Australian Open - Day Fourteen

First topic message reminder :

Federer vs Nadal and other matches on day 14.

Much food for thought there emancipator

Notice that Nadal was quick between points back then and it was Toni who told him to slow down, and took his time to serve. Toni did change Rafa into the player he is now. Had he not interfered with Rafa's instinct and let him played his own way, I think Rafa can still be successful, and could do better on the HCs than what he had achieved now.

It's strange to think that if Rafa continued with his aggressive way of playing, his success won't be the same or better than what he has achieved now. I mean surely he could do better on the HCs with an aggressive style, and with less grinding certainly his body won't break down so often. Also, majority of tournaments are on the HCs so doing better on them and winning some would certainly help one in the rankings surge. Would he still dominate on clay the way he did? I would think so, for his topspin would still be there and also his unparalleled movement on clay.

Sure, the surfaces slowed down after 2005? or 2006? Everyone then had to adapt, not only Rafa but also Fed. Maybe we would see the 2013 Rafa appearing right there from 2007 onwards? Wasn't that version of Rafa good enough to win on slowed down surfaces?

We talked about his frequent injuries and those were mainly due to his foot and knee related issues. Perhaps with all the breaks that might have helped him to play for longer than most people expected. Had he not have that foot issue to start with, who knows how much more he could achieve, though we also couldn't be sure how long he could play, but judging from his desires and passion that he's still having now, who's to say he won't have a long career?

I think the jury is definitely still out as regards just how much longer is left of Rafa's ATP career.

What do undoubtedly now seem to have proven false were the doom-laden predictions (albeit based on understandable reasoning, given all that was happening in Rafa-world at the time ....) that his body would be so broken by the time he hit 30 that he would no longer be equipped to compete at the very highest level.

Looks like Rafa could well have a respectable 2017 season. And perhaps more than just respectable .....

emancipator -  nailed it!

I agree lags that Nadal will likely have a decent season on the clay court, but not sure about the rest of the season. Should be interesting this year, hopefully we'll see something other than Nole vs Murray snorefest finals.

reckoner wrote:I agree lags that Nadal will likely have a decent season on the clay court, but not sure about the rest of the season. Should be interesting this year, hopefully we'll see something other than Nole vs Murray snorefest finals.

Yes, you have to feel for the other match-ups such as Djoko-Murray after the excitement and exhilaration of the renewal of the Rafa-Rog rivalry. It's a case of follow that and there ain't much that CAN follow that.
The great rivalries also spark interest among those who don't normally follow that particular sport that closely.

'by reckoner
emancipator - nailed it!'

Nah, dont agree.

Maybe a Nadal/Djoko or a Fed/Djoko > Murray/Djoko?

lags72 wrote:I think the jury is definitely still out as regards just how much longer is left of Rafa's ATP career.

What do undoubtedly now seem to have proven false were the doom-laden predictions (albeit based on understandable reasoning, given all that was happening in Rafa-world at the time ....) that his body would be so broken by the time he hit 30 that he would no longer be equipped to compete at the very highest level.

Looks like Rafa could well have a respectable 2017 season. And perhaps more than just respectable .....

That's because there are new designer "medicines" around now that can extend players' careers.

^
Yeah, like those made available to the 35 year old injured Fed too right?

Belovedluckyboy wrote:^
Yeah, like those made available to the 35 year old injured Fed too right?

No.

Watch Federer's performance in the final of the 2012 Olympics after his marathon semi final with Del Potro, night and day.

Watch Nadal against Federer in 2009 AO final after his marathon match with Verdasco... It's plain and simple.

Nah, you want to compare a 30 year old to a 22 year old?

Watch Fed at Rome 2006; his feat then from QF to F wasn't dissimilar to AO2009.

No reason to suspect one but not the other. Fed is human too!

Belovedluckyboy wrote:'by reckoner
emancipator -  nailed it!'

Nah, dont agree.

Whatever, minger.

To Reckoner: Yeah, whatever, minger!

To reckoner: No need to be rude!

chill BLB, attack a snack:

Belovedluckyboy wrote:^
Yeah, like those made available to the 35 year old injured Fed too right?

That's right.