Nadal's 2009 Forehand

[Postpre]

Nadal's forehand in the Spring/Early Summer of 2009 has always confused me (his takeback seemed shortened and his left elbow appeared to be tucked in more). Even though he won Monte Carlo and Rome, I don't think he was playing all that great.

Here he was practicing at Indian Wells:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB6EY7FxgUg

Finals at Madrid (Federer) & Rome (Djokovic)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9D6JatXdRY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRn8eIfdDaQ

What was going on with his forehand during this stretch? I can't help but believe that this style of forehand had a lot to do with his loss to Soderling (remember how short he played during that match).

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal's forehand in the Spring/Early Summer of 2009 has always confused me (his takeback seemed shortened and his left elbow appeared to be tucked in more). Even though he won Monte Carlo and Rome, I don't think he was playing all that great.

Here he was practicing at Indian Wells:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB6EY7FxgUg

Finals at Madrid (Federer) & Rome (Djokovic)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9D6JatXdRY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRn8eIfdDaQ

What was going on with his forehand during this stretch? I can't help but believe that this style of forehand had a lot to do with his loss to Soderling (remember how short he played during that match).

IMO, Nadal played the worst clay court tennis of his career during that stage. I know I keep mentioning this, but more than one user here can vouch for the fact that back then on the old forum, I kept on repeating how Nadal's forehand was lacking pop and penetration, and how his movement wasn't especially sharp throughout that clay season, and before he actually lost to Federer in Madrid. The FO loss came shortly thereafter. Obviously, I was still shocked as hell when he lost to Soderling, but in hindsight, the signs were there.

You are quite right with your observation. It's odd because his forehand was fantastic at the Australian Open, and for the first time in his career, was having an easy time flattening it out when he needed to on hards.

The first time I really noticed his forehand suffering was against Novak in the final at Monte Carlo that year. There were times where he was almost literally "jumping" into it. He seemed like he had to make extra effort to try and play it deep (probably because he was arriving a touch late) and was failing, not to mention, his backswing actually looked different too at times.

It was also the first time in his career where his DTL forehand just disappears (it has been happening more often since). Most noticeably however, his inside out forehand generally lack the same pop. It was also a stage where he wasn't hitting his forehand on the run all that well. Every time he's stretched on that side, the reply was a weak cross court forehand that allows his opponent into the court.

As a fan, it was generally the least enjoyment I've had out of watching Nadal's game on clay, even in his wins.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Nadal's forehand in the Spring/Early Summer of 2009 has always confused me (his takeback seemed shortened and his left elbow appeared to be tucked in more). Even though he won Monte Carlo and Rome, I don't think he was playing all that great.

Here he was practicing at Indian Wells:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB6EY7FxgUg

Finals at Madrid (Federer) & Rome (Djokovic)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9D6JatXdRY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRn8eIfdDaQ

What was going on with his forehand during this stretch? I can't help but believe that this style of forehand had a lot to do with his loss to Soderling (remember how short he played during that match).

IMO, Nadal played the worst clay court tennis of his career during that stage. I know I keep mentioning this, but more than one user here can vouch for the fact that back on then on the old forum, I kept on repeating how Nadal's forehand was lacking pop and penetration, and how his movement wasn't especially sharp throughout that clay season, and before he actually lost to Federer in Madrid. The FO loss came shortly thereafter. Obviously, I was still shocked as hell when he lost to Soderling, but in hindsight, the signs were there.

You are quite right with your observation. It's odd because his forehand was fantastic at the Australian Open, and for the first time in his career, was having an easy time flattening it out when he needed to on hards.

The first time I really noticed his forehand suffering was against Novak in the final at Monte Carlo that year. There were times where he was almost literally "jumping" into it. He seemed like he had to make extra effort to try and play it deep (probably because he was arriving a touch late) and was failing, not to mention, his backswing actually looked different too at times.

It was also the first time in his career where his DTL forehand just disappears (it has been happening more often since). Most noticeably however, his inside out forehand generally lack the same pop. It was also a stage where he wasn't hitting his forehand on the run all that well. Every time he's stretched on that side, the reply was a weak cross court forehand that allows his opponent into the court.

As fan, it was generally the least enjoyment I've had out of watching Nadal's game on clay, even in his wins.

"As fan, it was generally the least enjoyment I've had out of watching Nadal's game on clay, even in his wins."

I think I understand your statement and I would suggest to focus on Nadal's defense which is sublime at times and his mental strategy(its like all the other players besides Djoker is playing checkers while Rafa is playing Chess.. Its really is remarkable the way Rafa plays on the dirt.. IMO

 

[tented]

Nadal's forehand in the Spring/Early Summer of 2009 has always confused me (his takeback seemed shortened and his left elbow appeared to be tucked in more).

That is odd, isn't it? It looks like he broke his arm, and is wearing an invisible cast.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Nadal's forehand in the Spring/Early Summer of 2009 has always confused me (his takeback seemed shortened and his left elbow appeared to be tucked in more).

That is odd, isn't it? It looks like he broke his arm, and is wearing an invisible cast.

very odd.. Rafa racket head speed was astonishing!

 

[huntingyou]

injury

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal's forehand in the Spring/Early Summer of 2009 has always confused me (his takeback seemed shortened and his left elbow appeared to be tucked in more). Even though he won Monte Carlo and Rome, I don't think he was playing all that great.

Here he was practicing at Indian Wells:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB6EY7FxgUg

Finals at Madrid (Federer) & Rome (Djokovic)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9D6JatXdRY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRn8eIfdDaQ

What was going on with his forehand during this stretch? I can't help but believe that this style of forehand had a lot to do with his loss to Soderling (remember how short he played during that match).

IMO, Nadal played the worst clay court tennis of his career during that stage. I know I keep mentioning this, but more than one user here can vouch for the fact that back on then on the old forum, I kept on repeating how Nadal's forehand was lacking pop and penetration, and how his movement wasn't especially sharp throughout that clay season, and before he actually lost to Federer in Madrid. The FO loss came shortly thereafter. Obviously, I was still shocked as hell when he lost to Soderling, but in hindsight, the signs were there.

You are quite right with your observation. It's odd because his forehand was fantastic at the Australian Open, and for the first time in his career, was having an easy time flattening it out when he needed to on hards.

The first time I really noticed his forehand suffering was against Novak in the final at Monte Carlo that year. There were times where he was almost literally "jumping" into it. He seemed like he had to make extra effort to try and play it deep (probably because he was arriving a touch late) and was failing, not to mention, his backswing actually looked different too at times.

It was also the first time in his career where his DTL forehand just disappears (it has been happening more often since). Most noticeably however, his inside out forehand generally lack the same pop. It was also a stage where he wasn't hitting his forehand on the run all that well. Every time he's stretched on that side, the reply was a weak cross court forehand that allows his opponent into the court.

As fan, it was generally the least enjoyment I've had out of watching Nadal's game on clay, even in his wins.

"As fan, it was generally the least enjoyment I've had out of watching Nadal's game on clay, even in his wins."

I think I understand your statement and I would suggest to focus on Nadal's defense which is sublime at times and his mental strategy(its like all the other players besides Djoker is playing checkers while Rafa is playing Chess.. Its really is remarkable the way Rafa plays on the dirt.. IMO

I was strictly referring to Rafa's game on clay that year (2009), not in general.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Nadal's forehand in the Spring/Early Summer of 2009 has always confused me (his takeback seemed shortened and his left elbow appeared to be tucked in more). Even though he won Monte Carlo and Rome, I don't think he was playing all that great.

Here he was practicing at Indian Wells:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB6EY7FxgUg

Finals at Madrid (Federer) & Rome (Djokovic)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9D6JatXdRY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRn8eIfdDaQ

What was going on with his forehand during this stretch? I can't help but believe that this style of forehand had a lot to do with his loss to Soderling (remember how short he played during that match).

IMO, Nadal played the worst clay court tennis of his career during that stage. I know I keep mentioning this, but more than one user here can vouch for the fact that back on then on the old forum, I kept on repeating how Nadal's forehand was lacking pop and penetration, and how his movement wasn't especially sharp throughout that clay season, and before he actually lost to Federer in Madrid. The FO loss came shortly thereafter. Obviously, I was still shocked as hell when he lost to Soderling, but in hindsight, the signs were there.

You are quite right with your observation. It's odd because his forehand was fantastic at the Australian Open, and for the first time in his career, was having an easy time flattening it out when he needed to on hards.

The first time I really noticed his forehand suffering was against Novak in the final at Monte Carlo that year. There were times where he was almost literally "jumping" into it. He seemed like he had to make extra effort to try and play it deep (probably because he was arriving a touch late) and was failing, not to mention, his backswing actually looked different too at times.

It was also the first time in his career where his DTL forehand just disappears (it has been happening more often since). Most noticeably however, his inside out forehand generally lack the same pop. It was also a stage where he wasn't hitting his forehand on the run all that well. Every time he's stretched on that side, the reply was a weak cross court forehand that allows his opponent into the court.

As fan, it was generally the least enjoyment I've had out of watching Nadal's game on clay, even in his wins.

"As fan, it was generally the least enjoyment I've had out of watching Nadal's game on clay, even in his wins."

I think I understand your statement and I would suggest to focus on Nadal's defense which is sublime at times and his mental strategy(its like all the other players besides Djoker is playing checkers while Rafa is playing Chess.. Its really is remarkable the way Rafa plays on the dirt.. IMO

I was strictly referring to Rafa's game on clay that year (2009), not in general.

ok, i got it