No need. One trash talker is enough!!!

It's not Rafa's style. He does just fine the way he is, no need to join the ranks of the super inflated.

... Mr. McEnroe...
You will be remembered for being one of the best players that ever played the game (I was a huge fan) but, sadly, also for your dark side:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koE_e_LX4c0

Nadal will also be remembered for being one of the best players that ever lived and for being a great and humble guy.
To each his own

It is Nadal choice how to make his public appearance and image... But that is the one thing I don't like from Nadal. His auto-bot answers, always same attitude, PR prepared interviews and other boring stuff that makes his image.

It is OK to be humble, it is OK to be decent, polite it is OK to respect opponents, but there has to be some sparks, some vent when you can ease on yourself. It is unnatural to suppress all that all the time, and it looks artificial, forced. It's great when he is winning and smiling, but looks awful when he is loosing.

I would like him more without mask definitely, but far-far away from Mac style... But we do need some Mac characters on court....

@atg, 6/23/11 5:20 PM
Rafa's interviews are not PR prepared.
Rafa's PR Manager Pérez-Barbadillo has said: "Rafa is a dream to work with because he understands the work, he gets it. He's a nice guy, easy to work with. I don't even have to brief him on things. He says whatever he wants. I just tell him what the situation is. He trusts his team to do their best for him."
[Source: The Times, Nov. 2010]



---It's great when he is winning and smiling, but looks awful when he is loosing---

He is always natural.

what mac says is true, but, only of the achievements of nadal, which is true. Nadal never shows any ego, and he can beat anyone, provided he is in good health. This is a mark of not only a great sportsman, but also a good human being. Mac is a looser. I can't believe he wants nadal to show some ego ! That is a sad thing...

I would feel sorry for him if he is natural. I do think it is his public image and kind of "work suite" he puts on... And because of that I do think that he treat tennis like work, not enjoying it fully.

I did hear that he is much more relaxed off court, guy with him is easy to hang out... Still shy and modest, but more fun :) I can't imagine Nadal playing PS3 or Wii with death serious face, emotionless, thanking to all players and saying he was not at his best and he had to work hard for next time :)

I just miss that court, at least hint of humanity :) Here is one little bit different view on Rafa from mainstream:

http://www.nadalnews.com/2011/06/05/anyone-for-tension/

McEnroe would love for tennis to go the way it as when he and Connors were trashing up the circuit.

This atg must be a delusional Fed fan. So what is new Delu-Fedfan?
Rafa is boring to watch on court. His press conferences are boring. Everything about him is artificial. His being left handed. He has no natural talent. His muscles are not natural.
Fed of course is a joy to watch. When he plays you can imagine Tchaikovsky playing in the background. His press conferences where he boasts about himself and puts down his rivals is riveting.
He has more muscles than Rafa but they are natural.
As per his own statement he trains three hours per day, but Fed fans insist his talent is 100% natural and he doesn't need to train.
Rafa doesn't enjoy playing. It is too much like work.
But Fed, for whom it is effortless, tennis is a joy. He plays for the love of playing and not for titles or perks. Our Fed is an unspoilt perfectly natural fellow for whom tennis comes as naturally as breathing.
He never gets tired, never seems to get injured except when he loses. All this is human and natural.
Nadal gets injured, misses slams, gets tired and all these are evidence that he is a machine or adopting unfair means.
Anything else?

Oh atg, the article you posted had already been posted on every thread by another delu-fan, can't remember name. The delu was probably banned thereafter.
Can't you delu guys be a little original and spare us your boring repetitions?

Hear hear Johnny Mac. Rafa is not a real #1. His rightfull place is rank #2. Soderling fell almost to a great champion. Nadal is lucky not having to play such great champions like Hewitt.

@sienna
Maybe you should learn to spell rightful. And also, i kind of agree with Mac, Nadal would be more of a number one if he started acting like number one instead of second behind fed.

Rafa has a positive H2H against Hewitt, don't understand why Rafa is considered lucky??

Atg - you seemed to miss Rafa's recent pressers during RG, where he gave long answers to all the questions asked, and revealed his feelings about the state he was in lately. He was a bit tired about the long season and lamented that at 25, he couldn't live the normal live of of 25 yo but had to travel week in week out to different places to play tennis and was hardly at home to enjoy some weekends with his family and friends. I don't think those came from his PR team, but rather were his own thoughts! He was enjoying his tennis all along, even after his painful 2009, it was until this year with all the pressure about getting his 6th FO and when his no.1 ranking was under threat, and with him suffering some illness at the beginning of the year and missed getting his Rafa slam, that caused him to feel burdened by all the pressure and expectations. Do note that he is looking happy again here at Wimbledon, probably because the biggest burden of defending his FO title is now removed from his shoulders, and he really likes Wimbledon and also the feeling of playing on grass. Rafa is enjoying his tennis again, not treating it like work (at RG) anymore.

@atg, 6/23/11 6:04 PM
I am afraid, you haven't seen Rafa playing tennis. If you had seen, you would know that he is very emotional on the court. (Not like emotionless Fed).

Rafa works hard and relaxes properly. Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven: a time to work and a time to relax.

Here's a link to an article, in which you can read & see how Rafa relaxes in Mallorca (his homeisland):
http://www.diariodemallorca.es/sociedad-cultura/2011/02/ 20/mejor-deportista-mundo-divertirse/647049.html
:)

Those are simply two sides of an issue. If Rafa boasts about himself, just once, more and more people will have a chance to attack Nadal. Sometimes, I think people just expect too much from Rafa. He's a serious tennis player, not a spokesperson.

Some people are just nonsensical. Being the no.1 player in the world is not only a privilege, but also a burden. I don't know if some of you guys are famous enough to comment about how a public figure should handle his image. It's not that easy.

I just love to see Rafa playing on grass. It's a joy to watch. His play does more talking than his words.

A current top player used to have a lot of ego but learned his lesson when the results didn't match the swagger. Borg never had a swagger nor did Sampras or dare I say Laver. Each to his own. If Rafa was full of himself people would still complain.

No matter what rank poor Federer has, he will be considered second best because of his h2h with Nadal. Poor guy. He is the second best player playing in the Nadal era unless he can reverse the h2h.

I like Rafa just the away he is. I certainly cannot imagine him being anything like McEnroe! I think Rafa is fine just the way he is.

fight keep on fighting on everything that you can fight on lol and humbleness is a great quality that mcenroe lacked and has no clue about it

Yes, the idea of Mcenroe, whom I really like btw, giving anyone advice on how to behave on court, is extremely funny lol.

I like Mac too, deuce. Doesn't mean he wasn't a complete tool at times though. Still, the guy was a bloody genius. LOVED watching him play.

@holdserve: "This atg must be a delusional Fed fan. So what is new Delu-Fedfan? "

Actually I think Federers hiding of emotions is far worse than Nadal. Until it accumulate to burst point like it was on AO. However I do like his pressers and as he is such raw material for media with his arrogance and greatness attitude. It's hilarious and it becomes his trademark. You simply can't say they are boring.

@luckystar: "Atg - you seemed to miss Rafa's recent pressers during RG, where he gave long answers "

I had poor coverage of RG because of job, hardly had time to watch even match summaries. Same is looking to happen with Wimbly and I'll miss a lot. But now I do remember that friends told me that he couldn't believe how Rafa's English improved on Wimbly and how fluent he was. Also they noted how he was more than eager to chitchat with press. It seems like he really was too worried about RG and under stress. Now when I read about his parents reunited (rumor) I hope he will cheer up and take more relaxed attitude.

However it still stays Mac remark that he needs to step up to his ranking. He is no.1 and on good way to exceed all Fed accomplishments, and he is not acting like that. It is natural that as leader you have big bulls eye on your back, no use hiding it and trying to deny. You have to step up and dare other to get you.

It will all be over after this Wimbledon. We finally will have a thrue #1/
Somebody should make an article or maybe a blog entry about the decline of Rafa. Already journalists are mentioning iy during the pressers. Iwould do it myself but my english is not quit there yet. But I'm getting better everyday. no! Keep trying and keep practising keep runningand keep reading etc.. blabla bla

Sienna, Neither your English nor your comprehension is there yet.
Well even if Federer wins Wimbledon, the crybaby will not be the true no. 1 because he is inferior to Nadal as proved by his h2h. He has to reverse the h2h to convince tennis historians.
No one is bothered about your opinion.

@Sienna, 6/23/11 10:44 PM
A year ago, we were lucky to get rid of an untrue #1, who, according comments of his fans, has been in decline since y.2008. Or maybe already since y.2004 when he lost to 17-year old Rafa.

Wow. Trash talkers galore...so sad. The lead in to Wimbledon on ESPN2 coverage had a great montage....Federer, and then the tag "The Greatest Player of all Time". And then Rafa, and the tag "The Other Greatest Player of all Time". I loved it! I love both players, and their different personalities. Although, I sometimes thought Roger was a little bit too quick to tell you how amazing he played, even when he lost. He's gotten better about it in the last couple of years, and I like him better for it.
As for whether or not Rafa should be more of a braggart, how many of you posted hateful things about him when you said he "glared down the court at this opponent", or "wore muscle shirts to intimidate his opponent"? Which is the example you want set for your children, and other sportsman? A guy who always gives credit to the other players, and especially to Federer, who he truly respects and admires: or one who is constantly telling everybody how amazing he is, and he's the King of the World? I know which one I choose. If the braggart is for you, just watch any number of current NFL and NBA stars.....

There is a differnce between respecting your oponent and respecting his achievment..

Nadal respects what Fed has achieved, but he never bring that on court..this is what makes the difference..

cheryl, Mac is one of my favourite players of all time :)

"McEnroe would love for tennis to go the way it as when he and Connors were trashing up the circuit."

LOL. Too bad about him. He had his era; Roger & Rafa have theirs.

Also, did he miss that interview Rafa did after the French, where he said he wasn't the best, but felt comfortable saying he was one of the best?

Also, LOL, since when should anyone, especially Rafa, run their life the way JMac would like them to? I can't remember the last time JMac took someone else's advice on how to run his own life. :-)

Rafa likes to have someone to chase; it works for his psychology.

Not to speak of what majorbaeb says being true -- Roger is the Greatest of All Time; Rafa is the Other Greatest of All Time. So Rafa's just speaking his truth.

And what's funniest to me is that Rafa'll probably let that roll right off his back, since what he's been doing has been working pretty well so far. LOL!

Nadal is definitely osing the plot.
Nobody on this site has picked up on it, but that is just because of the pro Nadal caracter of it.

He actually lashed out to the era of the 90's where it was only serve, serve, serve and not enjoyable tennis to watch for the viewer.
Where does this so called tennisgreat gets his nerves of dishing a great era of tennis. Never ever did Fed lash out like this towards era in the past. Whats the deal with the #1 we have at the moment. He should know that the #1leads by example and always takes care of tennis in general. Never stab the ones who achieved so much in order for you to have a great life.

Sienna - It's impossible to understand your meaning. You should re-read your own comments before posting to make sure you have in fact said what you want to say in the best possible way. Two or three simple sentences might be best.

Pretty funny coming from Mac, who had a temper on court, but who never fails to refer to his rival as "the great Bjorn Borg", and always praises Connors' effort and intensity. When Rafa tied Mac's GS total of 7 last year, when asked how he felt about that Mac said "I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts." Me, I take ESPN2's attitude. Roger is the GOAT and Rafa is "the other GOAT". Works for me. Rafa's attitude regarding his place in tennis history isn't so much one of humility/respect as factual. He's busy making records. Where they place him is for others to decide.

@Sienna: what Rafa said is that he thinks today's tennis, with its baseline rallies is more interesting to watch than watching big serves fly by. I happen to agree with him - in fact I'd stopped watching mens' tennis altogether during most of the Sampras era. It was too boring and predictable. Incidentally, not the least of Roger's greatness is that he bridged that era, first winning Wimbly as a serve/volleyer. But Rafa did NOT dis the players - they played the way they had to to win.

really overrated player. = Nadal


Nadal said. "Personally, to watch a Pete Sampras versus Goran Ivanisevic match, or one between those kind of players, is not enjoyable"

"It's not really tennis,


http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Ten...-Day-Five.aspx


Arrogant Nadal.

Nadal always insults Davydenko or Melczar etc. When lost, make an excuse. " I'm injury. I'm sick. I'm tired." again. again. again.

always arrogant manner . always exaggerated appeal. always overaction? to mad. always shouted . always fake of time out. always stupid take time. always cheaters in the game. Illegal coaching, fake time-outs, exceding time limit between serves, gamemanship, mindgames, and spitting in the clay. etc. etc. etc.

arrogant unsportsmanlike.


most annoying player. ,ost overrated player. most arrogant fans.

Ramara please do no try to explaine what Rafa said or meant to say. I never see people on this site trying to explaine whenever Fed makes a comment about someone or an era. When he does they judge and go all out in stating his arrogance etc I believe the english expression is called two faced to describe something like that.
Nadal lashed at tennishistory a # 1 should know better.
Pete was called boring but I never recalled it for playing boring tennis.

@Sienna, 6/26/11 9:33 PM
@Sienna, 6/27/11 8:52 AM
An excerpt from ATP homesite: << Rafael Nadal believes previous tennis eras cannot match the excitement generated by the current stars of the sport. "Personally, to watch a Pete Sampras versus Goran Ivanisevic match, or one between those kind of players, is not enjoyable," the 10-time major champion told The Evening Standard. "It's not really tennis, it is a few swings of the racquet. It was less eye-catching than what we do now. Everyone enjoys the tennis we play much more. I am not saying we are playing better tennis, just more enjoyable tennis. For me, in the past it was just serve, serve, serve." >>

Rafa expressed his opinion, he was honest. Don't try to explaine from your point of view what he said.

Brother Rafa, stay cool as you are. You don't have to change your attitude on/off court because you will lose your uniqueness and aside from that, most tennis fans tend to support the humble ones. Look at Federer, only his fanatic followers support him because he is a big arrogant mouth.

Inspite of the current rankings, still someone here talking very sore. Maybe she was being abused in the dungeon, tortured and now suffering brain hemorrage. She can not accept the reality no doubt, insisting Rafa is not the truly #1. She is so desperate trying to convince the world that the true #1 is Federer who infact, won the Dubai Open, a 250 point event, his lone and only title year-to-date aha ha haaaaaaa.

Good from Rafa, bold and honest enough to speak his mind, not afraid to offend anyone. Yes, I really dislike serve and serve only tennis, which explains why I'm one of those who don't enjoy tennis during that particular era. Rafa speaks for many of us here, thank you Rafa.

nadal is acts his number 1 ranking on court. his rackets do the "trash" talking! may he win his 3rd wimby!
come on rafa!