It’s safe to say that Rafael Nadal did not mimic Roger Federer’s strategy by taking almost three months off to rest up for Wimbledon–and it’s a good thing he didn’t because during that time the Spaniard won four clay-court titles, including Monte-Carlo, Madrid, and the French Open.
But Nadal did decide to give himself at least some rest in advance of the season’s third Grand Slam. On the heels of playing 25 clay-court matches this spring, and finishing second best in only one of those 25, the Spaniard decided to skip this week’s grass-court event at Queen’s Club.
“I am very sorry to say that I am not going to be able play Queen’s,” Nadal said. “I was hoping to take some days off and then be ready. But, at 31, and after a long clay-court season with all of the emotions of Roland Garros–and after speaking to my team and doctor–I have decided my body needs to rest if I am going to be ready to play Wimbledon.”
The 15-time Grand Slam champion has endured no notable physical problems this season and things should stay that way prior to Wimbledon thanks to his precautionary move to pull out of Queen’s Club. Wimbledon, of course, is Nadal’s priority–perhaps to an even greater extent because he has not triumphed at the All-England Club since 2010.
“[It] has been a while since [I’ve played] very good Wimbledon,” Nadal admitted. “It’s true that after 2012, what happened with my knees, it has been tougher and tougher to compete on grass for me. But if I have pain in the knees, then I know from experience that it’s almost impossible because I need to feel strong…and (have) powerful legs to play well in Wimbledon. If I don’t feel that, then probably my chances are [none]. We’ll see how my knee behaves.”
Federer has battled through knee issues of his own–albeit must less frequently–but like Nadal it has been full speed ahead for the 35-year-old Swiss this season. In fact, their most important statistics are identical: one major title and two Masters 1000 victories. Federer skipped the entire clay-court swing and lost his opening match last week in Stuttgart to Tommy Haas. Rest has turned to rust for now, but it could be pay off at Wimbledon when he faces opponents who have just endured the wear and tear of the clay-court grind.
Check the online tennis odds for all Wimbledon matches.
“The year has been great and it wasn’t all bad in Stuttgart,” Federer reflected. “Maybe that loss against Tommy was what I need to fuel myself for what’s to come in Halle and Wimbledon.”
The current world No. 5 has lifted the Wimbledon winner’s trophy seven times, but a relative slump at the All-England Club has seen him prevail only once since 2009 and has left him scrambling for his first title since 2012.
[polldaddy poll=9770924]
You mean almost three weeks off.
Nadal will win Wimbledon this year.
An emphatic NO. True Rafa is a far better grass court player than most people give him credit for – largely because his clay court prowess is out of sight – but I doubt very much he will risk leaving his guts on the Wimbledon grass and risk jeopardising the rest of his season as he has on several occasions in the past.
#Grass is for sheep and cows
Nah, Rafa need not grind on grass, he didn’t even grind on clay this season! He just has to keep the points short which I think he can given how well he played the shorter points on clay and winning most of them.
I do feel that on grass, the serve is the main weapon, without a good to great serve, its very difficult to win on grass. Rafa won his two Wimbledon titles and a Queens title by serving well enough not to be broken so easily. His serve is now a weapon even though it’s not as big as those of the big servers. His ROS is still good so as long as he remains calm and not let his serve to be broken, he will have his chances on grass even against the big servers.
Rafa was unfortunate during his match vs Rosol at Wimbledon 2012, when there was an almost one hour rain break plus closing of the roof so Rosol was able to regroup and came back serving and hitting without missing. Had the match gone on without the break after Rafa leveled it at 2-2, I would bet that Rafa would win the match in the end. His serve wasn’t that great, so we’re his knees back then.
Rafa wasn’t in tip top conditions either during 2014 and 2015, so against players (Kygrios and Brown) who served big and hit hard, and did net rushing (in the case of Brown) he simply was overpowered. I doubt Rafa will be overpowered so easily this season on grass; as long as his knees hold up well, he will have his chances to go deep at Wimbledon even though he may not win it in the end.
I agree with you, Lucky. I think Rafa has very high potential to win Wimbledon this year, much more so than other recent years. Not only is he actually playing more in a style that can do well on grass, but it’s been a while since he went into Wimbledon with a major under his belt, so I can’t even imagine the level of confidence he must have right now… I also think that having Moya in his corner could really continue to help. Although many people would a bit surprised, I would not be shocked if Rafa won Wimbledon this year. I, personally, pray that we get a Fedal final or semi. 🙂
No one has a higher chance than Federer to win Wimbledon this year.
Murray is not back.
Djoko is not back.
Rafa is back (but he’s lost early on grass since 2012 even when he was back).
NextGen are not ready.
Federer doing what he does best. Being the best when the competition isn’t.
Said he’d bag 20 slams five years ago and he may be right after all.
I feel that if Rafa wouldn’t have lost to Rosol in 2012, he would’ve probably lost in the next round anyway, so the loss in 2012 was inevitable. In 2014, Kyrigos just played some great tennis, and maybe Rafa was just a little nervous in the 4th set. 2015 was just shit, so, yeah. I’ve a feeling if he manages to even grind his way to the quarters, he’ll have a great chance of winning Wimbledon. I still think Murray will win it, by defeating Rf in the finals.
He doesn’t need to grind to reach the QF, just plays some good short point attacking tennis. It’s precisely the grinding that made him lost early at Wimbledon in the past few years.
All I can remember of Rafa at Wimbledon after 2011 was that he had to grind to get past his early rounds and many times he failed, so it’s advisable that he stops the grinding and plays more offensive tennis instead.
The draw is important. If Rafa plays some unknown fresher or journey man with a big serve, in the early rounds they will hit with nothing to lose; it could get complicated. He needs to be drawn against players he is used to playing and who need the points to move up the rankings. The way Brown played when he beat Rafa was reckless, knowing that he would lose anyway if he didn’t take risks.
Fg i love your summary 😉
I see I am alone in being pessimistic about Nadal’s chances. I guess it’s the EEYORE in me.
I’m with u ed!
Rafa participates to win. But I wonder why he decided to practice at Mallorca instead of playing at Queen’s.
Mary (AT 1:37 PM),
Rafa explained WHY:
https://www.facebook.com/Nadal/posts/10154900641836026
Yes, I had seen his explanation. But he would have played his first match today. He has already started practising. So how is he resting? However, I suppose he can be with family and friends.
Mary (AT 2:11 PM),
He rested last week and started to practice YESTERDAY!
If he had decided to play at Queen’s, he should have started to practice there in the middle of last week, to let his body (knees & back) adapt slowly to playing on grass.
He skips Queens because he needs rest. I find his current arrangement very ideal, in that he can have a week’s rest, followed by a week’s practice and then get to London in the next week to acclimatize to the conditions there playing an exho for further match practice.
In fact, I hope he does the same in the coming years except to play at Eastbourne instead of playing an exho so that he can have actual competitive matches. As long as he doesn’t play grinding tennis, he should be fine physically for Wimbledon that follows.
I like the idea of Rafa playing Eastbourne. I think practicing for a week in Mallorca after having a week’s rest was a great idea. Then he goes to London and plays an exho.
I am trying to be optimistic about Rafa’s chances, while not having specific expectations for him. I just hope that his knees are up to it.
luckystar says AT 2:06 PM:”…except to play at Eastbourne instead of playing an exho so that he can have actual competitive matches.”
.
I don’t think it’s good to play 3 weeks in a row. The Eastbourne tournament ends 1 day before the Wimbledon starts.
It doesn’t matter that Rafa has to play for three weeks in succession, as long as Rafa plays short point grass court tennis. The most important thing is not to grind to win, and makes sure his knees are in good conditions.
Stan played for three consecutive weeks on clay, but he still managed to reach the final of FO, and was only stopped by Rafa who played tennis brought from another planet. If there was no Rafa, I would expect Stan to win the title against Thiem.
In 2013, Ferru played even 7 weeks in a row and reached the Paris Masters final, but people are different. 🙂
Most of the players competing in grass tournaments this week have been practising on grass whilst RG was still going on because they went out of RG early. Players like Murray & Stan who went deep at RG, didn’t get very far on grass.
Rafa would have been competing with a half baked grass game at Queens, after playing soooo many matches on clay. it’s more productive for him to have a rest for a week, then work on his grass game for a week and rounding it off with an exho.
I think the biggest factor for Rafa will simply be how well he can rally on grass. His serve is definitely improved, as is his ROS. But most points will still go longer than 2 shots, and it really comes down to how well his knees respond to the switch to grass.
Some of Nadal’s serve-related stats at RG -particularly points won on 2nd serve- are a bit misleading. It’s true that his second serve is improved, but the bigger factor was simply that he was dominating his opponents in the rallies that followed. He is unlikely to have that advantage at Wimby, especially in the first week. If he can advance to the point where he’s playing on dirt as much as grass, then he’ll have his chances. But recent evidence suggests he’s unlikely to get that far.
Joe, Rafa has already said it, it depends on his knees. If his knees can hold up, he should be fine.
Like I mentioned earlier on, his serve now is good enough for him to hold his serve, and that would give him chances against anyone, even the big hitters. He’s calmer and more confident now so I would expect him not to panic during crucial moments unlike in the last two or three years.
Points on grass are shorter so if Rafa stays offensive and moves in for the kill sooner rather than later, he will cut down on the rallies and thus reducing chances of injuries to the knees.
I am with Lucky in saying that Rafa’s knees are the issue. Rafa did say that it’s about the knees. His game has come together really well. He is now brimming with confidence after winning La Decima at RG.
Rafa’s serve is immensely improved. This should help him at Wimby. My only concern has been whether Rafa’s knees are up to the challenge of playing on grass.
I would also like to add that Fed is also having knee issues since he injured them last season. So far, Fed hasn’t been tested yet on grass( he lost to Haas in Stuttgart due to rust, I give him that one). We’ll see what happen; he fell during Wimbledon last year and reinjured his knees, so Fed’s knees too are vulnerable on grass.
Both Rafa and Fed have weak knees now, if Fed could survive, then Rafa could learn a thing or two watching Fed and sees how Fed does it.
I actually think Federer’s knee injury has been somewhat overdone. He did make -and probably should have won- the wimby SF last year (even though he got pretty lucky to beat Cilic to get there). To be sure, he had an injury, but I don’t think he would have played wimby at all had it been that serious.
To my knowledge, the only thing he’s said this year about his knee is that it felt wonky on clay last year, and that’s part of the reason he skipped the clay court season. But I don’t think it bothered him at all during the first part of the year, and I don’t think there’s any reason to think it will bother him during the grass season either.
Joe, Fed sustained another fall during Wimbledon last year during his match against Raonic and then lost the match later on. I believe that had prompted him to take the rest of the season off to heal.
Fed did take two MTOs during AO this year (once each in SF and F) and I don’t remember what were the reasons for his MTOs. Anyway, Fed also has to be careful with his knees when playing on grass, especially when the grass was still sleek during first week of Wimbledon.
Fed said he had groin pain during the AO.
Ill keep an open mind when it comes to Rafa and his chances at W ….
The fact that he lost early for 4 straight years weighed heavily on my mind…somehow i can’t get rid of it…
Mira, that’s something to do with his knees. Rafa himself said so, and he said he hoped his knees could hold up this time.
Let’s just wait and see, how he practices on grass, how his knees respond to get a better idea. Don’t lose hope!
Yeah Lucky!…I’m not going to lose hope just yet…i can’t wait to see how he handle himself at wimby…maybe,that’s why he choose to train in Mallorca instead of participate in Queens…he’s gunning for a serious challenge at Wimby this year..and he wants to protect his knees as much as possible…he can take things lightly if he just train..but if he’s participate in real tournament,he’s certainly can’t do that…what with a gruelling 4,5 serious match before wimby…nope!he’s certainly won’t do that and risk any possibility of getting injured before Wimby…
Like to see him pick up a bunch of points however for all the obvious reasons.
I agree with ed. I want to see Rafa pick up s nice chunk of points at Wimby.
Nny!!…How r u today?Here’s for u…
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/34/40/dc/3440dc5e10a8ef45600c426c75ba40d4.gif
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/fe/24/10/fe241030d54bd3d92f80563285278acd.jpg
MA,
I don’t know where you get these lovely sayings, but they really do brighten my day!
I am kind of with you and ed regarding Rafa’s chances at Wimby. However, I like Lucky’s optimism and sensible take on Rafa’s chances.
I think Rafa’s game has really come that together with his serve working so well and his ROS. Also he’s hitting the backhand better than ever and the forehand is once again a formidable weapon.
The only real question mark for me is Rafa’s knees. Also, the draw is going to be important with the dangerous bug servers.
So I find myself kind of in the middle, going back and forth between being cautious about Rafa’s chances and hoping for him to go deep.
Big servers! *
Hey back Milady!!…Hehehe..i’m glad u liked it Nny!..It’s beautiful isn’t it?
Bout Rafa..i’m very very confident with his game atm Nny..but like u said…his fragile knees are really a liability for him on grass..so,that’s why i can’t wait to see him at Wimby this year…he and U.Toni sound a little bit optimistic compared to the past years…so,hopefully he can go deep this year Nny…
Mira Andi (AT 3:23 PM),
Uncle Toni has ALWAYS been optimistic! Otherwise he wouldn’t have coached Rafa.
Hahaha..yeah,yeah augusta!!..Of course you’re right Boss!!
Sure the last few years have not been good for Rafa at SW19, but if you try to look at these things in isolation, rather than basing what happened in the past on the future ….
Sensible advice. It’s always been a rollercoaster to be a Rafa fan. Though nothing to compare with being a fan of Muzza 😉
I just hope Rafa would survive the first week at Wimby! The second week he will be well adopted to the conditions where the grass turns mostly into dirt making it a lot easier for Rafa. It will be tough for Rafa with all those big hitters…however, many players seem to be having somebissued.,,I see Wawa is injured ( left knee issues)-just lost to Feli BTW, NickK had to retire yesterday, Raonic still finding form…so, we shall see.,,this Wimby will be won by healthy in-form player…
*some issues…
I hope he has a chance to play against Brown again… with healthier knees… last time was embarrassing
The freaking donkey raonic cost me a lot of money. How he lose on grass is beyond bull crap. Then I bet even higher on Andy Murray to win straight sets for -300 and Murray is also a donkey. It’s like these top players don’t try hard in these lesser tournaments.
I think rafa will not go very far. Remember 2013? He was in top form then and still just hobbled out in R1. Who knows how his knees respond to grass.
Clay success does not mean that his knees will be fine come grass season.
atul1985 says AT 4:43 PM: “Remember 2013?”
.
Yes, I remember.
Rafa was diagnosed with Hoffa’s disease in his left knee in the middle of 2012 and because of that he was off the Tour for 7 months (until Feb. 2013). He got his pain under control, but he still had some pain during the whole year 2013. He underwent stem cell treatment on his left knee at the end of 2013 and it helped him.
.
Rafa’s interview in Shanghai on October 8, 2013.
RAFAEL NADAL: “…The feeling, I say it, since I came back the feeling on the knee is not 100% perfect. But the feeling on the knee is very good for me because even if I have pain a lot of days, the pain is not limiting my movements. That’s the most important thing. I am playing with no limitations. I am free when I am playing. Even if I have pain, I am able to control that pain, something in the past I was not able to control that pain, so I couldn’t play…”
.
Rafa’s interview in Cincinnati on August 14, 2013:
RAFAEL NADAL: “My knee…I felt more trouble on grass because the movements are less stable and I need to play lower than in the rest of the surfaces.”
no atul, his knee still had issues in 2013. His knee is 100% now ( I suppose so), he is taking more rest this time and of course there is an extra week off between wimby and french now. His much improved second serve gives me more hope. The losses he has had since 2012, the players have really gone after his second serve so having a better one will give him a good advantage and boost his chances to reach the second week.
It’s like everyone don’t care about winning. First raonic now Murray loses as a -1500 favorite
Well, I would have said Murray, and I would have been WRONG!!!
Prashant Jeswani JUNE 20, 2017 AT 2:59 PM
I still think Murray will win it, by defeating Rf in the finals.
*********************************
Do you still think Murray will win Wimbledon?
I do. I watched him play yesterday, yes he was rusty, but if he can survive the initial rounds like he did in the RG, he’ll have a great chance of winning it. I personally feel like he got a little unlucky in that semi finals at RG, but i think that at Wimbledon, in London, and now that he has already won Wimbledon twice, he wouldn’t have the pressure that he had back in 2013. So, yeah, if he survives the initial rounds, he’ll just better as the tournament progresses and may end up winning it, again.
Provided he doesn’t meet Fed or even Rafa. I do feel Fedal can beat him if they come so far to meet him. Fedal will most likely be seeded as no.3 and no.4, so if Murray does meet them, it’ll be either in SF or Final, by then both will be hard to beat.
Yes, but so will be Murray, because he’ll have the British crowd with him, and if he reaches the finals then he most probably would’ve regained his confidence. Plus we haven’t had a Rafa vs Murray GS final yet, so kinda keeping my fingers crossed for that. :p
But i think Rafa and Federer will be seeded no. 2 and no. 3 respectively, given that Djokovic has only 90 Grass points and even though, Roger has around 900 something grass points from last year, Rafa has around 3000 more ranking points than Federer, which i think, will result him in being the number 2 seed.
Prashant (AT 10:45 AM),
Fed cannot surpass Djoko. If Fed wins Halle, he’ll have 10 Wimbledon seeding points less than Djoko.
They take into account the grass court points of 2015 too (75% of points from the best grass court event in 2015; for Djoko it would be 75% of 2000 i.e. 1500 seeding points for he won Wimbledon in 2015. So, Djoko will have 7395 seeding points (5805+90+1500).
The maximum that Fed could get is 7385 (4765+720+75%of 1200 from Wimbledon 2015, + 500 x2 from Halle title win).
If Fed doesn’t win Halle, then he has to at least reach the QF to stay ahead of Stan. So, the most likely scenario assuming Fed wins Halle, will be Murray seeded at no.1, Djoko no.2, Fed no.3, Rafa no.4 and Stan no.5.
I didn’t know that. Thanks.
I disagree; even though Murray made the SF at RG, it’s not because he played good tennis, IMO and as for the SF between him and Stan, Stan had many opportunities to have straight seated Murray but made too many UEs when he had break points. The RG SF went to 5 sets because both players were as bad as each other.
To lose to a lucky loser who only found out that morning he was going to play in the main draw doesn’t give me any confidence in Murray. It’s nit as if Thompson is a big hitter, he was just playing normal tennis and really didn’t push himself too much.
I agree with nadline about Murray at RG. I actually didn’t find Murray playing very well the whole tournament, it’s more to do with his opponents not being that competitive.
Delpo was quite disappointing in that he was competitive only for two sets, for a BO5 match that’s not enough. Kei too, played well in first set and the third but faded away in the TB and then let Murray ran away with the fourth set to win the match.
He did play well against Stan but yes, Stan should have won earlier rather than having to go five sets. Stan’s weapons proved too much for Murray and if not for Murray’s guile and good tennis brain, Stan would have rolled over him.
Well, yes Stan should have had a great won it in straight, but he didn’t, those UEs that Stan made wasn’t because he just started missing easy shots, it was because Murray ran down that many balls, he returned smashes at will, and good aggressive smashes and volley. Murray made him miss those balls, and imo i still think Murray should’ve won that SF in the 4th set tiebreaker, but as soon as it went to a 5th, Murray because of the exhaustion of his previous match and running down almost everything in the first 4 sets, took its toll. Regarding Wimbledon, i still feel like he has a chance of winning it, a real chance, he just needs to clear those initial rounds. Let’s just wait and watch till the draw is made.
Queens tournament officials must be having nightmares: two of their pulling power stars withdrew in advance, Kyrgios retired with an injury, Warwrinka is struggling with a knee issue, and they have lost three top seeds.
** “If I play like that, I certainly won’t win Wimbledon,” said Murray, a five-time champion at Queen’s. “It’s a big blow. This tournament has given me great preparation in the past, and when I have done well here Wimbledon has tended to go pretty well, too. It certainly would have helped to have had more matches.” **
The home crowd factor sure did not apply yesterday. Try as they might they were unable to get a lethargic Andy over the line.
In his interview with the BBC, Murray still thinks he has a chance at Wimbledon, which he may well have. Who knows? Matches have to be played.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/40349519
Would love to know what Lendl is saying to Murray right now,
I am sure Lendl is telling Murray what he fetid he needs to hear!
What he FEELS he needs to hear!
I still think Murray will go deep in Wimbledon. He played shit in the clay court tuneups too. He will wake up in come slam time.
agreed. He will probably tough out a few matches and then be sharp for the business end. I have him reaching the semis at least.
Yes, will be surprised if he loses early. Best of 5 should help him too. Fed has to be favorite though.
vamosrafa JUNE 21, 2017 AT 11:25 AM
no atul, his knee still had issues in 2013. His knee is 100% now ( I suppose so).
***********************
That’s an important assumption to make. Maybe the knees are fine, or maybe they are not. Maybe they are fine for clay and hard courts. Not so good to play on grass.
A lot depends on it. So, its best not to have big expectations for Wimbledon. That’s my 2 cents.
respect your take, Atul. I am basing my take on what Rafa and his team have been telling us. This year looks like his knee is 100% and his team has expressed confidence in that. IN 2013 his knee still had issues. I understand your concern and your point is valid too. It does hang on the assumption that is knee is fine but even after the French, Rafa did say his knee is totally fine right now.
I’d be very disappointed if he loses early again to be honest. His loss against Brown was SO bad. His forehand was pathetic and he was so nervous. Brown’s style of play made him uncomfortable of course but his response was very poor.
I think it will take a big effort from anyone to take him out at Wimby.
This year does look a bit different. And I would love it as much as you would if Rafa wins the whole thing, or at the very least goes deep into the tourney.
Its just that I don’t want to have high expectations after seeing his performance here in the past 5-6 years. Those knees can act funny on grass.
I am with atul. Of course I want Rafa to do well at Wimby! I already said that I want h to pick up a big chunk of points. But I am not about to make any predictions st this time. The draw has not even come out yet.
I will watch and hope for good things. I have given my take on the good news for Rafa. He is healthy and has come out of RG in good shape. His game has really come together very well and it’s firing on all cylinders. He has so much confidence now.
If Rafa can get through the first week, then I think he has a good chance. But I am cautiously adopting a wait and see attitude and staying positive.
The other problem is that if he meets Fed at any point in the tourney, the most likely scenario is that Fed will beat him.
That’s why I said we have to see how the draw plays out. People were discussing the seedings yesterday. I think someone said Fed needed to win two more matches at Halle to get the #4 seeding. I am not sure where Rafa was supposed to be seeded. I think #3?
Yeah. I think 3, which would mean they won’t play until the finals. That’s good news. Hopefully someone will take Fed out
Atul-
I understand that everyone wants their favorite player to win the title above all else, so the less resistance they have to face in their path to the title, the better their chances are. But wouldn’t it be amazing for you, as a die-hard Rafa fan, if Rafa beat Federer in another Wimbledon final? If we’re talking about legacy, obviously winning another Wimbledon would take Rafa to even greater heights. But if he beat Federer for another Wimbledon title- that would be monumental for Rafa’s legacy, in my opinion! And I just would think that big-time Rafa fans would want nothing more than for Rafa to have another shot at beating Fed for another Wimbledon title, but that’s just me… I felt the same way before this years AO final for Federer fans. Before the final, I saw some Federer fans praying for Dimitrov to beat Rafa so that Fed didn’t have to face Rafa in the final, and I was actually really surprised by that! I felt like it would be the best possible outcome for Fed to be able to beat Rafa in a slam final again, especially to get some revenge for the AO 2009 loss that clearly was so devastating to him. In terms of legacy, I felt like beating Rafa in an AO final would be one of the best achievements for him, and I was surprised that more of his fans didn’t want him to get that chance, especially given that the balls/courts favored Fed’s style and everything. I actually felt that same about that final for the Rafa fans, too! I felt like if Rafa would beat Fed in another AO final, to achieve the double-career grand slam, would be arguably his greasiest achievement, especially given how he had been slumping prior to it. Anyway, I just personally feel like you should WANT Rafa to get the chance to face Fed for a 3rd Wimbledon title, just like I believe that Federer fans should want Fed to get to face Rafa for an 8th one! Just me, though. 🙂
I have a slightly differing view on this.
Rafa has already beaten Fed at Wimbly so beating him again really adds little to his legacy. Rafa winning a 3rd Wimbledon would add to his legacy a lot (beating Fed or not). Over the long-run, people will discuss Rafa’s 3 wimbledon titles as a great achievement for a so called clay courter. Beating Fed twice to get to those titles is good, but it does not really make a difference given he has already beaten him once
Agree with atul, that Rafa winning his third Wimbledon is great enough, it need not be beating Fed to do so. Rafa had already beaten Fed at Wimbledon while Fed was in his prime, that’s good enough validation of Rafa’s skills on grass imo.
To me, it’s different from Fed beating Rafa at AO, because Fed had not beaten Rafa, or rather, had been beaten by Rafa all three times they met at the AO prior to 2017, so Fed beating Rafa at AO this year might mean something to Fed.
I would rather see Rafa beating Fed at the USO, for that’s the only slam they didn’t get to meet after so many years, and that’s the only slam that Rafa hasn’t beaten Fed.
Kevin, you’re right that a lot of fans seem to care more about their man beating another particular player (or not getting beaten by him) than anything else, but that just shows how many people don’t understand what really matters in tennis, namely, overall performance in tournaments.
I’d bet a lot of money that many, perhaps most fans of Federer and Nadal would rather see their guy beat his chief rival at Wimbledon than advance a round or two further. For example, I’ll bet a lot of Federer fans would like to see him beat Nadal in the QF (unlikely though that is at this point) and lose the SF than, say, to not play Nadal at all but make and lose the final to someone else.
But that’s just irrational. H2H record, in and of itself, counts for almost nothing. The players recognize this, and it’s actually considered poor form to show that you care about H2H. See how Nadal reacted earlier this year when Zverev said he entered a tournament (can’t remember which one) partly to get a chance to play Nadal again on clay for revenge. As Rafa recognized, that kind of thinking is messed up. It’s not a reason why any pro should enter a tournament, because H2H record is not what matters. Most players get it; many fans don’t.
” just shows how many people don’t understand what really matters in tennis, namely, overall performance in tournaments”
No it doesn’t.
I agree VR that Rafa found Brown’s kamikaze style hard to cope with, because Rafa’s game is based on strategy and when someone just hits for winners from anywhere, regardless and takes risks, the opponent’s only hope is that he misses and if he doesn’t, it’s curtains.
yeah Brown really made him uneasy but I think Rafa severely lacking in confidence in 2015 was an equally big reason. I remember he had 2-3 doubles faults in a game in which he lost serve in the third set.He was a pack of nerves.
Yea, in 2015, Rafa was anybody’s.
atul,
Thanks for that. I thought I read here yesterday that Rafa would be seeded #3. Yes that would work because then they can only meet in the final!
If Fed wins Halle, then Fed will be seeded no.3 and Rafa no.4; no difference actually, for they can only meet in the final.
Lucky,
Thanks for the additional clarification. Good to know!
?
I was looking forward to Rafa playing Fed in 2008 because I thought Rafa was a better grass player than Fed at that point in time.
This year, Fed wisely skipped clay to avoid Rafa breaking Fed’s current hold.
Unfortunately, Rafa has shown over the last five years that he is unable to consistently get down low on grass with his knees so I don’t want Fed and Rafa to meet at Wimbledon this year as I think it would just be another example of Fed beating Rafa because Rafa is not at his best just like Australia.
Wimbledon is on Federer’s racquet this year. Pure and simple.
As I’ve always said for years now, while the cat’s are away, Federer will play. Only more so now with the roof variable for indoor tennis.