Rafael Nadal Back On Court Friday, Seeks Davis Cup Win Streak Record [Video]

by Tom Gainey | April 5th, 2018, 10:28 am
  • 110 Comments

It’s been over two months since we last saw Rafael Nadal play a competitive tennis match after suffering a hip injury at the Australian Open. That should change tomorrow as the current World No. 1 returns as him Spanish team hosts Germany in the Davis Cup quarterfinals in Valencia.

Nadal will open play against Philipp Kohlschreiber, then, if necessary, face Alexander Zverev on Sunday.

“I was not very good in mathematics at school,” Nadal said of his health. “So I don’t know about percentages, but I am here to play, and to play as well as possible.”


“From the beginning, my idea was to be here, but we have to be respectful with the injury. He [Spanish captain Sergi Bruguera] believes I am ready, and I believe too.”

Nadal has won his last 22 Davis Cup matches. If he wins tomorrow, he will set the record for most consecutive Davis Cup match wins at 23, ahead of Wayne Ferreira and Owen Casey. He hasn’t lost since the doubles rubber in Spain’s 3-2 victory against Italy in the 2005 World Group playoffs.

David Ferrer, who replaced the injured Pablo Carreno Busta, is also on the squad.

Nadal is scheduled to then play Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome in his French Open preparation.


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110 Comments for Rafael Nadal Back On Court Friday, Seeks Davis Cup Win Streak Record [Video]

Humble Rafa Says:

“I was not very good in mathematics at school,” Nadal said of his health

In my defense, the mathematics class room was about 75 feet away. It took me 30 minutes to get there and when I got there, it was almost over. The teacher threatened to put a time clock to shame me but it actually made me slower. I was one more thing I had to include in my routine that delayed the process.


Giles Says:

Vamos Rafa! Vamos Spain!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍


Madmax Says:

Humble Rafa, you talk nonsense. Have no idea what you are trying to say.


Okiegal Says:

@Humble Rafa……No worries baby doll, I know everything you’re saying and I’m old! I’ll add one more thing….VAMOS to the King of Clay!!


Willow Says:

So looking forward to watching him play again thats it, no expectations ….


Markus Says:

Is there anybody more fun to watch than Nadal on clay? It’s like watching a dolphin frolicking in the ocean.


Willow Says:

Markus for me no, but thats just me, but ill be expecting a barrage of sarcastic comments saying otherwise ….


Okiegal Says:

@Markus…… Lol Love his salsa steps on the dirt…… ooh la la! Yes sir he can move and groove on the red stuff! I agree, he is fun to watch!
I also love to watch Fed’s gorgeous backhand……Big John’s great serving skills…….Stan has a great bh too….I love unsuspected drop shots….. tweeners…….lobs……lots of things different players have to offer that make the game exciting. The rivalry we’ve been privy to for the last few years has been OTT!!
Regarding Novak…… I do hope he makes a comeback!!


Willow Says:

Okie i love to watch the way Rafas feet delicatly move from side to side on clay ….


Willow Says:

Okie and Rafa fans https://youtu.be/BhB–gXajlQ enjoy xx ;-)


chofer Says:

It would be interesting how well Rafa competes in his return. Especially against Zverev, one of supossedly “contenders” for the clay swing. If Rafa’s ok against him, I see no other contester barring some unfortunate injury.

I’m too busy to tell what I’ve been telling at the old (and fun!) blog of tennis.com (oh, how the mighty have fallen!) but I went to see Rafa live in Buenos Aires in 2013 SFs against Thiem.

Old story short: I was just 10 inches from Rafa’s box (a rusty, off form Rafa at that moment) and he managed a match point against Thiem, who was on some kind of roll. Conclusion of that day: This Austrian kid is awkward to watch. He has an amazing kick serve; but it’s misused as he stands so far off the line. He’s not even close to have the mass body of Rafa, who can get away with it on sheer feet explosion. He plays his BH on the run like he’s falling from a trolley car. Awkward. This Austrian kid will do some damage on clay, but nowhere else. Instead of Rafa-lite, I saw a clon of Thomas Muster 3.0
Of course, Thiem won the tournament and has been in two French SFs since. But the issues I had with him that day stayed to this day. He’s just a slightly more versatile and right handed version of workhorse Muster, whom I suppose was his idol? Not my cup of tea.

That ignited airy protests from my friends of tennis.com:)

Guess time is on my side so far…


Willow Says:

I Think its down to everybody to beat Rafa, not the other way around when it comes to clay ….


chofer Says:

One more thing.

When the Spaniard plays “bad”: his wrist motion tends to be so extreme the ball makes contact with the raquet and stays there; therefore, he hits short and soft. That was part of his issues that day. But something unique that never gets “bad” when he plays like sh***: he never loses verticality. He might get late to hit; but that’s just about it. His serve wasn’t working either.

But he stays vertical. he’s never “awkward”. Domi, instead. God! I was about to offer him clutches! A perpetual motion machine who wastes TOO MUCH energy in between points, even when he plays fine.

If not Muster, google Kent Carlsson. Another one he reminds me of.

I know this is off topic, but clay is coming and I liked mentioning two oddities I used to watch. Both Muster and Carlsson where clay nightmares in spite of their unorthodoxy.


chofer Says:

The only match I’ve seen Dominic playing aggressive was the one at the Madrid final, last year, where he beat Rafa. I’ve never seen him more offensive ever, before or since.


RZ Says:

@chofer – Thiem seems to end up on a lot of the ATP’s/Tennis TV’s shot of the day highlights. Kid has a lot of hustle (and good thing too – he stands so far back). Obviously those aren’t every point he plays, and compared to some of the more flashy players (e.g., Monfils, Shapovalov), he’s not that interesting. But I like what I’ve seen in those videos. But to each their own – can’t fault you for not finding him awkward.

Clay clearly is his best surface, but he should be able to translate his skills to hard courts (especially if he moves closer to the baseline). And surprisingly, he’s won a tournament on grass!


AndyMira Says:

Yaayyy!….Rafa is back!Hopefully his injury will leave him for good this year…Amin!


chofer Says:

RZ

Indeed, he makes some spectacular shots! But I’m not trying to downgrade his play. It is that his “game plan” suits more a hustler (no pun intended) like Rafa. He has so much torque with wrists I think he’s going to break some day! And his footwork it’s suspect. He has a lot of court to cover for that position. I’m not surprised in the least by his ankle stress.

What I meant is that he could be so much effective and better without those operatic groundstrokes. He just needs a good, offensive coach who adjust some things here and there. He wastes too much energy.

And I like “energy”. But the one that it’s tranformed in explosive groundies and good court coverage. Rafa is a good example of this when playing confident.

Dominic frustrates me because I see him, body-wise, for another kind of game. One more compact and less prone to “flourishes”. I don’t have stats here but he has to be the player who runs the most in the whole tour. That would be exciting to watch, but not for me. And less for him; injuries could follow. The grass court win has to be one of the oddest oddities in tennis. How could he?

He has some weapons to become another player, especially that serve, which is the de facto weapon for serve and volleyers sice tennis existed (go figure!).But the kick it’s the only option? You have to be kidding me! Aside from breaking ankles and wrists, add some lumbar vertebra in the future: To get that kind of kick he arches back is column like a contortionist!

I saw him live and, believe me, I was more exhausted than him after just a few games! He’s a walking odd, tennis-wise, for me. That’s the thing.

Of course he can make spectacular shots. And to win so much like him with that efforts you need a much better will and mind than Monfils. Which he has, of course.


chofer Says:

El Shapo it’s anything but unorthodox, barring that heavy top spin forehand. If anything, I think he’s the only next genner willing to close points at the net and knowing how so.

My only quibble with him is that I see him too skinny:))Like a young Agassi. But he compesates with speed and touch at the net. He won’t lose a match because he would exchange from the back court until someone misses! He goes for it and people like that. I like watching him. He desn’t make me feel restless like Domi:))


Markus Says:

Interesting take on Thiem, chofer. I’m not very good on the technical aspects of the game. I just know there are players I like to watch and others that I don’t. I find Thiem uncomfortable to watch and you just explained why. I see those things that you mentioned. Thanks!


Okiegal Says:

@chofer…… Enjoyed your comments……..I like Thiem….. he’s my favorite of the younger guys…….


Markus Says:

These “younger” guys are getting old. Thiem is 24, Dimitrov 26, Raonic 27, Nishikori 28. At least the two 29 year olds, del Potro and Cilic, have each won a slam already.


AndyMira Says:

Yeah Miss Okie!…Like u,i enjoyed Chofer’s comments too..


rognadfan Says:

Great post by Chofer on Thiem. You put it succinctly, I thought.

Thiem is a good, young kid. Pretty good game but I’ve always felt his FH, although, pretty powerful, is not really going to get things done consistently e.g. during the entire GS. Not that it’s not good enough but he has to prepare for his FH so much that he will never be able to play close to base line. That means, whole lot of trouble like he has to run too much, FH won’t be a that effective, takes a lot stamina.


chofer Says:

Markus

Thank you. Seeing him live gave a new whole dimention. I’ve already seen Rafa before, so I focused on him, instead. After all, he was being called “the heir” to the Spaniard for RG.

It’s possible that he wins there, one day. If he is healthy and motivated enough. Then again, Thomas Muster should have been the favorite for the French from 1990-97. He just won once. He was virtually invincible every other clay-court tournament in that period. That includes multiple wins in Rome, Montecarlo, etc.

Next time you saw him, please notice his position BEFORE he hits. Especially on the running. He has depth and power to his FH… when he’s vertical. It’s very easy to play a strategy against him, even if on clay he can disguise his shortcomings: Just serve flat or kick to his backhand corner on the deuce court: extreme western grip for BH (used by players who hit heavy top spin) is anathema for that delivery. Either he stays too far back and try to drive the ball with depth on a moonball or he completely misfires the shot when he tries to stay closer to the bounce, almost jumpdiving to his left to catch it(that’s not vertical; you move your feet to the left quick to get that extra inches, you don’t “jumpdive”). He just can’t block it a la Federer. For that, you need turning quickly to an eastern or continental (used for slice it back) That side, is Rafa’s forehand. But on his BH the “other” hand corrects the grip in order to get a better return off wide serves by people with two hands on the BH. That has serves time and again both Nole and Andy out of trouble. You can’t fool them serving wide to their BHs (Better try to the “T”)

Thiem has this disadvantage. He’s not a particularly effective returner. Especially on his BH. See where the majority of his opponents serve to him.

So his BH is a defensive shot, except when he has gain court inches ahead of his rival and has time to set up. Notice that, when he uses the BDTL, he’s always well positioned and hit flatter than usual. He has had time to adjust that grip. You gave it to him.

But you can get him out of position, and things get very difficult for him. Look for hammer his backhand and find <THE SPOT hitting behind his back or wide and deep to his forehand. Cover your BH side (Thiem's FH) because he CAN pass you either DTL or crosscourt with it; but at least know you have him running sideways 10 inches behind the baseline.

Notice how often oft-balances he is when he's fooled by another opponent with power off both sides. He has very good hands for dropping or drop volleys, but bear in mind that if HE FINDS HIMSELF near the net it's because 1) you played passively to his FH so he's been ditacting the point with it until he found a spot you can't cover or retreated yourself too far behind or 2) He's shaking hands with you because the match it's over.
He certainly can make you retreat on clay with his FH. Signiling you're not very smart to play frank and shoulder-level to his.

His serve is astonishing for good and worse: Notice he BARELY uses other than the kick (amazing bounce is what kick means)

To what purpose? The kick serve was the bread and butter shot for Aussies because it's the serve they use to serve and volley. A kick is slower than the top spin or flat, but its amazing curve can make two things: 1) if you're the receiver, get the ball contact point somewhere in the stadium lower steps or 2) As the server, and as IT IS slower, get yourself near the "T" in position (and time) to volley away the response.

That's Pat Rafter and Stefan Edberg in a nutshell.

Of course, Thiem uses it just for its lamest goal. The former: Get his rival out of position, so HE CAN move on forward. But, as you may know, many players CAN block the ball as it is ascending and the shot renders useless. Even more so on clay. What Domi gets against the best is a return so deep and fast, he can't move forward to dictate. It's a zero sum. That's why it's his most misused shot. The day he ventures forward with it, well… but how can he punch-volley with that extreme grips?

It's an amazing arsenal for a player that can't exploit it for his other shortcomings…

And so on, and so on… It's frustrating.


chofer Says:

Well, if Delpo has managed wins with his crosscourt BH against him even on clay… by hitting short with his slice on a guy with that grip who stays 10 inches behind the baseline.

It’s not that hard.


chofer Says:

It’s worth mentioning that Thiem won that match against Rafa (the one I saw live) because Rafa was hitting short but with heavy spin. The ideal contact point for another heavy top-spinner who on that day was hitting longer and harder. And, INSIDE the baseline. Rafa couldn’t push him back. He was playing bad. That’s all.


Margot Says:

Good heavens, tennis talk on tennis x, and technical tennis talk too! Thanks chofer :)


Jayjay Says:

Wooohoooo Rafa!!!!
I’m so excited and will be heading to Spain the
16th…I will post updates LIVE watching King of Clay!


JS Says:

Wooohooo!!


chofer Says:

Thanks Margot!

You know, I used to be a tennis teacher in school 15 to 10 years ago. I surely try ways to express better in English (failing badly) because it serves me. My rusty English. And it happened I had some foreign pupils and I could getting away explaining grips, but when it’s about positioning and making certain kind of movements to reach the ideal contact point, I had trouble myself speaking out clearly.

Of course, there’s the kinectic player/student:the easiest to teach because he understands by watching and mimickry!:))

I come from a school of clay courters with extreme grips and very few hard courts, so I dedicated to explain how to take the ball on the rise, wich is basically modern tennis. Just for a change.

One day, we’ll have to appreciate more the godfather of “reducing angles on court by taking the ball on the rise” player that was Jimmy Connors.He CHANGED the whoile sport much more than Borg or McEnroe ever did (NOBODY would be able to imitate those two) But Connors? Piece of cake!

It’s virtually impossible to think of an Agassi, a Seles and a even a SABR-Federer without him. I don’t understand why he isn’t higher on polls of GOATs. He just patented the style (on his own way). He was the one bold enough to receive 10 inches INSIDE on a second serve. What every woman do nowadays.

So, I’ve learned by trying to imitate him and taught a “different kind of game”. It was way funnier. Extremely aggresive. Taking time off your opponent is the key. You can play amazing angles because the court gets bigger for you and shorter for the opponent. There’s no way you can beat angles; no way! It’s a difficult thing to teach because it’s all about timing and quick changes of grips and not much of a backswing.

Today, everybody plays more or less that way. Of course, Rafa is an exception to that rule, especially on the return. But you see on his wins at the USO that when he steps up to the baseline and is aggresive, HE KNOWS what this game is about. He just doesn’t step back. He stays aggresive. Ditto Murray. He can be obnoxiosly defensive. But on his best matches, he has received second serves practically stepping halfway to the box! meaning, he knows it too… when he’s not sleeping.

I don’t see that in Dominic. To me, he’s kind of a retreat to the old, antique world; a step backwards to the mid 70’s clay courters or the early 90’s ones; Muster, Bruguera, etc. It’s like he was born in the wrong era. I don’t see him winning any Biggie on a faster surface any time soon if he don’t “get” this.

If today game is all about “return” over the Big Serve, look no futher than Connors. His intensity and accuracy to reach corners, very deep and fast, at will, was unparalleled. If he had learnt some tops spin he could have angled and be even more versatile. He just had a lousy serve and flat shots that sometime sailed wide or long, especially on the FH side (it was an open secret the strategy to beat him was slicing him short to his FH; he couldn’t lift a ball from that side bcause he had no top-spin: a strategy courtesy of Ashe’s masterclass, later). And a fabulous “cameo volley”. A volley made better by the amazing approach he could throw at you. Making you run to pass him.

Arthur Ashe made a masterpiece to beat him at Wimbledon 75. If you can, see that match. It’s on youtube. What did he do? What every pro player is ashamed of doing in public, but every club player does on a regular basis: he junk balled and soft balled him to the point of distraction. He never allowed him any rythm. What Ashe didn’t do was uderserve (a la Michael Chang) Frankly, it was the only thing he had left to be done in that match. It would have been extremely dishonorable for him:)) He played like a club player just with a better serve and volley. He wasn’t afraid of being ridiculed.

I see Shapovalov has that kind of modern game. And top spin! I hope his body and mind follows. There’s some Connors in him,too. His attitude and aggresiveness (wait, Lleyton Hewitt did nothing but copy him, too!)

I love the strategy of the sport! Like Brad Gilbert says: how can I hurt you with what I have, where and when.


chofer Says:

Well, Ashe basically Kyrgios-ed Connors that day. But sriosuly:))


Van Persie Says:

Such lovely talk here. :)

May I also add, the baseline game’s godfather may be Borg. His legacy can be seen in: Agassi, Djoko, Rafa, Andy even Federer at his beginnings, and many more in today’s game.

Would participate more today, but busy with shopping for Easter.


Van Persie Says:

P.S. will definetely watch some Connors matches !


Giles Says:

Is Chofer Toni N? Long posts?


Willow Says:

I Had my suspicions, but Chofer seems much more approachable, not so heavily biased in Federers favour ….


chofer Says:

Borg was then roadrunner with top spin. Connors changed the geometry of the court entirely. Borg had the best publicity, but it was Connors game who had the most influential aspects of modern game. How many take the ball on the rise now? Borg didn’t. Maybe his stamina and court cover skills will remind you of what you mention. But ask the three of them who starts with the return onward. Perhaps, Rafa’s more akin to Borg for the heavy top spin. But the all court attack was all Connors blueprint. The defense will remind you of the Swede, but you just don’t win Slams with preternatural defence and ice cold demeanor. All of then has won when they reached peak aggresivness over one another and move forward, even if they have amazing defense.

The aggressive baseliner was Connors, not Borg. The Swede won with patience, placement and accurate passings. Ask Bolletieri who was the rolemodel for his academy. Ask Serena, Sharapova, and all the ball bashers, gobsmaking players and even Hingis. They all said “Monica Seles, who plays inside the court”. And Monica was a product of Bolletieri, which in turn has publickly said Connors was the model he was after. “Because he takes time off you and plays the every point like it is match point and won’t concede an inch” That’s textual. All ways lead to Jimbo.

Consider this; before Connors, the tennis court seemed like a triangle with the base covering the court wide (including the alleys) and the peak or point to the center of the net. It means it was plays behind the baseline and the peak represented the volleyer closing out the point at the net.

After Connors, the triangle inverted. The peak was the player inside the baseline, reducing spaces and angles forward, till he get to the wide base along the net, whem he could volley the weak passings coming at him.

He REDUCED his own side of the court this way, and push rivals far back with his relentless attack. That was unprecedented at the time. A new way of seeing strategy. Ashe had to condescends to play junkyball in order to stop him for Christsakes!

The OTHERS had to adapt to him. It was revolutionary at the time. It is normal now. Nishikori (another Bolletieri alumnus) adopted this style. Iva Majoli,.

Sheez, I can make a list of 30,40. Whereas who follows Borg: two or three.

Even Laver, both in Sampras and Rafter, has a better influence than Borg. I think poeple don’t really get a grip about what was the Swede’s pattern. The don’t look closely at what was his strenghts. Just go with his prole, then: Wilander, Nystrom, Sundstron. All modeled after him. They couldn’t survive the 90s. Connors and his many variations not only did. The are playing right now, with variations, in front of you.


chofer Says:

Willow

I like both Federer and Nadal for entirely different reasons. Novak and, to a lesser estent Andy. I like tennis. I survived the 80s generation. Turned on by Wilander strategic mind, Miloslav Mecir wizardry, Edberg inimitable serve and volley game (elegant and effective to a fault) Would you think, at my age, I would compromise with a fandom thing?. No way. The last player I was a fan of was Rafter. I’m grown up and enjoying tennis more, now.

Delpo is my weakness just because he’s my countryman, but that’s all. He’s not ruining my day if he’s losing::))

Giles

These are my days off to work. I wanted to put the tennis back on the forum. Too many: this player’s coach, this guru, this girlfriend. What is this the Gossip Columnn? Jerry Springer?


Willow Says:

Chofer i loved Rafter, one of the games great under achievers IMO ….


Markus Says:

chofer, thanks for the tribute to Connors. It is well-deserved. I always felt that Connors has been neglected by tennis writers/commentators in the USA because they are all so enamored with McEnroe.


Willow Says:

Conners is the GOAT just my opinion lol ….


chofer Says:

Willow

I LOVED Rafter because I knew, at the time, we were witnessing the last of the pure serve and volleyers. After Edberg retired. And that holds true. He was different from the rest. Sampras was an all-courter, like federer is. Just not a pure S&V in the old aussie tradition of Newcombe or Rosewall. A beatiful anomaly in a power game.

Markus

I think it’s simply criminal. To me, the most influential player of the last 40 years. Easily. I thought Chris Evert would take that mantle on the women, but then Monica appeared and the Connors influence, even among women, took over.

It’s disingenius to think both Rafa and Roger will have descendants to their games. They’re like Borg and McEnroe: you just CAN’T imitate any of their shots, their approach to the game, nothing. And NOT, Grigor is not the same.

By this, I’m telling their unique. Perhaps the best ever. Up there with Laver, for sure.

Influential not necessary means the best. But doesn’t this merit a mention? A condecorative medal? 109 titles with that “style”!! Want to know something funny: Connors learnd the game from Gloria, his mother, and Pancho Segura: a short Ecuadorian who played inside the baseline with two handed shots from both sides. There are old videos of him lurking around the Internet.

Any resemblance to Monica Seles in NOT pure coincidence:))


Willow Says:

Chofer i enjoy reading your posts, urgh was gutted Pat didnt win Wimbledon after having MPs in that final, on the other hand, how could anyone not feel happy for Goran lol ?


Markus Says:

“… I wanted to put the tennis back on the forum. Too many: this player’s coach, this guru, this girlfriend. What is this the Gossip Columnn? Jerry Springer?…” —chofer

Hehehe. I agree. Pepe may be a questionable character but dragging Novak’s family under the bus for his on-court failures recently, especially his wife, is a bit too much and rather unfair because we don’t really know what going on between them…and it’s not really our business.


chofer Says:

Willow

As much as I liked Goran to win, this was a loss by Rafter 100%. Goran was so nervous on the strech, she couldn’t handle his raquet and his faces to their box screamed: “Put me out of this misery!”

It was both hilarious and heartbreaken to watch. I think Pat was too damm nice on that strech. And the pubkic certainly pushed Goran to the finish line.

It was a whacky final, to say the least. Rafter played much better the year before, when he lost to Sampras in four tigh sets.. I think Rafter played much better agaisnt better rivals. Period. It was that kind of player. Even him was happier for Goran than for himself. Nuts.

Markus

Indeed. My lone crusade to talk tennis. I can’t stand even “Talk Tennis” (a lousy forum) discusses more the players game than this one.

Tennis.com has sold itself to Mark Zuckerberg and it’s rightly dead now. Besides, Tignor is going gaga (the last article of “how Isner decodified Delpo’s game it’s hilarious: like the American was intelligent where murray, Rafa, Nole, Roger, Raonic, Zverev were so stupid they didn’t realize how to plyay him during his whole comeback) That’s obtuse and a little chauvinist. Isner deserved all that. He didn’t deserved such poor analysis; you should read that.It’s good clickbait. Then there’s a girl call Kamaksi Tandon (or something like that) whose twitter is a wallpaper of Roger’s many faces and talks about… They went to hell quickly. Famboys posing as journalists. Not for me. i came back here:)

I hope this will not become a Tupperware reunion:) I like to gossip a little, but the Pepe thing is wasted now. There’s no joke left to say about that. Next!


AndyMira Says:

Yesss!!….1st set in hand!!..Vamos Rafa!!…


Van Persie Says:

I don’t know if Connors was the model Bollettieri was after (I couldn’t find any reference of that…), but in his Tennis Handbook (page 206 – 2001 edition) he preaches Biorn Borg’s mentality. As of your assessment on ‘changing the geometry of the court ’ , yes, it’ true in the sense that Conners could have never beaten Borg from the baseline, Connors was never an ‘aggressive baseliner’ imo, he just struggled to get to the net and that didn’t do much for him.

After all:
Biorg vs Connors head-to-head is 15-8.


Van Persie Says:

“If I had a time machine, I would like to head to the court against Bjorn Borg.”…comes from Fed.

As of inovation:
http://www.tennis.com/your-game/2013/09/learning-past-bjorn-borgs-forehand/49182/


Van Persie Says:

Vamos Rafa!!!


Okiegal Says:

@Van Persie…..Thanks for the Borg/Connors H2H… I’m a fool for H2H stats!! 😝😝😝


Okiegal Says:

I wish this Beastie was my bestie……one more game and Rafa has this match for his homeland!!

Regarding my besties…. I guess I will have to settle for AM and Willow……LOL. 🤠🤠🤠


Okiegal Says:

I will make a confession….. I loved Rafter because of his looks….but strictly love Rafa because of his prowess on the court…..well…..he’s easy on the eyes too! 👁👁 😎😎


AndyMira Says:

Awwwww!!..Miss Okie!!…..Thank u Boss!!..

I guess i stuck with u too!!..Hehehe…


Anto Says:

A very good performance from Nadal for the victory.


Van Persie Says:

Okie,

You’re welcome :).. haha, and Rafa won. He was a bit rusty , but on the right pat.

Wish you a lovely weekend

Wish also peaceful Easter weekend to all, who will celebrate it!


Okiegal Says:

@VP…. couldn’t see it very good on my PC….. reception was very dark. It will be televised at 10 tonight on the Tennis channel, so I will get to see “rusty” in action!! I expected him to be…….You have a great week-end too!!


Margot Says:

chofer: If I could write in your first language as well as you can write in English, I would consider myself a gwnius.
You’re doing really well converting me to Connors’ technical ability but I’m afraid I cannot stand him- the brattiest of all the brats. I much prefer that other “brat” Mac. I’ve seen that Connors Ashe match and was thrilled Ashe, totally outsmarted Connors. Have you read “High Strung” by Tignor? He wasn’t ga ga when he wrote it at least and it’s very interesting about the “brat pack.”
Andy’s ROS is very interesting to watch, he takes a bit of time to work out the serve and then he alters his position to receive. I’ve read he spends hours watching serves during live and tries to predict where the ball will land. He is apparently more right than wrong.
During one Queens tournament he was standing almost on the service line to receive, especially for the 2nd serve. Fleming said he was being “almost rude.” I hope he meant cheeky and not disrespectful!
Giles: I don’t think you were being altogether serious, but chofer cannot be TonyN because chofer’s posts are very interesting….;)


Markus Says:

Happy days are here again. Right Okie, Willow, AndyMira, et el? Always the theme song when clay season begins.


chofer Says:

Van Persie

Comparing Connors to Borg is like comparing Hewitt to Rafa.

It’s not the game of comparison or who was better. It’s the style he popularized that win over Borg’s. Not HIM.

Esxcuse, but you should watch Connors beatint twive Borg on the US Open when it was played on clay! Later on, Borg took the mental advantage. But on the beginning of their rivalry, it was very even.


Okiegal Says:

@Margot……The b-word again?? EEEEK!! 😱😱😱 LOL!!


Van Persie Says:

You can do better than this, From Conners the GOAT to Hewitt? :) priceless … How can anyone be a GOAT if not in the context of comparison?

Sorry, I could not help myself :)


chofer Says:

I was talking about a style he popularized. Is that hard to understand or my English is that bad? Hown many poeple plays loke Borg nowadays?

Name two!


Okiegal Says:

@Markus………Yes……”Happy days are here again, the skies above are clear again”…….🎶🎶🎶 Well, he won today, VP said he was a bit rusty….but on clay he can get by with “rusty”. Guess time will tell if the hip is fully recovered. It was good to see him on court again!! 😊😊😊


chofer Says:

Yo’re just being a contrarian for the sake of it. Never did Bolletieri refer as Connor s anything like a role model for tennis, Taking the ball on the rise was his mantra. Alluding Borg mental fortitude it’s another thing. Everyone did it.

I’m talking about strategy, not comparing resumes!

And please, respect a player who has 109 sanctioned titles. Nevermind his H2H with Borg.

Is Federer an inferior player than Rafa. Because their H2Hs? You don’t buy that, do you?

Make a better argument, and I’ll listen.


Van Persie Says:

Djokovic and Rafa


Margot Says:

VP: UK Easter was last weekend. It moves from year to year!


Van Persie Says:

Margot,

Well, it was for the Orthodox, am sure some of them are reading TX :)

Chofer,

Rafa and Djokovic have the same accuracy from the baseline, as Borg had. yes, they were influenced also by Conners, but mostly by Borg (mentality, patience, stroke accuracy, discipline) my pov.


RZ Says:

@Chofer – good discussion! Re: El Shapo – lots of versatility, but needs a bit of focus and stamina. Also I’m not sure he plays with a game plan.

@Willow – let the record show that on this thread, you were a key contributor to a GOAT discussion. :-)


Van Persie Says:

P.S. and I have posted you also the links with the western grip, which is a huge influence from Borg, for all modern tennis players. I think nobody plays anymore with eastern grips like Conners did.

am really off now.
Enjoyed the conversation :) I learned a lot


Markus Says:

Head-to-head is the lamest way to compare the greatness of a player. Greatness should be measured by the totality of a player’s accomplishments in his entire career and over a collective group, not against any particular individual.

Blake is 3-2 and Nalbandian is 2-O. What doe that mean?

Head to head is used by people to bolster somebody they like over another when their favorite lags behind in terms of overall accomplishment.

When Federer was chasing Sampras for total slams, did I think he was the greatest? I thought he was, but I would not call him that because he was still behind. He was ahead of Sampras head-to-head but it would be silly to use that as an argument. I reserved my judgment until he equalled his slam total by virtue of Roger having a complete set of slams.

When Nadal equals Federer’s total, I would not hesitate to call him the greatest. This is where I can finally apply Nadal’s head-to-head advantage. But until then, Federer is still ahead.

Same applies to Djokovic. They are all great but Federer at this point in time, Federer is the most accomplished, hence, the greatest. It can change. But we’ll have to wait.


Okiegal Says:

@ Markus…..I never thought you, of all people, would call me lame! I am appalled and crushed…..😥😥😥 Lol!


skeezer Says:

“Head-to-head is the lamest way to compare the greatness of a player. Greatness should be measured by the totality of a player’s accomplishments in his entire career and over a collective group, not against any particular individual.”

Markus,
Spot on.
It is a simple understanding that lines up with how the Game is played,.
Fortunately, this is only s Rafa fans thing, and they cling to that very thing, as that is all they have got. ( although recently it has mellowed because of La Decima ).


skeezer Says:

“It can change. But we’ll have to wait.”
They can wait. They will wait. They have to wait. And they can wait some more…
As of now and Fed has been, and now is, the GOAT.


Giles Says:

Skeezer. Did anyone tell you that you sound like a battered and broken record?


Okiegal Says:

Rafa is closer to Roger’s slam count than Roger is to their H2H…..We Rafa fans can love and adore and worship our favorite tool

#wesupportour#1ntheworldn#1nour❤️s

VAMOS!!


Okiegal Says:

@Giles…….I sure hate to lump myself with Skeezer…….. I’m a broken record too…..Rafa 23 Roger 15…..when Roger beats Rafa 9 more times, I’ll shut up!! Lol!! 🤠🤠🤠


skeezer Says:

I don’t sound like a broken record, I sound like a complete album. U’s da ones record is broke!
#sameolbrokensong


skeezer Says:

This is what is gonna happen, (if it does). Rafa will get close or tie Feds record ( one day maybe ) by winning a bunch more FO’s ONLY. Otherwise, not gonna happen dude.


Okiegal Says:

Skeezer are you kidding me?? You’ve harped on GOATness as long as I have on H2H……so don’t go there….. and btw if there is a GOAT…..why wouldn’t the so called goat have 10 FO instead of one lowly one? Looks like to me the true GOAT would be as successful on clay…… after all it’s a sur-trace too, isn’t it? 🤔🤔🤔🤔

#feelingcombativetoday
💪💪🥊🥊


skeezer Says:

“You’ve harped on (Feds’) GOATness as long as I have on H2H”
Longer.
And it’s all been true.


Okiegal Says:

Yes what I’ve harped about is true too…….. 38 matches Rafa 23 Roger 15….. sad for Fed fans but true!! I’ll stop harping when Fed catches up…… when will you ever stop?? He he 🤔🤔🤔


Okiegal Says:

It seems we are at an impasse…….🤣🤣🤣


Okiegal Says:

Hey TXers…..when you get a response from the Skeeze you must be doing something right……


skeezer Says:

OK, I’ll stop when Rafa can start winning again against Fed. Right now, the last few years he is 0-4. This stat is not important to me however, Slams counts and weeks @1 against the field of total players is what is important. Your H2H is important to you, goody for you.


Okiegal Says:

Skeezer I’m gonna go have supper….I’ll get back with you later on this discussion……..and goody for me I can still get dates!! Woot woot!

#cowboysrock!
🤠🤠😘😘


Willow Says:

Who cares, lets just enjoy the bloody tennis ?


Willow Says:

Chofer i remember coming home from work on a Monday tea time to watch that final it was amazing, im going to buy it at some point to relive it all over again, agree with Okie Pat was a great talent and easy on the eye too, was gutted to hear him retire the following year :-(


Okiegal Says:

@Willow…… I can’t let it go…. you know what a fanatic I am!! Lol


AndyMira Says:

Oh Willow!…Err..it seems Miss Okie is in fighting mode today!!…Urgh!Run for cover!!


AndyMira Says:

@Markus 11:40am…Hehehe…I guess so!


rognadfan Says:

Everyone adores their favs. Rafa beat federer more than fed beat rafa, that’s the fact. But for how long rafa didn’t know how to play outside of clay and kept loosing against before finals, SFs, QFs? And that too is a fact. And on clay he kept meeting fed in the final almost exclusively. That may not count as achievement to who dislike/hate Fed but Fed is still one of the best clay court players in history.

That’s how Fed-Rafa book of rivalry played out. Ya’ll can yell, citing the H2H, rafa is the best player ever (because he has better H2H against the best player ever, right?) but everyone will know that that’s true only on clay, outside of clay he is not even top 10, No offence. But that’s still something to be incredibly proud about.


AndyMira Says:

Miss Okie…I think we should just let Skeeze enjoy this moment in peace…i mean,it’s not everyday that Rog have a winning streak against Rafa like atm…I understand his bitterness towards Rafa @ Rafans…he suffered for so long at the hands of Rafa because of those H2H….heck!he didn’t even respond to our post even tho we tried to engaged him so many times before!..U knew that!…So,let him enjoy this brief moment 4 0 and all & 20 slams too & we enjoy Rafa’s playing…I think,that’s more important than everythings else right Milady From Okla??


Okiegal Says:

Ok Mira I will let it go …….but people act like clay isn’t a legitimate surface……..I still say greatest of all time should have whooped up on Rafa instead of the other way around…..so to their way of thinking clay should not be in the equation at all…. which is ludicrous…,,,I bring up H2H and they bring up those losses were mostly on clay……so I don’t think their argument is any better than mine…..just saying……PEACE OUT!! But to everyone ‘s dismay I will return!! I have got to agitate and aggravate!! Lol


rognadfan Says:

Oki and AM May be I shouldn’t have come into the conversations you were havings, I am sorry. I really like Nadal and by no means said clay was not legitimate. But at the same time, the H2H argument from Rafa fans’ side often seem to belitle Fed’s achievements, which is equally, if not more, wrong.

You don’t just play with a single player in your career.
If that was the case Rafa would have 1.5 time more titles than Federer. But it also seems from H2H that if Rafa played every game with Devydenko, he would have less titles than him. That obviously doesn’t sound right does it? My point was only that.

Anyway, this doesn’t have to be dragged on.

They both are great players.

Overall, Federer is better .. ;)

So Cheers!
Good luck for the big DC game.


Okiegal Says:

@rognadrafa….No prob….. it’s an open forum and we can voice our individual opinions. Roger’s achievements are awesome! No argument there.


AndyMira Says:

Rognadfan…I always admire your balance & fair post…Honestly,i don’t care much about GOAT…I rarely engaged in the GOATness debate…i also the big fan of The Big 4..So,doesn’t matter much to me who’s the GOAT..But thank u very much for your input…


Margot Says:

Lol, just reading your comments and listening to a prog about goats on the radio! Goats are playful and curious apparently., now they are eating the interviewer’s trousers…… ;)


Okiegal Says:

@Margot….. I’m at our local hospital……ER…. my brother was brought here by ambulance ……I’m sitting here alone and just read your goat comment…..I laughed out loud……I got a visual of the goat eating the trousers! Thanks for the laugh I needed it…. it’s gonna be a long night!!
BTW….goats will eat anything…..for real!! 👖🐐


Willow Says:

Okie good for you girl im loving it ;-)


Willow Says:

Rogernad fan all true, except some Federer fans do actually say without clay whats he got ?, well firstly clay like you say clay is a perfectly legitimate surface, and secondly he still has 6 GS of clay, all good enough for any other all time great, so why not Nadal ?, im not saying hes GOAT or better than Federer, as i dont believe or invest too much into that topic, theres too many different caveats IMO, all im saying is why cant Nadal ever be given credit for his achievements, because he never ever does ?,also for somebody whos such a crap player according to some off clay, the thing that gets over looked is that he has multiple GS on all 3 surfaces ….


j-kath Says:

Okie: Hope your brother gets well fast.


Okiegal Says:

Thanks JK…….. They are going to keep him in the hospital until Monday. Possibly a TIA…… he exhibited stroke like symptoms. Hopefully they will get to the bottom of it……. they are calling in a neurologist…… glad there doing that. But I am home now, wired up and worried……..


Okiegal Says:

Thanks JK…….. They are going to keep him in the hospital until Monday. Possibly a TIA…… he exhibited stroke like symptoms. Hopefully they will get to the bottom of it……. they are calling in a neurologist…… glad there doing that. But I am home now, wired up and worried……..


Okiegal Says:

Oops….. my apologies for the double post…..


Okiegal Says:

@Willow 4:12……👍👍


Willow Says:

Okie agree with J-Kath hope for the best for your brother hun xx


Margot Says:

OKiegal, glad I made you laugh! All the very best for your brother. Huge virtual hugs and xxxxx


rognadfan Says:

AM- Thanks, I hope to be as balanced as I can be, but I am limited by nature. ;). I try to overcome that limitations in all reasonable discussions.

Willow- Well, the world more radicalized now that ever, isn’t it? Lets be glad that there are only a handful of such radicals in TX. At the same time, it’s unfortunate that compared to this number is > 0.

Good vives to Oki and her fam.


Okiegal Says:

@Willow
@Margot
@rognadfan……Thanks for the well wishes for my brother. It was a long night, but managed to get some sleep. I’m getting ready to see what kind of night he had. Appreciate you guys!


chofer Says:

Well, it seems Rafa will have to put on a match against Alejandro, Alejandro, Ale Ale Alejandro tomorrow.

A blockbuster in Davis Cup. It was about time!

Who’s gonna change this format? I will wape up early tomorrow to see this match. It is BECAUSE of this format.

Thanks DC!

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