Friends and also familiar foes Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer will face each other in the Monte-Carlo quarterfinals on Friday. Novak Djokovic is also looking for a place in the last four as he goes up against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. (6) David Ferrer
Nadal and Ferrer will be squaring off for the 27th time in their careers when the two Spaniards collide in the quarterfinals of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Friday afternoon. Nadal is dominating the head-to-head series 21-5, including an overwhelming 17-1 on clay. The world No. 1 has won 17 in a row on the slow stuff at his opponent’s expense since Ferrer took their first-ever encounter back at the 2004 Stuttgart event. Ferrer beat Nadal 6-3, 7-5 last fall at the Paris Masters, but the favorite quickly returned the favor with a 6-3, 6-2 blowout at the World Tour Finals.
Neither man has endured any real trouble so far in Monte-Carlo; especially not Ferrer. The sixth seed thrashed Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-0 before getting the best of Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-2. Nadal trailed by an early break against Teymuraz Gabashvili and gave back a late break against Andreas Seppi, but he still pocketed routine victories of 6-4, 6-1 and 6-1, 6-3, respectively. The eight-time champion of this tournament is 23-3 for his 2014 campaign. Nothing about the current form of either Nadal or Ferrer suggests that their historical head-to-head trend on clay–and overall, for that matter–will change in this one.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 9 games or fewer
[polldaddy poll=7976524]
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez vs. (2) Novak Djokovic
It will be the hottest player in the world overall against the hottest play of this clay-court swing’s early stages when Djokovic and Garcia-Lopez meet for the sixth time in their careers. Djokovic triumphed in both Indian Wells and Miami and so far in Monte-Carlo he has dropped a mere two games in total to Albert Montanes and Pablo Carreno Busta. Garcia-Lopez picked up momentum with a third-round showing in Miami and he used to it to capture last week’s Casablanca title. The 38th-ranked Spaniard booked his spot in the quarterfinals with defeats of Benjamin Balleret, Alexandr Dolgopolov, and Tomas Berdych.
Djokovic is sweeping the head-to-head series 5-0, including 2-0 on clay. They have not faced each other since the 2011 Madrid event, where the Serb scored a 6-1, 6-2 victory. Garcia-Lopez is in rare form right now and he should be far more competitive than Montanes and Carreno Busta, but it also has to be noted than he got an assist from a less-than-100 percent Berdych in Thursday’s three-setter. Djokovic is supremely confident right now, so he is likely to advance with ease.
Pick: Djokovic in 2 losing 3-4 games
[polldaddy poll=7976543]
https://twitter.com/augustazeight/status/456861650818068480/photo/1
Vamos Rafa!
Nadal battles wardrobe malfunction in Monte Carlo
ReutersApril 18, 2014, 12:43 am
(Reuters) – Rafa Nadal is battling a wardrobe malfunction that has forced him to alter his serving routine at this week’s Monte Carlo Masters.
When he has failed with his first serve, Nadal has had to ask for another ball rather than plucking one from his shorts, because he has been experiencing problems with his pockets.
“The ball comes out of the bottom of them and gets in the way,” the Spaniard told Teledeporte on Thursday after dispatching Italy’s Andreas Seppi to reach the quarter-finals.
“We’ll try to sort it out for the next tournaments but here it won’t be possible.
“When you have been doing something the same way for so many years, when there is a change you have to think about it and it makes things a bit more difficult.
“But it’s better to do it that way than have the ball popping out of the bottom of your shorts which is quite uncomfortable.”
Nadal won in Monte Carlo eight times in a row between 2005 and 2012 before losing to Novak Djokovic in last year’s final. The Spaniard is sponsored by U.S. apparel maker Nike.
(Writing by Iain Rogers in Madrid, editing by Robert Woodward)
How many more times do we have to be reminded Djokovic wrestled the title from Rafa last year?
#Yesteryear’sNews
Pro-Fed writers/TVcommentators will keep reminding about this forever (like they have kept reminding about other Rafa’s losses).
Can’t Maymo just run along to the nearest Primark store and grab a proper pair of shorts for Rafa?
How can anyone, least of all Nike, make such an elementary mistake?
Some 2/3 years ago Andy had a problem losing the ball out of his pocket during play – he was docked points on a couple of occasions as I recall.
What’s with that garish shirt Ferru’s wearing – he’s normally so conservative with his clothes. Is it to jazz him up or distract his opponents? As for the ice-cream coloured shirt Berdy was sporting, no wonder he lost.
Just wanted to come on and wish Rafa good luck! I don’t know that he needs it, but just hope that he comes out and plays even better than he did against Seppi.
Ferrer looked a tad lack-lustre yesterday and made heavy weather of dispatching the Berdy with a broken wing. Doubt he will even give Rafa a run for his money.
^^It was GGL who dispatched T-Bird @ed. Ferru got the better of Baby Fed.
^^^that was a stupid slip-up. Comes of watching too many matches in a day.
Rafa’s serve has not been as good since the back injury he suffered at the Oz Open. This is what has made his game look raggedy at times. This for me is the biggest issue with Rafa’s game todate. He needs to sort his serve out but obviously this depends on the back.
We can see how the serve is making a big difference to Novak’s game.
This, to me, is what has made the difference in their recent encounters.
I agree. Rafa’s serve is important to him, like at USO both times he won. Im sure if his serve is working well, Novak wont gain much upper hand on him.
Let’s see how it is against Ferru today otherwise the serve will be what determines the outcome of any encounter with Novak.
Raonic on the toughest player
I have struggled with Rafa the most. It was much closer the last time we played, in Miami, than any previous match. I believe he is the toughest of the four because he is unique. No matter who you play in the previous round or can practice with, no one plays like Rafa, so you have to adjust every match. His left-handed play, the amount of spin he puts on the ball and his competitive drive make him very tough to play against”
”
“
almost every player out there says rafa is the toughest player they have ever faced ! 😉 vamos
ed, it’s their party piece, They have to mention Rosol’s win over Rafa every time they see his name. They remember every break point, break, TB, game set everyone has won against Rafa. The latest is that Gabashvili nearly went up 2 breaks against Rafa in the 2nd round.
They never mention Nole’s losses, to Dimi for example or being taken to 5 sets at RG by Seppi.
I am inclined to take these “slights” against Rafa as a compliment actually. It shows Rafa is the gold standard, the man to beat. Everybody else is just chaff.
Am I missing something? They keep feeding us the notion that Stan is a great claycourter, that it’s his best surface. So I checked his record and he has 3 clay titles:- Umag, Casablanca and Oieras.
How does that make him a great claycourter?
@nadline, this is a man who has YET to win a 500, let alone Masters tournament.
Because Stan says so himself – see his Wiki page! The problem is commies• are like parrots – once someone says it they all repeat it ad infinitum.
*Ricky is an exception to the rule
I can’t for the life of me think why I would want to go to Stan’s Wiki page. Lol
Now they say it would be HUGE for Stan and Rafa to meet in the SF. I’m actually hoping for that to happen.
I want Stan to meet Rafa in the semis but then again I am hoping Raonic wins just so Stan can be reminded of his real standing in the pecking order.
ritb, I’m between a rock and a hard place on that too. I want Stan to lose but I don’t want Rafa to be bothered by Raonic, even though Rafa bagled him in Barcelona last year. Most of all I want Rafa and Stan to meet in the SF. Of course Rafa has to beat Ferru first, let’s not forget that.
I also want Raonic to win so Rafa can (hoping he sails past Ferru of course) thump him. Nothing against Raonic , just that will be a vicarious thumping of that coach of his, Lubicic or whatever……..
Stan reputation will be on the line. he will be shaking in his boots if it comes to pass. DC showed us what can happen to his game when he is nervous.
So, Rafa has Ferru and potentially Stan, while Novak has GGL and potentially Fed. Fed Tsonga and potentially Novak.
Rafa definitely got the tougher draw.
It didn’t seem particularly tough at the outset.
It’s just the 2nd half got easier and easier.
Rafa time!!!!!!!!!!!
Vamos Rafa!
Now for some PROPER clay court tennis!
Rafa’s not winning MC serving like this………….
Sit back and relax ladies and gentleman, this will be a loooong afternoon…………
I hope not, I have to go out.
Let’s hope Rafa is warmed now.
He is really struggling on serve………
C’mon Rafa!
Rafa is using his pocket.
With his OCD personality he is clearly thrown by not having the 2nd ball in his pocket. He said as much in the interview quoted earlier. For goodness sake, surely he has a pair of shorts he can wear and to hell with the colour scheme.
Just spotted that too. Bang goes that theory then. Since when did a World No.1 have a 1st serve % of in the low 30s?
He is putting the ball in his pocket.
Rafa needs to tidy up his service games, too raggedy right now. He’s allowing Ferru too much fun with that inside-out FH
Rafa holds!
He’s being run ragged. Not good news.
This is brutal….
Play with ‘colm’, Rafa!
I have errands to run but cannot prise myself from this match…
RTpmouratoglou: “For #Rafa, playing #David is the perfect match to get his tennis back to the top. Many long rallies, where he has time and needs to build up”
Can someone explain to me what’s wrong with Rafa? My gosh, can’t wrap my head around his game today……….he serve is just really off! This does not look good….at all!
^^When you get that explanation, please can you send it to me as well @mona?
Rafa is way way too far behind the baseline for a start….his balls are landing short giving Ferrer all sorts of looks……I cant stand when he plays like this………its frustrating, and what’s even worst the serves are not good!
Horrible body language from Rafa. Head down, shoulders slumped.
Actually when I saw him walking out from the tunnel, from his facial expressions, I could see that he’s not feeling it today. He had the look of lacking in confidence, not very positive expression, it’s better for him to lose here than to lose at the FO.
Better for Rafa to take a break and come back to defend his titles at Madrid and Rome before the FO. He’s certainly playing very poorly. At least get a two three weeks break and come back feeling better. Playing defensive tennis these days won’t work when everyone is playing aggressive tennis against him.
Well we just found the explanation, he is going home!
With good reason. If this goes on they’ll kill each other.
Rafa is playing way too defensively!! I mean why stand so far behind the baseline and engae in those long brutal rallies?! Makes no sense…….I would think he would try to finish the points early esp against Ferrer, that why he played so poorly in the tiebreak……..Ferrer is way more aggressive and Rafa is just standing there like a timid little lamb! If Rafa wins this I will be surprised!
That’s what I was saying all along. He rather plays defensively and grinds it out than change up and takes more risk. It’s no wonder he can only last 3/4 or 2/3 of a season having to defend so much.
What rest Rafa needs? He’s had loads of rest! Is he going off his peak?!
He was already off his peak from 2011 onwards. His physical peak was from 2008-2010, and injury had shortened his physical peak. He did well in 2013 because of his long injury break, allowing his body to take a long good rest too. The way he’s playing since after the USO last year (he’s back to his grinding ways), he’s not going to last and produce those 2013 results or something close. I think we have seen the best from him already, he’s not going to rule on clay forever. Uncle Toni is not helping; Toni is now behaving like a celebrity, going around holding talks and giving coaching tips, rather than concentrating on coaching Rafa. As I said earlier, time to change coach before it is too late.
The way Rafa is playing in this match, even if he wins it will take 3 hours and so he’ll lose in the next match. Time for him to go home and think of how to improve if he wants to defend his FO title. Ferrer isn’t even playing all that well in this match and that’s even more depressing for Rafa and his fans!
Something is very wrong. Have never seen him play this poorly at this stage of any tourney.
Not taking anything away from Ferrer. He is outplaying Rafa at every level.
Nothing in Rafa’s game is working today, not the serve, not the BH, not the vollyes, not the FH. Better he loses to Ferru than to Djokovic tbh………
I’ll second that………
Ferru deserves the w, he’s been the better play…..
39 UEs for Rafa, says it all really…………..
Unreal stat on clay for Rafa.
That’s it, I’m outa here.
Virtual MP for Ferru
Okay, I am convinced. RG is not Rafa’s this year…………
RT @NeilHarmanTimes: “Not often you see quite such little life or explosive desire from Rafa on clay.”
Something must be wrong with Rafa.
RT @NeilHarmanTimes: “Rafa looks like a wet weekend in Cleethorpes”
Rafa looked like he was not trying to win. Only he knows the reason.
Vamos Rafa – no matter what!
I am almost tempted to laugh……
When has Rafa ever had 44 UEs in a clay court match?
Well all good things come to an end.
RT @NeilHarmanTimes: “76 64 Ferrer. Improbable victory. Nadal crestfallen. A shadow today.”
As @augusta08 says, only Rafa knows. There was nothing different or special about Ferru’s game. He played exactly the way he always plays so it’s not as if he came in with a new tactic which Rafa did not know about. As the commies said, it was Rafa’s level which tapered off alarmingly after the tie-break. Usually, that is when Rafa’s level rises, when he is against the wall. Very strange.
Maybe he’s feeling under the weather.
Rather he lost to ferru than to Fed, Djoker or Stan.
Congrats to Ferrer, he deserves the win, after so many defeats at the hands of Rafa. A wake up call for Rafa, time to overhaul the way he plays on clay. He’s not going to win by grinding forever when he’s no longer that young anymore. Also stop those complacency, even if he’s the king of clay, he’s not going to win just because he’s the king when he’s ill prepared for it, when he only started practice only a week ago!
I feel very sad. This has the end of an era feel to it…………….
Aaagh man……..
Boy, am I mad! We have a long Easter weekend here in St. Lucia………now its ruined!
Rafa, please take time to overhaul your mind and your game, and prepare for FO!! I cant watch a whole year of you playing this way!!
Congrats to Ferrer!
^^^Hahaha! Serves you right for organizing your leisure around Rafa. You are not the only one @mona. To top that up, we now will most likely have to suffer the smug Djoker face as he lifts the trophy on Sunday.
Yeah, you know what I mean?!………sheesh!!!
Djokovic will be #1 before RG, he will definitely go deep in Madrid. Maybe that will light a fire under Rafa, who knows? Okay, okay, I am clutching at straws here…………
Yeah, I know what you feel RIBT, but Rafa is still young, he can regroup but perhaps he needs to concentrate on GS now! Its what Serena and venus did at some point n their careers, Rafa perhaps need to look into that option and care less about Masters titles.
I don’t think that would be a good strategy @monalysa. Novak’s fans tried to convince us last year that, that was Novak’s plan that’s why he lost Madrid and Rome: he was concentrating on the Slams. Look how that turned out……….
Winning breeds a winning mentality/attitude, especially winning against the big boys. and the Masters is where the big boys normally come to play. You want to prepare for the Slams by beating the big boys at the Masters level.
Luckystar@April 18, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Armchair coaches seem to be the best coaches in the world, no?
So, you think Toni is doing a good job these days? He’s more busy about his own business of conducting talks and attending seminars! I wonder which coach is actually doing things like that, when his charge is struggling out there.
Isnt Riog there? cant he take charge?
Djoko must be licking his chops seeing this Rafa
No, I do not think it’s fair to blame Uncle Toni. If we are going to blame anyone then that blame has to rest squarely on Rafa’s shoulders. He’s the one who was on court, not Uncle Toni.
Luckystar@April 18, 2014 at 1:28 pm
—I wonder which coach is actually doing things like that, when his charge is struggling out there.—
I wonder where do you get this information from?
Augusta, I’ve been following his news closely. Toni was at some coaching seminars some time earlier this year or some time last year. I have a feeling that when Rafa retires from tennis, and when his own tennis academy is up and running, Toni may be working there as a coach. If I’m not wrong, Toni’s young sons are also picking up tennis, though I’m not sure about that. I do feel that Rafa is very nice to his team members and would think that after he retires, Maymo and Costa may continue to work with him or Toni in his academy.
It’s not a matter of blaming the coach. The coach should be the one who helps his charge to solve problems, not on court but behind the scene! Rafa has been playing lack luster tennis not only now, but since Rio. Yes he has his back issue, but if his back issue is still bothering him, then why does he still insist on playing here which may aggravate the problem even further? If it’s not the back issue, than it’s all the more puzzling that he plays this way and is missing so many of his shots! Lack of practice? Then why so? Too busy with his other activities maybe? Or maybe Rafa insist on doing things his way and is not even listening to his coach?
Luckystar@April 18, 2014 at 2:11 pm
—Toni was at some coaching seminars some time earlier this year or some time last year.—
—If I’m not wrong, Toni’s young sons are also picking up tennis, though I’m not sure about that. —
U.Toni was at Tennis Australia’s seminar of 70 coaches in Brisbane on January 1st this year. Is this really a huge sin?
Toni’s sons are playing tennis, he is coaching them and they both were with him at the Australian Open.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BdcV_x4CQAA_uEc.jpg
http://rafaelnadalfans.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/rafael-nadals-little-cousins-australian-open.jpg?w=875&h=&crop=1
@augusta08,
1. Serena’s coach, Mouratoglou, not only attends seminars, he RUNS a tennis academy where he invites coaches, including Uncle Toni to come and speak there. Not only that, Mouratoglou coaches other players apart from Serena. Uncle Toni only coaches Rafa. So, the idea that Uncle Toni is not devoting his time to Rafa is mind-boggling.
2. Coaches are like teachers or lecturers, they need to keep themselves updated on the latest trends in the business. Seminars are one such avenue where they gain such knowledge through interacting with others in the business.
3. Uncle Toni is not the only coach who attends seminars, other coaches do too.
Horror of horrors! I just had a picture fleet past in my head: Fed holding the MC winners trophy!! You know he’s very good at taking advantage of Rafa slip-ups…………
Rather Fed than the joker.
I’m now thinking of excuses why I won’t be watching the rest of MC this year. We’ll, not avidly anyway.
I’m trying not to be sad.
I know this is bad but I am almost hoping there is something wrong with Rafa. Can’t bear to think it’s lack of motivation or desire or simply that he was outplayed by Ferru.
I feared this and it happened. I somehow had a feeling this upset would happen and I was fearing this match from yesterday
Please be braced for Rafa not to defend RG this year. His confidence is going to be hit real bad now on
I am pretending not to be sad but I feel very, very sad…something is wrong with Rafa no doubt about it…playing this poorly and with no enthusiasm, no vamos, no ‘animal’ look on his face…I am not losing hopes in our Rafa…but whatever is wrong with him must be resolved sooner than later…Uncle T. please!!! 🙁
This is the conversation I had with @nadline yesterday! Yes, that folks, is egg dripping from my face:
rafaisthebest says:
April 17, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Ferru’s going to be tough tomorrow, @nadline. He has been on a sort of a downward slide of late and I have a feeling he is looking for redemption.
Reply nadline10 says:
April 17, 2014 at 3:01 pm
Nah, not worried about Rafa vs Ferru at all.
rafaisthebest says:
April 17, 2014 at 3:03 pm
Ferru’ll give Rafa aaaaaallllll the rhythm he wants………………….perfect opponent before the business end of the tournament.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Mea culpa Ferru………………….
I wonder if this is the year that Rafa breaks his slam streak. If he cant win RG, what is the chance he can win any other slam.
The AO loss has really really inflicted serious damage..far more than we thought it would
Yes when nadline made that statement yesterday I just hoped she would be right but feared the opposite would happen
The streak will come to an end one day if not now. We just have to accept it when it comes. Maybe Toni has already done his best with Rafa even though I feel Rafa has not reached his full potential yet. We have to adjust our expectations about Rafa from now on, he’s going to be 28 years old and all those mental focus throughout his career may have taken it’s toll on him, in addition to the physical toll.
Novak is more fortunate when he peaks later than Rafa and now only has Rafa as his main rival, when Fed is past his prime and Murray has his injury woes. Rafa on the other hand had to fight a peak and prime Fed during Rafa’s early career, enjoyed his own success as no.1 ranked player for only a relatively short period when he was plagued with injuries, and now has to fight with another rival who’s in his peak.
Rafa’s career is certainly not a smooth flowing one, he has to endure ‘trials and tribulations’ throughout his career, poor soul! Still, he’s able to have at least 13 slams now (and counting I hope!) and is legendary on clay that I feel he won’t be surpassed on that surface for a long, long time! So, I think we ought to be happy for him, for making the most of what he has, given the situations he was/is in throughout his ongoing career.
Vamos Rafa! Hope that he and Toni and Roig can sit down and discuss what went wrong, and find solution(s) to the problem(s).
Carole Bouchard @carole_bouchard · 2m
Nadal said that after Melbourne he lost “the power inside” of him. Had to work harder to find it back.
does that mean he’s found it back?
or did he find it and now it’s gone again?
or has he still not found it back?
obviously not found it back . Must be meaning not found it back yet
So why doesn’t he take a break?
Does Boris Becker have no shame at all? Cannot hide his glee at Rafa’s loss:
RT @TheBorisBecker : “#Nadal lost today in #MonteCarloRolexMasters against #Ferrer ! watching #Federer against #Tsonga now…”
Djokovic will dismantle this Federer. His BH is landing too short
I still feel Fed will win over Tsonga though he lost 1st set. Tsonga will gift wrap the match with errors
Not necessary. I think it’s psychological, Fedal look and play lackluster, after watching how Novak dismantled his opponents!
I remember Djoko playing lackluster last year…
We are talking about this year and now, aren’t we?
I cannot believe I am reading this. So, this is about Australia now? I thought Rafa was over that…………….
RT @Isabellemusy: @RafaelNadal “After what happened in Australia, its harder to find intensity, confidence and inside power” #ATPMonteCarlo #RTSsport”
Please Rafa, say it ain’t so……………….
So strange, they’re busily finding out reasons or excuses( if some want to call that) for Rafa’s loss on clay. Didn’t they think Novak is able to or is going to dethrone Rafa at the FO? So, why all the commotion now, these people? Aren’t people expecting Rafa the king of clay to be dethroned? So why the shock that he loses now?
What are you on about @Lucky? Who is “they”? Who is finding excuses for Rafa’s loss? What I quoted above is a DIRECT quote from Rafa, clearly delivered after his loss today. Or are you saying Rafa is fishing for excuses for his loss? You really don’t like him much, do you?
And why are you bringing Novak into this? Is he the one who beat Rafa? And what is this nonsense about Novak de-throning Rafa at the FO as if he has already done so? What is the matter with you? You sound like Boris Becker, gloating at Rafa’s loss.
If the mojo’s gone Rafa, pack it in, hang up your racket…………
What are you talking about? I mean Rafa’s detractors of course! Why so sensitive! If Rafa said all those words, then it didn’t bode well for him! His detractors will start all these ‘excuses’ talks about him again! I really don’t like Rafa talking like this, and why he has no mentor to help him out of such a mental problem? It’s like he’s left to figure things out and at the moment seems clueless how to solve the problem!
So “they” are Rafa’s detractors? Which ones and what have they said? Quote please?
You keep toggling between the past, present and future so it is not easy to make sense of what you are saying. Why are you worried about what his detractors will say about him, as if this would be news? Would this be the first time Rafa has been accused of excuses? You sound like you have sympathy for these detractors.
No, @Lucky, it’s time for you to be honest, you have joined the detractors ranks but keep hiding behind non-existent “they”. This has been obvious for a long time now.
Be honest and stop taking us for fools. It’s okay to stop respecting Rafa and his game, just be honest about it.
There is no “if” Rafa said those words, can’t you read? Rafa said those words. You are the one calling them an excuse, why hide behind imaginary “they”? If you find they are an excuse, say so. Do not pretend. Not cool.
I am not upset that you think Rafa is finding excuses for his loss, that is your opinion, you are entitled to one. What upsets me is the pretense.
RITB, you’re getting very rude. Please don’t vent your anger at me! I’m free to say what I feel, I do not need to account to you! Nobody has read the transcript from Rafa’s presser yet, it’s only the twitter messages some people twit about. Unless I read a transcript of his presser, I’m not going to believe what these people twit about! Is it enough for you, my response?
Sigh, now it’s the twitter messages which are at fault……..
Don’t worry @Lucky, I am not upset at you anymore. Why, because you’re not worth it. At least I can exhale now……what a relief. So disappointed in myself, I thought you were for real. I allowed myself to believe in you. Not again.
@Lucky, grow up.
lucky,
I’ve gone through the same thing here. I was upset when Rafa lost that final to Novak. But if you are critical at all, then some people will go after you. I hope that you don’t leave. We need people to give their honest opinions. I keep trying to say that we should all feel free to express our point of view. But it’s just getting harder and harder. That’s why I am not going to say much because if I say the wrong thing, then it’s just going to mean trouble.
I cannot pretend that this is okay. Rafa losing in the quarterfinals of MC? I am still trying to wrap my mind around it. But it makes no sense to pretend that something isn’t very wrong with Rafa. I think some of it is mental and maybe it’s still the back. But whatever it is, I cannot pretend that I am not concerned.
[polldaddy poll=7979050]
nativenewyorker7@April 18, 2014 at 5:42 pm
People who like to criticize, should be immune to criticism.
I think it’s better that I leave this place, when I can’t even criticize Rafa! Whether I’m a Rafa supporter or detractor, it’s actually none of the business of people posting here, and yet I’ve to account to some of these people here? What a joke! Bye to you all!
Now it’s my fault for making you leave Tenngrand……….
Sorry love, I’m not falling for that one………
augusta,
Well, I certainly have been criticized here! My point was that any time someone says something about Rafa that a few here don’t like, then they get attacked for it.
I also believe that it should not get personal. We can agree to disagree in a civil manner with respect. But that’s not happening here and you know it. It should not be about attacking the person. People can disagree without questioning anyone’s loyalty as a fan of Rafa. So let’s not pretend that we don’t know what’s happening. It’s here for everyone to see.
Now, come on guys! Why must Rafa hang up his racket now?! This is what Rafa’s career has been about, highs and lows, ups and downs!!! Rafa has been hobbling form after the US Open! He gave it a push at the AO but injury did him in! He is human, I wish that he will deal with what he is going through, but we cant give up on Rafa! Its only the first clay tourney, he has won it 8 times………..Rafa needs to take it easy, pace himself and ready for FO! Who knows, this may turn out ok for Rafa, I very much want him to go deep @ Wimby so the less stress he puts on himself during the clay tourneys, I feel the better for the rest of the year! I will never give up on Rafa!
That was the disappointed me talking @mona but you’re right, Rafa is still too young to retire. However, it concerns me very much that he is still hung- up on the Australian Open loss. There was nothing he could do, he was injured, so I do not understand why he is still hung up on it. He cannot allow it to affect his motivation……………he needs to get over it fast.
Yes and being a top player he cant get so weighed down by losses for a long period.
He was let down by injury in that final, or is he thinking destiny is too cruel on him and he can do nothing in front of destiny?
Mona,
I think you make some good points. I am not saying that Rafa should hang up his racket. But it’s a concern when you see him lose to someone that he has not lost to on clay in ten years. After the Miami loss, I was very concerned. But then I was told that I am seeing the glass half empty instead of half full. So what do we say now? That everything is fine? Obviously something is wrong with Rafa. I did think that the loss at the AO final might have done more damage than I initially thought. It’s devastating to have an injury come out of the blue in a moment when it’s in his grasp. He couldn’t fight and play his best and have the chance to try to win it..
I just hope that Rafa can get it all sorted out. I want to see him happy out on the court. It’s just unfortunate that Rafa fans have to go at each other when we should be united. There are going to be enough people out there gloating over this and writing Rafa’s epitaph. But I am not one of them. I will always support him.
Tsonga by the way is giving a good account of himself!
If Fed wins 2nd both are toast for Novak after a long 3 setter.
Fed wins
2011 all over again..same downcast statements there..about it being tough..too much pressure etc..thankfully he won FO that year..hopefully again
Rem Fed in 2009..lost the AO final to Rafa ..crushing loss..played badly after that all the way till Madrid , temper tantrums on court, broke racquets, and then voila..2 slams all of a sudden.. Hope something similar happens to Rafa…Am I hoping against hope or building castles in the air?:-)
Do you have the full transcript @Sanju, or the video to Rafa’s presser? Please post, thanks.
No I just read on twitter whatever people post.
I hope my building castles in the air comes to actually pass 🙂
Whoa, Fed playing so poorly! I doubt whoever wins this can beat No Djoker. Maybe Stan can do the job? Anyone but No Djoker for the title please!
2nd set was good from both. but either one won’t have much left in the tank.
Fed playing poorly and Tsonga did not take advantage
There Fed vs Tsonga goes to 3rd and that makes Djokos job easier. They have already played for 2 hours
Tsonga is getting winded and his 1st serves have lost its potency! Fed in 3!
it’s all over now
#NID
Tsonga had enough opportunities to put Fed away but he wasted them!
Tsonga has lost heart!
Novak will win the title, put of all those left he is playing best!
True that..That will be 5 back to back Masters right?
This GGL/Djoker match has double bagel written all over it…………
Sigh….
Well, colour me shocked, GGL is at the races………….
Commies to Rafans today.
Like I said last week, surfrace doesn’t matter until Rafa fixes what’s between the ears since his AO loss.
He looks burnt out like he admitted he was a few years ago. He’s lost his motivation.
Being No. 1 has never worked out well for him either.
It’s up to him to find that motivation.
Rafa’s just being his honest self in his comments.
#VamosRafaNoMatterWhat
#OnHisRacquet
#Humb1e
@Hawkeye63, am I missing something? I thought Rafa lost to Wawa at AO 2014 because he was incapacitated. Why would he be carrying that loss to-date if the situation was out of his control? Btw, I do believe he was incapacitated.
He has always been good at consigning losses to history, why let this particular loss linger?
Vamos Rafa, no matter what indeed!!
Agree completely RITB.
However he is human and to work so hard and to get so close only to lose by injury, getting harshly jeered by the crowd and missing an opportunity to tie Sampras’ 14 and draw closer to Federer has thrown him into a tailspin of which he has admitted.
Novak is off his game so far. GGL leads 3/1.
GGL is a break-up on Djoker, the Gods must be crazy…………….
Holy cow!!! GGL just broke Novak for the 2nd time. Now up 4/1.
Didn’t see this coming. GGL takes the first set 6/4.
I have to ask…is today Black Friday?!!!
This guy is returning unreal?!! He may lose but his game is so steady………giving Novak all he can take!!
for Nadal fans, are you already more hopeful/inspired now that Djokovic has lost a set to GGL?
Ricky, see this Nadal fan’s post at 4:51 pm!
No.
Nole is not the problem.
this
Freaky Friday…………….
Djokovic will still win, I am convinced. However, the fact that he dropped a set to………GGL? is a salve to my wounded soul. At least Rafa lost to Ferru. Doesn’t absolve Rafa of course……………bad, bad boy Rafa!
I understand how Rafa is feeling………..he will get over it but he needs to stop putting so much pressure on himself! All players go through that sometimes, and if you guys have not noticed, Rafa is quite sensitive!
Perhaps Rafa losing today, has perhaps unsettled the remaining top! They all now have a bullseye on their backs
Rafa is an honest guy, and says what he feels. I believe what he says about his state of mind and game. He knows the problem, good, now he needs to find the solution.
Vamos!!
http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/10801755/rafael-nadal-makes-earliest-monte-carlo-exit-11-years
Dishing out Bagels and breadsticks are not always a testimony to the player but sometimes more so the opponent……….go Garcia!!
Even if GGL loses, I bow to him………………
This guy is form hell!
35 UEs from Djokovic’s racket so far……….
Oh goodness, I just found out that Rafa lost to Ferrer. I really don’t know what to say. From what people here said and how it went down, Rafa didn’t play well at all. I am not relieved that he lost to Ferrer. A guy he hasn’t lost on clay in how long?
I said a while ago that I thought it was all about the loss at the AO. Some didn’t agree. But I do think that the fact that Rafa had yet another injury that prevented him from making history, damaged his psyche. It happened in 2011 and that seemed to affect him for the rest of the year. That was the year when he seemed to be suffering some burnout.
Rafa is a confidence player. I think the way he lost, due to injury again without having a chance to fight for the win, might have done a lot of damage. Then there is possibly the lingering back issue.
I don’t feel too comfortable saying much more, because I didn’t come here to argue with anyone. But for some reason I was nervous about this match. I don’t know why. I tried to get up early and see the score but was just too tired.
I am trying to sort out my thoughts but this is just very concerning.
Say anything you want NNY. Everyone has a right to voice their opinion, nor are you forced to engage the mindless haters
@snowdevil,
Thank you for the support. I am glad to see you back here. Please continue posting your thoughts! 🙂
I knew once GGL blew that 15;40 lead he would have conceded the match!
the difference between players like Novak and Fed from Rafa of late is that even if they are not playing well they manage to pull out the win…Rafa OTOH somehow does not seem to be able to do so and that is what worries me…Dolgo match was the biggest surprise for me because I expected Rafa to win after he came back into the match and yet he managed to lose the TB…the same today…I was certain Rafa would win the TB although not playing nearly up to his own standards but he failed and he failed badly…and he never came back afterwards…what is wrong with our Rafa only he knows…I hope he will manage to find strength and motivation to get rid of these demons in his head…I want to see Rafa lifting the trophy again…
There should be sunshine after rain…
Vamos Rafa no matter what!
Props to GGL, he fought a good fight………………
Djokovic smiling now, for a while he was not……………….
Djokovic wins. Good fight.
From Rafael Nadal Fans.
¤¤ “Losing hurts everywhere. On clay always a little bit more,” said Rafa. “I am not happy today about what I did. Not very happy about the way that I played the second set after losing the first. I didn’t play with the right intensity at the beginning of the second. I give him big opportunity at the beginning of the second. I cannot do that.”
“When you play tennis, you can lose, you can win. When the opponent is doing things better than you, the normal thing is you lose. That’s what happened today,” said Rafa. “I didn’t play the right way. I didn’t play with the right intensity with my forehand. I played too short. I give him the chance to have control of the point almost all the time. He did much better than me, so I just congratulate him.” ¤¤
http://rafaelnadalfans.com/2014/04/18/rafael-nadal-losing-hurts-everywhere-on-clay-always-a-little-bit-more/
Here you can listen to the full audio of the presser (2 parts)
http://www.ubitennis.com/blog/2014/04/18/montecarlo-wawrinka-batte-raonic-ferrer-supera-nadal-dopo-10-anni/ …
Thanks @augusta08. I always like to hear Rafa’s personal take on his matches, more special hearing his words because one can gauge his emotional state.
He’ll be fine.
@luckystar, you don’t have to go anywhere ! we are all shocked,dejected and everyone shud be free to give his/her take … your analysis is quite valuable so make sure you stay at tenngrand 🙂
Rafa very well knows that he was injured in the AO final, yet he seems to be taking the loss a bit too far. I know he had a chance at history and I think once he reached the finals and had Wawa on the other side, he would have expected to lay his hands on the trophy. I think the cruel blow in the form of injury which was ill timed just makes him wonder if destiny is playing too much havoc with him in the form of injuries and whether he has any say in it and how much can he keep fighting it again and again.