Waiting for Rafa

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal's backhand slice is mostly mediocre. Can be quite serviceable when it's on but generally, it's inconsistent except on grass.

Nadal loves using the backhand slice at the US Open, especially vs. Djokovic :clap
Nadal almost never misses a backhand slice.
Nadal gives it more air than Federer, but is just as consistent.
I think Nadal should use it way more than he does, as he almost never hits an error with it.

Well yeah, most pros will not miss a slice since keeping it in court is quite simple. That's not how you judge a slice's effectiveness. How low it stays, how it skids off the court, how much difficult it is to handle, how you use it to break up rhythm, occasional depth, etc... are all things that matter more.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Well yeah, most pros will not miss a slice since keeping it in court is quite simple. That's not how you judge a slice's effectiveness. How low it stays, how it skids off the court, how much difficult it is to handle, how you use it to break up rhythm, occasional depth, etc... are all things that matter more.

Nadal's probably looks so great because he keeps it deep, and frankly I haven't seen anyone attack it or benefit from it :clap

 

[the AntiPusher]

Well yeah, most pros will not miss a slice since keeping it in court is quite simple. That's not how you judge a slice's effectiveness. How low it stays, how it skids off the court, how much difficult it is to handle, how you use it to break up rhythm, occasional depth, etc... are all things that matter more.

Nadal's probably looks so great because he keeps it deep, and frankly I haven't seen anyone attack it or benefit from it :clap

Rafa slice doesnt always stay low and deep. Also,its not a good move against djoker because he is so quick that he will just run over and around it and just ripe it with his forehand. I will agree with BS on this one.

 

[Kieran]

When it's on, it's like any part of Rafa's game, it's fairly vicious. When it's off, it's like kids floating kites...

 

[NADAL2005RG]

When its 'off' it may float more but it doesn't sail out of bounds or into the net.
Nadal's version of being 'out of form' is better than anyone in civilization :clap

On a general note its actually more fun when Nadal is out-of-form than when he's in form, because when he's out-of-form we get thrilling finishes (for example at Rio this year) in matches that on paper were expected to be briefer than underwear.

 

[Front242]

That final in Rio was exciting alright but the 3rd set TB was one of the worst chokes in years. Andujar hit two routine lame forehands into the net to lose the match. :nono

 

[brokenshoelace]

When its 'off' it may float more but it doesn't sail out of bounds or into the net.
Nadal's version of being 'out of form' is better than anyone in civilization :clap

On a general note its actually more fun when Nadal is out-of-form than when he's in form, because when he's out-of-form we get thrilling finishes (for example at Rio this year) in matches that on paper were expected to be briefer than underwear.

Except when he's out of form his game becomes putrid to watch.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Except when he's out of form his game becomes putrid to watch.

Can't say I've ever noticed that.
I'm glued to the screen more than ever when his game is off lease:

 

[Front242]

When its 'off' it may float more but it doesn't sail out of bounds or into the net.
Nadal's version of being 'out of form' is better than anyone in civilization :clap

On a general note its actually more fun when Nadal is out-of-form than when he's in form, because when he's out-of-form we get thrilling finishes (for example at Rio this year) in matches that on paper were expected to be briefer than underwear.

Except when he's out of form his game becomes putrid to watch.

That's true but don't be too hard on him or yourself as a viewer and just remember Federer in the Brisbane final against Hewitt last year, first set in particular :snigger Considering most balls landed 15 feet wide or in the net I'd say I could've done better!

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Yeah happy to say Nadal will never play as badly as Federer

 

[Front242]

Yeah happy to say Nadal will never play as badly as Federer

Federer wasn't like that at 28 by the way so come back to me with that prediction when he's 32/33 if still playing and we'll see!

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Yeah happy to say Nadal will never play as badly as Federer

Federer wasn't like that at 28 by the way so come back to me with that prediction when he's 32/33 if still playing and we'll see!

Oh I was told that Nadal has an older body than Federer because of style of play :s

 

[Front242]

Yeah happy to say Nadal will never play as badly as Federer

Federer wasn't like that at 28 by the way so come back to me with that prediction when he's 32/33 if still playing and we'll see!

Oh I was told that Nadal has an older body than Federer because of style of play :s

He's still 5 years younger so whoever told you isn't very clever. There's plenty of time left if he hangs around another 5 years for him to start playing as badly as Federer as you put it! Then again, I wouldn't be sure about him making semis of the AO and USO and final at Wimbledon at 33 anytime soon either!

 

[NADAL2005RG]

So how old is Nadal's body? 30?

Let's first see someone dethrone Nadal at Roland Garros before we start forecasting demise :laydownlaughing

And factor in that Nadal will become more motivated after he loses at Roland Garros :clap

 

[Front242]

So how old is Nadal's body? 30?

Let's first see someone dethrone Nadal at Roland Garros before we start forecasting demise :laydownlaughing

And factor in that Nadal will become more motivated after he loses at Roland Garros :clap

Er 28? What sort of a dumb question is that? Nadal is 28, all of him, head to toe. You'll notice I excluded Federer's 4th round RG result from this year for 2 reasons: A) 'cos Nadal could easily do better than that at 33 and B) so could Federer but I wasn't talking RG either was I? I was saying I wouldn't be so quick to predict Nadal reaching the semis at the AO and USO and a final at Wimbledon at 33. You can easily scratch Wimbledon off that anyway even at 26, 27 and 28 going by the last 3 years.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Er 28? What sort of a dumb question is that? Nadal is 28, all of him, head to toe. You'll notice I excluded Federer's 4th round RG result from this year for 2 reasons: A) 'cos Nadal could easily do better than that at 33 and B) so could Federer but I wasn't talking RG either was I? I was saying I wouldn't be so quick to predict Nadal reaching the semis at the AO and USO and a final at Wimbledon at 33. You can easily scratch Wimbledon off that anyway even at 26, 27 and 28 going by the last 3 years.

Well its all theory, but no problem, as all I care about is the Double Career Grand Slam.
So I'm fine with whatever Nadal decides`to skip at age 33.
If I was him I'd focus on 12+ French Opens and the Double Career Grand Slam (one more AO), and of course a 2nd Olympic Singles Gold.
Wimbledon and US Open are of no relevance to the goals, so I'm fine with Nadal skipping those :clap

 

[Front242]

^ Actually winning more non clay slams would be a lot better than trying to get 3 more otherwise his legacy is going to be even more lopsided towards clay.

 

[Front242]

^ One more AO, one more RG and one more USO or Wimbledon is a lot more impressive than 3 more RG titles for diversity.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

^ I don't agree at all :wow:
The other slam events are meaningless to me once Nadal claims the Double Career Grand Slam (as there is no greater versatility achievement in tennis) :celeb:
The only thing left would be another Singles Gold to complete The Double Golden Career Grand Slam :wave

 

[Kieran]

Let's have him back on court, and fully fit, first, eh?