SHANGHAI ROLEX MASTERS - ATP-1000 - OCT. 6 to 13, 2013.

[Moxie]

Likewise, I will enjoy the 2nd half of Nadal's career even more than the 1st half when he has father time. I've always wanted to see more 5-setters at Roland Garros, but unfortunately Nadal has only played 2 of them. Hopefully we'll get some more epics like this year's RG semi (although obviously Nadal will be a bit sharper next year, so its unlikely).

Trust me you won't. When you follow a champion like Nadal or Federer you get spoiled. It's their fault of course but you do. You get used to the masters titles stacking up. You get used to the 1, 2 or 3 slams a year but it can't last, not indefinitely. Even great champions fade. You might want some more epic 5 setters at RG and no doubt you'll get some. However, at some point Rafa will start losing them. You follow a great champion. Why not just enjoy what he is producing right now? No need to look too far ahead.

Wise words, Iona. Plus, I don't believe for a minute that Nadal2005RG would have wanted more 5-setters at RG for Rafa. What's better than the bragging rights of Nadal's record in Paris? And that poster is ALL about bragging rights. :angel:

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

^ That's because its a fact. Federer has always been less physically exerted than the other elite players, and his techniques have always been based on the textbook (apart from the squash-shot).

Of course , one could try to explain to you how much hard " physical " work it took for Roger to make his game look effortless, but I doubt it would get through...Also one could show you around 100 videos of shots that Roger produced that you will never see on any "textbook" written about tennis, but again I doubt it would register either...So, just forget I wrote all this.

 

[Iona16]

Likewise, I will enjoy the 2nd half of Nadal's career even more than the 1st half when he has father time. I've always wanted to see more 5-setters at Roland Garros, but unfortunately Nadal has only played 2 of them. Hopefully we'll get some more epics like this year's RG semi (although obviously Nadal will be a bit sharper next year, so its unlikely).

Trust me you won't. When you follow a champion like Nadal or Federer you get spoiled. It's their fault of course but you do. You get used to the masters titles stacking up. You get used to the 1, 2 or 3 slams a year but it can't last, not indefinitely. Even great champions fade. You might want some more epic 5 setters at RG and no doubt you'll get some. However, at some point Rafa will start losing them. You follow a great champion. Why not just enjoy what he is producing right now? No need to look too far ahead.

Wise words, Iona. Plus, I don't believe for a minute that Nadal2005RG would have wanted more 5-setters at RG for Rafa. What's better than the bragging rights of Nadal's record in Paris? And that poster is ALL about bragging rights. :angel:

I do try Moxie. :blush: When I'm watching Andy or Rafa all I want is a quick 3 sets. I can appreciate a 5-set tussle once it's over and my guy has won but that's it.

What makes Rafa's record at RG even more incredible is the lack of 5-setters. I'm not sure why a Rafa fan would want to see more.

 

[Moxie]

Likewise, I will enjoy the 2nd half of Nadal's career even more than the 1st half when he has father time. I've always wanted to see more 5-setters at Roland Garros, but unfortunately Nadal has only played 2 of them. Hopefully we'll get some more epics like this year's RG semi (although obviously Nadal will be a bit sharper next year, so its unlikely).

Trust me you won't. When you follow a champion like Nadal or Federer you get spoiled. It's their fault of course but you do. You get used to the masters titles stacking up. You get used to the 1, 2 or 3 slams a year but it can't last, not indefinitely. Even great champions fade. You might want some more epic 5 setters at RG and no doubt you'll get some. However, at some point Rafa will start losing them. You follow a great champion. Why not just enjoy what he is producing right now? No need to look too far ahead.

Wise words, Iona. Plus, I don't believe for a minute that Nadal2005RG would have wanted more 5-setters at RG for Rafa. What's better than the bragging rights of Nadal's record in Paris? And that poster is ALL about bragging rights. :angel:

I do try Moxie. :blush: When I'm watching Andy or Rafa all I want is a quick 3 sets. I can appreciate a 5-set tussle once it's over and my guy has won but that's it.

What makes Rafa's record at RG even more incredible is the lack of 5-setters. I'm not sure why a Rafa fan would want to see more.

Me, either. #talkingoutofmypatootie, #timewaitsfornoone

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Trust me you won't. When you follow a champion like Nadal or Federer you get spoiled. It's their fault of course but you do. You get used to the masters titles stacking up. You get used to the 1, 2 or 3 slams a year but it can't last, not indefinitely. Even great champions fade. You might want some more epic 5 setters at RG and no doubt you'll get some. However, at some point Rafa will start losing them. You follow a great champion. Why not just enjoy what he is producing right now? No need to look too far ahead.

You think I'm not enjoying 2013? :laydownlaughing :laydownlaughing

But I've got news for you. The more you lose, the more enjoyable winning becomes. That's why I have no problem at all with Nadal losing more during his final few years.....because the wins will mean more than ever before. You will probably never understand this, because you sound like a fair-weather fan.

What makes Rafa's record at RG even more incredible is the lack of 5-setters. I'm not sure why a Rafa fan would want to see more.

Are you joking?

There is NOTHING better than witnessing a Nadal 5-setter. And not just at Roland Garros. I'd also love to see a Nadal 5-setter at the US Open. Many years since we saw one of them. You'd rather see easy wins? :laydownlaughing :laydownlaughing Fair-weather fan you....

 

[Moxie]

Likewise, I will enjoy the 2nd half of Nadal's career even more than the 1st half when he has father time. I've always wanted to see more 5-setters at Roland Garros, but unfortunately Nadal has only played 2 of them. Hopefully we'll get some more epics like this year's RG semi (although obviously Nadal will be a bit sharper next year, so its unlikely)

Trust me you won't. When you follow a champion like Nadal or Federer you get spoiled. It's their fault of course but you do. You get used to the masters titles stacking up. You get used to the 1, 2 or 3 slams a year but it can't last, not indefinitely. Even great champions fade. You might want some more epic 5 setters at RG and no doubt you'll get some. However, at some point Rafa will start losing them. You follow a great champion. Why not just enjoy what he is producing right now? No need to look too far ahead.

You think I'm not enjoying 2013? :laydownlaughing :laydownlaughing :laydownlaughing

But I've got news for you. The more you lose, the more enjoyable winning becomes. That's why I have no problem at all with Nadal losing more during his final few years.....because the wins will mean more than ever before. You will probably never understand this, because you sound like a fair-weather fan.

You have a long way to go to match world-wisdom with Iona, but NO ONE would call Iona a fair-weather fan. There is no one more loyal. That's not only incorrect, it's outrageously unfair. If you don't pay enough attention to know better, you certainly shouldn't be pronouncing on such things.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

You have a long way to go to match world-wisdom with Iona, but NO ONE would call Iona a fair-weather fan. There is no one more loyal. That's not only incorrect, it's outrageously unfair. If you don't pay enough attention to know better, you certainly shouldn't be pronouncing on such things.

Well, the proof is in the pudding. It is always more fun being the underdog. The rougher the weather, the more fun it is and the more rewarding the wins are. That's what made this year's comeback so fun. When Nadal cruises through 2014, will it be just as fun? It will be fun but it won't be as fun as 2013. Will it be fun in 2018 when Nadal is battling a lot more and the underdog at each event? You bet it will be fun (and he'll have surpassed Federer's slam total by then too, which is fun in itself). The final years of Nadal's career will be a celebration of his GOATness and each battle will be symbolic of something greater than winning/losing. I guess because Federer isn't known for "the battle" (he's known for winning easily) people aren't appreciating his final couple of years because they don't like seeing him battle. Whereas I enjoy the battle and the struggle, and that is why I hope Federer hangs in there and gives us some more battles (even if he wasn't known for that during his prime).

 

[Moxie]

Well, that's a fine vision of the future you have constructed for yourself. Let's see how you do when things get rough for Nadal. You're a bit of a gloater, (I think you'd admit that,) and gloaters tend to tuck-tail in the fallow times. That's because making a player's successes is more about their own ego than about the player. Now, if you could separate your own ego from Nadal and just discuss tennis, perhaps we'd all enjoy the conversation a bit more. Want to try that?

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Let's see? Ah, we already know. Because like I said, the rougher the better. The more you are starved of wins, the more you appreciate winning.

Well don't forget, I post about tennis. You post about, posters? Literally some of your posts make no mention of tennis. See if you posted about tennis (and everyone posted about tennis), everything would be much better.

 

[Moxie]

If some posters weren't so resistant to good conversation then I could post more about tennis, right? But it's my job. You could make it easier.

 

[calitennis127]

83:14 and 59:21 FSP: any conclusions?

Looking at the numbers from the Nadal-Dolgopolov match, I was again astounded at Nadal serving at a whopping and highly unusual 83%, while only hitting 14 winners. Meanwhile, Dolgopolov hit 21 winners but his first-serve percentage came in at 59%.

Any conclusions?

It is amazing to me how under-discussed Nadal's first-serve percentage is. In a pragmatic sense, it is often the most important factor in giving him just enough of an edge to win the toughest matches.

But, I will give Nadal credit for one thing, since I usually throw in digs at his shotmaking and playing style: his lob in the tiebreak against Berlocq was a sweet shot. It was a momentary experience in Nalbandianism. It wasn't quite Nalbandian-level, but seeing as the lob is one of my favorite shots in the game of tennis, it was nice to see someone besides Nalbandian use it for once.

So I will give Nadal some props for that, while still pointing out those low winner counts that all too often happen.

 

[Moxie]

^ You haven't been reading, as I've been whining about his low 1st serve pct. in the last tournament. It has picked up in Shanghai. And you're a match behind: vs. Berlocq, who played well, he had about 35 winners to some 12-14 UFEs. So, your point?

 

[masterclass]

I enjoy watching Mr. Lleyton Hewitt play when he is in good form.
His signature rainbow lobs are a treasure to behold.

Unfortunately, the lob kings are disappearing.
I also think that the great overhead smash is becoming a lost art.

Though as we saw yesterday, Federer's overheads were the one brilliant gem in his play against Monfils. It's truly a jaw-dropping shot when done well. I can't think of any other player today that hits them as well from almost any court position or tough situation.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[Kieran]

Cali,

Do you think that hitting more winners in a match is proof that you're the better player - even if you lose?

 

[huntingyou]

Nadal's heavy topspin lend itself for "would be" winners to be reach just slightly by the player in the yo yo machine......the point it's won but the stats shows a FORCED ERROR instead of a winner.

 

[the AntiPusher]

This is a very entertaining match. This feud with the umpire may be the chip for Gael to get back into this set

 

[the AntiPusher]

Funny, this is how Djoker beat Gael at the USO about 7 years ago, taking a lot of injury timeouts when he was just fatigue

 

[NADAL2005RG]

I don't know which would be more fun, Djokovic/Tsonga or Monfils/Tsonga. Either will do.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I don't know which would be more fun, Djokovic/Tsonga or Monfils/Tsonga. Either will do.

Yep

 

[DarthFed]

Monfils does not fare well against ball bashers for obvious reasons. I think Tsonga would take care of him quickly this time.