Rafael Nadal Reaches Buenos Aires SFs, Dominic Thiem Next; Taylor Fritz Breaks Out In Memphis

by Staff | February 13th, 2016, 8:53 am
  • 85 Comments

Defending champion Rafael Nadal advanced to the Buenos semifinals following a 7-6, 6-2 win over Italian Paolo Lorenzi on Friday. Nadal battled both the heat and continued issues with his stomach during the victory.

“The conditions were really extreme and they made me very tired,” said Nadal. “So I am happy to be in the semi-finals as this is an important week for me. I thank all the fans who put up with the heat to support me.

“It’s tough for the players but also the spectators too.”


Thiem, who is the youngest player in the Top 20, lost his only career meeting with Nadal at the 2014 French Open.

“He is a very good player and has won many tournaments in the past year on this surface,” said Nadal of Thiem. “He is young and possesses great potential and I hope to play at a high level.”

In the other semifinal, Nadal’s countryman Nicolas Almagro beat Jo-Wilfred Tsonga for the first time in seven tries. He’ll await the conclusion of the David Ferrer-Pablo Cuevas match which was suspended due to rain with the Spaniard leading 4-2.

In Rotterdam, the semifinals feature Gael Monfils against Philipp Kohlschreiber and Nicolas Mahut vs. Martin Klizan.

In the marquee match yesterday, Monfils ended the run of 18-year-old Alexander Zverev with a 7-6, 6-3 win.

“He was playing very [well],” said Monfils. “It’s already a good sign for him to be in the quarters, so I knew I would have to fight. He beat Gilles in the round before, so I expected a tough match and I think he gave it to me, so I was pleased with my performance today.”

While Zverev’s bid came to close, another 18-year-old moved on. Rising star Taylor Fritz overcame a break down twice in the third set to deny Benjamin Becker 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(5).

After squandering early break in the third, Becker failed to serve out the match at 6-5. The American teen then pick on the German’s backhand in the breaker to seal his first appearance in an ATP level semifinal.

And in doing so, Fritz becomes the youngest American to reach an ATP final four since 17-year-old Michael Chang won the 1989 Wembley title

“It’s incredible, I can’t believe it,” Fritz said. “To come back in that way, with him serving for the match, I’ll never forget that.

“I told myself that the balls were worn out, and that I just had to make him play. I tried to make him beat me under pressure.”

In typical American fashion, Fritz possesses a big serve with a big forehand. But the 6-foot-4 California also has a mean backhand and a deep tennis pedigree as mother Kathy was a Top 10 on the WTA and father Guy in a teaching pro.

The 145th-ranked Fritz now meets Ricardis Berankis in the semifinals. Three-time defending champion Kei Nishikori faces Sam Querrey.


You Might Like:
Rafael Nadal Wins In Rainy Rio Opener, Will Face Nicolas Almagro Next
4-Time Defending Champ Nishikori Abandons Memphis for ATP Buenos Aires; Previews
Top 10ers Thiem, Carreno Busta at ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires; Preview
Rafael Nadal Knocked Out By Dominic Thiem; Taylor Fritz Frenzy Continues In Memphis
Cecchinato Blasts Schwartzman In Buenos Aires Final

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

Get the FREE TX daily newsletter

85 Comments for Rafael Nadal Reaches Buenos Aires SFs, Dominic Thiem Next; Taylor Fritz Breaks Out In Memphis

Giles Says:

Vamos Champ!
πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘


donna Says:

He’s the Best!!!


chrisford1 Says:

Like to see Nadal able to give Djokovic a good fght again, starting right after this years USO.


Dave Says:

Yesssss. Rafa wins the second set. I just got home. What have I missed? I have seen 2 points of the match. haha.


jane Says:

only half-watching the tennis but this match between thiem and rafa is not too great; lots of errors from both. rafa’s second serve was very vulnerable in set 1 and thiem was able to handle rafa’s forehand to backhand strategy, even though he has a one-hander. unlike fed, thiem was taking the balls early before they could bounce up high. but in the second set rafa’s been pushing more on thiem’s serve. thiem maybe tired? not sure. off to the third set.


Dave Says:

Thanks for the update Jane. The 3rd should be interesting. If this was the old Rafa, you would say he will pull through no matter what. Will see what happens. I felt really bad for Mahut today. Klizan was acting very unsportmanlike in the second set and even in the 3rd to get into Mahut’s head. Really unfair by the chair umpire as well. I hate to say it, but it reminds me so much of Rosol and he is always trying the same thing. Rosol was honestly a lot more tame than Klizan today. He was very in your face. Your going to hear me grunt so loud after every hit and every point that I win, you are going to hear a loud overembelashed noise coming from me. That was Klizan today. The chair umpire should have penalized Klizan a point. First he hit the ball right at Mahut after the point was finished and knocked the racquet out of his hand. Than the next point he threw his racquet up in the air and almost hit the score board, which he got a warning for. Back to back points. Mahut deserved to win today. But some players have to win dirty. That’t unfortunate. I like the way Klizan plays tennis, not his attitude today.


jane Says:

dave i read something about klizan. didn’t see any of it, but heard he was very tetchy.


Dave Says:

I watched the whole thing. It was horrible. Also horrible by the chair umpire. Mahut ended up getting a warning for calling the umpire useless because he wouldn’t even apologize and Klizan didn’t apologize either. Mahut was disrespected today and he seems like a really nice guy. I feel for him.


Dave Says:

Mahut called out the ATP superviser and the chair umpire basically says: Mahut called me useless 3 times and is complaining about a ball that was hit at him that was part of the point. Which totally wasn’t true. Mahut was walking to get ready for the next point and didn’t even see the ball coming and it hit his racquet right out of his hand. Klizan hit a forehand right up the middle of the court, right at Mahut and acted like it wasn’t on purpose. You can’t do stuff like that and get away with it and have the chair umpire even go against you. And of course the supervisor took the chair umpires side, and that was it. So now Mahut is mentally all worked up and couldn’t recover. And lost. To bad.


Wog Boy Says:

Strange behaving from Klizan, hasn’t seen the match but that behaving is out of character. I watched him last year in Sydney against Troicki, was literally behind umpire and Klizan’s chaier, he seemed and behaved like very nice bloke, even he lost.


Dave Says:

Wog Boy,

I was really surprised as well. He was right on par with Kyrgios. No Joke. I think even the announcers used the word clown. After he won a point he went on the ground and did a summer salt, that’s how we call it in English. He was acting like the match was some big joke. It was very strange. He was in a weird mood for sure.


Wog Boy Says:

jane,
I watched Thiem in Melbourne, his SHBH is different than Roger’s and his style is very different, he has got more power and hits with more conviction, picking up the ball very early, he can hit very flat and stronger from both wings, and he can grinde without fear.


Dave Says:

I will be in Acapulco to see Thiem in a week. I can’t wait. Should be awesome.


jane Says:

dave at least mahut and popsicle are in doubles final. hope they win!

klizan saving a lot of match points to reach final.


Dave Says:

Ya,

That’s good. I hope he wins the doubles final. That would be great.


jane Says:

wog boy, i am not watching it anymore, but yeah i got that sense of more power on that wing between thiem and fed. thiem is almost stan-ish? he’s also good on clay. i think he has at least one clay title right?


jane Says:

^ i mean comparing thiem and fed. obviously thiem is playing rafa. just checked scores. rafa has mp.


Dave Says:

Thiem has a harder backhand than Federer for sure. But at this point it isn’t as consistent.


jane Says:

yep that’s true dave.


FedExpress Says:

rafa out


jane Says:

thiem won in a 3rd set tiebreak. big win for him.

not end of the world for rafa but tough loss nevertheless. i wonder if he is changing his serve and if it’s in transition? some people were commenting on that.


Daniel Says:

Dave,

so far Nadal’s year is worst than 2015: just lost in three to Thiem, losing his titles points from last year and first round in AO as last year he was QF.

Not seeing anything that suggest he is going to be a force again and compete for the main titles. Ha has only 1 Masters final (in his home Madrid) out of the last 14 important tourney: 4 Slams, WTF and 9 Masters.


Dave Says:

Rafa just lost. Wow. Not a good tie break. He was overpowered. He left a lot of returns very short today from what I saw.

Pauly,

Your right. Mentally something is WAY off with Nadal. He is battling himself more than anyone out on the court. Whatever momentum he had at the end of last year isn’t here at the moment.


Daniel Says:

And Thiem saved a MP, which is never good sign for Nadal on his first tourney on clay.

Next week I will attend Rio Open on Tuesday, if Nadal is schedule to play there I will be able to assess his game better live.


Dave Says:

Daniel,

You are correct. It’s still early though. He lost in the QF in Brazil last year. Let’s see if he can improve on that next week. He may play in some extra tournaments as well. He lost in the QF at Indian Wells last year and than lost in the 3rd round in Miami. If he is doesn’t improve from those results and actually does worse, than it will be time to hit the panic button.


Wog Boy Says:

Daniel,

I am happy for you that you will be able to watch your favorite player next week..


Dave Says:

Daniel,

I hope Nadal comes to Acapulco after that. I will be there live and it would be nice if he came as a wildcard. Depends how he does next week.


jane Says:

daniel that’s cool. would love to hear your take on rafa live.


Pauly Says:

Dave

Thiem played well
But you can’t stand back that far & expect to win
He could do it when he was young but not now
Bad loss it will hurt him in the rankings too
GILES is living in fantasy island if he thinks Nadal shouldn’t Retire after this year
I can’t see him winning anything major this year
Everyone knows now that the aura is gone


Daniel Says:

Wog Boy;-)

Actually I want to watch Fognini, who I never saw play live before. All other main players I’ve watched at least once.


Dave Says:

Whenever used to talk about matchup problems for Rafa. Now, anyone that hits the ball flat and hard can beat him. Thiem, Verdasco, Fognini, kuznetsov almost pulled it off in Doha. I don’t know if it’s so much his loss of speed as him not being able to hit the ball deep consistently anymore. The ball drops short way more than it used to. And it’s not like hasn’t had time to set up and hit the ball properly. The ball just isn’t doing what it used to do. If he hit the ball as consistently deep as he used to, he would still be able to win against most players. Will he add a coach to his coaching staff? would it surprise you if he did? I think he will soon. It would surprise me if he didn’t.


Wog Boy Says:

jane,

I am sure that Rafa fans eagrly awaits Daniel ‘s take on Rafa, particulary the “Vamos Champ” πŸ‘ŽπŸ‘ŽπŸ‘Ž one..


Wog Boy Says:

^^ ouch, sory, should say πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘..no?


Pauly Says:

Ginger aka GILES

You fruit loop
Vamos my backside
Can’t you see he’s finished
He’s never coming back
Time waits for no one
His best us behind him
Watching him play on clay & losing is like unbearable
The real fans know it’s time to pull the plug
The ones who live in fantasy island the pretend fans need some eyes to see the truth
The greatest clay courter of all time is finished
There isn’t much he can do in my opinion
His body is letting him down … His speed is the key factor to everything in his game he even said that in the past
Sad but no Shame in retirement


Wog Boy Says:

“He’s the Best!!!”

Fully agree, No1e is the best, no?


Wog Boy Says:

On the serious note, it is really time for alarm bells to ring loud if the best ever CC player struggles to make final on the slowest of all CCs..250 tournament.
Uncle Toni, what do you think?


Pauly Says:

Rafa

The real fans love you
Good luck in your final year 2016
I have a feeling Nadal will retire after this year
Adding super coach won’t help
He’s getting beaten by bigger hitters
With his speed gone he can’t get back as many balls
Speed is something new coach can’t help him with
He’s 30 in June … How many more losses will be have before the real fans see the truth
Imagine playing Djokovic now ?

6-1 6-1 on clay


Pauly Says:

Nole is best now
It’s his time to rule
But Nole won’t be happy with how Nadal is playing
No challenge playing Nadal anymore
Nole would prefer to beat Nadal at his best
Not like this


Pauly Says:

Uncle Toni
Can’t help his nephew anymore
He’s got nothing to offer
Yes it’s now or never new coach must come to at least try to help Nadal salvage something from this year


Pauly Says:

GILES thinks Nadal is playing great
Whoever he or she is ?
My goodness what a fruit loop


Pauly Says:

Back to the drawing board folks

Dave
Well said flat hitters can beat Nadal


mat4 Says:

I watched the second part of the second set and the first part of the third. Rafa was broken immediately, in the third, but he broke back.

I don’t know what’s wrong with him — he played some points like a tennis god, then the few following points like he barely know how to handle a racquet. He was awful on break points, and, he just seems afraid to hit that FH.

His returns, his FHs landed two metres behind the net very often. I really don’t believe it’s a question of physique, just like he said himself, he’s “injured in the mental”.

Thiem played bravely, but I don’t see in him a future champion. Then, who knows.


Dave Says:

Pauly,

I agree with most of what you said, but I disagree with the speed thing being the biggest problem. He was in position to hit the balls with time to spare today. A lot of the problem was unforced errors that he wouldn’t make in the past. Mat4 is right, he played some points like he was at his peak and than he would totally miss an easy forehand that he had set up for a winner. This is a mental thing more than anything. His speed is a factor against Nole, but against anyone else, if he is HITTING at his peak level, which he totally could because he hasn’t lost his muscles, unless I am seeing things, he can beat anyone but Nole when hitting at his peak, even with the speed he runs at now. No question about it. So Pauly, that’s where we disagree.


Dave Says:

I missed most of the Ferrer match. I’m guessing he lost in straight sets because he was tired after already needing to play against Cuevas earlier today. That couldn’t have been easy in tough conditions.


AndyMira Says:

@Pauly..i still don’t understand the reason behind rafa’s reluctance to change this bad result?Pat cash already offered his service and admit that he can bring rafa back to his old self..why nothing’s change?why he still didn’t do anything?It’s 14 month after the first bad result..isn’t it gone long enough?Is he want to wait until novak bagel him 60 60?


AndyMira Says:

@Pauly..i still don’t understand the reason behind rafa’s reluctance to change this bad result?Pat cash already offered his service and admit that he can bring rafa back to his old self..why nothing’s change?why he still didn’t do anything?It’s 14 month after the first bad result..isn’t it gone long enough?Is he want to wait until novak bagel him 60 60?


AndyMira Says:

Sorry,it wasn’t supposed to be double post..don’t know why..


J-Kath Says:

Oh gosh – so sorri for Rafa and his fans. I do hope he adds a new positive Coach to his team. He needs positivity badly. He is obviously questioning himself and his ability and is fearful, almost desperate….his ability must still be there…he just needs someone new to add the “missing link” whatever that is.


AndyMira Says:

@Dave..you remember we only discussed this only the day before yesterday?Now you believe what i said?


Dave Says:

AndyMira,

I do see the mental aspect more clearly now. I still want to see how Brazil plays out first. As well as the Masters 1000’s in Indian Wells and Miami. I will give my complete opinion at that point. I want to see a few more tournaments first. I can’t just say that Rafa is done and it’s time for him to throw in the towel. I still believe he will turn it around. I really do.


AndyMira Says:

@J-kath..tq for tour sympathy jk,but i think what happened was rafa’s own doing,we can’t help someone who don’t want to be helped..


AndyMira Says:

Fair enough dave but then you always fair..but i’m not saying that rafa was done..no i still believe he has a chance to win 1 or 2 slams but fix something that needs to be fix first..he’s damaged on the inside and that needs to be cured,this last lost already been piled to the enormous bleeding wound inside and it’s not going to heal unless you dig deep and remove all the infected flesh,spray antibiotics,put the necessary ointment,stitches back the wound and voila!..and then maybe we can think about another slam..


Dave Says:

His mental aspect needs to be fixed. He is doubting himself a lot more than before. He just doesn’t seem free on a tennis court anymore. Where everything is free flowing and he is just hitting the ball freely without any doubts. It doesn’t happen the way it used to. I see a guy more conflicted inside and constantly battling himself. I hope Agassi starts coaching Nadal.


Dave Says:

Just checked the draw in Rio de Janeiro and wow, Nadal has a hard draw. Possibly 3 flat and hard hitters in a row. Ouch.

First match:Pablo Carreno Busta
Second match: Almagro
Third match: Dolgopolov or Belluci
Fourth match: Tsonga or Sock


AndyMira Says:

Why uncle toni let something as dangerous as this continue to happen?Couldn’t he see that this thing was eating rafa alive?


AndyMira Says:

Dave,if he can pass all of them..then great news..if not..i’m also not surprise..


Dave Says:

AndyMira,

At least Fognini and Thiem are in the other half of the draw. That’s the good news.


Dave Says:

I’m Picking Rafa to win in Rio de Janeiro.


AndyMira Says:

Dave..you’re an angel..with rafa still vulnerable and you dare to pick him?I salute you..Anyway..with his current form i don’t dare to hope much..gonna see day by day result first..


Dave Says:

For a 500 event, the draw isn’t really that much better than the 250 event in Argentina. A lot of the same players playing actually. I just watched Taylor Fritz make it into his first final at 18 years old. He is going to be good. He has the mental game for sure. He stayed tough in that final game after missing on a bunch of match points.


Dave Says:

Not to be overly positive or make any excuses for Rafa, but Thiem did win more matches on clay than any other player in 2015. He has won all of his titles on clay. This is the surface he obviously has the most confidence on. Much like Stan, the slower surface gives Thiem more time to set up his crushing groundstrokes.


AndyMira Says:

Yes dave..every youngsters actually have a big talent..it’s just a matter of whether they want it so bad or not..hopefully he will not turn out to be another nick kyrgios or bernard tomic..


Dave Says:

Thiem seems like he has a good attitude. He seems humble and hungry. To good things that are working for him.


Wog Boy Says:

Just less than two years ago Nadal dispatched Thiem easily at FO in three sets, hardly sweating, the worrying thing is that Thirm didn’t get so much better as much as Rafa got worst since then.


skeezer Says:

Theim won the match, how about some talk and reapect for him? Tennis doesn’t live or die by Rafael Nadal.


AndyMira Says:

I agree dave..he so cool when on court..never lost temper when things did not go his way..i like watch him play..if only he can step up his game and mental a little bit more..he’s sure can challenge the other big 3..


chrisford1 Says:

Very good result for Thiem.

Regarding Pauly’s comment on Rafa:

“But Nole won’t be happy with how Nadal is playing
No challenge playing Nadal anymore
Nole would prefer to beat Nadal at his best
Not like this.”

There is something to be said for that. Very, very few players were not intimidated by Rafa at his peak. Ferrer but he just wasn’t good enough to beat his amigo, Delpo in 2009, and Djokovic. Part of Djokovic’s own claim to greatness is he is the only one who took on Nadal on roughly equal terms over the long haul, was the only one capable of stopping the 2010 Nadal from going on in 2011,12,13 and owning Rogers sacred “Slamcount”.
2 gladiators. Great rivalry and both guys I think don’t want it to be done.
I also personally believe that the creation of Nole 2.0 owed more to Rafa than Federer as inspiration. Past just himself and his own efforts coming together, Djokovic lacked Nadal’s heart, mental strength, and OCD ability to focus relentlessly. But Djokovic learned and worked on those shortcomings and matched Rafa in 2011.

On the other hand, while I believe Nole doesn’t want to bagel Rafa and wants that rivalry to return to having a “roughly equal in chances to win” spark – he wants the 2016 French Open and opportunity to medal at the Olympics – even more.


AndyMira Says:

Totally agree with CF1,looking back at uso 2010,after they hugs,both went to their side and look closely to novak’s face..his eyes blink rapidly to fend off the tears..and we instantly know that that lost has effected him more than he cared to let us know..and not long after that,he won davis cup..and yes i will say rafa has a minor[if not major]effect to novak’s incredible resurgence in 2011..and if he win FO this year or wimby or another uso..then he totally deserve it..he earned it..


Dave Says:

Chrisford1,

I agree that Nole benefited more from the rivalry that he had with Rafa. He needed that mental toughness that Rafa has had in their rivalry. That mental toughness that Nole learned from Rafa has now been put to good use against Federer and now Nole has gotten in the head of Federer the way Nadal has in the past. Chrisford1, what is your take on the Federer injury? Do you think it will change things? Will Federer ever be able to challenge Nole again?


Pauly Says:

Dave
Andy Mira

It has sunk in finally
My favourite player is in crisis
Others who don’t have any idea about tennis like GILES
Don’t understand the common fact of the matter
Nadal is nearing the end of his wonderful career
Injuries big reason for early demise
No one can deny that
I’m still hoping for miracles ? Hoping Indian wells might spark the old Nadal back into form ?
Hoping praying for miracles nothing else can help .
Uncle Toni must step aside that’s one positive
I still dream of another French open …But what I see in this new Nadal is not positive energy .
I think Nadal needs to completely flatten out that forehand
Improve his serve in general & play risky flashy tennis or else he will win nothing

Enough said


chrisford1 Says:

I see Roger quite capable of beating 95% of the ATP players on any surface, and giving Nole and Andy a battle on fast surfaces..even clay or grass on a really good outing. If any top player was offered the “deal” of being 33-34 and playing like Fed with Masters titles still, a Davis Cup trophy, two World Championship Finals, and 3 Slam Finals one of which he had the #1 player reeling after a big comeback – I think they’s take that deal.
Including Nole.
His injury will have a fast recuperation then I expect Roger to rejuggle his schedule if he misses IW. Add more clay time.
BTW – that was an excellent additional comment you had on Dominic Thiems clay prowess. Most clay wins of any player in 2015? I didn’t realize that. Sure – most were 250s, but nothing like winning while you are accumulating the muscle memory and the experience to have success soon at the bigger clay events. (Masters & French Open)


kjb Says:

@CF1 “”give Murray a battle on fast surfaces” hahaha Murray hasn’t beat Fed in 3 years and has lost 6 on the trot. What are you talking about man. Fed has made 3 of the last 7 Slam Finals. He is the only one that has came remotely close to Novaks level, . If he heals up quick he is still second favorite at Wimbledon, US and the Olympics.


AndyMira Says:

@Pauly 12:11am,once again agree with you pauly..truthfully before now i secretly hoping that enter new year we will see some new changes in rafa,whether from his game or his mindset or his body language based from what we have seen at the end of last year..but now..it is clear as a blue sky that our hero is not there anymore..and i doubt the old rafa will emerge as long as they refused to get outside help and i think the miracle won’t come to us unless we search for it..

Pauly,there’s so many things we wants for rafa but clearly rafa himself don’t want it..he’s not hungry anymore..so we just sit back and see what’s going to unfold,whether he’s going to sunk deeper into the hole or add someone to help him or raise two hands in the air saying”that’s it for me”..it’s all to rafa to decide..


Margot Says:

@ kjb
So Fed + knee op. inevitably beats Andy + new baby?
Good luck with that.


Pauly Says:

Andy Mira

Once again good post
All we can do is hope & pray Nadal can improve
I’m lost for answers
As I previously said Indian wells is where Nadal’s 2016 will be defined … Put up good performance there gain confidence & who knows ?
Going to the French open … Not sure why I feel this way but for some reason I think andy Murray might shock people !
Hopefully someone else will come forward to challenge Djokovic


AndyMira Says:

Pauly..i hate to correct you but i doubt rafa will improve much at IW,if on his beloved clay he got slayed like this,on hard court where a lot of flat hitters will be there..god knows what happen next..


J-Kath Says:

Thanks for that Margot…was looking thru my dictionary for a kinder way to swear.


Pauly Says:

Andy Mira

Indian wells is high bouncing which Nadal loves
I think it’s his most important tournament


AndyMira Says:

Pauly..i love nothing most other than what you’re saying will come true..i think we will see how he’s gonna fare in Rio..if his words still can be valued,he still got the spirit to fight and considering how mentally crippled he is at the moment,i think that’s enough..although please be noted pauly,he went there last year with less damaged than this year and he only got to QF..this year..he already start the year a little bit worst than last year and his self belief and confidence at his lowest..i’ll say his chance is pretty low..


Pauly Says:

Andy Mira

We can only hope he wins Rio ?
That would give him massive confidence for Indian wells where he could reach the final ?
If he plays well he could give Djokovic hard match
I still believe Nadal can compete with Djokovic at certain places like clay , Indian wells , Miami he struggles abit but I know what Nadal has on his mind
2016 French open
Can he win it ?
Well on current form no chance
Things might change by May
Time will tell


Pauly Says:

The only coach I would consider for Nadal is Andre Agassi merely for the fact they’re good friends
Agassi loves Nadal … If you recall he said Nadal was better than Federer πŸ˜‚
The GOAT debate is heading for Serbia I think … If Djokovic wins all 4 this year & gets 18 majors before he retires
It’s game Serb & match
Nole Djokovic is the GOAT

We need that debate settled soon


Pauly Says:

Nadal greatest clay courter
Roger greatest fast hardcourt player plus grass court supremo
Nole greatest medium speed hardcourt player

If you could do Geoffrey Roberson hypothetical on these three champions it would be very interesting analysis ?
All three in their primes at same time who wins on what surfaces ?
4 majors

My opinion Roger wins 2 US OPEN
WIMBLEDON
Rafa wins FRENCH OPEN
Nole wins AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Roger is the most gifted player in my opinion
GOAT if you go on my method of analysis


AndyMira Says:

Yes pauly..rafa always said..he usually gaining confidence in a series of event that been played before FO,if he can generate a win here and there..he still have hope for good FO,remember in 2014?He also don’t win much but still manage to bagged FO..like you said,let’s pray and hope for the best..no?


kjb Says:

@margot

Andy hasn’t even won a set off Fed in three years. I don`t know how a baby is gonna help that. Fed has babies. It will come down to how fast Fed can hit his stride. A meniscus tear is such a minor thing these days.


chris yuan Says:

I have always respected Rafa as a player and I am so glad that he is still on of the greats for this generation. I know he still has a while to go, but but I see him getting there very soon.

Top story: Sinner Settles With WADA, Accepts 3-Month Ban, Won't Miss Rome, Won't Miss French Open
Most Recent story: Frustrated Nick Kyrgios Calls Sinner Ban A "Sad Day For Tennis"