Shanghai Master 1000

[GameSetAndMath]

Why is Nole losing to Agut again? WTF happened?

Rafa's problem is "body" and Nole's problem is "mind".

 

[the AntiPusher]

And talking about behavior, it seems that Novak never can improve it, he doesn't change and being almost in the 30's he won't change

Carol--you said NOTHING after Rafa was beaten in two seats. Yet you jump at the chance to make negative comments about Novak, once again showing that you take great pleasure in denigrating other competitors rather than making positive comments about your favorite one. Pathetically predictable. And in terms of irony: 1)You predicted recently that Federer was DONE with his career (he's playing in Hopman Cup; 2) Novak can NEVER change his behavior since he's in his 30s--by the way he recently turned 29; 3) You've stated for two years that either Rafa has to either a)just adjust his serve and he'll be highly competitive at the top again, and we know how that turned out; or b)just needs a slight attitude adjustment to get back on top. How ironic that Rafa just has to make "minor modifications" according to you, but Novak can NEVER change his attitude at his age.

READ my comment again and you will see "being ALMOST in the 30's"
And by the way who are you to critic what I think when you always have criticized Nadal? if you don't like my opinion too bad, take it like a man and not like a fanboy

if you don't like my opinion too bad, take it like a man and not like a fanboy

Carol.. This is brilliant.. You should make it part of your signature!:clap

 

[Kieran]

You predicted recently that Federer was DONE with his career (he's playing in Hopman Cup;

Are they playing the Hopman Cup now? I didn't know! What channel is it on?

No--they play in January. I was mentioning that as Carol claimed previously that Roger's career was over.

Ah okay, so Carol could still be proven right...

 

[rafanoy1992]

With Djokovic reeling right now, this is a big opportunity for Murray to inch closer in the rankings. If he wins Shanghai, he will be 915 points behind Djokovic in the ATP Race. In addition, he is playing Vienna in a couple of weeks so if he wins that tournament, he will only be 415 points behind Djokovic. The last Masters 1000 tournament of the year will determine the Number 1 player for the year.

As for the live rankings, Murray can not surpass Djokovic this year unless Djokovic does not play a single match for the rest of the year.

The good thing though is that Djokovic can only gain a maximum 200 points for the rest of the year while Murray can gain a maximum 2840 points (assuming of course he goes undefeated the rest of the year).

 

[Front242]

Are they playing the Hopman Cup now? I didn't know! What channel is it on?

No--they play in January. I was mentioning that as Carol claimed previously that Roger's career was over.

Ah okay, so Carol could still be proven right...

Fat chance of that. Even with a gammy knee and hardly any matches played all year, old man Roger made the Wimbledon semis. To say that his career is over says to the whole world you know nothing about tennis whatsoever. Roger would be mopping the floor with the guys on tour besides Murray at the moment.

 

[Carol]

Why is Nole losing to Agut again? WTF happened?

Rafa's problem is "body" and Nole's problem is "mind".

Yeah....sure.....:lolz:

 

[Front242]

And talking about behavior, it seems that Novak never can improve it, he doesn't change and being almost in the 30's he won't change

Carol--you said NOTHING after Rafa was beaten in two seats. Yet you jump at the chance to make negative comments about Novak, once again showing that you take great pleasure in denigrating other competitors rather than making positive comments about your favorite one. Pathetically predictable. And in terms of irony: 1)You predicted recently that Federer was DONE with his career (he's playing in Hopman Cup; 2) Novak can NEVER change his behavior since he's in his 30s--by the way he recently turned 29; 3) You've stated for two years that either Rafa has to either a)just adjust his serve and he'll be highly competitive at the top again, and we know how that turned out; or b)just needs a slight attitude adjustment to get back on top. How ironic that Rafa just has to make "minor modifications" according to you, but Novak can NEVER change his attitude at his age.

READ my comment again and you will see "being ALMOST in the 30's"
And by the way who are you to critic what I think when you always have criticized Nadal? if you don't like my opinion too bad, take it like a man and not like a fanboy

Kinda hilarious that you have to stoop to using capitals to "shout" at lacatch to lie about your post. I saw your original post and you did say "in his 30s". We're not all blind idiots here, you know as we can all see you edited your post here http://www.tennisfrontier.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=5077&pid=241577#pid241577 almost 2.5 hours later to state almost in his 30s when it was pointed out you made a mistake. You were caught out, tough luck that the forum shows the time edited. Not a big deal, but don't act as if you initially typed almost in his 30s 'cos many of us saw your original post before you conveniently edited your mistake over 2.5 hours later.

 

[Kieran]

No--they play in January. I was mentioning that as Carol claimed previously that Roger's career was over.

Ah okay, so Carol could still be proven right...

Fat chance of that. Even with a gammy knee and hardly any matches played all year, old man Roger made the Wimbledon semis. To say that his career is over says to the whole world you know nothing about tennis whatsoever. Roger would be mopping the floor with the guys on tour besides Murray at the moment.

It is fairly extraordinary what he could do at his age, and with an injury. Science is filled with miracles. Obviously he knows when his time to return is set, if you're so sure you'll see him in January...

 

[Front242]

Ah okay, so Carol could still be proven right...

Fat chance of that. Even with a gammy knee and hardly any matches played all year, old man Roger made the Wimbledon semis. To say that his career is over says to the whole world you know nothing about tennis whatsoever. Roger would be mopping the floor with the guys on tour besides Murray at the moment.

It is fairly extraordinary what he could do at his age, and with an injury. Science is filled with miracles. Obviously he knows when his time to return is set, if you're so sure you'll see him in January...

Hoping he'll play the AO and the Hopman Cup is just to test the body. Hard to get right back into best of 5 after months off but he's training away at the moment so should be fine. Also looking forward to hopefully seeing Tommy Haas back for presumably his last run on tour at close to 39 years of age. Guy's a legend and funny guy. Good friend of Roger's and he posted this on his Twitter recently with the title "tag a friend who would miss this shot" :snicker Good laugh and even Roger smiled. He was 40-0 up so didn't really care.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLRLhLng-xV/

Tommy telling the world "I'll be back" here

https://www.instagram.com/p/BK_TkMqgz15/

 

[Carol]

Carol--you said NOTHING after Rafa was beaten in two seats. Yet you jump at the chance to make negative comments about Novak, once again showing that you take great pleasure in denigrating other competitors rather than making positive comments about your favorite one. Pathetically predictable. And in terms of irony: 1)You predicted recently that Federer was DONE with his career (he's playing in Hopman Cup; 2) Novak can NEVER change his behavior since he's in his 30s--by the way he recently turned 29; 3) You've stated for two years that either Rafa has to either a)just adjust his serve and he'll be highly competitive at the top again, and we know how that turned out; or b)just needs a slight attitude adjustment to get back on top. How ironic that Rafa just has to make "minor modifications" according to you, but Novak can NEVER change his attitude at his age.

READ my comment again and you will see "being ALMOST in the 30's"

And by the way who are you to critic what I think when you always have criticized Nadal? if you don't like my opinion too bad, take it like a man and not like a fanboy

You are right about saying almost. Otherwise--my comments stand. You didn't address the substance of what I said--which again is not surprising. I'm not a "fanboy"--I'm merely pointing out the lack of logic and inconsistency in your comments, and that your constant criticism of other top players who compete with Rafa is tedious and predictable. I'd like you to find and quote all the times I've dumped on Rafa---good luck with that.

What is for you to address the substance of what you said? now it's my turn saying my comments stand. For long time the tour is not going through the best times because starting with Nadal, the others good players are playing very inconsistent or are going through injuries like Tsonga, Monfils, Nishi, Berdych and Federer because besides his age also his knee. And what about the youngest ones? Kyrgios, Thiem, Pouille, Zverev? a lime and sand, all of them are a "promise" but not still a reality. At least Muzz who always has had a weak mind now seems that he is feeling stronger and with more confidence, something is something. And this is not criticism, it's just the reality if you like it or not
I wish that all the top players could be able to play their best and then we would see better competition but unfortunately we can't see that too often

 

[El Dude]

It's not Muzz's fault that Rafa is playing bad or Novak can't play his best for ever like it happens to everyone, he is playing a very good tennis, better than the others so he deserves to reach the #1

This exemplifies why some of us have a hard time taking you seriously, Carol. In this sentence you say that Rafa is (just) "playing bad" but imply that Novak is starting to decline. Now both maybe true; certainly Rafa is playing bad by the standards he set from 2005-2013 when he was one of the greatest players ever, but he's been playing bad for two and a half years now, at the age of 28-30+, which for any other player in tennis history means decline. For some reason you can't let go of this fangirlish idea that he's just got make a tweak or two and he'll be back to his old self.

I mean, let me ask you this: Do you deny that Rafa is not only "playing bad" but in decline?

As for Novak, I do think that this is the beginning of a post-absolute peak era. But he's far closer to his peak than Rafa, and is likely to play much better than Rafa going forward.

 

[Carol]

It's not Muzz's fault that Rafa is playing bad or Novak can't play his best for ever like it happens to everyone, he is playing a very good tennis, better than the others so he deserves to reach the #1

This exemplifies why some of us have a hard time taking you seriously, Carol. In this sentence you say that Rafa is (just) "playing bad" but imply that Novak is starting to decline. Now both maybe true; certainly Rafa is playing bad by the standards he set from 2005-2013 when he was one of the greatest players ever, but he's been playing bad for two and a half years now, at the age of 28-30+, which for any other player in tennis history means decline. For some reason you can't let go of this fangirlish idea that he's just got make a tweak or two and he'll be back to his old self.

I mean, let me ask you this: Do you deny that Rafa is not only "playing bad" but in decline?

As for Novak, I do think that this is the beginning of a post-absolute peak era. But he's far closer to his peak than Rafa, and is likely to play much better than Rafa going forward.

Then if some of you have a hard time taking me seriously I don't understand why you are responding to me so badly, maybe because you know that I'm right even if you don't want to see it?
I've never has said that Novak is starting to decline but the reality is that no one can play his best for ever, they have ups and down for diferent reasons and clearly he is going through those times. Rafa is in a roller coaster for two years, before because his back injury, later a lack do confidence and when he was recovering and playing well then his wrist. Don't take me serious and don't put attention what I'm saying but I'm sure he will do better, don't you like it? sorry but what ever you or me are thinking is not going to change the results to come, it will be in their rackets and not in your or my comments.
And Federer? seriously (believe me or not) I wish that he still could play well and his knee won't give him a hard time but I think he will have a tough way (but don't take very seriously...

 

[El Dude]

Actually, I find your view somewhat fascinating because I've never encountered someone quite so blindly biased about their player before.

But see my other post. I think the chances of Rafa returning to his prime form are about 10%, maybe less.

If Rafa was 27 or 28, then I'd give him much better chances. But he's 30 years old, has been diminished for two and a half years now. Evidently that means nothing to you.

 

[Backhand_DTL]

As I mentioned before, Djoke's quote that the top ranking is no longer a priority is a sign that he is mentally finished for now. No player with that kind of attitude can play well enough to stay at the pinnacle of the sport. In case nobody saw Djoke's match against M Zverev, he was completely out of it, treating the match like an exho. I am not surprised Agut beat him.

I think his problems against Zverev were somewhat understandable as he plays the kind of disruptive off pace game that regularly troubles Novak when his timing is missing, but RBA is a straightforward match-up where he gets a nice rhythm and usually wins comfortably because of his superiority on serve, return and in the backhand to backhand exchanges.

But his serve continues to be clearly worse than it was between Wimbledon 2014 and the French Open 2016 as at the moment he either ends up with a pretty bad first serve percentage or takes something off it and doesn't win a lot of free points then and on return he lacks his usual consistency as well. With those two shots not working that great and his determination and resolve seeming negatively affected by the mental issues he described recently he is significantly worse on the big points than he used to be right now and becomes beatable on a lot more occasions than for most of the last six years.

His aura is probably kind of on stand-by at the moment in the way that most opponents won't believe they can beat Novak when he plays well but feel that him not playing well and being off his game enough that they could win is a lot more likely these days than it was until Wimbledon.

I think he definitely tried to enjoy playing matches this week but today it clearly didn't work so it will be interesting to see if he manages to look and perform like himself again in Paris or London or if he will enter next year as a huge question mark and might need a really productive off-season in terms of improving his game and mindset to be able to win the Australian Open again.

 

[Carol]

Actually, I find your view somewhat fascinating because I've never encountered someone quite so blindly biased about their player before.

But see my other post. I think the chances of Rafa returning to his prime form are about 10%, maybe less.

If Rafa was 27 or 28, then I'd give him much better chances. But he's 30 years old, has been diminished for two and a half years now. Evidently that means nothing to you.

I'm glad that you find my view somewhat fascinating but I could say the same about all of you (Federer's fans) quite so blindy blased about their player before

 

[the AntiPusher]

It's not Muzz's fault that Rafa is playing bad or Novak can't play his best for ever like it happens to everyone, he is playing a very good tennis, better than the others so he deserves to reach the #1

This exemplifies why some of us have a hard time taking you seriously, Carol. In this sentence you say that Rafa is (just) "playing bad" but imply that Novak is starting to decline. Now both maybe true; certainly Rafa is playing bad by the standards he set from 2005-2013 when he was one of the greatest players ever, but he's been playing bad for two and a half years now, at the age of 28-30+, which for any other player in tennis history means decline. For some reason you can't let go of this fangirlish idea that he's just got make a tweak or two and he'll be back to his old self.

I mean, let me ask you this: Do you deny that Rafa is not only "playing bad" but in decline?

As for Novak, I do think that this is the beginning of a post-absolute peak era. But he's far closer to his peak than Rafa, and is likely to play much better than Rafa going forward.

Then if some of you have a hard time taking me seriously I don't understand why you are responding to me so badly, maybe because you know that I'm right even if you don't want to see it?
I've never has said that Novak is starting to decline but the reality is that no one can play his best for ever, they have ups and down for diferent reasons and clearly he is going through those times. Rafa is in a roller coaster for two years, before because his back injury, later a lack do confidence and when he was recovering and playing well then his wrist. Don't take me serious and don't put attention what I'm saying but I'm sure he will do better, don't you like it? sorry but what ever you or me are thinking is not going to change the results to come, it will be in their rackets and not in your or my comments.
And Federer? seriously (believe me or not) I wish that he still could play well and his knee won't give him a hard time but I think he will have a tough way (but don't take very seriously...

Carol look at it this way, RBA showed what type of tennis is effective against Djoker to Rafa & team.

 

[El Dude]

Actually, I find your view somewhat fascinating because I've never encountered someone quite so blindly biased about their player before.

But see my other post. I think the chances of Rafa returning to his prime form are about 10%, maybe less.

If Rafa was 27 or 28, then I'd give him much better chances. But he's 30 years old, has been diminished for two and a half years now. Evidently that means nothing to you.

I'm glad that you find my view somewhat fascinating but I could say the same about all of you (Federer's fans) quite so blindy blased about their player before

For one thing, unlike you I don't put all Rafa fans into one category. You are in your own category of biased fangirlism.

Secondly, how am I "blindly biased" about Federer? Read my "Big Four Outlook" post and tell me how I'm being blindly biased.

 

[Front242]

This exemplifies why some of us have a hard time taking you seriously, Carol. In this sentence you say that Rafa is (just) "playing bad" but imply that Novak is starting to decline. Now both maybe true; certainly Rafa is playing bad by the standards he set from 2005-2013 when he was one of the greatest players ever, but he's been playing bad for two and a half years now, at the age of 28-30+, which for any other player in tennis history means decline. For some reason you can't let go of this fangirlish idea that he's just got make a tweak or two and he'll be back to his old self.

I mean, let me ask you this: Do you deny that Rafa is not only "playing bad" but in decline?

As for Novak, I do think that this is the beginning of a post-absolute peak era. But he's far closer to his peak than Rafa, and is likely to play much better than Rafa going forward.

Then if some of you have a hard time taking me seriously I don't understand why you are responding to me so badly, maybe because you know that I'm right even if you don't want to see it?
I've never has said that Novak is starting to decline but the reality is that no one can play his best for ever, they have ups and down for diferent reasons and clearly he is going through those times. Rafa is in a roller coaster for two years, before because his back injury, later a lack do confidence and when he was recovering and playing well then his wrist. Don't take me serious and don't put attention what I'm saying but I'm sure he will do better, don't you like it? sorry but what ever you or me are thinking is not going to change the results to come, it will be in their rackets and not in your or my comments.
And Federer? seriously (believe me or not) I wish that he still could play well and his knee won't give him a hard time but I think he will have a tough way (but don't take very seriously...

Carol look at it this way, RBA showed what type of tennis is effective against Djoker to Rafa & team.

Nothing special pusher tennis? If that were the case why aren't Murray and Simon beating him frequently? Novak was just crap out there, no offense to RBA, although RBA's game does suck imo.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Then if some of you have a hard time taking me seriously I don't understand why you are responding to me so badly, maybe because you know that I'm right even if you don't want to see it?
I've never has said that Novak is starting to decline but the reality is that no one can play his best for ever, they have ups and down for diferent reasons and clearly he is going through those times. Rafa is in a roller coaster for two years, before because his back injury, later a lack do confidence and when he was recovering and playing well then his wrist. Don't take me serious and don't put attention what I'm saying but I'm sure he will do better, don't you like it? sorry but what ever you or me are thinking is not going to change the results to come, it will be in their rackets and not in your or my comments.
And Federer? seriously (believe me or not) I wish that he still could play well and his knee won't give him a hard time but I think he will have a tough way (but don't take very seriously...

Carol look at it this way, RBA showed what type of tennis is effective against Djoker to Rafa & team.

Nothing special pusher tennis? If that were the case why aren't Murray and Simon beating him frequently? Novak was just crap out there, no offense to RBA, although RBA's game does suck imo.

Front I am watching a replay of the match..it doesn't look like RBA is pushing the ball to me. RBA is playing some outstanding tennis..

Here is where you guys are unfair.(you know who u are ). when someone like Lucas defeats Rafa you never mentioned that Nadal played like crap whereas if it's Fed or Novak then they lost because they played like crap.

 

[Front242]

Maybe that's 'cos Pouille isn't a pusher? Ever consider that? Great net play, waiting for the right moment to pull the trigger and has A TON more firepower than RBA.