ARTICLES:
The “What’s up with Nadal?” questions hit the double-digit mark this week, after his latest loss to a lesser-ranked player—on clay, no less. This time it was Pablo Cuevas, the kind of journeymen Nadal would dispatch 6–2, 6–2 not long ago.
We want easy solutions and explanations. Fire Toni! Take a year off! Quit now! But this doesn’t lend itself to hot takes. We are, undeniably, witnessing an athlete in decline. And tennis is both the cruelest of sports and the most accommodating…
Nadal is not yet 30. His body, improbably, is holding up. Nadal may never win a 15th major. But I don’t see how you flatly write off a player of his caliber. The first step is regaining that self-belief and translating that on the court. Taking more risks on the serve, in the rallies and on big points. Playing closer to the baseline. Finishing off third sets. Right now, he doesn’t need a new coach so much as needs Stuart Smalley reminding him of who he is.
- Rise and Fall | tennis.com
“Descent,” of course, is a relative term when it comes to Rafa on dirt. He reached the semis in both Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, and lost by razor-thin margins both times. For the most part, aside from his serve, I thought he played pretty well. Still, this is Nadal we’re talking about. No player has ever come as close to invincibility on a single surface. Making the semis at a clay-court event is never going to be a satisfying result for him.
Once upon a time, Nadal didn’t lose these types of rallies when he needed them. On match point, the opponent’s desperation forehand would sail long. When Rafa had the other player out of position, he would put the ball away and stride back to the baseline with his fist in the air.
AUDIO: The Tennis Podcast: Will Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal ever win another grand slam title? | The Telegraph
Roger Federer has won more Grand Slam singles titles (17), and spent more weeks as World No 1 than anyone in history. Rafael Nadal has won 14 major wins, including nine French Open crowns, and Olympic singles gold. But is that it? Will either win another major title in their careers?
PHOTOS:
- The Tommy Hilfiger Tailored TH Flex Rafael Nadal Edition Capsule Collection
- Rafael Nadal suffers Rio Open defeat to Pablo Cuevas
VIDEOS:
- Emirates ATP Rankings 23 February 2016 | ATP World Tour
- Behind The Scenes In Rio | ATP World Tour
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I DON’T NECESSARILY THINK RAFA NEEDS A NEW COACH; HOWEVER, A SECOND COACH (NAMELY GUSTAVO KUERTIN) WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL.
For me Rafa is TENNIS . To play consistently. at his level all these years, have taken their toll. Rafa and Uncle Toni know what parts of his game need changing/improving. The mental side of his game has to come from Rafa himself. There are many who are guilty of stating, ‘ he needs an outsider to throw new light to his game.’ At the end of the day it is what Rafa wants, only he knows if a new pair of eyes/voice is needed. The level of play from the new young guns is amazing, so none of the old guard are obvious winners anymore. Nole is playing at an incredible pace but he too will be beaten. To all Rafa fans just continue to enjoy watching him. If he wins [ I believe he will ] rejoice and if he doesn’t support xx
Marian Droy: There is no enjoyment watching RAFA being miserable and struggling against even less known players on the court.
It’s a tough situation but i am always with Rafa. Vamos!
My heart goes out to you, Rafa.
I think Rafa could bring in on a Consultancy basis someone like Stephan Edberg another gentleman great tennis player,Keep uncle Toni, as RAFA has been around the world many times with his precious uncle.And on a Consultancy basis give another great player like John McEnroe
a consultancy trial, then that way he gets great players who know all the other players games and can boost Rafa’s good feelings about himself, and lift his confidence.
I follow him on the internet around the world, and I think he is the tennis greatest player out of ALL of them who is the most humane, humble, gracious and appreciative and grateful for all his blessings.Love you God Bless, Rafa,Alaine /Sydney/Australia.
I agree with you Elaine Crowdwe . He definitely needs psychological help to overcome his nerves .
LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YOU RAFA.💖 ALWAYS, THE WAY YOU ARE. IT IS JUST THAT ALL YOUR DEAR N LOVE FANS ARE WORRIED ABOUT YOU.
YOU HAVE ACHEIVED A LOT AT A YOUNG AGE, YES, BUT YOU STILL NEED TO CONTINUE TO PLAY, MOST OF ALL YOUR FANS NEED YOU, N TENNIS ALSO NEEDS YOU.
THERE IS NOTHING MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN TENNIS, WHEN YOU N ROGER ARE NOT AROUND. IT GETS BORING.
PLEASE CONSIDER WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOU. TAKE SOMETIME, N REST.
YOUR FANS ARE RIGHT BEHIND YOU. WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR LOYAL FANS.
HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON BACK, ON THE COURTS. BUILD YOUR SELF CONFIDENICE.
KEEP TELLING YOUR SELF THAT YOU ARE BEST.🌷,
LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YOU RAFA.💖 ALWAYS.
KEEP SMILING, YOU HAVE A MILLION DOLLAR SMILE. , SWEET HEART.
YOU ARE GOD’S GIFT TO THE TENNIS WORLD.
the rest of us are not deaf, even if you are! O_O
I keep saying it over and over again Leave Rafa ALONE Only He knows what to do and how to go about it Maybe a new coach is the answer or time Off from the sport, we seem to forget all good sportsmen go through slumps Roger did and I.m damn sure Novak will too eventually. Rafa has put his heart and soul into tennis , so give him a break all you knockers, ask yourselves could you do as good as He has HmmHmm?
I think he needs to take time off and completely heal physically and at the same time gain the passion for the game he used to have. He is trying too hard, and the lack of self confidence is not helping him. He has had a rough couple of years due to injuries, and is coming back too soon.He is still considered a top player, and he will still be up there. Even now his brilliance comes through in his games.
Rafa needs to add someone new to the team. I know he is faithful to his friends, but this is your sport, you need to take advantage of these few years you have left. New people, new blood, new ideas so you can come back. Come on Rafa, you need to solve this. Accept a new addition to your team and VAMOS!!!!!
Dear Diana,
Hey, I’ve got news for ya.
Believe it or not, if good, old Uncle Toni should decide to walk away, Rafa would immediately retire! Rafa cannot work with anybody else excedpt Uncle Toni.
that’s not true.
what????? no advice today about your God Illusion?? O_O
Please take this opportunity Rafa. You won’t regret it. You can still keep Uncle Toni however, please consider an addition coach.
I have seen many other players use this proactive proactive approach and it has helped considerably. They are now playing extremely well and a different type of game. May I also suggest a sports psychologist to assist you in working through your confidence issues, you would find this to be a life changing experience in all areas of your life. Believe in yourself. God bless you Rafa. Pearls of wisdom from one of your best fans. Sending love and blessings to both Maria and you.
Rafa needs our love. Keep smiling Rafa and play your game. Don’t worry about the score. Play from the heart and not the brain. Let go of negativity and just have fun. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. We are all behind you all the way….. Up or down. Just want Rafa to be happy. He already made his mark on tennis history. Life is too short to be stressed over this. Joy is the most important thing. The joy of playing your favorite sport.
I love this young man. I am in his court at all times. Yet there is a time to have new blood added to your team. Keep Tony just need new fresh input. Good luck.
Yes he need someone new
Rafa would immediately retire if Uncle Toni leaves and the whole family knows this.
Then all my respect and love for him will be disappeared in a blink of eyes. I don’t like weak-minded dependent timid personality.
yes!!!!!!!!!! Look what happened to Novak a few years back, he was in a real slump and then he brought in new blood and the rest is history….Tony should stay on but he needs a first class player to come and add his thoughts. New blood always brings excitement to the player.
I don’t think he will ever let go of Toni, so maybe he should get a consultant coach just to improve his game – teach him new things. Most of all, he needs to raise his level of confidence.
I think Rafa. does need a new voice to listen to he needs to get more motivated,perhaps it will get him fired up again.
He needs to go for his shorts and don’t hold back.he is a champion believe, believe DUDE!!!!
Ya dejemos de tonterias y claro que necesita un nuevo couch y que el Tio Tony se ponga hacer algo mejor. Es una gran tristeza que siento por Rafa, a la cual adoro que por una persona tan egoista como su tio, no lo deje avanzar. Ya Rafa precioso, como decimos los mexicano, mandalo a la goma, que bastante ha ganado contigo y consiguete uno o pues retirate, porque por lo que oigo y soy fanatica del tennis, estas perdiendo gente. Ya te enseno, ya aprendiste, ya gano mucho pero mucho dinero, y tu mi lindo Rafa, sigue luchando pero con alguien que te haga crecer, que no te baje como lo ha estado haciendo. Me preocupa que no tengas tu tu criterio poco, o si no pues retirarte. Te deseo lo mejor de lo mejor mi querido Rafa.. A la goma como decimos los Mexico al Tio Toni. Ya Toni, pon los pies en otros ninos que apenas empiezan y deja que Rafa siga creciendo porque es un GRAN SER HUMANO. LO MEJOR PARA TI MI QUERIDO RAFA. TE QUIERE MEXICO PORQUE SOY DE AHI.
He needs a change. Maybe a new coach
He needs to just play his game and be afraid of no one, at the moment he seems to be afraid of everyone. Come back Rafa ,we know you have it in you,he is defeatist instead of ripping them all apart like before Come on Rafa.
Yes .