on WTF, we could have some epic matches.

 

[Moxie]

Free weeks help, but that is far from certain. Right now I guess Djokovic has 276, and Federer 310. 36 weeks difference, which amounts to more than 8 months. Given that Djokovic defends A0 title, not a given that he will stay on top for long. I mean, if he does, it is because that he earned it the hard way. In that case, he deserves the record.

Still, Federer is scheduled to play the WTF so he can protect his record himself. Better than having to rely on anybody else -- even if it would be ironic if it was precisely Nadal the one to help. If Djokovic gets the #1 by beating him, it makes it even more deserved. If Federer shows his Basel form on WTF, we could have some epic matches.

He can keep trying, or Rafa can block Novak, but 36 weeks over the course of the rest of Novak's career is not that much. Hard to think he won't pass Roger in # of weeks at #1 eventually.

 

[Carol]

One more time the Novak could get the #1 thanks to a Nadal's injury, ugh!. And if someone (of course his fans, who else) are thinking that Federer could win the WTF (nothing to do with Basel where nobody played there) then they are dreaming very badly, word!

 

[the AntiPusher]

Yep, on the USO 2009

This is why I stated after capturing #19 and the USO..shut it down..go get married and no more withdrawals..I never expected much at Paris.. now I am concerned that this abdomen issue may be something chronic or requiring a significant amount of time away from the practice court..Damn

 

[El Dude]

You asked a question and I answered it. You might appreciate that I responded, rather than being a putz, just because you didn't like my answer. Rafa's pretty "fleet-footed," too, you have to admit. If you don't see the way you color your words, as to how they sound as being rather biased, I can't help you. I know what you think and your preference, but if you don't want an honest answer, don't ask the question. And if you're just going to sneer at my answer, then I won't respond, thank you very much.

Again I didn't say anything negative about Rafa, nor did I sneer at your answer - only your insistence on defending Rafa, even when I'm not saying anything bad about him, which I wasn't. At all. This is your constant defensiveness; meaning, the bias is yours. I get why you're always in defensive mode, but the problem is that you assume any and every comment about him that isn't glowing is therefore negative.

Of course Rafa is fleet-footed; I never said otherwise. I said Roger was fleet-footed in relation to his own play of the few years prior, or at least that is what I meant. Again, another example of you assuming something that isn't actually there. The reason Roger played so well in that final and tournament is that he had that extra bit of bounce to his step, allowing him to get around the ball and make vintage shots. When he slows down a fraction, he loses a lot.

 

[Moxie]

Again I didn't say anything negative about Rafa, nor did I sneer at your answer - only your insistence on defending Rafa, even when I'm not saying anything bad about him, which I wasn't. At all. This is your constant defensiveness; meaning, the bias is yours. I get why you're always in defensive mode, but the problem is that you assume any and every comment about him that isn't glowing is therefore negative.

Of course Rafa is fleet-footed; I never said otherwise. I said Roger was fleet-footed in relation to his own play of the few years prior, or at least that is what I meant. Again, another example of you assuming something that isn't actually there. The reason Roger played so well in that final and tournament is that he had that extra bit of bounce to his step, allowing him to get around the ball and make vintage shots. When he slows down a fraction, he loses a lot.

This is what I said in response to you:
"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?"

I really don't think this was especially "defensive," and I addressed your points. Perhaps if you could get you knickers untwisted, you might remember that you were the one who asked a question of Rafa fans, which I responded to. Your question was: "I have never really gotten the sense of him playing his absolute best tennis--the type of stuff we saw in 2008-13. It is like his recent success (2017-present), at least off clay, is more becuase of consistent very goodness, as you said, something akin to his B-game from his prime. That's good enough to beat almost everyone on tour, except for Roger and Novak on grass/hards."

Perhaps you could calm down and respond.

 

[Bonaca]

If it is a muscle tear, then bye-bye WTF

Even a distortion could be enough, one week is not much time.

 

[monfed]

Hope this latest injury is for real and dull retires.

 

[Bonaca]

Free weeks help, but that is far from certain. Right now I guess Djokovic has 276, and Federer 310. 36 weeks difference, which amounts to more than 8 months. Given that Djokovic defends A0 title, not a given that he will stay on top for long. I mean, if he does, it is because that he earned it the hard way. In that case, he deserves the record.

Still, Federer is scheduled to play the WTF so he can protect his record himself. Better than having to rely on anybody else -- even if it would be ironic if it was precisely Nadal the one to help. If Djokovic gets the #1 by beating him, it makes it even more deserved. If Federer shows his Basel form on WTF, we could have some epic matches.

Thx it couldn’t be summarized better!
I am hoping for the last with Roger playing with Basel-form and Nadal also in form!

 

[Bonaca]

This is why I stated after capturing #19 and the USO..shut it down..go get married and no more withdrawals..I never expected much at Paris.. now I am concerned that this abdomen issue may be something chronic or requiring a significant amount of time away from the practice court..Damn

There is no reason to think it’s chronic, if distortion he will be fine for at least AO 20. If it’s a tear I think it’s also enough time.
Keep optimistic. I will and I honestly hope he returns healthy and strong as soon as possible .

 

[El Dude]

Perhaps you could calm down and respond.

LOL. I love it when people assume others are upset, when they're not. I am calm, Moxie. This is much ado about nothing. You took offense where none was intended, that's all.

And I did respond. I agreed with you that Rafa has adapted his game.

 

[don_fabio]

Shapovalov with a career high #15 ranking at the moment. All going well he should be a top 10 next year. Glad for him and tennis needs lefties in top.

 

[the AntiPusher]

There is no reason to think it’s chronic, if distortion he will be fine for at least AO 20. If it’s a tear I think it’s also enough time.
Keep optimistic. I will and I honestly hope he returns healthy and strong as soon as possible .

Rafa says it's very similar to The abdomen strain that he encounter in the US Open 2009

 

[Bonaca]

Rafa says it's very similar to The abdomen strain that he encounter in the US Open 2009

How long did it take 2009?