Nadal reaches ATP Finals last four
20/11/2020
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sport
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tennis
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Rafael Nadal reaches the last four of the ATP Finals by beating 2019 champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets.
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19/11/2020 22:58:23
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Who said the King of Clay can't play indoors? Certainly not me! Great win for Rafa
Then please explain why the King of Clay has only ever won ONE indoor hardcourt tournament in his whole career?
When Nadal started his career, I thought of him as defensive with his heavy spin and speed across the court.
What I realise now is that he is incredible and he is able to turn defence into attack at the drop of a hat.
A great in a trio of greats, Nadal will be a very difficult man to replace and I’m pleased he is still able to perform at such a high level with his injury history.
What I realise now is that he is incredible and he is able to turn defence into attack at the drop of a hat.
A great in a trio of greats, Nadal will be a very difficult man to replace and I’m pleased he is still able to perform at such a high level with his injury history.
Nadal is an amazing champ & you have to admire how he's improved his game to adapt to different surfaces. If you truly understand tennis, you'd realise with his full western grip he's a clay courter, & his game was based on putting more top spin on the ball - just like Albert Costa or Sergi Bruguera. It's not cut out for faster, lower bouncing indoor courts (& I'm not a Novak or Roger fanatic)
Good win for rafa. I can see one of the under dogs winning this year, possibly Medvedev. ATP finals can often throw up a surprise champion
Nooooooo
Please....stop these older players from winning. common guys, step up
Please....stop these older players from winning. common guys, step up
There's skill, there's fitness then there's psychology. You have to learn to stand tall with giants
Why??? These guys are all GOATs. There is absolutely no sign of anyone being able to reach their levels when they are done playing. It could be decades before we see even one player dominate in the same way.
rafa's 4 us open wins are proof of his all round greatness
Fantastic result for Nadal. Even though this surface is by far the worst for him, he still manages to do well. Its a shame that these Final ATP Finals cant be played on random surfaces from year to year. Indoors always fav a certain player. Not necessarily the best - hence the last two winners = neither winning a GS yet.
It is clear you love Nadal. I get this. But you can't say the year end tournament should alternate to different surfaces so this gives Nadal a chance of winning it. Tennis should be about variety and if you are good enough, you will adapt. You CANNOT ignore the fact that Nadal has only won one indoor hardcourt tournament in his whole career...
I actually agree with this. The year end championships should reflect the year-they have to gather points on all surfaces to qualify for this so why not represent that by playing it on a different surface each season. I enjoy watching the O2 but it should be branded as an indoor slam or something rather than the tour finals as it only represents a small fraction of the tour
Nadal has that "if you want to win, you have to find a way to beat me" quality. I was lucky to see him win in Monaco against Novak ten years ago and at the crucial moment Rafa stood tall and invited the challenge, coolest moment I have ever seen. They won't last forever, but these guys are the stuff of legends.
Well done Rafa.
Let's hope he can finally win this tournament.
Let's hope he can finally win this tournament.
Nooooooo
Please....stop these older players from winning. common guys, step up
Please....stop these older players from winning. common guys, step up
Nooooooo
Please....stop these older players from winning. common guys, step up
Please....stop these older players from winning. common guys, step up
The womens game is so much more competitive nowadays. So many different players winning Grand slams. Its a foregone conclusion in the mens game. so stale, boring and predictable.
It will happen, I've seen it before. The best of today's players will find a way and will be the stars of tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy what we still have because it is very special.
I like both Rafa and Roger - very humane and talented individuals. And they like and respect one another which is great!
You have to watch Nadal's matches on playback, so you can fast forward between points while he scratches his bum, balls, fiddles with hair, ears & bounces ball 6/7 times before serving, & umpires don't penalise him for hitting 30 secs. + the 7-mins bathroom breaks when he's losing, & holding his hand up when receiving to make his opponent wait. Connors & Becker both did it. Some say it's cheating.
Quite easily.
Fantastic result for Nadal. Even though this surface is by far the worst for him, he still manages to do well. Its a shame that these Final ATP Finals cant be played on random surfaces from year to year. Indoors always fav a certain player. Not necessarily the best - hence the last two winners = neither winning a GS yet.
It is clear you love Nadal. I get this. But you can't say the year end tournament should alternate to different surfaces so this gives Nadal a chance of winning it. Tennis should be about variety and if you are good enough, you will adapt. You CANNOT ignore the fact that Nadal has only won one indoor hardcourt tournament in his whole career...
You can ignore it, because its utterly meaningless. Losers like you only cling to it because you know the truth about who's the best.
Why can't you say that? Nadal hits with topspin rather than flat and when the ball stays low it doesn't suit. Djokovic / Federer have five ATP Finals each, Nadal none. If on clay it would likely be 8-1-1 in Rafa's favour. A couple of Clay Finals wouldn't hurt! Indoors Nadal has to get 'lower' on his shots to compete and with his knee/wrist history, it's mind-boggling that he competes as he does.
Shame the final year in London ended with no crowds, one of the best cities in the world for sports attendance. Another Nadal vs Thiem matchup for the final would be nice after that awesome group game
Nadull
Who said the King of Clay can't play indoors? Certainly not me! Great win for Rafa
One win would be the highlight of many players' careers. Every player has a favourite surface. The best learn to adapt. In the end only the very best can win on every surface. Rafa is the very best.
indoor hard is quite rare conditions. Slams are Grass, Clay and 2x outdoor hard. Most Masters are outdoor, There used to be carpet (super quick) surface indoor too, which many tournaments converted to indoor HC. Its still a specialist set of conditions, so you find many players have not won huge numbers on it. Many would like to see the WFT rotate surface each year to represent the season better.
imagine if the finals were played on indoor clay...
Nadull
It is clear you love Nadal. I get this. But you can't say the year end tournament should alternate to different surfaces so this gives Nadal a chance of winning it. Tennis should be about variety and if you are good enough, you will adapt. You CANNOT ignore the fact that Nadal has only won one indoor hardcourt tournament in his whole career...
So many ignorant sad beeches in the world these days - wonder what InnerWisdom's greatest achievement is ?
Producing a stain on his sheets probably !
Producing a stain on his sheets probably !
The truth hurts....
Then please explain why the King of Clay has only ever won ONE indoor hardcourt tournament in his whole career?
I have a wonderful life. And Thanks for asking. I worry about you though - you seem to be very angry. Do you choose not to see the wood from the trees???
Why??? These guys are all GOATs. There is absolutely no sign of anyone being able to reach their levels when they are done playing. It could be decades before we see even one player dominate in the same way.
You're sad man.
Get a life or just stick to watching women! Removed
Get a life or just stick to watching women! Removed
Why??? These guys are all GOATs. There is absolutely no sign of anyone being able to reach their levels when they are done playing. It could be decades before we see even one player dominate in the same way.
I agree, these are special players, great players, geniuses.
Still watching a new player on the block does make it interesting to watch. The womens game is interesting to watch, a fact that cant be denied.
Still watching a new player on the block does make it interesting to watch. The womens game is interesting to watch, a fact that cant be denied.
It will happen, I've seen it before. The best of today's players will find a way and will be the stars of tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy what we still have because it is very special.
I’ve always found Tennis to be far more interesting when Murray is not involved.
Fair play to the true “ greats “ who are still in the game continually setting high standards that murray can only dream of achieving
??????
Fair play to the true “ greats “ who are still in the game continually setting high standards that murray can only dream of achieving
??????
Great to see the G O A T of Tennis move forward - its only matter of time before he bypasses Fed in GS Titles !!
The truth hurts. Sad for you...
Amazon Prime pretty shocking. Coverage buffered a lot, commentators went on about how Nadal could face Djokovic in the semi, 'depending on what happens tomorrow' when anyone following it remotely closely knew that the Nadal/Tsitsipas winner faced Medvedev in the semi. Then the transmission cuts off with the informative Petch in full flow. When you're paying, you expect much better.
Prime is the standard of future, sadly. Don't look there for quality, but is there a choice?
Nadull
Amazon Prime pretty shocking. Coverage buffered a lot, commentators went on about how Nadal could face Djokovic in the semi, 'depending on what happens tomorrow' when anyone following it remotely closely knew that the Nadal/Tsitsipas winner faced Medvedev in the semi. Then the transmission cuts off with the informative Petch in full flow. When you're paying, you expect much better.
So many ignorant sad beeches in the world these days - wonder what InnerWisdom's greatest achievement is ?
Producing a stain on his sheets probably !
Producing a stain on his sheets probably !
Goat! On clay maybe but you don’t know how he would have played against players of the old. Different everything coaches, food, rackets balls, trainers etc. 22 hard court titles and 3 grass! Not sure that can be the goat. Those 2 courts Andy Murray has like 15 more titles.
Then please explain why the King of Clay has only ever won ONE indoor hardcourt tournament in his whole career?
He is one of the greats but how can he be the best if he never won the Year-End tournament? Or only one indoor hardcourt tournament ever?
One win would be the highlight of many players' careers. Every player has a favourite surface. The best learn to adapt. In the end only the very best can win on every surface. Rafa is the very best.
I agree, there is always another challenge and that's why payers like Rafa remain motivated. Younger players will start to beat him, but that's the challenge they have to rise to. In current times we have seen the best without question, Rafa being just one of those. Who is the best is always good to debate and I hope today's younger players become part of that conversation soon.
The problem with that is that you can make similar arguments for everyone you could possibly consider the greatest. How can Federer or Djokovic be the greatest if they never won an Olympic singles gold? How can Sampras be the greatest if he never won the French? Or Borg, if he never won the US?
Who you think is the GOAT is ultimately subjective, and there's no 'right' answer.
Who you think is the GOAT is ultimately subjective, and there's no 'right' answer.
Great to see the G O A T of Tennis move forward - its only matter of time before he bypasses Fed in GS Titles !!
He is one of the greats but how can he be the best if he never won the Year-End tournament? Or only one indoor hardcourt tournament ever?
I agree, there is always another challenge and that's why payers like Rafa remain motivated. Younger players will start to beat him, but that's the challenge they have to rise to. In current times we have seen the best without question, Rafa being just one of those. Who is the best is always good to debate and I hope today's younger players become part of that conversation soon.
It is clear you love Nadal. I get this. But you can't say the year end tournament should alternate to different surfaces so this gives Nadal a chance of winning it. Tennis should be about variety and if you are good enough, you will adapt. You CANNOT ignore the fact that Nadal has only won one indoor hardcourt tournament in his whole career...
Why can't you say that? Nadal hits with topspin rather than flat and when the ball stays low it doesn't suit. Djokovic / Federer have five ATP Finals each, Nadal none. If on clay it would likely be 8-1-1 in Rafa's favour. A couple of Clay Finals wouldn't hurt! Indoors Nadal has to get 'lower' on his shots to compete and with his knee/wrist history, it's mind-boggling that he competes as he does.
I think you need help. Firstly, Roger has won six Year Ends - the most in open era. Please get your facts correct. And you are right - Nadal has won none. Sadly for him. While you are at it, why don't they change the Australian Open and US Open to clay - would that please you??
I hope Rafa goes on to win this title. I think he has been playing well. Has done enough to reach the semi finals. Wish him all the best there. Then hope he plays his best tennis and wins the title. He would make my day. Love Rafa. He is a very humble guy. Great personality.
It is well known to everyone in Majorca that Nadal family and Rafa in particular are extremely arrogant. They are not liked by many on the island. People have been praying they would leave the island and settle down in Barcelona
Why can't you say that? Nadal hits with topspin rather than flat and when the ball stays low it doesn't suit. Djokovic / Federer have five ATP Finals each, Nadal none. If on clay it would likely be 8-1-1 in Rafa's favour. A couple of Clay Finals wouldn't hurt! Indoors Nadal has to get 'lower' on his shots to compete and with his knee/wrist history, it's mind-boggling that he competes as he does.
Goat! On clay maybe but you don’t know how he would have played against players of the old. Different everything coaches, food, rackets balls, trainers etc. 22 hard court titles and 3 grass! Not sure that can be the goat. Those 2 courts Andy Murray has like 15 more titles.
Not saying he wouldn't, but I do think the technology has helped the players in this era. In (successfully) trying in the early '00s to stop serve-and-volley players winning everything with barely a rally matches, the game changed to the point where it is basically impossible to win unless you're a base-liner. Try playing that way with heavy wooden/metal rackets with much smaller sweet-spots.
You have to watch Nadal's matches on playback, so you can fast forward between points while he scratches his bum, balls, fiddles with hair, ears & bounces ball 6/7 times before serving, & umpires don't penalise him for hitting 30 secs. + the 7-mins bathroom breaks when he's losing, & holding his hand up when receiving to make his opponent wait. Connors & Becker both did it. Some say it's cheating.
Just in case you've never realised, tennis is a physical sport & only Federer who has the more natural all-round game to keep his points/games short.
Nadal on the other hand hasn't got that and has to fight harder even on his own service games and the means exerting more effort and therefore gets more tired than others.
What's wrong if he takes his time to recover and normally within time limit?
Nadal on the other hand hasn't got that and has to fight harder even on his own service games and the means exerting more effort and therefore gets more tired than others.
What's wrong if he takes his time to recover and normally within time limit?
When Nadal started his career, I thought of him as defensive with his heavy spin and speed across the court.
What I realise now is that he is incredible and he is able to turn defence into attack at the drop of a hat.
A great in a trio of greats, Nadal will be a very difficult man to replace and I’m pleased he is still able to perform at such a high level with his injury history.
What I realise now is that he is incredible and he is able to turn defence into attack at the drop of a hat.
A great in a trio of greats, Nadal will be a very difficult man to replace and I’m pleased he is still able to perform at such a high level with his injury history.
Nadal is an amazing champ & you have to admire how he's improved his game to adapt to different surfaces. If you truly understand tennis, you'd realise with his full western grip he's a clay courter, & his game was based on putting more top spin on the ball - just like Albert Costa or Sergi Bruguera. It's not cut out for faster, lower bouncing indoor courts (& I'm not a Novak or Roger fanatic)
Verneuil 1424 (gosh, what a cowardly start from the some of us, just for the rest of us to regroup and smash the french & and the scots ;)
St James LOL never heard of a victory like this x;)
Cravant against the F & Scots :)
Ends up 3-1 to the English in what the Scots participated in directly (& yet in the win they won Bauge, when we only had 1.5 employed to their french-scots of 5k LOL x:)
St James LOL never heard of a victory like this x;)
Cravant against the F & Scots :)
Ends up 3-1 to the English in what the Scots participated in directly (& yet in the win they won Bauge, when we only had 1.5 employed to their french-scots of 5k LOL x:)
actually it was Herrings 1429 we defeated the scots lol ;) gosh but i love st james xx;)
He is one of the greats but how can he be the best if he never won the Year-End tournament? Or only one indoor hardcourt tournament ever?
The problem with that is that you can make similar arguments for everyone you could possibly consider the greatest. How can Federer or Djokovic be the greatest if they never won an Olympic singles gold? How can Sampras be the greatest if he never won the French? Or Borg, if he never won the US?
Who you think is the GOAT is ultimately subjective, and there's no 'right' answer.
Who you think is the GOAT is ultimately subjective, and there's no 'right' answer.
Verneuil 1424 (gosh, what a cowardly start from the some of us, just for the rest of us to regroup and smash the french & and the scots ;)
St James LOL never heard of a victory like this x;)
Cravant against the F & Scots :)
Ends up 3-1 to the English in what the Scots participated in directly (& yet in the win they won Bauge, when we only had 1.5 employed to their french-scots of 5k LOL x:)
St James LOL never heard of a victory like this x;)
Cravant against the F & Scots :)
Ends up 3-1 to the English in what the Scots participated in directly (& yet in the win they won Bauge, when we only had 1.5 employed to their french-scots of 5k LOL x:)
Stefanos appeared to take it easy on Nadal. One gets the feeling he intentionally eased up. To any tennis aficionado it is clear that Nadal well on his way to being beaten and beaten badly.
Now surely, Mr Nadal will find out he is out of his depth in the Semis. Adios
Now surely, Mr Nadal will find out he is out of his depth in the Semis. Adios
As Johnny Mac and Boris Becker have both said, Rafa is a pretty decent clay courter
He is lucky he was born in a very weak era. Had Stefanos or Daniil or Sascha been born 15 years earlier they would have swept most of the slams. Of course if Thiem was born 15 years earlier he would have owned 30 to 35 slams by now and Rog and Rafa would be owners of a couple at the most
He is lucky he was born in a very weak era. Had Stefanos or Daniil or Sascha been born 15 years earlier they would have swept most of the slams. Of course if Thiem was born 15 years earlier he would have owned 30 to 35 slams by now and Rog and Rafa would be owners of a couple at the most
haha, now it is clear you are joking. Sooooooo dry it nearly snuck past me
One shudders to think how badly Roger would have lost to Schwartzman in this event. It is good Roger was incapacitated. Diego at his peak as he is now is too hot to handle for both Roger and Rafa as he found out in Rome. Poor Rafa was so badly embarrassed on his supposedly best surface. Must have been demoralizing for Rafa. I have never seen him crushed and dispirited as he was in that match.
I hope Rafa goes on to win this title. I think he has been playing well. Has done enough to reach the semi finals. Wish him all the best there. Then hope he plays his best tennis and wins the title. He would make my day. Love Rafa. He is a very humble guy. Great personality.
I live on a different Spanish island but what you say is a load of tosh. Rafa is well respected and loved on Mallorca and I don't think arrogant is what they think of him. I've never heard a Spaniard speak out against him. Is this titbit picked up from the English gutter press - just how good is your Spanish? You obviously don't like him but just sheath the claws!
Rafa has built and runs a fabulous tennis academy in his home town which provides employment and a wonderful facility for top class athletes to train but also local school children to use. We saw hundreds of them coming in each day to use it when we were there. The people there adore him.
And you know this HOW?
Boy, your attempts at trolling are really really substandard ?? anyone who knows anything about tennis (and you clearly have not the faintest clue) is well aware that Rafa is universally adored and respected across the island. Take your pathetic attempts at trolling to another website.
you're little secret
Rafa is the best player of the current big 3.
No doubt he is a decent clay court player, and at the same level as Bruguera perhaps almost as good as Muster or Courier on clay.
He certainly lucked out, as did Rog and Djoker to be playing in such a weak era
He certainly lucked out, as did Rog and Djoker to be playing in such a weak era
Those who try to deny Rafa’s greatness because he hasn't won yet a year's end final forget that indoor hardcourt is a truly minority surface.
No denying his greatness. He was definitely a decent clay court player, can't be denied
He is quite terrible on faster courts. Sampras on clay was a thousand times better than Nadal on faster courts
He is quite terrible on faster courts. Sampras on clay was a thousand times better than Nadal on faster courts
Rafa is the best player of the current big 3.
Those who try to deny Rafa’s greatness because he hasn't won yet a year's end final forget that indoor hardcourt is a truly minority surface.
Quite a decent clay court player? For a man with 13 RG titles almost 94% won in all clay tournaments...sampras on clay is 1000times better than rafa on faster courts? Sampras is a pathetic clay court player his game is built on pure serve and volley that's why he is not even enter a final in RG.bythe way rafa won just one USO less than sampras USO 's tally..
On a faster surface rafa looks as graceful as a cow on a skate rink as Maria Sharapova so eloquently stated
Come on, let's face it. We all know that if Michael Stich or Goran Ivanisevic were born 10 years later, they would have won practically every single slam from 2004 to now. Every single one.
Ermm fiona stop talking from your backside. you are stinking the place out
Why is it that we have 1 grand slam on clay. 1 grand slam on grass.
But 2 grand slams on hard court and the end of year finals on hard court?
The Olympics are almost always played on hard court as well?
Seems kind of unfair that hard court specialists have such an advantage and so many more opportunities to win tournaments
But 2 grand slams on hard court and the end of year finals on hard court?
The Olympics are almost always played on hard court as well?
Seems kind of unfair that hard court specialists have such an advantage and so many more opportunities to win tournaments
Hard court is the most neutral surface. Clay & Grass are specialist surfaces. Although in the WTA many can only play well on hard courts like Naomi Osaka but that's because the women's game is rather one-dimensional with many players lacking a Plan B.
Grass courts take a lot to maintain and can only be used certain times of the year.
Clay courts are the similar.
Hard courts have very little maintenance needed so they are the cheapest option
Clay courts are the similar.
Hard courts have very little maintenance needed so they are the cheapest option
2012
Because hard courts can be played on anywhere in the world at any time of year. 40% of the tour is on clay so it's not disadvantageous to clay court specialists. Remember in 2005, Nadal won most of his matches on clay to get to number 2 in the rankings.
Why is it that we have 1 grand slam on clay. 1 grand slam on grass.
But 2 grand slams on hard court and the end of year finals on hard court?
The Olympics are almost always played on hard court as well?
Seems kind of unfair that hard court specialists have such an advantage and so many more opportunities to win tournaments
But 2 grand slams on hard court and the end of year finals on hard court?
The Olympics are almost always played on hard court as well?
Seems kind of unfair that hard court specialists have such an advantage and so many more opportunities to win tournaments
It is well known to everyone in Majorca that Nadal family and Rafa in particular are extremely arrogant. They are not liked by many on the island. People have been praying they would leave the island and settle down in Barcelona
I live on a different Spanish island but what you say is a load of tosh. Rafa is well respected and loved on Mallorca and I don't think arrogant is what they think of him. I've never heard a Spaniard speak out against him. Is this titbit picked up from the English gutter press - just how good is your Spanish? You obviously don't like him but just sheath the claws!
Nadal is ageless and time and again he delivers when it matters. He relentlessly executes a game plan that he can change on the move from defence to attack with consulate ease. He is a true great in an era of three of the all time greats with Federer and Djokovic. He is the undisputed king of clay but can also play indoors.
Yes and he's never won the ATP finals, so this would be a nice first for him if he can do it this year! Medvedev looking strong though...and I like Andre R (can't type his surname as for some reason it gets flagged as a rude word by the BBC...).
I wouldn’t be surprised if Medvedev won this event. He’s playing well enough to beat Rafa or Novak.
Why is it that we have 1 grand slam on clay. 1 grand slam on grass.
But 2 grand slams on hard court and the end of year finals on hard court?
The Olympics are almost always played on hard court as well?
Seems kind of unfair that hard court specialists have such an advantage and so many more opportunities to win tournaments
But 2 grand slams on hard court and the end of year finals on hard court?
The Olympics are almost always played on hard court as well?
Seems kind of unfair that hard court specialists have such an advantage and so many more opportunities to win tournaments
Fantastic result for Nadal. Even though this surface is by far the worst for him, he still manages to do well. Its a shame that these Final ATP Finals cant be played on random surfaces from year to year. Indoors always fav a certain player. Not necessarily the best - hence the last two winners = neither winning a GS yet.
I actually agree with this. The year end championships should reflect the year-they have to gather points on all surfaces to qualify for this so why not represent that by playing it on a different surface each season. I enjoy watching the O2 but it should be branded as an indoor slam or something rather than the tour finals as it only represents a small fraction of the tour
You do realise that we are at the tailend of the indoor season? That's why it's played indoors.
It is well known to everyone in Majorca that Nadal family and Rafa in particular are extremely arrogant. They are not liked by many on the island. People have been praying they would leave the island and settle down in Barcelona
I actually agree with this. The year end championships should reflect the year-they have to gather points on all surfaces to qualify for this so why not represent that by playing it on a different surface each season. I enjoy watching the O2 but it should be branded as an indoor slam or something rather than the tour finals as it only represents a small fraction of the tour
Nadal is ageless and time and again he delivers when it matters. He relentlessly executes a game plan that he can change on the move from defence to attack with consulate ease. He is a true great in an era of three of the all time greats with Federer and Djokovic. He is the undisputed king of clay but can also play indoors.
It is well known to everyone in Majorca that Nadal family and Rafa in particular are extremely arrogant. They are not liked by many on the island. People have been praying they would leave the island and settle down in Barcelona
You have to watch Nadal's matches on playback, so you can fast forward between points while he scratches his bum, balls, fiddles with hair, ears & bounces ball 6/7 times before serving, & umpires don't penalise him for hitting 30 secs. + the 7-mins bathroom breaks when he's losing, & holding his hand up when receiving to make his opponent wait. Connors & Becker both did it. Some say it's cheating.
Just in case you've never realised, tennis is a physical sport & only Federer who has the more natural all-round game to keep his points/games short.
Nadal on the other hand hasn't got that and has to fight harder even on his own service games and the means exerting more effort and therefore gets more tired than others.
What's wrong if he takes his time to recover and normally within time limit?
Nadal on the other hand hasn't got that and has to fight harder even on his own service games and the means exerting more effort and therefore gets more tired than others.
What's wrong if he takes his time to recover and normally within time limit?
Prime is the standard of future, sadly. Don't look there for quality, but is there a choice?
The womens game is so much more competitive nowadays. So many different players winning Grand slams. Its a foregone conclusion in the mens game. so stale, boring and predictable.
On a faster surface rafa looks as graceful as a cow on a skate rink as Maria Sharapova so eloquently stated
Stefanos appeared to take it easy on Nadal. One gets the feeling he intentionally eased up. To any tennis aficionado it is clear that Nadal well on his way to being beaten and beaten badly.
Now surely, Mr Nadal will find out he is out of his depth in the Semis. Adios
Now surely, Mr Nadal will find out he is out of his depth in the Semis. Adios
It is well known to everyone in Majorca that Nadal family and Rafa in particular are extremely arrogant. They are not liked by many on the island. People have been praying they would leave the island and settle down in Barcelona
Murray is a GOAT!!!
Hard court is the most neutral surface. Clay & Grass are specialist surfaces. Although in the WTA many can only play well on hard courts like Naomi Osaka but that's because the women's game is rather one-dimensional with many players lacking a Plan B.
Why is it that we have 1 grand slam on clay. 1 grand slam on grass.
But 2 grand slams on hard court and the end of year finals on hard court?
The Olympics are almost always played on hard court as well?
Seems kind of unfair that hard court specialists have such an advantage and so many more opportunities to win tournaments
But 2 grand slams on hard court and the end of year finals on hard court?
The Olympics are almost always played on hard court as well?
Seems kind of unfair that hard court specialists have such an advantage and so many more opportunities to win tournaments
No denying his greatness. He was definitely a decent clay court player, can't be denied
He is quite terrible on faster courts. Sampras on clay was a thousand times better than Nadal on faster courts
He is quite terrible on faster courts. Sampras on clay was a thousand times better than Nadal on faster courts
Quite a decent clay court player? For a man with 13 RG titles almost 94% won in all clay tournaments...sampras on clay is 1000times better than rafa on faster courts? Sampras is a pathetic clay court player his game is built on pure serve and volley that's why he is not even enter a final in RG.bythe way rafa won just one USO less than sampras USO 's tally..
Why is it that we have 1 grand slam on clay. 1 grand slam on grass.
But 2 grand slams on hard court and the end of year finals on hard court?
The Olympics are almost always played on hard court as well?
Seems kind of unfair that hard court specialists have such an advantage and so many more opportunities to win tournaments
But 2 grand slams on hard court and the end of year finals on hard court?
The Olympics are almost always played on hard court as well?
Seems kind of unfair that hard court specialists have such an advantage and so many more opportunities to win tournaments
I hope Rafa goes on to win this title. I think he has been playing well. Has done enough to reach the semi finals. Wish him all the best there. Then hope he plays his best tennis and wins the title. He would make my day. Love Rafa. He is a very humble guy. Great personality.
Nadal is an amazing champ & you have to admire how he's improved his game to adapt to different surfaces. If you truly understand tennis, you'd realise with his full western grip he's a clay courter, & his game was based on putting more top spin on the ball - just like Albert Costa or Sergi Bruguera. It's not cut out for faster, lower bouncing indoor courts (& I'm not a Novak or Roger fanatic)
No denying his greatness. He was definitely a decent clay court player, can't be denied
He is quite terrible on faster courts. Sampras on clay was a thousand times better than Nadal on faster courts
He is quite terrible on faster courts. Sampras on clay was a thousand times better than Nadal on faster courts
Then please explain why the King of Clay has only ever won ONE indoor hardcourt tournament in his whole career?
indoor hard is quite rare conditions. Slams are Grass, Clay and 2x outdoor hard. Most Masters are outdoor, There used to be carpet (super quick) surface indoor too, which many tournaments converted to indoor HC. Its still a specialist set of conditions, so you find many players have not won huge numbers on it. Many would like to see the WFT rotate surface each year to represent the season better.
Quite right. I’m still disappointed that carpet is no longer used as there definitely was a place for it
I actually agree with this. The year end championships should reflect the year-they have to gather points on all surfaces to qualify for this so why not represent that by playing it on a different surface each season. I enjoy watching the O2 but it should be branded as an indoor slam or something rather than the tour finals as it only represents a small fraction of the tour
I agree with that. Why does it have to be at the O2 every year though? Why not play Indian Wells one year, Madrid the next etc. As I said, I do enjoy this tournament, but it should be standalone as maybe the World Indoor Championships, rather than representative of the whole season
Not saying he wouldn't, but I do think the technology has helped the players in this era. In (successfully) trying in the early '00s to stop serve-and-volley players winning everything with barely a rally matches, the game changed to the point where it is basically impossible to win unless you're a base-liner. Try playing that way with heavy wooden/metal rackets with much smaller sweet-spots.
Nadal has always been the most tedious and boring player to watch, with his tics and superstitions and his one dimensional brutal physical game. No pleasure at all. Just boring repetitive rallies. And boring pretence at humility.
20 GS... equal to the maestro. ouch
only guarantees in life during this troubled time.death taxes and rafa winning the french open
What happened in 2009, 2015 and 2016 then?
indoor hard is quite rare conditions. Slams are Grass, Clay and 2x outdoor hard. Most Masters are outdoor, There used to be carpet (super quick) surface indoor too, which many tournaments converted to indoor HC. Its still a specialist set of conditions, so you find many players have not won huge numbers on it. Many would like to see the WFT rotate surface each year to represent the season better.
Got to question Tsiptipas mental strength & belief, think Theim seems to have found this, thats why he beat Nadal & probably the biggest threat to the big 3, Medvedev is getting there. Nadals game is very physical not sure how much longer he can keep this up even on clay. Then there are the likes of Sinner & a couple of other young Italians!
Mental strength & belief is so important in tennis, its the diff between very good to greatness! Most players in the top 50 are talented & work hard, however how many bottle it? Speaking from experience i have played players so called pushers who have beat me because i let them frustrate me mentally when this happens you stop thinking concentrating etc. you question yourself & lose!