Would you like Federer to be on tour when Nadal wins 18th slam title?

[NADAL2005RG]

Just remember how quickly things change in tennis. If Murray regains form and wins a slam here or there it's one or two less chances that year for Nadal, Djokovic, Fed and everyone else. That's how it works. A year later they all have chances again but they're also a year older. Staying in contention to win slams is no walk in the park. If Soderling comes back and comes back well he may well also prove to be a big spoiler for the top guys and again make slam draws wide open, not to mention JJ and hopefully other guys on the rise.

I seriously doubt Murray would have beaten Nadal at the 2012 US Open.
I also wasn't impressed with Murray at the 2013 Australian Open.
Nadal has defeated Murray in their last 4 slam meetings (and only one of those was at Roland Garros).

A year later = a year older. But how is that relevant when....
2012 Murray won the US Open. This year he didn't even make the semis.
2012 Nadal didn't even play the US Open. This year he won (and set the record for fewest breaks).
There is no predictable pattern.

Soderling beat Nadal in 4 sets at 2009 Roland Garros.
Nadal beat Soderling in straight sets at 2010 Roland Garros.
Nadal beat Soderling in straight sets at 2011 Roland Garros.

Except his post has nothing to do with that. He didn't say Murray could have beaten Nadal at the US Open this year. He just said he'll be a threat in the future.

A threat to who? He's already a threat to Djokovic and Federer. He hasn't been a threat to Nadal (at the slams) since January 2010. Murray has a long road to travel.

You do realise that Rafa hasn't played Andy in nearly 2 years. That is a long time in tennis. Rafa isn't the same player he was 2 years but neither is Andy. I look forward to them playing each other again.

Even as a Rafa fan I'm finding this thread way over the top. Why can't fans just enjoy slam #13 or speculate when #14 could come?

Nadal 2013 is a lot better than Nadal 2011 on hardcourts. That is fact. Murray won the 2012 US Open, but after seeing that final I was 100% sure Nadal 2011 would have beaten Murray (and therefore obviously Nadal 2013 would have beaten Murray 2012). Murray won that 2012 US Open, but it didn't impress me.

That's ok, nobody is making you post in the thread. I'm not talking about #13 specifically anyway, I'm talking about the long-term (18+). And I don't mind how long Nadal takes to get #13, as I can see him at the top of tennis for many more years. There is no rush.

 

[Iona16]

I seriously doubt Murray would have beaten Nadal at the 2012 US Open.
I also wasn't impressed with Murray at the 2013 Australian Open.
Nadal has defeated Murray in their last 4 slam meetings (and only one of those was at Roland Garros).

A year later = a year older. But how is that relevant when....
2012 Murray won the US Open. This year he didn't even make the semis.
2012 Nadal didn't even play the US Open. This year he won (and set the record for fewest breaks).
There is no predictable pattern.

Soderling beat Nadal in 4 sets at 2009 Roland Garros.
Nadal beat Soderling in straight sets at 2010 Roland Garros.
Nadal beat Soderling in straight sets at 2011 Roland Garros.

Except his post has nothing to do with that. He didn't say Murray could have beaten Nadal at the US Open this year. He just said he'll be a threat in the future.

A threat to who? He's already a threat to Djokovic and Federer. He hasn't been a threat to Nadal (at the slams) since January 2010. Murray has a long road to travel.

You do realise that Rafa hasn't played Andy in nearly 2 years. That is a long time in tennis. Rafa isn't the same player he was 2 years but neither is Andy. I look forward to them playing each other again.

Even as a Rafa fan I'm finding this thread way over the top. Why can't fans just enjoy slam #13 or speculate when #14 could come?

Nadal is a lot better now than he was in 2011 on hardcourts. That is fact. Murray won the 2012 US Open, but after seeing that final I was 100% sure Nadal 2011 would have beaten Murray. Murray won that US Open, but it didn't impress me.

That's ok, nobody is making you post in the thread. I'm not talking about #13 specifically anyway, I'm talking about the long-term (18+). And I don't mind how long Nadal takes to get #13, as I can see him at the top of tennis for many more years. There is no rush.

You do realise you can't be 100% sure of something that could never happen. Nadal 2011 could never play Murray 2012. As a Murray fan I can live with the fact that his 2012 US Open didn't impress you.

You go ahead and look forward to 18+ slams. I think you'll be disappointed.

 

[calitennis127]

I wouldn't care either way. And Nadal is not winning 18.

LOL....why not? Is he too old for that?

:laydownlaughing

 

[brokenshoelace]

I wouldn't care either way. And Nadal is not winning 18.

LOL....why not? Is he too old for that?

:laydownlaughing

LOl...Because he's got bum knees. He's too injury-prone for that.

:laydownlaughing

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Except his post has nothing to do with that. He didn't say Murray could have beaten Nadal at the US Open this year. He just said he'll be a threat in the future.

A threat to who? He's already a threat to Djokovic and Federer. He hasn't been a threat to Nadal (at the slams) since January 2010. Murray has a long road to travel.

You do realise that Rafa hasn't played Andy in nearly 2 years. That is a long time in tennis. Rafa isn't the same player he was 2 years but neither is Andy. I look forward to them playing each other again.

Even as a Rafa fan I'm finding this thread way over the top. Why can't fans just enjoy slam #13 or speculate when #14 could come?

Nadal is a lot better now than he was in 2011 on hardcourts. That is fact. Murray won the 2012 US Open, but after seeing that final I was 100% sure Nadal 2011 would have beaten Murray. Murray won that US Open, but it didn't impress me.

That's ok, nobody is making you post in the thread. I'm not talking about #13 specifically anyway, I'm talking about the long-term (18+). And I don't mind how long Nadal takes to get #13, as I can see him at the top of tennis for many more years. There is no rush.

You do realise you can't be 100% sure of something that could never happen. Nadal 2011 could never play Murray 2012. As a Murray fan I can live with the fact that his 2012 US Open didn't impress you.

You go ahead and look forward to 18+ slams. I think you'll be disappointed.

I've always been right about Nadal.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

I wouldn't care either way. And Nadal is not winning 18.

LOL....why not? Is he too old for that?

:laydownlaughing

LOl...Because he's got bum knees. He's too injury-prone for that.

:laydownlaughing

I bet you were very disappointed when Nadal turned up to Montreal without bandages on his knees for the first time in many years. His tendons are 100%. His doctor told him that in February, and again just before Roland Garros. That's what 7 months of rest does for you. I mean, it wouldn't work for a traditional knee injury. But this is tendinitis, not a traditional knee injury. Serena has had tendinitis all her career (in her knees and her wrists). She outlasted EVERYONE. Nadal too....the only man ever to win slams for 9 years in a row, and plenty more to come.

 

[Front242]

I wouldn't care either way. And Nadal is not winning 18.

LOL....why not? Is he too old for that?

:laydownlaughing

LOl...Because he's got bum knees. He's too injury-prone for that.

:laydownlaughing

I bet you were very disappointed when Nadal turned up to Montreal without bandages on his knees for the first time in many years. His tendons are 100%. His doctor told him that in February, and again just before Roland Garros. That's what 7 months of rest does for you. I mean, it wouldn't work for a traditional knee injury. But this is tendinitis, not a traditional knee injury. Serena has had tendinitis all her career (in her knees and her wrists). She outlasted EVERYONE. Nadal too....the only man ever to win slams for 9 years in a row, and plenty more to come.

Just a point to note. Broken_Shoelace is a Nadal fan so I doubt he was very disappointed Nadal's knees are ok. Quite the opposite. He's a very realistic fan though.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I wouldn't care either way. And Nadal is not winning 18.

LOL....why not? Is he too old for that?

:laydownlaughing

LOl...Because he's got bum knees. He's too injury-prone for that.

:laydownlaughing

I bet you were very disappointed when Nadal turned up to Montreal without bandages on his knees for the first time in many years.

I was. I was bitterly disappointed that my FAVORITE PLAYER was healthy, and was even more disappointed when he won the title! Makes sense.

Also, for someone who claims to be "never wrong about Nadal" get your facts straight. It wasn't the first time in many years Nadal plays without bandages on his knees, not even on hards.

Proof? Here's a video of him playing at Indian Wells and Miami in 2012:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY-cgvdj9Lg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmhwYpDnf0o

Now here's Nadal at Indian Wells, Miami, and US Open 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10iNxobZOxc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzXLfY6LJCg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR9xA8-kRkk

Where are those magical bandages you speak of? I'll help you: Before this year, Nadal hadn't worn bandages on his knees since 2009. Since then he did it for ONE tournament at the Australian Open in 2012 because he felt a "crack" in his knee while sitting in his hotel room (yeah, I don't know how that happened, but a big deal was made out of it).

When he ditched the bandages for Montreal this year, he said it's because they're not helping him, not because he's feeling much better (though I suspect that he is, at least for now).

 

[NADAL2005RG]

I wouldn't care either way. And Nadal is not winning 18.

LOL....why not? Is he too old for that?

:laydownlaughing

LOl...Because he's got bum knees. He's too injury-prone for that.

:laydownlaughing

I bet you were very disappointed when Nadal turned up to Montreal without bandages on his knees for the first time in many years.

I was. I was bitterly disappointed that my FAVORITE PLAYER was healthy, and was even more disappointed when he won the title! Makes sense.

Also, for someone who claims to be "never wrong about Nadal" get your facts straight. It wasn't the first time in many years Nadal plays without bandages on his knees, not even on hards.

Proof? Here's a video of him playing at Indian Wells and Miami in 2012:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY-cgvdj9Lg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmhwYpDnf0o

Now here's Nadal at Indian Wells, Miami, and US Open 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10iNxobZOxc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzXLfY6LJCg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR9xA8-kRkk

Where are those magical bandages you speak of? I'll help you: Before this year, Nadal hadn't worn bandages on his knees since 2009. Since then he did it for ONE tournament at the Australian Open in 2012 because he felt a "crack" in his knee while sitting in his hotel room (yeah, I don't know how that happened, but a big deal was made out of it).

When he ditched the bandages for Montreal this year, he said it's because they're not helping him, not because he's feeling much better (though I suspect that he is, at least for now).

That's true, I don't focus on Nadal's knees. While others were sucked in by tendinitis, I knew it would never stop Nadal from winning 18+ slam titles. Michael Jordan had knee tendinitis for most of his career, and he had some problems but in his FINAL season in the NBA (playing for Washington at age 40) he played all 82 games and averaged 20ppg and 6.1rpg. Serena Williams, also plagued by knee tendinitis throughout her career, outlasted everyone and is reaching a new prime. And as Nadal said last year "Nobody has ever retired with what I have". I'm shocked at how uneducated tennis fans are regarding tendinitis (although a lot of it is wishful thinking). Meanwhile back injuries are ending most careers.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

I wouldn't care either way. And Nadal is not winning 18.

LOL....why not? Is he too old for that?

:laydownlaughing

LOl...Because he's got bum knees. He's too injury-prone for that.

:laydownlaughing

I bet you were very disappointed when Nadal turned up to Montreal without bandages on his knees for the first time in many years. His tendons are 100%. His doctor told him that in February, and again just before Roland Garros. That's what 7 months of rest does for you. I mean, it wouldn't work for a traditional knee injury. But this is tendinitis, not a traditional knee injury. Serena has had tendinitis all her career (in her knees and her wrists). She outlasted EVERYONE. Nadal too....the only man ever to win slams for 9 years in a row, and plenty more to come.

Just a point to note. Broken_Shoelace is a Nadal fan so I doubt he was very disappointed Nadal's knees are ok. Quite the opposite. He's a very realistic fan though.

Yeah.....I'm not convinced. I've seen a 'Nadal fan' on Talk Tennis, name is Clarky21. Some of the biggest Nadal-haters in the world like to call themselves Nadal fans, just so they can avoid being called haters or racists. Proof is in the pudding.

 

[brokenshoelace]

LOL....why not? Is he too old for that?

:laydownlaughing

LOl...Because he's got bum knees. He's too injury-prone for that.

:laydownlaughing

I bet you were very disappointed when Nadal turned up to Montreal without bandages on his knees for the first time in many years. His tendons are 100%. His doctor told him that in February, and again just before Roland Garros. That's what 7 months of rest does for you. I mean, it wouldn't work for a traditional knee injury. But this is tendinitis, not a traditional knee injury. Serena has had tendinitis all her career (in her knees and her wrists). She outlasted EVERYONE. Nadal too....the only man ever to win slams for 9 years in a row, and plenty more to come.

Just a point to note. Broken_Shoelace is a Nadal fan so I doubt he was very disappointed Nadal's knees are ok. Quite the opposite. He's a very realistic fan though.

Yeah.....I'm not convinced. I've seen a 'Nadal fan' on Talk Tennis, name is Clarky21. Some of the biggest Nadal-detractors in the world like to call themselves Nadal fans, just so they can avoid being called detractors or racists. Proof is in the pudding.

Words truly fail me. I'd take offense to this post, but... I honestly find it funny, in a sad kind of way.

 

[brokenshoelace]

LOL....why not? Is he too old for that?

:laydownlaughing

LOl...Because he's got bum knees. He's too injury-prone for that.

:laydownlaughing

I bet you were very disappointed when Nadal turned up to Montreal without bandages on his knees for the first time in many years.

I was. I was bitterly disappointed that my FAVORITE PLAYER was healthy, and was even more disappointed when he won the title! Makes sense.

Also, for someone who claims to be "never wrong about Nadal" get your facts straight. It wasn't the first time in many years Nadal plays without bandages on his knees, not even on hards.

Proof? Here's a video of him playing at Indian Wells and Miami in 2012:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY-cgvdj9Lg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmhwYpDnf0o

Now here's Nadal at Indian Wells, Miami, and US Open 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10iNxobZOxc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzXLfY6LJCg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR9xA8-kRkk

Where are those magical bandages you speak of? I'll help you: Before this year, Nadal hadn't worn bandages on his knees since 2009. Since then he did it for ONE tournament at the Australian Open in 2012 because he felt a "crack" in his knee while sitting in his hotel room (yeah, I don't know how that happened, but a big deal was made out of it).

When he ditched the bandages for Montreal this year, he said it's because they're not helping him, not because he's feeling much better (though I suspect that he is, at least for now).

That's true, I don't focus on Nadal's knees. While others were sucked in by tendinitis, I knew it would never stop Nadal from winning 18+ slam titles. Michael Jordan had knee tendinitis for most of his career, and he had some problems but in his FINAL season in the NBA (playing for Washington at age 40) he played all 82 games and averaged 20ppg and 6.1rpg. Serena Williams, also plagued by knee tendinitis throughout her career, outlasted everyone and is reaching a new prime. And as Nadal said last year "Nobody has ever retired with what I have". I'm shocked at how uneducated tennis fans are regarding tendinitis (although a lot of it is wishful thinking). Meanwhile back injuries are ending most careers.

Except nobody said tendinitis will end his career. It will slow him down however, as it has in the past (including a recent 7 months layoff). His knees will never truly be fully healed, and that's something he said himself. He looked healthy this summer, and was moving very well. And yet, according to him, his knees were "killing him" in Barcelona. Maybe YOU should take a hint from Nadal when he says that in regards to the knees, it's pretty much one day at a time, one week at a time. Sometimes they hurt, other times they won't. That's pretty much going to be his career.

That doesn't mean he can't reach 18 slams. It just means that the knees make this task a bit more complicated (and it's already complicated without the knees).

This has nothing to do with being a Nadal detractor, not as a person, not as a player. It's just a reality he's unfortunately had to deal with. And may I add that he's dealing with it far better than some of his fans.

PS: Comparing tennis and Basketball is laughable. Nadal doesn't have teammates to help him out, nor does he have the luxury of substitutions to rest. Furthermore, each case is different (just because it's the same injury, doesn't mean the extent is the same).

 

[britbox]

LOL....why not? Is he too old for that?

:laydownlaughing

LOl...Because he's got bum knees. He's too injury-prone for that.

:laydownlaughing

I bet you were very disappointed when Nadal turned up to Montreal without bandages on his knees for the first time in many years. His tendons are 100%. His doctor told him that in February, and again just before Roland Garros. That's what 7 months of rest does for you. I mean, it wouldn't work for a traditional knee injury. But this is tendinitis, not a traditional knee injury. Serena has had tendinitis all her career (in her knees and her wrists). She outlasted EVERYONE. Nadal too....the only man ever to win slams for 9 years in a row, and plenty more to come.

Just a point to note. Broken_Shoelace is a Nadal fan so I doubt he was very disappointed Nadal's knees are ok. Quite the opposite. He's a very realistic fan though.

Yeah.....I'm not convinced. I've seen a 'Nadal fan' on Talk Tennis, name is Clarky21. Some of the biggest Nadal-detractors in the world like to call themselves Nadal fans, just so they can avoid being called detractors or racists. Proof is in the pudding.

I can tell you with great certainty that B/Shoelace is neither a detractor or a racist. He's regarded by most as quality poster and a valuable one on this board.

 

[brokenshoelace]

LOl...Because he's got bum knees. He's too injury-prone for that.

:laydownlaughing

I bet you were very disappointed when Nadal turned up to Montreal without bandages on his knees for the first time in many years. His tendons are 100%. His doctor told him that in February, and again just before Roland Garros. That's what 7 months of rest does for you. I mean, it wouldn't work for a traditional knee injury. But this is tendinitis, not a traditional knee injury. Serena has had tendinitis all her career (in her knees and her wrists). She outlasted EVERYONE. Nadal too....the only man ever to win slams for 9 years in a row, and plenty more to come.

Just a point to note. Broken_Shoelace is a Nadal fan so I doubt he was very disappointed Nadal's knees are ok. Quite the opposite. He's a very realistic fan though.

Yeah.....I'm not convinced. I've seen a 'Nadal fan' on Talk Tennis, name is Clarky21. Some of the biggest Nadal-detractors in the world like to call themselves Nadal fans, just so they can avoid being called detractors or racists. Proof is in the pudding.

I can tell you with great certainty that B/Shoelace is neither a detractor or a racist. He's regarded by most as quality poster and a valuable one on this board.

Britbox is an accomplice of mine. He's here to protect my secret identity as a Nadal hater. For five years, I've been merely pretending to be a Nadal fan. Cali can attest to that, too.

 

[Mog]

I don't know how long Roger is going to be on tour(2 years-5 years) and it doesn't matter but Nadal is not getting 18+ slams, no?

 

[NADAL2005RG]

LOl...Because he's got bum knees. He's too injury-prone for that.

:laydownlaughing

I bet you were very disappointed when Nadal turned up to Montreal without bandages on his knees for the first time in many years.

I was. I was bitterly disappointed that my FAVORITE PLAYER was healthy, and was even more disappointed when he won the title! Makes sense.

Also, for someone who claims to be "never wrong about Nadal" get your facts straight. It wasn't the first time in many years Nadal plays without bandages on his knees, not even on hards.

Proof? Here's a video of him playing at Indian Wells and Miami in 2012:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY-cgvdj9Lg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmhwYpDnf0o

Now here's Nadal at Indian Wells, Miami, and US Open 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10iNxobZOxc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzXLfY6LJCg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR9xA8-kRkk

Where are those magical bandages you speak of? I'll help you: Before this year, Nadal hadn't worn bandages on his knees since 2009. Since then he did it for ONE tournament at the Australian Open in 2012 because he felt a "crack" in his knee while sitting in his hotel room (yeah, I don't know how that happened, but a big deal was made out of it).

When he ditched the bandages for Montreal this year, he said it's because they're not helping him, not because he's feeling much better (though I suspect that he is, at least for now).

That's true, I don't focus on Nadal's knees. While others were sucked in by tendinitis, I knew it would never stop Nadal from winning 18+ slam titles. Michael Jordan had knee tendinitis for most of his career, and he had some problems but in his FINAL season in the NBA (playing for Washington at age 40) he played all 82 games and averaged 20ppg and 6.1rpg. Serena Williams, also plagued by knee tendinitis throughout her career, outlasted everyone and is reaching a new prime. And as Nadal said last year "Nobody has ever retired with what I have". I'm shocked at how uneducated tennis fans are regarding tendinitis (although a lot of it is wishful thinking). Meanwhile back injuries are ending most careers.

Except nobody said tendinitis will end his career. It will slow him down however, as it has in the past (including a recent 7 months layoff). His knees will never truly be fully healed, and that's something he said himself. He looked healthy this summer, and was moving very well. And yet, according to him, his knees were "killing him" in Barcelona. Maybe YOU should take a hint from Nadal when he says that in regards to the knees, it's pretty much one day at a time, one week at a time. Sometimes they hurt, other times they won't. That's pretty much going to be his career.

That doesn't mean he can't reach 18 slams. It just means that the knees make this task a bit more complicated (and it's already complicated without the knees).

This has nothing to do with being a Nadal detractor, not as a person, not as a player. It's just a reality he's unfortunately had to deal with. And may I add that he's dealing with it far better than some of his fans.

PS: Comparing tennis and Basketball is laughable. Nadal doesn't have teammates to help him out, nor does he have the luxury of substitutions to rest. Furthermore, each case is different (just because it's the same injury, doesn't mean the extent is the same).

Of course Nadal was in pain in Barcelona, because Team Nadal was using 'bandaid solutions' instead of resting when required. Tendinitis was only serious for Nadal because he played with it. Once he took a few months off, his doctor told him he was 100%. That's all it took. Not a serious problem if you rest when required. That's why Serena has outlasted everyone from her generation. She rested when required.

Nadal in 2013 proved you have no idea what you are talking about. 22-0 on hardcourts, and showing no signs of slowing down. Nadal is now in the category of Serena Williams and Michael Jordan, as perfect examples of players with knee tendinitis AND outstanding longevity. Nadal is the only man in world history to win slams for 9 years in a row. Despite being a prodigy with an extremely heavy workload during teenage years, he's reached a long-term consistency nobody else could.

Yet you still don't believe he's winning 18 slams. It is now inevitable, more than ever before, now that Team Nadal is aware of the need for rest. But I bet the next time Nadal takes a few months off you'll be talking like its a sign his career is slowing down. And then he'll return to the tour and dominate with 100% healthy tendons. Its a cycle of Nadal vs the uneducated detractors. You are welcome to continue that cycle all the way to 18 slams and beyond. Its fun from where I'm sitting.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

LOl...Because he's got bum knees. He's too injury-prone for that.

:laydownlaughing

I bet you were very disappointed when Nadal turned up to Montreal without bandages on his knees for the first time in many years. His tendons are 100%. His doctor told him that in February, and again just before Roland Garros. That's what 7 months of rest does for you. I mean, it wouldn't work for a traditional knee injury. But this is tendinitis, not a traditional knee injury. Serena has had tendinitis all her career (in her knees and her wrists). She outlasted EVERYONE. Nadal too....the only man ever to win slams for 9 years in a row, and plenty more to come.

Just a point to note. Broken_Shoelace is a Nadal fan so I doubt he was very disappointed Nadal's knees are ok. Quite the opposite. He's a very realistic fan though.

Yeah.....I'm not convinced. I've seen a 'Nadal fan' on Talk Tennis, name is Clarky21. Some of the biggest Nadal-detractors in the world like to call themselves Nadal fans, just so they can avoid being called detractors or racists. Proof is in the pudding.

I can tell you with great certainty that B/Shoelace is neither a detractor or a racist. He's regarded by most as quality poster and a valuable one on this board.

I guess we'll never know. He'll be negative all the way to 18, that is for sure.

 

[Ricardo]

I bet you were very disappointed when Nadal turned up to Montreal without bandages on his knees for the first time in many years.

I was. I was bitterly disappointed that my FAVORITE PLAYER was healthy, and was even more disappointed when he won the title! Makes sense.

Also, for someone who claims to be "never wrong about Nadal" get your facts straight. It wasn't the first time in many years Nadal plays without bandages on his knees, not even on hards.

Proof? Here's a video of him playing at Indian Wells and Miami in 2012:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY-cgvdj9Lg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmhwYpDnf0o

Now here's Nadal at Indian Wells, Miami, and US Open 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10iNxobZOxc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzXLfY6LJCg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR9xA8-kRkk

Where are those magical bandages you speak of? I'll help you: Before this year, Nadal hadn't worn bandages on his knees since 2009. Since then he did it for ONE tournament at the Australian Open in 2012 because he felt a "crack" in his knee while sitting in his hotel room (yeah, I don't know how that happened, but a big deal was made out of it).

When he ditched the bandages for Montreal this year, he said it's because they're not helping him, not because he's feeling much better (though I suspect that he is, at least for now).

That's true, I don't focus on Nadal's knees. While others were sucked in by tendinitis, I knew it would never stop Nadal from winning 18+ slam titles. Michael Jordan had knee tendinitis for most of his career, and he had some problems but in his FINAL season in the NBA (playing for Washington at age 40) he played all 82 games and averaged 20ppg and 6.1rpg. Serena Williams, also plagued by knee tendinitis throughout her career, outlasted everyone and is reaching a new prime. And as Nadal said last year "Nobody has ever retired with what I have". I'm shocked at how uneducated tennis fans are regarding tendinitis (although a lot of it is wishful thinking). Meanwhile back injuries are ending most careers.

Except nobody said tendinitis will end his career. It will slow him down however, as it has in the past (including a recent 7 months layoff). His knees will never truly be fully healed, and that's something he said himself. He looked healthy this summer, and was moving very well. And yet, according to him, his knees were "killing him" in Barcelona. Maybe YOU should take a hint from Nadal when he says that in regards to the knees, it's pretty much one day at a time, one week at a time. Sometimes they hurt, other times they won't. That's pretty much going to be his career.

That doesn't mean he can't reach 18 slams. It just means that the knees make this task a bit more complicated (and it's already complicated without the knees).

This has nothing to do with being a Nadal detractor, not as a person, not as a player. It's just a reality he's unfortunately had to deal with. And may I add that he's dealing with it far better than some of his fans.

PS: Comparing tennis and Basketball is laughable. Nadal doesn't have teammates to help him out, nor does he have the luxury of substitutions to rest. Furthermore, each case is different (just because it's the same injury, doesn't mean the extent is the same).

Of course Nadal was in pain in Barcelona, because Team Nadal was using 'bandaid solutions' instead of resting when required. Tendinitis was only serious for Nadal because he played with it. Once he took a few months off, his doctor told him he was 100%. That's all it took. Not a serious problem if you rest when required. That's why Serena has outlasted everyone from her generation. She rested when required.

Nadal in 2013 proved you have no idea what you are talking about. 22-0 on hardcourts, and showing no signs of slowing down. Nadal is now in the category of Serena Williams and Michael Jordan, as perfect examples of players with knee tendinitis AND outstanding longevity. Nadal is the only man in world history to win slams for 9 years in a row. Despite being a prodigy with an extremely heavy workload during teenage years, he's reached a long-term consistency nobody else could.

Yet you still don't believe he's winning 18 slams. It is now inevitable, more than ever before, now that Team Nadal is aware of the need for rest. But I bet the next time Nadal takes a few months off you'll be talking like its a sign his career is slowing down. And then he'll return to the tour and dominate with 100% healthy tendons. Its a cycle of Nadal vs the uneducated detractors. You are welcome to continue that cycle all the way to 18 slams and beyond. Its fun from where I'm sitting.

so a Nadal fan has to say that Rafa will win 18+ majors for sure or he is a detractor..... hmmm, no fan should be realistic huh? or reasonable?

 

[Loveall]

Things can change very quickly in tennis - when people make projections about slam numbers, they often project what is happening in the present into the future as if the player and the environment around them won't change.

My guess is he won't get to 18. Six majors is a hall of fame career in itself and I suspect he will have more injury concerns in the future not less.

I agree with your contention that 6 Majors is a big deal for any one . BUT for a multi -major winner, it is not that difficult. Momentum and domination over the field are two things that favors Rafa . Barring Novak there is no body who is going to stop Rafa in a Major (especially at the later stages). With Novak not in his 2011 form and having lost 5 of the last 6 against Rafa (3 in a row, 3 in majors) , it will take a monumental effort from Novak to reverse the trend . If Rafa wins AO 2014, reaching 18 will be a question of when rather than if.

It would be nice if Roger is around in the Tournament and it would be phenomenal if the greats play the finals to see who gets to 18. If the @ happens, it would be the BIGGEST Tennis event in Social media . I hope it happens outside RG though.

 

[brokenshoelace]

My honest thoughts about this is that it's possible for Nadal to catch up to Federer if he has a strong 2014 in which he's able to win more than one slam. The problem with this though, is that many seem to be taking it for granted. First he's got to stay healthy, not just in terms of not having any layoffs, but healthy enough to compete at the level required to win multiple majors without his body failing him.

If he were to win two majors next year, that would put him at 15, and suddenly, things aren't THAT unlikely. Of course, this also depends of Federer not winning any more majors (though he needs to raise his level considerably to be in contention).