Poll: Who’s Your Early Favorite To Win Wimbledon: Djokovic, Murray, Federer Or Nadal?

Thanks for the Humble Love. When the sun rises, you can be sure the Arrotards will flip the poll.

Another good night for Humbles around the world. Spurs putting an Arrogant One in his place. Nice..

June 12th, 2013 at 12:13 am

The Heat got beat by b-level players. Shame on them.

#humblenesswins#

June 12th, 2013 at 12:22 am

My favourites would be Novak, Rafa, Andy only in that order. I do not think Roger can win considering his present form and the age factor. To put it bluntly, he has lost confidence and that counts a lot when you are seeking a slam win. I think Novak can get the better of Rafa on this court which plays fast and keeps low and the ball doesn’t bounce high as in Rolland Garros which caused him problems against Rafa. Some flat hitting can do the trick for him and he knows how to do it against Nadal if it comes up to that. So, Novak is with an advantage. Rafa as usual cannot be written off and he is the one who has made five finals here which is a stupendous achievement by any standards. Considering the momentum he has in this year after his come back, he is a strong favourite after Novak. Andy will have his hands full here. He has the game to count but the question is whether he has the will to execute it. I would be very happy if he goes on to win this one but I am sceptical about his chances considering that his confidence like Roger is a little bit low. So, Novak and Rafa would be the two favourites for me.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:23 am

“Novak has never truly excelled on Grass”. Well he won in 2011 and made the semis in 2012 and still he is derided with this comment.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:24 am

…”last year suffered poor results at both Wimbledon and a month later at the Olympics.” – I don’t consider Novak losing in the semifinals at Wimbledon to a 7 time Wimbledon champion a “poor result” but that’s just me I guess.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:24 am

Jane,

That was an outrageous slander against Novak. Poor results at Wimbledon. My foot !!

June 12th, 2013 at 12:30 am

In 2008, Nole did have an early loss at Wimbledon, but he reached the Queens finals that year. In 2009, Nole lost in QFs at Wimbledon, but he reached the Halle finals that year. Since 2010, he’s reached semis, then win, and then semis. So I don’t think he does too badly on grass anyhow.

I am just concerned he’s going to be down or something after that close loss at RG; I hope he bounces back well.

I agree that Andy seems primed to do really well at Wimbledon this year. It could be his year to win it.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:44 am

Well, Novak’s results are relatively poor in Grass than hard courts. But he has not done that badly. I think he is the huge favourite for this Wimbledon. In 2011, he beat Nadal in four sets pretty easily. The fastness of the court will give him an advantage whenever he faces Nadal and he knows well how to beat him. I do not share Jane’s view that Novak is going to be down after that close loss at RG. I think he is going to be hugely motivated and primed to win Wimbledon. He will find it tough against Andy more than Nadal.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:53 am

Michael, I am not sure if Nole will be downbeat, but it’s just something I was worried about. Hopefully you’re right and it’ll just fire him up more to do well.

I don’t think he could meet Andy before the finals, if they are the one and two seeds.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:56 am

“Novak’s poor results”, “never truly excelled”, “Murray’s collapse”, “falling apart” – all over-exaggerated, probably intended to stir up reactions. I won’t bite.

“he needed a lot of help with his ailing back flaring up”

This doesn’t even make sense. How does a back flaring up help?

June 12th, 2013 at 12:57 am

Wimbledon is always difficult to predict, and weird. This year even more than usual. To me, Andy is the (un)clear favorite, followed by Rafa, Novak, and somewhere far down Roger. But that’s just based on speculation about Andy, who has had a lackluster 2013 since AO. Rafa’s serve, I thought, looked great in Paris, which could be a good sign for the remaining slams this year. I would be willing to guess it’ll be rafa or Andy, not Roger or Novak. But we will see more of their grass form soon…

June 12th, 2013 at 1:04 am

Jane,

Well it was a very tough loss at RG. A match he should have won in my opinion even though he played mediocre Tennis compared to his high standards. That just one collision with the net changed the whole complexion of the match. He must have been terribly disappointed, no doubt about it. But Novak is not that kind of a player who will freeze himself with a loss. He has this “carry on” attitude which places him in good stead. I do not think there is a fighter better than Novak. He knows how to handle Nadal and he showed that in RG where everyone else struggled. That is the greatness about him. This time in RG, neither the environment nor the court conditions favoured him. Everything went against him including the Umpire who gave two of the most outrageous decisions. But still he fought till the end. I am eagerly hoping that he will recreate the magic of 2011 this time in Wimbledon and I know Novak will not disappoint me.

June 12th, 2013 at 1:53 am

@jane (12:24) — ha ha! exactly my thoughts as soon as I read this post…

But yes, I agree with Eric’s (1:04) post that it is really unpredictable this year…

For eg., I don’t know what shape Andy is in — he has the game to win; but has he recovered from his back issue? And what shape is he in mentally?

If Rafa gets to the second week [which he should], he will be a huge favorite given his current form & his grass pedigree [he did reach 5 finals (winning 2) between 2006 and 2011].

Fed… I don’t know; we all know he can win [he has 7 wins; & he is the defending champ after all]. But will he?

Nole: as jane says, he has been consistent in grass over the last few years. But is he feeling calm & focused like he did during 2011?

Since I can’t decide, I checked the betting odds; Nole 19/10 [34%], Rafa 7/2 [22%]; Andy 17/4 [19%]; ad Fed 25/4 [14%]. I think Nole is given slightly higher odds; but i agree with these odds by and large [of course this is before knowing the draw etc]…

And we might have more upsets than the last few years — there is Jerzy, Dimi etc…

June 12th, 2013 at 2:05 am

My favorites would be Roger/Andy joint favorites,like Kimberly said i think there games are better suited to GCs,i think Wimbledon is Rogers best chance of adding another GS,Rafa/Novak are vulnerable 1st week,Novak lost early in 2008,and had a tough 5 setter 1st round the following year,when Rafa won in 2010,he also came through a few 5 setters against Hasse,Pechtzner and the Soderling match was a tough 4 setter,and we all know what happened last year,Andy or Rafa would be the ones i would like to win it in that order.

June 12th, 2013 at 2:06 am

Voted for Novak and think he will win his 2nd title. OR, my wish is for Andy to win it, but gut says Novak will make a statement after his disappointment at Roland Garros.

Federer to a semi.
Nadal to a semi.

So tired of the fan noise being constant at a high fevered pitch around Nadal that if I didn’t hear about him until US Open, that would be fine!
Eight FO titles is just useless competition/field (not Rafa’s fault) but such OTT tennis kitsch to me; nigh on ten years of domination is enough.Uh Sorry Nadal fans, had to let it out. And look at all the TX Nadal fans in the poll! Rafa fan bus stops here, lol…when did that happen?

June 12th, 2013 at 2:06 am

What exactly is the point of this poll? You would take it seriously though @contador, no? And don’t worry, no self respecting Rafan is gonna vote, so Novak is guaranteed to finish ahead of Rafa. You do see why, don’tya?

Sigh…….

June 12th, 2013 at 2:34 am

Any of the top 4 could win it though and Tsonga could make the Final but unless he was meeting a tired Federer there, doubting Tsonga would win vs Nole, Rafa or Andy.

And, if indeed Rafa wins, which i think is a possibility (not like the poll has him, lol), I will take a long tennis posting vacation – it will be unbearable here! I can see that.

no, not taking the poll seriously, nadalista. duh. but remarking about the increase in the amount of Rafa Fans from usual at other times of the year since I have posted here.

June 12th, 2013 at 2:36 am

snaky much Nadalista?, you did look at the votes in the poll?

nadal fans voting seriously? LOL….have a look

June 12th, 2013 at 2:39 am

snarky not snaky ‘course either works ;)

June 12th, 2013 at 2:40 am

LOL I guess there is a lot of self disrespecting Rafa fans , according to you @ Nadalista….

June 12th, 2013 at 2:45 am

snaky has a ring to it.

June 12th, 2013 at 2:45 am

I think, draw is gonna be set for Andy-Nole semi and Roger-Rafa semi…to make sure Andy reaches final..Any other combo will make a tough semi final for Murray.

June 12th, 2013 at 2:46 am

pleae, not another draw conspiracy. that scenario will be miraculous to pull off considering nadal might be seeded #5.

June 12th, 2013 at 2:49 am

@volley maybe there is just one disgruntled, self-disrespecting Rafa fan voting 90 times…very possible in polldaddy.com.

June 12th, 2013 at 3:17 am

As long as the draw isn’t too cruel to Murray, I can see him at least matching last years performance, if not winning the title! Personally I would love to see a Murray-Nadal final, Andy has already proven he can beat both Djokovic and Federer on grass, and if he can emulate the form that took him to the Gold Medal at SW19 last year, I reckon it will take something extraordinary to beat Murray this time round!

June 12th, 2013 at 3:17 am

^ yes i don’t place much stock in polldaddy.com although i applaud the few dedicated fans who had the patience to repeatedly vote for rafa. i don’t think there are even 90 fed fans here – a federer sanctum – let alone 90 for rafa.

i’m miffed tsonga isn’t a choice. he’d get one vote at least!

June 12th, 2013 at 3:37 am

I’m a bit nervous about Murray’s back. He says it’s fine, but then he would, because if he said there was still a problem, he’d be accused of making excuses in advance.
Thing is, it’s not just the normal stress of playing tennis. There’s been a fair amount of rain so far at Queen’s, and it looks set to continue. It’s 8.30 Wednesday morning as I write, cloudy and overcast, with no sign of the sun yet – and I live about a mile from Queen’s!
They seem reluctant to cover the courts when it rains, and players have been slipping all over the place, with some taking heavy falls. Crashing to the turf wouldn’t help Andy’s back. So it’s fingers crossed.

June 12th, 2013 at 3:39 am

1. Andy Murray 2. Roger Federer 3. Novak Djokovic/Rafael Nadal are the favourites for me, in that order.

Nole’s service game over the years has improved and he’s been serving quite well for a while now. But should he run into Roger Federer or Andy Murray in the semis, Roger/Murray could have the upper hand with their game more suited to grass. If he gets to the final, he’ll be very motivated and difficult to stop for anyone from his 2nd Wimbledon title.

Nadal could be vulnerable in the first week. If he manages to sneak through the second week, which he should, he’ll be a heavy favourite like someone’s alreadly mentioned. How well Nadal performs in the tournament will depend a lot on his serves. If he’s serving well, he’ll be difficult to stop from his 3rd Wimbledon title. In 2008 when I saw him serve well, I was confident he would take the title. Andy Murray has the game to take him out though imo. Andy will need to give Nadal as much fight as he does against Djokovic.

How well Andy performs will depend a lot on his body and will. If I were a fan, I wouldn’t be too worried about his back. I think he’s fit now. If he can enjoy the crowd support and play his A game, he can make Great Britain proud.

Roger Federer, unless he gets outplayed like in Paris, will be difficult to stop. He enjoys battling Nole and Murray, but not sure he feels the same facing Nadal. Even on grass. If he gets to the semis and is in top form, he can win the final and lift his 8th Wimbledon trophy.

Isner, Raonic, Gulbis, Del Potro, Berdych on their day can be dangerous for any of the top 4, esp Nadal and Djokovic in the first week.
A great tournament ahead.

June 12th, 2013 at 4:22 am

Nadal. His style bores the crap out of me but there is no one playing better at present. Would be fantastic if someone outside of these four were to win, e.g. Tsonga.

June 12th, 2013 at 4:44 am

For fans Nole and Rafa on Nadal-Djokovic rivalry.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/straightsets/2013/06/07/the-secrets-of-nadals-success/

June 12th, 2013 at 5:15 am

*of

June 12th, 2013 at 5:15 am

Thanks @James great article. “Nadal seems to have solved the riddle of his most troubling nemesis”. Amen to that line!
Vamos King!

June 12th, 2013 at 5:58 am

@Possum. You always have a choice. My advice to you , save yourself some boredom, don’t watch Nadal play tennis, play with your toys instead.

June 12th, 2013 at 6:01 am

@Giles, I believe Nadal has had the upper hand in the rivalry since 2012, leading 4-2. It will be interesting when/if they meet at Wimbledon. It’s a great rivalry, the best in men’s tennis today. Credit to both players for such high level tennis. And I’m sure Nole won’t be so cocky (some of his fans still are) about his chances of beating Rafa again.

June 12th, 2013 at 6:26 am

Yep @James. I am all for stopping the cocky joker and his fans from talking the talk.

June 12th, 2013 at 6:34 am

@Giles, Had Nadal finished their last match in 4 sets, it would have given him a slight psychological edge. But since it went to 5 sets, I think they’re about even on the mental side. We will never know who’s winning their next match ’till the last point is played, irrespective of what surface they play on. Makes the rivalry very interesting.

June 12th, 2013 at 6:56 am

I’d like Ke Nishikori to do well at Wimbledon. He’s now ranked 13 and a good show at Wimby could help gain more points to make it to the top 10. I think the guy is a top 10 material.
Nishikori doing well in tennis could help the sport gain more popularity in Japan and Asia.

June 12th, 2013 at 7:04 am

Likewise, I wish the same for Delpo. JMDP can help the sport gain more popularity in Latin America. Hope he can win another Slam or two.

June 12th, 2013 at 7:06 am

@James, I am of a different opinion. I think the way Rafa finished the 5th setter gives Rafa a significant advantage:

1. He showed his physical stamina is back by going to 5, and he still looked fresh;
2. He showed his mental strength is back by remaining focussed even through Novak’s “water the court” meltdown;

Of course he had lapses during the match and that’s why it went to 5, but I thunk it was important to send a message, on the above 2 points, to the locker room.

Now he’s got his “aura” back, half the job’s done because most of the players will be beat before they leave the locker-room………….

June 12th, 2013 at 7:08 am

@James. I have my doubts for Delpo. Not only is he injury prone but I think his wrist is going to prove to be a big problem for him going forward. Much too much force when hitting the ball.

June 12th, 2013 at 7:13 am

@James

I like you assessment,I think you are really unbias and that’s good.

I too think Andy is the favourite out of the Big 4,I can feel that he’s ready for Wimby title after the last US Open.

I feel that Federer can win the title if he can avoid meeting Andy…

June 12th, 2013 at 7:16 am

Geez that fifth set had me all in a tizzy. I thought when joker was up 4-2 this is it for our boy but a little part of me still had faith and confidence in our boy that he would pull the rabbit out of the hat. Magical Rafa and so it proved.
Vamos King!

June 12th, 2013 at 7:18 am

…………..

James Says:
@Giles, I believe Nadal has had the upper hand in the rivalry since 2012, leading 4-2.
……………..

Pretty stupid post for somebody who says that play and follows tennis. Out of those six matches only one is HC and five are CC matches. Nole obliged and turned up on every CC tournament in 2012/13, how many HC tournament Rafa turned up and gave Nole chance to meet him? I will tell you how many he missed, about 9 or 10, plus London games. Does anybody really believes that if Rafa turned up for HC season it would be 4:2? If you add all HC tournaments that he didn’t play prior to 2012 you will realise that H2H of 20:15 is very deceiving, isn’t it?
Out of here and back to explor Great Barrier Reef and enjoying Cairns town:))

June 12th, 2013 at 7:20 am

Well said Wog Boy @ 7.20 am. I strongly endorse your comment.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:23 am

Rafa can’t turn up for matches when he is off the tour injured!!
Has Rafa withdrawn from any match against joker? NO!

June 12th, 2013 at 8:25 am

@Wog Boy: pretty stupid comment? LOL, no more or less than your ‘Rafa is taking a break to combat Novak with a better game’. Atleast that comment is based on some reality, unlike your’s: full of suspicion, insecurity and above all else: pure nonsense! Ajde Rafa, ajde!:-)

June 12th, 2013 at 8:38 am

PS: Isn’t Novak the great the one going for a career slam in retirement’s? I thought he would pull it off by retiring in the 5th set v Muzza at the USO final. Just like in the 5th set v Rafa: when the heat is on Novak gets his excuses ready!

June 12th, 2013 at 8:40 am

@Giles: ignore him. He’s just a sour fan. Period. He’ll come up with any reason to maintain his grandiose illusion of the chosen one. LOL. Let him do his thing: amusement is guarenteed.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:44 am

Re Wimby: Andy is the fav IMO. He’s got the game for it, and it’s his time me thinks.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:45 am

I find it ironic that Rafa is never injured during clay court season, nor has he pulled out of any clay court tourneys. Yet he’s conviently unfit to play, or is pulling out of matches, during hard court season.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:57 am

“Does anybody really believes that if Rafa turned up for HC season it would be 4:2?”

No. They would have played more matches then. Rafa missed the entire HC season in 2012 to injury. The last HC tournament he took part in, he won another Masters 1000. Beat Del Potro who’s supposed to be a better HC player like Nole. And where was Novak? Right, Delpo sent him packing in the semis.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:01 am

@James: great post. Fact is the h2h is what it is: a fact of the game. IF’s, but’s etc are all meaningless in comparison to the fact of any matter. It is what is: folks need to accept it. The ONLY ones are looking at the ‘but what if Rafa…’ are the ones who just cannot accept the reality of the matter. Tough luck for them, as they eventually have to accept it!

June 12th, 2013 at 9:12 am

@Brando, it doesn’t matter what fans think. Fact is Rafa 20-15 Nole. Of course it doesn’t mean that Rafa owns Nole every time they meet. He doesn’t. Neither does Nole, which is what some Nole fans want to believe (Nole had a great one year in 2011, get over it!). That’s the beauty of their rivalry. You really don’t know who’s gonna win ’till it’s over. I think they’re both confident of beating each other regardless of what surface they play on. Maybe Rafa is more confident now than Nole.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:28 am

@squirrel, Andy can definitely win the Wimbledon. If he really wants to make a place in history, this is it. He’s what 26 now? If Nole can, so can he. That’s what he should be telling himself. Win or lose, play your best to the end. He’ll win more often than not (Slams) if he plays with that mindset. I’m sure coach Lendl would be trying to get him to make the most of his gifts.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:44 am

LMAO Humble Rafa voted for himself 180 times…..then was the first one to post. Kinda self indulgent, no?

June 12th, 2013 at 10:12 am

Anyone see the Andy match before rain interrupted? I missed the first set but assume he must be playing well if he broke Mahut twice. Margot?

June 12th, 2013 at 10:16 am

Either Nadal or Murray.

June 12th, 2013 at 10:24 am

Nole will not win anymore slams this year….

June 12th, 2013 at 10:36 am

Wimbledon and USO winners will be either Murray or Nadal.

June 12th, 2013 at 10:45 am

@jamie, what makes you say that?

June 12th, 2013 at 10:48 am

Murray!!! Though that’s a sentimental pick.

June 12th, 2013 at 10:49 am

@James. @jamie is our resident astrologer/ psychic in case you didn’t know. Sometimes he comes good and sometimes not. He called RG for Rafa.

June 12th, 2013 at 10:57 am

@Humble Rafa. Look who’s in the house, skeezer the geezer. I wonder if he is accompanied by his cats on leashes! Lol

June 12th, 2013 at 11:00 am

“He called RG for Rafa.”

@Giles, Wonderful :D I hope he’s right about Wimby and USO too. If Nadal were to win one of these Slams, Wimby or USO, which one would you like it to be?

June 12th, 2013 at 11:08 am

Contador i think posters are voting for who they want to win,rather than who they think will win,im a Rafa fan but i voted for Andy as i believe hes the freshest out of the top 4(although he is my 2nd favorite),and likewise same for Roger,IMO as i said in an earlier post i believe like Kimberly their games are better suited to the GCs,Rafa and Nole are often vulnerable earlier on in the tournament,i was happy with Rafas FO win dont get me wrong,but i can understand its become Rafa heavy on this forum lately,and that can get irritating with some posters as thats all they seem to want to talk about tennis wise,after all its called tennis x not Rafa tennis x,so i was happy but chose not to over celebrate,i think i too will take a break if Rafa wins Wimbledon,i think id like to think of myself as more of a fan of tennis,and not just some Rafafanatic.

June 12th, 2013 at 11:14 am

@James

Nole will not win anymore slams in 2013.

I know why I’m saying it…………….

By the end of 2013:

Federer will have 17 slams

Nadal will have 13 slams

Djokovic will have 6 slams

Murray will have 2 slams

Del Potro will have 1 slam

June 12th, 2013 at 11:14 am

Wimby win is a twoofer for Rafa:

13th Slam; and
3rd channel Slam for Rafa, which would tie him with Borg in this respect.

June 12th, 2013 at 11:15 am

Don’t discount Nole. He will win one of the remaining Slams before the year is out just cuz he’s that hungry. Of course, I will always be a Rafanatic!! The final will be between Rafa and Nole, just watch.

June 12th, 2013 at 11:18 am

@ James. Wimbledon!

June 12th, 2013 at 11:23 am

Tennis x hippy chic – see jamie’s latest predictions? ;)

June 12th, 2013 at 11:23 am

By the end of 2013:

Nadal will have 13 slams

Murray will have 2 slams

June 12th, 2013 at 11:26 am

@hippy chic, I voted for Andy too. Not because I want him to win but because I think he’s prepared better for it than Nadal and Djokovic, plus the crowd support he’ll be getting. His game, like Roger, is also more suited to grass than that of Nadal and Djokovic. Andy has a losing record on grass against Nadal though, like 0-3. But that could change.
Of course I’d like Rafa to win every Slam, but he’s not going to do that. and some other players are better prepared. So like him, I’d rather downplay his chances and secretly hope that he wins haha. Won’t mind if Andy or Roger does it too.

June 12th, 2013 at 11:28 am

@Giles, I won’t mind if it’s the USO. I’d like him to win the 2 HC Slams before retirement just so he completes his double Career Slam (2 AO, 2 USO, 2 Wimby and several FOs).
Hope he wins one of the last 2 Slams, whether Wimby or USO.

June 12th, 2013 at 11:34 am

@alison. Are you calling the Rafans here Rafanatics? And the fed fans? Are they not fed fanatics? Take skeezer the geezer for example, how does he strike you?
And why do you have to refer to us or some of us as Rafanatics? Different people have different emotions, some more than others. Why the label “fanatic”?
You seem to support every player and his uncle. Good for you!

June 12th, 2013 at 11:38 am

Jane yeah,i dont mind predictions be it Jamies or anyone elses,as long as they are not followed by an insult,or stated as a fact rather than as an opinion,im pulling for Andy been a Brit i think it would be amazing too,and i think he stands a very good chance this year IMO,and when the commies parrot over and over again about Fred Perry 76 years blah blah blah,i have to say i feel just as irritated as what Contador does with the whole Rafa fandom talk lol ;).

June 12th, 2013 at 11:39 am

jamie’s latest are rather factually stated hey?

June 12th, 2013 at 11:44 am

I think at one point during jamie’s ramblings he actually said joker would win RG but his ultimate prediction was Rafa.

June 12th, 2013 at 11:48 am

Just read Monfils will miss Wimbledon due to personal reasons.

June 12th, 2013 at 11:52 am

@James: excellent post and I completely agree. They are even matched: Novak is the toughest opponent for Rafa, and I think Rafa has a good case to claim that he is also for Novak. He certainly has a good h2h v him to argue it. I completely agree with Jim Courier on these 2: there is little to choose between them as they are seriously even matched. IMO, usually the one who is feeling mentally stronger on the day wins out between the 2. PS: who is our fav player ? (curious to know)

June 12th, 2013 at 11:55 am

Jane yeah he did,and it is annoying,nothing wrong with having an opinion or making a prediction,we all can do that,as long as we know thats all it is.

June 12th, 2013 at 11:56 am

‘You seem to support every player and his uncle. Good for you!’: LMFAO: spot on!

June 12th, 2013 at 11:59 am

“And look at all the TX Nadal fans in the poll! Rafa fan bus stops here, lol…when did that happen?”

“no, not taking the poll seriously, nadalista. duh. but remarking about the increase in the amount of Rafa Fans from usual at other times of the year since I have posted here.”

Contador,
Dont you have basic sense that the poll asks for whom do you think will win and NOT whom do you want to win ?
If people are sane I would assume that not all who voted for Rafa are his fans.
Or do you assume that people are always blinded just like fedfanatics like who always flock all polls and make him win. The funny part is fed was winning all the prediction polls even related to FO over the years even after getting whooped regularly by Rafa there.

Funny fanatics.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:03 pm

Giles/Brando Rafas my favorite,but i dont love him more than i love the game,i enjoy watching many different players,tennis for me doesnt begin and end with Rafa sorry.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:04 pm

Re fanatics thing: a load of colossal BS. Every major player has a somewhat fanatical fan base. It’s just the norm. When Novak won MC: how many ‘fans’ came out of woods and called it 2011 all over again? Plenty! How many fans were gloating about it and dismissing Rafa? Plenty! Same with Fed post Wimby 2012 win. And now Rafa’s win. Long story short: it’s just normal with fans to go OTT over their fav’s win. Who can blame them for doing so, as seeing their fav win a big one is surely something to rave about. ALL those complaining about it need to quit with BS: as they were not complaining when their guy had won, and had their fav won RG righ now they would be ones doing all that they cannot stand other fans to be doing: celebrating the win of their fav! You don’t like it: either scroll down or take a hike: just do not complain like a hypocritical chump!

June 12th, 2013 at 12:06 pm

@legend: SPOT ON post!

June 12th, 2013 at 12:08 pm

@Alison: that’s great for you. Keep on saying it enough time and you migh convince one of Jane/ Contador to give you a prize for being such a apologistic Rafa fan.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:10 pm

“usually the one who is feeling
mentally stronger on the day wins out between the 2”

Spot on. Did Jim Courier say this or your opinion? I agree with it. Whoever has the mental edge on the day will most likely win between Nadal and Djokovic.

Ps – isn’t it obvious I’m a Nadal fan?

June 12th, 2013 at 12:11 pm

“Novak is the toughest opponent for Rafa, and I think Rafa has a good case to claim that he is also for Novak.”

Brando,
No doubt at all. 20-15 proves that. Rafa is the toughest opponent for every top player. Only Nole can somewhat stand up against Rafa.

This rivalry is active from 2006 and Nole has had an upper hand over ONLY in 2011. Every other year Rafa has had a winning record over Nole. I would expect that trend to continue.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:13 pm

Brando ive made my point,all fan groups have their fair share of fanatics,ive made my point ill say no more about it.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:15 pm

^^^ LOL

June 12th, 2013 at 12:16 pm

My LOL was for Brando

June 12th, 2013 at 12:17 pm

@Giles: :-)

June 12th, 2013 at 12:20 pm

Wogboy,
Enough of your whining.

20-15 doesnt clearly show the dominance of Rafa over Nole. In Key matches Rafa is even more dominant against Nole.

If you consider the four biggest Rafole matches on HCs (Olympics, 2 USOs and AO) they are pretty even at 2-2. Rafa has dashed Noles hopes many times on his favorite that the other way around.

On clay Rafa has a clean 5-0 record over Nole in GS matches.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:21 pm

@Brando, exactly. Rafa just won the French Open for the 8th time, a record in men’s tennis. He is the player of the moment. It will change when another player wins the next tournament. I won’t forget to congratulate or good things about that player when it happens even if I’m not a big fan of that player. Every achievement in men’s tennis today is a hard earned victory.

You know what? I’m just happy Rafa is back and playing good. Five months ago no one in my team thought that…oh wait, that’s Nadal’s speech ;D well, the point is he’s back and has performed much better than I expected considering he’d been away for several months.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:24 pm

@Legend: spot on. As much trouble Novak gives Rafa with his game- which is alot- equally Rafa does provide Novak with some of his own. Just look at AO 12′ and Miami 11′: look how Rafa made it a matter of only a few games (AO) and points (Miami) from him being the winner rather than Novak at Nole’s best slam and MS event- on his preferred surface: slow outdoor HC. Novak was it his best then, and look at the little difference between the 2. That is enough to show that Rafa has what it takes to give Nole a troublesome time, just as Novak himself does to Rafa. Evenly matched IMO.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:25 pm

Nadalista,
Great post at June 12th, 2013 at 7:08 am.

I would also agree that Rafa winning the 5th set was much better than beating him in 4 or even 3 sets.
For me this win clearly proved that:
1. Nole is not in his head anymore.
2. Rafa is fitter than Nole.
3. Rafa is mentally stronger than Nole.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:27 pm

“Wimbledon and USO winners will be either Murray or Nadal.”
The only way Murray can win a slam is to hope that Nole will take out Rafa in QF or SF. Murray is Rafa’s bunny. Good that he cashed in during Rafa’s absence and won the gold and USO.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:33 pm

@James: Vamos you have good taste in fav player!:-) Courier stated the ‘little to choose between the 2’ in terms of game/matchup. The mental aspect is a personal opinion I have of the 2; I feel as they are evenly matched with certain edges- Nole on HC, Rafa on clay- with the victor tending to be the one who is more mentally solid on the day. Hence why I was pleased Rafa won in 5 as opposed to straight sets. Had he won in straight sets what would that tell us?: that Rafa is better on clay and specifically RG- well don’t we know that already. But in 5 it showed that: 1- Rafa is mentally and physically ready for a war on court with his biggest rival 2- He has no mental demons v Nole a when the battle was at it’s toughest Rafa went all out going for the win whilst staring defeat in the face 3- Rafa can play the attacking, winning tennis needed to beat Novak in the toughest of matches. It was pretty much the perfect win for Rafa IMO.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:33 pm

Actually when Nole won Monte Carlo there were almost no Nole fans gloating, and certainly not the 3-5 regular Nole fans here, though occasionally you get one or two new ones who fly in and say something and then fly out or fans of other players who jump into the fray; anyhow, I was honestly curious so I checked the threads:

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2013-04-20/12173.php

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2013-04-22/12204.php

That said, I do agree that fans of most players have fanatics.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:34 pm

@Legend,

hahahaha you are joking right? this polldaddy.com poll has is far from scientific – any similarity with the actual result at wimbledon will be, in the end, purely coincidental.

Do I think that people vote with their heads not their hearts ?
who knows how many do what. are they all legit votes? Not at all!

I can only speak in my case alone. Would have been wishful thinking, imo to vote Andy Murray, which would be my 1st wish.

I voted Novak and whether you agree or not, no big deal. I think he will come out firing and wanting a GS rematch with Rafa – Nole is a fighter.

This is what would help polldaddy poll to improve somewhat its chance that fans voting thought it through when they voted, did not vote multiple times (making the poll more believable); still it would fail to be anything even close to ladbrokes bookmaker opinion/ odds:

Have the software of the poll require would be voters to register to be a Tennis-x member in order to make a vote in the first place. After said voter makes his/her one vote, the username of the voter is taken and that is all the voting that registered username and IP address can vote. Also other registered voters can see the usernames and what they voted in the poll.

Internet Polls which require registering first and automatically take the IP address only prevent that IP address. Other sockpuppets of the registered user can vote with other devices but that kind of craziness cannot be controlled for so the internet Poll is not a good gauge of much really but requiring registering first to be a Tennis-X member to vote would help somewhat.
not going to explain again for anybody.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:36 pm

@James: PS, you make great points in your following post. Especially about Rafa being back: for his fans like me and you, and also TRUE lovers of the game/ competition, that trumps everything else. May he stay healthy and fit for a long, long time above all else!

June 12th, 2013 at 12:37 pm

“1. Nole is not in his head anymore.
2. Rafa is fitter than Nole.
3. Rafa is mentally stronger than Nole.”

@Legend, I hope you don’t mind me responding…

1. Yes! I’ve been trying to say that but people thought I was just being a fanboy. If I know Rafa on the tennis court, it’s that he’s not one of those that will let you beat him again and again. He’s not the most talented player of all time but he never likes to be dominated. He’s been thrashed before but he always came back and found a way to deal with his rivals. That’s Nadal for you. He knows he’s not perfect and keeps trying to improve his game.

2. Nole probably fitter at the moment imo. Rafa probably isn’t 100% fit yet, more like 90-95%

3. They are even on this imo. Whoever shows more heart on the given day will most likely be victorius.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:39 pm

We are back to the stupid discussion about H2Hs?

On hardcourts, Nole is 11-5 against Tarzan. On clay, Tarzan leads Nole 13-3. On Grass it is 2-1, but Nole won their most important match.

Now to the interesting part. Nole and Rafa play 4 common tournaments on clay (out of 16common tournaments every year). If both were equally good on all surfaces. They should only play 25% of their matches on clay. Yet, in their rivalry, they play 16/35 matches on clay. 45%. For fedal, it is even worse 50%.

The biggest reason is that nadal is a one-surface player compared to Federer/Nole. You can check their all-time rankings on hardcourts, indoors and grass. On hardcourts, rafa is either absoconding with an injury or gets beaten by the lesser players in early rounds.

Look at players like Davydenko/blake who avoid playing Nadal on clay. They have more competitive H2Hs. Nole did the smart thing this year, unlike last year and said pass to Rome and Madrid. This year, he is 1-1 on clay against Mr.Clay. Last year, he paid the price for making it deep in Rome and RG and was 3-0. Ofcourse, nadal conveniently had his “injury” when the fastcourts came.

Murray/Nole have picked on this strategy and passed on a major chunk of the clay court season. You wanna bet who is going to have a winning h2h in the nole-rafa rivalry going into the fastcourts season? Bet on the guy with the 11-5 record on hardcourts.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:40 pm

@Jane: I was referring to other posts. I’ll post the links later as I am on the iPhone ATM outside. Generally speaking though: you and Courbon are fair Novak fans. No gripe from me towards you 2. You both fair, root for your fav and courtly congratulate the fans of others when their fav wins. It smacks of sincerity as opposed to anything else. Others? They are not shy from gloating. I don’t blame them- I get it: Rafa fans, Fed fans, other Fans do so to at certain moments. I do too, I admit. But the ones who truly piss me off are the hypocritical bandwagon jumpers: they are NOT fans of a certain player, but rather fans of what his success means as a consequence to a player they dislike. That kind of petty crap riles me up at times. That’s what I was referring to in general. Anyhow: rest assured you were not referred to at all in my post re the gloaters.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:46 pm

@Simon, for a “one surfaced player” he’s doing great, no? Beating two of the best HC players of his time for the AO and USO respectively. Not to forget beating best on grass for his 1st Wimbledon. Not bad, no?

June 12th, 2013 at 12:48 pm

Nadal is so mentally tough, when he lost 7 times in a row to Nole in a period when Federer beat Nole in one GS and had match-points in another. go tell your nadal never loses repeatedly to anyone stories on rafanuts.com If you check the tennis blogs before Wimbledon last year, rafalings were crazy how “warrior nadal” is back with the usual clay-court sweep and FO. Guess what, the dude got his behind gift-wrapped by Kohlschreibber in Halle and Rosol in Wimbledon. Then began the “injury” lay-off where rafa was busy playing golf and prancing around the beach. Christophe rochus even alleged that the ATP was covering for nadal like they did for Agassi. Go to thasp website, they document all of nadal’s “injuries”.

100% fit nadal is a mythical creature. Rafabots talk about this creature, but no one has ever seen it.

Let’s hope rafa doesn’t get “injured” like last year and 2009 and 2007 and 2005.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:49 pm

@James:

In other news, thomas johannason beat safin in 2002 AO final and fabrice santoro has 7-2 winning h2h against safin and santoro also beat sampras 6-1 6-2 in monte carlo in 98 or 99.

Thanks,
@OneSwallowDoesNotaSummerMake

June 12th, 2013 at 12:52 pm

@Simon, you forgot to mention 2012.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:52 pm

Agree with James on Legend’s points 1,2,3. Phyiscally, no doubt Novak is not inferior to Rafa. A quick look at their recent fitness records just ends that debate quickly. Mentally?it’s all about on the day for these 2 IMO. Both are warriors it’s just who feels good on the day out of the 2. For example: AO final, Rafa was the one who blinked first in the 5th set and lost the match. FO: Novak was the one who lost it mentally and lost the match. Their tennis/ matchup is really, really close: hence the long, drawn out, close encounters. Mentally also they are very close: you cannot label either as a choker or anything as there is too much evidence that supports the idea of them being a mentally strong player.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:53 pm

@Simon, good point. None of those players will be remembered but Nadal won’t be forgotten.

#keeptellingyourselfRafaisaonetimewonder
#iknowyouarehavingdifficultyunderstandingthis

June 12th, 2013 at 12:55 pm

Re Wimby: IMO Andy is the guy to beat. He’s fresher than the rest of his rival, has great home support, only Fed has more talent on grass, beat Fed and Novak convincingly on grass the last time he played them, was RU last year etc. Long story short: he has little, if anything, going against him.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:57 pm

“thasp website”

lol. the notorious site for conspiracy nuts. and nobody – not tennis journalists nor top players – takes rochus seriously. he accuses soderling of a silent ban and using mono as an excuse. please!

how unsurprising you reference such a site.

June 12th, 2013 at 12:59 pm

Well, the non-Rafanatics (or lovers of the game as we are told) better be ready to tune out for a looooong spell ‘coz the Mallorcan Bull is back, with a purpose!

We Rafafanatics will be watching tennis and hoping and willing Rafa to win while they will be watching “the game” , wherever that is played……….

June 12th, 2013 at 1:02 pm

James Says:
@Simon, for a “one surfaced player” he’s doing great, no? Beating two of the best HC players of his time for the AO and USO respectively. Not to forget beating best on grass for his 1st Wimbledon. Not bad, no?

June 12th, 2013 at 12:48 pm

Great post. Include beating the best HC player of his generation on a FAST HC to win a gold medal.

June 12th, 2013 at 1:11 pm

simon,

one of the characteristics of a champion is not in how many times he falls, but how many times he rises again. you may frame nadal’s success any which way you want, but the fact is, you won’t be able to change the results. so knock yourself out with your negativism because it speaks volumes in terms of your character. you guys need to learn how to accept when your favorite loses and move on, but i doubt that will happens anytime in this lifetime.

June 12th, 2013 at 1:20 pm

@ James: Thank you for great article from NY.Its best article I read about Nadals-Novak rivalry.

Regarding the Wimbledon my favorites are :
1.Nadal
2.Novak
3.Andy
4.Roger
I know it makes sense to put Andy first but since US Open he has not won anything (Brisbaen?) and I’m not sure about him at the moment.
I rate Nadal and Novak similar on the grass.

June 12th, 2013 at 1:21 pm

@ courbon – Andy also won the Miami Masters.

June 12th, 2013 at 1:24 pm

Well there are games being played this week, at Queens and Halle. Hope we get a new thread for these soon. Shame about the rain in England. Hope it lets up soon and doesn’t rain all through Wimbledon again. Then it’ll be a lot of “under the dome” matches like last year. The roof is great, but given that it’s only on one court, the tennis slowed down and that court gets overused. Plus I do think it changes the dynamic of play somewhat.

June 12th, 2013 at 1:24 pm

By “slowed down” I mean the number of matches they can get through in a day, not the actual play. Not sure if the roof speeds up the game or slows it?

June 12th, 2013 at 1:26 pm

@Courbon: great to see you posting. Don’t you think Andy will do better this time though? I mean this year, IMO, his results have been pretty good: Brisbane: W, AO: RU to Novak, IW: QF loss to a on song JMDP, Miami: W and then clay were he hasn’t never really played his best and injury didn’t help him this year. IMO, aside from clay, he has been consistenly solid and challenging. I reckon he’ll have as good a chance as Rafa, Novak- especially if he wins Queens. He’s also a GS winner now also: stage fright shouldn’t be a problem now.

June 12th, 2013 at 1:27 pm

“@Simon, you forgot to mention 2012.”

get yourself some reading comprehension skills from someone more intelligent than rafalings and read my post again.

June 12th, 2013 at 1:32 pm

Simon, the trouble with you is that you are not a true lover of Tennis like the Rafabots claiming they are superior LOL

gotta laugh…this thread is now a farce with all the psuedo true lovers of the game. Blind Rafabots and Rafapolice.

I am an occasional Thasp reader. It is good to go there – I think there is truth is smoking guns – all you have to be is a former supporter of Lance Armstrong to understand how to spot unbelievable performances and know that not enough “never tested positive” and “no proof” claims are not solid indicators of being clean in sport. Questioning performances is a good thing and to ridicule those who do question and want more testing is to support the Omerta in sport.

June 12th, 2013 at 1:37 pm

@ DA and Brando: Don’t get me wrong I like Andy but I’m not sure about him this time.Just a hinch.
I could be wrong off course…its just Nadal is ther to prove that he is not only clay court player so he will be very motivated and Novak will definitely want to revenge RG, so I see those to battling out again.Off course Andy and others will have to say something about it.Have you seen article that James posted earlier from NY about Nadal and Novak?Its great.
I have not been around last three weeks, just start reading-anything new on TX?New fan wars, Jamies new predictions and where is my girl Alison?

June 12th, 2013 at 1:41 pm

@Jane

Please….oh please! A new thread for Current Matches!

I have to go resurrect the old one. It has slipped down out of sight.

June 12th, 2013 at 1:43 pm

“Simon, the trouble with you is that you are not a true lover of Tennis like the Rafabots claiming they are superior LOL”

@Contador: I am not a murray fan (2nd to novak) or Rafa fan (2nd to Roger) to hide behind tsonga or delpotro, no?

Believe me, I am sure most of these rafabots/police are armstrong fans who think the world has done him in. God forbid, should anything like that happen in tennis, you know all these bots will be holding down the fort for rafa.

Mary carillo mentioned how blatantly toni was having a conversation with nadal during the FO semi-final. Add that to the time violations and the spurious injuries and medical time outs and you have a guy and his team who do not mind bending the rules to “win”. This is the problem when a sport gets filled with ignoramuses who care only about who “wins” but not how the game is played.

In my book, gulbis, janowicz,tsonga,gasquet from present time and santoro, rios,safin and the likes are the real gems of our sport. I like Federer/Nole not because they win so much, but they do so playing with an aggressive mindset that lets them camp even in this era when clowns like almagro can hang in barcelona and hit a winner in philippe chatrier using the “string” technology.

June 12th, 2013 at 1:45 pm

“I like Federer/Nole not because they win so much, but they do so playing with an aggressive mindset that lets them camp”

@the baseline….

June 12th, 2013 at 1:47 pm

Nadal to play China Open this year. Vamos!

June 12th, 2013 at 1:47 pm

Courbon allow me to introduce myself,Tennis x Hippy Chic AKA Alison,BTW lovely to see you posting again,i felt like a new change of monikor,and this fits what i am about in the real world :-D..

June 12th, 2013 at 1:48 pm

@Giles: why would Rafa do such a crazy thing? I thought he likes to run away from Novak on outdoor HC, not sign up to face him at his event. :-)

June 12th, 2013 at 1:52 pm

rios? lol. the guy who was disqualified from the 2000 Mercedes-Benz Cup for saying “f*ck you” to the chair umpire. the same player who won the Prix Citron ‘award’ several years for being the most disagreeable player on tour.

a real gem.

June 12th, 2013 at 1:53 pm

@Simon, I didn’t bother reading your long anti-Nadal post. I wouldn’t take anyone calling Nadal a “one surface player” too seriously. You probably didn’t follow the Indian Wells Masters. It was played on the HC and Nadal won it.

I don’t know what will people like you be saying when Nadal wins another HC/Grass Slam. Maybe luck? PED? Your move, chief.

June 12th, 2013 at 1:55 pm

LOL @Brando, Rafa must have gone crazy. Isn’t he scared of Novak on HC or something? Maybe he wants Nole to level their HxH maybe?

June 12th, 2013 at 1:59 pm

“I like Federer/Nole”

That explains :D

June 12th, 2013 at 2:00 pm

Simple SImon. You are one rowdy hooligan on this forum. I reckon you keep forgetting your medication. If so, take deep breaths and remind yourself that Nadal just won his 8th, yes 8th French Open title. You just might need a double dose of your meds. Bye bye.

June 12th, 2013 at 2:01 pm

@James: LOL, Rafa’s a charitable guy according to many who know him. Or maybe, just maybe, he’s thinking: hang on-I beat him on that surface in 2008 for the Olympics, why not have a free shot at him on his turf with nothing to lose?…… Naughty Rafa, for thinking such a thing. Very naughty for a one surface specialist!:-)

June 12th, 2013 at 2:04 pm

@Simon.

I like white fang…his personality has grown on me and I relate to his way of looking at things – like relishing a booing crowd – he won me over when he showed he plays better in front of adversity. And all the drama is entertaining – holding a body part, ect.

It is a lame angle many Rafa fans like to use – they know I am a fedfan but what they like to attack is the idea that I am not a genuine fan of anyone else or that my now being a fan of Djokovic is attributable to anything but pure Rafa hate …lol it the best ploy they have or it is unthinkable why a Federer fan would support Djokovic for any other reason than revenge. If they bothered to read my posts for the past three years, they might have another reason for me being a Djokovic fan – I LIKE HIS TENNIS and enjoy watching him. Silly posters with straw man arguments.

June 12th, 2013 at 2:05 pm

“100% fit nadal is a mythical creature. Rafabots talk about this creature, but no one has ever seen it.”

;)

June 12th, 2013 at 2:36 pm

^ according to some, when he loses its because he was 100%. when he wins, he wins despite being less than 100%

June 12th, 2013 at 2:38 pm

^ according to some, when he loses its because he wasn’t 100%. when he wins, he wins despite being less than 100%

June 12th, 2013 at 2:38 pm

“Nadal to play China Open this year. Vamos!”
Yeah he said he was going to play Halle too. Somav!

look out here ‘ comes the typical response;
meds, cats, name calling, recommending therapy for anyone not Rafa.

June 12th, 2013 at 2:39 pm

http://alturl.com/a58m6
Enjoy some humour!

June 12th, 2013 at 2:40 pm

LMFAO- classic:

‘ I relate to his way of looking at things – like relishing a booing crowd ‘.

Oh my, oh my: did the great one ever get booed? Was it for a egg and spoon race by any chance oh great one?

Something as pointless as the FO?

And did you tell them ‘SMD’ like Novak too oh great one?

I’ll be damned for not being in such a glorious crowd!

June 12th, 2013 at 2:41 pm

@Simon

I see camping far behind the baseline as a fairly miraculous way of winning in tennis – but Rafa does have the biceps and topsin to camp back there and fire away . I can’t win a point like that personally and don’t relate to it, nor do I like watching that way of winning. It works for him. Far prefer those that come in and use their shotmaking with more variety and creativeness to the point that some may find what I am describing now, junk ball tennis; speaking of Dolgo tennis.

Kimberly hates it. I like it. Kimberly is a tennis player and reasonable Rafa fan. Though we don’t agree, we enjoy talking tennis with each other. That is why I come here a lot. And I am missing the matches right now! lol…to talk about tennis not about only Rafa and Roger. Sometimes the top four but not a steady diet of it.

The thing is, we all have our reasons why we like different players. I have never liked watching just one style alone, even Federer’s, although he is nothing short of well, the best if I chose one, imo. But it is a waste time to defend Federer! why do that any more? And why do these ultra sensitive Rafa fans demand compliance from posters on an internet and bowing to Rafa’s greatness? no one disputes it. I just won’t bite and the more they construct their lame peer pressure the less likely for me to say a word in compliment to the guy.

It is to the point here, (again as it has been before), where I do have to like and respect the Rafa fan to say anything complimentary on a tennis board about Nadal. Do you know what I mean, Simon? For you it is different perhaps; we all are different in opinion – even Federer fans!

Back to the tennis this week!

June 12th, 2013 at 2:44 pm

the guardian did a great piece on tsonga. he comes across as very down to earth and humble. he also has nice words about Andy (margot, theDA)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jun/11/jo-wilfried-tsonga-wimbledon-tennis

i like him even more now.

June 12th, 2013 at 2:48 pm

volley,
thanks for that. thought the same of him also.

contador re 2:44
a gem of a post there ;)!

June 12th, 2013 at 2:51 pm

PS:

Fed fans converting to Novak’s side in the last 3 years?

Of course they would!

Fed turned 29 in 2010- an age many start to decline.

Being the fans of success as they are as opposed to of the player, Novak was a nice obvious choice to switch to.

Rafa was NEVER an option, so boom: it’s Novak.

He’s suddenly successful, no longer a retirement king, and he’s a good match up v Rafa.

IF Berdych was successful they would root for him as they ‘love his tennis’.

LOL.

It’ shows the true colour’s of bandwagon jumper’s really: and REAL NOVAK fans like Courbon has already touched upon this.

One cannot blame Novak fans for calling them out though:

Who would not like a CHEER LEADER for their fav?

So they let them dress the part, act the part of a cheer leader here and amuse themselves with these ‘newly registered’ Novak fans.

LOL- lucky them I say!

I am happy for Fed though: he’s a great player- the best ever, and he deserve’s better fans than those who rode his train of success during his peak and then jumped off as things got tough.

He deserves better than such a PATHETIC bunch as his so called fans.

Hence why, despite some real argument’s, I respect fed fans on here like: Daniel, Madmax, Skeezer, Gannu.

I may feel that they talk some right nonsense at times (and likewise they must feel the same about me, for sure), but AT LEAST they stick with their fav when times are hard for him and not just when it was easy and popular to root for Fed.

REAL FANS.

Unlike the pathetic bandwagon jumpers!

June 12th, 2013 at 2:54 pm

Plenty to respond to in your posts but you are definitely Trolling me and I will not respond to you again. Got it? Good.

Carry on with the windbag posts..

June 12th, 2013 at 3:09 pm

Oh oh: did I touch upon a nerve with the pathetic band wagon comment and draw out a comment from such a poster?

My bad I guess.

THAT post was for the pathetic band wagon poster’s who have jumped on the Novak success train from the Fed one:

they KNOW who they are.

And I guess their response to my post is an ADMITTANCE of such: a good first step on the road to recovery I have read wise man to say.

ANY true Novak fan- or Fed fan for that matter- will know that post is irrelevant to them.

But a pathetic bandwagon jumper?

Oh yes: it truly is for them!

Windbag posts?

LMFAO:

The dictionary definition of it is evident on this site- check the posts of the great one post Rafa’s FO win.

Whining, moping of how FO is irrelevant, sulking like a petty child: yikes it must have hurt!

Ouch!

LOL:

Post Rafa’s FO win no real Novak fan was here for a while: no Mat4, WB, Nina.

ONLY Jane and Courbon: they came to give their congrats to Rafa and move on.

ONLY one so called fan was there: a sour, whiny, butt hurt bandwagon jumper.

No need to name the poster: their crap is evident to all on this blog!

June 12th, 2013 at 3:17 pm

@Moderators, Sean Randall, I am not responding to ^^ Brando but I would appreciate that poster getting moderated he/she is baiting me to get in a “quarrel” at the very least.

June 12th, 2013 at 3:36 pm

I’m not baiting no one:

my point stands objectively on it’s own.

Should ANYONE feel it off relevance to them, then it’s due to the stated subject matter of relevance that I raise:

BAND WAGON JUMPING.

Simple and straightforward as that.

Whether some one chooses to respond to it or let it affect them then plainly put: it’s off their own choice.

June 12th, 2013 at 3:42 pm

@ Tennis Hippy Chic: I though, this hippy chic is cool as Alison and guess what? Its you! For some reason, I did not thought you are ‘hippy’ kind but hey-what do I know? Congrats on Nadals winning,watch those ladies and I’ll speak to you soon-I have to rush out of the house.Ciao

June 12th, 2013 at 3:47 pm

Courbon lol thanks for the heads up regarding Rafa,sorry for Nole that was one hell of a cracking semi,wish it had been the final it was more worthy,so jealous of those girls surounding Rafa lol,im definetly the Hippy kind of gal think indian head massages,meditation,and the character of Phoebe in Friends,if you have ever seen it,the dizzy hippy chic,maybe that should have been my monikor lol.

June 12th, 2013 at 4:01 pm

I recently read a book called Championship Tennis (Nadal is actually on the cover) and it describes several styles of play.
1. Net Rusher (Llodra/Stepanek)
2. All Court Player (Federer/Sampras/Haas/Venus)
3. Aggressive Baseliner (Novak, Nadal transitioning to this since injury, Sharapova, Serena, Azarenka)
4. Counterpuncher (Murray, Ferrer)
5. Retriever (simon, wozniaki)
6. Junkballer (dogopolov tomic)

I’m sure all of us know someone in real life tennis who falls in each.

June 12th, 2013 at 4:34 pm

@Kimberly:

Great list.

Don’t you find it somewhat ironic or amusing that:

1- That book lists Nadal, Djokovic as being of the same mould

2- Many experts note the great similarities between the 2 as opposed to difference

3- How many Novak fans in the past have admitted that were it not for Novak they would root for Rafa due to the similar qualities he possesses

And yet despite this, the ‘bandwagon jumpers’ cite qualities for rooting for Novak that are the cause of their dislike for Rafa, when in reality they are the very qualities Rafa possesses in spades in the first place!

I must admit: I find it highly amusing!

June 12th, 2013 at 4:46 pm

Ha ha, I’m a combo of 4, 5 and 6, sigh.

June 12th, 2013 at 4:53 pm

@Kimberly,

I think I’ve seen that list before. I’ve always thought that Rafa is somewhere between a Counterpuncher and an aggressive baseliner. What do you think?

I hear you’re a tennis player yourself. Where do you see yourself in that list?

June 12th, 2013 at 4:56 pm

@Jimmy, how is your net game? And serve?

June 12th, 2013 at 4:59 pm

@Jimmy, cool bro :)

June 12th, 2013 at 5:00 pm

I am definitely an aggressive baseliner, no questions asked. I am a lefty like Rafa, I hit with a heavy spin too, although unlike him my forehand is more likely to break down and my hard driving two hand backhand is my best shot. My serve is very good but unfortunately I started tennis later and my net game is not where the level of the rest of my game, although I have started to serve and volley some to mix it up and keep my opponents off balance. I look to hit hard from the baseline and end the point within 5 shots. I set up a lot of great points and then miss the put away for lack of patience. The longer the point goes the less it is to my advantage. I am much stronger in singles than doubles, as I make up for a lot of my lack of technical skills with power and athletic ability.

I think in 2006-2007 Rafa was a counterpuncher maybe even mixed with retriever but since 2010 he is definitely an aggressive baseliner. Miami 2010 was where I really noticed the change, in the Tsonga match.

Federer and Sampras are your classic all court players that employ a lot of variety. I see the all court player for us clubbies, as someone that needs a higher skill level than most players of my level have. But my husband, an ex collegiate, is an all court player as he has very few technical flaws. He also still at 39 years old serves in excess of 120mph so obviously he looks to come in on the second ball.

June 12th, 2013 at 5:11 pm

Brando,
“Fed fans converting to Novak’s side in the last 3 years?”

WTF? So a “Tennis Fan” has to be a Fed fan only?. So if/when Feds days are over real tennis fans can’t cheer on someone else or enjoy someone else play?

You types describe to me that you are not tennis fans, but are infatuated, and only in love with one and only one player. The is nothing wrong with cheering on several top players. In fact, it shows a fans love for the GAME, not the person.

You make up your won rules dudette, and most of you types will go bye bye when Rafa goes off the scene. Good riddins.

June 12th, 2013 at 5:14 pm

“He also still at 39 years old serves in excess of 120mph so obviously he looks to come in on the second ball.”

120+?. Should amend your last sentance to;

“he looks to come in and finish the point on the second ball.”

:-)

June 12th, 2013 at 5:17 pm

I’m decent at the net in doubles, my serve is ok but my matches are like women’s tennis, lots of service breaks. I’m told my best shot is my two handed backhand, my forehand can break down.

June 12th, 2013 at 5:20 pm

My strength is consistency and movement, along with shot selection, my opponents say.

June 12th, 2013 at 5:21 pm

We have a excellent junior program at our club. The 2 best (are bros)are under 10 atm, and look like mini me versions of Novak. They have all Novaks gear and look(haircut included), from the Racket to the swing and rubberband man HC sliding(no “tics”, just grip and rip, which is nice to see), Its fun to watch cause there actually quite good, and imitate him. Just goes to show that it is important our top players be good role models, kids are looking up to them and watching….

June 12th, 2013 at 5:25 pm

@Sleazer:

And the nonsense I was referring to you being liable to reared it’s ugly head there I see.

Color me surprised.

When did I say ‘ if/when Feds days are over real tennis fans can’t cheer on someone else or enjoy someone else play?’

Sleazer: are we putting words in the mouth of others again are we?

Sleazy stuff once again from you!

-‘are infatuated, and only in love with one and only one player’:

So say’s the poster who likes to shove his fav’s record down the throat of others- hypocritical much, no?

-‘nd most of you types will go bye bye when Rafa goes off the scene’:

Sure, just like when Rafa was out recently for 7 months (a time a troll like you lapped up to knock Rafa) and I was here of all places rooting for Muzza.

Short term memory or selective memory Sleazer, no?

Ah Sleazer:

If you choose to making accusation or throw fit, atleast show some courtesy and talk on point- is that to much to ask for sweetheart?

Play nice Sleazer: an old dame like yourself should know better by now!

June 12th, 2013 at 5:27 pm

I was playing on red clay is Spain a couple years back and there was a kid the local pros called “mini Rafa” same clothes racquet, everything, left handed, same form, it was kind of cute.

June 12th, 2013 at 5:28 pm

I kind of see a mix of Fed and Rafa’s styles in Nole:

He’s got the will, the physicality (to some degree), the defence, and the mental fortitude which are all strong traits of Rafa’s. But I think he has to inclination towards aggression that’s natural to Fed. Nole will go for the lines and try for winners whenever he can; he doesn’t usually try to force errors/counter-punch. I think Rafa’s been shifting more towards a more aggressive style too. Nole’s always planted himself on the baseline more so than Rafa, who tends to play further back (natural tendency, perhaps due to being raised on clay court tennis?). Rafa does have a strong net game but he doesn’t come in very often. Nole’s been coming in to the net more in the last year or so; I assume his team are working towards his being able to transition and end points sooner. Anyhow, I think I like that about Nole; that he kind of mixes a couple of styles. He’s definitely an all-court player, even though he’s had most success on hard – his being the youngest player to reach the semis of all slams testifies to that imo.

June 12th, 2013 at 5:37 pm

@Kimberly

Sounds like an interesting book.

Probably would explain why I am such a Bandwagon hopper or perceived that way, I like more than one style when watching tennis.

My tennis is not good enough at the level I have slipped to to put in describe any other way than “survival tennis.” And if I do something well on court, it is likely a one off or an accident :D

Used to be better. But even playing some gives one an idea of what pro’s have to do and an appreciation for how they do it!

I have played grass on vacation in some resorts. It was hot, humid and very difficult – labor intensive. But playing in Germany or London would be better and with the roof closed? Federer’s chances have to be helped some – maybe Murray’s and Djokovic’s too.

June 12th, 2013 at 5:55 pm

Same old BS discussion – rehash of the same old stuff.

17>12>6.

That’s it. Nothing else matters, nothing else is remembered.

June 12th, 2013 at 6:16 pm

@Kimberly,

Wow! A lot of similarities with Rafa there.

I think I’m somewhere between a counterpuncher and aggressive baseliner. I may play more defense or offense depending on how my opponent plays. If they’re on song and I’m not, I might play more defensively than usual. But I do look for winners all the time. Right handed, single backhand. Like Rafa my forehand is my best weapon. Had to work a lot on my BH. Watching Fed helped. My BH still not as good as I’d like it to be but no one’s tried to exploit it anymore. So I guess I must have improved. I can run a lot on the court and may try to force my opponent to play similar game. That gives me an advantage as I move quicker on the court than most do. Also I tend to stand behind the baseline as it gives me more time to cover the court and also because I’m confident of getting to the net quickly when there’s an opportunity.
My serve is good but not that impressive. So I try to attack my opponent’s serve more. I don’t like to be aced, always try not to be.
I don’t attack the net unless I sense a point. I’m not good at serve and volley type of game.
Not good with the top spin but I use the backspin (mostly with forehand) more than any other I’ve seen. As a kid I played a different version of tennis (smaller court, wooden racket) and used that a lot. I use this to break long rallies or to disturb the rhythm of my opponent. A lot of players are not used to seeing it used like that, so it helps me. That is if I don’t over use it.

Interesting how the most dominant players are Aggressive Baseliners or All court players.
Have always thought that Murray could use more power with his shots and he might win more.

June 12th, 2013 at 6:19 pm

Oops! That was long. Sorry.

June 12th, 2013 at 6:21 pm

@jane, like your assessment of Nole’s game.

June 12th, 2013 at 6:25 pm

@Rumble:

I like how you cut through the crap there.

You are right: it is like that.

Period.

17> 12 > 6.

King > next in line to the throne > court jester. :-)

June 12th, 2013 at 6:36 pm

@jimmy, that’s awesome. I wish I could say consistency was my strength. *sigh*

June 12th, 2013 at 6:36 pm

17 > 12 > 6?

Best argument. End of discussion.

June 12th, 2013 at 6:38 pm

I would say the WIM winner would most likely be someone who has already won the GS.

June 12th, 2013 at 6:42 pm

Skeezer—yes on the second ball the point is generally beyond finished. His first serve is tough to return let alone do anything with. The second is a nasty kicker and isn’t fun either. In fact since my last post I played two sets on damp clay(where he only serves his second serve) with him with an unfortunate 0-6 0-6 scoreline. And I played really well. He even said I played well. But he is 6’3 and the court seems so small when he is on the other side.

June 12th, 2013 at 6:45 pm

120+mph is more than Rafa’s usual serve speed, no?
I’m much much more gentle :-)

June 12th, 2013 at 6:50 pm

Rafa’s natural default style is counterpuncher/ retriever and he is better than anyone at that style. He has, for a long time been adding the weapons and skill to put him as one of the best agressive baseline players and all-court player in the history of the game but it is not his natural style. When he is just coming back like vs Zeballos or is dealing with an injury, he goes back to default mode, can be seen camped out too far back, and is vulnerable to an aggressive baseline player or that group of giant tennis which I call, serve and forehand eg, Soderling, Rosol or those with serve, forhand and dropshot, Gulbis :D

I think with the giants, maybe a new category of player is emerging in tennis.

June 12th, 2013 at 7:28 pm

Long Rambling Post to Skeezer about Junior tennis, the rest of you may scroll on or read if you are interested in the topic:

@skeezer, I actually play with a lot of the juniors as the parents are told to ask me for games because I love tennis. I usually win pretty easy by being a grownup, but a lot of them can really hit the ball. One exception—-About a month ago I totally got my -ss handed to me by a ten year old visiting from spain. The club called me and asked me to play him. In the warm up I was sure it was going to be cake. Not so. He took the ball so early and drove it so hard I was reduced to trying to moonball and put heavy heavy spin to get a high bounce to take advantage of his obviously lesser height. Didn’t even work!

Being a parent of a junior tennis player is tough though. Brutal nasty competitive parents that have never picked up a racket, cheating, secret clinics within the tennis camp to get ahead, you name it. And my son is only 8.

In South Florida, there are tons and tons of 10 and 11 year old home-schooled kids, that play tennis all day, have fitness coaches, and you can see the writing on the wall for burnout and hating tennis. I can name tens of these kids that I see at the clubs, not going to school, spending ungodly money on coaching and fitness, but who is really going to be more than a college player at best? In South Florida there are more than most places, but all over the country there are tons and tons of kids devoting their life to this sport, and realistically what is the payoff? How many American men and women are in the top 100? When you see so many that will fail at their goal it seems sad. I want for my son to be a good player, maybe play college, but have a nice childhood and life.

June 12th, 2013 at 7:37 pm

Sampras may be an all-courter for most intents and purposes but at the highest level, he never won at Roland Garros, so imo, I don’t put him with the best all courters of all time. Certainly one of the best of all time but not on clay at all.

Gulbis is an all courter. His serve gives him that. And I am back on his bandwagon until he says he hates tennis again.

Jankowicz and Dimitrov might be a bit over-rated or maybe they need to come down to earth. Seems like both flunked their tests on grass. Tough test though in Lleyton Hewitt on grass, though for Dimitrov. Jerzy disappointed in Halle.

June 12th, 2013 at 7:39 pm

Rafa has great hands at net but it is not really his style. His winning percentage at net his huge but he doesn’t approach that much. Overall I see him as dictating the points more now than just defending. At the USO Rafa was serving in excess of 130 but its not just the serve speed these guys have, there are kicks, spins slices and placements that are above the level of a 120mph flat serve down the T.

June 12th, 2013 at 7:39 pm

@James-how consistent is your BH down the line. That to me is the measure of a one handers BH.

June 12th, 2013 at 7:42 pm

It has to help to have or come from money as a junior – the more money, the better.

I know it does in ski racing.

June 12th, 2013 at 7:43 pm

His (Rafa;s) rocket serve of the US Open 2010 is still a mystery. There have been brief glimpses of it but not nearly at his ready since winning the US O title.

He could use that serve, or at least if not depending on the competition being weak, to win a 2nd US Open, imo.

June 12th, 2013 at 7:48 pm

Contador—when I say Sampras and Fed as an all courter I don’t mean all surfaces but style of play. All courters typically have a deep repertoire of styles and shots, while they are confortable offensively and defensively eventually they will go for a bold winner from any court position (according to the book)

According to the book, there is a rock paper scissors
Aggressive baseliner beaten by retriever/counterpuncher
retriever beaten by all court/net rusher
All court/net beaten by aggressive baseliner.

I think this is true in club tennis, but not pro tennis.

Way too much intelligent talk. Back to Rafas butt.

June 12th, 2013 at 7:51 pm

@James

I have a single handed backhand too. Never could learn a double handed.

It helps to have a freakishly developed right forehand muscle, that came from water skiing to hit that one-hander and good footwork, ofc. My dad really tried to teach me a double handed backhand.

Better at double here. I like to play doubles!

June 12th, 2013 at 7:54 pm

@Kimberly

thanks – I will listen to what you say re: all-court style. I cannot put Sampras up there with Federer or Nadal but…what does a hacker bandwagon hopper like myself know. rhetorical question.

Actually will look up the book online- sounds like an interesting and good read.

Does it talk about new trends in tennis as the Raonic, Jankowicz, Delpo – very tall with mostly serve and one powerful ROS and one strong, dominant groundstroke? Mentally tough or smart Giants with extra good movement for size are an emerging class on the court, it does seem.

Now go back to Rafa’s butt.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:02 pm

It talks mostly about how to play club tennis (some junior development) but brings the pros in as examples. Looking to raise my game :)

June 12th, 2013 at 8:09 pm

ok ive voted for nadal ten times. That should seal his victory. (kidding)

June 12th, 2013 at 8:11 pm

Oh lord, I knew it was you, Kimberly.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:13 pm

@kimberly, it’s much better now than a couple of years ago. I’m actually comfortable using it even against left handed forehands now. Earlier I wasn’t paying much attention to my footwork while using the bh.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:13 pm

You and hippy chick plunking away at Polldaddy.com – mad as hatters at contador, and on a mission to police the poll and keep Rafa ahead.

Really I think the drive by Rafa fans are the most likely possibility, followed closely by the lone mad hatter Tennis X Rafa fan.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:18 pm

I cannot be off on the footwork or getting to the ball and hit the one-hander properly. If there is any doubt, run, run, run around the backhand and hit my trusty forehand. Pretend I am Henin!

June 12th, 2013 at 8:21 pm

@contador, I can actually play with a double bh, something which my coached always encouraged me to do. But I never felt as comfortable with double bh as with my single bh, although I was hitting the ball harder with two hands. I realised if I could improve my footwork my single bh could be more effective.
Still I’m a forehand dominant player. Sometimes when I fail to hit a winner with the backhand it frustrates me. With the forehand I have no trouble at what pace or height the ball the comes to me.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:24 pm

I wonder if a kid can be trained to use two forehands. Is it possible? Has anyone done it before?

June 12th, 2013 at 8:31 pm

@James

Very versatile; in fact ideal to have both, I should think.

My forehand is the only decent part of what I got on a tennis court. Don’t ask me to serve – think about a beginner Elena Dementieva and you got my serve. It is sad. Low ball toss is my friend.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:32 pm

contador,

to your point about nadal’s 2010 uso serve being a mystery, have you ever considered more than one possibility? just maybe if nadal used that serve consistently it would generate too much stress on the shoulders of a player who is not a natural lefty. in fact, if memory serves me correctly he suffered some shoulder problems after that uso win. if he can win most matches playing percentage tennis or going for placement as opposed to pace/power, then the sensible thing to do would be to use that serve only when absolutely necessary; i.e., as in trying to win a major on particular surface. if you guys wouldn’t be so quick to rush to judgement or if you weren’t so desperate to find something sinister then everything wouldn’t be a mystery.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:32 pm

^^ I was talking about backhands having a double and single; not left and right forehands lol, is that legal?

June 12th, 2013 at 8:34 pm

@contador, and that is good enough to play tennis. I mean you’re not going pro or anything. About serve, I’m like the king of DFs :D

June 12th, 2013 at 8:37 pm

@contador, I got that. I don’t about the two forehands, never seen anyone done or heard. Maybe illegal? Oh man, my tennis ain’t so good after all.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:39 pm

Gee mem.

That judgement thing isn’t it. Maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to judge a poster you really don’t know but have demonized. And please do not address me as I know you have said you don’t take anything I have to say seriously and what you will type to me will be something troll-worthy and intended to insult/provoke. thanks.

In reality, I have thought many things about Nadal and the reasons for the rocket serve – even as I sat courtside and watched him practice and practice, very frustrated the rocket serve was not there for him, as he practiced with David Ferrer at Indian Wells. I do not hate Rafa Nadal but I will not defend myself to you – it is a waste of time. now goodbye.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:42 pm

Oh man, my tennis ain’t
so good after all.

*knowledge.

My first speed must be around 100-120mph
second serve? 60-75mph :D

June 12th, 2013 at 8:44 pm

Nice talking some actual tennis with you @James :D

Now I will leave, however before the attacks on me start from the usual suspects.

No more posting for me today but some great matches on tomorrow! later…

June 12th, 2013 at 8:50 pm

Nadal’s USO 2010 first serve discussion

http://www.menstennisforums.com/showthread.php?t=271642

June 12th, 2013 at 8:52 pm

At the Sony Ericsson open in Miami I served into the machine for a fast serve contest although you are serving into a net with no regard for placement or even in or out and I just barely hit eighty once, high seventies the other twenty times as I kept pulling out five dollar bills and wasting money. Colin hit 45 mph. I think the machine gives bad reads!

June 12th, 2013 at 8:55 pm

Contractor dont leave, this was a nice discussion,

June 12th, 2013 at 8:56 pm

thanks @contador, always nice to talk/play tennis :-)
have a nice day!

June 12th, 2013 at 8:56 pm

@mem, a Rafa fan here. Didn’t see anything wrong with what @contador said about Nadal’s first serve in the USO 2010. Just saying.

June 12th, 2013 at 8:59 pm

@kimberly, Noooo!!! 80mph isn’t that fast actually when you’re serving. I wonder if they used that machine for the matches.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:04 pm

I have an very good two handed backhand. In fact opponents play my forehand! I have a decent open stance fh.

My husband says for a one having your feet set and closing your stance is key.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:09 pm

@ James—they have the machine at most tournaments but it is more like a carnival game. You pay five dollars and they give you three serves. If you register high your name is on the leader board for your category, mine adult women under 40, my son 8 and under. They make u sign a release before too, lol.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:14 pm

@kimberly, your backhand must be solid then. I’ve seen that some players playing bigger shots with their two backhand than the forehand.

“My husband says for a one having your feet set and closing your stance is key.”

True.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:15 pm

contador,

im sure you would love for everyone to believe i am attacking little miss innocent for no reason at all. i responded to your comment with no harm intended; however, if you choose to take it as such, so be it. whether you leave or stay doesn’t change life. i know you as a poster from way back when, so im certainly not surprised at your reaction.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:19 pm

@kimberly, oh that’s more like for fun then. Don’t think it read accurately. Did you see what was the top score?

June 12th, 2013 at 9:19 pm

mem is at it again. thought she would give it up after the “egg” allegation”(yes she has a history here)she should have.

conty , stay atrong enjoy your posts.

u guys might be surprised to know a 110 mph serve and less can be an untouchable return if served right. its not all about speed, but location, spin, and a plan what do with it after

June 12th, 2013 at 9:28 pm

James,

thanks for your input, but i don’t see anything wrong with what i said either., contador is just a crybaby seeking sympathy. nothing i said warrants her reaction unless of course, she is just guilty of something. you might be relatively new here, but i know contador as a poster from a long time ago. enough said!

June 12th, 2013 at 9:30 pm

I’m sure you did well in your category, and your son too. @kimberly

June 12th, 2013 at 9:31 pm

@Mem: ignore the attention seeker. She plays miss innocent all the time when really all she does is dig Rafa subtlely at each and every possible moment. It’s all charade with her that’s tiresome: ignore her tiresome play acting as miss innocent: it’s a self delusion of her own. The truth is out there in threads for everyone to see: they can check it if they like, such as her recent anti nadal rant post his FO win: playing it down as it’s some meaningless event. Petty: that’s all that is. I’m through with it and her on this front. It’s just not worth it. He opinions do not diminish Rafa in the slightest. So from hereforth I say: If she wants to b**** about Rafa then let her. Period!

June 12th, 2013 at 9:36 pm

The adult women’s high was low 90. The adult male high was 122 and the guy I knew, who he was, was a current player at university of Miami. I think the 16 and under and 14 and under male was about at the 100 mark. But who knows if the machine is right.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:38 pm

“….warrants her reaction unless of course, she is just guilty of something”

kettle/black. She is not guitly of anything. u reflext on your guilt and accusations regarding the “egg” issue with Novak.

#timetogobackinhiding

June 12th, 2013 at 9:40 pm

agree, @skeezer, it isn’t just about speed. Even a 90mph serve placed well, is difficult to touch.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:40 pm

Re rest: don’t worry, from hereforth I will not engage in anything with ‘insert as you choose to refer to him/her’ no more. I have had my fill, and it’s enough for everyone. The end for me on that front!

June 12th, 2013 at 9:40 pm

the speed gun has ti be in the right position. and at demo days at clubs, etc they can show skewes results

June 12th, 2013 at 9:41 pm

Skeezer,

Great post at 9:40.

A friendly advice to you. Please stick to attacking posters here. Thats the only thing you are good at.
You become a laughing stock when you try your hands at writing something meaningful about tennis. Your job here is to drive rafa fanatics away from tennis-x with your personal attacks and digs and you are doing it very well. You are doing a wonderful service to fed and his fans. Please stick on to your strengths.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:44 pm

http://www.tennistalk.com/en/blog/Cheryl_Murray/20130606/Novak_Djokovic's_unsung_hero

For anyone tempted to believe what mem has to say about me, please read the posters comment section in the above link. Then, you decide.

That is the site mem knows me from and holds a grudge from over three years ago. And I left that site for reasons evident if you read the comment sections. There is a reason mem would like me to leave TX and this place to turn into a similar rat’s nest.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:45 pm

Contador,

You are a wonderful fed fan. Dont worry about the haters. You are doing everything what a fed fan is supposed to do.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:46 pm

@kimberly, sounds about right to me then. 122mph isn’t bad at all imo. Also 90mph is like 145kmh? Some of the women’s tennis players first serves in the FO were clocked at 150-155kmh. Some even less, I’m sure.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:49 pm

I was so frustrated with it. Yet I kept handing over five dollar bills til I at least hit eighty and could have a little self respect. Colin was aiming for fifty.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:49 pm

Brando,

you are absolutely spot on! she is always taking swipes at nadal and trying to discredit him in her sneaky way; then, when someone calls her on it, she pretends she is the one being attacked when all she wants to do is talk tennis. im on to her! bottom line, her comments are worthless; so, you are right, no need to pursue it any further.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:51 pm

@Mem: Spot on. I’m through with her and that’s all there is to it.

June 12th, 2013 at 9:58 pm

roger federer fan—–will you be choosing a bracket again for wimbledon this year? You did such a great job last year?

June 12th, 2013 at 9:58 pm

@Roger Federer Fan: PRICELESS! :-) please stick around: you should school you fans/ fellow fans on how to root for RF accordingly. Some need to take classes it seems: be kind oh great one and school them accordingly!:-)

June 12th, 2013 at 10:00 pm

RFF,

How is Humble Rafa, your other moniker? I am sorry you lost your job at the local comedy club, but maybe you should try to stick to it. Tennis? You don’t even play it. How should you know what a ground stroke is?

You have no idea who I am,,,,,lets just say your way off. Be careful. If you want to have a test about the mechanics of the game. Just let me know.

A friendly advice to you. Stick to Humble Rafa.

You don’t fool anyone.

June 12th, 2013 at 10:03 pm

@kimberly, I might have done the same if I found out my first serve speed is below 100mph. I’d be like “Ok, take this 5 $, I want another try…damn! I want another try..another…”

maybe the machine didn’t read it accurately. For someone who plays a lot of tennis, I’m sure your speed could well go over 90mph.

June 12th, 2013 at 10:03 pm

They r showing rafa djokovic semi on tennis channel. My DVr dropped it so I am re-recording. I have ao12 and Wimbledon 2008.

June 12th, 2013 at 10:04 pm

“you are absolutely spot on! she is always taking swipes at nadal and trying to discredit him in her sneaky way”

Kettle/Black!

#Nolehater
#eggwasher
#overeasyorsunnysideup

June 12th, 2013 at 10:06 pm

@james, that’s why I kept handing over cash. I think maybe cause I wasn’t warmed up?

June 12th, 2013 at 10:08 pm

@skeezer, I’m surprised humble rafa has not been around to insult the heat after last nights atrocious game

June 12th, 2013 at 10:09 pm

Any time mike miller is the top performer on the tea, u know u r losing the game.
#wadewherewereyou

June 12th, 2013 at 10:11 pm

Brando,

Typical of you. You now are comparing yourself to giles with your “pile on” technique. What a class you have joined…no wonder the blog gets littered with nonsense.

btw I don’t buy into your response to my earlier post, you said enough in the original post that made my point.

#thankyou
#typicalrafaresponses
#rafafanatcsbringoutmudslingingtactics
#whatelseisnew?
#alwaysthereonlyanswer

June 12th, 2013 at 10:12 pm

@kimberly,

Nah, he/she always looks for the most easiest post to make fun of.

#anyonecandothat

___

Have you ever done a speed gun on your serve?

June 12th, 2013 at 10:14 pm

@skeezer: another childish, kindergarden level response from the old dinosaur. Sweetheart, I’ll only say this once and I’ll be crystal clear about it so pay attention: your a diva. A pathetic one at that. Stick to arguing endlessly with youngsters like Giles, or harassing posters such as mem/ nadalista when they blog here like a child carrying on with a petty vendetta: it’s suits you, as well it’s just you: a child with a vendetta. But do not, call me out as a participant in your petty games. I’m not interested. So: show some self respect and shut regarding myself. I’m not interested in your bile sweetheart, sell it to someone else who might be!

June 12th, 2013 at 10:21 pm

@Skeezer No my husband plays some tournaments where the facility has ithe gun and he still does it but I have never done it. I have a decent serve, I can put it wherever I want it, with a nice pace, usually create the advantage in the point on the next ball. I don’t get more than an occasional ace or service winner but serve is strong enough no to get attacked by women of my level or even a little better, and usually I can set up the ball I want for the second shot with the serve. A decent man player can clobber my serve though.

June 12th, 2013 at 10:24 pm

“that’s why I kept handing over
cash. I think maybe cause I wasn’t warmed up?”

I was guessing maybe you weren’t fresh or a little tired. Or it could be that the machine wasn’t functioning well. Maybe it was the machine. But then you weren’t there to play tennis? I’d think when you’re on the tennis court, having warmed up a little, you serve faster than when say you’re at the cinema.

June 12th, 2013 at 10:25 pm

“I have a decent serve, I can put it wherever I want it, with a nice pace”

that in my book is good enough. Even against most men.

June 12th, 2013 at 10:31 pm

@Brando

*sniff* *sniff*

June 12th, 2013 at 10:32 pm

It seems to me, some posters are taking the Federer-Nadal-Djokovic debate/discussion a bit too seriously :D it’s fun, leave it at
that.

Nice talking tennis with @kimberly @skeezer @contador

June 12th, 2013 at 10:43 pm

u too James

maybe later without interruption we all can discuss more tennis and less fandom.

——–
Brando,

BOTTOM LINE?

June 12th, 2013 at 10:50 pm

Rafa or Andy I think
a Triple double channel slam ala Borg or
The first british tennis player in open era and the second since 1936 Fred Perry.

June 13th, 2013 at 1:44 am

@Brando, don’t worry about @skeezer harassing me, it’s the cross I have to bear for being an indefatigable Rafafanatic, a cross I bear with pride!

For me, it’s actually a good barometer of how Rafa’s doing, the noise that is. When it gets to levels which require a richter scale to measure it, like these days, you know Rafa’s winning!

It’s just noise……….

On a separate note, I see Novak’s got a new Facebook cover photo:

https://www.facebook.com/djokovic.official

REC8RD? As in HI7TORY and UN8ELIEVABLE?

https://www.facebook.com/Nadal

Kudos to NIKE for starting a trend! They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

June 13th, 2013 at 2:04 am

Contador@ June 12th 8.18pm,im not really sure what your getting at in that post,i dont know if that was a dig at me,the poll is just for fun isnt it?it doesnt mean anything in the grand sceme of things,its not really something im taking seriously,if i did vote more than once i dont always remember,my husband tells me alot of things i have forgotten,but i can assure you it was not about poll hogging.

June 13th, 2013 at 2:16 am

Danny Morris thats why i would never post on that site,ive had a look and thought about it,but going by the comments and what people have said about the site,i will give it a miss and stick with TX,although this last day or so,there has been alot of bullying going on on this site,fellow Rafa fans have been attacking me verbally just because i dared to have a difference or have an unbiased opinion.

June 13th, 2013 at 2:25 am

Absolutely not taking a shot at you, @ hippy chic.

I was kidding with Kimberly. She was kidding with me about it being her Poll hogging. The two least likely to Poll hog here would be you and Kimberly. The poll is a joke in itself as usual.

Easy to miss the context will all the posts that are carrying on so negatively in the thread. no worries.

June 13th, 2013 at 2:33 am

It is sad but true,
@Danny Morris and there seems to be no hope for that site. I agree with your take on the best sites to read and post. But this site is in danger the past few weeks of going the way of TT thread comment sections.

The aim is to pile on and bully anyone not following the group agenda and silence those for being a Nole fan and stating disagreeing with opinions. But I don’t wish to talk about this. There was a brief time that Kimberly, skeezer, and James were talking about tennis and it was a real relief. We need more of that here, imo. And bring back the threads for watching the weekly matches in a friendly way like we used to when Kimmi would still post and other fans – it felt more welcoming here at other times than this.

The talk does not need to be centered on Rafa, Roger, Nole and Murray or mainly Rafa on every thread – there are plenty of threads already for them.

June 13th, 2013 at 2:48 am

Kimberley – A particular poster on this sight absolutely hates Rafa’s style, and never fails to mention it as often as possible. I’ve tried to be an objective Rafa fan, but for the life of me I can’t figure out what it is she objects to. Personally, the only style of tennis that drives me crazy is the Isner type where every other point depends on his serve. I Rafa can turn defense into offense better than any other player I’ve ever watched. During the FO semis I listened to Gimmelstob on TC drone on about how far back Rafa was standing in the court and how Novak had the advantage being on the baseline, but then Rafa would win point after point from great defense. Do you think aggressive tennis necessarily has an advantage over good defense? By the way, smart parenting for your little guy.

June 13th, 2013 at 2:58 am

I object to being bullied into not being able to state my opinion and to cheer for Nole vs Rafa or cheer for anyone without taking a verbal abusing from the TT posters that come here in droves because that site is a crummy place to post – the lot there have made it uncomfortable for themselves and brought the condition of the threads that @Danny Morris speaks about. Why not come here not meaning to do the same but without intention of behaving differently or changing anything about yourself but the moniker you drag that misery here with you.

By bullying me it only makes me complain louder. And I dislike Rafa’s tennis not Rafa himself. That is not enough for the Rafabots – they demand full compliance and have no humor but snide remarks,, name calling and abuse, period. I don’t have to be silenced about it and I do not care if I am not liked for speaking my mind.

June 13th, 2013 at 3:13 am

Contador – Was reading a Nadal thread yesterday (Nadal First to Qualify for WTF) and who’s on there whining about Rafa and his fans taking over TX but YOU. It was a NADAL THREAD for God sake! If your gonna dish it out, you should be prepared to take it. I’m thrilled to see so many Rafa fans here giving you and skeezer a run for your money. Four years ago you guys ran the ship. Rafa the doper, the butt picker, nothing but a dirt baller, always less than Fed, and all without the slightest bit of conscience. If things have changed you guys can go cry in your beer. I’m pretty sure skeezer has an extra.

June 13th, 2013 at 3:34 am

Contador – By the way, I couldn’t give two hoots who you cheer for as long as your not derisive toward Rafa.

deride – ridicule, mock, jeer, scorn, taunt, insult, etc.

On this thread you’ve thrown your support to a poster who suggests Rafa is a doper. That is ugly and desperate even in fandom. There are a few Nadal fans on this sight who are willing to overlook that, but I’m not one of them.

June 13th, 2013 at 3:49 am

Pardon me Anna, or whatever your moniker was, but your definition and the other ultra thin-skinned Rafa fans here have a different definition of derisive. Derisive to you can mean absolutely anything you interpret that way – whether it is or it isn’t in fact, is subject to who is reading it. Good luck with that here. On TT there is a Rafa police mob for bullying a poster off that site. Hope this place does not turn into that but if you have your way – no doubt there is that risk that it will.

yes I do throw my support to mat4. yes I believe there is more to doping so think what you like – I do not hide what I think and don’t care what you think of me. I think it is naive not to think of doping in tennis and I don’t question only Nadal. Some of the Rafa fans here thankfully are not as blind a fan as you and they already know my thinking , so don’t think you are embarrassing me :D I could say quite a bit on the subject – my moniker is “contador” and I am a fan. That is complicated, but reality is complicated in life.

June 13th, 2013 at 4:11 am

The meltdowns continue……..

Hehehehe!

June 13th, 2013 at 4:21 am

Yes they do ritb. You wish coming true that this place become as scummy as those poster comments on TT? very giggle-worthy, indeed.

June 13th, 2013 at 4:32 am

I am very happy you liked my temporary guest moniker, leftarmgonewrong LOL…that was a fun fact finding excursion.

June 13th, 2013 at 4:37 am

Ah, so it was you tricking me like that @contador! Pity, I really liked that moniker, find a use for it seriously. Way cool…………..

Don’t take yourself too seriously though, bro…..it’s only tennis.

And btw, Bertie Contador is my favourite cyclist. Innuendos be damned! Will be rooting for him this TdF. Wish Froome would just go away………

June 13th, 2013 at 4:58 am

And btw, TT is pretty cool these days…….Rafa’s winning!

*nod, nod…wink, wink*

June 13th, 2013 at 5:00 am

Pity your scouting mission on TT bore no fruit, @leftarmgonewrong a.k.a. @contador. There are some very knowledgeable, and likeable Nole fans there.

I post on TT and tennis-x blog, love it!

#Tennis

June 13th, 2013 at 5:18 am

Me thinks this @contador character is becoming a real nuisance on this forum. Aggressive and full of BS much!
Go @ nadalista . You are doing very well.

June 13th, 2013 at 5:31 am

@Giles

How did you know that our guy will play in china. There’s no news here about it.

Btw, your style of writing remind me of one poster name Mark. He is skeezer best buddy. lol.

June 13th, 2013 at 6:21 am

I am sorry but any person who takes a glance at TT knows it is a rafa-troll infested site. Anyone who supports rafa on that site, is a certified rafa nut.

There are rafa fans on that site who defend the guy who issued a death threat to Federer, because he is a rafa fan. Another example is their defending the streaker in the 2009 FO final because, you guessed it – he is spanish.

You only need to look at Alison’s post to know what an objective tennis fan who has no rafa blinders on, thinks about the site.

Bottom line : it’s a total dump, unless you are a total rafa fanatic who thinks rafa can do no wrong.

June 13th, 2013 at 6:36 am

http://alturl.com/o3b9n
@metan. China Open confirmation.
You surprise me with your comment. Does skeezer the geezer in fact have any buddies?

June 13th, 2013 at 7:08 am

With regards to TT, I like the actual articles written on that site and the writers. Especially the fact that they take the time to write a preview for every individual match. However, the comments section is an absolute joke. It is full of rafafarts spewing their garbage. They are so sensitive with regards to Rafa, but they themselves constantly take digs at Federer, and sometimes Djokovic and MUrray as well. It is nothing short of hilarious and hypocritical.

June 13th, 2013 at 7:37 am

What is the point of criticising a tennis site on another tennis site?

June 13th, 2013 at 7:51 am

I follow Ricky Dimon on twitter. I really wanna know how he has all this time to watch every obscure match out there.

June 13th, 2013 at 8:14 am

Giles Says:
What is the point of criticising a tennis site on another tennis site?

June 13th, 2013 at 7:51 am

You do it all the time Giles, just under a different name.

God, can you post something of interest for a change?

June 13th, 2013 at 8:58 am

“Go @ nadalista . You are doing very well.”

I’m going very well, Thanks @Giles! Hehehe!

We always knew some of these characters who come here and criticise TT also post there under different usenames. They go there, post all sorts of rubbish and then come here and say TT is full of rubbish!

Such a shame because the folks on TT are very welcoming, ask @contador!

#LoveTennis
#Netizens

Vamos!!

June 13th, 2013 at 9:14 am

^ you don’t love tennis, you love Rafa
Totally agree with others here u types or just cheer leaders who don’t know squat about the Tennis game. If Rafa was a garbage truck driver you’d still be following him on twitter and facebook.
nadalista, I posted a 10 questionarre about Tennis and you couldn’t answer one. Not one. Proves a point? hehe….have fun kissing your Rafa poster.

——

@Anna

Never said Rafa was a doper. Find my “aupposed” accusation at Rafa and re post it you twat. Otherwise, stfu. Geez you types sound like an ex, all bitter scorned and venomous. The fangs are out today.

——–

Regarding TT, agree with most here, it has no qualities of fans who want to talk Tennis. It should be called Talk Rafa, not Tennis Talk. Been baited at times to post there, never have, never will. Whats the point?

June 13th, 2013 at 9:23 am

@skeezer,

Whatever takes your fancy, mate!

Go Rafa!

Go Rafa!

Go Rafa!

And of course tennis-x blog is the epitome of a tennis site, that’s why I post here, hahaha!

Oh wait, we are not talking tennis, we are talking tennis sites, can’t be right, can it? Let’s talk tennis: How’s Roger doing? When is he gonna win a title, it’s almost a year you know……

#Vamos!!

June 13th, 2013 at 9:40 am

Danny Morris,
about Yannick Noah assestments, his proper countryman Llodra said, in a Davis cup encounter France-Spain, that his head didn’t run very well…

June 13th, 2013 at 10:04 am

wow! Everyone’s talking Rafael Nadal, his fans, tennis lovers, fans of other players. Don’t know what will happen if he wins Wimbledon.
Roger, by the way, should win Halle, no?

June 13th, 2013 at 10:10 am

I have had long conversations with contador on the bracket site and she doesn’t mind Rafa off the tennis court, just doesn’t like him on.

Crazy enough I am a Rafa tennis fan, huge fan, feel jitters during his matches, support him like crazy but until he dons the bandana and gets in warrior mode I really don’t care much about him. I didn’t even watch all of his interview with Justin Gimelstob. For me its the fighter in the bandana on the court, the come ons, the mental warefare, the never say die, the huge left arm, probably what my friend contador doesnt like, that makes me a Rafa fan.

I do read some of his training regimens because I find his game so fascinating, the first thing on any website that is said he is gifted with an enormous amount of natural stregnth.

June 13th, 2013 at 10:14 am

I’m actually surprised at WImbledon there are not more Rosol type upsets of all the players, although there seem to be a lot of very close calls (Fed, Bennetaeu; Fed Falla; Djokovic Rochus; Nadal Haase; Nadal Petzchner), with short season and lack of preparation and I assume vast differences in the surface.

June 13th, 2013 at 10:16 am

Oy madmax. Don’t accuse me of posting under different monikers. I am @Giles and nothing else. I don’t post on TT, never have done. One tennis site, Tx, is more than enough for me. In fact I have been enjoying my time on here since I first started posting, viz last September.
You sound like an ooold veteran and seem to know all about different monikers. Tell me, how many different monikers do you have, how many different tennis sites do you get thrown out of?
Word of advice, since you find my posts disinteresting, SCROLL DOWN!
You’re a fed fanatic right?
Vamos Rafa!

June 13th, 2013 at 10:45 am

http://alturl.com/r9h58
I agree. I agree. Mockery much!

June 13th, 2013 at 10:58 am

^scrolling

June 13th, 2013 at 11:09 am

That’s actually not a “new” Facebook cover for Nole’s site; they put it up when he won Monte Carlo and now they’ve put it up again; he’s had covers like that before, such as when he won the AO.

Nadalista, it seems the only time you ever post anything about Nole is to take some kind of jab at him. Why bother?

June 13th, 2013 at 11:10 am

Good to see obedience. 11.09

June 13th, 2013 at 11:21 am

Bookmakers still favoring Novak.

“The aging 31-year-old”

In any other context outside sports like tennis & gymnastics, that just sounds like the weirdest phrase ever.

June 13th, 2013 at 2:49 pm

Either Murray or Fed will win. Why? Because I’ll be camping without access to TV, internet, etc., during the 2nd week of Wimbledon. So naturally one of the results I really want to see (Murray bringing one home for the Brits or Fed quieting the naysayers) is what’s going to happen because I won’t be able to watch it.

June 13th, 2013 at 7:39 pm

Just checking in and it is a bit weird in here, but mixed in with some great tennis talk.
The summer of tennis for me is about to start. Am going to Wimbledon this year (flying out to London next weekend!), start the summer/fall club league this weekend, eek, and just purchased USO labor day tickets!
I hope fed does really well (i.e WINS) one of these tournamentS i go to and I hope one of my tickets falls on a Novak session, (I’ve already got Fed’s on lock) as I have still never seen him live.
Kimberly, I have said it once and i’ll say it again, the two rafas fascinate me, his own mother once said that she did not recognize the man on the court with the bandana and the scowl, that is not her son.
I will just say that he pisses me off much less than he used to, and occasionally makes my jaw drop on clay.

June 13th, 2013 at 8:36 pm

Good to know most people agree that it is a dump site. I do agree Ricky’s previews are good but the others are a joke and insult to tennis writers.

thos jabs that these visitors from the site take at fed/nole is nothing compared to the insanity and stupidity of the comments by posters there. some of them are downright stupid and in absolute denial mode. It’s very amusing though – like watching paris hilton/kim kardashian/lindsay lohan/one of the fox reporters on Jeopardy. LOL!

June 13th, 2013 at 8:40 pm

Dari, enjoy your trip! I’ve been to London several times but have never made it there for Wimbledon. One of these years…

June 13th, 2013 at 10:25 pm

Thx, RZ. It took me a while to realize that you were not talking about camping/queuing at Wimbledon.
I hope things turn out as you say :)

June 13th, 2013 at 11:06 pm

@jane, 11:10 Really!? I never noticed. Tell you what, next time I write anything about Nole, it will be glowing compliments. I promise.

Ciao.

June 14th, 2013 at 12:45 am

^yeah right. Has, and will never happen.

Btw, no what a groundstroke is? No, its not a slap on Rafa’s butt.

The nadalista chant..

rafa rafa bim boom bah. My love, my life, and everyone else sucks, yah?

#ifonlyhecouldmarryme
#buttpickinanonymous
#8foa1courtanamoly
#closetnolehater
#wonderwhy
#7finalsinarow
#getoverit

June 14th, 2013 at 1:03 am

^^^^Hehehe! You caught the Vamos syndrome too? Unfortunately there is no cure, @skeezer. Being a Rafafanatic is like being in the Mafia, you are in for life!

#YouAreWelcome

June 14th, 2013 at 1:30 am

No I am free of the !somaV thank God. But, we wil all pray for you, that you are saved form the Rafa butt pickin stare syndrome, called mysteriously, the Vamos, which is fatal. May the Fed force be with you in your cure. Amen.

June 14th, 2013 at 1:57 am

And there ya go. Skeezer doin what he does best. Making a jackass of himself. I suppose the name calling is suppose to hurt my feelings. All it does skeezer is give credibility to the fact that you really have no low. Anything goes in the bad taste department. Your story is every Nadal fan who cares enough to defend his record against haters couldn’t possibly be a real tennis fan? Only Nadal fans who grin and bear the lies spread about him are REAL tennis fans. I know your a control freak, but you don’t make the rules skeezer.

#getoverit

June 14th, 2013 at 2:14 am

Don’t waste your prayers on me, @skeezer, I am too far gone into Rafandom. I woke up in a cold sweat last night, bawling uncontrollably, shaking, only to realise I had forgotten to imbibe my daily quota of………..RafaKoolAid! A mistake never to be repeated…….

So, thank your lucky stars you are not in “la familia”, you wouldn’t last. What with your roving eye………..

June 14th, 2013 at 2:22 am

Irony, Gulbis style:

“Gaël, I always respected the way he plays,” Gulbis said Wednesday. “This guy has a very big potential. I wish that he would fulfill it, you know? The way he plays, the way he can play, everybody knows it. I think in France, also, everybody is waiting for him to have some clicks in his brain and to do the right things. And for sure he has the potential to be, in my understanding, top five, for sure.”

You don’t say, Ernests?

June 14th, 2013 at 2:30 am

If I were a first time poster here my immediate thoughts on skeezer the geezer would be “this lunatic should be muzzled and condemned to a life in the asylum” but it is not up to me, lucky for her/him.
#BitterMuch
#MassacreInRome
#20-10

June 14th, 2013 at 3:04 am

@dari, you ain’t seen anything in tennis, till you see federer on grass.

I have had the opportunity to watch, edberg, becker, Sampras and Federer on Wimbledon Center Court, in person and you just have to love these super athletes in action. Add graf, the 2 Martinas [navratilova was past her prime, in 1992] and the 2 williams sisters to that wonderful list.

June 14th, 2013 at 3:19 am

http://alturl.com/9fiy3
Facebook chat Tennis players react to Nadal’s FO win

June 14th, 2013 at 4:03 am

@Jane “the only time you ever post anything about Nole is to take some kind of jab at him. Why bother?”

That’s just her way and she takes pleasure in irritating people. According to her every player is trying to copy Rafa in some way. Over at TT she brings him up on every single non-related thread. Funny thing is she’s not young and has an adult child yet behaves like a One Direction fan.

June 14th, 2013 at 4:38 am

^^Thanks for the compliment, my fan. Look forward to your tennis related posts.

#Humble

June 14th, 2013 at 4:46 am

…….enjoy the bone @jane throws at ya!

June 14th, 2013 at 4:48 am

^ enjoy the Rafa posters that adorn your bedroom walls and don’t forget to dust off all the Nadal memorabilia once in a while.

June 14th, 2013 at 5:38 am

So this is what this is all about @racquet? You cannot stand the fact that I am a Rafan? And you feel the need to take pot shots at me because of that?

Sorry you feel that way, nothing I can do about that………

You just have to work those issues out on your own.

All the best!

June 14th, 2013 at 6:10 am

Posters like @racquet need to be put away in a dark dark hole. No class whatsoever. Fed fanatics strike again!!
#20-10

June 14th, 2013 at 6:13 am

……Just as well these characters cannot get to Rafa in person, can you imagine what dastardly things they would do to him?

Sigh……….

June 14th, 2013 at 6:19 am

There is only one tennis nut who issued a death threat to a player and it happens to be….. no surprises, a rafatrd!

June 14th, 2013 at 6:28 am

Even Bodo is now acknowledging what has been blindingly obvious for a long time now:

” It may pain fans of Roger Federer’s elegant, classic game, but the enduring image of this particular time in tennis probably will be that of Rafael Nadal, having backpedalled all the way into his backhand corner, striking a vicious inside-out forehand that rockets past his opponent—no matter how far back or out of position Rafa is.”

Bodo is now partaking of the RafaKoolAid, who can blame him?:

“The ultimate result and personification of these ideas and trends is Nadal; it’s almost like he’s a caricature created to illustrate the value of a game anchored in a savage forehand and backed-up by great strength and fitness. History has shown us that certain men seem to have been created expressly to master the challenges of their times—think Winston Churchill, or Martin Luther King Jr.—and it’s that way in sports, too. And that helps explain the success those men and women experience, and why they come to be seen as representative.”

Hehehehe! Bodo is now mentioning Rafa in the same paragraph as Churchill and Martin Luther King!

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/06/shot-heard-round-world/47906/#.UbrvHpxRCDc

#DamascanExperience

The shot lands for a clean winner for a good reason that doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with Nadal’s power, or his opponent’s defensive skills (or lack thereof). For Nadal’s opponent can’t concede the down-the-line shot—in reality, the “inside-in” forehand—by anticipating the inside-out, because Nadal can hook that inside-in savagely, and the distance that shot has to travel is much shorter, which effectively takes time away from the opponent.

June 14th, 2013 at 6:28 am

It is the same Bodo who called nadal a drama queen during his fake injury time out last year.

We will see Bodo’s take at the end of the year when nadal is sitting out of the fast courts with another “injury”

June 14th, 2013 at 6:31 am

Bodo is a Fedfan, but clearly he has had a Damascan experience, or he drank Tignor’s RafaKoolAid by mistake!

Hehehehe!!

#HeIsWelcome

June 14th, 2013 at 6:35 am

Simon no harm or foul or anything,just asking but was there ever any proof that Rogers death threats were actually from a Rafa fan?just wondering if there was then im sorry if i got that wrong?

June 14th, 2013 at 6:41 am

“You cannot stand the fact that I am a Rafan?”

Not at all. I get on with quite well several Rafans here. You know my issue with you at TT and how you turn every thread about other players into one about Rafa. Plus it’s your general snarky tone towards other players like the post about Novak above.

“Fed fanatics strike again!!”

LOL! I’m a fed fanatic? You’re quite clueless.

June 14th, 2013 at 6:43 am

Time for you Rafafantaics to walk outside and get a life, all you do is post your nonsense here allllllll day long…. Jezz, don’t you have friends? relationships? Jobs?

Or are you all mommies sweet little moochimooch couch potatoes. Living vicariously through Nadal cause you cant look in the mirror and realize you’re failures.. Is that why you feel the need to bad mouth everyone, Is that why you have to convince everyone how great Nadal is?

I feel sorry for you creatures, so sad.

#moderation
#RafaisNOTyouruncle
#hesalsonotyourlover
#sogogetalife
#mostofusarenotreadinganyway

Ciao-back to the real and beautiful world.

Enjoy your nonsense, lmao.

June 14th, 2013 at 6:43 am

“You know my issue with you at TT and how you turn every thread about other players into one about Rafa.”

…………………………………………..

@racquet

So this is about TT. Why then are you not taking up these “TT” issues with me on TT? Why are you bringing them here?

I do not recall ever having a conversation with you on TT………..

Sorry, you clearly are obsessed with me. I do not know you. Who are you?

June 14th, 2013 at 7:03 am

@racquet. Just shows how much I read your posts. Fed fanatic or jumping on the joker bandwagon or some other player’s bandwagon who cares? You’re a Rafa hater right?
#GetALife

June 14th, 2013 at 7:05 am

A Fedfan who makes sense:

http://www.sportskeeda.com/2013/06/08/an-open-letter-to-rafael-nadal-confessions-of-a-federer-fan/

June 14th, 2013 at 7:05 am

@racquet, please show me a post of mine I have ever written directed at you. You will find none. Zilch. Zero. And yet you say you have issues with me! No surprises there, that’s what stalkers do……

Quit stalking me.

June 14th, 2013 at 7:10 am

Hello @ Alex. Long time no speak. Are you well?

June 14th, 2013 at 7:10 am

@Giles

Yes very well :), thank you. Hope tennis x is treating you well. Don’t post to much or you might get burnout lol.

Gotta be going now, Bye bye.

June 14th, 2013 at 7:13 am

OMG, this @racquet fellow is stalking me. Epic!

June 14th, 2013 at 7:15 am

Get help, @racquet, get help.

Good luck.

June 14th, 2013 at 7:20 am

“you clearly are obsessed with me”

Don’t flatter yourself. Your spamming of threads about players not named Rafa is an irritation. Hopefully you won’t succeed in turning this site into another TT.

@ giles
” You’re a Rafa hater right?”

No. I’m quite fond of Rafa. Some of his more fanatical followers not so much.

June 14th, 2013 at 7:26 am

@nadalista. Great article by a Fedfan who knows the meaning of respect and offers it to his fav’s nemesis.
#Classy

June 14th, 2013 at 7:31 am

@racquet,well, work on your irritations, mate. You are coming across as seriously un-hinged.

Good luck!

June 14th, 2013 at 7:31 am

@Giles, yes! Puts a lot of posters and their posts into perspective………..

June 14th, 2013 at 7:33 am

“Hopefully you won’t succeed in turning this site into another TT.”

Hahaha! Paranoia, much? Relax, I am not that influential, it’s all in your head………

June 14th, 2013 at 7:35 am

@nadalista

I’ll work on my irritations if you work on your fanaticism and urge to spam. Deal?

June 14th, 2013 at 7:35 am

@racquet, I’ll only tell you this once,so listen carefully: I don’t know you. I don’t make deals with people I don’t know. I asked you to provide the conversations I have had with you which are causing you so much grief, you have not.

Now, run along, will ya?

June 14th, 2013 at 7:40 am

nadalista

Whats a groundstroke?

#rafastalker

June 14th, 2013 at 8:16 am

@nadalista

I was posting here long before you arrived. I’ve explained my gripe. Sorry it’s beyond your comprehension.

June 14th, 2013 at 8:31 am

@racquet,

I don’t care how long you started posting here, I never asked you. I don’t know you, I don’t want to know you, I have never engaged in a conversation with you, I do not have an issue you, I have never had an issue with you, you are nothing to me.

I will continue posting on this site as I see fit, as I have always.

You on the other hand, are nursing a gripe against me. Good luck with your gripe, whatever it is. Don’t draw me into your issues.

Bye.

June 14th, 2013 at 8:38 am

Aw @skeezer, not now………..please.

June 14th, 2013 at 8:40 am

“I was posting here long before you arrived.”

So what do you want, a gold watch? Talk to tennis-x blog about that, not me…………..

June 14th, 2013 at 8:48 am

@nadalista

If you look above my post was addressed Jane. I merely gave her a little background as to your posting style from what I’ve experienced at TT. Simple. You threw a hissy fit and addressed ME. I’m quite happy not to engage in conversation with you. Now have come chamomile tea and relax.

June 14th, 2013 at 8:53 am

@racquet, at last, we have a meeting of minds! Let’s not engage each other in conversation again, wonderful! Sorry, we had to take the scenic route to establish that………..

Chamomile tea indeed, same to you.

Have a nice day.

June 14th, 2013 at 8:58 am

…………just so we are clear, don’t reference me in your posts, I will be sure not to reference you in mine.

Thanks.

June 14th, 2013 at 9:01 am

Fine. As long as you behave.

June 14th, 2013 at 9:04 am

I give up. I can see you are determined to be “in my face”. Guess what, be my guest……..

As long as I behave, my foot……….

June 14th, 2013 at 9:07 am

After 2013 slamcount as followed
Fed 18/19
Nadal 12
Djokovic 6
Hewitt 2
Murray /Delpo 1

June 14th, 2013 at 10:01 am

^Only time will tell^.

June 14th, 2013 at 10:09 am

racquet, I don’t go to that other site much, though I do read previews and such sometimes. I have read the comments from time to time and it seems like a lot of this bickering and snapping back and forth. Sigh. Too bad for that. : /

Are you watching Andy later? I think he should cruise versus Becker, but the Tsonga semi, should it happen, could be a cracker!

June 14th, 2013 at 10:55 am

@ Jane

Some people thrive on being antagonistic as opposed to interacting with other tennis fans. I have to go out and hope to get back to catch the later part of the match.

Becker is a tiny bit worrisome to me. He has a huge serve and can volley. I know Andy usually handles these types of players but a bad service game or two and there will be trouble. Tsonga and he usually produce crackers, yes.

June 14th, 2013 at 11:02 am

To me, the whole point is the interaction; I love it! I haven’t seen any of Becker’s matches, but I see he did beat Dolgo so he must be playing okay. Hopefully Andy stays focused.

June 14th, 2013 at 11:08 am

I have been posting on TX for a month. Caption came up that my post was being moderated. My comments were allowed. The other day I posted a comment, stated again my comment was being moderated. Those 2 posts were removed. Could anyone possibly tell me why? I’ve never used foul language and have had comments from other people that I’m a fair person regarding other people’s favs. Just wondering. Thanks!!

June 14th, 2013 at 11:20 am

I see there is no attempt at moderation.

Jane, that is the problem with “small city” type of sites. And I agree with you, tennistalk match reports and pre-match reviews are good. Even that Cheryl Murray blog write up on Jelena Gencic was good but the poster comment sections are dumps.

This comment section is a no moderation There
has to be a no-bullying and extreme Trolling moderator that is a fair tennis fan reading a site; that is clear. I think Tennis.com has a lot of built-in filters and maybe those larger massive community sites can support software needed to keep them reasonable – I know cyclingnews.com has all this down to a science.

Anyway, later, Jane.

June 14th, 2013 at 12:38 pm

I think that Raonic at 22, has to start making some noise at Wimbledon. This is the major has the best chance of doing well in. His game is not suited to the grind-it-out mentality required in the other three majors. Grass, at least to some degree, still rewards the big hitter. I’m not saying he wins or anything. I just think that if he doesn’t make it to the 2nd week, there are some intrinsic issues in his game that he will have answer for and be honest with himself about.

June 14th, 2013 at 12:38 pm

As for Wimbledon, I’m going with Novak. He’s going to want to rebound from not punching through at RG. It would be cool to see another Novak-Murray final. The last two have been pretty damned good. Would also be nice to see Rafa and Roger tie one on in a big match again. It’s been a while since they have played a truly big match against one another.

June 14th, 2013 at 12:42 pm

I’d like to try whatever it is Sienna is smoking…LOL, Roger winning the last two slams of the year when he hasn’t won anything in the last 10 months or so. I’m not saying he won’t win one…but two? Time to take off the rose colored glasses. Roger will be fortunate to win one more major the rest of his career let alone the last two of this year.

June 14th, 2013 at 12:47 pm

@racquet

re: behave

Nice finish ;)

(Wanted to make sure you saw this, posted it on the wrong thread)

__

Yeah agree about Roanic. With his game, he should make some big noise at Wimby. But I thought that of Isner too :(

June 14th, 2013 at 12:52 pm

contador, nice to see you back; don’t stay away too long. Looks like these grass warm ups could have some great semis!

Yes, I notice Tennis.com seems to be moderated a little more effectively as you regularly see “comment deleted” on the threads. Which is good in some cases!

June 14th, 2013 at 1:04 pm

Hard to bet against Djokovic. He would have been my pick regardless, but the loss at the French would have given him further motivation to win the title to make up for his shortcomings in Paris. In particular, he will want a rematch against Rafa to show him who’s boss outside of the clay. I can’t see Rafa taking more than one set off the Djoker.

Rafa dropping to 5 in the world after winning the FO (LOL) means he could face any of the top 4 in a quarter final if he makes it that far. Wimbledon’s weird seeding system won’t help him either.

June 14th, 2013 at 1:53 pm

“I can’t see Rafa taking more than one set off the Djoker.”

Really??? Hahaha I see him beating again.

June 14th, 2013 at 2:18 pm

I want another Rafa and Djokovic in Wimbledon. 2013 would be way different than 2011

June 14th, 2013 at 3:19 pm

James, this is the reason why he called it WTF!

June 14th, 2013 at 3:21 pm

Didn’t Rafa win 2 Wimbledons and joker only 1 or am I mistaken?

June 14th, 2013 at 3:23 pm

@skeezer, I’d like to see a Djokovic-Nadal showdown at Wimby too. But I don’t know if both can make it to the finals. Andy’s playing good and you if you know tennis you don’t ever count out Roger esp at Wimby.

June 14th, 2013 at 3:25 pm

Considering their 2011 Wimbledon match was the pinnacle of Nadal feeling hopeless against Djokovic, certainly no match at Wimbledon or anywhere else will be the same. But I don’t see Nadal beating Djokovic off clay until I see it again. Even on grass (which is Djokovic’s “weakest” surface).

I do hope that they should only have to play in the finals, though.

June 14th, 2013 at 3:30 pm

@Ben, I understand. Nadal has beaten Djokovic only on clay since Wimby 2011. But don’t be too surprised if/when Rafa beats Nole on a non clay surface. Rafa didn’t seem to believe he could beat Nole in some of their matches in 2011. He does now.

June 14th, 2013 at 3:41 pm

Can’t write Rafa off anywhere if he’s healthy.

June 14th, 2013 at 5:06 pm

By no means am I writing him off. It’s not like I’d be blown away if he beat Djokovic at Wimbledon. But until further notice, I think Djokovic has the edge. Ever so slight.

June 14th, 2013 at 5:24 pm

Roger making headway in the Poll. I better go vote for nadal thirty times in a row!

June 14th, 2013 at 6:36 pm

WTF,

be careful what you wish for you just might get it. you guys so desperately wanted a semis between djokovic and nadal at roland garros and so you got it. since that didn’t turn out exactly the way you expected, now you want a showdown between the two at wimbledon, who knows, you just might get it. we will see what happens!

June 14th, 2013 at 7:06 pm

@mem, I was happy they met in the semis at Roland Garros. Many had begun to doubt Nadal’s chances against Nole even on clay. Not me. I’ve always believed that both at their best, Nadal trumps Djokovic on clay.
There also some that want to believe that Novak is in Rafa’s head forever. Maybe they still do even after that epic 5 setter in Paris. #21 coming? Hopefully.

June 14th, 2013 at 7:46 pm

“be careful what you wish for you just might get it. you guys so desperately wanted a semis between djokovic and nadal at roland garros and so you got it.”

And Tennis fans got rewarded with a hard fought 5th set TB that could have went either way. I say I WISH for another Djoker Rafa matchup on Grass, BRING IT! ….except I doubt Rafa will get that far…..

June 14th, 2013 at 8:00 pm

skeezer,

vice versa, tennis fans got rewarded with a hard fought 5th set when nadal battled djokovic on his favorite surface in the 2012 australian open final, but nadal didn’t win. we can dress it up any way we like to make it sound good, but we all know that it’s the WIN that counts. i have never witnessed a player moving on to the next round because he fought hard and lost. to reiterate my point, it’s the WIN that counts.

btw, there’s nothing wrong with you doubting rafa; in fact, i would be disappointed if you didn’t; however, i don’t think your thoughts have any affect on how far rafa goes or does not go in a tournament. if his win/loss stats depended upon what you think, he would have a zero in the career win column. good try but none of what you think matters!

June 14th, 2013 at 8:18 pm

Rafa is just amazing like that. He’s give us the most epic matches in the last 5-6 years.

June 14th, 2013 at 8:23 pm

James,

im all for facing challenges, not avoiding them. its a testament to one’s character. rafa never shys away from a challenge; he may not win them all, but he doesn’t run the other way either. that’s the mark of a great champion! in my opinion, he is unmatched in that area.

June 14th, 2013 at 9:40 pm

Errr. Excuse me. Never shys away from a challenge? LMAO!

Fed has never quit, retired, etc. he doesn’t strategically setup the season so he has his best chance on Grass, or like Rafa…”Clay”. He just plays on. What bunch of crock Rafabots make up.

#fuzzytalk
#quitspikingyourkoolaid

June 14th, 2013 at 10:46 pm

“He’s give us the most epic matches in the last 5-6 years.”

Funny, that’s what I think about Nole! ;)

June 14th, 2013 at 10:52 pm

“he doesn’t strategically setup the season so he has his best chance on Grass, or like Rafa…”Clay””

isn’t that why did federer took two months off after IW? a strategic move to be fresh for the clay season?

June 15th, 2013 at 1:50 am

skeezer,

like i said, rafa never shys away from a challenge. im sorry if you do not understand the context of that statement. i do not have the time to break it down to you.

the way i see it, roger has a choice to retire or quit if the circumstances dictates that possibility. if he’s hurting in a match or injured and chooses to play on, that’s his business. he has a choice to play or not to play. this may come as a shock to you, but rafa’s decisions don’t depend upon what roger chooses to do or not to do. rafa is rafa and roger is roger! im not obsessed with what roger does the way you are with rafa. rafa is free to set up his schedule and address his injuries in a way that is suitable for him and not in a way that is suitable for roger and his fans. if you choose to remain upset day in and day out (and you do) over when and how rafa handles his business, then that’s your choice. these kinds of things don’t bother me.

June 15th, 2013 at 2:00 am

Federer should win this year’s Wimbledon, or its pretty much curtains to one of the most celebrated career in tennis history. For his and his fan’s sake Federer should stay in the hunt. There was an aura of invincibility attached to his name, but that is long gone. He still manages to make some fun records like 36 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals. There is a bag full of records in his name. All those records will make him a proud man when we talk about him after he has retired. But right now is what matters and things are not looking bright for the future hall of famer.

June 15th, 2013 at 4:09 am

Why would it upset me? Lol. Comical maybe, but not upsetting…hemakes his own news…not me.

June 15th, 2013 at 5:19 am

i am watching tense for long time i believe that novack can win wembldon i think its all about money

June 17th, 2013 at 5:46 am

”Fed has never quit, retired, etc. he doesn’t strategically setup the season so he has his best chance on Grass, or like Rafa…”Clay”. He just plays on. What bunch of crock Rafabots make up.”

poor logic. people often retire when they are significantly injured. if you are not significantly injured and don’t retire, it means little.

federer sets his season up around the indoor stretches particularly. he plays less clay events than copious players. and clearly lost interest in monte after years of losses.

now, federer does like a challenge to an extent, but if he was all about the ”challenge” as some claim, he might try playing queens. that’s the most prestigious grass court event outside of wimbledon. he clearly would love the trophy in his cabinet. he played once and lost in the first round in ’99.
why doesn’t he play queens?
it isn’t because he’s locked into halle. he doesn’t have to lock himself into halle. he’s roger federer.
why wouldn’t the greatest grass court player in the history of greatness play one of the most prestigious grass court events in history, where he might even get to wear his trousers and blazer if he asks nicely…why?
queens is so far up federer’s wannabe aristocratic alley so perfect for his tennis ”traditionalist” persona, it’s not even funny.
why has he never been back since ’99?
it doesn’t make a lot of sense.
until you look at the difference in field between halle and queens every year.
all about the challenge?

June 20th, 2013 at 7:22 am

In Federer’s prime, the field on grass made 0 difference. He was beating everyone. He did win Wimbledon 5 straight times, didn’t he?

June 20th, 2013 at 8:22 am

Whats a greater challenge, queens or wimby? And how many of those did he win?

#argumentfail

June 20th, 2013 at 8:51 am