Rafael Nadal

Sheddie · administrator

Rafael Nadal

john · Top national player

Problem is Nadal is very one dimensional and it was only a matter of time before he was figured out. On clay he will still be hard to beat, but it's again only a matter of time before someone else comes along who runs that little bit faster, hits with that little bit more topspin and retrieves that extra ball.

The other problem with Nadal is that the way he plays is always going to take a lot out of a player. Lots of energy expended in every match. Nadal depends on outworking opponents and maybe it's taken more out of him than it seemed. Let's not forget he's only a teenager. However, I fear we have already seen the best of Rafael Nadal.

Whereas Federer has the allround tennis game. Everything you could possibly need in a player. Seems to be coasting even against the very best there is. Has the full array of shots, can play any style you like (he even serve volleyed to win Wimbers in 2003), and I believe will beat Nadal on clay next year if they meet.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

On the BBC I was jumped on from a high height last year, when I said I thought Nadal could not keep up his very physical game for many years. Never convinced that I know a lot about tennis, I allowed myself to be convinced that he could, and that he could also adapt his game to other surfaces.

Despite the easy draw in Wimbledon, it did look as though he was going to manage to adapt his game; but during the hard court season he went back to his clay court style, standing far too far behind the baseline. On hard courts at least, players are figuring out how to play him.

I think he will have a good clay season, but not as good as the last two years; I am pretty sure Roger will manage to beat him at least once (preferably in RG!), and possibly some other good clay court players as well. And I still have the feeling that he will not have a long career unless he does adapt his game and make it less physical - but then, he may find that many more players can beat him with that style. . .

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

I think you're right Madeline, no one can keep up indefinitely (and healthily) the physical work Nadal has to put in for his game. I think next year he might struggle to maintain 2nd position in the rankings, although that will depend to a certain extent on what those around him do. He definetly needs to add another dimension to his game but it's probably hard for him to see that as so far he's done OK with how it is. He claims to want to adapt to playing on grass and perhaps the slump in results is a sympton of that as he learns a new system. I guess we'll have to wait and see but i doubt he'll ever get close to having the dominance Federer does.

On the other hand, Nadal just hasn't played much the second half of the year so it's quite hard to judge where he's at form-wise. Berdych definitely seems to have his number but none of the players Nadal has lost to have been complete shockers (Youzhny during the US Open was on a blinder and Nadal wasn't the only top player to lose out to him). Please correct me if that's just my poor memory speaking!

Salmon · Tennis legend

I really think that Nadal will struggle next year. He isn't good on hard courts like he used to be, he can't do better that what he did on grass last year and I think that people are going to be better prepared against him on clay this time.

It's too early to topple him on clay, but he will at least be bruised if not battered. The problem is these days we don't have good clay courters at the top. Gaudio and Coria aren't up there any more and Robredo isn't Slam quality. And Del Potro and Cilic are too young at this moment.

I think that Nadal will end the next year at number 3 if Nalbandian, Roddick, Ljubicic or someone else has a good year on all surfaces.

-- Edited by Greenleaf at 03:37, 2006-10-24

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Had to resurrect a very old thread for this one, but some people just have too much talent.

twitter.com/josemorgado/status/1320016944788103168

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Yeah, but can he do a cryptic crossword? Or make a soufflé? Or get the loirs out of my attic?

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
Yeah, but can he do a cryptic crossword? Or make a soufflé? Or get the loirs out of my attic?

He probably can LOL.

flamingowings · All-time great

Not much different to Ash Barty playing cricket. Lots of tennis players golf.
Also the original thread aged somewhat!!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Rafa has announced his retirement

After next month's Davis Cup

Enjoy life, Rafa, all the best

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

haha, I posted something similar under Andy Murray thread as I couldnt find a Rafa thread but had assumed there would be one!

Not really a surprise, I think. It will be a shame to see him go but as with Roger, he has effectively been gone for some time now, give or take the odd event. End of season and after a Spanish Davis Cup makes sense to me.

As said, good luck to him with whatever he does next!

So, Roger, Andy and Rafa gone - just the one musketeer left and then the era is over

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

It will feel like the changing of the guard properly once Nojo goes.

All the best to Rafa. I hope that they all play the seniors tours in years to come, it would be nice to see them back at it together.

9vicman · Satellite level

Rafa has chosen to retire at Davis Cup, Andy chose the Olympics, Roger retired at Laver Cup. Think it says a lot about what is meaningful to each player.