Topic: Clay & Nadal

[Rafa816]

I can't believe this many people doubt him at Roland Garros. He's Rafael freaking Nadal, the King of Clay. And he has ample court time before RG to get back into the swing of things.

No one really knows what's going on with him.
Pulling out of AO a month ahead with stomach flu?? 
He could still try like a man!!!! 

Yeah, because Nadal always pulls out of tournaments for no reason. Like when he played multiple tournaments with tendinitis in his knees.

Anyways, it makes sense. He's been out for months, and you really think, after that, he wants to play a tournament without being able to train? No. Stomach virus = no training time.

I think he'll focus more on clay this season, but he'll probably still play IW and Miami. Will he maybe lose some clay tournaments before RG? Probably. He has to get back into the swing of things, no doubt. But it's months before Roland Garros, and he's still Nadal. As pawan said, 75% Rafa is still better on clay than anyone.

[mav140]

News update on Nadal..
He went on to spanish media to say that he is in fact still suffering from the knee.. So, even though he pulled out of Austrlian Open due to some stomach virus or something, truth now comes to light! he is still injured and not fully recovered!! Too bad for Nadal, but I think this is without a doubt something we had in our minds and Nadal just came out and say it:


"Pain doesn't let me do certain movements on my knee, but I am hoping this pain will eventually go away"


http://es.eurosport.yahoo.com/noticias/tenis-nadal-admite-que-todav%C3%ADa-le-duele-rodilla-185859689.html


The article is in spanish... for those who speak some...


He went on to say: " I don't know if I will ever play at the same level, and right now it is not even in my mind. If the knee stops hurting, I don't see why I shouldn't play at a high level on clay"


So, this brings out the alarms of every Rafa fan... I am really sad he has endured this kind of injurie, but due to his style of play, everybody saw this coming eventually. Now, it is Rafa himself who is coming out and saying he is not fully fit and that his knee still hurts...


Too bad for Nadal, but the real question is: Is this the end of Rafa's tennis career? or will he bounce back? Considering he has been off tour for more than 7 months I see this as a critical signal that he might be heading to the end of his days in a tennis court!


Anyway, let's see how he manages to come back at Chile and see if he has recovered somewhat. Anyway, he did a lot with what he had and he should be proud, although I would love to see him completely recovered, this just tells me that is not going to be the case....


Will this be the end of the Top 4 and see only a Top 3 race??

[Alex]

I still don't understand why it takes so long for his knees to heal. I'm not a MD but still 

[Litotes]

I have no idea if this means the end of him. Too soon to write him off, definitely, but one has to pause for thought. I guess the next week will tell us more.
What I can state confidently is that some bookmakers have now made Djokovic a slight favourite for RG, whereas a couple of days ago Nadal was still firm odds favourite for this tournament everywhere.

[Alex]

I have no idea if this means the end of him. Too soon to write him off, definitely, but one has to pause for thought. I guess the next week will tell us more.
What I can state confidently is that some bookmakers have now made Djokovic a slight favourite for RG, whereas a couple of days ago Nadal was still firm odds favourite for this tournament everywhere.

yeah Litotes. I've seen that on another tennis board. bookmakers can't really give us the real situation I guess ... or they can. I just don't know any more. I'd like to see Rafa back tho. Also, is he playing his first come back tournament in South America or not? anybody knows? What about IW and Miami?

[Litotes]

I have no idea if this means the end of him. Too soon to write him off, definitely, but one has to pause for thought. I guess the next week will tell us more.
What I can state confidently is that some bookmakers have now made Djokovic a slight favourite for RG, whereas a couple of days ago Nadal was still firm odds favourite for this tournament everywhere.

yeah Litotes. I've seen that on another tennis board. bookmakers can't really give us the real situation I guess ... or they can. I just don't know any more. I'd like to see Rafa back tho. Also, is he playing his first come back tournament in South America or not? anybody knows? What about IW and Miami?

Bookmakers doesn't give the real situation, what the do give is a good approximation about what people think is the real situation.

As for now he's entered into three clay tournaments ahead of IW and Miami, playing doubles as well at least in the first two means giving himself a tough schedule. Which is logical as far as his play goes, he needs matches to get match tough again. What that will do to his health remains to be seen. I will definitely follow what happens with interest.

[Rafa816]

As Litotes said, he will be playing in 3 clay tournaments (2 250 and 1 500) before IW and Miami. His first tournament is Acapulco this week.

[Babblelot]

As Litotes said, he will be playing in 3 clay tournaments (2 250 and 1 500) before IW and Miami. His first tournament is Acapulco this week.

I am not happy about that 

[Alex]

As Litotes said, he will be playing in 3 clay tournaments (2 250 and 1 500) before IW and Miami. His first tournament is Acapulco this week.

I am not happy about that 

why not? It's a good practice for him. I think his only goal is to stay healthy and win another RG ... be ready for Wimbledon.

[Babblelot]

As Litotes said, he will be playing in 3 clay tournaments (2 250 and 1 500) before IW and Miami. His first tournament is Acapulco this week.

I am not happy about that 

why not? It's a good practice for him. I think his only goal is to stay healthy and win another RG ... be ready for Wimbledon.

Serious question?














Winner    February 17, 2008    Costa do Sauípe, Brazil
Winner    March 1, 2008    Acapulco, Mexico
Winner    February 28, 2009    Acapulco, Mexico
Winner    February 12, 2011    Costa do Sauípe, Brazil
Winner    February 20, 2011    Buenos Aires, Argentina    Clay    Argentina
Winner    February 19, 2012    São Paulo, Brazil

[Rafa816]

Well, look at it this way. Nadal might be rusty and lose to Almagro in Acapulco, which would be a huge confidence boost for Nico.

[Alex]

Well, look at it this way. Nadal might be rusty and lose to Almagro in Acapulco, which would be a huge confidence boost for Nico.

If that happens, which I doubt, Babs will have an online orgasm  . Spanish players simple freeze when they see Nadal, with or without knees 

[Babblelot]

Well, look at it this way. Nadal might be rusty and lose to Almagro in Acapulco, which would be a huge confidence boost for Nico.

  

I won't hold my breath, but that certainly would be HUGE!

[sid]

Nadal plays Viña del Mar Chile,here is the draw.
http://www.atpworldtour.com/Share/Event-Draws.aspx?Year=2013&EventId=505&Draw=ms

[Clay Death]

let the clay wars begin.

[Alex]

wow, Sid your signature is colossal  . now, let's hope Rafa wins all 3 clay tournaments he entered. I fully support him. Sorry Babs, Almagro is OK but I just don't believe in him. 

[swish]

It'll be so good to have Nadal back.
Let it be understood, I'm not his fan but what he brings to the game makes the sport much more appealing.
 
This ERA is amazing. 

[Clay Death]

sid has a sig that is bad to the bone general alex.   it is a muscular looking sig.
 
it must be on steroids.

[Alex]

sid has a sig that is bad to the bone general alex.   it is a muscular looking sig.
 
it must be on steroids.

I like your signature general Herc. I need something with Nole but not good at making these things.

[Clay Death]

no worries general alex. i made general brick top a nole sig. he likes it.
 
i will make you one in a little while and post it at the photography thread. i will make you 2 versions. just copy and save and then put it in your sig. that photography thread is right next door to the castle thread.
 
we wll should have colorful sigs. it enhances the forum and makes it more fun.