Why I will be supporting Nadal on Sunday

First topic message reminder :

I've never done it before. I've never yet rooted for Rafa Nadal to in a tennis match, but I will be on Sunday.

Throughout 2011 I was pleased to see Djokovic put Nadal to he sword repeatedly. I took pleasure in seeing the guy who wore people down being worn down. What goes around comes around, I felt.

But this Sunday I'm going to be cheering on Nadal, and not half-heartedly either because there's a lot of reasons for it.

1. Because he deserves his 7th French. That achievement is no flash in the pan, no rush of form, it's because he's got the best game, by miles, for this surface. Fair play, I want him to get his 7.

2. Because it would be bull for the harmonisation of the courts to usher in another Holy Grail type record (look at the routine French/Wimbledon doubles now...). I'm fed up of this development eroding one of the unique aspects of this sport - that to rule on all surfaces meant conquering the specialists on their chosen ground. I don't want this done until the courts have diverged again.

3. Because Djokovic appears to have become a focus for a peculiar type of tennis fan afflicted with nationalism and aggression. It's tough on those who aren't like that but too many are and I don't wish to witness their antics.

4. Speaking of antics, I don't want to witness Djokovic's either. What on Earth is possessing the man who will applaud opponents shots and make calls against himself to celebrate in this way? Doesn't he realise how ridiculous and offensive it is? I don't want to see that on Sunday.

5. Because it means Federer retains a decent chance of getting to #1. He will, remarkably, have lost virtually no ground to Djokovic (2580 to ND, 2080 to RF) through the clay season, and given he only played three events that's pretty handy. A Nadal win keeps the target feasible until after Shanghai.

So Vamos Rafa! (feels very weird doing that)

hawkeye wrote:

bogbrush wrote:I was baffled to see this thread re-emerge.

Upon checking the resurrecting post, I'm even more baffled.

Ha ha! You have no sense of imagination or belief. If Nadal gets to the final it would be a brave man who would put a bet on Federer to beat him... I would fully understand though if you choose to switch alliance.

If Nadal gets to the final I'll show my a*se in Tescos front window.

He isn't in the tournament.

What version of reality are you living in?

Someone has too much of the wrong imagination!

bogbrush wrote:

hawkeye wrote:

bogbrush wrote:I was baffled to see this thread re-emerge.

Upon checking the resurrecting post, I'm even more baffled.

Ha ha! You have no sense of imagination or belief. If Nadal gets to the final it would be a brave man who would put a bet on Federer to beat him... I would fully understand though if you choose to switch alliance.

If Nadal gets to the final I'll show my a*se in Tescos front window.

He isn't in the tournament.

What version of reality are you living in?

You are clutching at straws. Admittedly the odds of Nadal getting to the final are slightly lower considering he isn't in the draw... But If Nadal does get there that sort of distraction technique is doubtful to affect the outcome. Federer would still struggle.

HE - I think many might feel that you are the one clutching at straws here with a somewhat detached-from-reality assessment of the prospects of a player who isn't actually in the tournament

Personally I feel that the sport overall is the poorer for Rafa's absence, and here's hoping not only that he's back asap BUT also in a condition that will enable him to compete all year round like the other top guys.

However, specifically as regards this US Open I think you might be getting a little over-excited at the impact of his non-participation.

Of the last 14 tour level titles won by Rafa dating back to the start of 2010, three - just three - of those have come at non-clay venues.

His record at the USO is without doubt admirable, but compared to many greats past & present it is hardly the stuff of legend : Two Finals and one Title.

By contrast, Federer has made six Finals with five Titles, so a bit of perspective needed perhaps.

hawkeye wrote:

bogbrush wrote:

hawkeye wrote:

bogbrush wrote:I was baffled to see this thread re-emerge.

Upon checking the resurrecting post, I'm even more baffled.

Ha ha! You have no sense of imagination or belief. If Nadal gets to the final it would be a brave man who would put a bet on Federer to beat him... I would fully understand though if you choose to switch alliance.

If Nadal gets to the final I'll show my a*se in Tescos front window.

He isn't in the tournament.

What version of reality are you living in?

You are clutching at straws. Admittedly the odds of Nadal getting to the final are slightly lower considering he isn't in the draw... But If Nadal does get there that sort of distraction technique is doubtful to affect the outcome. Federer would still struggle.

This is getting surreal.

I'm clutching at straws by suggesting a guy who isn't in the draw won't make the final, while you are still speculating on what might happen if he does? I know you must be upset that he's injured, but you may want to discuss this with someone in a professional context.

WTF is going on?

HE, are you talking about this year's RG, or this USO?
I can tell you for certain Nadal wins RG 2012, but he doesn't win USO 2012. What's this blinking speculation about

the odds of Nadal getting to the final are slightly lower considering he isn't in the draw... But If Nadal does get there

Facepalm moment occurs here