Rafael Nadal

A page and forum to discuss all things Rafael Nadal.

Nadal 5

Current ranking: 14

Last result: Australian Open second round (lost to Mackenzie McDonald)

Next tournament: Roland Garros

45 Comments on Rafael Nadal

  4. “The decline of the great athlete is familiar to fans yet its misery always seems new. In an exaggerated sense, it resembles the death of something beautiful. So people, without irony, say “quit” to athletes whom they once championed precisely because they never quit. They say “quit” as if a legacy may be ruined, though in truth the past is unerasable: ”

    http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/nadals-struggle-to-renew-himself-is-a-noble-battle

    #GOAT
    #VRNMW

    Reply

  7. An article on Rafa’s problema…

    “It seems that Nadal is at a crossroads. He must convince himself that he can really return to compete on a high level. But perhaps he is afraid of living episodes of anxiety as last year and, therefore, he is unwilling to force himself mentally. Because of that we could understand his indulgent statements and his reluctance to discuss his potential recovery. The problem is that without mental demand, it is difficult to find enough motivation to train and compete at the highest level. And the risk is that he starts to believe that he already cannot aspire to major titles, just the opposite of what should be his goal.
    Nadal is a player of an impressive track record and with a stunning charisma. With 29 years, all fans hope to see him a few more seasons in the major events fighting for everything. At a time in which Djokovic dominates absolutely the circuit, it would be welcomed that the Spanish back to fight him the titles. From this perspective, there is no doubt tennis needs Nadal. The question now is whether Nadal still needs tennis.”

    https://www.thetennisbase.com/?enlace=blog&bg=4&post=Nadal-at-the-crossroads

    Reply

  9. “This brings us of course back to Nadal, if he has the conscious ability to change his behavior, can he not find the mental game to adjust to his changing physical capabilities (instead of overtaking Federer) and think his way through to victory again? As I watch him play from the behavior science perspective, I detect that he gets increasingly less time to think and to construct points and strategies on the court and thus his very mindfulness is undermined, trusting less and less his effort to practice the baby steps until the pattern leads to the tipping point in results. As I am impressed by exhibiting a high level of mindfulness and ability to change, I would like to see it play out again. However, even if he is not able to do that, I credit him with making this aspect of the tennis game explicit for the fans, and not only thus making my/our tennis viewing enjoyable but motivating me/us to apply these tools in the area of my/our own expertise.”

    http://www.si.com/tennis/2016/03/02/mailbag-teeange-grand-slam-champions-thiem-nadal-federer

    #GOAT

    Reply

  10. According to this article, Rafa is in Cozumel together with his family:
    http://www.latitud21.com.mx/rafael-nadal-regresa-a-cozumel-su-lugar-preferido-de-vacaciones-en-mexico/
    Latitud21, March 2, 2016: “I am very fortunate to return to Cozumel every year for vacation and enjoy some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. Fishing and exceptional snorkeling site, combined with its unique climate and beaches, help me carry energy, “said Nadal. [Google translation]

    ☀️ ?

    Reply

    • As for accompanying Rafa to Indian Wells, Francis Roig has done it regularly. (U.Toni has accompanied Rafa to Miami.)

      Reply

    • I understand the point that the first 2-3 strokes in tennis are more important now but no clue what Toni is talking about when he says the game has moved on so much :s

      He just needs to look at the current world no.1 . Does he think Djokovic finishes points off within 4-5 shots and that’s the key for him?! Rafa of 2013 would be at least top 2 right now.

      STOP telling Rafa that tennis has evolved faster than his tennis! COME ON!

      He keeps saying rafa needs to adapt adapt adapt . We know his forehand is not doing the damage but that is not because he cannot get the same RPMs on the ball or enough pace. The problem is, he keeps missing the court. It is not that his forehand is no longer ‘potentially’ not dangerous. The execution is missing!

      The only shot which is not progressing enough is his serve. He is lacking in THAT department. Can’t say he is too ‘capable’ with that.

      Reply

    • Thanks sanju. Something of interest here for a change.

      Toni is wrong of course as being his coach and part of the team he is willing to share the credit for the slam wins but absolves himself from any of the blame. As coach he should recognize the need for change to the team.

      He is correct however as he hints about the Rafa time violation rule that was changed specifically to rush Rafa to increase his anxiety (mental problema) after federer complained.

      That was the beginning of the end.

      Reply

    • I agree with hawkeye and vamosrafa regarding Uncle Toni’s comments. I just do not get this whole idea that the game has moved on or changed in some fundamental way. Novak is still winning the same way he always has. Murray is also doing the same. Their core games are still intact. Fed has become even more aggressive as he’s gotten older, but his core game is still intact.

      What Uncle Toni does not seem to comprehend, is that these players have made some incremental adjustments, improvements and changes to their games over the years. They have added new people to their team as needed. That’s a basic necessity if players want to continue to be competitive at the highest levels.

      Rafa’s game has degraded significantly. He’s gone backwards, it’s not that the game itself has moved forward or changed in any significant way. This is why I believe that Uncle Toni can’t help Rafa at this time. He doesn’t even recognize the problem.

      I have said previously that Toni deserves both credit and blame. You can’t just take the credit for the wins and refuse to take responsibility for the losses. That’s not being realistic at all.

      These comments from Toni continue to concern me because they reveal a basic lack of understanding as to what is happening with Rafa. The game of tennis hasn’t changed. Rafa has changed. He doesn’t have the core mental strength, belief and confidence that have been such an important component of his success.

      The refusal to address Rafa’s mental anxiety is the reason why things have not changed.

      Reply

      • — You can’t just take the credit for the wins and refuse to take responsibility for the losses.—
        ===
        .
        U.Toni didn’t take the credit, he said: if.
        “I think they give me too much importance and in the end, I’ve to thank them. (But) if I am the cause of why he plays bad, I also have to be the reason for the 14 Slams he’s won”

        Reply

      • @NNY, yup! Yet to hear Toni say that despite all our best efforts in practice, rafa is not able to play well on the court at all. Therefore, we need to think about something different.

        Sometimes, he hits a forehand miles long or into the net even when there is zero scoreline pressure!

        Some parts of this decline make no sense. He is stumbling on high pressure points but his UE are just so consistently spread out in his matches now.

        Reply

        • vamosrafa,

          Yes, it’s a pleasure to converse with someone who does not resort to regurgitating what I have just read from Uncle Toni.

          It doesn’t make me feel good to have to say these things. But I can’t help feeling quite frustrated when Uncle Toni keeps talking about the tennis game itself changing in some innate way. I don’t see Novak altering his basic style of play at all. He’s definitely improved it. His serving is even better now with more first serve aces and even more speed on that second serve. He’s worked to eliminate costly double faults in key moments of matches, which is primarily a mental thing. He’s sharpened and honed his forehand and backhand and also improved his volleying at net.

          I do not see any improvement with Rafa when it concerns his serving, forehand and ROS. The incessant practice is not producing on court results. In fact, I think it may actually be harming Rafa by in and of itself, putting more pressure on him. The practice is not translating to his matches.

          But when all is said and done, the core problem is Rafa’s lack of mental strength and focus in the crucial moments of matches.

          You make a good point when you say that parts of his decline don’t many any sense. It’s quite baffling.

          Reply

    • It’s hideous of Toni to suggest that Nadal isn’t winning because strategy tennis is not ruling the roost or that fans somehow prefer long-winded points usually ending in UFEs. NO. If that were the case, the most aggressive player in the top 10 wouldn’t be the most beloved. And more importantly, tennis is as slow as it has ever been. Djokovic is not a massive fast court player at all. The difference is, the wheels have come off for Nadal. Just a step late on the defense means his trump card is gone and he’ll have to think up something else. Or hope he lands into a run of form for a brief period (although I can bet that would take a lot out of him).

      Reply

  19. Alberta Costa:

    ‘With Rafa Nadal you have to be patient because he has the will and motivation. As I know, he is working on a daily basis so that he can improve, surely he will win more important tournaments. He’s overcome injuries, last year he lacked confidence and in 2016, he has not had big results. But I have spoken to him and he is fighting to recover his form, and I am sure he will improve his tennis and will realise his goal,’

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.




Copyright © 2024 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes