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#Post#: 14141--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barcelona Open: 4/21/14
By: thetruth Date: April 25, 2014, 8:55 pm
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[quote author=masterclass link=topic=738.msg14133#msg14133
date=1398447163]
Really sad for the Nadal camp. It's not that he's just losing;
Rafa is losing to his pigeons and turkeys.
And Almagro, though he played well at times, gave Nadal every
chance to win. First in the second set, at 3-3, Nadal had at
least 3 chances to break and Almagro somehow survived 4 deuces,
and then wins the tiebreaker. Then Nadal up a break at 3-1 in
the final set, collapses on his serve and doesn't win another
game on serve. It seems he has a difficult time consolidating
his breaks lately.
So passive on his serve, and he just looked a beaten man,
instead of his usual fighter self.
What's next? Madrid is no haven for Nadal. But a good
performance is needed somewhere. Rome is absolutely vital now
for a turnaround.
But I'm starting to lean toward him not getting it done at
Roland Garros if he plays anything like this. He wouldn't
deserve it.
It's as bad a collapse on his play on clay as I've seen from
Nadal. This is not Djokovic, or Federer, or even Wawrinka,
this is Almagro, who had won a total of 2 sets and 0 matches in
10 tries before today.
It's starting to remind me of Federer's 2013 year.
Respectfully,
masterclass
[/quote]
It reminds me of the same thing. But even when Federer was going
to his slump, I never thought he was finished. I think we forget
what kind of pressure they're under to be expected to win all
the time.
They need a break. They're only human, they can't live, eat, and
breathe tennis 24-7.
Personally, this kind of stuff doesn't get me down. When Rafa is
looking like he doesn't want to fight, or flubbing balls that he
could've blown over the net, that tells me that he's tired.
He needs to take care of himself first and foremost. That's all
I want for him.
#Post#: 14156--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barcelona Open: 4/21/14
By: masterclass Date: April 26, 2014, 5:10 am
---------------------------------------------------------
So Lady TT, are you thinking he needs another longish rest to
recharge the batteries?
I would never write off greats like Rafa, until they actually
retire.
That 7 month rest seemed to do him good a couple of years ago.
He came back very fired up in 2013.
I think he almost needs to press on till after the US Open this
year as he defends a lot of points in that space.
Then I think he could afford to not play at all in the fall, and
come back very refreshed in 2015, maybe even skipping the AO as
he did in 2013, with about a 4-5 month overall break, but
practicing very hard on clay in Dec-Jan, and just starting on
the South American clay in Feb 2015, same type of pattern as
2013?
Respectfully,
masterclass
#Post#: 14157--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barcelona Open: 4/21/14
By: Backspin Date: April 26, 2014, 5:37 am
---------------------------------------------------------
IMO what worked well for Rafa was that he doubted himself after
being away from competitive tennis for 7 long months. He worked
hard on his game to be able to compete at the highest level
again.
And he went on to have one of his most dominant seasons. I don't
think he planned on that. He exceeded his own expectations
winning FO and USO + 5 Masters and other titles.
Once he knew he's back on top, he stopped doubting himself. He
knew he was the best player in the world. He stopped doing the
things that helped him compete so well in 2013. He practiced,
but not like before.
I've said this before. I was very disappointed with him in Miami
final. Djokovic was playing very well. But Rafa was just awful.
He couldn't or didn't retrieve some balls that even I would have
gotten to. He made Novak look even more impressive than he
already was.
I thought after that Miami final, Rafa needed to come back
strong in the clay swing. He needed to play the kind of tennis
that elevated him to the top. But sadly, he didn't, and got
bounced by Ferrer in Monaco. A few days later he loses to
Almagro in Barcelona!
The way I see it, Rafa will have to fight hard and play his best
to be the dominant king of clay again. His B game is no longer
good enough against quality opponents. He isn't getting any
younger or faster. He's gonna have to be near his best to defend
his FO title.
#Post#: 14158--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barcelona Open: 4/21/14
By: Backspin Date: April 26, 2014, 5:43 am
---------------------------------------------------------
As for the Semi finals today, I think Nishikori-Gulbis is going
to be a good match. I see Kei taking this in 3. Kei's movement
is unbelievable. I wish Nadal had Nishi's speed. He once did....
In the other semi final, I can't see Giraldo beating Nicolas.
Almagro in 2.
#Post#: 14160--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barcelona Open: 4/21/14
By: masterclass Date: April 26, 2014, 8:34 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Backspin link=topic=738.msg14157#msg14157
date=1398508673]
IMO what worked well for Rafa was that he doubted himself after
being away from competitive tennis for 7 long months. He worked
hard on his game to be able to compete at the highest level
again.
And he went on to have one of his most dominant seasons. I don't
think he planned on that. He exceeded his own expectations
winning FO and USO + 5 Masters and other titles.
Once he knew he's back on top, he stopped doubting himself. He
knew he was the best player in the world. He stopped doing the
things that helped him compete so well in 2013. He practiced,
but not like before.
I've said this before. I was very disappointed with him in Miami
final. Djokovic was playing very well. But Rafa was just awful.
He couldn't or didn't retrieve some balls that even I would have
gotten to. He made Novak look even more impressive than he
already was.
I thought after that Miami final, Rafa needed to come back
strong in the clay swing. He needed to play the kind of tennis
that elevated him to the top. But sadly, he didn't, and got
bounced by Ferrer in Monaco. A few days later he loses to
Almagro in Barcelona!
The way I see it, Rafa will have to fight hard and play his best
to be the dominant king of clay again. His B game is no longer
good enough against quality opponents. He isn't getting any
younger or faster. He's gonna have to be near his best to defend
his FO title.
[/quote]
Interesting points and good post general Backspin. The real
question is, what level is his best now? We know what it was in
the past.
I think he has to put in the hard yards - practicing 4-6
hours/day to get close to that, and the question is, does he
have the motivation and dedication to do that, especially when
he is #1?
He keeps saying things like tennis isn't everything, not
important compared to some other things in life. I'm wondering
if his passion to excel and do the work it takes to stay at the
top is disappearing. He's only human, and I think it's natural
to want to do other things. To be at the top consistently in
tennis, many have found that you have to give up many other
things that are enjoyable. I think Rafa has had a taste of
other pleasures, golf, fishing, poker, football, whatever, and
may be struggling to dedicate himself completely to tennis.
It's not surprising, he has been on the tour for what, 11-12
years? When he is not at the top, he does seem to be more
passionate in his competitive drive.
Respectfully,
masterclass
#Post#: 14161--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barcelona Open: 4/21/14
By: masterclass Date: April 26, 2014, 8:39 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Kei Nishikori did take it, general Backspin, and easier than we
thought, beating Gulbis 2 & 4. He has a place in the final, and
will take on either Almagro or Giraldo. I'd be quite surprised
if Almagro lost, but we'll see how the win over Nadal has
affected him.
Respectfully,
masterclass
#Post#: 14163--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barcelona Open: 4/21/14
By: Clay Death Date: April 26, 2014, 8:57 am
---------------------------------------------------------
congrats to nishikori and his fans. he is a talented athlete.
#Post#: 14164--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barcelona Open: 4/21/14
By: masterclass Date: April 26, 2014, 10:45 am
---------------------------------------------------------
And there you go. Almagro loses in straight sets to Santiago
Giraldo from Columbia, who has been playing well all week, so
give him some credit.
Perhaps the win over Nadal was too intense for Almagro
to.recover from... who knows?
Respectfully,
masterclass
#Post#: 14169--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barcelona Open: 4/21/14
By: thetruth Date: April 26, 2014, 11:34 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=masterclass link=topic=738.msg14156#msg14156
date=1398507011]
So Lady TT, are you thinking he needs another longish rest to
recharge the batteries?
I would never write off greats like Rafa, until they actually
retire.
That 7 month rest seemed to do him good a couple of years ago.
He came back very fired up in 2013.
I think he almost needs to press on till after the US Open this
year as he defends a lot of points in that space.
Then I think he could afford to not play at all in the fall, and
come back very refreshed in 2015, maybe even skipping the AO as
he did in 2013, with about a 4-5 month overall break, but
practicing very hard on clay in Dec-Jan, and just starting on
the South American clay in Feb 2015, same type of pattern as
2013?
Respectfully,
masterclass
[/quote]
No, I don't think he needs a long break. The 15 days would have
sufficed. I think that did hurt him. He could've taken a week
off and then started practicing on clay.
But he didn't, so every action creates another reaction. We're
seeing that now.
But, at the same time, this is the first time Rafa has had a
slump without a bad injury, so I think it was kind of overdue.
A decade is a long time to be so excellent and burnout becomes a
real possibility.
Players like Rafa and Fed have been doing it so long, I don't
think you can except them not to lose motivation at some point.
I try to always remember that they're regular people like us.
And in the end, his career has been so brilliant. There's no
reason to worry about a mufti-millionaire. If he quit tomorrow,
he's had a fabulous career. What more can he want?
#Post#: 14172--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barcelona Open: 4/21/14
By: thetruth Date: April 26, 2014, 11:36 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Backspin link=topic=738.msg14157#msg14157
date=1398508673]
IMO what worked well for Rafa was that he doubted himself after
being away from competitive tennis for 7 long months. He worked
hard on his game to be able to compete at the highest level
again.
And he went on to have one of his most dominant seasons. I don't
think he planned on that. He exceeded his own expectations
winning FO and USO + 5 Masters and other titles.
Once he knew he's back on top, he stopped doubting himself. He
knew he was the best player in the world. He stopped doing the
things that helped him compete so well in 2013. He practiced,
but not like before.
I've said this before. I was very disappointed with him in Miami
final. Djokovic was playing very well. But Rafa was just awful.
He couldn't or didn't retrieve some balls that even I would have
gotten to. He made Novak look even more impressive than he
already was.
I thought after that Miami final, Rafa needed to come back
strong in the clay swing. He needed to play the kind of tennis
that elevated him to the top. But sadly, he didn't, and got
bounced by Ferrer in Monaco. A few days later he loses to
Almagro in Barcelona!
The way I see it, Rafa will have to fight hard and play his best
to be the dominant king of clay again. His B game is no longer
good enough against quality opponents. He isn't getting any
younger or faster. He's gonna have to be near his best to defend
his FO title.
[/quote]
Great post.
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