Rafael Nadal: I Know I Can’t Play Forever But I Hope To Play For Many More Years

Vamos Champ!
Wishing you good health and many many more years on the tour. No Rafa no tennis!!
#StayWithIt

April 3rd, 2014 at 10:33 am

As long as Rafa enjoys playing,then i am happy to watch him play,win or lose,do your best noboby can ask anymore of you..

April 3rd, 2014 at 11:56 am

The great ones usually know when to say when. I’m sure it won’t be any different for Rafa. I suspect he’ll be around for many more years.

April 3rd, 2014 at 12:50 pm

Bad news for the haters.
He may miss some grandslams here and there, but he will definitely come back with a bang.
When a journeyman can win a grandslam at the age of 28, Rafa can win many more from now on.

April 3rd, 2014 at 3:36 pm

Wow STAN a journey man ??? :) you got to be kidding me !!!

April 3rd, 2014 at 4:09 pm

@Vinod. Yes sir, that’s the title @skeezer gave him on another thread. Check it out.

April 3rd, 2014 at 4:20 pm

Vinod,
Our self proclaimed tennis expert said so…
http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2014-04-01/15373.php#comment-531900

LOL

April 3rd, 2014 at 4:23 pm

Yes, the advances in sports medicine will provide many miraculous comebacks and transformations. Nadal could be winning RG every year into his mid-thirties. Think of that, lols…

Let us have a moment of silence at the thought.

April 3rd, 2014 at 4:28 pm

Its not “Stan the man”….its “Stan the journeyman”.

April 3rd, 2014 at 4:29 pm

^^
The tennis philosopher Skeezpeare the great contributed this to tennis-x.

April 3rd, 2014 at 4:30 pm

There should be several moments of silence at the thought!
Vamos Rafa!

April 3rd, 2014 at 4:31 pm

“Yes, the advances in sports medicine will provide many miraculous comebacks and transformations.”

I agree. I think this is good for the sport. We saw Nole become Super-Nole suddenly in 2011, Federer playing well into his thirties and even making a come back after a poor year.

April 3rd, 2014 at 4:37 pm

U rafa ites are ridiculous. He is not a journeyman player now. That is not what I said. Geez..

April 3rd, 2014 at 5:03 pm

I hope I play as long as possible for the good of tennis – not to line up my pocket. Love for the game is bigger than anything else.

#humble

April 3rd, 2014 at 5:47 pm

““But without the defeat and injury in Australia it would have been exceptional”

Lol yeah, cause we all know Nadal doesnt use the word “defeat” without the word “injury” following like a rabbit to a carrot, no?

Kinda like Nadalheads trying to explain to us all how great he is, the name Federer will pop up in almost every sentence too.

April 3rd, 2014 at 5:57 pm

haha…Humble Rafa is still at it. *waves*

ST – you really think the kind of advanced treatments are good for the sport? God help them. Tennis does not need a Lance Armstrong scandal to bust up the party, but it is looking like that is where it is all headed.

Safe to say Rafa should be good to go for another decade, or however long it takes to get to 18 GS. What kind of shape these guys will be in, in the end? time will tell. Maybe their body parts can be salvaged somehow after they are finally done; great role modeling for the next generation, too.

One thing for sure, imo, Rafa and team Rafa will not give up. All that stuff about wearing out – out the window now. Longevity, pfffft, we have yet to see longevity. In cycling guys like Horner can now go out and win a Grand Tour at age 40. Is tennis ready for that?

April 3rd, 2014 at 7:19 pm

Hi contador, haven’t chatted much because I have been busy watching and playing tennis. Playing a tennis tournament now in three divisions (singles dubs and mixed dubs) and on two usta league teams plus going to the Sony! Unfortunately we were there on default day!

April 3rd, 2014 at 9:35 pm

Nadal is a great athlete and so is Roger and so is Novak and so is Pete and so is Borg and so is Connors and so is Laver and so is………there are so many wonderful tennis players, can’t name them all, and I did mention Roger in the same sentence with Rafa!!

BTW, what is the new sports medicine that everyone is talking about??

April 3rd, 2014 at 10:48 pm

“U rafa ites are ridiculous. He is not a journeyman player now.
That’s not what I said. Geez”.
Neither was he a journeyman player at the AO, which is how you referred to him.
#MakeUpYourMind

April 4th, 2014 at 3:58 am

Hahaha, no RAFA no, tennis no fighting on TX.
Stay healthy, vamos, Rafa!

April 4th, 2014 at 4:49 am

@okiegal, medicine????
Those who are talking are those who knows it. 😄

April 4th, 2014 at 4:54 am

What I like about Rafa is his “Never say die attitude” which is worthy of emulation by any aspiring sportsperson. His tenacity is unparalleled and although the straight set loss in Miami is a bit of a dampner yet it seems Rafa has taken it in his stride and is eagerly looking forward to the clay season where he has maintained an incredible domination over the years. All the best to him for the Clay season and if he indeed maintain his streak at Rolland Garros it would give him his 9th title and that is something incredible.

April 4th, 2014 at 7:00 am

Michael nice post,i dont know what will happen?but lets just enjoy it?i wouldnt be surprised if he did win the title again this year,but then again i wouldnt be surprised if he didnt either?but i think 8 is already incredible anyway?and 1 GS consecutivly for 9 years,if he wins the FO or any GS this year,he will only be surpassing his own record?

April 4th, 2014 at 7:07 am

@Metan

Yeah, I know……another dig.

April 4th, 2014 at 11:56 am

“Giles Says:
“U rafa ites are ridiculous. He is not a journeyman player now.
That’s not what I said. Geez”.
Neither was he a journeyman player at the AO, which is how you referred to him.
#MakeUpYourMind”

HIs overall career prior to AO. Read it. 2013/2014 he finally broke into the top 10.
http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Stanislas-Wawrinka.aspx?t=rh
#clearyourhead

April 4th, 2014 at 1:30 pm

@skeezer. Speak to Ben, he will enlighten and educate you!

April 4th, 2014 at 1:51 pm

skeezer Says:
“Giles Says:
“U rafa ites are ridiculous. He is not a journeyman player now.
That’s not what I said. Geez”.
Neither was he a journeyman player at the AO, which is how you referred to him.
#MakeUpYourMind”

HIs overall career prior to AO. Read it. 2013/2014 he finally broke into the top 10.

No wrong again.

2008 he finally broke into the Top 10.

April 4th, 2014 at 2:51 pm

Nah, me an’ skeeze are on it. Definite journeyman with his one Andy Warhol moment. Now he thinks he’s God.

April 4th, 2014 at 3:17 pm

French down 0-2 to German C-Team. Hilarious!

April 4th, 2014 at 3:21 pm

Skeezer, we know you didn’t say journeyman. Don’t rise to the bait anymore, a serious amount of energy will be lost otherwise.

Contador, hey. How are you?

The thing that bothers me is, is rafa injured? is he not. At the start of Indian wells and Miami, we had, everything is fine, back is fine, everything is okay.

He loses to Nole in the final and now we have this:

“Nadal reiterated the back was still causing him some pain in Rio and he just didn’t play well enough at Indian Wells. In Miami, he said he found his rhythm early but lost some of that when Tomas Berdych withdrew before the semifinal.”

The back was still causing him pain in Rio..but what?

I really get fed up with this comments. Rafa fans, don’t you? Oh, I remember, you say, if you are fit to play, then you are fit, so stop with the excuses. Do you say the same thing now?

Gone quiet.

April 5th, 2014 at 7:26 am

madmax. If you really “get fed up” with Rafa’s comments, here’s some advice, don’t read them, just scroll.
Vamos Rafa!

April 5th, 2014 at 7:57 am

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2014-04-01/15373.php
madmax.”skeezer we know you didn’t say journeyman”.
Really? You know that for sure? Read skeezer’s comment on April 3rd 11.15 am.
“Giles
I laugh every time you accuse the whole tennis fan community of being in “camps”. Stan, on known Tour journeyman beat Rafa in the finals of a Slam. Get over it. #childish”

April 5th, 2014 at 8:17 am

Yes indeed. I’d like Roger to stop revisiting his back problems from last year as well. We are well past that now.

Hoping Roger can pull Stan through the doubles. They have a break in the third! Stan seems to be regressing back. I just hope that Roger doesn’t say anything about Stan’s play should they lose.

Hopp Suisse!

April 5th, 2014 at 9:45 am

ATL, point taken, but my comment was, how do you feel about rafa always going on about his back injury. Every presser. Every time. Every tournament.

Giles Says:
madmax. If you really “get fed up” with Rafa’s comments, here’s some advice, don’t read them, just scroll.
Vamos Rafa!

April 5th, 2014 at 7:57 am

Giles, thanks for the advice. What do you think about Rafa’s constant complaining?

April 5th, 2014 at 10:02 am

Madmax, I would assume the same way Roger’s fans feel about Roger still feeling the need to explain last year’s losses.

It doesn’t bother me that much about Roger to be honest (other than the losses themselves) as I’m sure it doesn’t really bother Nadal’s fans.

But then again, the least of my concerns is how Nadal fans feel about Nadal’s analysis of his results.

April 5th, 2014 at 10:25 am

ATL, you don’t directly answer my question. We are not talking about Roger here. Don’t compare. Just answer straight. Nadal has to stop complaining. What’s the point?

April 5th, 2014 at 10:54 am

madmax. Why so much interest in Nadal? There are several other players who should catch your interest, no?
#JustAsking

April 5th, 2014 at 11:17 am

I’ve got a novel idea….why don’t all of the Rafa haters stop complaining about Rafa’s complaining and concentrate on their own favorite’s complaints!

Why would a fellow Fed fan make digs at another Fed fan? Difference…..one’s a fanatic and one isn’t.

April 5th, 2014 at 11:26 am

“why don’t all of the Rafa haters stop complaining about Rafa”

That’s because Rafa is a hypocrite. He shows great respect to Federer in his pressers and off the court. But doesn’t show an iota of respect while playing him. He treats him like his punching bag. Rafa should stop this first.

April 5th, 2014 at 11:31 am

I answeed your question quite directly. Please read more carefully. .

Why obsess over what other fans think of other players?

I’m afraid Okiegal may be onto something. I am just a fan.

April 5th, 2014 at 11:55 am

@Tango

Yes you are……nice to see a poster that looks at both sides of the coin. I know who your fav is, it’s obvious!! I wish your Swiss guys better luck tomorrow. I would have watched Davis Cup but couldn’t find a live stream anywhere.

April 5th, 2014 at 1:49 pm

Hello to Hippy Chic, Harry, and Madmax! And a hello to anyone who has not said hello to me :D Hello to all those I should know but have taken new, creative pseudos…..lol

…such is the life of those of us who prefer to be anonymous on the internets.

Wog Boy, where are you? Mat4 come on back – Pure speculation, but I again feel like Nole will kick arses in 2014.

A Tango Lad, i might be confusing you with Translated Age – sorry, I am traumatized and jumpy on my return to TX. Actually surprised anyone says hello, lol.. A poster new to me by nickname, asked me who I voted for and I took it as probably an insincere request the other day.

I have voted for Novak Djokovic consistently since he beat Federer at US Open 2010. Big Federer fan here but I am not by any means seen as a proper Fedfan. I’m a tennis fan for a long time. But I have more in common with Fed fans when it comes to falling for Federer’s tennis at first sight in 2001. But I was not a Sampras fan. Funny, many Nadal fans retell their Rafa love stories – bored with tennis until the young Spaniard rescued tennis, ect, ect, ect, … well, that is how i feel about Federer – feddy got me back into watching tennis. Anyway, glad it all happened. But I am at odds because I honestly don’t have an axe to grind about the GOAT issue and since 2009 & Fed snatching the FO title, I cheer for others (except Rafa) during big matches – something that is not appreciated here during a Federer match! Really was not trying to troll my own “camp” just got carried away, not understanding I needed to be more tactful and mind my manners during a Federer or Nadal match. Nadal matches I never did try any manners, hence the reason for my popularity with many Rafa loyalists. Then even when it was clear how I should behave, I raged against the machine, so to speak – that is why I have come back as carlo, ect… much safer and more fun to be anonymous/ get a fresh start now and then. :D

April 5th, 2014 at 2:28 pm

Contador nice post,i dont think posters should have to apologize for not been a fan of a particular player,last week i was accused of been a Novak hater because i said i believed Rafa,Andy and Stan have another level to go up,and that i believe Andys best level is around the corner,well anyone on here knows me well enough now to now although hes not my favorite player i certainly dont do hate,and i am always one of the 1st to congratulate or defend my favorites rivals Novak or otherwise,nor do i think my favorite(s) are perfect either,but i think its only fair that fans can speak out about others wrong doings too,otherwise whats the point in been here,if we all have to be so PC about everything??and i dont care about the GOAT debate either,but i hope this is an open and well contested year with things been shared out,and not with one players outright domination,Rafa last year,Novak 2011 are great now and again,but too much is overkill IMO..

April 5th, 2014 at 2:59 pm

@Contador

You nailed it……I’m one of the many fans that got bored with tennis until the Spaniard arrived on the scene!! Yeah, that’s me!! Lol

April 5th, 2014 at 3:00 pm

Why thank you Okiegal.

I’m also sure your man will have much to say who takes top honours this year especially on clay.

Here’s hoping Djokovic lands in Roger’s half in all clay events this year because I don’t want him meeting Nadal unless it means he has reached a final.

I’ll be quite satisfied if Roger makes it to the semis at clay events this year but I think he still goes in with a strong chance against Djokovic whereas I don’t feel the same way against Nadal.

April 5th, 2014 at 3:06 pm

“I cheer for others ( except Rafa) during big matches …..”.
Well well, there’s honesty for you. I think I should return the compliment by saying I too cheer for others (except Joker and fed) during big matches!
#HonestyIsTheBestPolicy

April 5th, 2014 at 3:31 pm

Giles thats fair enough,and you dont have to apologize for that either,your perogative ..

April 5th, 2014 at 3:36 pm

Okiegal in the Sampras era i was more of a fan of Pat and Andre,and i was p*ssed that niether matched up well with Pete,even though they did with each other,and i got sick of the Sampras domination then Roger came along hooray changing of the guard,then Rafa and i was really excited about that rivalry,Roger was my favorite till Rafa came along,there was just something different about him almost rebelious,i suppose its the domination thing people dont like,unless your a fan of that particular player,id be a hypocrite though if i said i hadnt enjoyed what Rafas done on clay though lol..

April 5th, 2014 at 4:55 pm

Contador after Wimbledon Jane said on the bracket challenge that she no longer posted on tennis-x as the joy had gone out of posting,Wogboy said he wouldnt be blogging during the HC season whether Novak were to win or lose and sadly hasnt been seen since,Mat4 has had issues in the real world a personal bereavement of his father i believe?,but he still blogs here and there,Courbon and Harry are still here though,i miss Grendels posts that man was a gentleman and a genius loved his posts..

April 5th, 2014 at 5:13 pm

It was nice to see Ajet posting again during the AO,sadly hes gone again though :((..

April 5th, 2014 at 5:16 pm

Gilles, you suggest I am less than honest. You are on the “contador writes BS bandwagon” which is fine, I would not assume that one as yourself would see it any other way.

Kimberly used to ask me, right here on this site if I ever cheered for Rafa – my answer was no then and still is. I was not a fan of Nadal’s tennis from the first sight of it. Not a fan of bulging biceps, pirate pants, ect. ect, … His on court style was imo, opposite Federer’s and Federer’s tennis style which apparently is all the reasons you don’t like Federer.. I don’t agree Federer is too dandy or is arrogant – on and on…. Just pure and simple differences. I have seen Rafa Nadal on practice courts at IW and he seems quite nice. Hard not to like him. His tennis…okay, it has made him who he is and he has millions of fans that love his game. Not me. the end. not BS or anything remotely BS – truth, my truth. Nadal does not need my support – he has plenty of that. I don’t care if Rafa passes Roger;s GS count. That is for …maybe mostly guys to argue. Of course it is not straight up a guy thing but to me – the mine is bigger than yours part of sport is irrelevant. Clearly I am in a minority and it is beyond the grasp of most fans on either side, Rafa or Roger, to see my position as anything but nonsense. hahahha…that is fine with me.

Actually the only time I almost cheered for Rafa was in 2011 when he could barely utter a vamos because Djokovic was cleaning his clock. That could be seen as a contradiction – but it was actually surprisingly sad not to see the usual over-celebrating from him. jane told me at the time that I had some sort of disorder – wounded warrior syndrome or something. lol…

April 5th, 2014 at 5:33 pm

I think about Grendel, Hippy Chic. And hope he is okay. There is now way of knowing, unless he pops by to say hi. Strange how attachments form online from reading someone’s like his posts. He is very witty and writes so well.

April 5th, 2014 at 5:48 pm

@Chic

Yes maam, we are on the same page! Borg was my fav……clay specialist again……I followed Pat too. I was always for whoever played against Connors and Mac…..like the fans are today regarding Rafa and Fed. Some things never change!! Lol

April 5th, 2014 at 8:42 pm

I see where Contidor is coming from on the clock cleaning issue……I almost cheered for Novak once when Rafa was cleaning his clock at USO 2013!! My favorite match of all time…..Novak wasn’t uttering much either! He got pretty quiet after the 54 shot rally.

April 5th, 2014 at 8:52 pm

That was a poor choice of words, Okiegal. Such an old American colloquialism! My grandpa used it a lot. Could have stuck with a standard verb – beat, whipped, destroyed…

Not many posters here will have heard of it.

April 5th, 2014 at 9:30 pm

I have never watched the 2013 US Open. Probably many anti-federer types stopped watching Federer in GS finals too ; ) back in the day.

April 5th, 2014 at 9:35 pm

And I don’t use anti-federer in a negative way. It just is. I’m anti-nadal tennis. Gotta defend one’s rights for free speech, imo.

I’m bored. 14- 16 hours until one of my favorite races starts: Tour of Flanders. My hope is that it rains so that the Belgian cobblestone paths are slippery and only the baddest cyclist wins :D

April 5th, 2014 at 9:41 pm

@Contador

That was a great choice of words! That old American colloquiallism is one I’m very familiar with. Being from a sports minded family…..and we can boast of a few coaches…..we were always talking about cleaning someone’s clock or someone cleaning ours! Lol I love all the old sayings…..such as the “pot calling the kettle black”, my personal fav and obviously it’s a fav of a few posters on TX!! Do you or your grandfather have US ties?? Not sure if I’ve ever read where you live. Thanx for your response!! Enjoyed the chat….

April 5th, 2014 at 10:14 pm

@Contador

You certainly do have the right to free speech. Am I understanding that you are a Federer fan but didn’t ever watch Rafa/Roger matches……but watched him in other matches as long he was not playing Rafa??
Far out, man!!

April 5th, 2014 at 10:26 pm

That grandpa was from Kansas and moved to Butte, Montana, worked in silver mining and then remained in the NW. Idaho/ Oregon is where I am from.

Flog a dead horse is another one. Hippy Chic uses them. Maybe that one is Old English…er , I am off topic.

We used to get off topic all the time here. Wish TX had a cafe thread for non-tennis chat. Maybe posters who tired of the Fedal Wars and anti-djokovic stuff would come back. If you are bored, Okiegal – try looking at the design of CyclingNews forum. It has many sub-forums and different sections. The “chaos” thread is very strangely addictive and the “clinic” is where one can read about the latest advances in sports medicine, so to speak. There is a thread there for tennis fans. Would be interesting to hear what you think.

April 5th, 2014 at 10:32 pm

Oh no. I watched Fedal matches. My favorite Wimbledon was 2006. Federer in 2006 imo, was at his best. Wimbledon 2008 I watch in thorough pain and agony. 2009 AO was worse because I started posting; waded naively into the deep end of the pool. I don’t really come from a sports family, so was caught off guard by the degree of animosity on both sides. Pretty soon i was rolling around in the muck like everyone else. Were you not posting then?

April 5th, 2014 at 10:47 pm

@Contador

LOL We just say “We’ve beat that horse to death….I’ve used that a time or two on TX regarding the GOAT debate!! I will check out that forum……if there’s not a whole bunch of hoopla to get on the site……I’m not too computer savy….I must admit! I was going to watch Roger’ s vintage shots on my Kindle and you have to download an application, so I’ll have to pass. Was gonna watch to see if any of those vintage shots happen to be against Rafa….you know where I’m going with that!!
Tee hee! I would love to travel to the Pacific NW.
I’m wanting to see Yellowstone and the Tetons. Washington and Oregon, I’ve been told, has some beautiful scenery! My hubby is on the computer at this moment looking at travel trailers. I’m excited!
Oops, off subject, back to tennis…………..VAMOS RAFA!! Tee hee!! I know you appreciate my tennis enthusiasm!! Nice chat, my new Oregonian friend. Kansas is my neighbor!!

April 5th, 2014 at 10:57 pm

Very nice chatting, Okiegal : ) Hope you sign up for Kimberly’s GS bracket for the FO. We won’t be off Topic there :D cheers!

April 5th, 2014 at 11:10 pm

No, Contador, just about a year for me. The reason I got involved with TX is because all of my friends hate tennis. They think I’m nuts! So, I enjoy conversing with folks that love it as much as I do. I get tired of the all the fussing sometime, but to each his own. I think I am adult enough to handle about anything on this forum. If I can’t I’ll leave.
Do appreciate your feedback. Chic and I have good visits, we’re on the same wave length……we both like Rafa!!

April 5th, 2014 at 11:19 pm

@Contador

Your fingers are faster than mine……Yes nice chatting with you too!!

April 5th, 2014 at 11:23 pm

fun, dramadal for many more years.

April 6th, 2014 at 2:14 am

Hi, Conty! Nice to see you here again. Hope I am not too late to greet you and that you will see this post.

And a very big hi to Alison too.

April 6th, 2014 at 1:26 pm

Mat4 HI :))..

April 6th, 2014 at 1:29 pm

Alison, See the ridiculousness of this. Rafa has won 8 French Open in his career, but he is still only 28. That tells you something of the way this man has dominated this prestigious event. Not only Rolland Garros, but Rafa has been incredible in Master series clay court tourneys too and it is this exemplar achievement which seperates even from legend in Clay courts like Borg and place him on a much higher pedestal. As you rightly said, one is not sure what is forthcoming in the ensuing clay court season. But one thing is for sure is that Rafa even if he doesn’t dominate it will extract something out of it. Nevertheless, his opponents in clay courts are not playing against Rafa, they are playing only against his legend.

April 7th, 2014 at 2:28 am

Awesome stuff from Michael.

Hi conty, welcome back! If you can bring Grendel, that will be awesome. His writing style is Rare and irreplaceable and his knowledge of tennis is great. Miss him so much.

April 7th, 2014 at 6:17 am

“they are playing only against his legend.”

@Michael, no.

@contador, it is ironic, no? You like nadal the person off the court, not the tennis player and I like Federer the player and not so much off the court.

You say you don’t care for Rafa’s playing style against other players whereas I don’t care for Federer’s disrespectful style when he loses to other players.

Beauty is in the eye of the humble beholder.

April 7th, 2014 at 8:56 am

While i think Federers style of tennis might be more pleasing to the eye,i prefer Nadals passion and never say die attitude,although prefer Federers honesty though, as opposed to Nadal who is always so PC about everything,which is why we have a poster called Humble Rafa,but both are IMO great ambasadors for the sport,although ive never been one of those fans who believes in idol worship and follows all the goings on in their private lives when they are not playing tennis,IMO niether are particulaly good losers though,and TBH i wouldnt expect them to be either,as both are great champions that hate to lose,and theres an old old saying show me a great loser and ill show you a loser..

April 7th, 2014 at 11:07 am

A while ago Mat4 said when it comes to mens tennis he prefers artistry,but when its the ladies he prefers passion and grit,where as im the other way around,in that i prefer passion and grit in the mens game,but artistry when it comes to the ladies,so i guess its all a matter of ones own preferance,and a persons perogative,theres no right or wrong answer we are all different….

April 7th, 2014 at 11:12 am

I don’t think that Federer is always so honest with himself at certain moments.

You can be honest without being disrespectful and, given the choice between the two, I choose Rafa’s respectfulness over disrespect any day.

I think that Nole’s honesty is more respectful than Federer’s.

So, HC, in today’s women’s game, who are the artists exactly?

April 7th, 2014 at 11:41 am

TA well there isnt really many,Radwanska springs to mind,Errani and Schiavoni have alot of variety,Suarez Navaro is very talented,other than that,its all power nd attition….

April 7th, 2014 at 12:02 pm

Don’t forget frequent service breaks.

Well done for Petko yesterday!!!

I’m a fan of hers on and off the court.

StayHealthyPetko

April 7th, 2014 at 12:20 pm

Michael fantastic post as always,its great when fans of other players recognize the achievements of their favorites rivals,theres not enough of that on this forum sometimes IMO….

April 7th, 2014 at 12:33 pm

Except for his misplaced use of ‘only’.

I disagree with:

Nevertheless, his opponents in clay courts are not playing against Rafa, they are playing only against his legend.

but would have agreed with:

Nevertheless, his opponents in clay courts are not only playing against Rafa, they are playing against his legend also.

April 7th, 2014 at 12:39 pm

TA i doubt Michael was been disrespectful,as hes always very complimentary towards Rafa,but i see what your saying,its unbelievable that you can count on both hands only just the players that have actually beaten Rafa on clay,Federer,Djokovic,Verdasco,Zebllos,Soderling(the only one at the FO),i think there was another only i cannot remember who it was??

April 7th, 2014 at 2:45 pm

I suppose you are right HC.

Perhaps just a Freudian slip then. :)

April 7th, 2014 at 3:19 pm

Rochus ,Moya, Gaudio (twice!!), Corjetta, Lapentti, Gonzo, Mutis, Ferrer, Andreev and Ferrero all beat Rafa on clay also.

April 7th, 2014 at 3:28 pm

TA lol sorry i stand corrected,but still a fantastic record though….

April 7th, 2014 at 4:09 pm

@TA
But wasn’t Rafa 12 at the time?
Just asking…;)

April 8th, 2014 at 2:19 am

Shouldve said i could count on both hands the players that have beaten Rafa on clay more recently….

April 8th, 2014 at 6:14 am

Metan/Alison – Thanks !!

Translated Age – “Nevertheless, his opponents in clay courts are not only playing against Rafa, they are playing against his legend also”

This too fits in aptly. Rafa’s achievements on Clay courts are unparalleled, supreme and exemplary. He has literally been the Czar of clay courts. A Tennis analyst would just mumble with words when he ought to describe Rafa’s feats. To put it in two words, his feats are “Just incredible” to describe.

As regards, Roger’s honesty, well everything in this World is relative. Even morals are relative and not static. It is we who define morals. Roger, in my opinion has been trying his very best to be true to his word and be more straightforward. So are many other players and the Tennis fraternity today is most fortunate that it is blessed with players like Roger, Rafa, Novak and Andy who are just not extraordinary players, but great human beings today. This was not the case in yesteryear Tennis when there were super brats, egoists and crowd teasers.

April 8th, 2014 at 8:55 am

Michael tell me is that you @ April 7th 7.32am,on the Roger 100 best shots video,just curious?

April 8th, 2014 at 9:00 am

^Sorry meant 2.32am^….

April 8th, 2014 at 9:02 am

After turning 19, he’s only lost on red (actual) clay to Fed, Ferrero, Sod and, Zeballos (sp.) and Nole.

April 8th, 2014 at 9:07 am

HC, another Freudian slip from him maybe?

April 8th, 2014 at 9:08 am

Michael your welcome,as for them been great human beings,i suppose they are,and id certainly like to think so,but i dont know them personally so ill take your word for it??they give us all a great deal of pleasure on a tennis court,off it well i dont know??

April 8th, 2014 at 9:10 am

“This too fits in aptly.”

Michael, respectively, my rewording, while subtle on page, is significantly different in meaning.

I also don’t believe that morality enters into it but perhaps that’s just semantics. I don’t think that anything that Nadal or Fed have done on or off the court as it relates to tennis is immoral.

April 8th, 2014 at 9:21 am

http://www.ranker.com/list/the-hottest-tennis-girlfriends-and-wives/sportsyeah?a=8&ref=rltdlsts&pos=3

Need an article about this, and why not? Tennis X writes and posts Rafa armani commercial shoots, taking off shirt and beach photos. Do it Tennis X!
;)

April 9th, 2014 at 12:57 am