The Grass is always Greener - 2021

[Carol]

Flogging an old man for trying to preserve his body and maximizing his chances is ridiculous, (same applies to Ralph also).

It is perfectly legitimate to criticize Fed if he has exited RG (without losing) to play in Stuttgart grass tournament which was held during the second week of RG. That shows an intentional disrespect for a GS. But, he did not do that.

As per Ralph, I have no issues with him choosing to skip Wimbledon (where his chances are not that good) and skip Olympics (where he has already won Gold in singles and doubles and had been flag bearer; Olympics is about crossing it off from your list and not about counting how many medals you have at least in Tennis) especially considering the pandemic situation in Japan. The only issue I will have is if any Nadalite ever uses (now or later as part of rewriting history) Ralph's skipping these two tourneys as a way to put an asterisk to his loss to Novak @RG.

Try to read his history and you will see that Ralph has skipped GS and including the Olympics always because he was injured. In 2004 he skipped RG because he had a stress fracture in his left ankle, in 2006 he missed AO because a foot injury, in 2009 he skipped WB because his knee injury and according what Tsonga and Monfils said (good witnesses) he was playing RG with problem in his knee besides a very bad throat infection. In 2012 he withdrew from Olympics because the tendinitis in his knee, in 2018 he retired playng against Delpo due to an injury. In one word Nadal never has skipped any GS unless to be injured and the rumors say that after his semis match in RG he was limping, maybe it's not a serious injury but a wise decision to take care what ever was the discomfort , he really has learned the lesson and more at his age.

 

[Moxie]

Try to read his history and you will see that Ralph has skipped GS and including the Olympics always because he was injured. In 2004 he skipped RG because he had a stress fracture in his left ankle, in 2006 he missed AO because a foot injury, in 2009 he skipped WB because his knee injury and according what Tsonga and Monfils said (good witnesses) he was playing RG with problem in his knee besides a very bad throat infection. In 2012 he withdrew from Olympics because the tendinitis in his knee, in 2018 he retired playng against Delpo due to an injury. In one word Nadal never has skipped any GS unless to be injured and the rumors say that after his semis match in RG he was limping, maybe it's not a serious injury but a wise decision to take care what ever was the discomfort , he really has learned the lesson and more at his age.

Carol, you really are trying to give Nadal fans and Nadal himself a bad name to insist that he's only skipped Majors because of injury, or that he was carrying one in his loss to Novak last week. He's lost a lot of time on the tour to injury, but not all of it has been about that. Firstly, his choice to skip this Wimbledon and the upcoming Olympic Games is not about injury, but personal choice, as to lack of preparation. (And as to Olympic Games, I'm guessing because he can, because of the pandemic, and it suits his prep for the USO HC swing.)

He skipped AO 2013 due to lack of preparation, not due to injury, which was a personal choice. He skipped the USO last year due to the pandemic, but it was a personal choice. He has missed a great deal of important events due to injury, but you weaken the argument if you insist they are all due to injury. I think it's important to get the facts right.

 

[Carol]

Carol, you really are trying to give Nadal fans and Nadal himself a bad name to insist that he's only skipped Majors because of injury, or that he was carrying one in his loss to Novak last week. He's lost a lot of time on the tour to injury, but not all of it has been about that. Firstly, his choice to skip this Wimbledon and the upcoming Olympic Games is not about injury, but personal choice, as to lack of preparation. (And as to Olympic Games, I'm guessing because he can, because of the pandemic, and it suits his prep for the USO HC swing.)

He skipped AO 2013 due to lack of preparation, not due to injury, which was a personal choice. He skipped the USO last year due to the pandemic, but it was a personal choice. He has missed a great deal of important events due to injury, but you weaken the argument if you insist they are all due to injury. I think it's important to get the facts right.

You are wrong one more time, I see that you are late about the news because he skipped the AO 2013 due to a stomach virus and USO 2020 because he didn't practice at all due to the pandemic and that big change and lack of movement made to feel certain pain in his broken foot (remember that he has to use a special insole to play) so he couldn't practice enough and by logic he wasn't ready for the USO and when he came back it was not easy, we could see it in Roma. So maybe you are thinking that this time he is skipping WB and JJOO because he feels depress after he lost and he needs to rest his mind? you don't know him too much, but it doesn't matter, sooner or later you will find why he took that decision and not what are you are thinking. I don't give any bad name to Nadal and his fans, I only see the reality so try to take it easy and don't think you are the owner of the truth before to know what really is going on

 

[Moxie]

You are wrong one more time, I see the you are late about the news because he skipped the AO 2013 due to a stomach virus and USO 2020 because he didn't practice at all due to the pandemic and that big change and lack of movement made to feel certain pain in his broken foot (remember that he has to use a special insole to play) so he couldn't practice enough and by logic he wasn't ready for the USO and when he came back it was not easy, we could see it in Roma. So maybe you are thinking that this time he is skipping WB and JJOO because he feels depress after he lost and he needs to rest his mind? you don't know him too much, but it doesn't matter, sooner or later you will find why he took that decision and not what are you are thinking. I don't give any bad name to Nadal ann his fans, I only see the reality so try take it easy and don't think you are the owner of the truth before to know what really is going on

I know exactly why he skipped the AO 2013. He had a stomach virus that prevented him from playing his tune-up, but not the AO that year, itself. It was a personal choice...let it go on that one.

I never heard anything about his foot in the pandemic, and I'd ask you to provide a link. As far as I know, and makes sense, he didn't even practice due to pandemic for months, and then chose to skip USO...not due to injury but due to pandemic and lack of practice. If you think it is otherwise, I'd like some proof. I never heard anything else.

I absolutely don't think he's skipping Wimbledon and the JJOO because he's depressed. As I have already said on this thread, I think it took a lot out of him to make the push in the clay season, and the short turn-around is too much. And coming up short of the goal does have an impact. Do you really think the only answer is injury? I don't think it's depression, but body and soul need to be ready. That's always been Rafa's thing. But he's not injured, nor was he in the loss to Djokovic, nor has he ever said so.

As I said before, the kind of intensity that Rafa brings to his tennis doesn't come with an on/off switch. The turnaround was too short to Wimbledon and the change to grass. As to the Olympics, he's passing because it is wise to. Save his energy for the North American HC swing. That's the smart choice.

 

[Carol]

I know exactly why he skipped the AO 2013. He had a stomach virus that prevented him from playing his tune-up, but not the AO that year, itself. It was a personal choice...let it go on that one.

I never heard anything about his foot in the pandemic, and I'd ask you to provide a link. As far as I know, and makes sense, he didn't even practice due to pandemic for months, and then chose to skip USO...not due to injury but due to pandemic and lack of practice. If you think it is otherwise, I'd like some proof. I never heard anything else.

I absolutely don't think he's skipping Wimbledon and the JJOO because he's depressed. As I have already said on this thread, I think it took a lot out of him to make the push in the clay season, and the short turn-around is too much. And coming up short of the goal does have an impact. Do you really think the only answer is injury? I don't think it's depression, but body and soul need to be ready. That's always been Rafa's thing. But he's not injured, nor was he in the loss to Djokovic, nor has he ever said so.

As I said before, the kind of intensity that Rafa brings to his tennis doesn't come with an on/off switch. The turnaround was too short to Wimbledon and the change to grass. As to the Olympics, he's passing because it is wise to. Save his energy for the North American HC swing. That's the smart choice.

Well, that was more than one year ego and right now I wish to find the link but that what Rafa said about his foot which was one of the reason that he didn't play the USO, maybe you don't believe him but I do. He never said that he lost to Djokovic because he was injured, never, but know him and the witness who saw him leaving the Hotel limping it makes to think that something is wrong with him. When he lost to Soderling in 2009 he didn't say anything about his knee nether about he was sick, he skipped WB and also he was three months out of the court and then he talked about his knee

 

[Moxie]

Well, that was more than one year ego and right now I wish to find the link but that what Rafa said about his foot which was one of the reason that he didn't play the USO, maybe you don't believe him but I do. He never said that he lost to Djokovic because he was injured, never, but know him and the witness who saw him leaving the Hotel limping it makes to think that something is wrong with him. When he lost to Soderling in 2009 he didn't say anything about his knee nether about he was sick, he skipped WB and also he was three months out of the court and then he talked about his knee

Actually, it wasn't more than a year ago, and google is available to you. You could try a bit harder, if you want to lay an injury onto Rafa skipping last year's USO. I mean, you DO understand, I'm sure, that everyone who is against Nadal out there thinks that we Nadal fans put every loss or no-show down to an injury, and it makes them believe that we are making it up. Even Rafa is cautious about that. If you try to attribute everything to an injury, you don't serve Rafa, or Rafa's fans. Plus, it's just not true. So I'm not sure what you're playing at. TBH, it's trollish to say that Nadal only loses because of injury, or pulls out of a tournament due to injury. It makes you not just a terrible Nadal fan to say so, it makes you a nonsensical troll. If you're going to defy what everyone else believes, then get your facts straight, and come up with some actual citations.

 

[Carol]

Actually, it wasn't more than a year ago, and google is available to you. You could try a bit harder, if you want to lay an injury onto Rafa skipping last year's USO. I mean, you DO understand, I'm sure, that everyone who is against Nadal out there thinks that we Nadal fans put every loss or no-show down to an injury, and it makes them believe that we are making it up. Even Rafa is cautious about that. If you try to attribute everything to an injury, you don't serve Rafa, or Rafa's fans. Plus, it's just not true. So I'm not sure what you're playing at. TBH, it's trollish to say that Nadal only loses because of injury, or pulls out of a tournament due to injury. It makes you not just a terrible Nadal fan to say so, it makes you a nonsensical troll. If you're going to defy what everyone else believes, then get your facts straight, and come up with some actual citations.

Your big problem is than you think you know everything, you think you are the perfect fan of Nadal and you always are right but you ara not. Don’t call me troll because then you look even more troll and you know what? it ‘s very unpleasant to give an opinion and to talk about rumors which are all around about that Rafa could have a discomfort or an injury and you come here to insult me, do you think that I’m happy with those kind of rumors? believe me, I prefer to know that he is full healthy.

 

[Moxie]

Your big problem is than you think you know everything, you think you are the perfect fan of Nadal and you always are right but you ara not. Don’t call me troll because then you look even more troll and you know what? it ‘s very unpleasant to give an opinion and to talk about rumors which are all around about that Rafa could have a discomfort or an injury and you come here to insult me, do you think that I’m happy with those kind of rumors? believe me, I prefer to know that he is full healthy.

I don't think I know everything. But what I do know is that Rafa does not want to make his career all about injury, yet you add it in, even where it's not called for. You've been posting here long enough. Just think about it. For 5 minutes. Try not to be part of the problem. Or at least send back-up proof of all of these injuries.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Tennis.com predicts Rublev to win the final with prob. of 66.4% and Berrettini with 73.7% chance.

 

[Vince Evert]

Does anyone know why AELTC are going with 100 percent crowd for Men and Ladies singles final? Surely with the UK virus case numbers creeping back up, the crowds should be kept to fifty percent (or lower)? If this thing gets worse, one could argue the crowds numbers should be cut down even less.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Does anyone know why AELTC are going with 100 percent crowd for Men and Ladies singles final? Surely with the UK virus case numbers creeping back up, the crowds should be kept to fifty percent (or lower)? If this thing gets worse, one could argue the crowds numbers should be cut down even less.

Vince I posted that news on the ATP News site,I will post if again for you

Mens and Womens's finals at Wimbledon to be played in front of a full crowd of 15,000 on centre court.
Plans for 50% capacity (21,000) across the ground for the rest of the tournament as part of the test event programme.

 

[Moxie]

Humbert, playing some lovely lefty tennis, and having a great service day, wins Halle over Rublev in straights.

 

[Moxie]

Norrie wins the 2nd in a TB to take them to 3 in Queens. @kskate2 will like this: One commentator said, "Berrettini looks very good moving to his right to hit that forehand," and the other guy says, "Berrettini looks good, period."

 

[tented]

Ralph was not meant to be demeaning, I actually find it cute. (The demeaning one starts with P).

You’re aping @Kieran — arguably the biggest Rafa fan I know — who originally came up with that nickname. I’ll let him tell you the ones he’s come up with for Roger.

 

[tented]

@kskate2 ’s boy comes through, winning Queen’s Club.

 

[Front242]

You are wrong one more time, I see that you are late about the news because he skipped the AO 2013 due to a stomach virus and USO 2020 because he didn't practice at all due to the pandemic and that big change and lack of movement made to feel certain pain in his broken foot (remember that he has to use a special insole to play) so he couldn't practice enough and by logic he wasn't ready for the USO and when he came back it was not easy, we could see it in Roma. So maybe you are thinking that this time he is skipping WB and JJOO because he feels depress after he lost and he needs to rest his mind? you don't know him too much, but it doesn't matter, sooner or later you will find why he took that decision and not what are you are thinking. I don't give any bad name to Nadal and his fans, I only see the reality so try to take it easy and don't think you are the owner of the truth before to know what really is going on

He skipped the USO last year to focus on RG due it being pushed to October, which would have meant not enough break between the USO and clay preparation. This is common knowledge and can be found anywhere online. This USO started August 31st last year and goes on for 2 weeks which would have left no time for clay preparation if he went far there. Same reason he's skipping Wimbledon this year.

 

[shawnbm]

You’re aping @Kieran — arguably the biggest Rafa fan I know — who originally came up with that nickname. I’ll let him tell you the ones he’s come up with for Roger.

Ol’ Wodge

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Humbert, playing some lovely lefty tennis, and having a great service day, wins Halle over Rublev in straights.

I just finished watching highlights,Humbert played well.He 'who has the best hair in tennis' seemed out of sorts in the match

 

[GameSetAndMath]

After losing in the opening round of Halle, #2 ranked Med has entered into Mallorca tourney. Suddenly, Mallorca now boasts Thiem, Med and Novak (d) in it making it appear reasonable tourney.

 

[Fiero425]

After losing in the opening round of Halle, #2 ranked Med has entered into Mallorca tourney. Suddenly, Mallorca now boasts Thiem, Med and Novak (d) in it making it appear reasonable tourney.

I dare say we've never seen the top 3 seeds all being WC's even in a warm-up event! Too weird! Some players will always play an event outside of England as they have some kind of "Entertainment Tax" levied IIRC! Even Rafa balked almost 10 years ago over the issue! Fed was already playing Halle so wasn't his problem, but Rafa threatened to go back to "The Continent" and save a few $$'s! Probably helped Murray win a few Aegeon events!