The Fall of Rafael Nadal
- Thread starter ClayDeath
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General Postpre is very happy to be here.
In an interview before the 2011 Wimbledon Final, Nadal recalled his nerves before his first Slam Final -- 2005 Roland Garros. He said that he told himself that day if he could get through the match (and win) then he'd never be that anxious before another future match (presumably because a single Slam win was the pinnacle of his boyhood aspirations). In the interview Nadal admitted that even though he won in 2005, he wasn't able to carry a calm mindset to his present day. He said that he got every bit as nervous (and even more so) before big matches as he did during his maiden Slam Final.
Of course this is understandable. The more you exceed your own and others expectations, the further you ascend to the top of the history books, the easier it is to lose your innocence, and your reckless determination that made you uniquely great.
There are many factors that have led to the decline of Nadal. I'm not one who thinks he can't ever win another Slam. But apart from the physical (needs to shed some lbs) and technical (forehand, serve, return) aspects, Nadal needs to once again find that kid inside who played with reckless exuberance, needs to free himself from others' expectations, and needs to play as the great warrior he's proven he can be.
In an interview before the 2011 Wimbledon Final, Nadal recalled his nerves before his first Slam Final -- 2005 Roland Garros. He said that he told himself that day if he could get through the match (and win) then he'd never be that anxious before another future match (presumably because a single Slam win was the pinnacle of his boyhood aspirations). In the interview Nadal admitted that even though he won in 2005, he wasn't able to carry a calm mindset to his present day. He said that he got every bit as nervous (and even more so) before big matches as he did during his maiden Slam Final.
Of course this is understandable. The more you exceed your own and others expectations, the further you ascend to the top of the history books, the easier it is to lose your innocence, and your reckless determination that made you uniquely great.
There are many factors that have led to the decline of Nadal. I'm not one who thinks he can't ever win another Slam. But apart from the physical (needs to shed some lbs) and technical (forehand, serve, return) aspects, Nadal needs to once again find that kid inside who played with reckless exuberance, needs to free himself from others' expectations, and needs to play as the great warrior he's proven he can be.
britbox
Multiple Major Winner
Rafa has called it a career. so there is nothing to fix.
he did that early last year but evidently nobody is listening. he showed up in Melbourne with absolutely horrible preparation.
and once there, he was basically farting around with his practice sessions. he was not serious about his practice. he also showed up unfit. not surprisingly then he would go on to win just 10% of the points from the baseline against berdych.
he got smashed to pieces by Berdych. he then paid the usual lip service to the press but he knew exactly what he was doing.
the man is done. his game and his fitness continues to get worse and worse. this is no accident. this is by design.
furthermore he is doing exactly nothing to break the free fall. nothing.
he is fine with it. he even said so but again nobody is listening.
more later.
he did that early last year but evidently nobody is listening. he showed up in Melbourne with absolutely horrible preparation.
and once there, he was basically farting around with his practice sessions. he was not serious about his practice. he also showed up unfit. not surprisingly then he would go on to win just 10% of the points from the baseline against berdych.
he got smashed to pieces by Berdych. he then paid the usual lip service to the press but he knew exactly what he was doing.
the man is done. his game and his fitness continues to get worse and worse. this is no accident. this is by design.
furthermore he is doing exactly nothing to break the free fall. nothing.
he is fine with it. he even said so but again nobody is listening.
more later.
I deal only with ruthless objectivity and the actually reality on the ground.
I know the truth hurts.
I know the truth hurts.
now uncle tony is crying about the state of the game. he said that 70% of the points against verdasco in Melbourne were 4 shots or less.
no shit Sherlock. why don't you get your man to stop playing altogether and watch how the 95% of the points are 1-2 shots.
do nothing. just feed them the ball and leave it short and see how quickly those points become 1-2 shots.
go out there practice and work hard like others are doing. otherwise just carry on with the lip service.
we know what is going to happen. they will all catch on soon enough.
there is no place to hide as general masterclass has pointed out. there is simply not enough work and enough sacrifices being made for the last 4 years and hence the dramatic decline.
and now Rafa has no fitness and just 25% of the ground game he used to have.
today uncle tony said that rafa's forehand is no good anymore. really? what an amazing observation. thanks tony but we can see that.
that happens with inactivity.
no shit Sherlock. why don't you get your man to stop playing altogether and watch how the 95% of the points are 1-2 shots.
do nothing. just feed them the ball and leave it short and see how quickly those points become 1-2 shots.
go out there practice and work hard like others are doing. otherwise just carry on with the lip service.
we know what is going to happen. they will all catch on soon enough.
there is no place to hide as general masterclass has pointed out. there is simply not enough work and enough sacrifices being made for the last 4 years and hence the dramatic decline.
and now Rafa has no fitness and just 25% of the ground game he used to have.
today uncle tony said that rafa's forehand is no good anymore. really? what an amazing observation. thanks tony but we can see that.
that happens with inactivity.
britbox
Multiple Major Winner
Nadal at the crossroads
With the defeat against Pablo Cuevas at the semifinals of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Nadal has closed the first stretch of the season with a certainly disappointing balance: eight victories and four defeats, 16th in the ATP Race and unable for the moment to win any player in the top-50. The four matches with players in that ranking - Djokovic, Verdasco, Thiem and Cuevas - are counted as losses.
Full article: https://www.thetennisbase.com/?enlace=blog&bg=4&post=Nadal-at-the-crossroads
With the defeat against Pablo Cuevas at the semifinals of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Nadal has closed the first stretch of the season with a certainly disappointing balance: eight victories and four defeats, 16th in the ATP Race and unable for the moment to win any player in the top-50. The four matches with players in that ranking - Djokovic, Verdasco, Thiem and Cuevas - are counted as losses.
Full article: https://www.thetennisbase.com/?enlace=blog&bg=4&post=Nadal-at-the-crossroads
Rafa vacationing.
And end of the day finding some time for farting around on the hard courts.
For what? Why bother at all since it is not going to change the dynamic.
only clay can fix what ails him.
I expect first and second round loses at both Indian wells and in Miami.
this is just so heart breaking. He simply doesn't care to win.
And end of the day finding some time for farting around on the hard courts.
For what? Why bother at all since it is not going to change the dynamic.
only clay can fix what ails him.
I expect first and second round loses at both Indian wells and in Miami.
this is just so heart breaking. He simply doesn't care to win.
Carol
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Roger Federer just announced he is not playing on the hard courts of Indian Wells and Miami.
He'll be heading to Monte Carlo to play on the beautiful clay courts of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters instead.
Maybe Rafa is listening?
Rafa didn't go through a knee surgery, he can play in IW and Miami
It just might be one of the most beautifully situated courts in the world.
I also have it on good authority that Roger will be training in March all month on clay in Switzerland and/or perhaps some other warmer venue up until the week before Monte Carlo.starts in April...
Admiringly,
masterclass
Rafa should have gone to Brasil Open.
but there is nothing you can do.
Nothing can help you if don't want be helped.
Absolutely nothing can help you if you are comfortable getting your ass handed to you by players that will never amount to anything.
just bring on more vacations and more golf courses. And those exos.
winning requires hard work and sacrifice.
but there is nothing you can do.
Nothing can help you if don't want be helped.
Absolutely nothing can help you if you are comfortable getting your ass handed to you by players that will never amount to anything.
just bring on more vacations and more golf courses. And those exos.
winning requires hard work and sacrifice.
Carol
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He is training already for the HC, hope his mind gets a good training too 
http://en.yibada.com/articles/10682...-spaniard-starts-preparation-indian-wells.htm
http://en.yibada.com/articles/10682...-spaniard-starts-preparation-indian-wells.htm
MargaretMcAleer
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I happen to be one of Rafa's biggest fans and have followed him since he first appeared on the tour,quite frankly I am at a 'loss for words' with his rapid decline,though in reality it just hasn't happened in the last two years.His latest matches on clay,have been woeful.I shudder at the thought of Rafa on a Hard Court,with the upcoming tournaments at IW and Miami.
Carol
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He is done. 2015 and 2016 constitute as his retirement circuit.
Sort of a goodbye circuit.
he is tarnishing his legacy by doing absolutely nothing about his game and his fitness.
You can still make your way out but why not go out fighting.
Sort of a goodbye circuit.
he is tarnishing his legacy by doing absolutely nothing about his game and his fitness.
You can still make your way out but why not go out fighting.
can't tarnish your legacy by keep playing after your prime, otherwise no player would play well into their 30s. surely enough tennis fans still want to see Rafa, and not worry only about his 'results'. Sounds like you only care if he can still 'produce', sigh!!
if you want to watch him get swatted aside like a hapless mosquito then go right ahead.
it is not just the top players. djokovic shredded his unfit and unprepared ass to pieces in 10 out last 11 matches.
if that is your idea of competition then go right ahead. we are not going to stop you.
now the lesser players who will never amount to anything run all over him too.
his real tennis fans wont watch him in this pathetic condition. they will choose to remember him as the gladiator he once was.
also truth be told the whole world wants him to win and be competitive out there.
it is not just the top players. djokovic shredded his unfit and unprepared ass to pieces in 10 out last 11 matches.
if that is your idea of competition then go right ahead. we are not going to stop you.
now the lesser players who will never amount to anything run all over him too.
his real tennis fans wont watch him in this pathetic condition. they will choose to remember him as the gladiator he once was.
also truth be told the whole world wants him to win and be competitive out there.
Moxie
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Beyond the legions of Federer fans, and the growing coterier of Djokovic fans, I'm sure that's true.
the whole world wants him to win? uhhhhh? not sure a single player would get that kind of 'support', people want to see him because he is a legend and most know he's past it so don't hold unrealistic expectations like you do....and they certainly don't whine about it endlessly
