It’s quite a streak; is it the longest ever at one event?

April 15th, 2013 at 1:06 pm

Yes it is !

April 15th, 2013 at 1:11 pm

Vamos Rafa! Stay healthy

April 15th, 2013 at 1:37 pm

http://alturl.com/gcaew
Can’t find Rafa? Haha

April 15th, 2013 at 1:45 pm

This is partly for those whom in one instance shun how his ‘ugly’ style of play takes a toll on his body …. then (arrogantly thinking they possess the ability or worse, have the right to peer into another person’s soul) whine about the ‘fake’ injury excuses.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2013/04/15/rafael-nadal-monte-carlo-masters-injured-knee/2084217/

From this article: “A lot of talk about the knee for the last year, and I think it’s not good to talk about that anymore. I’m here and competing and so I prefer to focus on the tennis,” the 26-year-old Nadal said Monday. “Talking (about) the knee every day doesn’t help … (whether) the knee is 50, 90, 80, 100 percent doesn’t change the situation that I am going to be in.”

April 15th, 2013 at 1:45 pm

RT @TennisReporters: “Chardy on Nadal: “If Rafa was an animal would be a lion. He’s king of the jungle, strong, supple, majestic, respected, fast…” ”

Goats better beware…….

Vamos King of the Jungle!!!

April 15th, 2013 at 1:47 pm

Chardy said it all. I hope Roger doesn’t hear what Chardy said, it would do serious damage to his ego.

April 15th, 2013 at 2:02 pm

Lions eat goats, right?

April 15th, 2013 at 2:08 pm

IF Fed was an animal he’d be a Deer or Gazelle. Fast and floating.

Wait, this is not a good picture. Rafa=Lion, Fed=Deer, Lions eat Deers. Oops.

April 15th, 2013 at 2:09 pm

No, no, no @skeezer! It can’t be a fan’s description, doesn’t count, it’s gotta be from a fellow ATP Player…

Hehehehe!

April 15th, 2013 at 2:11 pm

Go on Chardy- what a spot on remark about Rafa in such a regard!

The Beast being a lion and king of the jungle?

SPOT ON Jeremy!

VAMOS RAFA!

April 15th, 2013 at 2:29 pm

Gasquet called Rafa more typically a “Bull”. I wonder if the interviewers were asking players to what animal they’d compare Nadal or something, since two came out with comments about it? (I read both quotes in a Guardian article).

skeezer, I remember Steffi Graf used to be compared to a Gazelle due to her sublime movement on the court.

April 15th, 2013 at 2:37 pm

jane,

Bull is more like it.

Graf

Remember that! She actually did look like that on the court. Loved her. Have you seen her foundation “Children of Tomorrow’? Great stuff.
http://steffi-graf.net/foundation-2/

April 15th, 2013 at 2:44 pm

There are four players who have won a GS title in eight consecutive years: Borg, Sampras, Federer and Nadal. If Rafa wins Roland Garros (or Wimbledon or US Open) he will be the 1st man to win a GS title in 9 consecutive years.

VAMOS RAFA!

April 15th, 2013 at 2:51 pm

No I haven’t seen that skeezer, but it’s really nice. Cute picture. :)

nadalista, that would be some achievement. We all know that Rafa’s domination on the surface of clay is virtually unparalleled.

Basically he wins almost everything he enters on clay.

April 15th, 2013 at 2:56 pm

“If Rafa wins Roland Garros (or Wimbledon or US Open) he will be the 1st man to win a GS title in 9 consecutive years”

Could well be the last man too. This record will stand the test of time just like Federer’s 23 consec SFs (but Nole has an outside shot at that record).

April 15th, 2013 at 3:01 pm

Did anybody read the link RSutherland posted?
Quote:
“Nadal said “When somebody deserves something I’m emotional. It’s like when I lost in 2009 in Roland Garros, it sounds strange, but I lost the No. 1 to Roger in that tournament but I really wanted Roger to win the tournament”.
Hearing these words one would never think they are rivals.

April 15th, 2013 at 3:26 pm

Boston Marathon explosions, so sad? Hope those hurt recover quickly.

What is this world coming to……………..a sporting event.

April 15th, 2013 at 3:28 pm

@Giles:

Awesome to see that.

And yet Fed fans trash Rafa when he even root’s for their fav at such low moments in his career.

Unbelievable!

April 15th, 2013 at 3:50 pm

Good god:

just heard of the Boston story on SKY.

:-(

April 15th, 2013 at 3:52 pm

Huge bummer :-(

April 15th, 2013 at 4:00 pm

Very strange and very sad. :'(

April 15th, 2013 at 4:01 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22160691
Boston explosions. Very sad indeed.

April 15th, 2013 at 4:06 pm

Does Rafa’s match record at RG surpass the possible MC record? I might be thinking of something else, but I remember he broke Borg’s record of something like 81 or 82 wins.

April 15th, 2013 at 4:06 pm

@Julia:

Rafa’s match record at Roland Garros is 52-1, he won four straight from 05-08, then three straight from 2010-12.

His record at MC is 44-1, losing in 03 3rd Rd then winning 8 consecutively from 2005-12.

April 15th, 2013 at 5:06 pm

Thank you teeg

April 15th, 2013 at 5:45 pm

The Boston explosions are very sad,you would think that people would lighten up a bit,given what is going on in the outside world,tennis is only a game after all,surely some things are way more important.

April 15th, 2013 at 6:06 pm

Lovely picture of Rafa and Xisca together,they make such a cute couple,enjoyed the videos at the top of this thread,hes very handsome and cleans up well in a suit,even if he is getting a bit thin on top.

April 15th, 2013 at 6:14 pm

I am talking to you, the one staring at my gf. Enough already.

April 15th, 2013 at 6:47 pm

but I lost the No. 1 to Roger in that tournament but I really wanted Roger to win the tournament”.
Hearing these words one would never think they are rivals.
—
The Arrogant One doesn’t swear at me at the net. I love the 30-40 moments in matches with him. He just folds like laundry!

April 15th, 2013 at 6:52 pm

Anybody happen to see the 2nd round match between Seppi and Fognini? Ordinarily it would be considered just a run-of-the-mill 2nd round match. But this one was more compelling because it featured the top two Italian players battling one another. Fognini got the win. When he is inspired (and I haven’t a clue what does inspire him) Fognini is one of the great shot makers on tour. He is an enormous talent but you never quite know what to expect from him. He often seems simply not really engaged in a match. Still, he is very entertaining to watch.
http://martinstake128.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/fabio-fognini-a-perplexing-study-in-nonchalance/

April 15th, 2013 at 11:14 pm

I agree: Fognini can be entertaining – but equal parts frustrating!

April 15th, 2013 at 11:21 pm

Yes, I watched Seppi and Fognini.

That was a great match. Fognini sometimes just quits trying or loses his composure, but this time he was out there to prove who was the real #1 Italian. Fun watching Fognini when ‘on.’

April 16th, 2013 at 12:57 am

Fabio is actually one of the players i enjoy watching away from the top 5,hes very talented but such a shame that he lacks any concistency,sooo cute too.

April 16th, 2013 at 4:56 am

RT @Ringham7: “Stewards struggling to contain crowds of desperate autograph hunters as Rafa Nadal tries get to locker room entrance.”

RT @Ringham7: “Rafa Mania reminds me of Borg at Wimbledon in the seventies. Not sure I’ve seen anything to match it until now. Rafa’s popularity immense “

April 16th, 2013 at 8:00 am

Everyone wants a piece of Rafa!

Vamos…..

April 16th, 2013 at 8:05 am

^LOL yeah who wouldnt?^

April 16th, 2013 at 8:25 am

rafa should win this tourna !

April 16th, 2013 at 9:12 am

Nadal winning a Grand Slam this year having the record alone for 9 straight years would be huge achievemnet and he will finally have a record of his own non clay related.
Off course, the bulk of his 9 straight would be RG, but when we see that record in the future in Wiki Grand Slam page record all that counts will be: Rafal Nadal – Won Grand Slams in 9 consecutive years, stand alone:)

April 16th, 2013 at 9:54 am

Daniel thankyou nice post,hope he can do it:-)))…

April 16th, 2013 at 11:54 am

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/04/tsonga-somewhat-surprised-rafas-recent-success/47099/#.UW15rcpRCDc

” Jo-Wilfried Tsonga tells his official web site that he is a little surprised Rafael Nadal was able to return to the tour after seven months off and win three of the four tournaments he entered.

“Inevitably, it always surprises when a player who stopped long enough returns and beats right away the world’s best players,” Tsonga said. “This is not common. It’s pretty impressive.”

The Frenchman, who along with Nadal is playing the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 this week, added with a laugh: “I confess that until now I have never been able to do that, A ninth title [for Nadal] here? It’s a bit unreal to me, it’s another planet.”

You ain’t seen nothing yet, mon ami……..

#ExtraTerrestrial
#Vamos

April 16th, 2013 at 12:21 pm

And what did Agassi and Mats Wilander predict? That it would take at least a year for Rafa to get back to his best! #StupidPundits

April 16th, 2013 at 12:37 pm

Kinda feel Agassi’s predictions were coming from the good place. Wilander, on the other hand, was wishing and hoping Rafa would NEVER regain his mojo! And he had the nerve to drop by one of Rafa’s practice sessions in Manacor after IW2013….

April 16th, 2013 at 12:48 pm

Wilander has an inferiority complex for Rafa. I saw him sucking up to Rafa in Manacor. Someone told Rafa that Wilander said Djoko and Murray were favourite for RG and Rafa said, ‘you don’t have to be the favourite to win.’ Great answer.

April 16th, 2013 at 12:54 pm

Wilander loves Rafa though and i think he was just being honest and even cautious regarding Rafa.

He did say that he wants the Rafa who strikes fear into opponents to return ASAP as opposed to a early return by him.

I don’t doubt Mats on this front at all.

April 16th, 2013 at 12:56 pm

Brando, every time Wilander commentates on a Rafa match, he is always full of advice for his opponents on how to beat him and his hatred for Rafa comes out when Rafa is playing Roger. I don’t know which country you live in, but he commentates on British Eurosport and never has a good word to say about Rafa.

When he realised that Rafa came back with a bang, he changed his tune and suddenly want the old Rafa back.

April 16th, 2013 at 1:08 pm

Hmmmmm, @Brando, you and I have been reading different Wilander musings! What I have read has come across as outright dislike when Rafa first burst onto the Tour and grudging “respect” now. But if he has seen the light and is a Rafan I welcome that!

April 16th, 2013 at 1:11 pm

@Rafaeli and Nadalista:

Maybe you guys have seen or aware of something that i am not in this case.

From what i could tell from afar Wilander has always liked Rafa for his mastery of clay (Mats fav surface) and similarity to Borg in many way’s.

His talking of how opponent’s can maybe beat Rafa?

Mmmmm…. I don’t know about that one. He has to TRY be impartial on air, and let’s be honest:

Rafa usually wins most matches he play’s, so maybe he’s suggesting on air what the opponent should try to do in order to change things perhaps?

I have seen him and heard him on air praise Rafa lavishly.

Who knows though i guess.

April 16th, 2013 at 1:18 pm

Actually Wilander was in Manacor to conduct an interview with Rafa which will be aired on Eurosport entitled Mats Point. I think it is on Thursday 18 April at 12 noon BST.

April 16th, 2013 at 1:38 pm

the need by some fans to constantly affirm the popularity of their player by using tweets and quotes as evidence is amusing.

April 16th, 2013 at 1:45 pm

“Mmmmm…. I don’t know about that one. He has to TRY be impartial on air, and let’s be honest:

Rafa usually wins most matches he play’s, so maybe he’s suggesting on air what the opponent should try to do in order to change things perhaps?”

Thank you.

April 16th, 2013 at 1:46 pm

“I have seen him and heard him on air praise Rafa lavishly”

same here. perception isn’t always reality.

April 16th, 2013 at 1:50 pm

volley Says:

the need by some fans to constantly affirm the popularity of their player by using tweets and quotes as evidence is amusing.

—————————-

We always aim to please. Glad you are suitably pleasured….

April 16th, 2013 at 2:03 pm

This is what it is :
Wilander was filming Mats Point in Manacor with Rafa. It will be aired on Eurosport on April 18 @ 1 p.m CET, April 29 @ 1.30 p.m CET.

April 16th, 2013 at 2:07 pm

When will these so-called “pundits” learn?

http://www.thetennisspace.com/becker-murray-has-best-chance-to-win-the-french-open/

Becker: “But over the last year, and especially the last three to four months, Djokovic is the man to beat. Djokovic has had the best year so far, but Murray isn’t far behind.”

Really? Which year is he talking about?

Becker on whether Murray is good enough on clay to win at Roland Garros: “On his best day, yes. He probably has his best chance this year than ever before. That’s because the ultimate champion of the French Open is not going to be at his absolute best. I believe everybody else is sensing that this could be their best chance to win the French Open.”

Rafa does not need to be at his absolute best to win at RG, he proved that last year.

I would share some of Becker’s optimism about Muzza’s RG chances if he snagged a maiden clay trophy to start with, any tournament……

April 16th, 2013 at 2:30 pm

I hope Rafa will let his racquet do the talking.

April 16th, 2013 at 2:34 pm

I think Borrrrrris feels obliged to lift Murray seeing as he is one of the commies for the BBC at Wimbledon. JMO. He is a true fed bootlicker !

April 16th, 2013 at 2:39 pm

Ben Pronin Says:
“Mmmmm…. I don’t know about that one. He has to TRY be impartial on air, and let’s be honest:”

Impartial is one thing Mats Wilander is not.

April 16th, 2013 at 2:41 pm

Boris also said recently that barring injuries, Rafa has been the #1 for the last 4 years. He tailors what he says according to the circumstances.

April 16th, 2013 at 2:44 pm

Rafa wasn’t injured in 2011.

Nadalista, where is Becker wrong about this year?

April 16th, 2013 at 2:52 pm

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/04/16/Shark-Bites-Nadal-European-Clay-Court-Swing.aspx
Take a look at these stats! #MindBoggling

April 16th, 2013 at 2:53 pm

http://alturl.com/k49bq
Rafael Nadal and life after tennis.
Take your time buddy.
Vamos !

April 16th, 2013 at 3:07 pm

Ben Pronin Says:

Rafa wasn’t injured in 2011.

Nadalista, where is Becker wrong about this year?

————————–

Correct, Rafa wasn’t injured in 2011 but he was in 2012, played chock full of anti-inflamatories, still won in both years.

Becker says, “Over the last year…..”, not in the last calendar year. Hard to say Djokovic has been the man to beat in the last 12 months when he won exactly the same number of Slams as Roger, Muzza and Rafa i.e. 1. One might even argue that Muzza edges all three in this respect with his Olympic gold. In any case, I believe the better barometer of current form are more recent results and those hardly point to Novak dominance.
–

April 16th, 2013 at 3:11 pm

Giles thanks for those stats,4 different titles at least 6 or more times,the 1st player to have that record too,if he were to win the FO this year he will be breaking his own record,he will also be the 1st player to win 8 GS at one particular GS,and the 1st player in the open era to win a GS for 9 straight years,clay or not its great for Rafas fans to have records that are his,and only his,but what the hell do i know,im just some judas Rafa fan anyway.

April 16th, 2013 at 3:15 pm

Re Boris Becker:

It’s just HIS opinion and to be fair to him, he’s only being naturally generous towards Andy.

He lives in the UK, writes for a national paper, works for the BBC- is he really going to dismiss Andy’s FO chances?

Of course not!

Experts like fans can ONLY just give their opinion on matters.

Like fans, naturally, elements such as bias, personal observation, gauging of things come into equation but ULTIMTATELY the players decide matters on court.

And they can prove a popular opinion to be a wrong one.

For example: how many EXPERTS predicted Haas to beat Nole at MIAMI?

April 16th, 2013 at 3:16 pm

Because I’m sure Becker is like a computer and ONLY refers to the last 12 months. God forbid he’s referring to the beginning of 2012 which would mean Novak has 2 slams.

Even if we’re just going purely by 12 months. Djokovic, 1 slam, 2 other finals, 2 Masters, 1 other final, WTF champ. Murray, 1 slam, 2 finals, 1 Masters, 1 other final.

I think it’s clear who’s number 1. Recent form? Who won the most recent slam? Novak.

April 16th, 2013 at 3:25 pm

Rafa practiced with Nole today:

http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/Sports/AP_Tennis/201304160632235597232-p2.jpg

Keep him guessing, Rafa, don’t show him all your new tricks……yet!

April 16th, 2013 at 3:26 pm

I like be Beckers opinion. I like his tweets better.

——–

Rafa Practiced with Nole.

Injury practice.

April 16th, 2013 at 3:32 pm

I like Beckers opinion. I like his tweets better.

April 16th, 2013 at 3:33 pm

@Ben Pronin, over the last year means the last 12 months (there’s 12 months in a year) so that rules out Australian Open 2012, no? The last year is April 2012-April 2013. How many Slams does Novak have in this period? And the others?

Why are you not including Murray’s Olympic Gold, or is this trumped by Slam finalist gongs in your opinion?

Novak is #1, no-one is disputing that, the rankings say so but that is not what Becker is referring to. Being #1 does not make you the man to beat and vice versa.

If your measure of current form is the winner of the last Slam then there is nothing left to talk about, that is your opinion. Your “current” is 3 months ago. My opinion? The last Slam was played 3 months ago, a lot of other, more current, tournaments have been played since………

April 16th, 2013 at 3:38 pm

I forgot to mention Murray has Olympic medal. He’s a close 2 for sure.

Skeeze, that’s good. Maybe Nadal will teach Nole some injury tricks!

April 16th, 2013 at 3:38 pm

Being number 1 puts a huge bulls-eye on your back. For the love of Sampras stop trying to twist every comment and analysis and statement and event and whatever else to make Rafa look like a God among men. He doesn’t need it! It’s clay season, where regardless of the rankings, Rafa has always reigned supreme. His numbers on this surface are eye popping, jaw dropping, out of this world! There’s no easy way to describe how flabbergasting they are. And yet all of you guys sit here and try to spin everything to make Rafa look better than he is (which should be hard to do but yet you guys manage) and get offended when GOD FORBID someone mentions something even remotely offense. Like when a fellow Nadal fan decides to be a little sarcastic at his expense and it’s “oh so those are your true colors.”

Considering the fact that doping allegations have been floating around this guy since he first began his ascent to the top, one would think you guys would have thicker skin.

And let’s be clear, correct me if I’m wrong, but none of you guys know Nadal on a personal level. For all any of us know he’s a freaking saint (as his image implies) or he’s a complete asshole. Or, and more likely, he’s just a normal guy who happens to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

April 16th, 2013 at 3:51 pm

“played chock full of anti-inflamatories, still won in both years.”

What pro athlete doesn’t take a regular dose of anti-inflamatories? Love how that just slid in there. The excuses continue. He won all his titles, whilst being injured. Of course. And the losses. And playing poker, shooting Armani underwear shoots. Ok. Got it. He’s so better than anyone and everyone he can beat them all being hurt throughout his career.
Keep it real.

April 16th, 2013 at 3:55 pm

‘Or, and more likely, he’s just a normal guy who happens to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time.’

^^^THIS!

I think we ALL need to take it easy on the player’s outside the court regarding whatever matter.

After all, like us, they are ONLY human and looking to do whatever that best suit’s their interest.

Which just NORMAL.

Re no.1 and 2:

Without ANY doubt Novak and Andy are the top 2 for sure right now.

Andy especially deserves the no.2 slot, consider the following from June 2012 onwards:

– Last 3 slams: RU,W, RU.
– Won MIAMI and RU at Shanghai.
– Won Olympics.
– 2 titles already this year.
– Results so far this year: W, RU, QF (lost to Delpo), W.

That is worthy of no.2 rank IMO!

April 16th, 2013 at 4:18 pm

“stop trying to twist every comment and analysis and statement and event and whatever else to make Rafa look like a God among men. He doesn’t need it!”

amen.

the taking offense/outrage at comments by former slam champs needs to stop as well.

April 16th, 2013 at 4:19 pm

@Brando

Great post. You’ve always been an ardent Rafa fan but have the ability to be objective.

April 16th, 2013 at 4:27 pm

“And maybe Nadal will teach Nole some injury tricks”.
And maybe Nole will teach Nadal some acting tricks, ie feigning fatigue and lulling his opponent into a false sense of security. AO 2011 final stands out!!

April 16th, 2013 at 4:32 pm

@Racquet:

Thanks for the compliment.

It’s lovely to receive it from a poster who’s views I enjoy reading greatly on this wonderful game! :-)

April 16th, 2013 at 4:34 pm

http://www.monte-carlorolexmasters.com/News/Tennis/2013/Tournament/Monte-Carlo-Monday-Nadal-Preview.aspx

Ha ha – who’s he kidding. ;)

April 16th, 2013 at 4:47 pm

^^^ This has already been posted on another thread and commented on!

April 16th, 2013 at 4:55 pm

@Brando

Thanks. It was great that you hung around and contributed even after Rafa took time off with his injury (i.e. during the Olympics, USO, etc). Shows you are a fan of tennis in general.

April 16th, 2013 at 4:57 pm

I am just catching up on all the threads. ha ha. Assume I am still allowed.

April 16th, 2013 at 4:58 pm

Jane thanks for the link,Rafa always plays down his chances anyway,i hope everything is all well with Noles ankle too,sorry about my posts to you the other day :-),#it was bang out of order.

April 16th, 2013 at 4:59 pm

jane,

You should know better. Its is standard mantra EVERY tournament. I am surprised “almost impossible” wasn’t thrown in. ;)

This is normal.

via nadalista
#ExtraTerrestrial

April 16th, 2013 at 5:04 pm

“^^^ This has already been posted on another thread and commented on!”

I don’t remember commenting on it

#RafaPolice

April 16th, 2013 at 5:05 pm

alison, no worries at all. Are you a hashtagger now as well? ;) I know that’s Rafa’s schtick, i.e., he’s always played down his chances, but it’s just so funny to read it in this case considering his record at MC. Even the article that follows the comment points it out. Come on, Rafa: you have to admit your the “favourite” here of all places! :) If Roland Garros is his living room, then MC has to be the family room or something! ;)

April 16th, 2013 at 5:06 pm

Jane hashtagger lol yeah why not,but TBH never thought much about it,i can see how it gets on some peoples nerves though at times(even mine):-))..

April 16th, 2013 at 5:13 pm

Aw Rafa! How come his fans didn’t post this?

NADAL ROOTS FOR FEDERER, MURRAY

“Rafael Nadal revealed during the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters that he has cheered Roger Federer and Andy Murray in the past. ”

(snip)

“It was emotional when Andy won the Olympics, as he deserved something like this. Then he won his first US Open,” Nadal said. “A long time ago, I said he would win a Grand Slam and finally he did, so I’m happy. I know how much he fought to be there. When somebody deserves something, I’m emotional.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/04/16/Monte-Carlo-Tuesday-Nadal-Emotional-Person.aspx

April 16th, 2013 at 7:05 pm

@Racquet:

Thanks re sticking around comment. To be honest: it was easy to do so due to the maturing brilliance in the tennis Andy was playing at that time. A joy to behold…. and root strongly for! :-)

Re article:

THANK YOU!

That was awesome to see.

Rafa fans have always been aware of how Andy likes and thinks highly of Rafa as a player and a person.

This was great to see as it shows CLEARLY how highly Rafa has ALWAYS rated and supported him as a player. And he also calls him, considers him a friend.

I remember when Andy won the USO he said that Rafa sent him a congratulations message and he said that MEANT MORE TO HIM than others since he’s always looked upto Rafa as a player, valued his take highly. Hence the message of happiness for his win was dear to him.

An awesome bond those 2 have as fellow peers! :-)

But the FEDERER aspect of it is good to see. Makes you think WHY do some Fed fans give Rafa such a hard time on this forum when he wishes their guy no ill and even at his lowest moment was even rooting for him!

Sad to see that.

Thanks once again- a great read for sure!

April 16th, 2013 at 7:20 pm

@racquet, April 16 7:05…
…and below is a link that I actually did not post (April 15, 1:45pm).

http://espn.go.com/tennis/blog/_/name/espntennis/id/9179125/tennis-rafael-nadal-tired-all-knee-rhetoric-heads-monte-carlo-masters

My only point for posting this (and the one I did not post on this thread yesterday, lol) is that I get weary of those who claim they know Nadal’s motives for saying or doing the things he does.

You are entitled to not like how he deals with pressure. But it is supremely arrogant to claim you know what is in a person’s soul.
Hence, all the ‘fake’ ‘gamesmanship’ barbs that are endlessly recycled.

As a Juilliard grad who coaches performers and is in fact a performer myself, I know first hand that different egos …big egos…deal with pressure, the public and the press in a plethora of ways. The variations are vast.

Some of the greatest, most talented and beloved performers feel sick with anxiety before performances. Then they walk out and blow people away.

Because some of you cannot fathom a person so successful being shy and unassuming exposes your own ignorance. Either that or hate precludes your judgement.

Nadal seems to have a very strict (tyrant?) coach, comes from a small town and is ‘home’ oriented. He also is obviously obsessive compulsive. Therefore it would make sense that he is shy and perhaps in some ways insecure. Perhaps he is not as well equipped to deal with all the fuss as others are.

April 16th, 2013 at 8:33 pm

@Rsutherland:

What a BRILLIANT and INSIGHTFUL post that was at 8.33!

Kudos to you for it!

– ‘Because some of you cannot fathom a person so successful being shy and unassuming exposes your own ignorance. Either that or hate precludes your judgement.’:

Excuse me for saying this as nothing else suffices but: SPOT F****G ON!

You hit the nail on the head with that one!

Quite simply put:

Haters have a silly equation in their little minds:

Knock Rafa down = Raising the greatness of their fav in comparison!

It’s beyond childish.

A belief that ONLY a kinder garden child may be excused for having- and that’s for not knowing any better.

But an adult?

Why it’s time some show the maturity that surely time has, I hope, blessed them with.

April 16th, 2013 at 8:54 pm

@Rsutherland, “You are entitled to not like how he deals with pressure. But it is supremely arrogant to claim you know what is in a person’s soul.”

You are correct that people seem to think they know how and what any player thinks and why they do certain things. I find it amusing that there are those who presume to answer on behalf of their fave, as though they have some type of mind/body connection.

My compliments to you as a Juilliard grad. I suppose you are one who knows first-hand what it means to compete at the highest level coming from such a renowned school. My mom would be bowled over by your credentials as she’s a consummate lover of the fine arts. Absolutely marvellous.

April 16th, 2013 at 8:56 pm

So by being shy from a small town with a tyrant coch gives u a pass on your behavior as a competitor in sports?

This is not Juliard.

April 16th, 2013 at 9:32 pm

^ You are right. His behavior of beating the most popular player consistently who was anointed as the GOAT by the media, fans and ex greats is really disgusting. He has no respect for the sport, fans, ex players, etc.

April 16th, 2013 at 9:46 pm

Brando,

“But the FEDERER aspect of it is good to see. Makes you think WHY do some Fed fans give Rafa such a hard time on this forum when he wishes their guy no ill and even at his lowest moment was even rooting for him!”

That is because Nadal is a HYPOCRITE. On one hand he wishes no ill and roots for federer. But on the other he beats him consistently on the tennis court.

April 16th, 2013 at 9:50 pm

@Forehand: game, set and match why there LOL! We know WHY: 1- the number of losses he handed out to fed hurts them 2- the possible threat he has to his legacy also riles up hate for Rafa. Not judging them or boasting either, but the TRUTH Of their hate is due to these 2 points. Had it not been for either one of these 2 reasons then we wouldn’t see the spite that we see for Rafa from some corners. Sad to see I guess!

April 16th, 2013 at 10:15 pm

Oh so know this all has to do with Fed?

Rafafanmind

April 16th, 2013 at 10:22 pm

“Oh so know this all has to do with Fed?” LOL Skeez, us fedal fans seem like a bad marriage. Constanly arguing and bickering, blame thrown from one side to other but with no love. We need a divorce I say. :-)

April 16th, 2013 at 10:38 pm

I liked the Juilard reason better ;).

But pick one. Fed or Juliard. Lol.

April 16th, 2013 at 10:44 pm

Never understood “Fedal” wars. Bad marriage, uh?
I am sure Nadal will go down as the best #2 there ever was.
As a Fed fan, the only war with Nadal I see was Rafa fans initiating it, by claiming H2H, the only thing they could. Sure, they try to compound it with crying and mono, lol. But facts define history, not jabberwocky talk.

My gonads are secure with Feds records, and believe me, he is lookin down from the Ladder not up, when it comes to all time records and Slams. History will prove it. He is, and will be the best of his era.

I know that the Nadal fans have been hard up since he has been out for 7 mos, but c’mon, he wins 1 title since he has been back and most of you are claiming he is the second coming all of the sudden. ROFL.

Take a chill pill and lets see. He is gonna sweep Clay, he usually does. His test will come at Wimby and USO, then you can all start claiming sh!t. However, if he doesn’t sweep Clay, look out.

April 17th, 2013 at 1:32 am

@Ben Pronin says at April 16th, 2013 at 3:51 pm

—————-

Wow, that was some rant! Hope you feel better now bro….

Chillax, the clay season will soon be over and you can pack away the green-eyed monster till the next season.

Vamos Rafa!!

April 17th, 2013 at 1:54 am

Its all quite simple really,Rogers the greatest ever,Rafas one of the greatest ever,both have their own records,both will go down in history,its fine to be a fan of one,but we should also respect the other,i think both sets of fans can sleep easy with their achievements,there is enough room for both players to co- exist,its not like some old western movie ie this town aint big enough for the both of us.

April 17th, 2013 at 2:02 am

Fed is definitely the best of his era, for now. Fair to say his days of adding to his records collection are numbered.

Rafa’s days of adding to his records, on the other hand, are just beginning.

*explains the helplessness emanating from some quarters*

So, what do we, Nadalistas, do in the meantime? Chillax!

Let the games begin!!!

#RafaKoolAidDrinker

April 17th, 2013 at 2:03 am

RT @RafaelNadalFC: “Rafael #Nadal: “I would play against Roger #Federer the last game of my life.” #Fedal

Of course you would, Rafa, you know you would win even if you were a doddering ol’ coot…..

#Duh

April 17th, 2013 at 2:12 am

http://alturl.com/zx7zv
More accolades for our Champ!
#VamosKing

April 17th, 2013 at 3:20 am

@skeeezer “But pick one. Fed or Juliard.”

one of those words is missing a t.

“Rafa’s days of adding to his records, on the other hand, are just beginning.”

about to turn 27 and with that knee? just beginning? I highly doubt that.

April 17th, 2013 at 4:46 am

Fed or Juilliard…? No one from Juilliard is arguing with Fed. I admire Federer in many ways aside from his tennis. As A linguist, I admire him (although as I said before his attempt at Mandarin was surprisingly tone-deaf).
My only point with that is that I understand first hand public pressure and big egos.
I also understand personalities and yours 17Skeezer17, is a duplicitous one…the worst kind.
And since you bring up Federer again; find any polyps up there?

April 17th, 2013 at 7:29 am

Well done Champ. 1hr 2 min. #RafaInAHurry

April 17th, 2013 at 8:10 am

The great man, Toni Nadal, speaks. This is the Mats Wilander Eurosport interview you talked about, @Giles.:

http://www.thetennisspace.com/toni-nadal-rafa-had-to-become-more-aggressive/

April 18th, 2013 at 12:55 pm

Always nice to hear the views of people who KNOW the game and those who play it, rather than those of mere fans:

http://www.thetennisspace.com/petchey-rafa-on-clay-is-still-the-ultimate-challenge/

April 18th, 2013 at 1:20 pm