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

47 Comments on Rafael Nadal

  3. “I don’t know if the best Rafael Nadal will be back, but I’ll give my best to try to make that happen. After a series of injuries that kept me off the tour for some of last season, it’s difficult to analyse it in a positive light in spite of making the Australian Open final and winning Roland Garros”, stated Nadal ahead of his campaign at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires.
    “I’m physically fine. I didn’t have a bad week in Rio and won quite a few good matches, although I did lose one that I had dominated. I had cramp, something which I’ve hardly ever had in my career, and at the end of the day, Fabio [Fognini] played better than me in the key moments. I’d have liked to reach the final. It would’ve given me added belief and a bit of a confidence boost”, added the 28-year-old.
    “I hope to be able to keep on improving in Buenos Aires. I’m motivated by the day to day. You have different feelings over your career. In 2005 everything was new and ten years later it’s a different situation in which most things are very positive although I’m on the back of seven tough months that prevented me from building up any momentum on the tour. It’s now the moment to make up for lost time”, he concluded

    Read more: “I don’t know if the best Nadal will be back” – MARCA.com (English version)

    Reply

  4. yeah, Rafa struggling with fitness is fairly new to me…I thought he would be back well prepared…I am worried and my optimism isn’t there this time as it used to be all these years…
    I have been watching some of the matches in Dubai…it’s been a while since I watched some very good tennis because I tend to focus on Rafa’s matches and he has so many ups and downs that it seems impossible to enjoy tennis…Fognini may have played some amazing key points but overall he was nowhere near the level required to beat Rafa…Rafa beat himself…and he does it a lot lately…

    it really hurts to watch Rafa struggling like this…I wish anything he said would make me feel better but at the moment I really feel down…

    I wonder indeed if real Nadal will be back…this one is nowhere near the best Nadal…

    Reply

    • “I have been watching some of the matches in Dubai…it’s been a while since I watched some very good tennis because I tend to focus on Rafa’s matches and he has so many ups and downs that it seems impossible to enjoy tennis”

      Exactly.

      Reply

    • natashao,

      I feel you. I am struggling with the same feelings. I don’t like to say too much on here, but you have said it for me and very well. I appreciate your honesty.

      I also think you made a good point about watching matches in other tournaments where Rafa is not competing, watching other players. I think that I enjoy it these days because it’s a way to relax and just watch them play. I am not so emotionally invested. You are also spot on about Fognini. He did play well at times in the match, but nowhere near enough to beat the real Rafa. Rafa really beat himself in that match and it’s disconcerting to see. Usually when he gets a bad time violation call, he uses it to energize himself and play even better. This time he fell apart.

      It really hurts my heart to see Rafa struggling. I am not going to have any expectations for now. I will just watch Rafa and see what happens. I truly hope that he can find himself again.

      Reply

  5. ^^^The frequent cramps are also a concern. Hope his doctor gets to the bottom of it otherwise he is going to find it frustrating losing matches due to cramping all the time.

    Vamos Rafa

    Reply

  6. Novak can come back after like 6 weeks – 8 weeks not playing and play as if he was never out. He just slips into the rhythm so seamlessly. On the contrary Rafa ..nothing to be said. Even Federer at this age is more consistent than Rafa as in he dispatches most outside Top 10 very easily and does not give heartbreaks or nerves.

    Rafa is quiet a tension ball to all his fans and frankly its tiring being subject to this non stop ups and downs. JUst hoping, hoping he somehow reaches 17-18, though I am not very hopeful

    Reply

  7. Wednesday. He plays doubles today.

    Tuesday, February 24, 2015
    ESTADIO BILLOCH CARIDE Start 1:45 pm
    Federico Delbonis (ARG)
    v
    [8] Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP)

    Diego Schwartzman (ARG)
    v
    Carlos Berlocq (ARG)

    Not Before 6:45 pm
    [4] Frantisek Cermak (CZE)
    Jiri Vesely (CZE)
    v
    Juan Monaco (ARG)
    Rafael Nadal (ESP)

    ATP
    Not Before 9:00 pm
    [7] Pablo Andujar (ESP)
    v
    Nicolas Almagro (ESP)

    Reply

    • Yes will be indeed sweet provided we get to see the real Nadal of which hopes are dwindling day by day and hope we do see the real Rafa of 2008,2010,2013 sooner than later. Hell I am not even wanting to see the 2008,2010,2013 dominating Rafa..I will be happy with 17-18 slams with 1/balance 3 or 2 out of balance 4 being non clay. Would hate to hear that 12/17 are clay..7 non clay slams would shut up all detractors and rob them of their ammunition.

      Reply

    • Don’t forget people have written off Federer after 2008-09 culminating at AO when he said God it’s killing me when he held none of the last four slams. He then went on to win RG and Wimby. Again he was written off in 2013 when he slipped to 7th and then made two slam semis and a Wimby final that went to a 5th set.

      People wrote off Muzza last year and he is playing great this year again.

      People wrote off Rafa in 2012 and are doing it again.

      Nothing new.

      Reply

      • hawkeye,

        Thanks for a great post and keeping it real. You are right that people were writing off Fed even as early as 2008-2009 and that moment we will never forget when he said – it’s killing me – after losing the AO final to Rafa. He’s not winning slams like he used to and that’s to be expected at this stage of his career. But to get back to #2 in the world and also get to the 2014 Wimbledon final and actually have a shot at winning #18, is quite an accomplishment.

        You are also correct that people wrote off Murray last year when he didn’t defend his title at Wimbledon and won no slams and he dropped out of the top four. But this year he’s back in the top four with an AO final to his credit.

        It always seems to be this way, writing off great players prematurely. That is why I make sure not to read too much online, especially after Rafa loses. I never bother to read tennis-x anymore and do not miss it one bit. I just choose not to read the trash talk about Rafa.

        I do understand how some Rafa fans are feeling these days. My nerves were shot after Rafa got the win against Cuevas. I made the mistake of thinking he would make easy pickings of Fognini. I think with the way he is now, I am just not going to assume that any match will be easy. Then if it is, I will be pleasantly surprised.

        Rafa said it himself in the comments posted above by vamosrafa – he wants to win a title. It’s not going to solve all his problems right now, but it would be a great feeling to hold a trophy at an awards ceremony. Any title gives a player confidence and good feelings. That’s one thing that Rafa sorely needs right now. There are no surprises with the players in Buenos Aires. It’s just all about Rafa.

        I remember when many made the mistake of saying that Rafa would never beat Novak again after seven straight losses. We knew better. 🙂

        Reply

  10. I went for a walk during Djoker’s match because I got fed up of hearing what a supreme player he is on the planet, etc. etc. Yes, I admit that I am pitifully sad. 🙂

    Reply

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