I've read that Rafa isn't in Abu Dhabi and won't be until sometime next week, so who's your source for this info Lindahl? Apparently, there's speculation as to whether Rafa will even be playing.

Maya, where did you read that Rafa might not play in Abu Dhabi?

I heard about that too. Also it was mentioned that Rafa has some shoulder problem that's why it's being rumored that he'll skip Abu Dhabi. Nothing was being mentioned by Rafa and his team so the 'rumors' remain as rumors.

Nadal hasn't arrived yet. He is spending Christmas with his family in Mallorca before flying to Abu Dhabi on Dec 27. He said in a recent interview that getting his overloaded shoulder ready for playing is his main priority at the moment. Too much serving practice yet again... :-(

It seems Rafa is being hit by a virus again...well, this agony of Rafa's illness just won't go away...such disturbing news for all us Rafans...I was so excited to see him play again...

Rafael Nadal Hot News: Doubtful for 2012 Abu Dhabi
Friday, December 23rd, 2011 at 12:23 pm , filed under Tennis News
Top seeded Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, who has been scheduled to play the 2012 Mubadala World Tennis Next week from December, 29 ? 31, 2011at Abu Dhabi, Dubai is doubtful in participating in the tournament.
Rafael Nadal has been a top performer at Dubai by clinching back to back title in 2010 & 2011 and was a runner-up in the opening edition of the Abu Dhabi tournament. However, the defending and world Nop.2, Nadal is now in trouble suffering from virus.
As per tennisworlditalia.com, it has been reported by Marca that, Rafa Nadal started training for the 2012 season last Monday in Manacor, a week after stopping for a bothersome left shoulder that forced him to undergo treatment at a clinic in Barcelona last Friday. Nadal, present in the Catalan city to participate in charity events related to its foundation, visited his doctor Angel Ruiz cotorra. After solving the small problem in the shoulder, Rafa has returned to training but was hit by a virus that weakened him. For this reason, it seems that the team Nadal has spread the idea of jumping Abu Dhabi to continue to best prepare for Doha, which begins Jan. 2. Toni Nadal, however, said: ?The idea is to be present in Abu Dhabi.
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have already been in Dubai and started their preparation for the tournament. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal still need to arrive Dubai to compete in the tournament from next week
Stay tuned, until next week to get the complete information about the King of Clay participation in season opening tournament in Abu Dhabi.

Thanks Nats for the update. Poor Rafa, if it's not one thing it's the other, he must be feeling thoroughly fed up. I hope he recovers soon, because his flu in Jan this year clouded the rest of his year.

and when I was just about to enter one of those 'sad and blue tennis moments' which always have something to do with Nadal I decided to see what he has got to say about his illness and went to his facebook page...and this is what he has sent via mobile phone an hour ago...

"All week long practicing with Marc Lopez, great moments :)"

so, it may be that this abovementioned article ends up being false news and that Rafa is just fine...I certainly hope so...VAMOS RAFA DEAREST!!!

^^^Thanks, Nats.

Breathes a sigh of relief.

Nice to hear Rafa is better :)
...and ...just a information... Nole won't be in Abu Dhabi for Christmas... his Christmas.
He is Ortodox Serbian... and Christmas is on 7. January... according to Julian calendar.

"Mubadala World Tennis Championship officials said Nadal participations is still questionable????."

http://www.livetennisguide.com/2011/12/27/will-r afael-nadal-defend-abu-dhabi-championship/

it's official now..Rafa is definitely playing in abu dhabi...VAMOS RAFA!!!

^^^Great! I had almost resigned myself to the fact that he won't play.



VAMOS RAFA

We'll see how good a decision this was on the near future....

And heeeeereeeee we go!!!
First set for Nole with double break ....

Roger is rusty. It wasn't such a good idea to have a bye in the first round. I hope Rafa doesn't suffer the same fate against Ferrer.

...and third successive break.... ajde nole!!!!!

3:0.... c'mon.... BREAK HIM AGAIN!!!!!

Djokovic looks very relaxed.

Glad there is a 3rd/4th place match. That way I get to watch Roger play another match.

What's important is to build up form for the AO. Abu Dhabi and Doha are peanuts.

Nole wins: 62 61.

Abu Dhabi was not peanuts few moths ago...lol... for Fed :)
Thank Nole for showing us what we will see in AO...
So Fed took three games against Nole... not bad...not bad :))
...now you can go about this is just expo match and blaaah blaaaaah...
This WAS painfull... and so good for Novak before AO.

Ouch. Was it djokovic who was on fire or Roger that played really bad?

"Abu Dhabi was not peanuts few moths ago...lol... for Fed :)"
It's an exho. Maybe you think it is the 5th slam...

"Thank Nole for showing us what we will see in AO..."
Maybe they won't even meet in the AO. And if they do the result won't be similar. Want to bet on it?

"So Fed took three games against Nole... not bad...not bad :))2
It is bad.

"...now you can go about this is just expo match and blaaah blaaaaah..."
It always was and always will be had roger won it or not.

"This WAS painfull... and so good for Novak before AO."
It really did wonders for Nadal who won it in 2010 and 2011 and lost on the quarters in the AO.

Djoko accepts what Roger said in his interview that he had the advantage of playing on the surface yesterday.

Did you hear the commentators... "Those athletes are so good in finding excuses...
Fed will probably say... well this is my first match..."
Even on TV ppl know Fed's attitude ... lol...
Bleck why are you bringing Rafa in this story..? Your idol was dismantled and powerless against Nole... it was obvious for everyone ( even for you, but you won't admit it... ofc )
You and I know that Fed hates to loose ... especially against Novak... so it was painfull... and IF they meet each other... that USO SF and this match will be in Fed's head.

I wasn't able to watch the match but 6-2 6-1 is a heavy defeat. Still this is an exho.

The commentators say the biggest absurdities and stupidities you could imagine. So going by them it's not very clever.

"Fed will probably say... well this is my first match..." Well, it is!!!

Just putting things into perspective, Federer looked a step slow and a bit rusty in the rallies; this was an exhibition after all. But if Nole maintains that imperious level through the AO I don't really see anyone beating him; because it just seems to me that the AO surface suits him the best. It was crisp and clean today, and he seems to be going for a bit more earlier during the rally.

If they do meet in an AO semi however, Federer will put on a lot more resistance.

Responding to Rafa deciding to play Abu Dhabi:

We'll see how good a decision this was on the near future....
bleck , 12/28/11 2:23 PM


bleck, do you now thing it was a good idea for Roger to play. You sounded so smug then.

Yes. Why would it be bad. Roger doesn't let this kind if stuff get him down. After he lost a slam semi havinf 2 MP he won 3 tournaments in a row.
It's no secret that this tournament pays huge appearence fees. That's why the top players play there.
Besides it's always good for have some kind of match practice.


I only said that about nadal because of his injury (which exists according to nadal). If he indeed has an injury I don't think it would be best for him to play. It wouldn't be the first time nadal made poor decisions in terms of schedule and playing when injured.

The world and his wife care so much about what Rafa does and doesn't do, whether he is injured or not etc etc. Some fans of other players mind Rafa's business much more than they do their own players.

If Roger announced that he would take February off to rest his back I doubt it would attract so much interest.

So much talk from non fed fans about roger's match. But now nadal loses and TT is quiet. Wonder what player's fans talk about other players more than their favourites. Definitely not federer fans as some people try to point out.

Ferrer beat Rafa 63 62. Rafa really needs to stop making so many UEs. Admittedly he is a bit rusty and Ferrer has the advantage of playing yesterday but Rafa dropped his serve too many times for my liking. However, if he is not yet at tip top condition, I'm glad he is not meeting Nole here. That's the last thing he needs at the moment.

Vamos Rafa

No TT is not quiet. I lost connection to the server for a while that's why I couldn't comment.

I dont think Rafa learnt anything..Still very slow ..and inspite of him saying he has to get closer to baseline and play..he was still standing far behind the baseline..really dont know what to expect of him..He seems to gasp for breath after every rally

But all said and done..this is an exhibition..I dont think anyone should attach too much importance to it

Yes sanju... This is exhibition tournament. But it is still tournament!
It is not one match, humanitarian like in Zurich.
Feeling sorry, ...and must add, realy worried about Rafa. Nothing changed, I don't see advance in his game... And motivation. Strange... no explanatiom for that... Still injury stories...
OK we will see in AO... But this does not look good. On the other side I would realy like to se David entering in big four or three...

Even though I am a Rafa fan..I am tired of the injury stories again and again..at the cost of sounding blunt let me say..If anyone is injured please sit at home and dont step on the court..if you step on court..dont say you are injured

and this applies not just to Rafa but to everyone

Zare..the issue was clear..hes standing far behind the baseline..he may have been rusty..David played yest on surface..for Rafa it was first day..point taken..but if he says he has to stand close to baseline and be aggressive why was he standing so far behind and playing..the balls come short n get whacked..its not clay where you can stand behind and you get time to reach balls..

"Even though I am a Rafa fan..I am tired of the injury stories again and again..at the cost of sounding blunt let me say..If anyone is injured please sit at home and dont step on the court..if you step on court..dont say you are injured"

It's refreshing to see a nadal fan in here that is able to analyse things rationaly and doesn't let his/her blindness afect the discussion.

I salute you.

Thnaks bleck..my message was not just for Rafa but all players..esp the top 10..the field is competitive..it doesnt suit any top player to give any excuses..

I too am able to say bad things about Roger and good things about other players because no player is perfect. But there are some fans from various players, Roger, nadal, djokovic to name some, that just can't say anything negative about their favourite player.

As for the injuries issue, what Roger does, and by the way I agree with it, is to skip smaller tournaments or exho's to rest or recover from small injuries but play at the slams even when he has small injuries (wimbledon 2010 for example) because slams are the main objective of the season.

Roger rarely overplays and he tends to try and avoid injury skipping halle for a couple of years or some tournaments in the end part of the year.

What I don't get about nadal is that he says he's slightly injured yet he plays an exho and possibly doha (250 tournament) with only 2 weeks to go before a slam. Why not skip these tournaments and try to recover? He sounds very reasonable to me.

What doesn't sound reasonable is saying I'm injured and I'm going to play, it seems like he's giving an excuse for possible future loses.

^^^^^ "He sounds very reasonable to me." Meant "It sounds very reasonable to me."

I expected Nadal to lose against Ferrer and he did. He will most probably lose against Federer in the 3pm match.
He is very honest and transparent which is something fans of other stars don't understand as their idols are always hiding behind something and are arrogant to boot.
Nadal has said his focus this season would be from IW to Olympic gold. It is clear therefore that even AO is not his focus. Maybe because of his shoulder.
He probably will try out his heavier racket but will not go all out to win. With Djokovic in his fearsome form and Murray also likely to be in fine fettle, one of them will win at Melbourne.
Rafa will win Roland Garros and Wimbledon and the Olympic gold.
It is highly unlikely that Federer will win any slams or Olympic gold though you can never rule out the Maestro.
I fully expect Murray to win at least one slam, maybe AO or USO.
AO will show whether this is the year of Murray or not. If Murray and Djokovic are in the same half, it would be good for Nadal. If not, then Federer's chances get brighter but if Djokovic is in great form, the increase in chances for Federer would be miniscule.
Tsonga and Delpo are other threats to all four but mainly to Federer and Nadal.

bleck, I agree, why play when slightly injured and risk aggrivating it two weeks before the A/O? Surely its better to skip the exho, if need be Doha and be fully fit for the slam though a bit rusty, at least they aren`t running the risk of turning a slight injury into a long standing one. Im not trying to get at RNadal as AndyM has done this too. Is it just me or does it reduce the point players had for the schedulel being rearranged?

holdserve..yes Rafa said he will focus IW to Olympic Gold..I am sure there was something behind that statement

How are you saying with so much confidence he will won RG, Wimby, Olympic Gold?

Silly me, typo, shoulf have said schedule.

holdserve..whats this about heavier racquet? any tidbits?

Hey Sanju, I should have said Rafa will most probably win RG, Wimby and Olympic gold. But at some subconscious level, I must be thinking it is certain, so my statement came out so strong. Let us hope it was the oracle of Delphi speaking through me.
As for the heavier racket, I read that in the report on the Abu Dhabi match. No inside info, alas, though I wish I were Rafa's confidant. I am trying to learn Spanish on the outside chance that I could visit Mallorca and enter Rafa's inner circle!!

" I should have said Rafa will most probably win RG, Wimby and Olympic gold."

You should've said it may happen at best. It won't probably happen.
If you're so sure put some money on it. I'm guessing the odds for nadal winning RG, Wimbledon and the Olympics are going to be huge.

Easy money for you!!

bleck, if you are so sure Nadal won't win those titles, then why not bet against him? Easy money for you!!

The problem is that there aren't many people as delusional as you and so the odds of nadal not winning RG, Wimbledon and the olympics (I just can't avoid laughing while I'm writing this) are much lesser than him winning.

But it's better to make a few bucks (me) than losing some (you).

Thanks for the advice.

I am not a betting person but from my knowledge of probability, I would say the odds of any particular person not winning a title are always lower than the odds of that person winning it.
So why you should laugh when writing a fact is beyond me. Should one laugh when one is writing that the sun rises in the east ?
If Rafa's odds of winning RG are x, and say Fed's odds are y, x is less than y but that does not mean that x is less than the odds of Rafa not winning RG.
It is clear that you are confused between the relative and the absolute but then the chaps who think gs titles won in a weak era qualify Fed to be the GOAT are clearly confused.

I'm sure Rafa knows better than anyone of us here about his shoulder condition. Please don't talk as if he's an idiot, if his shoulder is that bad, he would stop playing and rest it. So it's no point debating whether he should or should not play at Abu Dhabi or Doha.

I'm one of those who feel that if Rafa is back to his 2010 form, then he'll win at RG, Wimbledon and Olympics. Nole will win both AO and USO, that's my take. Of course
if Rafa plays worse than his 2011 then not much chance.

Rafa is obviously not match fit. In fact he nearly didn't go to Abu Dhabi so it's not surprising that Ferrer beat him yesterday. I was quite pleased with the way Rafa played even though he lost but some of his strokes were breathtaking.

I wish him all the best against Roger.
Vamos Rafa

Everytime Rafa loses a match his enemies behave as if there has been a tsunami, just goes to show what a great player he is in their eyes.

Hey bleck, since you called me a delusional just because I thought Rafa could win RG , Wimby and Olympic gold, I wish to present a few facts.
A friend who knows about betting, told me that in betting circles, Fed fans are notorious for being delusional. In the last two years, although Fed has won just one slam, reached the final of just one more, he has been the fav or joint fav at practically every slam because of heavy betting by Fed delusionals. Guess who lost money?
As for Rafa, he has won 4 out of the last 8 and reached the finals of two others. So if Rafa fans bet on him, they could hardly be called delusional.
Rafa won 1 slam this year and reached two other finals. But I have been reading any number of posts by Fed fans claiming Rafa is done, he will fall out of top 4 etc. But they think Fed will regain number 1 and win Wimby and Olympic gold although he has won no slams in 2011 and reached only one slam final.
Based on stats and performance in 2011, which is more unlikely, Fed winning Wimby in 2012 and regaining number 1 or Nadal tumbling out of top 4?
As a matter of fact, Fed is practically irrelevant in the current scenario. The slams will be dominated by the younger players.
And expecting Rafa to win RG , Wimby and Olympic gold is not delusional. He has won 3 out of the last 4 RGs, 2 out of the last 4 Wimbys ( reaching 3 finals) and is the defending champion for the Olympic gold.
As a matter of fact, Rafa has reached the RG and Wimby finals in 5 out of last 6 years (channel double in finals in 5 out of 6 years).
Frankly, I can't imagine how anyone can label a Rafa double prediction as a delusion. More likely the one who scoffs at such a prediction is delusional.

Rafa beats Roger: 61 75

I am pleased with the way Rafa played, he is working his way into the heavier racquet.

Though its an exhibition and actually means nothing..Rafas 6-1, 7-5 win is welcome..after his dismal show yesterday..today gives hope..

Rafas few backhand passing shots were a beauty and he served well..some silly UE though

Fed was lousy in first set..almost as if Mirka had warned him to come home early..second set he was okay..but his serve was pathetic today and the UE were like way too many

overall I think both were a bit nonchalant, casual and looked like neither would carea bout a loss or a win here..so cant read much into it

Agree completely sanju. In the 1st set roger was clearly tanking, serving almost every time to nadal's forhand side. In the second things got a bit more interesting as Roger raised his level a bit.
Nadal's backhand looked good today, he hit a couple of winners off that wing. Alsop he was playing more closely to the baseline.

But all in all as you say we can't read too much into it.

sanju, considering Rafa wasn't fully commited to playing Abu Dhabi, he's not done too badly and no shame that he lost to an on fire Ferrer. I'd rather he doesn't play Djokovic until he is 100% fit.

The reason Rafa always has to give a reason for losing is because everyone demands an explanation because they feel that there must be a reason for him losing because it is rare for him to lose.

Yea, Roger was tanking in the first set. Of course he was. NOT!

"I'd rather he doesn't play Djokovic until he is 100% fit."
Got to give it ot the nadal camp. The injurie excuse tactic is cleraly working. Although it only works on rabid~nadal fans because for the rest it's getting a little old.

Also nice tanking from nadal against ferrer. Wouldn't want to get beaten again by djokovic even in an exho.

Happy new year everyone.

bleck..I dont think he tanked..why would he? He was just woeful and completely out of sorts..I still remember 1 second serve he hit almost on the stands..he was that out of rhythm..

today Rafa was stronger on backhand than forehand and thats a surprise ;-)

Fail to understand why though..Looks like didnt practice in Dec ..he said in on court interview that he had bad weekend against Novak and Rafa..

Rafa said on court shoulder didnt trouble him much..read sumwer he said that shoulder pain surfaces wen matches go long..

any idea what Feb off will do/ wat treatment is there for shoulder injury?

Anuone who believes that Roger tanked both his matches needs their head examined.

Why would he tank the first match against Rafa and fight to the death in the 2nd set?

Here is what Rafa said:

"I knew before coming here that I was not ready to win a match against David Ferrer, not to win a match against Djokovic or Federer," Nadal said. "But I am ready to spend hours on court without risk of injury. That is the most important thing. I need this transition, hours of practice. If I am here, I will probably have a better feeling for Doha."

So he beat Roger even though he didn't believe he could. It's just as well he is not fully fit, for Roger's sake.

Yes if nadal wins doha and or the AO he wins playing with an injury "what a spartan warrior" nadal fans we'll proclamate. If he loses, well he was injured so what explains it.

And as nadline (the tennis expert) has said nadal wins 99% of the matches when he's healthy so if he loses it must be because he's injured.

Sanju, it's not normal to serve almost every time to an opponents best wing like Roger did on the 1st set.

Why would anyone choose to serve to his opponent's best wing even though he is being slaughtered. One could accuse Roger of a lot of things, but being stupid is not one of them.

Sometimes Rafa loses because he is not playing at his best. Rafa at his best is unplayable.

but bleck..maybe he wanted to break down Rafas forehand..that can be reason too..

and fact is today Rafas BH was better than his FH..he made more errors off his FH wing

The way Djoko has dispatched both Fed n Ferrer 2 & 1, I think hes unbeatable and is carrying off from wer he left in 2011..His baseline game is so strong and his shots are so precise, deep and hard and not to mention comfortable easy switch between offense and defense wen required

Novak says in award ceremony..he can repeat wat he did in 2011..Voilaa

Bring 2012 on..let the competition begin

2012 is looked forward to with interest because Djokovic seems unstoppable but Rafa seems determined to reclaim his channel double titles.
I agree with luckystar on most points, except that I think Murray will win one slam. All he needs is self-belief.
In any case, unlike Fed fans, I am more interested in tennis than in dominance of my idol.
If Djokovic repeats 2011, he will be the unofficial GOAT. If Rafa reclaims his double, he will be the unofficial GOAT.
The only certainty is that Fed is not the GOAT. He has been dominated for years by Nadal.
What 2012 will answer is whether Djokovic can prove his dominance over Nadal in 2011 was not a one off.

I don't think we can read too much into the Abu Dhabi results. Djokovic knows half his invincibility comes from his aura and it got a little dented after the US Open so he was keen on displaying top form.
Federer and Nadal have enough history to support them and used Abu Dhabi to try some new strategies. Clearly, Fed serving to Nadal's forehand is a new approach which Fed is trying out and he didn't really care whether he won or lost.
All will put their best foot forward at AO and that is where we can really read their forms and commitment.
Nadal, it is clear, does not expect to beat Djokovic at AO but if he does, that would be a bonus.
I would like Murray to win AO. He has reached 2 consecutive AO finals, so it would not be delusional to expect him to reach the final again and be third time lucky.

but holdserve..Fed serving to Rafas forehand..Has he never served before there? I mean Rafa will not get a sitting duck forehand to beat but a stretched forehand and hes not that good wen hes stretched

Didn't watch the matches today but had them recorded. So was Nole that good or was Ferrer off from his game yesterday? If Nole was really that good like what sanju mentioned, then I'm eagerly awaiting a showdown between Nole and Murray or Nole vs Delpo. I believe if Fedal fail to stop Nole, then maybe Murray or Delpo when reaching their peak would be able to stop Nole.

If Rafa's backhand is better than his forehand now, then I suspect his left foot may be his concern. Maybe he doesn't want to stress his left foot too much on the verge of the new season. To be honest, I believe a top form Rafa, ie when he plays with no worries about his foot, knees or shoulder, and 1) having his CC backhand of AO 2009, 2) serving like his USO 2010, 3) hitting his DTL, I/O and I/I CC topspin plus flatter forehand well, 4) moving well, 5) volleying well, 5) returning well like in the past, 6) playing his backhand slices as well as he did at Wimbledon 2010 and USO 2010, 7) standing close to the baseline like he did at Wimbledon, and finally 8) playing more aggressively like he did at Wimbledon 2008,2010 and USO 2010, it is really difficult to beat Rafa. We have seen him playing so well in the past but not once did we see him getting all his weapons firing well at the same time. To me that's the problem with Rafa now when facing Nole in particular. To me the USO 2010 version of Rafa is the closest to his best, but what's lacking then was his net game, ROS and his CC forehand still a bit off his AO 2009 level. It'll help him a great deal if he can add in a strong DTL backhand.

sanju, I think we should seek an analysis from luckystar who is a really good analyst and in my opinion, the best poster on tennistalk.
I think hitting to Rafa's forehand is a strategy being tried by some in 2011. As it has been a fearsome weapon, most players had avoided it with the result perhaps that Rafa is not used to it being attacked.
But I request luckystar to weigh in with her views and analysis.

How lucky can nadal get?!

Tsonga in the same half as roger yet again. Davydenko in the first round.

http://apps4e.com/qtf/tournaments/main_draw_singles.pdf

H ope nadal's luck runs out sometime soon.

Sorry I mean his CC backhand of AO 2009. Of course Rafa's 2008 FO was his best slam performance where his speed and power were concerned, and especially on clay, a master class even though he had not perfected all his skills yet.

lucky..watch the match..I think Rafa did hit some nice CC backhands and DTL backhands too..some passing shots were nice

he I am sure hit more winners than Fed and thats a surprise

his forehand was good but he made more errors from that wing..but as usual his strategy of hittng hard forehands high onto Rogers backhand worked as roger made many errors from his backhand...but Rogers forehand n serve today too were bad

Nowhere to put this so....Andy has appointed Lendl as his new coach. Holdserve, lucky, Andy fans, reactions please. I don't know what to think!

deuve..Ivan Lendl?

whoaa..thats a high profile coach

I dont think anyone had such a multple GS winner as his coach

sanju, the very same! But he's never coached.....a bit worrying. U could say Andy's gone from no slam- Corretja to multiple- slam Lendl.....the ridiculous to the sublime?

well deuce..Andy needs just 1 fix..his mental make up

thats it

He fixes that..he can win a slam

sanju, I think Andy showed improvement in that department in 2011 so, this being New Year's Eve, I'll raise a glass tonight to his Slam success in 2012 and hope that Lendl is the key :)

yes Andy lost only to Djoko and Rafa in slams..so thats good..no losses before semis..so good improvement

Hey deuce, I am so glad AndyM has taken on Lendl as his coach. Lendl will, I hope, fix Andy's head.
Lendl had expressed interest earlier in being Andy's coach because he had probably seen in Andy something of himself before he had started winning slams. If I remember correctly, Lendl won his first slam at age 25.
Andy is so hugely talented, much more than Delpo, but he is yet to win a slam. If he does win AO, he might discover his full potential and be a strong contender for no. 1.
Engaging Lendl as his coach shows Andy is serious about giving his all in 2012.

Well Andy has said that his ideal coach would be someone who has been there, done it and got the T-shirt so I suppose Llendl fits that bill. Will we see the end to J-Mac tipping Andy for every slam now that Llendl is in his camp, because even now, J-Mac can hardly bring himself to say Llendl's name.

I wonder how Ivan would take to being berated from the court when things start going pear shaped for Andy.

I think it's a good move by Andy. The mental part I'm sure Lendl can help him, as Lendl himself had being through what Andy being through now. Other than that I don't see much problem in Andy's game, except that he needs to be consistent with his serve.

Hey bleck, Fed has all the luck. He comes of age in a weak era and then ATP thinks he is their bread and butter and favors him in scheduling in all the slams. The 2007 Wimby was his because Nadal was hampered by bad scheduling.
Again thanks to Federer, Nadal always gets poor scheduling at USO and I am sure but for the back to back matches this year, Nadal would have defeated Djokovic. Djokovic benefited from the scheduling by virtue of having Roger in his half.
From the studies done by ESPN and also an analysis of the 2007 US Open draw, it seems likely USTA is fixing the unseeded portion of the draw in favor of Federer.
So be thankful dear bleck that Federer gets all the luck.

Thank you for your responses holdserve and lucky. Holdserve I know u r a huge Andy fan, so join me in a glass :)

folks..can there be an iota of truth to the fact that Rafa tanked his match against David to avoid Nole? To not let Nole feel more confident after a late 2011 loss filled mont for Novak or to not let Nole know of some improvements hes added to his game?

No, I don't think Rafa tanked his match at all. Ferrer played well and Rafa was rusty especially as Ferrer had some match play the day before against Tsonga. I think Rafa has made improvements in attacking more instead of defending and I think that took Federer by surprise. True, Rafa would be relieved not to have to play Nole when he is still recovering from his shoulder and true he would prefer not to have another Nole victory to contend with, but I don't think he tanked the match.

nadline..tanked as in not wanting to show what he has up his sleeve

and today I found Rafa a bit closer to baseline than yesterday and it really helps him..wonder why he doesnt against Nole..USO 3rd set he played closer to baseline n won..

Nole looks good although he struggled against Monfils. Nole tends to keep the points short and he makes very few errors so Rafa will have to cut down of his UEs and calm down when he plays Nole. He gets nervous and that doesn't help. Rafa knew he would beat Federer so he played with 'colm'.

Yes he is playing more inside the court and that's good. Something luckystar has been talking about for ages.

"Again thanks to Federer, Nadal always gets poor scheduling at USO and I am sure but for the back to back matches this year, Nadal would have defeated Djokovic. Djokovic benefited from the scheduling by virtue of having Roger in his half."

Grande BS from holdnerve (aka ...), like always.

"From the studies done by ESPN and also an analysis of the 2007 US Open draw, it seems likely USTA is fixing the unseeded portion of the draw in favor of Federer."

Actually the study is about Federer and Nadal getting favorable draws so Nike could have their biggest promoters (in tennis) in the finals. Get your facts straight.

nadline..he played a bit inside today but yest he was way behind the baseline

hope he plays close to baseline as a regular feature except wen on clay wer its okay

Everyone knows that Federer has thrived on cupcake draws and preferential scheduling. It's no use denying it.

Well...the Lendl thing is nothing if not interesting. Wowzers.

Oh yes, thanks sanju for the info about Rafa's game today.

rfzr, you should verify facts before attacking me. The 2007 US Open draw had 6 qualifiers/wildcards in Federer's half of his quarter ( i.e. out of 8 players, apart from Federer and the mandatory seeded 8th player , all the remaining 6 were from qualifiers /wild cards) which defied the laws of probability and had led to speculation in the media about draw fixing.
ESPN's studies only further deepen suspicions.
As nadline says, it is no use denying the obvious fact that Federer has been the beneficiary of cupcake draws and scheduling.

In above post, read Federer's quarter of his quarter, not half of his quarter.
It is time for me to say goodbye for a while. I may not post again till RG. But of course if Rafa or Andy win AO I will join you in your celebrations.
I will read your posts whenever I can. I love nadline's posts, find lucky's posts educative and enjoy interaction with sanju, RITB, NNY, deuce, phoenix....
Au Revoir!

holdserve, it was nice of you to drop in. See you later on in 2012.