All Eyes on Rafael Nadal in Buenos Aires: ATP Previews This Week

by Staff | February 6th, 2016, 9:59 pm
  • 107 Comments

ARGENTINA OPEN
Buenos Aires, Argentina; Surface: clay
ADHEREL
Seeds:
Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, John Isner, Dominic Thiem, Fabio Fognini, Alexandr Dolgopolov, Pablo Cuevas

Floaters: Juan Monaco, Fernando “Hot Sauce” Verdasco, Nicolas Almagro

Notes: Three Top 10ers in the strong field…The Top 4 seeds receive opening-round byes…Tough starts for (1) Nadal after a bye likely vs. the former champ Monaco who he has lost to before, and (4) Isner after a bye likely vs. Hot Sauce…Wildcards went to Nadal, Italy’s Fabio Fognini and Argentina’s Renzo Olivo…Monaco is playing for the first time this year after a wrist injury in 2015…Seeds Tsonga, Isner and Thiem are making their first appearances in Buenos Aires…Last year Nadal broke Ferrer’s three-year hold on the event, beating Monaco in the final…Pulling from the event were Aljaz Bedene, Andreas “Don’t Be A” Haider-Maurer, and Jack Sock…Spaniards have won the singles title for the last seven years…The title-less Nadal is trying to repeat last year when he won his first title of the year in Buenos Aires…Former champs in the field are Nadal (2015), Ferrer (2014-12), Almagro (2011), and Monaco (2007).




ABN AMRO WORLD TENNIS TOURNAMENT
Rotterdam, Netherlands; Surface: hard

Seeds: Richard Gasquet, Marin Cilic, Gilles Simon, David Goffin, Gael Monfils, Roberto Bautista Agut, Benoit Paire, Viktor Troicki

Floaters: Jeremy Chardy, Marcos Baghdatis, Gilles Muller

Notes: Gasquet the only Top 10er, as Roger Federer was forced to withdrew after knee surgery…(1) Gasquet starts with a tricky all-countryman match-up against Chardy…(2) Cilic starts against Denis Istomin, then likely meets the huge-serving Muller…Also pulling from the event was Nick Kyrgios (arm injury)…Wildcards were awarded to Dutchmen Thiemo de Bakker and Robin Haase, and German Alexander Zverev…Neither of last year’s finalists return, with Stan Wawrinka beating Tomas Berdych in the 2015 finale…No former champs are in the field.


MEMPHIS OPEN
Memphis, Tenn., USA; Surface: hard

Seeds: Kei Nishikori, Steve Johnson, Donald Young, Sam Querrey, Denis Kudla, Sam Groth, John Millman, Damir Dzumhur

Floaters: Tim Smyczek, Austin Krajicek

Notes: Rough seeded drop-off, as the Top 10er Nishikori is followed by the No. 30 Johnson. Can you guess who received the cash?…The Top 4 seeds receive opening-round byes…11 Americans are in the 28-player field…Challenging starts against upstart Americans for (8) Dzumhur vs. Smyczek, and (7) Millman vs. Krajicek…Up-and-coming Americans Taylor Fritz (vs. qualifer), Tommy Paul (vs. Benjamin Becker) and Frances Tiafoe (vs. fellow American Ryan Harrison) received wildcards…Pulling out of the event were heavy hitters Kevin Anderson, former world No. 2 Tommy Haas, and Lu Yen-Hsun…Seeds Millman and Dzumhur are making their first appearances in Memphis…The Bryan brothers are top-seeded in doubles…Nishikori has won the title the last three years, last year beating Anderson in the final…Former champs in the field are Nishikori (2015-13) and Querrey (2010).

 


You Might Like:
Rafael Nadal Will Not Play Buenos Aires, He Has A Bad Stomach [Video]
Ruud Wins First Title In Buenos Aires, Becomes First Norwegian Tennis Champion
Rafael Nadal Wins In Rainy Rio Opener, Will Face Nicolas Almagro Next
Top 10ers Thiem, Carreno Busta at ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires; Preview
Cecchinato Blasts Schwartzman In Buenos Aires Final

Don't miss any tennis action, stay connected with Tennis-X

Get the FREE TX daily newsletter

107 Comments for All Eyes on Rafael Nadal in Buenos Aires: ATP Previews This Week

mat4 Says:

As long as he keeps losing to Novak, I hope he will achieve great results. I wouldn’t want Novak to play in a weak era.

Just kidding…


Humble Rafa Says:

Dear Tennis God,

Please help me win the second greatest clay court tournament in the world in Buenos Aires. If I don’t win here, Uncle Toni says he will fire me as his player and nephew.

As you God, there is no better uncle than Uncle Toni. Please help keep the family together.

Humbly yours,
Humble


AndyMira Says:

Hmmh..2 rafa’s destroyer are here..interesting..let’s see what’s the score this time around…


AndyMira Says:

@mat4..but then if novak didn’t play in a weak era,the h2h certainly will not be 24/23..maybe it will goes the other way around 25/22 or 24/21..just saying…..


Pauly Says:

Nadal must win this tournament
No ifs no buts
He must win it if he wants French open glory
Verdasco fognini Will be out to get him
One more loss will to either men will be hard to swallow


Pauly Says:

Djokovic isn’t happy Nadal is struggling
He wants to beat Nadal at his best it’s more satisfying for him
Beating this pathetic slow out of form Rafa isn’t exactly what Nole wants
Nadal needs to find top form of he any chance of French open glory
Can he do it ?
Why not ?
He’s still the king of clay
It will be interesting if he plays foggy again or Nando ?
Foggy is good clay courter


AndyMira Says:

@Pauly..i read somewhere that someone already predict that rafa will not reach semi final at FO this year..


Pauly Says:

My prediction
Nadal will lose in the final to Ferrer


Pauly Says:

AndyMira

Nadal must avoid 3 players
Djokovic Murray Wawrinka in French open
Murray can win the French open in my mind
Wawrinka can too
So can Nole

Nadal is ranked 5 he won’t any of those 3 players mentioned but if he can find top form … He can beat anyone on Phillip chatrier


Giles Says:

As long as joker doesn’t win the French Open all will be good in the world. Lol. He beat Rafa last year but still couldn’t walk away with the treasured trophy. That’s a message, no?


Pauly Says:

This tournament should be easy for top form Rafa
But it won’t be easy Rafa is out of form

The French open is too far away to make those claims
I think he might get Djokovic in his half again
If he does its over for Rafa
However if he doesn’t & makes the final with luck
The final vs Djokovic will be very interesting
Nadal plays finals different to other games … Especially if it’s hot humid dusty he can win


AndyMira Says:

@Pauly,let’s not get ahead of ourselves now..FO is 4 months away..maybe rafa can attune himself in time for that…this coming month will be crucial for him..


Daniel Says:

Actually, RG is not that far away, starts end of May, around 3 and a half months.

This mext 2 tourneys (BA and Rio) are very important for Nadal’s confidence, the same players will mpstly play both tourneys.


AndyMira Says:

@Pauly..i want to ask you a question,why do you think rafa has had a terrible setback at AO last month?I mean..he’s doing very well at the second half of the season last year..when we saw him played..there’s a glimmer of his old brilliant game been flashed here and there..what’s going on actually at AO?Is it mental frailty?insecurities or physical totally hindered by past injuries that prevent him to no longer has the ability to give his best?I’m scratched my head everytime i think about this…


Pauly Says:

AndyMira

I think Rafa is vulnerable in the early rounds & verdasco is big hitter who can play amazing shots & if you recall in 2009 that was motivation for Nando !
Rafa has terrible serve
He’s much slower
His forehand is too topspin maybe works well on clay but no on hardcourts plus Rafa isn’t mentally strong no more
Confidence is shot mostly due to him knowing he can’t run down as many balls as he once did … That’s he beat Djokovic


Pauly Says:

GILES

Why do you hate Djokovic so much ?
He deserves one French open


AndyMira Says:

@Pauly 3:53am..i guess you’re right..and that brings us to usual chanting..what’s uncle toni would do about it?I think a year is long enough to let things goes by without a solution..right pauly?


Pauly Says:

AndyMira

Uncle Toni has no idea … If he cares about his nephew he would just tell him to get super coach
He doesn’t care


Pauly Says:

I just hope & pray Nadal can go out with a bang before his career ends … Hate seeing him lose to rabbits like verdasco & fognini … These players couldn’t touch him in his prime but now while he’s not playing well they can beat him all of the sudden ? What does that tell you ? Decline body isn’t able to cope with his brutal style of tennis … Injury galore he is like a sprinter … Look at his build !
Sprinters break down fast Coz they’re built for speed in short bursts & that’s why I think he will struggle to win majors his speed of foot is gone
In his prime … He beat Djokovic more than he lost


AndyMira Says:

Pauly..couldn’t agree more..what i don’t understand uncle toni and his team saw this coming years ago..maybe rafa was too stubborn to change his game a little bit..i remembered in 2009,when he made a comeback from serious injury,1 reporter asked him whether he will change his game due to his injury prone body,without hesitation he answered immediately”no”!..”this is what i learned from i was still a kid”.

Now..we understand that changes thing is not easy..but if that radical changes will prolong your career and will bring less injury to your precious body,why not give a second thought to it..i have been thinking..if at that time he’s willing to do just that..change his game a little bit..put more offensive game than defensive..learning how to put more variety to his shots and serve..also manage his schedule wisely..i dare to say that he still busy kissing the trophy right now..instead he’s busy kissing xisca in ibiza..

I know that there will be rafa fan out there who feel uncomfortable of my criticism but i can’t help but feel regret because of a few bad choices rafa and his team made through the years..sure he’s one of the greatest in our sport but he could be so much more if only…..he’s 29 and his body on the inside way much older than roger..


Dave Says:

I hope Rafa can win 3 titles on Clay before the French Open, maybe 4 if he is playing well. This week, next week in Brazil, Barcelona and if he is playing well, Madrid. I don’t expect him to beat Nole in Monte Carlo or Rome. I think that would still be a great effort from him if he can accomplish these goals.


Dave Says:

Also, being realistic, and being someone who deals with O.C.D. myself, you aren’t going to change Rafa’s playing style. So I wouldn’t hold out any hope there whatsoever. I am getting better at dealing with this mental issue, but it has taken years and years of effort to do so. Rafa would have to deal with his O.C.D. and than feel comfortable enough to change certain parts of his game. He doesn’t look like has been able to deal with this issue, in fact if anything, it has progressed worse and worse. I honestly hope the best for Rafa, but looking at it realistically, he would need to deal with the O.C.D. aspect first to get any changes out of his game. I haven’t heard any news of him getting help for this issue, and this is the deeper issue and the root of the problem. Without the foot speed being there, he can get back to top 2 or 3, but never overtake Nole again. This is the reality of the situation.


Docpops Says:

Pauly, Giles hates Djokovic because he has made him irrelevant. Nole has proven that all of the put downs will not deter from his game and so the likes of a “Giles” has become like white noise in the background, annoying but something you overlook and and ignore. Unfortunatly, Giles is like the village idiot, someone you feel sorry for because they can’t help themselves, but you look straight ahead and walk by because their rantings are repetitive and nonsensical!


Giles Says:

Hey Docpoops. Your post is contradictory in the extreme. Lol. You write 6 lines with reference to ME, I wouldn’t call that irrelevant. So pleased I annoy you. Now get lost!


Okiegal Says:

Docpops…Novak has made every player out there irrelevant…..imho!!


Giles Says:

Hey Docpoops. I have a severe headache. Can you prescribe something to soothe the pain away?


AndyMira Says:

Agree with dave,that’s the main issue..if he can’t continue playing just because his water bottle was dropped down by wind and rafa has had to asked ballboy to straighten it back before he’s to continue the play..then uncle toni got one h***of job in his hand right now..

In fact i suspect uncle toni knew this,rafa was stubborn as a mule..and coupled with his ocd..GOD help us…


Giles Says:

Congrats to Kim and Andy. It’s a girl!
πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜œπŸ˜€


Pauly Says:

Djokovic hasn’t made no one irrelevant
Nadal has made himself irrelevant !
So has Federer it’s called decline
You put Nadal & Federer back to prime form let’s see who is irrelevant ?

If Nadal was playing his best on clay he’d be winning all the clay court tournaments


Pauly Says:

GILES

The fact of the Matter is hating Djokovic something normal tennis fans do ?
I’m From Novak’s country yet I like Nadal & also Federer more than Djokovic … Why ?
Not sure !
Maybe Coz I was never a fan of Becker or perhaps don’t like Djokovic’s game ?
I don’t know but I know onething … Federer Nadal Djokovic Are the best players in the current generation
17 – 14 -11 slams respectively those stats don’t lie


Van Persie Says:

“If Nadal was playing his best on clay he’d be winning all the clay court tournaments”

and if Nole would have discovered sooner his “gluten problems” he would have beat Rafa and Fed sooner and more often, like he did in 2011..

Pauly, there is no “if” in sports and life….


AndyMira Says:

@Pauly..you’re from serbia?I think you’re the only one in serbia who pick rafa & roger over novak..not that i’m complained..you’re right..roger,rafa,novak and don’t forget little brother andy were the best we’ve got right now..and i think no matter who we rooted for..we should enjoy this very moment cause it will be gone soon..


Van Persie Says:

Pauly, I could bet, that you are not from Serbia, perhaps from old Yugoslavia…..but it does not matter so much ;)


Pauly Says:

Van persie

Nadal is the greatest clay courter of all time
He has Djokovic’s number on clay
9 French opens to zero

Sure Djokovic would’ve found a way to beat Nadal like he did in the past … You’re so funny


Pauly Says:

AndyMira

I am from Serbia … Respect Novak don’t really like him nor his game but that’s my view


Pauly Says:

I’ve met Novak
I’ve met Nadal
I’ve met Federer
All nice people in person
But have never warmed to my countryman Novak … Nadal Federer I like more


Pauly Says:

I like andy Murray
Haven’t met him though but he’s ok


Van Persie Says:

Pauly, I do not buy it. I am not a Serbian, but I can tell, that you are not a Serbian. You have hoped during the entire AO, that he will loose. You have hoped for wonders from Nishikori, from Wawrinka, from Murray, from Federer…
You only want to prove on this site, that there are Serbians, who dislike Nole. For that,

Yes, Nadal is the king of clay, but at the end of his career, Nole will be considered better on hard and grass…

You only want to prove on this site, that there are Serbians, who dislike Nole. For that, please do not ever adress to me. EVER!! I respect Giles more than you. He’s at least not a fake.


Van Persie Says:

Esti o laba trista, P….


Daniel Says:

Pauly, even in his peak years Nadal was only able to win “all clay titles” once, in 2010 when he skipped Barcelona. So, even a prime Rafa, wasn’t a shoe in for allclay titles. Just for 80-90%😜


Giles Says:

VP. Cheers and lol. I warned you guys that this Pauly character is a fake. His name is Zozza!!


Van Persie Says:

Giles, you are a naughty guy/girl, but you are honest! Cheers ;)


jane Says:

gulbis and monfils are playing right now in rotterdam. how’s that for a hell of a lot of misdirected talent? boom!


Van Persie Says:

yep,both very talented…I always like to watch Monf, very spectacular..but I guess everybody loves him


jane Says:

he just won set 1 at 6-4, one break only.


jane Says:

straights for la monf.


RZ Says:

@Jane – you’re right. Both could have been top 10 mainstays if they could stay focused.

@Van Persie – one of my friends can’t stand La Monf because she feels he almost never gives his full effort (can’t blame her logic there).


Van Persie Says:

RZ, well…your friends is right. Jane also mentioned, that his talent was misdirected. I will add, that is was wasted. Shame…He’s a sort of Kyrgios, but not that impulsiv and impolite


Van Persie Says:

My countryman, Ilie Nastase, was also very talented…he could have done moe in his career, but had other “passions”, besides sport …


Van Persie Says:

correction: more, not moe


mat4 Says:

@Van Persie:

Are you Sarah with a new nick?


AndyMira Says:

hmmh…the fog was out in BA,rafa must feel very relief now..at the same time must be thinking”why it seems everybody can beat the fog but me”?Anyway,now he only has to worry about other destroyer verdasco,isner,juan monaco,almagro,ferrer..wow..everybody looks dangerous to the fragile rafa..no choice rafa..you must win all of it..otherwise your confidence and self belief will shot down even further..and that’s bad for 10th FO..


Pauly Says:

GILES

You’re fake
Everyone knows that
Maybe you need some to find out his zozza since you’re so obsessed
You’re a disturbed person who knows nothing about tennis


Pauly Says:

Van persie

Kakosi πŸ˜‚


Wog Boy Says:

Pauly,

It is actually two words, “kako si” 😜


Wog Boy Says:

And to answer your question Pauly, dobro hvala😎


Django Says:

Where’s komsija?


bojana Says:

Komsija is in Albania waiting for Cilic to get the best.


jane Says:

interesting skeezer: she also said novak could break fed’s slam record. probably in the same interview.


Okiegal Says:

If Novak breaks Roger’s slam count, which I think he can….how does the GOAT issue play out then? Will it be said the reason Roger’s record was broken because of a weak era? Should this happen……things could get interesting regarding the GOAT debate……just saying…..Any thoughts??


AndyMira Says:

Okie..sorry to interrupt..the man didn’t even break rafa’s 14 yet,let alone reach roger’s 17..isn’t it premature to assume before it happen?Anything can happen in two years time..just saying..


mat4 Says:

I think it’s really to early to speak about such an improbable eventuality. Winning one more slam would be a huge success. Winning the FO — the next one — and his name would remain in tennis history. I think it could be realistic to assume he could win 2-3 more slams, but nothing is given.

Anyway, I was happy when he won 7, happy when he won 8, and I am still happy when he has won 11. He doesn’t have to win more, I would be happy if he just continued to play and fight as long as he can.

But if he wins Paris this year, and equals Fed’s number of slams, I don’t see how he wouldn’t be in the debate for goathood, goatness, whatever, weak era or not.

When I think deeply about it, I would welcome a weak era… ;-)


Van Persie Says:

Mat4, Good Morning. Yes, I was Sarah :)


mat4 Says:

@Van Persie:

Sarah was a beautiful nick. Why did you change?


chrisford1 Says:

Pauly – No one, not even the most love besotted Fedtard, thinks anyone is better than Rafa on clay. Especially “peak Rafa” of 2005-2013.
But even in that timespan, only one player had Uncle Toni saying they feared him and adjusted their whole strategy on clay several years with him in mind. Rafa calls him a “nightmare to play” on any surface and told an interviewer who asked if he looked forward anyways to playing Djokovic – No, I am not stupid. No?
Nadal knowa he is superior to Novak over his career, on clay…but he never had Djoko’s number like he did with Fed and Andy.

Novak Djokovic is the only player to have beaten Rafa at every major clay court venue they contested.


AndyMira Says:

@Mat4..agree with all what you said..one other thing how did you know that van persie is sarah?you got psikik power or something?


AndyMira Says:

@Van Persie..well i never..you know vp..i noticed for quite sometime now that sarah was missing entirely from tx..i got curiuos..even when AO was fired up and novak won..you still not emerged..now i know why..no matter..van persie used to be my favourite player at arsenal..


mat4 Says:

@AndyMira:

The problem was to discover that VP could be an old poster under a new name. After that, it was very easy to establish that VP was Sarah.

It’s just like GG, or jalep. But I discussed with those posters often, so, a piece here, another there, et voilΓ !


skeezer Says:

Why does someone have to change their moniker? For what reason? Seems very shady to me you can’t stand by your words.


Wog Boy Says:

mat4,

It was two giveaways, no?:)


Van Persie Says:

Hi everybody,…well I “killed” Sarah, because it was a to nice name, Van Persie allows me to be a bit agressiv, when I need to be ;)


Van Persie Says:

Andy Mira, I like Van Persie for Netherlands matches :) I do not watch British league


chrisford1 Says:

Pauly – A post to you, previously now under moderation.
Look for it later.

=======================
Mat4 – In another thread since dead, I caught you saying you were put off by Nole’s mimickry in the early part of his career. In his defense, I thought it was never mean spirited, was done to entertain audiences who came to see a whole show – not just the match, but all the entertaining, networking, interviews, goofing around, met and greets. Sports are bottom line, entertainment for the masses. Even in ancient times, not enough for gladiators to be fighting to the death. You needed wild beasts ripping up war prisoners and Christians, and you needed refreshments and singing and political speeches by aspirants to the Roman senate set up at entrances.

Djokovic is gifted with a very rare natural mimicry – an unusual talent he has used since grade school for spot on capture of the core essence of a persons physical mannerisms and personality. It requires a keen eye and ability to understand the outward way of another person so that 3rd parties know right away who it is. It is part of Novaks huge array of weapons on court to. Tomas Berdych thinks the difference for Djokovic in many matches is he reads the other players so well by their mannerisms, eyes – that he knows where the ball is going even before his rival has decided where to hit it.
It’s a rare thing, and some of the best paid entertainers have been the impressionists. You need the facial looks, the essence of physical mannerisms and movement shown to audiences to be on target, and voice.
The handful of the best impressionists make tens of millions a year. Nole has not shown the ability to do voice and facial expressions like Will Ferrell can – but that is one celeb that he seeks out to be with a bit – and Ferrell draws Djokovic into rapt attention when they are hamming it up.

Yes, the Serb Legend of sport…is a 4-eyed geek and brainiac..and a goofy humorist that may have dreams of slaying it in comedy.

http://cdnau.ibtimes.com/sites/au.ibtimes.com/files/styles/v2_article_large/public/2016/02/10/djokovic.jpg

But have no doubt. His foes are under a microscope. Each flaw and way of working a point under analysis. Little is missed. Except maybe by the writers who always seem to cast Nole as an attention-seeking goofball and who blow off mental assets like perception, ability of “reading” a foe, a high IQ. And he has Becker and Vadja, no dummies, also looking in. He and Agassi can duke it out as the best returner. but each seeks to understand mannerisms, “tells”, the look in the eyes. Andre did well – in later years he was asked how he handled Becker and Sampras on serve. He said it was using his eagle eyes to see the grip, the degree of flex in the muscles, the eyes, the mood of the foe on the point, even rate and direction of ball spin. All from several feet behind the baseline.

Djokovic does that. And sharpness of vision, hi his case assisted by contacts, is maybe the best in the sport now.
Djokovic leads the ATP in % of Hawkeye challenges going in his favor, even with his well known tossing out a chalenge here and there just to get a breather or get is focus back. Andy excels. And surprisingly, Federer is among the least successful in challenges in the Top 20 players.


Wog Boy Says:

Van Persie,

You need to be aggressive if you are No1e fan here, a lot of bellow the belts hits are coming your way all the time..it’s been like that for the last six years since I joined this nice forum, I was told by some No1e fans who are here longer than me that it was worst before I joined. We, No1e fans, are not complaining, we get on with the job..promoting the man who plays the best tennis ever seen, according to growing number of knowledgeable tennis people.

Disclaimer:
Do not confuse “best ever tennis player due to number of titles”, which is Roger, with a player that played best ever tennis seen on the tennis courts, which is No1e.

I gave examples long time ago on TX, Real Madrid is the most successful club in the world, but Ajax Amsterdam played the best football ever in the seventies, see the difference?:)


Wog Boy Says:

Jesus Sean,
Are you going to fix TX format for the mobile phone users, I am going to sue you for the compensation due to my overworked fingers and eyes.


Pauly Says:

Forget about Djokovic
He’s in prime form
Let’s concentrate on Nadal
The end is near … Unless miracle happens
Sack uncle Toni
Mysteriously get back his 2010 US OPEN serve
Try hitting flat forehands like in 2004
Appoint super coach ?
Whoever ?

Maybe his level will never improve
You see it’s not the surfaces that’s Nadal’s problem it’s his overall game it stinks πŸ‘Ž

Let’s pray


Van Persie Says:

WB, thank you for tutoring me here on TX, I appreciate it ;)

You have mentioned Ajax Amsterdam. Well, I was not on Earth in the seventies, but I am very proud to say, that I knew Cristi Chivu personally. He played a few years for Ajax, and did a pretty good job there :)


Margot Says:

I used to find Nole’s impersonations good-natured and funny too.
But there again I don’t think he ever “did” Andy…..;)


Wog Boy Says:

@Margot,

Never thought about that, you are right, I have never seeing him doing Andy.


Wog Boy Says:

^^ seen


Okiegal Says:

I wonder if anyone has ever impersonated Novak by doing the “big shirt rip off”? Now that would be funny……


Van Persie Says:

“I wonder if anyone has ever impersonated Novak by doing the β€œbig shirt rip off”? Now that would be funny……”

It would be interresting to see Sharapova, Serena or others from WTA doing that :)))))))))


Okiegal Says:

@AndyMira…..You didn’t interrupt…it’s all just hypothetical on my part…..just saying IF it should happen…..not that it will. The GOAT debate would probably be altered…..It will be a tall order for Novak to do this, but very possible imo.

About monikers….I was on another chat room as Okiegal. Some other person appeared using my moniker. I was the nice Okiegal and the fake was a very nasty person. I got kicked out of the chat room because they thought I was being two different people. It was crazy…..so that is why I’m here….you lucky people!! LOL


AndyMira Says:

@Mat4..i’m still amazed by you..i always read your comment here,not only you’re one of the nice posters here but also very knowlegeable in everything you said..i respect you for that..now..GG is missing this last couple of days..could she also change her moniker and surface with a new name?can you tell?


Okiegal Says:

@Van Persie…..Yep, that would be even funnier!


Van Persie Says:

Mat4, I was sure that you or WB would know, who I am. I gave also some clues in the last days, purposely ;)


Okiegal Says:

AndyMira, mat4 has a crystal balls……Don’t even try to get ahead of him! LOL


Okiegal Says:

^^^^^OOPS! Proof read after the fact…..should read a CRYSTAL BALL!!! lol


Okiegal Says:

VP….what were the clues??


Van Persie Says:

Well Okie, it would be a pity if I would reveal them..

Guys, I have seen last year a very good german movie: “Phoenix”, from 2014. Perhaps I was inspired by that :)))


AndyMira Says:

Okie..now that’s scary..i’m glad i didn’t bad mouthed him..tq for the warning..


AndyMira Says:

VP..i didn’t care whether you’re sarah or vp..you’re nice enough to chat and change information with..so that’s enough for me..


Margot Says:

@Wog Boy
And Andy would be very easy to “do” too.Just swear and glare at your box and clutch your groin!
;)


Okiegal Says:

@Margot…..and grab your ankles…..I was gonna say and drop a couple of f-bombs! Andy is a character…..letting someone take his picture in the Christmas sweater proves it. I love Andy…..


Van Persie Says:

Thanks AM, Dito ;)


mat4 Says:

@andymira:

To be honest, I suspected you to be GG, but I didn’t have time to check. GG, on the other hand, never used “tq”.

The key detail to know that VP was Sarah was, among other things, that she (he) missed her “r” often.


mat4 Says:

@Okie:

1. tststststs…

2. I left you a post on the other Rafa thread.


AndyMira Says:

Hey guys..talking about andy..i think having a baby will not only change his personal lives but also a professional one..i’m a little bit excited to see this we he return to the tour and bag a few victories..and i predict a strong wimbledon appearance this year..i have to ask mat4 to look at his crystal ball..he!he!


AndyMira Says:

@Mat4..clearly your crystal ball not working at this moment ..cause i’m a Malaysian while GG is British..


Van Persie Says:

Mat 4, I am impressed :)..I know I make a lot of mystakes in English, but I never thought that I miss the “r” very often in writing…It is very, very interresting. As a child I had to go to a speech therapist, as I was not able to say the “r”


mat4 Says:

@AndyMira:

I wrote that I suspected… but that GG never uses “tq”. Then, the time wasn’t OK: you posted often when she should be asleep. But there were some similarities.

@Van Persie:

I am a phonetician by formation. What were the exercises: to pronounce sequences with tr, dr?


AndyMira Says:

Yes mat4..me and GG were a different person..although i think we’re almost the same age..but that’s it..nice to meet you by the way..we never interacted before and i’m very glad to add one more acquaintance here..


Van Persie Says:

Mat4, I was 5-6 years old, and there was a speech therapist in kindergarden , who used to torment me daily for an hour with sentences, wordplays(is this correct?), but it helped.
Example: Rica nu stia sa zica: rau, ratusca, ramurica :)…sorry, it is in Romanian, because I was in Romania


Docpops Says:

Okiegal, I was not referring to Fafa as being irrelevant.That is not my style to disrespect another player regardless of their rank. I was referring to Giles, whose only purpose now, remains to be the slagging of Djokovic. He reminds me of my sisters new puppy, over excited and craving attention, yapping shrilly and peeing all over the floor because he hasn’t been trained in good behavior yet. The puppy will be trained in time but Giles is a lost cause!


Docpops Says:

OH, OH, typo! I meant Rafa. I must apologize before Giles infers there is a deeper darker meaning here.

Top story: ATP Finals Day 5: Sinner v Medvedev; Alcaraz OK In Win, No 3-Setters Yet