Rafa out of Aus Open ?

eblunt · Club Coach

Rafa out of Aus Open ?

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

I'll believe it when he officially withdraws, not before. There have been so many confusing and conflicting statements coming out of Rafa's camp. . .

eblunt · Club Coach

Madeline wrote:
I'll believe it when he officially withdraws, not before. There have been so many confusing and conflicting statements coming out of Rafa's camp. . .

Agreed, but in general during his injury layoffs , his return date seems to get further away rather than nearer. Initially I got the impression he was expecting to be back for the Masters and Davis cup, but now that seems to be in some doubt.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Tbh I don't think they have much idea yet when he will be back.

indiana · Tennis legend

eblunt wrote:
Read in the Times today that Rafa wasn't ruling out his injury layoff including the Aus open. If Andy can be No.2 by then it certainly opens up the possibility of another Big 3 free run to the final ....

...or if Rafa returns for the Aussie Open but not before it's not inconceivable that he could fall down to WR 5 behind David Ferrer and Andy could have to play all three of the former "Big 3" from QFs onwards.

RJA · Hall of fame

indiana wrote:
eblunt wrote:
Read in the Times today that Rafa wasn't ruling out his injury layoff including the Aus open. If Andy can be No.2 by then it certainly opens up the possibility of another Big 3 free run to the final ....

...or if Rafa returns for the Aussie Open but not before it's not inconceivable that he could fall down to WR 5 behind David Ferrer and Andy could have to play all three of the former "Big 3" from QFs onwards.

I seriously doubt that Ferrer will make no4 before the Aussie Open. Indoor season isn't his cup of tea.

eblunt · Club Coach

indiana wrote:
eblunt wrote:
Read in the Times today that Rafa wasn't ruling out his injury layoff including the Aus open. If Andy can be No.2 by then it certainly opens up the possibility of another Big 3 free run to the final ....
...or if Rafa returns for the Aussie Open but not before it's not inconceivable that he could fall down to WR 5 behind David Ferrer and Andy could have to play all three of the former "Big 3" from QFs onwards.
With 33 slams between them, they're still a pretty big 3 in my book.
Though in fact I used the term big 3 as it was easier then "the 3 other members of the big 4"

RJA · Hall of fame

Looks like Rafa will be back for the Aus Open. It has been announced that he will play the annual exhibition event in Abu Dhabi at the end of December (27th - 29th), presumably he will then play Doha in the first week of January. Murray will also be playing in Abu Dhabi

indiana · Tennis legend

RJA wrote:
indiana wrote:
eblunt wrote:
Read in the Times today that Rafa wasn't ruling out his injury layoff including the Aus open. If Andy can be No.2 by then it certainly opens up the possibility of another Big 3 free run to the final ....

...or if Rafa returns for the Aussie Open but not before it's not inconceivable that he could fall down to WR 5 behind David Ferrer and Andy could have to play all three of the former "Big 3" from QFs onwards.

I seriously doubt that Ferrer will make no4 before the Aussie Open. Indoor season isn't his cup of tea.

Ferrer not making a bad run at it with his Valencia and Paris Master titles. Afer beating Del Potro, one more group win and a SF win at the WTF and he'll be ahead of Nadal in the rankings. Might not quite make it, but won't be too far away.

eblunt · Club Coach

Madeline wrote:
I'll believe it when he officially withdraws, not before. There have been so many confusing and conflicting statements coming out of Rafa's camp. . .

Well, start believing now then biggrin

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/20859522

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Ok, now I'll believe it. Unless the BBC proves to be wrong (again).

eblunt · Club Coach

Well he's finally back today, but have my doubts as to whether he'll be the dominant force he once was. I think that he'll concentrate on the clay, and focus on winning RG, but will conserve himself for the rest of the season, and try and minimise the damage hard courts will do to him.

peterharry · Newbie

Rafal Nadal is my favorite player.

Miriambee · Futures level

Rafa out of Indian Wells and Miami - announced today.

eblunt · Club Coach

Miriambee wrote:
Rafa out of Indian Wells and Miami - announced today.

Doesn't surprise me. He's either injured again, or conserving himself for the clay season. Either way, I don't really expect him to ever play these tournaments again, and possible only 1 other GS apart from RG each year.

On a related note, I see Fed is missing Miami as well, on the 'over 12 years and 600 games played by a 31 year old' rule. I can see Djok and Muzza only ever playing finals against each other for quite some time to come now .....