The Fall of Rafael Nadal

[ClayDeath]

No doubt of that General.

There is also no substitute for putting in the hours during practice, especially training off-season.
You can't play 10 months of the year at a high level reaching the business end of most tournaments without being fit
Or, you can go on vacations on the boat, swimming, playing golf, playing poker, walk around with a big smile enjoying life, and see where that gets you on the court.

During the past 2015-2016 off season, then 21 year old Lucas Pouille (who just reached the Wimbledon QF) trained with Roger Federer in Dubai.
Here is what Pouille's coach Emmanuel Planque had to say about Federer's work ethic and how they learned from it:

"We've watched Roger work. You think everything comes easily. But it's exactly the opposite. He's started associating volume and quality. We didn't realise so much work was involved. We couldn't believe it. I saw sessions from 1 PM to 9 PM where Roger finished by taking off his shorts and socks and walking directly to the ice bath with a towel wrapped around himself. He was that cooked. Seeing that, for us that was education."

Lesson - if one wants to become and stay relevant as a pro tennis player, from your early years even to your 40's, one must put in the hard yards, even for a player with Federer's enormous talent. If not, one ends up leaving too much on the table. It's a choice all players must make.

Federer and Pouille teams training in Dubai

Respectfully,
masterclass

Fantastic post.


It is just incredible how so many lovesick fans don't get this.


I see that all over social media.

Rafa killed his game and his fitness with inactivity.

He has better things to do than winning.

Every bloody day he and his camp has a new excuse which is just lip service anyway.

He packed his bags and went home ages ago.

Now Tony calls the sport boring.

and that is after calling it "too quick".

It is really getting ridiculous. it would be better to just keep the mouth shut.

everybody on the planet who wants to win and cares to compete, fight, and win tennis matches are making it happen.

Even 35-39 year olds are winning matches.

Rafa is done now anyway. He can't get back to relevant level even if he wanted to.

I was afraid he was going to throw away 2016 also and so far he has done that.

 

[ClayDeath]

all my key indicators are accounted for.

I had a tiny bit of hope for 2016: I thought if he can find the hunger and the drive he would know that he has to spend 7-9 months on the fitness front and the physical front in 2016 in order to regain some relevancy for 2017 for the clay circuit.

he shed what little fitness he had.

it is a sad end for many of us true and real fans. we saw all this coming nearly 6 years ago: he left a lot on the table. he could have taken a couple of additional RG crowns anyway with a little bit of work ethic and devotion to the sport.

but you cant do it if your heart is not in it.


I am afraid all we will be left with is the memories.

borg did the same thing except borg kept himself very fit. he checked out mentally and then could not get back on the train. he too left too much on the table. he could have pocketed 2-3 additional RG crowns as well.

 

[masterclass]

Well said General Hercules.

This topic isn't about Federer's draws. This topic isn't really about injuries, though there may be some indirect effects,. This talk isn't about conditions one was born with. That is simply a get out of jail free card excuse. Many athletes aren't built perfectly. They adjust, they compensate. Rafa has won 9 RG titles on the most grueling surface with his defect, no? I don't hear Rafa using this as an excuse, only his fans.

A tennis season isn't only about winning slams, it's about being competitive in all tournaments throughout the year. What I brought up is about the work ethic necessary to give oneself a chance to be competitive the whole year, especially during the off season, such as it is, preparation for the next year. I mentioned how the youngster, Pouille, trained with Federer and he and his team got an education in what it takes to become and stay relevant in the game. Pouille was shown the way, has worked hard, and has made his first major QF. From what I had seen, Rafa had this work ethic earlier in his career maybe till 2010. General Hercules can tell you some of the things Rafa has done in the off season since then including his fascination with his indoor hard court.

No, Federer hasn't won a major since 2012 when he was already late into his 31st year as few have past this age, but I can guarantee that if Federer didn't train as hard as he has, he would not be as relevant as he still is, close to finishing his 35th year as #3 in the world. He would not have been the only man other than Djokovic to be in 2 slam finals 3 years later in 2015, and win 6 matches vs. Djokovic in 2014-2015, and continued his winning run against Murray, what it is it, 5 straight in over 3 years?

If he weren't very fit during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, Federer would not have reached 22 finals, winning 11, losing 10.(+ W/O 2014 WTF). All of his final losses in 2015, and 7 of those total losses plus the W/O were only to #1 Djokovic. Even Federer's losses to Novak were competitive, as he and Djokovic were tied 18-18 in number of sets won during 2014-2015.

At Federer's age, should he have been the one challenging 6 year junior runaway train Djokovic the most? Clearly, no, but someone had to do it.

Why has Djokovic been a runaway train? First, he has become one of the fittest players on the planet, and second because players close to his own age like Rafa, Andy, and the younger lost generation of players (1989-1993), who should be providing competition, were not challenging him. They have clearly fallen short.

Andy Murray? In 2014 and 2015, Murray won a single match in Canada in 11 matches played against Novak, and has lost 12 of his last 14 against the Serbian juggernaut and most have not been close with Novak winning 32 of 41 sets.

Rafael Nadal? He beat Novak only once in Paris during the same time period out of seven played and has lost 11 of their last 12 losing a woeful 24 out of 28 sets. This is a fall of colossal proportions. I don't know the sets ratio prior to 2011, but a glance shows Rafa led by a significant margin.

The young generation of players? Novak has won 27 and lost 2 against players under 23 since 2012, losing once to Dimitrov in Madrid in 2013, and once to Vesely this year in Monte Carlo.

So there it is. Sad to say that there have been only 5 wins total in that time from the group that should be challenging Novak, less wins combined then the aging Federer in 2014-2015.

As for Rafa, of course none of us can tell him what to do, not even Uncle Toni can at this point. He can do whatever he wants.
Borg and Nadal were probably the two greatest topspin and clay court players in history.
They both started young. Borg left a lot on the table playing his last major at age 25.
He said he was tired from all the effort it took to produce the level of tennis needed. He was burnt out. He didn't play any majors in 1982 and announced his retirement in early 1983.
Nadal is still in the sport, but between 2010 and 2011 he said he had lost his passion for the sport..
Maybe he recovered some of it after his lengthy rest in 2012, to produce an excellent 2013, but I think that was it.
The big topspin game is not easy. It takes a lot of effort. Is there a small window for Rafa to rise in 2017 if he puts in the hard work?
We'll see. It has to be on clay or it's the exit.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[masterclass]

Fantastic post.


It is just incredible how so many lovesick fans don't get this.


I see that all over social media.

Rafa killed his game and his fitness with inactivity.

He has better things to do than winning.

Every bloody day he and his camp has a new excuse which is just lip service anyway.

He packed his bags and went home ages ago.

Now Tony calls the sport boring.

and that is after calling it "too quick".

It is really getting ridiculous. it would be better to just keep the mouth shut.

everybody on the planet who wants to win and cares to compete, fight, and win tennis matches are making it happen.

Even 35-39 year olds are winning matches.

Rafa is done now anyway. He can't get back to relevant level even if he wanted to.

I was afraid he was going to throw away 2016 also and so far he has done that.

Excellent post General.

The words have to be said by team Nadal, because they are still raking in the endorsement money, and of course have millions of fans that adore Rafa and sponsors and fans alike have hope that he will return to the top at least one more time.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that all these side activities he has are signs that he is burnt out from the grind.
He is set for life anyway. I know people are playing golf, fishing, swimming, etc. into their 80's and 90's.

This man sunk two holes-in-one at 90 years old.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[ClayDeath]

Well said General Hercules.

This topic isn't about Federer's draws. This topic isn't really about injuries, though there may be some indirect effects,. This talk isn't about conditions one was born with. That is simply a get out of jail free card excuse. Many athletes aren't built perfectly. They adjust, they compensate. Rafa has won 9 RG titles on the most grueling surface with his defect, no? I don't hear Rafa using this as an excuse, only his fans.

A tennis season isn't only about winning slams, it's about being competitive in all tournaments throughout the year. What I brought up is about the work ethic necessary to give oneself a chance to be competitive the whole year, especially during the off season, such as it is, preparation for the next year. I mentioned how the youngster, Pouille, trained with Federer and he and his team got an education in what it takes to become and stay relevant in the game. Pouille was shown the way, has worked hard, and has made his first major QF. From what I had seen, Rafa had this work ethic earlier in his career maybe till 2010. General Hercules can tell you some of the things Rafa has done in the off season since then including his fascination with his indoor hard court.

No, Federer hasn't won a major since 2012 when he was already late into his 31st year as few have past this age, but I can guarantee that if Federer didn't train as hard as he has, he would not be as relevant as he still is, close to finishing his 35th year as #3 in the world. He would not have been the only man other than Djokovic to be in 2 slam finals 3 years later in 2015, and win 6 matches vs. Djokovic in 2014-2015, and continued his winning run against Murray, what it is it, 5 straight in over 3 years?

If he weren't very fit during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, Federer would not have reached 22 finals, winning 11, losing 10.(+ W/O 2014 WTF). All of his final losses in 2015, and 7 of those total losses plus the W/O were only to #1 Djokovic. Even Federer's losses to Novak were competitive, as he and Djokovic were tied 18-18 in number of sets won during 2014-2015.

At Federer's age, should he have been the one challenging 6 year junior runaway train Djokovic the most? Clearly, no, but someone had to do it.

Why has Djokovic been a runaway train? First, he has become one of the fittest players on the planet, and second because players close to his own age like Rafa, Andy, and the younger lost generation of players (1989-1993), who should be providing competition, were not challenging him. They have clearly fallen short.

Andy Murray? In 2014 and 2015, Murray won a single match in Canada in 11 matches played against Novak, and has lost 12 of his last 14 against the Serbian juggernaut and most have not been close with Novak winning 32 of 41 sets.

Rafael Nadal? He beat Novak only once in Paris during the same time period out of seven played and has lost 11 of their last 12 losing a woeful 24 out of 28 sets. This is a fall of colossal proportions. I don't know the sets ration prior to 2011, but a glance shows Rafa led by a significant margin.

The young generation of players? Novak has won 27 and lost 2 against players under 23 since 2012, losing once to Dimitrov in Madrid in 2013, and once to Vesely this year in Monte Carlo.

So there it is. Sad to say that there have been only 5 wins total in that time from the group that should be challenging Novak, less wins combined then the aging Federer in 2014-2015.

As for Rafa, of course none of us can tell him what to do, not even Uncle Toni can at this point. He can do whatever he wants.
Borg and Nadal were probably the two greatest topspin and clay court players in history.
They both started young. Borg left a lot on the table playing his last major at age 25.
He said he was tired from all the effort it took to produce the level of tennis needed. He was burnt out. He didn't play any majors in 1982 and announced his retirement in early 1983.
Nadal is still in the sport, but between 2010 and 2011 he said he had lost his passion for the sport..
Maybe he recovered some of it after his lengthy rest in 2012, to produce an excellent 2013, but I think that was it.
The big topspin game is not easy. It takes a lot of effort. Is there a small window for Rafa to rise in 2017 if he puts in the hard work?
We'll see. It has to be on clay or it's the exit.

Respectfully,
masterclass

remarkable post general.


rafa is the greatest physical specimen our sport has ever seen and known. and still he took home no less than 9 RG crowns. and still he would dominate red clay for a decade.

that is indeed the most demanding surface known to mankind.

becker--as great as he was--was never able to take home a single clay event during his tenure on the tour.


injuries are always unfortunate but rafa is directly responsible for 90% of his injuries. they did not have to happen if he had worked tirelessly on the fitness front and in the training room.

he could have changed his training on the practice courts. he could have cut back activity on the hard courts to some extent after taking home the Australian open in 2009. and so on.

there is no other way to explain his injuries. he has been injured now 8 times in the last 8 years.

there is injury waiting to happen every time he steps on the courts.

there is a reason why he complains constantly about being fatigued and worn out. he cant get himself to go put in the long, hard yard on the fitness front.

he is older now and his style of play is the most demanding in history. so of course there are going to be endless injuries.

he is just enjoying the spotlight and the money. he has no desire to compete and win.

the money will get bigger but there is no way he can stay in the sport for long. something has to give. he is completely irrelevant in the sport.

almost any injury or the next injury will force him to exit the tour.

people are just not hearing and seeing all that is transpiring right before their eyes:

nalbandian said it is clay or the exit. only we at Camelot and at Discuss Tennis said that ages ago.

only players he can beat with such drastically reduced fitness and nearly no game on clay are clowns. and even that entails risk of injury.

nobody wants their players to keep getting injured time and again and to keep being irrelevant in the sport.

but that is exactly what he has chosen to do.


on another front, much credit to Federer who is making nearly $71 million a year and who is still willing to go put in 8 hours a day or more on the practice courts and the fitness front.

at least he keeps putting himself in a position to challenge the best time and again.

and how about serena who is 100 years old. she is still looking for more slams.

 

[ClayDeath]

wake the bloody hell rafa. you have just a very short window left: 2017 clay season.

bring in johhny mac, carlos moya, and pat cash as part time advisors and keep uncle tony. also hire a fitness expert ASAP.

show some damn life. show them that you are willing to turn this around.

 

[masterclass]

One can't put oneself in the position to win if one doesn't participate.

It seems that Rafa is not going to defend his Hamburg title on clay next week.

Uncle Toni said the plan is that Rafa will be ready for Toronto in 18 days.

"The plan is to go to Toronto, which I think will be very good for us. If Rafael goes there will mean that you are in perfect conditions to play. Will be a great preparation for the Olympics too, practicing with top players there. Until Rio, we have a month and a half so Rafael will have very good 20 days to get ready."​

Here he is a week ago recovering and vacationing with friends and family:

Thanking his 10 million followers on Twitter:

We will see if he plays in Toronto.
Hopefully this is not a repeat of 2012.

Respectfully,
masterclass

P.S. Looking at the pics above, what happened to Nadal's famous bicep?

 

[ClayDeath]

no game and no fitness.

all by design. not by accident.

he let it all go. he had better things to do.

 

[ClayDeath]

absolutely nothing is going to happen on the north American circuit other than another possible injury. how will he deal with the heat and the humidity, let alone the competition.

and he is playing all 3 events at the Olympics with no fitness.

 

[ClayDeath]

One can't put oneself in the position to win if one doesn't participate.

It seems that Rafa is not going to defend his Hamburg title on clay next week.

Uncle Toni said the plan is that Rafa will be ready for Toronto in 18 days.

"The plan is to go to Toronto, which I think will be very good for us. If Rafael goes there will mean that you are in perfect conditions to play. Will be a great preparation for the Olympics too, practicing with top players there. Until Rio, we have a month and a half so Rafael will have very good 20 days to get ready."​

Here he is a week ago recovering and vacationing with friends and family:

Thanking his 10 million followers on Twitter:

We will see if he plays in Toronto.
Hopefully this is not a repeat of 2012.

Respectfully,
masterclass

P.S. Looking at the pics above, what happened to Nadal's famous bicep?

I don't care to see him at all in Toronto or anywhere else for that matter general.

who the hell wants to see their players showing up out there on the battlefield with pathetic preparation time and again? just tired of seeing him get injured over and over and over again.

I just cant bear to see him in this condition.

 

[masterclass]

Understood general.

If his wrist is not an issue, I almost would rather see him go to one of the minor European events on clay for a first tournament back instead of immediately going against the big boys in Toronto.

There is Gstaad, Switzerland, Kitzbuhel, Austria, and Umag, Croatia all on the 18th of July, all on clay.

Does he have to play Davis Cup to go to the Olympics or is he trying to get an injury exemption?

If his left wrist is still an issue, then he needs to forget about all of that and fully recuperate.
He can get on the bike and start getting some mileage in until he can get up to 50-100 miles/day.
He needs resistance training at least to build his upper body strength and agility drills.
When he is ready, get back on the clay and start practicing.
If he can get back to at least around 4-6 hours on the court a day, plus gym work, then we will see what is going on.

He probably needs to hire someone like Muster's old trainer, maybe another coach if Toni is part time at the Academy.

I'm not sure if he is willing to go through all that though.
Maybe he has had enough of it all, like Borg did, but instead of retiring, he is just hanging around to keep the sponsors and fans happy.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[Tennis Fan]

Good for Rafa, enjoying his life while he's off in injury timeout and helping young people reach their own dreams. What a man!

 

[Tennis Fan]

The wrist is still an issue. His comeback at Toronto has been delayed. According to the doctors, the wrist still needs to be strengthened.

http://en.yibada.com/articles/13901...eback-skip-rogers-cup-due-injury-concerns.htm

 

[ClayDeath]

Wrist is not an issue.

Complacency and lack of any true desire to compete, fight, battle, and win matches are the biggest issues.

He lays the hard ground work for 90 percent of his injuries.

The man just does not care to win.

He has even said that but nobody is listening.

 

[ClayDeath]

One can't put oneself in the position to win if one doesn't participate.

It seems that Rafa is not going to defend his Hamburg title on clay next week.

Uncle Toni said the plan is that Rafa will be ready for Toronto in 18 days.

"The plan is to go to Toronto, which I think will be very good for us. If Rafael goes there will mean that you are in perfect conditions to play. Will be a great preparation for the Olympics too, practicing with top players there. Until Rio, we have a month and a half so Rafael will have very good 20 days to get ready."​

Here he is a week ago recovering and vacationing with friends and family:

Thanking his 10 million followers on Twitter:

We will see if he plays in Toronto.
Hopefully this is not a repeat of 2012.

Respectfully,
masterclass

P.S. Looking at the pics above, what happened to Nadal's famous bicep?

Excellent post general.

Cash, courier, federer and others have wondered about the same thing.

He is simply too inactive as it relates to activity on the practice courts and of course the hard yards on the fitness front and the work in the training room.


Only the lovesick fans who would not know what a tennis racquet looks like are buying the lip service.


I don't know why he is doing this. 3 years of being irrelevant in the sport should be enough.

Money should not be the issue.

His stock actually skyrockets when he exits the tour.


He is going to be a billionaire anyway.

I think he is putting a little dent in his legacy by continuing to be irrelevant on the tour.

 

[Tennis Fan]

Wrist is not an issue.

Complacency and lack of any true desire to compete, fight, battle, and win matches are the biggest issues.

He lays the hard ground work for 90 percent of his injuries.

The man just does not care to win.

He has even said that but nobody is listening.

LOLOLOL! I can't.

 

[ClayDeath]

LOLOLOL! I can't.

he just has to produce a huge body of work on the fitness front. that is priority #1. and much physical work has to be done in the training room also.

and then you compliment that with long hard yards on the practice courts. clay is the wellspring from which he flows so it has to be the clay courts.

he can make a difference on the red clay in 2017 if he starts now.

 

[ClayDeath]

Rafa says he is not the favorite in Rio.

Really Rafa?

Who really cares at this point anyway?

Only thing we can say with absolute certainty is that you retired long ago.

And of course we can predict your next vacation.

Inactivity equals irrelevance.

Even the truly lovesick and partially blind fans are not buying the endless lip service.

 

[Carol]

Rafa says he is not the favorite in Rio.

Really Rafa?

Who really cares at this point anyway?

Only thing we can say with absolute certainty is that you retired long ago.

And of course we can predict your next vacation.

Inactivity equals irrelevance.

Even the truly lovesick and partially blind fans are not buying the endless lip service.

Thanks to the Heaven that Rafa is not reading your comments, otherwise he would have hunged his rackets a long time ego.....

 

[ClayDeath]

Thanks to the Heaven that Rafa is not reading your comments, otherwise he would have hunged his rackets a long time ego.....

He did hang up his racquets.