Tracking the Race to London - 2014 WTF

[GameSetAndMath]

I too have heard rumors that Rafa may not show up for the rest of the year (from outside
this forum, for example Wirthiem of sports illustrated says he was told to be not surprised
if Rafa does not show up for the rest of the year). But, I personally think he will.

He was very close to playing in USO. Why would not he come now for the Asian swing given
that this six weeks after that and there is no surgery involved here.

 

[the AntiPusher]

The rumour I heard was that he'll not bother showing up for the rest of the year... But obviously that could be wrong

Good point, rumors are as credible as people. Very rarely have I met a credible person :snigger

Its a shame that he cannot stay healthy.. it really makes you wonder what type of training regimen that he follows

 

[Kieran]

I too have heard rumors that Rafa may not show up for the rest of the year (from outside
this forum, for example Wirthiem of sports illustrated says he was told to be not surprised
if Rafa does not show up for the rest of the year). But, I personally think he will.

He was very close to playing in USO. Why would not he come now for the Asian swing given
that this six weeks after that and there is no surgery involved here.

The only rumour I've heard is that he's skipping Beijing. I think this would suggest he might also skip Shanghai. Google is typically contrary on this, with one site suggesting (without confirmation from the players) that he'll play an exo with Tsonga in Kazakhstan on September 25th, before heading to Beijing.

Mats Wilander, rather endearingly, pops up in Google News suggesting that wouldn't it be sweet if Fedal retired together on the same number of slams, and then sat on their porch ad infinitum gurning for the cameras and fans...

 

[Fiero425]

98% of the members of this forum would throw Raonic under the bus if it would be possible.
Ferrer is almost in the same situation, someone called him senile ?uzzled
In this case, how do you call Roger? I will be starting to call him "Olderer" as Isabelle does.

I guess I'm really not keeping up with things; why would Raonic have so many indifferent or viscerally annoyed fans out there? I'm no fan, but it wouldn't bother me if he was part "of the future" of men's tennis either! He has a lot of work ahead of him, but he has the tools! He has to do it sooner than later due to his height! Eventually he'll start breaking down like most with that type of physique!

Simple answer to that one. Quite apart from most people not particularly enjoying his style of play. He was involved in a cheating controversy last year. If my recollection is correct, he touched the net, but didn't own up to it. That's bad enough, but what really riled a lot of folks is that he rather brazenly admitted touching the net when he was interviewed later and said that while he knew he'd touched the net he didn't see it as his responsibility to own up. Uggh...

Here's a link..

http://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2013/08/09/milos-raonics-win-over-juan-martin-del-potro-tainted-by-controversy

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2013-08-08/13263.php

I believe he's since regretted his actions, but my suspicion is that's because so many people disapproved. For me he showed his true colours..

Yeah, I remember it! As long as I've played tennis though, I've never been able to understand why we allow one point to affect our psyche! There's frustration, a sense of victimhood, then of course the inevitable "quit" of the player! STUPID! :nono uzzled :angel:

 

[Moxie]

I too have heard rumors that Rafa may not show up for the rest of the year (from outside
this forum, for example Wirthiem of sports illustrated says he was told to be not surprised
if Rafa does not show up for the rest of the year). But, I personally think he will.

He was very close to playing in USO. Why would not he come now for the Asian swing given
that this six weeks after that and there is no surgery involved here.

A Peruvian paper reported yesterday that Nadal is training to return at the China Open. It mentions that he's practicing without a brace on his right wrist. However, it also says that his doctors have cautioned against coming back too early because, if he has a relapse, the recovery could be long. And Puntodebreak.com says just today that Nadal will play an exhibition in Kazakhstan with Tsonga on 25 Sept, which does imply they're feeling good about a comeback for the end of this month.

 

[Kieran]

A Peruvian paper reported yesterday that Nadal is training to return at the China Open. It mentions that he's practicing without a brace on his right wrist. However, it also says that his doctors have cautioned against coming back too early because, if he has a relapse, the recovery could be long. And Puntodebreak.com says just today that Nadal will play an exhibition in Kazakhstan with Tsonga on 25 Sept, which does imply they're feeling good about a comeback for the end of this month.

That bit in bold? That makes me nervous... :nono

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I too have heard rumors that Rafa may not show up for the rest of the year (from outside
this forum, for example Wirthiem of sports illustrated says he was told to be not surprised
if Rafa does not show up for the rest of the year). But, I personally think he will.

He was very close to playing in USO. Why would not he come now for the Asian swing given
that this six weeks after that and there is no surgery involved here.

A Peruvian paper reported yesterday that Nadal is training to return at the China Open. It mentions that he's practicing without a brace on his right wrist. However, it also says that his doctors have cautioned against coming back too early because, if he has a relapse, the recovery could be long. And Puntodebreak.com says just today that Nadal will play an exhibition in Kazakhstan with Tsonga on 25 Sept, which does imply they're feeling good about a comeback for the end of this month.

Rafa has his wrist bandaged,which is a precautionary measure,he still cant hit his 2H BH at present.
I am not too optimistic at present,still the expo with Tsonga at this stage has not been cancelled.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It looks like Rafa is skipping is Beijing and everything else is on. I am giving a link below
and it has an embedded video which has his recent interview in Spanish. Someone who
knows Spanish can translate it and post it here.

Rafa Comeback Article with Interview in Spanish

 

[Fiero425]

A Peruvian paper reported yesterday that Nadal is training to return at the China Open. It mentions that he's practicing without a brace on his right wrist. However, it also says that his doctors have cautioned against coming back too early because, if he has a relapse, the recovery could be long. And Puntodebreak.com says just today that Nadal will play an exhibition in Kazakhstan with Tsonga on 25 Sept, which does imply they're feeling good about a comeback for the end of this month.

That bit in bold? That makes me nervous... :nono

This is why I continue to fight any inference to Nadal being the GOAT! Margaret Court didn't take so much time away from the tour having her children! :nono uzzled :angel: He plays a very physical game; understood it to be a turbo charged version of all the Spaniards including Ferrer, Verdasco, Granollers, & Lopez! I have a real problem with pros who play part time; already hit on The Williams! He very well could surpass Roger in majors one of these days, but I'd still have reservations of crowning him "The Greatest!" Rafa still hasn't defended a title off clay surface, has only 2 USO, 1 AO, & 2 Wimbledons! Those are "big ONLY's," but I still gave Borg more credit due to his greatness showing through by winning 5 Wimbledons with 6 straight finals; with wood racket btw! Nadal has huge holes in his resume that I can't overlook like no WTF wins, early exists at Wimbledon in consecutive years, and more, but it would seem like piling on and nitpicking! :angel: :snigger

 

[Moxie]

It looks like Rafa is skipping is Beijing and everything else is on. I am giving a link below
and it has an embedded video which has his recent interview in Spanish. Someone who
knows Spanish can translate it and post it here.

Rafa Comeback Article with Interview in Spanish

Notable that he's still not hitting with the right hand in that video. The interview and commentary is in Catalan, so I can't translate, though it sounded like the usual pablum. He said something about it going slow, and about them being cautious. I have to say, he didn't look or sound hugely confident.

 

[Federberg]

I think it would be crazy for him to come back this season. Let's face it.. apart from the WTF the rest is just a dead rubber. Might as well focus on getting right for the new season, instead of possibly jeopardising the start of the year

 

[Kieran]

I think the priority should be Oz, but he's not going to win there by just playing Doha, so a few matches late this year would help him get a feel for the rhythm of things again, but only if he can...

 

[brokenshoelace]

A Peruvian paper reported yesterday that Nadal is training to return at the China Open. It mentions that he's practicing without a brace on his right wrist. However, it also says that his doctors have cautioned against coming back too early because, if he has a relapse, the recovery could be long. And Puntodebreak.com says just today that Nadal will play an exhibition in Kazakhstan with Tsonga on 25 Sept, which does imply they're feeling good about a comeback for the end of this month.

That bit in bold? That makes me nervous... :nono

This is why I continue to fight any inference to Nadal being the GOAT! Margaret Court didn't take so much time away from the tour having her children! :nono uzzled :angel: He plays a very physical game; understood it to be a turbo charged version of all the Spaniards including Ferrer, Verdasco, Granollers, & Lopez! I have a real problem with pros who play part time; already hit on The Williams! He very well could surpass Roger in majors one of these days, but I'd still have reservations of crowning him "The Greatest!" Rafa still hasn't defended a title off clay surface, has only 2 USO, 1 AO, & 2 Wimbledons! Those are "big ONLY's," but I still gave Borg more credit due to his greatness showing through by winning 5 Wimbledons with 6 straight finals; with wood racket btw! Nadal has huge holes in his resume that I can't overlook like no WTF wins, early exists at Wimbledon in consecutive years, and more, but it would seem like piling on and nitpicking! :angel: :snigger

LOL @ Nadal playing "part time." Yeah, he's been on tour for over a decade, and was going deep in most tournaments since the age of 19. What's this "part time" you're talking about?

And how ironic, you have an issue with a player taking time off to injury, but champion Borg, who got out of the game at 26. I guess "part time" is not acceptable, but an "early retirement" is.

 

[isabelle]

I too have heard rumors that Rafa may not show up for the rest of the year (from outside
this forum, for example Wirthiem of sports illustrated says he was told to be not surprised
if Rafa does not show up for the rest of the year). But, I personally think he will.

He was very close to playing in USO. Why would not he come now for the Asian swing given
that this six weeks after that and there is no surgery involved here.

He's still on China's tour entry list for the moment

 

[herios]

I too have heard rumors that Rafa may not show up for the rest of the year (from outside
this forum, for example Wirthiem of sports illustrated says he was told to be not surprised
if Rafa does not show up for the rest of the year). But, I personally think he will.

He was very close to playing in USO. Why would not he come now for the Asian swing given
that this six weeks after that and there is no surgery involved here.

He's still on China's tour entry list for the moment

Plenty of time to make a decision. Almost 2 weeks. Only when he confirms he is withdrawing, his photo is removed from the ATP posted site.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

forget about playing if after 2 months he still cannot hit 2hbh without pain.

 

[Kieran]

If he skips the rest of the season, that's 13 months he'll have missed through injury outta 30... :nono

 

[Fiero425]

A Peruvian paper reported yesterday that Nadal is training to return at the China Open. It mentions that he's practicing without a brace on his right wrist. However, it also says that his doctors have cautioned against coming back too early because, if he has a relapse, the recovery could be long. And Puntodebreak.com says just today that Nadal will play an exhibition in Kazakhstan with Tsonga on 25 Sept, which does imply they're feeling good about a comeback for the end of this month.

That bit in bold? That makes me nervous... :nono

This is why I continue to fight any inference to Nadal being the GOAT! Margaret Court didn't take so much time away from the tour having her children! :nono uzzled :angel: He plays a very physical game; understood it to be a turbo charged version of all the Spaniards including Ferrer, Verdasco, Granollers, & Lopez! I have a real problem with pros who play part time; already hit on The Williams! He very well could surpass Roger in majors one of these days, but I'd still have reservations of crowning him "The Greatest!" Rafa still hasn't defended a title off clay surface, has only 2 USO, 1 AO, & 2 Wimbledons! Those are "big ONLY's," but I still gave Borg more credit due to his greatness showing through by winning 5 Wimbledons with 6 straight finals; with wood racket btw! Nadal has huge holes in his resume that I can't overlook like no WTF wins, early exists at Wimbledon in consecutive years, and more, but it would seem like piling on and nitpicking! :angel: :snigger

LOL @ Nadal playing "part time." Yeah, he's been on tour for over a decade, and was going deep in most tournaments since the age of 19. What's this "part time" you're talking about?

And how ironic, you have an issue with a player taking time off to injury, but champion Borg, who got out of the game at 26. I guess "part time" is not acceptable, but an "early retirement" is.

Borg was already seeded 5th or 6th at Wimbledon at 15 due to men's boycott in '73! No one played as much or as hard as Borg! He never took off weeks and months like Rafa; NEVER! He was truly burned out and the ATP sabotaged themselves by not giving him a break or lighter schedule when he asked; hence the new rules for veterans! :nono uzzled :huh:

 

[Kieran]

Well, Borg was never injured like Rafa. If he was, he'd have had to take time off. It's simple, really...

 

[NADAL2005RG]

If he skips the rest of the season, that's 13 months he'll have missed through injury outta 30... :nono

The more he misses the better.
This way he wins 17+ slam titles while also being able to brag about how many slams he missed :clap
I personally only care about him getting one more AO and a few more French Opens.
Skipping the other slams is fine with me if that ensures his fitness for Australia :clap
I mean can you imagine the immortality of the Double Career Grand Slam? :wow: