Everything U. Toni says is the true, no?

March 20th, 2013 at 1:54 pm

Ok Skeez, your turn now!

LOL!

March 20th, 2013 at 2:03 pm

Good thing Toni is a trained medical professional who can compare intensities of different and unrelated injuries…

March 20th, 2013 at 2:18 pm

I am glad I have someone smart like Uncle Toni with me.

See, he broke down tennis in 20 minutes so everyone could understand.

I agree with everything. I just want to win a few more grandslams than Uncole Toni predicts. That way I will be GOAT and GOAT owner. Say that fast. It has a rhythm to it…GOAT and GOAT Owner…

P.S: He has never liked the Arrogant One.

March 20th, 2013 at 2:22 pm

LOL, Uncle Toni has done this as an act of generosity: to keep fueling the fedal war on TX. Thank you toni, very humble of you- of course.

March 20th, 2013 at 3:19 pm

Uncle Toni likes head games. LOL

March 20th, 2013 at 3:24 pm

Most of Nadal’s book online

http://books.google.com/books?id=GDVb1trIKGQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=nadal&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false

March 20th, 2013 at 3:38 pm

LOL, Uncle Toni has done this as an act of generosity: to keep fueling the fedal war on TX. Thank you toni, very humble of you- of course.
—
Your Humble Highness, on behalf of Himself, and His Humble Nation requests that you not use the word “Fedal”. As you may be aware, I am a GOAT owner. So, it only appropriate that my name deserves to come first. Please consider names such as Naderer, Humbarro, etc.

March 20th, 2013 at 4:19 pm

Uncle Tony is always right!
Let see:
Hambourg 2007
Wimbledon 2007
Madrid 2010
WTF 2010 (tired after marathon the day before against Murray)
WTF 2011( listless, passionless)
Indian Wells 2012
Will Nadal be able to exceed the 14 majors of Sampras?
Next two years are key

March 20th, 2013 at 5:15 pm

I believe Novak’s true rival was and will always be Rafa. No one else.

March 20th, 2013 at 5:47 pm

“That way I will be GOAT and GOAT owner.”

So, you will be your own owner?

@ steve 27

Why did you leave out the following losses?

2005 Miami
2006 wimbles and Tmc
2007 tmc
2009 madrid

Let us not forget that Rafa was born severely injured and fatigued. He wins despite these limitations and loses ENTIRELY due to these and other crippling factors. In other words, he and his team are as unreal as they come. Vamos Rafa!

March 20th, 2013 at 6:14 pm

“He agrees with Carlos Moya that Rafa’s Indian Wells win was almost the same as winning a Grand Slam title.”

Another attempt at creating an aura. Rafa was in very good form before coming to IW. He got a very good draw and fortune favored him with some injured and tired players making his task much easier. Of course, Rafa is not to be blamed for that. It was an impressive show and let us stop at that and not start comparing it with a major.

” The fact Nadal missed seven months might extend his career on the backside (no punishment on the body over that time away).”

I always thought the absence would be a blessing in disguise. The bizarre statements from Rafa’s
camp convinced me that it was more a case of mental burnout. Rafa ABSOLUTELY needed that break. A rejuvenated Rafa, with improvements to boot, is close to being at his best now. He also came back very strong after 2009. It could be the case that the breaks are not purely accidental and there could be a deliberate attempt to avoid mental and physical burnout and prolong his career.

March 20th, 2013 at 6:34 pm

Toni is the only coach who speaks to the press and expresses for Rafa what he should be saying to the media himself, especially if he’s unhappy about some things. He protects his nephew from having to deal with what the press would like to throw at Rafa. By so doing, no one is going to lash out at Toni or Rafa. Perhaps if the other players had such a go-between they would be spared of having to deal with a lot of media criticism.

Good job Toni!

March 20th, 2013 at 6:45 pm

rogerafa
2005 Miami To two points of the title lacking in experience
2006 Wimbledon in the second set, Nadal had service to equalize the match, lost the opportunity to inflict fear of the Swiss
2006 Master Cup Nadal played good, it had won anyone, but the Swiss was in a majestic level.
2007 Master Cup a defeat without attenuants
2009 Madrid was recounting me. In 2010 the Spanish won.
Certainly in Miami 2005 and Wimbledon 2007 was divided that Nadal left to escape, the same Federer affirmed that it was lucky and that Nadal should be a winning in both matches.
Btw, are you more fan of roger that of rafa, or you do not prefer for one on other one?

March 20th, 2013 at 6:51 pm

Fleisher/giles

Aren’t u the very same 2 nice posters who were attempting to ridicule this very quote by skeezer?

UncToni

“He agrees with Carlos Moya that Rafa’s Indian Wells win was almost the same as winning a Grand Slam title.”

Well friggin how do u do.

Looks likeme and Unc Toni have a connection of some sort. Who woulda thunk? ROTFL.

March 20th, 2013 at 6:55 pm

Among Uncle Toni’s other words of wisdom:

- He agrees with Carlos Moya that Rafa’s Indian Wells win was almost the same as winning a Grand Slam title.

“PRICELESS” :)

- He was surprised at how well Rafa has comeback to tennis.

“Me too. Vamos Champ!”

- The fact Nadal missed seven months might extend his career on the backside (no punishment on the body over that time away).

“might”, a mighty word.

- Because of the injury, Rafa had to be more aggressive at Indian Wells, and he was!

Yes, we know, always “because of Injury”

- He does not know how to beat Rafa on clay!

“ROFL”.

- The knee was just average when the comeback began in Chile.

“Now the Knee has a rating system”

- Rafa struggled at Sao Paulo because of the conditions.

“Did it Snow?”

- Like Rafa, he does not agree with the ATP’s new enforcement of the time rule.

“Am sure he doesn’t like the on court coaching rule either. Lets let Toni and Rafa make up the rules.”

- He does not see Rafa as the favorite to win the French.

” THE Rafa camp mantra for every tourney”

- He does not consider Federer among the group of favorites either.

“Now this one is one we all can agree on. Doh!”

- He could see Rafa winning 3-4 more Grand Slam depending on his knee.

” The Knee, the knee.”

- Says the retired Christophe Rochus was a jerk for speculating Rafa was doping.

“No comment. However, isn’t Rochus like 2’11 inches tall? I would not be hanging around the Rafa camp if I were him”

- If coach Alex Corretja wants him for Spain’s Davis Cup relegation in September, he’ll play.

“Ok. But what about the Knee?

March 20th, 2013 at 7:30 pm

@Ben Pronin rotfl! he must have used a pain-o-meter to measure the precise intensity of the pain scientifically.

March 20th, 2013 at 8:22 pm

Stop bashing my beloved uncle Toni. He is a genius at everything. He plays head games with those heads that are playable – Arrogant One, I am talking to you.

He is mostly a nice guy. He carries Xisca’s bags wherever we go.

March 20th, 2013 at 9:26 pm

He does not consider Federer among the group of favorites either.

“Now this one is one we all can agree on. Doh!”
–
When the French Open comes around, there will be a poll, as usual, on this site.

Who is the favorite for the FO.

The forum will choose the Arrogant One.

March 20th, 2013 at 9:28 pm

Uncle Toni, head of the fifth family of Mallorca, however does include Your Great Davy in the list of the favorites. Nadal shudders in bed thinking of two things: Dogs, and Your Great Davy.

And two days, there will be not anymore Doglopolov in Miami.

March 20th, 2013 at 10:27 pm

Rafa nadal has a 29-0 h2h against federer. Even though it’s 19-10 officially, but its a clean sheet actually :)

Had he been 100%, fed wouldn’t have won a single game, let alone a set! Alas, rafa was half less than 100% when he lost 10 times to fed and also weren’t 100% when he beat fed 19 times. There’s no rivalry, its only about the injury of the “ocassional” injured one, who only gets injured after losing a match.

March 20th, 2013 at 10:50 pm

Had he been 100%, fed wouldn’t have won a single game, let alone a set! Alas, rafa was half less than 100% when he lost 10 times to fed and also weren’t 100% when he beat fed 19 times. There’s no rivalry, its only about the injury of the “ocassional” injured one, who only gets injured after losing a match.
—
Finally, someone tells the story as it is. It is easier said in one short sentence:

A Fit Humble never loses, defnitely not to the Arrogant One.

March 20th, 2013 at 10:57 pm

I am FURIOUS and super irritated by this idiot’s comments….When is ur nephew not injured??? You and your nephew should be given special tennis hall of fame prizes for utmost gamesmanship…dont dare to say anything abt feddy bear..He is god and absolutely clean unlike ur nephew who has inkuries as a perennial excuse and survives on PEDs!!!!

March 20th, 2013 at 10:57 pm

“He does not see Rafa as the favorite to win the French.” – He’s won it seven years in a row. I think we can safely call him “the” favourite. :)

Thanks for the link bada bing.

March 21st, 2013 at 12:15 am

never leave us, your humbleness!

March 21st, 2013 at 1:48 am

Hmm
tut tut
mouth shut
enough already

March 21st, 2013 at 2:54 am

Rafa will never be 100% fit for a full year given his extreme level of physical play. It is amazing he is back after 7 months. But how long he can play this physical game? Someone has to give up.

March 21st, 2013 at 3:40 am

rafa only wins because he is a lefty

March 21st, 2013 at 5:57 am

I think Uncle Toni should just be quiet and let Rafa play his tennis.

March 21st, 2013 at 8:19 am

Bada Bing thanks for the book link,i actually had a look as i thought it was a new book,not realising it was the book i already had,as a Rafa fan i was looking forward to reading this,but i agree with Kimberly that it was so boring,not really telling me anything i didnt already know about Rafa.

March 21st, 2013 at 8:28 am

Rafa only wins because he has his punchbag fed across the net in chamionship matches.

March 21st, 2013 at 8:29 am

Rafa only wins because he has his punchbag fed across the net in championship matches.

March 21st, 2013 at 8:29 am

Believe it or not but every word Uncle Toni has uttered is the truth. Take it or leave folks!

March 21st, 2013 at 8:31 am

^^ Take it or leave it folks!

March 21st, 2013 at 8:32 am

Some players are lucking to win slams because I am so injury prone. Imagine the tennis world if your Humble Highness is fit all the time (no need to tell me, I am very humble, just imagine in your head)

March 21st, 2013 at 9:02 am

@Giles
It may well be the truth, that’s not the point.
You don’t get Andy’s, Nole’s, Fed’s coaches sounding off all the time.
I much prefer Ivan’s approach, which is to remain stumm about Andy at all times.

March 21st, 2013 at 9:48 am

Margot quite agree,this article actually made cringe as a Rafa fan,as all Toni is doing here is putting more negative press upon Rafa,just as things are going well for Rafa too,i wish that Toni would just leave him alone to play his tennis,and while im not an ostrich that likes to bury its head in the sand,i think some things are best left unsaid.

March 21st, 2013 at 10:20 am

rafa only wins because he is a lefty
What an idiotic comment!
Yes. this the reason why Federer has a negative record against another lef handers like Verdasco, Melzer, Belluci, Lopez.
This the reason why Mc Enroe has a positive record against Lendl.
If Federer was not mentally strong to accommodate the two backhands, if not adopted other tactics to deal with the likes of Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, would not change if other forms of scrimmage against these opponents, whose fault is that?. Certainly not that of the other players.
Like the great Charles Darwin said: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. One that is most adaptable to change.
If Federer did not adapt to changing times, it is his own fault.

March 21st, 2013 at 10:25 am

@Margot:

Very true.

Uncle Toni mouthing off here is quite ridiculous and uncalled for IMO.

He’s not doing rafa any favor by saying such things, in fact it’s leading to happy hour here on TX for rafa….. and it’s not for his fans, that i’ll tell ya!

March 21st, 2013 at 10:27 am

I can’t agree that Rafa’s not the favourite for the French Open. I think given his record there and the way he’s performed since his return, he is *clearly* the favourite.

Basically, Rafa’s the favourite in any clay tournament, but especially Monte Carlo and Roland Garros which he’s owned for the better part of a decade.

In addition, I do not agree that winning IW is “almost the same as” winning a slam. Firstly, Rafa played 5 matches for the title. He got a bye in round one and a walk-over in the third round, and of course the matches are best of 3 not best of 5.

March 21st, 2013 at 10:29 am

Dont get me wrong theres nothing wrong with publishing an article,however the tennis x staff have an uncanny knack of causing friction on this forum between the warring Rafa and Roger fans,i just wonder sometimes if its a deliberate thing?if so then they succeed everytime,not that one should expect happy fluffy back scratching,and total agreement on every topic,and mwah mwah mwah,just a bit of harmony where people actually talk tennis for a change,would make a nice change though,this is another thread which will probably end up turning ugly by the end of the day.

March 21st, 2013 at 10:31 am

@Brando re:10:27 post
respect.

March 21st, 2013 at 10:35 am

Jane great post,totally agree well mostly,but i would say its about 55/45 in favour of Rafa when he faces Nole on clay but thats JMO,the rest about the IW been like GS is spot on.

March 21st, 2013 at 10:36 am

alison, Rafa and Nole have played 14 times on clay; Rafa has won 12 of those matches. I think you can increase those odds slightly. ;)

March 21st, 2013 at 10:42 am

Brando seems we were posting at the same time as we seem to be on the same wavelength.

March 21st, 2013 at 10:43 am

Jane yeah i see where your coming from,but these days even the CC matches that they play against each other are much more evenly contested,Rafa still probably has the edge on clay,but Nole beat Rafa twice on clay in 2011,thats why i believe its much closer on clay now.

March 21st, 2013 at 10:48 am

^ Rafa’s beaten him 3 times since though alison, and in those 3 matches, if I recall correctly, Nole won only 1 set. 2011 was a special year for Nole; he was on a real steamroll of momentum when he won those clay matches. Anyhow, we’ll see.

March 21st, 2013 at 10:54 am

@Skeezer:

Thanks.

Uncle Toni should know better- much better than coming out and saying such things.

I hear he is a fan of philosophy- well hear is one that has stood the test of time:

IF you don’t have anything good to say or it is something disrespectful, then DO NOT say it!

Toni must have skipped this class based on what he has said here!

March 21st, 2013 at 11:10 am

Jane yeah fair enough true,but like you say time will tell.

March 21st, 2013 at 11:12 am

PS:

Toni should LET RAFA handle all the media duties IMO.

For example, when Rafa beat fed at IW he showed GREAT RESPECT to fed when the media probed him about the H2H v Fed.

He stated that sure the H2H is in his favor, but ultimately it’s just a stat and he is NOT STUPID to read too much into this or bother with comparing himself to fed yet since he knows fed has achieved more in the game.

That is REAL RESPECT: Rafa could have tooted his own horn there, but he knocked down the media’s prying angle and showed fed great respect there: and it was HONEST and SINCERE too.

And one thing i’ll say about Rafa is this: generally he RESPECTS his opponents.

Yes it is tiresome at times to hear him say that he must play 100% in order to beat player x, how he doesn’t consider himself the favorite even on clay when reality suggests otherwise.

Yet IMO, this isn’t him playing games but MORESO him showing his fellow opponent RESPECT and recognizing the SIMPLE FACT:

He is NOT ENTITLED to winning against his opponent and that he MUST EARN THE WIN!

I RESPECT Rafa greatly for that attitude!

It suggests a lack of arrogance and more of a HUMILITY from a player who despite great success STILL VALUES: working hard, self improvement and recognition of the ability of ANY OPPONENT to be able to beat him on ANY given day!

KUDOS to Rafa for that attitude!

March 21st, 2013 at 11:22 am

@ Margot. Ivan is Ivan and so are the other coaches to whom you refer, and Toni is Toni. Different strokes for different folk I guess! I don’t see what the excitement is all about in what Toni has had to say. He was speaking the truth on every aspect!

March 21st, 2013 at 11:22 am

http://alturl.com/cc4yq
Here is some more material to get knickers in a twist! Lol

March 21st, 2013 at 11:37 am

Re RAFA v NOLE on clay:

IMHO, going forward, their matches are 55- 45 in Rafa’s favor for the following:

1- Yes: rafa has an edge due to his game on clay and record

2- Nole is THE biggest threat to rafa on clay

The following is STRICTLY the opinion of an armchair observer, MYSELF:

I personally believe that IF Rafa play’s his absolute best tennis on clay then he should be nole.

Just like Nole should beat him on HC, playing his best.

Yes nole has beaten him twice on clay but consider the following:

Pretext:

- It was in 2011, during the unbeaten streak that was due to form seen ONLY ONCE in 20 plus years from the start of a season.

- Nole was at the PEAK of his powers and highly talented game

The wins:

1- MADRID:

- A venue that VERDASCO has even beat Rafa on.

- A venue that according to FEDERER play’s more like a HC than even MIAMI due to the altitude.

- A venue that Rafa has his WEAKEST record on in clay and has publicly stated that he just dislikes.

Rafa is ALWAYS VULNERABLE to loss there more than anywhere else on clay and when you consider that nole had MP v rafa at madrid int he past CLEARLY he has the game to beat him there, and did so during his unbeaten run.

NO SURPRISE IMO.

2- ROME:

- Rafa NEARLY went out in round 1 to a player outside the top 90: CLEARLY a sign that he is NOT PLAYING his best tennis on clay.

- Rafa was carrying a FOOT INJURY: a FACT even recognized PUBLICLY by his doctors- especially with the coverage at WIMBLEDON.

- Rafa PUBLICLY stated that MENTALLY he was playing with NO BELIEF v NOLE at this time: a FACT acknowledged by the moonball display from Rafa int this match.

BOTTOM LINE:

Take NOTHING away from nole:

- He CAN beat Rafa on clay
- He DESERVEDLY beat Rafa on clay

Yet, it takes 2 to tango:

And IMO CLEARLY Rafa was vulnerable and not at his vintage best at a time when nole clearly was.

IMHO, rafa is called the KING OF CLAY for a reason: and his display on clay in 2011 (forget the results) WAS NOT that of a master of clay.

His tennis on clay that year was POOR by his lofty standards and IMHO:

Fed SHOULD have beat him in the final since Rafa was playing crap on clay that year.

JUST MY OPINION of course.

March 21st, 2013 at 11:39 am

Brando, Indeed. That’s why I’d say the odds favour Rafa even more strongly than 55/45.

When the H2H is 12-2; when you’re up against the most successful player on a particular surface pretty much ever (going by winning percentage, 81 match streak, owning 2 tournaments for almost a decade, etc); when you beat that person only 2 times when you were on your best run of form ever not to mention a historical streak; then, imo, the odds aren’t even 55/45. I’d say they are more like 60/40 (or even 65/35!).

Indeed, it’s debatable, but one could almost say that the odds are better that Rafa would beat Nole on hard courts, insofar as they are 11-5 on hard (if I recall correctly); Rafa has 2 hard court slams and nearly beat Nole at AO 2012; whereas, by contrast, Nole has no clay slams, and Nole’s success on hard courts isn’t as dominant as Rafa’s success is on clay.

Toni is just doing his usual thing of down-playing Rafa’s chances.

March 21st, 2013 at 11:53 am

@Giles
Rafa deals with the media absolutely splendidly IMHO.
He does not need an attack dog.

March 21st, 2013 at 11:58 am

giles,

You should have let well enough alone. Via your link;

On accusations that he illegally coaches his nephew during matches:

“It’s not natural that you pay a coach and this coach travels to Australia and to New York to watch his player and he can’t say anything. I say not too much. Always I say things like ‘Come on’ or ‘Move your legs’. I am not saying tactics. I don’t know how to win a match.”

“It’s not natural…..” Love how he starts off with that, lol.

THAT, Mr. Nadal, IS illegal coaching. You cannot give advice on court. If someone is not moving there legs, and you tell them too, that is coaching, and yes, it could be a tactic if he is failing to do so.. Yelling encouraging words is not(c’mon, you can do it, etc ). Did this guy ever read the rule book? Stick to Vamos.

March 21st, 2013 at 12:08 pm

http://alturl.com/6mu73
Nadal makes the cleverest comeback in tennis history.

March 21st, 2013 at 12:09 pm

skeezer. Nadal is not the first player to have received on court coaching and guess what? He won’t be the last!
And furthermore, apart from a fine there is not a damn thing anybody can do about it! You can whine and whine but that is all you can do! #CarryOnWhining
PS. So, as per usual, you are the first one to get your knickers in a twist!! Hahaha
“You should have let well enough alone”. Nah, reeled you in!

March 21st, 2013 at 12:17 pm

What a twat. Sort out Rafa’s ocd problems. Weirdo Uncle bond………..To try to wind up Federer is a joke, he doesn’t read shit like this, and if saw name Uncle Toni would laugh. I am a Fed fan fan but hope Djokovic beats Rafa them he can blame his knees for that…….

March 21st, 2013 at 12:20 pm

Giles,

I see your trying desperately to change the subject with more Rafa praise links.

Where is your buddy or your pseudo self?

Whining? Check the whining source. Uncle Toni. I just re-quoted what you already posted.

Anything they can do about it? Sure! If it continues, they can and will remove him from the court!

Do you ever disagree with ANYTHING Rafa or Unc Toni says or does, or do you sip Unc Toni koolaid all day long too? If it was your choice, Unc Toni would be ATP President and Rafa would be ATP PLayers Council Pres. Now there is a qualified “Team” for the positions.

March 21st, 2013 at 12:25 pm

@Jane:

I agree with all your points- your take is spot on in the main and definitely valid.

Just want to add that:

- The ‘favorite’ thing:

At the end of the day it’s just a tag, that’s all. Who is favorite does not matter when the player’s go on court- the one who play’s the BEST TENNIS virtually always wins, and that can easily be the supposed underdog.

So what Toni say’s or whoever gets tagged as favorite, e.g. Rafa on clay doesn’t mean a thing.

For example, did ANYONE pick Delpo to reach a slow HC final ahead of an unbeaten nole and a tough match up in Andy?

So being a favorite, IMO, is nothing more than a tag that means close to zero when walking onto the court. It don’t really put much stock into- hence why Toni even talks of it baffles me to a degree.

- Re Rafa v Nole on clay:

Your right. Despite that though: nole is CLEARLY capable of beating Rafa on clay, is a world class clay court player himself anyhow, possesses a fantastic record on the surface, is a major threat in ANY clay tourny and certainly Rafa fans consider him a REAL THREAT to Rafa on clay.

Whatever the %- he is DEFINITELY capable of beating Rafa on clay, and winning the big titles on that surface.

Hence the respect Rafa and his fans show him- he WARRANTS it and deserves it.

- Re Rafa v Nole on HC:

IF Nole plays his best tennis on HC, then he clearly is better than not only Rafa but pretty much everyone on tour right now.

That is a picture painted by the reality of his performance on HC in the last 2-3 years.

Yet, you are right: Rafa is capable of beating him not just because of his wins v nole on this surface (in big matches too such as USO final) but also based on HOW CLOSE he pushed nole at his very best venue on HC: finals in AO and MIAMI.

How Rafa pushed nole to the limit in those matches made me, as a Rafa fan, feel that Rafa can certainly push nole strongly on HC and may even be able to beat him in a tough match on HC.

I look forward to their next HC match- hopefully it shall not be a bruiser on their bodies! :-)

March 21st, 2013 at 12:28 pm

@Margot:

I think you are right, and IMO i just wish that Uncle Toni would just stay away from the media.

He rarely, if ever, proves of any benefit to Rafa when he decides to do one of his ”interviews”.

March 21st, 2013 at 12:31 pm

skeezer. Let me make this clear to you once and for all, my moniker is “Giles”. I don’t and never have posted under different monikers. One is enough for me. How about you?

March 21st, 2013 at 12:36 pm

Reading Toni’s comments, and then Nadal’s interview, really makes me wonder if they ever even talk to each other. Two drastically different styles, and quite often, of different opinions. Rafa has contradicted at least half of these.

March 21st, 2013 at 12:55 pm

UT is full of it.

Nadal IS the favorite to win RG.

Poor Federer. Not only does he have an embarrassing H2H against Nadal, 2-8 in slams *shame* but the few times Federer beat Nadal, according to UT, Nadal was injured or semi-injured. *ouch*

March 21st, 2013 at 12:56 pm

@Giles,

Same here. But your BFF Fleisher name caller thought otherwise.

Rafa has overall been very congenial and courteous, btw. He’s interview alot, and realize he is a player first, a PR specialist 2nd. That it why I suggested a long time ago with all the money he makes he should have a PR person in his camp. But that is just imo.

March 21st, 2013 at 1:23 pm

@skeezer. Rafa does have a PR man in his camp, Benito who also works for Azarenka and Tipsy.

March 21st, 2013 at 1:31 pm

^Then he needs a new one. Someone to tell Uncle to keep quiet.

March 21st, 2013 at 1:47 pm

Brando,

I agree with your post overall.

The favourite basically means little in terms of match play, though I think there is one caveat to that statement.

Sometimes that “tag” can add psychological pressure that a player can carry with him/herself onto the court. If a player knows he or she is considered the “favourite” to win something, then it might give them added stress, whereas if a player sees him or herself as having “nothing to lose” or at least as not being the “favourite” in a particular match up, then in some cases, they may be able to play a little more freely, a little less encumbered. [It can have the reverse effect of having some players surrender the white flag before they walk on the court too - depends on the player, really.]

Arguably this is why Toni almost always downplays Rafa’s chances, so as to make him feel less pressure. I don’t know if it actually works that way for Rafa, but I do think it can offer a psychological edge – pressure or no pressure – if anything.

Otherwise, what happens on the court matters most.

March 21st, 2013 at 1:50 pm

Jane thats a great way of looking at things,as fans we also sometimes downplay our favorites chances too,(i know i do),maybe pyschologicaly we like too ease the pressure off ourselves as well as our favorites,meaning we ease the pressure off ourselves somewhat emotionally if that makes sense.

March 21st, 2013 at 2:00 pm

jane,

smart post @ 1:50. Rafa has always performed better chasing rather than leading. For a guy who has 11 slams, how long as he been ranked #1?

March 21st, 2013 at 2:05 pm

alison, I am the same; I tend to be too pessimistic about Nole’s chances sometimes, although I think a lot of that comes from those really tough years he had in 2009 and 2010 where he just was not playing very well. Plus Nole spent literally years at #3 behind Fed and Rafa, so it’s still sometimes difficult to see past that shadow, even after 2011.

Thanks skeezer; Rafa’s been ranked #1 in total 102 weeks.

Nole is at 73 weeks now, so he just surpassed Edberg for the 10th spot all time. Exciting for us fans. :)

March 21st, 2013 at 2:30 pm

Tennis x is doing a good job in feeding the desperate hyenas who were looking for an opportunity to eat some dead meat.

Any news about Rafa sells. So what do they do….just search the internet for some speculations or incorrect translations or selective reporting with evil intentions.

This news was NOT from any MAIN STREAM media.

But they posted this to create a platform for the fedt@@rds to vent out their anger. Within a few minutes all the fedt@@rds who were missing since sunday were here venting out their furstration led by their kingpin geezer the butt lover.

Funny fedt@@rds !!!

March 21st, 2013 at 2:34 pm

skeezer Says:
@Giles,

Same here. But your BFF Fleisher name caller thought otherwise.

Geezer the butt lover,
I can prove that you started this name calling before I even started conversing with you.
Everyone knows who you are. Man up….stop crying like a kid (or Federer).
#DevilIsPlayingSaint

March 21st, 2013 at 2:42 pm

^Now its a conspiracy!!!! ROTFL….oh wait…its the Fedtards fault!! LOL.

Butt-Flosser returns.

Did you miss this?

“UncToni

“He agrees with Carlos Moya that Rafa’s Indian Wells win was almost the same as winning a Grand Slam title.”

Well friggin how do u do.

Looks like me and Unc Toni have a connection of some sort. Who woulda thunk? ROTFL.

March 21st, 2013 at 2:45 pm

Rafa has always said it is more difficult to win a Masters than a Grand Slam.

March 21st, 2013 at 3:32 pm

Geezer the butt lover,

How is your Rafa Butt tattooo on your face…still intact ?

Im sure your would look much better with that tattoo.

March 21st, 2013 at 3:48 pm

^^ Lol

March 21st, 2013 at 3:53 pm

http://alturl.com/79bjf
Rafa fans. CNN Open Court. Rafael Nadal returns to the court.
#VamosChamp

March 21st, 2013 at 4:05 pm

Margo
You don’t see U. Toni gyrating on a car bonnet when Rafa beats Nole.

March 21st, 2013 at 4:07 pm

Nice choice words from newbie Amanda @12.20pm,shame to here a woman talking like that.

March 21st, 2013 at 4:16 pm

Fleischer

No, not really. That is something that you must look at though every time you look in the mirror, no?

March 21st, 2013 at 4:22 pm

Amanda. You talk like a hooker!

March 21st, 2013 at 4:40 pm

Rafaeli (AHEM)when did Novak gyrate on a car bonnet after beating Rafa lol,am i missing something sorry?

March 21st, 2013 at 4:43 pm

Giles/Fleischer

Its so obvious you’re the same person, you write the same way.

You must be some twisted son of a bitch to be writing what you do.

Who do you think you are?

Do everybody a favour and go back to the cave you came from.

March 21st, 2013 at 4:51 pm

http://alturl.com/j83mm
Joker and fans celebrating his win over Rafa in Madrid. Oh, and guess what, they were celebrating just outside the hotel Rafa was staying in! #VeryClassy

March 21st, 2013 at 4:56 pm

OK Giles got it now.

March 21st, 2013 at 5:03 pm

Thanks for the link at 4.05 Giles BTW.

March 21st, 2013 at 5:11 pm

“Novak Djokovic and his team celebrate his victory in Caja Magica (tennis stadium) in Madrid, after beating Rafa Nadal in the 2011 Madrid Open Final.”

Everybody can see they just walked out of stadium, still dressed in the same sport clothes and yes, jumping on the car that is theirs and parked on the stadium, but ofcourse if you are hater you can say they had nothing else to do but to go infront of the Rafa’s hotel on purpose to annoy him and mind you, still dressed in the same clothes they were playing the match.
What a m•o•r•o•n statment that was by inteligent and classy Rafa fan!

March 21st, 2013 at 8:24 pm

I think Nole and his team were probably just so amazed that FINALLY Nole was able to get his first win over Rafa on clay – this was the first time in how many tries – 9 times or something that Nole had lost to Rafa on clay? So they were just happy! It’s not like they did this on the court.

Nole had taken some hard losses to Rafa, and not only on clay. Olympics 2008, Madrid 2009, and USO 2010 come to mind – all cases where I am sure Nole probably thought he should have done better. And yet, he was very gracious every time; he never turned cold towards Rafa when he lost, ever.

Most likely Nole’s team could have assumed the 2011 streak would end in Madrid if Nole met Rafa on clay, because historically he had never beaten him. But – to my shock and many people’s shock – he was able to keep going. I guess they had a lot of steam to let out.

I don’t even know what Nole’s team’s celebration from 2 years ago has to do with Uncle Toni’s recent comments but whatever.

March 21st, 2013 at 9:07 pm

“He does not know how to beat Rafa on clay!”
Toni should ask Horacio Zeballos to find out. LOL.

Seriously, I agree with Ben Pronin. In the past few months, I’ve read comments by Uncle Toni that Rafa later contradicts

And why belittle the few wins Fed has against Rafa? We all know that Rafa owns Fed, but I doubt anyone believe that Rafa would have won 100% of those matches but has “only” won 65% because he was injured during those 10 matches that Fed won. I don’t get what Toni thinks he or his nephew have to gain from such a comment.

March 21st, 2013 at 9:22 pm

Alex/ Andrew tennis/ Geezer the butt lover.
ROTFL. What more ??

March 21st, 2013 at 10:27 pm

Butt-flosser

Awwww. You’re feelings hurt? Ring ring….thats the bell, time to go back to class, don’t forget your Apple. ROTFL.

Your mantra is more about attacking posters than discussing players and the game. Schoolyard tactics easily seen. There are other Blog sites that can cater to your needs.

March 21st, 2013 at 11:10 pm

Fleischer Says:
Tennis x is doing a good job in feeding the desperate hyenas who were looking for an opportunity to eat some dead meat.
__________

All sports blogsites do it. Sensationalism is what creates interest in many things, and it works for tennis also. The betting sites would do poorly if it were not for sensationalism, because it gets people excited enough to want to place a bet.

Forums are war zones, except some posters take it too far, but it’s nothing new and it will continue to happen. It’s best for those posters who don’t like friction to read and remain silent, or keep away from forums altogether.

March 21st, 2013 at 11:26 pm

Toni needs to grow up. There are better ways to vent his grievances than to do so publicly. Since Fed and nadal are friends why not speak to Fed over a dinner and let him know how he feels about those wins.

Who knows, probably Rafa does not feel the same way Toni does about those wins, and it’s probably Toni doing so without Rafa’s knowledge.Or maybe, Rafa does feel that way but out of respect for Fed he wouldn’t say anything?

I have never understood how some people feel they can speak for another, or know what the other person thinks and/or how they feel about any situation. No one can know for sure about another person’s thoughts It boggles the mind.

March 21st, 2013 at 11:37 pm

Giles,
Rafa had a very nice on-court celebration when he beat Novak at the USO. Big deal.

March 22nd, 2013 at 12:32 am

I doubt Toni would say anything which is not acceptable to Nadal. It’s a standard practice that some comments come out of the camp after the match with Roger either win or lose. Last year it was Rafa’s knee issue which came out after the IW when Roger beat him.

Toni has made a comment about IW victory being like a GS. I wanted to caution few days back about Rafa’s victory on the same lines. Not to belittle this victory, let’s not forget that this is not a GS and I really doubt Rafa would have been able to be successful in a 5-set format. If he could do that, then all the news about his knees not being perfect should not be correct.

March 22nd, 2013 at 3:05 am

jane @9.07pm
re last sentence, exactly.

March 22nd, 2013 at 3:25 am

Nirmal Kumar i might be just second guessing here,but im wondering if if they meant that winning IW was like winning a GS(meaning after everything thats gone on,its as good as a GS ATM),as Rafa has not won a HC title for so long,and to add to that hes been off the tour for 7 months,and also won IW on his 1st HC tourney,but like i say im just second guessing.

March 22nd, 2013 at 7:37 am

This thread turned out exactly the way i predicted in my post @10.31am yesterday,if this is what the tennis x staff wanted then this is exactly what they got.

March 22nd, 2013 at 7:41 am

alison. 7.37 am. My thoughts exactly!

March 22nd, 2013 at 8:44 am

^^^ PS. Especially as Rafa has always said winning a Masters is more difficult than winning a Grand Slam.

March 22nd, 2013 at 8:47 am

Giles, I really don’t know if it’s true that winning Masters is tougher than GS. Looking at Murray I find it difficult to accept.

IF we have to accept it, then probably winning WTF is the toughest of them all, which is not acceptable just because they are not played over 5 sets. They just change the dimension of tennis matches completely.

March 22nd, 2013 at 10:15 am

alison, I really don’t know if they can be compared. For me most likely Novak would have beaten Del Po if the match was played over 5 sets. We would have had a different finalist at IW. I’m not sure how much Rafa would have fancied his chances against Novak in the final, if his knee as claimed is still not 100%.

Rafa’s win looks phenomenal, but it’s only because of his own under achievement in the HC masters. He definitely not the type of player who had to go thru 2 years for one masters title at HC, but that’s how it turned out to be.

March 22nd, 2013 at 10:19 am

“I don’t even know what Nole’s team’s celebration from 2 years ago has to do with Uncle Toni’s recent comments but whatever.”

Nothing, A failed, attempted diversion from the Rafanatic Defense System(giles).

BTW, that was one heckava post celebration. It wasn’t like it was out on center court.

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:27 am

NK. I was just repeating Rafa’s opinion. Other players might feel differently.

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:28 am

I agree Nirmal Kumar. A slam appears to be much harder to win than a Masters, in part due to the 5 set format. Otherwise, why would players like Berdych, Tsonga, Nalbandian and Ferrer all have won Masters but not slams? It just doesn’t seem to jibe with the evidence. Also the assigned point value suggests that one is more difficult than the other.

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:30 am

skeezer. Read the previous comments and you will see why I posted the video. Alison seemed to be unaware of the bizarre celebrations so the video was for her benefit!
You are at it again, trying to take cheap shots at Rafans! Give up already! You won’t win!

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:32 am

In GS’s players get a rest day whereas in Masters some players play on 5 consecutive days depending on when they start.

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:40 am

Giles,

I don’t think that is a correct assumption by reading comments from others. Maybe you should have just posted the link and left it at that. You couldn’t. Chill for awhile and go read a book.

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:45 am

^ Best of 3, though. Byes in the first round for top seeds. I still think slams are harder to win. What would Berdych or Soderling or Ferrer or Nalbandian or… say, I wonder? I am not saying that Masters are a piece of cake, but they seem to be won by a much wider group of players than slams. Why would that be? I’d say it’s the 3 set format, which allows for more chance, less consistency.

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:47 am

^^^ As I said I was just repeating Rafa’s opinion.

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:54 am

skeezer. And maybe you should just shut up and not tell me what I should and shouldn’t do!! #JokerInThePack

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:57 am

Jane, I too believe 5-setters is where the best tennis is played. Roger would have been in two USO finals if it had been best of 3 ie 2010 and 2011 against Novak. We would not have seen most likely the greatest match of all time at 2008 Wimbledon if it had been 2 sets. Rafa would have won it convincingly.

5-setters are a different animal, and most likely the best players win them. That may not be the case with 3-setters.

March 22nd, 2013 at 12:03 pm

Giles, I don’t know in what context Nadal made that statement. I’m sure Nadal knows which is more difficlt to win. Anyone think Rafa would have skipped AO if it had been best of 3 setter?

Nothing against your statement, but I strongly believe there should be a different context when Nadal had made that statement.

March 22nd, 2013 at 12:05 pm

Giles,

Cool down….let the hyenas (led by the old geezer the butt lover) puke out their frustration. This is their only chance. Just enjoy the moment.

March 22nd, 2013 at 12:11 pm

I am surprised that folks are misreading the IW win thing here: what Moya, at least I think is anyhow, referring to is that rafa’s win of IW is similar to the achievement and sensation of winning a slam due to the context in which he achieved it. A MS is obviously never on the same scale as a slam, yet given the situation regarding rafa and his comeback, first HC tourny in virtually a year, having to beat Gulbis, Federer, Berdych and then Del Potro- the winning of the tourny by Rafa was as sensational as winning a slam taking all that into account. Hence why Rafa celebrated so joyously on court: since he knew and understood that this win was against the odds and was a truly remarkable achievement for him personally!

March 22nd, 2013 at 12:13 pm

Brando. Precisely. Well said.

March 22nd, 2013 at 1:02 pm

NK. Rafa was just not fit to play – 3 setter or 5 setter. If he was fit he would have played Doha.

March 22nd, 2013 at 1:21 pm

Brando that is exactly what i was driving at,i was not saying that a masters is the same as a GS,just that in this instance for Rafa,been away from the tour for so long,meant this win at IW,on this occasion that it probably felt like winning a GS(meaning that it felt just as good),especially with it been a HC tourney too,where everyone including the most die hard of his fans,gave him absolutely no chance whatsoever.

March 22nd, 2013 at 6:25 pm

Giles i apologize to you,and to Novaks fans too,as i was the one asking about the Novak celebration,it clearly had nothing to do with UT or the thread topic,i didnt mean to open up another can of worms,sorry again.

March 22nd, 2013 at 6:45 pm

Allison-they why are you always putting your foot in your mouth? If you don’t mean it, don’t do it.

March 22nd, 2013 at 9:37 pm

Tony Nadal should never made such a statement in the first place which is in bad taste. He should have atleast given some respect to the stature of Roger. I hope it is just a slip of the tongue and not with any malicious intent. Rafa has won Indian Wells fair and square and let his Team enjoy the moments of a fantastic achievement lest indulging in such “Argumentum Ad Populum”

March 23rd, 2013 at 1:44 am

As regards the importance of Indian Wells in the ATP Tour. Well, it has been awarded 1,000 points equal to other Masters and that makes it quite clear as to where it is placed by the estimation of Tennis Authorities. I think the World Tour Finals is the one which is second best to a Major.

March 23rd, 2013 at 1:46 am

Grisham all i can do is apologize and i have done so,and i cant do anymore than that,however i am not perfect,and i make mistakes,just like every other human been,have you never put your foot in it?or said something you wish you hadnt,either on this forum,or in the real world?if not then your one of the lucky ones,i think its unfair to take a dig at me,especially when theres comments on this forum that are 10 times worse,than anything i have said,but anyway whatever,i rest my case.

March 23rd, 2013 at 2:35 am