Topic: "Ye Olde Castle" Volume #3 : The Castle Sports Bar

[masterclass]

Well general Hercules, I'm trying to figure out what the hell they are doing.  Ok. Some may say that he started practicing on his indoor hard court because he is playing on hard court in late December and January, getting ready for the Australian Open.  I don't know, maybe so.  Some say Nadal's team should know best...well, his history of injuries doesn't tell me this.

It is very early in his return to practice. I would have thought a better strategy would be to take it easy at first and start back practicing on clay for the first month and build a solid foundation, and then after putting in the hard miles, he would switch to the hard courts in mid - December or so, and thus limit is body to the pounding required on hard courts.

Doesn't Novak Djokovic do his foundation practice on clay in Monte-Carlo when he is not playing and only switch to hard court practice when he is getting close to playing?

Thoughts?

Respectfully,
masterclass

[Clay Death]

there are 51 days left to go for the australian open. last 10 days is all he needed to make the adjustment for hard courts. he should have started on clay.
 
well he will pay. its just that simple. he will destroy that knee again by winbledon and then he should be done for good. that is the logical trajectory at this rate.
 
so he lied to press and his fans. mostly he lied to himself when he said he has to make adjustments. he just started hitting again and the first thing he did was run to the hard courts as fast as he could.
 
i told people not to believe him. he has zero business being on the hard courts right now. he also cant win on hard courts so why not put in a very relaxed effort in hard court events and save the knee for clay and take his usual wins on that surface.
 
at this rate, i think that day is finally coming when he will lose at monte carlo and maybe even in barcelona. he will still win the french open by fighting and playing through pain but that should be it. that will be the last we will see him.
 
he is hell bent on ending his career because he cant get off the hard courts. how many years has it been since he won a title on hard courts? exactly. he had his chance at Oz and he choked.
 
now the knee is shot so its time to let the hard courts go. he just cant help himself. he has also signed up for an exo on indoor hard courts with d-pot in march.

[Clay Death]

you are right. nole practices year round on clay to keep his ground game sharp and his knees healthy.
 
he is not the world`s best player by accident. it takes a bullet proof gorund game to be the best today and he has that.
 
nadal used to have it. nole is the new nadal.

[masterclass]

Just to add to those previous thoughts, I was actually hoping Rafa would take a radical new approach to extend his career, and skip the hard courts of the Australian Open and prep tournaments, and start his season in February on the clay in South America, and stay on clay all the way to Roland Garros, and then move to the grass and after that, play as his health allows.  I think he could play 5 more years with this strategy and win almost everything in his path.

Respectfully,
masterclass

[Alex]

actually Masterclass, you have some very good points. Nole does train on clay in Monte Carlo. then he shows up on HC, sliding like crazy giving heart attacks.  I really do not understand Rafa's team. OK, call me stupid. Rafa is a natural talent, he just needs to start practicing, it doesn't have to be on HC, he is a great champ and I don't think he is going to lose in R1 at the AO. plenty of time to practice in Melbourne. or why not Hopman Cup? Nole is getting ready for the AO by playing there with Ana Ivanovic.  playing Doha IMHO is just plain stupid.

[masterclass]

there are 51 days left to go for the australian open. last 10 days is all he needed to make the adjustment for hard courts. he should have started on clay.
 
well he will pay. its just that simple. he will destroy that knee again by winbledon and then he should be done for good. that is the logical trajectory at this rate.
 
so he lied to press and his fans. mostly he lied to himself when he said he has to make adjustments. he just started hitting again and the first thing he did was run to the hard courts as fast as he could.
 
i told people not to believe him. he has zero business being on the hard courts right now. he also cant win on hard courts so why not put in a very relaxed effort in hard court events and save the knee for clay and take his usual wins on that surface.
 
at this rate, i think that day is finally coming when he will lose at monte carlo and maybe even in barcelona. he will still win the french open by fighting and playing through pain but that should be it. that will be the last we will see him.
 
he is hell bent on ending his career because he cant get off the hard courts. how many years has it been since he won a title on hard courts? exactly. he had his chance at Oz and he choked.
 
now the knee is shot so its time to let the hard courts go. he just cant help himself. he has also signed up for an exo on indoor hard courts with d-pot in march.

This is pretty much my feeling as well. I was astonished to see his first practice on that indoor hard court. I thought maybe it was raining or something, but I checked with my friend who lives near by and he said it was sunny and about 20 C. (68 F.). I wish I was in his camp to know what he and Uncle Toni are thinking about.

Respectfully,
masterclass

[Clay Death]

Just to add to those previous thoughts, I was actually hoping Rafa would take a radical new approach to extend his career, and skip the hard courts of the Australian Open and prep tournaments, and start his season in February on the clay in South America, and stay on clay all the way to Roland Garros, and then move to the grass and after that, play as his health allows.  I think he could play 5 more years with this strategy and win almost everything in his path.

Respectfully,
masterclass

that is spot on general.

[masterclass]

actually Masterclass, you have some very good points. Nole does train on clay in Monte Carlo. then he shows up on HC, sliding like crazy giving heart attacks.  I really do not understand Rafa's team. OK, call me stupid. Rafa is a natural talent, he just needs to start practicing, it doesn't have to be on HC, he is a great champ and I don't think he is going to lose in R1 at the AO. plenty of time to practice in Melbourne. or why not Hopman Cup? Nole is getting ready for the AO by playing there with Ana Ivanovic.  playing Doha IMHO is just plain stupid.

Interesting thoughts Sir Alex. And far nicer scenery at the Hopman Cup .  I hadn't heard that Nadal is confirmed for Doha, is it true? Didn't he lose to Monfils last time there? I don't think he's ever won there.

Respectfully,
masterclass

[Clay Death]

did i mention that i am not happy with the clay warrior.

[Clay Death]

those worthless, hapless, legless, toothless, gutless, and nutless mods and their attack dogs are evidently still at it with their pathetic little contest to abuse and belittle people.
 
one of those lunatics just posted at the castle at TF. he wished me good luck in that contest.
 
can you believe it. i did not respond to his post.
 
 
i think we will stop calling it a forum now. the official name for that place now is "toxic dump."

[masterclass]

I wouldn't mind going to Monte-Carlo again this year if we get the chance.  It's a beautiful, even if expensive area, and if you've never been there to see the courts next to the sea, I can say it surely takes your breath away.  Has to be one of the most gorgeous settings for tennis. Pictures hardly do it justice, but here are a couple...





Respectfully,
masterclass

[Alex]

actually Masterclass, you have some very good points. Nole does train on clay in Monte Carlo. then he shows up on HC, sliding like crazy giving heart attacks.  I really do not understand Rafa's team. OK, call me stupid. Rafa is a natural talent, he just needs to start practicing, it doesn't have to be on HC, he is a great champ and I don't think he is going to lose in R1 at the AO. plenty of time to practice in Melbourne. or why not Hopman Cup? Nole is getting ready for the AO by playing there with Ana Ivanovic.  playing Doha IMHO is just plain stupid.

Interesting thoughts Sir Alex. And far nicer scenery at the Hopman Cup .  I hadn't heard that Nadal is confirmed for Doha, is it true? Didn't he lose to Monfils last time there? I don't think he's ever won there.


Respectfully,
masterclass

yup, he is. here is the link
http://www.livetennisguide.com/2012/11/23/rafael-nadal-to-begin-new-season-at-doha-open/

[Clay Death]

by far the most beautful tennis court on the planet general masterclass.
 
great pics. keep them coming. later on we will post pics of other beautiful clay courts if and when we get a chance.
 
in fact go ahead folks. post away the pics of your favorite centre courts from around the globe. they dont have to be clay courts.

[Alex]

Herc, not sure what happened on TW. I used to post there but that place is even worse than MTF. I was joking one day about Fed, like really innocent stuff, it was more about Fed fans there, some silly kids. they banned me for a week or so  . I was like wow, are you guys serious? I joke about Nole all the time and I'm his fan. oh well, some people are too serious nowadays.

btw, MC you are so lucky to be able to visit MC. I guess you live in Europe. great pics 

[Clay Death]

we just stay at the castle there at TF general alex.
 
general javier the fearless has a beauty appreciation thread that is doing quite well there.
 
we dont bother with the rest of the folks but we do welcome everybody to castle if and when they show up.
 
now this lunatic who came to wish me luck at TF for this contest at the "toxic dump" wont get a reply obviously but we are nice to people on the average.
 
its the same way we are at the castle at the toxic dump. you have to be kind to people if they are kind people.

[masterclass]

those worthless, hapless, legless, toothless, gutless, and nutless mods and their attack dogs are evidently still at it with their pathetic little contest to abuse and belittle people.
 
one of those lunatics just posted at the castle at TF. he wished me good luck in that contest.
 
can you believe it. i did not respond to his post.
 
 
i think we will stop calling it a forum now. the official name for that place now is "toxic dump."

General, Gagsquet has been permanently banned from MTF since mid-October.   

I'd like to get some reasonable posters from MTF here.  Viruzzz is funny and a good sort, GSMNadal seems nice. romismak is a smart and fair Djokovic fan.  Even the Sapeod kid has grown up some and I think would be a good Murray fan here away from all the hate of MTF.  In fact, that is probably  true of more of them in that cesspool.  It's easy to get dragged down there into needless wars, arguments, insults, etc. 

Respectfully,
masterclass

[masterclass]

actually Masterclass, you have some very good points. Nole does train on clay in Monte Carlo. then he shows up on HC, sliding like crazy giving heart attacks.  I really do not understand Rafa's team. OK, call me stupid. Rafa is a natural talent, he just needs to start practicing, it doesn't have to be on HC, he is a great champ and I don't think he is going to lose in R1 at the AO. plenty of time to practice in Melbourne. or why not Hopman Cup? Nole is getting ready for the AO by playing there with Ana Ivanovic.  playing Doha IMHO is just plain stupid.

Interesting thoughts Sir Alex. And far nicer scenery at the Hopman Cup .  I hadn't heard that Nadal is confirmed for Doha, is it true? Didn't he lose to Monfils last time there? I don't think he's ever won there.


Respectfully,
masterclass

yup, he is. here is the link
http://www.livetennisguide.com/2012/11/23/rafael-nadal-to-begin-new-season-at-doha-open/

Thanks for the link sir!  And now where is that one of Ana Ivanovic? Just kidding... :

Respectfully,
masterclass

[Clay Death]

agreed general viruzzz is a cool customer.
 
and sapeod has to have grown up. he was brainwashed by the extremist type federereeeeeeeeeeeesians there but hopefully he has his own mind.
 
 
we should try to get some posters here from that toxic dump. they will like the peace and quiet found here.

and above all, they will be respected here.

[masterclass]

Herc, not sure what happened on TW. I used to post there but that place is even worse than MTF. I was joking one day about Fed, like really innocent stuff, it was more about Fed fans there, some silly kids. they banned me for a week or so  . I was like wow, are you guys serious? I joke about Nole all the time and I'm his fan. oh well, some people are too serious nowadays.

btw, MC you are so lucky to be able to visit MC. I guess you live in Europe. great pics 

Indeed yes Sir Alex. If you ever get the chance to come over to Europe, it would be a place I'd recommend to visit.  But stay somewhere nearby near Nice. Monte-Carlo is very, very expensive.  We did a Paris to Nice trip (flew to Paris, stayed for a few days, then a train to Nice, and stayed there and visited Monaco, Monte-Carlo, etc. 

 I could just about picture some of us, you, Javier,  Hercules, myself, Shanks, etc. having a lunch and wine or a few drinks at the local cafes and watching some matches at Court Central, and a few drinks afterwards.  Good times, ey (best Canadian accent)? And not far from the tennis club they have the best ice cream I've ever tasted. Pure ambrosia.

Respectfully,
masterclass

[masterclass]

They made poor Sapeod a totally undeserved #1 seed there for that stupid ACC contest, just because he supports Murray.  From what I've seen he's been trying to mostly stay out of that hate-infested chat they have about it.

He's calmed down a lot, but I wouldn't be surprised if they attack him left and right in this contest and... well you know, some of those people seem on a mission to bait people.

Respectfully,
masterclass