Nadalites – Rafa Nadal Talk

[the AntiPusher]

2018/2019 version of Rafa was still very good. Not as great as the 2010 peak version, but Rafa's body was still functional enough to handle the rigors of a full schedule, and be competitive. Much better than any version post-French Open 2021, when Rafa's body was broken. I could see it at the Citi Open (just compare his performances at that tournament to the one he had against Sinner at the French Open 2 months earlier... it was night and day). Rafa caught lightning in a bottle in early 2022, and was really lucky to win the French Open (he really should have lost that match to FAA). Rafa's level of play in early 2022, with a broken body, was just not sustainable throughout the entire course of a season. He really needed to take a break after the FO, to heal his body from everything IW onwards. Playing Wimbledon was a mistake, and quite frankly, it cost him a chance at the 23rd slam at the US Open.

@PhiEaglesfan712 go back and watch the 4 and 5 set.. Watch how clean those two sets were for both players. To say the greatest tennis player God ever created to grace the courts of RG is not a good look.

 

[kskate2]

For all the Nads Frontier folk. This is on a huge display in London Heathrow T5 Arrivals:

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

@PhiEaglesfan712 go back and watch the 4 and 5 set.. Watch how clean those two sets were for both players. To say the greatest tennis player God ever created to grace the courts of RG is not a good look.

I watched it live. I remember thinking to myself that Rafa could be beat that day, or if not, at some point in the tournament. His level of play was clearly a lot lower than his play pre-IW injury. He kind of lucked into that slam. Don't forget about the injury to Zverev in the semifinal. If that injury never happens, Rafa is playing a 6+ hour semifinal, and if he had won that, I'm not so sure that he would have had enough in the tank in the final.

2022 Rafa was still a very good player, but not a machine, like in 2010 or 2011. He could still win at the big moments, but he wasn't going to win everything anymore like the 2010/11 version. Almost reminds me of what Djokovic is now heading into 2026 Wimbledon.

Isner taking 2011 Rafa to 5 sets in a first round match is the one that still blows my mind. I can't believe that of all people, a servebot is the one that takes a peak Rafa to deep waters at RG.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I watched it live. I remember thinking to myself that Rafa could be beat that day, or if not, at some point in the tournament. His level of play was clearly a lot lower than his play pre-IW injury. He kind of lucked into that slam. Don't forget about the injury to Zverev in the semifinal. If that injury never happens, Rafa is playing a 6+ hour semifinal, and if he had won that, I'm not so sure that he would have had enough in the tank in the final.

2022 Rafa was still a very good player, but not a machine, like in 2010 or 2011. He could still win at the big moments, but he wasn't going to win everything anymore like the 2010/11 version. Almost reminds me of what Djokovic is now heading into 2026 Wimbledon.

Isner taking 2011 Rafa to 5 sets in a first round match is the one that still blows my mind. I can't believe that of all people, a servebot is the one that takes a peak Rafa to deep waters at RG.

Geez Phil, Rinse and Repeat!
Rafa's peak was at RG 2008 I was there live he took his game to another level, he was Unplayable, did not lose a set! you tend to look at stats and numbers, not the ACTUAL PLAY BTW he then went on to win probably his greatest match ever at Wimbledon in 2008, again something you miss
2010 was good not as great as 2008 I have repeated that to you many times? Moxie, Rafanoy and others agree with me BTW I have seen Rafa play many times at RG? another one that stands out is his first RG title in 2005!
BTW I was there live at RG in Rafa's 1st round match in 2011, where Isner took Rafa to 5 sets, if you had watched the match? Isner just not sat back he kept Rafa on the defense by serve/volleying on first and 2nd serves, which disrupted Rafa's rhythm.
BTW coming into the tournament Rafa suffered back to back clay court losses to Djokovic, was lacking confidence, playing too short, making uncharacteristic UFE, struggling with his timing? Rafa dug deep in the 4th set, found his depth and broke Isner's serve twice.Rafa's superior physical endurance allowed him to take the deciding 5th set! Isner nearly pulled off the upset of the tournament in Rafa's first round match

 

[the AntiPusher]

I watched it live. I remember thinking to myself that Rafa could be beat that day, or if not, at some point in the tournament. His level of play was clearly a lot lower than his play pre-IW injury. He kind of lucked into that slam. Don't forget about the injury to Zverev in the semifinal. If that injury never happens, Rafa is playing a 6+ hour semifinal, and if he had won that, I'm not so sure that he would have had enough in the tank in the final.

2022 Rafa was still a very good player, but not a machine, like in 2010 or 2011. He could still win at the big moments, but he wasn't going to win everything anymore like the 2010/11 version. Almost reminds me of what Djokovic is now heading into 2026 Wimbledon.

Isner taking 2011 Rafa to 5 sets in a first round match is the one that still blows my mind. I can't believe that of all people, a servebot is the one that takes a peak Rafa to deep waters at RG.

2022 Rafa is better than 39 years old Novak.. I don’t see how you can knock him from being a bit rusty and jaded vs Isner in that first match vs Isner. Do you realize how many people took Rafa to 5 sets at RG in 19 times in more than 100 matches ? I am not going to Google it and will let you vet it for yourself. Being critical of Rafa at RG is like saying Michael Jackson sung poorly on a song

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

AP,
If you are still around, got thinking of Wimbledon,
I thought Rafa's play at Wimbledon 2007 was high and one moment I thought he would win
He came back in 2008 and played the Match of his Life and won the Wimbledon title!

 

[the AntiPusher]

AP,
If you are still around, got thinking of Wimbledon,
I thought Rafa's play at Wimbledon 2007 was high and one moment I thought he would win
He came back in 2008 and played the Match of his Life and won the Wimbledon title!

No no I think you’re misreading my message to @PhiEaglesfan712 he is saying Novaks’s current level is similar to Rafa’s level in 2022 which is not true. Yes Rafa was fantastic at the beginning of his prime but he was a better all around player in 2010-2011 to be able to win on all surfaces . I know in 2022 he was at the end of his prime and we will Never know if he could have continued at that level at SW19 and USOpen.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

No no I think you’re misreading my message to @PhiEaglesfan712 he is saying Novaks’s current level is similar to Rafa’s level in 2022 which is not true. Yes Rafa was fantastic at the beginning of his prime but he was a better all around player in 2010-2011 to be able to win on all surfaces . I know in 2022 he was at the end of his prime and we will Never know if he could have continued at that level at SW19 and USOpen.

No not at all
I just made a thought regarding the 2027 final that is all

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

2022 Rafa is better than 39 years old Novak.. I don’t see how you can knock him from being a bit rusty and jaded vs Isner in that first match vs Isner. Do you realize how many people took Rafa to 5 sets at RG in 19 times in more than 100 matches ? I am not going to Google it and will let you vet it for yourself. Being critical of Rafa at RG is like saying Michael Jackson sung poorly on a song

Aside from FAA, it was just Isner in 2011 and Djokovic (who actually beat Nadal) in 2013. (I didn't need to look it up, btw. The fact that Nadal was taken 5 at the FO in 2011 and 2013 further proves that his best year was before 2011 - either 2010 or 2008. I put 2010 first because he won the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open that year, and was basically unplayable on all 3 surfaces. Also, losing in the first round at Wimbledon hurts 2013's case.)

That said, there's a huge difference between taking a prime/peak Nadal and prime/peak Djokovic to 5 sets than taking old Nadal and old Djokovic to 5 sets. If FAA took Nadal to 5 sets at the FO and Djokovic to 5 sets at Wimbledon in 2011-13, I'd be more impressed with the accomplishment.

Isner taking a prime/peak Nadal to 5 sets is way more impressive than FAA taking old Nadal to 5 sets, especially when you consider that Isner is a servebot, and FAA has more weapons.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The Netflix 4 part Documentary series "Rafa" has officially earned a Prime Time Emmy Award nomination for "Outstanding Documentary or Non Fiction Series
As a long time Rafa fan I am thrilled and AP and also Keiran Rafa fans have watched the series, along with other TF posters

 

[Murat B.]

The Netflix 4 part Documentary series "Rafa" has officially earned a Prime Time Emmy Award nomination for "Outstanding Documentary or Non Fiction Series
As a long time Rafa fan I am thrilled and AP and also Keiran Rafa fans have watched the series, along with other TF posters

I watched the series. It was OK. But I felt like it was missing stuff. Like, I don't even think I heard the name Murray even once. It looked like the whole show was centered around Rafa's injuries. I felt like I needed more.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I watched the series. It was OK. But I felt like it was missing stuff. Like, I don't even think I heard the name Murray even once. It looked like the whole show was centered around Rafa's injuries. I felt like I needed more.

Hi Murut

Yes another friend of mine that dosent post at TF, mentioned the same thing he also thought it was missing things, also said like you he felt it was centered around Rafa's injuries, in ways it was, apparently the series was to outline Rafa's chronic injuries, and the relentless sacrificies that defined his pursuit of greatness

 

[the AntiPusher]

I watched the series. It was OK. But I felt like it was missing stuff. Like, I don't even think I heard the name Murray even once. It looked like the whole show was centered around Rafa's injuries. I felt like I needed more.

His Injuries ..that was the basic premise of the documentary. His injuries especially the chronic foot injury would have stop the average tennis player or not allowed him to compete at the highest level. Rafa overcame those injuries, dominated the clay tournaments which we all would agree are the most difficult. His battles vs Novak, Roger and rest of the ATP was occurring unbeknownst to everyone while being truly jaded. It was a very unleveled playing field yet Rafa overcame it and statically is the All time GS champion if you look at the GS tournaments that he appeared in and completed without withdrawing.