The Fall of Rafael Nadal

[Tennis Fan]

Rafa looked pretty well and fitted the last two months of 2015 and later who knows why he took a step back but I I don't think he will wait to play well at 2017, he will do before

I agree Carol, and I can't wait. I enjoy watching Rafa more than anyone ever to play the game.

 

[ClayDeath]

he can use 2016 as a stepping stone and then try to really go after the big clay events in 2017.


2017 can be his one last charge. he has one shot left and it can only be in 2017. and it can only be on clay.

will he take that shot?

 

[Tennis Fan]

he can use 2016 as a stepping stone and then try to really go after the big clay events in 2017.


2017 can be his one last charge. he has one shot left and it can only be in 2017. and it can only be on clay.

will he take that shot?

I really think Rafa is through with the sport, but pressure from everyone around him, including his fans, sponsors, etc. keep him in the game. It seems that he wants to work at his academy and he no longer has the fire in the belly. I think Rafa has actually accomplished what he set out to do, but I don't see him as the kind of person who would continue to chase a dream that no longer suited his purposes. I don't think he cares about the history books as much as his fans do. He's had a great career that he is proud of, but it's on to more fulfilling things for him, IMO.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I really think Rafa is through with the sport, but pressure from everyone around him, including his fans, sponsors, etc. keep him in the game. It seems that he wants to work at his academy and he no longer has the fire in the belly. I think Rafa has actually accomplished what he set out to do, but I don't see him as the kind of person who would continue to chase a dream that no longer suited his purposes. I don't think he cares about the history books as much as his fans do. He's had a great career that he is proud of, but it's on to more fulfilling things for him, IMO.

Rafa has always been highly competitive,quite frankly if he cannot get back to winning tournaments and playing at a high level on a consistent basis,personally I think he will retire.With this new academy he is building I feel it is Rafa's way of giving back to tennis what he has achieved in his career.

 

[Moxie]

I guess everyone figures 2016 will tell us a lot about where Rafa's head and his game is.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Being a fan of Nadal has been one long 'roller coaster ride' past and present,quite frankly I would not have it any other way.

From what I am presently reading in March it will be confirmed if Rafa will be the flag bearer for Spain at the upcoming Olympics in Rio.

 

[ClayDeath]

it is clay or nothing.

or as nalbandian said: it is clay or the exit.

 

[ClayDeath]

clay is the wellspring from which he flows.

 

[ClayDeath]

 

[shawnbm]

Yes, clay has always been where Nadal steadies himself and grows in confidence. His failings on that surface last year had repercussions on other surfaces the rest of the year. Winning in Argentina will do him a world of good.

 

[Carol]

Maybe he is not playing his best but not doubts about he has the most pretty smile of the all Tour


http://media.fyre.co/mVVpdw2TROSCCc39Krzl_Cax9jd2UsAA3Oe-.jpg large.jpg

 

[ClayDeath]

I am just sick to my bloody stomach.

He gets more and more pathetic with each pathetic day.

I realize he is just out there for $41-$45 million a year and I would be too but I would be more competive.

He is tarnishing his legacy. Monaco had surgery. He has not played in a decade.

Rafa also cried about the heat and humidity. Why the hell don't you get more fit man. Don't you have any pride?

You are an all time great and still just 29. Work on your bloody fitness and compete.

and he did hesitate about coming here.

Why? Because he knows he has no game and no fitness. He knows he can't win even this Mickey Mouse title.

 

[Moxie]

You're a great fan, mate. Hyperbole much? Not great, but not a bad effort against a game opponent. Let's see how tomorrow goes.

 

[ClayDeath]

Rafa is crying about the heat and humidity.

He says he has to improve physically.

No shit Sherlock.


Wonder you have heard this before.

Can't win any titles with such pathetic fitness.

Go work on your fitness man.

Or just keep getting your sorry ass handed to you by the top players.

 

[herios]

Yes, clay has always been where Nadal steadies himself and grows in confidence. His failings on that surface last year had repercussions on other surfaces the rest of the year. Winning in Argentina will do him a world of good.

He won here last year, then we saw how his year unfolded

 

[shawnbm]

^ that is true, but there is absolutely no chance, and my estimation, of him doing anything meaningful unless he wins on Clay first. That is always been the case with it. I can think of two other seasons when he won nothing for six or seven months until we get the Clay and then he won many titles including titles on other surfaces

 

[EdbergsGhost]

Rafa unravels in the tiebreak against Thiem. He won't even defend his little 250 title. This is bad.

 

[shawnbm]

Definitely worrisome to see Rafael struggle on his favorite surface, but Dominic played well and without fear. Good win for him.

 

[EdbergsGhost]

Waiting to read Clay Death's post mortem. :scratch:

 

[ClayDeath]

Waiting to read Clay Death's post mortem. :scratch:

I could have told you last week that he was not going to win more than 1-2 matches here.

This is no rocket science. He has horrible fitness levels and only about 30 percent of his ground game.

He also has a weak serve and a weak return.


There is a reason why he hesitated to come here. He knew he was going to lose.

You can't win with a pathetic work ethic. End of story.

No sooner than he got here he started complaining about the heat.

Rafa won't work and therefore not win anything.

2916 is going to be far worse than 2015. It is a trend that is over 4 years in the making.