What do you see going forward for Nadal?

[GameSetAndMath]

Rafa's schedule for the rest of year:

1. DC
2. Beijing
3. Shanghai
4. Basel
5. Paris
6. (London)

I was thinking he should pack it in, but I guess if he wants to get back into the "Big 4," it should work out for him since he has no points to defend according to someone here! The only question is, who will upset him again that's been so unsuccessful to this point? OBTW, London is being presumptuous! uzzled :nono :angel: :dodgy:

No, London calling for Rafa is not at all being presumptuous. In fact, Rafa is virtually a shoe-in to make it to London.

He is currently #7 in the race with about 3700 points. The guy behind him is Ferrer with about 3000 points and he has injury issues. The guy in position #9 is John Isner who has about 2200 points and so is about 1500 points behind Rafa.

The only reason I put London in brackets is because we cannot officially include it as part of his schedule until he officially qualifies.

While Rafa will make it to London, it would be extremely hard for him to win even one match considering all other players are top-8 players there.

 

[tented]

I'd agree with BS that all fans are obnoxious by the very nature of fandom, but also with Kieran that because all fans are obnoxious, in a way none are. But there are a few rabid "fanboys" and "fangirls" that are more obnoxious than others...but I won't name any names! By the fanboyism/fangirlism is particularly annoying, when someone is so extreme in their worship of their favorite player that they lose all objectivity.

Kieran, what do you mean by "Rafa detractors?" Someone who activity dislikes him or is it all people who aren't fans and/or wish that he doesn't win?

I don't consider myself a "Rafa detractor" or "hater", but on the other hand I'm not a fan and I'd prefer if he didn't win anymore Slams - except perhaps that one (but only one!) final Roland Garros for the sake of drama, and also to put him ahead of Pete. I was a fan of Pete's but I also like the idea of Rafa surpassing him.

I also don't really enjoy his style of play, as I tend to prefer Federer-esque finesse over Rafa-esque tenacity, but I respect it. There is no doubting its efficiency. But does this make me a detractor? I'm just wanting to clarify what you mean, because I think we need to be careful in drawing the lines between black and white, fans and haters, or what have you.

In fairness, Kieran did not use the phrase "Rafa detractors". Nor did he make the claim that all fans are obnoxious. His exact phrase was "Rafa's fan base isn't obnoxious, and neither is anyone else's."

 

[El Dude]

In fairness, Kieran did not use the phrase "Rafa detractors". Nor did he make the claim that all fans are obnoxious. His exact phrase was "Rafa's fan base isn't obnoxious, and neither is anyone else's."

Sure, I didn't think he meant it that way but was asking for clarification - which he didn't give. Alas.

 

[Kieran]

No clarification was needed Dude. You misquoted me, but what I wrote was simple enough...

 

[El Dude]

I didn't quote you. I used a phrase, "Rafa detractors," to describe what you were talking about. Then I asked for clarification and you didn't give any. No biggy, but usually when someone asks a direct question it is nice to respond.

 

[Kieran]

I didn't quote you. I used a phrase, "Rafa detractors," to describe what you were talking about. Then I asked for clarification and you didn't give any. No biggy, but usually when someone asks a direct question it is nice to respond.

Then you caused confusion brother, because you used quotation marks, as if quoting me. This is the usual assumption. If you were using them to describe what you decided I said, this has nothing to do with me.

What I wrote isn't controversial or difficult to scan...

 

[El Dude]

Wow, so you take one little part of what I wrote and focus on that, seemingly ignoring the rest. I was actually trying to extend an olive branch, because I'm sick of this petty pro-Nadal versus anti-Nadal bullshit. And you blow me off. That's fine, Kieran, I'm not asking for your attention. But I'm just pointing it out.

 

[Kieran]

No, I didn't blow you off. You're making another assumption that I saw your post and ignored it. Certainly, it looked like you were attributing a remark to me that didn't fit what I said.

No worries, brother, and I agree with you, the Fedal wars are stale. Rafa was beaten on Friday and on Tuesday his corpse is still being hauled around the arena on the back of a wagon...

 

[britbox]

If he doesn't win RG 2016, then I'd hazard a guess that he doesn't win another major.

 

[I.Haychew]

Ranking the factors attributing to Nadals decline (from biggest to smallest), I would say:

1. Serve
2. Yips (esp forehand)
3. Movement
4. Lack of intensity

1. Carlos Bernades
2. Larry Bird shorts
3. F3
4. Hair loss...

...then maybe serve, yips, movement, and lack of intensity...and, to a lesser extent, Djokovic.

 

[I.Haychew]

He tweaked his back in the wawrinka final and the serve never was at the 2013 U.S. open level. Might be injury related.

Yes, I do think that's the main reason. He was serving great at that tournament (AO 2014) and then after the back injury he struggled with his serve all year, and towards the end admitted to struggling with back issues throughout before famously getting some controversial treatment in October or something, when he took the year off. I don't think the back is still troubling him, but I do think he just hasn't been able to re-find his serve since.

We all lauded Nadal for finishing the match, but with hindsight not the smartest thing to do perhaps.

Maybe not, but one thing you absolutely cannot do is retire in the final of a major. That would rank right up there with crying in baseball as the most pathetic thing ever! Has anyone actually ever done it in the men's game?...Retire in the final of a major, that is?

 

[tented]

Has anyone actually ever done it in the men's game?...Retire in the final of a major, that is?

Edberg retired against Lendl at the AO. 1990, I think.


EDIT: Yes, 1990. (I checked.)

 

[I.Haychew]

Has anyone actually ever done it in the men's game?...Retire in the final of a major, that is?

Edberg retired against Lendl at the AO. 1990, I think.


EDIT: Yes, 1990. (I checked.)

Of all the guys that could have done it, it WOULD have to be one of my all-time favorites. P:nono

 

[TsarMatt]

It's difficult to tell, honestly. I just hope he continues staying on tour for the next couple of years and doesn't retire early. Other than RG, I'm not sure if he can win another major, but I wouldn't put it past him, exactly. It is possible, but yeah, uncertain times.

 

[Fiero425]

Has anyone actually ever done it in the men's game?...Retire in the final of a major, that is?

Edberg retired against Lendl at the AO. 1990, I think.


EDIT: Yes, 1990. (I checked.)

Of all the guys that could have done it, it WOULD have to be one of my all-time favorites. P:nono

Senility must be creeping in; having another false memory from 20+ years ago! I could have sworn Edberg practically killed himself to win a 5 set thriller-semi against Wilander! It was actually a wipeout, but he pulled a stomach muscle; shocking with the way he arched his back! I further thought Edberg could barely get out of bed and that he had defaulted a lot sooner; no way do I recall him taking a set off Lendl! The most I can remember is McEnroe getting himself disqualified acting out during the tournament! He had had his usual tirades, smashing of rackets, and berating the linesman, but he went that extra mile, swearing at the tournament director as he was walking away! I can still see him turning around and waving John "out" to the Umpire; Armstrong I think! Not sure if John was ever the same; pretty much past it by then anyway! I used to hate him for doing such things; still a gentlemen's sport, but all bets are off in comparison to then! Found these clips for your amusement! ILMAO! The funny thing is, he'll talk about his shortcomings rationally during an interview and make it seem so rational at the time! He was MADE to "perform" due to bad officiating! :lolz: :snicker :laydownlaughing

- https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=1990+australian+mcenroe+disqualified&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=010F789BDD16BDD5A6EF010F789BDD16BDD5A6EF -

 

[Fiero425]

It's difficult to tell, honestly. I just hope he continues staying on tour for the next couple of years and doesn't retire early. Other than RG, I'm not sure if he can win another major, but I wouldn't put it past him, exactly. It is possible, but yeah, uncertain times.

Funny how commentators were talking about the "play clock" and Pam Shriver piped in about Rafa not being the same since it's being enforced! His routine has been thrown off! So that's what it is; "the rules" to move play along being observed? :cry :cover

 

[nehmeth]

Good article with insights from Serena's coach. He's followed Rafa's career for some time it seems.

http://www.si.com/tennis/2016/01/20/rafael-nadal-patrick-mouratoglou-australian-open

 

[kskate2]

Good article with insights from Serena's coach. He's followed Rafa's career for some time it seems.

http://www.si.com/tennis/2016/01/20/rafael-nadal-patrick-mouratoglou-australian-open

And he appears to know what he's talking about. He's a great student of the game. Probably the best decision Serena has ever made bringing him on board. If they ever part ways, the list will be long of players (ATP/WTA) trying to acquire him.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Good article with insights from Serena's coach. He's followed Rafa's career for some time it seems.

http://www.si.com/tennis/2016/01/20/rafael-nadal-patrick-mouratoglou-australian-open

Nice article!

The vicious cycle enveloping confidence and winning is always an interesting phenomena.

 

[Carol]

And here we are, more comments and pages than the AO threads :snicker
It seems like everybody can figure what Rafa is going to do. Well, my question is what others players are going to do, everything comes in streaks