They are joined together at the hips .. they will go down together

Ha ha, in that case I hope Fed delay his retirement for as long as possible.

I hope and pray that Nadal can go into Austrailia at 100% and prevail. Men's tennis badly needs him to come back against Djokovic this year

Men's tennis badly needs a golden slam this year since so that they will match women's tennis where this feat is concerned ;) Who better to do it than Nole, I wouldn't mind a 7-0 record over Federer, a repeat 6-0 over Nadal, and 5-0 over Murray. Duff them up for good :P

As has happened in the last couple years the most probable results will be quarters for nadal and semis for Roger.

^^^Where has this happened in the last couple of years????

Rafa made 3 GS finals last year, Roger made one!!!!!! Rafa is also the defending Olympic Champion.

Rafa also won 3 out of the 4 slams in 2010.

bleck, what planet are you on, or do you live in a mkae believe world?

"Rafa is also the defending Olympic Champion."

Massu was also the defending olympic champion in 2008...

"Rafa made 3 GS finals last year, Roger made one!!!!!!"
Roger made all the finals of the slams in 2009, nadal made one!!!!!!

You know what happened in 2010...


You'll get off your high horse once the AO ends (or by the end of the 1st week maybe).

Dear All,

Novak is back again (2012) with good start already
Do not get surprised, Even this year we can win 3 slams easily,
Unless and untill Roger or Rafa beats Novak , Nobody in the tour are good enough to beat him right now

Best luck ..Novak 2012

"Even this year we can win 3 slams easily"
Last year he didn't win 3 slams easily. He was one point away twice from losing in the semis of the US Open. Also look at djokovic's form after the US Open.
2 slams is a safe bet I think. He can also win 3, but it won't be easy.

Does Novak have the potential to win 3 slams easily in 2012?
No.

And by the way, even Roger did not win 3 slams ?easily? in his best years.

Does Novak have the potential to win 3 slams NOT easily in 2012?
Yes.

Will Novak realize that potential of 3 slams in 2012?
Tough question. This is where the rubber meets the road.

Is it ?we? who win or ?he? who wins the slams?
No need to answer.

If Fedal don't do well at this AO, then I think Nole, Murray, Berdych and Tsonga all have good chances of winning this AO. I don't know about Delpo as have not seen him played yet. I think Big Berd and Big Jo are playing really well now and I really think they can and may surprise us all this AO.

As has happened in the last couple years the most probable results will be quarters for nadal and semis for Roger.
bleck , 1/9/12 10:41 AM

In my book, the last couple of years are 2010 and 2011, you were not talking about 2009. In any case, we all know that Rafa competed in only 3 slams in 2009 and won one, so what's your case?

Massu was also the defending olympic champion in 2008.
You know what happened in 2010...

You'll get off your high horse once the AO ends (or by the end of the 1st week maybe).
bleck , 1/9/12 2:31 PM


As you probably know, Rafa won the gold medal the only time he's competed at the olympics and Federer WAS THERE when Massu won, so what does that say about Federer?

"...so what's your case?"

I simply wrote that the last couple years nadal lost in the quarters (of the AO obvioulsy, we're not talking about RG or Wimbledon) and based on that I believed that nadal will lose in the quarters, or before that.

Despite this being a fact you felt insulted (I believe), because I wrote something not positive about your idol, and so you started to write a load of stuff which has no meaning and is not related to what I was talking about.

So I'll say it again I believe nadal won't make it far in this AO, quarters at max.

"As you probably know, Rafa won the gold medal the only time he's competed at the olympics and Federer WAS THERE when Massu won, so what does that say about Federer?"

Roger can't win every tournament he plays, he's not perfect. The fact that massu won the title shows the field at the olympics is not as competitive as the slams or masters 1000.

Unfortunately for Roger the olympics were in 2004 (a great year for Roger but not his peak) and 2008 (peak year for nadal). Although he had the tennis to win in 2004 it wasn't meant to be.

No, 2008 wasn't the peak year for Rafa. His peak year should be 2009 if not for his knee injury, and Rafa's 2010 was definitely better than his 2008. Fed was no.1 in 2004 and won three slams then yet he lost to a young Berdych at the Olympics. To argue that the field was weak then just because Massu won made Fed looked even worse as a no.1 player back then. Rafa won the Olympics in a strong field, at least the no.1 to no.3 guys were all there.

bleck, you did not say you were talking just about the AO.

"and Rafa's 2010 was definitely better than his 2008."In terms of what?
Level of tennis or titles won?
He won more titles in 2008. 1 less slam, same masters 1000 and the olympic gold.
I also think his level was higher in 2008 than in 2010.

The same way I think Roger played a higher level in 2005 than 2004 and he "only" won 2 slams in 2005 to 3 in 2004.

His peak year should be 2009 IF not for his knee injury.
Roger should have made 8 straight US Open finals if not for wasting 2 MP ineach of the semis in 2010 and 2011.
A couple of you fellow nadal fans (yourself maybe) have said to me that talking about if's is a waste of time...

I also think Rafa's level in 2008 was higher than in 2010...That 2008 FO was pure magic from Rafa...

lucky..watching highlights of Rafa - Verdasco match on Star sports..they running sum classics

Rafa was standng way behind baseline in that match too..and few balls were landing short there too..I dont think he won his AO 2009 playing closer to baseline at all..not sure about US2010..need to see it again..but boy he was so quick on court in AO 2009 ..and his CC backhand was lethal..you were right..deep and penetrating and like a bullet..and his defense was just out of the world..he could make winners defending and retrieving..man have we lost that Rafa for good/ The incredible defender who could make winners from a absolute defending position..

Bleck, in terms of skills and all round game, Rafa was definitely better in 2010 than in 2008. He was definitely better in his serve, backhand and volleying. Where speed and power were concerned, he's better in 2008, so I see a better Rafa in 2010 than in 2008. Now when I mentioned that his peak year should be 2009, I've my reasons. Just watched how well he played during the early 2009 hard court season. He was leading the field by winning AO and IW, reached the final of Rotterdam and QF of Miami. Despite his knees starting to fail him after Miami, he still won MC, Barcelona and Rome and reached the final of Madrid. By the end of FO, he had 6805 points, his best in any of his seasons. Even missing Wimbledon, he still ended up as year end no.2 and was about 1300 points behind Fed.

To me his 2009 should turn up to be his best season if not for the knee injury. His hard court points that year were right up there with Noles, ahead of Fed's and highest among all his seasons thus far, meaning he had his best year on his least favorite surface that year. I've no doubt that he'll do well on grass too that same year had be not missed it.

Yes sanju, and that's why I feel a little bit of regret, that we may never get to see a Rafa at his absolute best, in terms of his skills, game, speed and power. Had he not had that knee injury in 2009, who knows, he might have developed his volleying skills and net game then and might even develop that big serve of his at that time, instead of one year later in 2010. Can you imagine a Rafa playing at the top of his game with all these weapons in full force? Can you imagine how scarily good he would be?

We have seen an almost flawless Fed at his very best in 2006, I'm afraid we've missed the chance of seeing an almost perfect Rafa at his very best, in 2009. I hope I'm wrong though, maybe the best is yet to come, for and from Rafa.

@samprallica

Men's tennis needs a competitive rivalry at the top to remain interesting and I don't see how Djokovic winning everything in the same way he did last year is good for the sport.

If Rafa can overcome his mental barrier over Nole, make some adjustments to his game and finally overcome Djokovic - tennis will be a lot more exciting this year for sure

lucky,

I have been getting caught up on all the comments and was going to jump in with my thoughts about what year was Rafa's best tennis. But you basically said what I was going to say. I completely agree as to why 2010 was Rafa's best year overall. One can say that he won more titles and less slams in 2008, but was playing phenomenal tennis at RG and Wimbledon. He did have the speed and the power and it carried over into 2009.

I also think that you made an excellent case for how well Rafa started playing in 2009, how many hardcourt titles he won. I think that was the year that Rafa really proved his prowess as an all court player. Winning his first hard court slam at the AO, something which many of his critics said would never happen, then winning IW and the final of Rotterdam and the quarters of Miami, winning MC, Barcelona and Rome and the final of Madrid. The knee tendinitis then did him in. He was on his way to another stellar year.

I think that Rafa showed once and for all that he was an all court player with a complete game for all surfaces. Winning three slams in a row, the first time anyone did it since Laver in 1969 won RG, Wimbledon and the USO, only Rafa did it on three surfaces, also winning the career slam, really established his legacy.

When I think of what the knee injury cost Rafa, I also remind myself that if not for those new prp treatments, we might not have him still playing at all. So I guess we have to be thankful that he is still in the game.

Sorry, in my last post in the third paragraph I did not specify that I was talking about 2010. I think most people reading it would know what year I was referencing, but just wanted to make the clarification.

What do you guys think were Rafas 3 topmost difficult slams to win ?

Mine in order would be

AO 2009..Well if one has to play 10 hrs in hissemi + final, it has to be the toughest.the sheer quality of tennis in both Verdasco and Fed matches were breathtaking..And the Verdasco match was a cliffhanger with just a double fault seperating the 2

Wimby 2008 : Well neednt say much..The final was a classc..full of ups and downs and emotion..I dont think anyone would forget the match..It was the best test of pressure situation and holding your nerves between 2 very fierce competitors

RG 2011; Reason I am mentioning this is Rafa played badly in his first 4 rounds, was shocking people with his substndard level of playa nd his pressers that were full of defeatism..but he beat Sodeling/Murray/Fed back to back and took the crown..I think he overcame his negative mental state of mind in this one.

I would like to concentrate on: which was/were his best slam performance(s). I rate them in the following order:

1) FO 2008;
2) USO 2010;
3) Wimbledon 2008;
4) AO 2009;
5) FO 2010.

In terms of 'most difficult to win' slams, I think they're: 1) FO 2011; 2) AO 2009; 3) Wimbledon 2010. He got a big scare in the first round at FO 2011; faced difficulties at R2 and R3 at Wimbledon 2010 and had to fight so hard and almost lost to Verdasco at AO 2009.

I have always said that the 2009 AO was my favorite Rafa slam. I know that the 2008 Wimbledon was incredibly special, a match for the ages and high quality from both Rafa and Fed. However, Rafa had every reason to lose and on paper should have lost the 2009 AO final. How he did it, I have no idea. Some achievements defy explanation.

For me it was one of the great moments in the decades that I have watched this sport. To come out with one day's rest after that marathon slugfest with Verdasco, was unbelievable. I was so emotional when Rafa came out playing well and won that first set. I told myself to cherish this one because it would be something extraordinary. And it was. Rafa defied the odds and won when he could not. I don't know if I will soon see something like it again.

I also believe that the 2009 AO was Rafa's toughest slam win. I understand the difficulty of the 2011 RG, but I still put the 2009 AO at the top of the list. It was beyond heroic.

It's really hard to rate Rafa's best slam performances. The 2008 Wimbledon was just brilliant tennis from start to finish and nerves of steel. It marked the changing of the guard. The 2010 USO was historic, the career slam. It was also the best hard court match I have seen Rafa play.

Let's put it this way - I won't argue with lucky's top five. I might move them around a bit, but they are all worthy ones.

Federer's chances of winning the AO have been reduced to a big fat 0.
Simon reed predicts Roger will win the AO and "I suspect that Federer will usurp Djokovic in 2012, and I expect the Swiss to come very close to his dominant best from four or five years ago.".

A huge jinx by Reed, maybe hoping deep down that murray takes the title. lol

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/simon-reed/federer-kvitova- thrive-australia-154948901.html#more-id

bleck, maybe you are bit exaggerating now...Fed published on his site that he has been training already and I saw the photos of him doing his practice sessions at the AO courts...he does not seem in pain or injured badly, that is for sure...so, if Fed of WTF 2011 turns up at this AO he sure will have a lot to say...things are getting more interesting day by day...can?t wait for the AO to start...

and Petra Kvitova sure is the favorite for this AO...Clijsters and Serena seem to be bearing injuries, Wozniacki is clear mental midget when it comes to GSs (I also think she does not deserve to be No1) while Petra tends to raise her level at the GS so I kind of agree with the author of the article...

natashao, I was joking. It's just that Reed is wrong almost every single time. Everytime he says a player will do well or win a slam the opposite happens.

He's known as the jinx master.

Regarding Roger, I've already seen some pics of him doing some light hitting sessions. So I expect and hope Roger will be 100% by monday.

@lebsta, I wasn't serious about my comment. What I was trying to point out was that men's tennis doesnt "need" some contrived result; its us fans and the players themselves who need it.

Sometimes I wonder if Simon Reed writes to take the piss out of fans and laugh at the comments.

Rafa's most difficult Major win has got to be AO 2009.

I have just read most of his biography over the holidays. We know how tough it was to overcome Verdasco in the semis when Verdasco played the match of his life. In a five hour marathon of consistently high level play by both.

In the book you learn that his physio had to work on Rafa through the night after. The next day on Saturday Rafa tried to put in a practice session but had to quit after a short while.

The same thing happened on Sunday morning. Then just before the final against Roger was due to start he felt he still had nothing in the tank and his body was very heavy.

At this point Rafa mentions that wars have often been started by poets. And that Tony has often been effective especially with his pep talks. He told Rafa to go out there and give it his all all the same.

Incredible that Rafa won that first set, and won the match in 4.

Totally understandable that before the match started Roger must have been sure that this time the playing field was so much not level that his 14th slam was secure. Besides, Rafa had never even made a harcourt slam final before.

Totally understandable that at the ceremony after Roger said: this is killing me.

What Rafa managed to do that day must rank among the top ten most unbelievable achievements in sports by anyone any time.

hello everybody past is past

Now no question of winning rafa AO 2012, Rafa is much positive in 2008 to 2010
But now his confidence is very low, Max he can go upto quarters in AO 2012.
only Roger or some extent Murry can compete with him in AO 2012.
anyway all the best to all contenders against Novak

Novak rocks in AO .... 2012

Rafa's interview yesterday:

http://www.rafaholics.com/2012/01/rafa-nadal-interview-w ith-sportes-parts.html

With the exception of the French, any other slam will be the toughest ever for Rafa. This purely because of the factor that is Djokovic, an opponent who completely neutralises his game and has planted serious seeds of self doubt withing Rafa for the first time.

If 2011 showed us anything , it's that Rafa is still superior to nearly every other player on tour. Even prior to that I've felt he's always stepped onto the court fully believing he can beat whoever's facing him across the net. However when Novak is on the court that whole situation changes.

In Novak, Rafa has the opponent and challenge that will truly define his career - so similiar in the way he has become such a significant part of Federer's legacy.

Over the next two years if Rafa can overcome Novak, regain the #1 ranking and perhaps reach 13-14 slams - then he would've defeated the toughest challenge ever in his career.

chlorostoma,

I haven't read Rafa's book and did not know what he went through before the 2009 final. However, I am not surprised. Maybe Uncle Toni's pep talk helped, but I have always thought that Rafa dug deep inside him and found something that kept him going. It's one of the great mysteries and beauties of sport. How champions find a way to win when everything is against them. Also, one slight correction - I believe that the match did go five sets.

I think the prediction I read that Rafa will only go the quarterfinals because that was his result in 2010 and 2011, is one of the more absurd ones. Rafa injured his knee again in his quarterfinal match with Murray. He was down two sets and would most likely have lost, but he had to retire. Last year he was not fully recovered from that terrible virus and he suffered an injury early in his quarterfinal match with Ferrer. But he did not want to withdraw again, so he completed the match even though he knew that he had no chance to win.

I want to see what a healthy Rafa can do this year at the AO. I am not counting him out, although he will certainly not go in as the favorite. That has to be Nole. Murray will be a strong contender and if Fed's back is okay then I expect him to be in the mix. I am not writing Rafa off at all. It depends on how he looks in the tournament, how well he is playing, his confidence level and his game.

If Rafa is there in the second week, then you cannot write him off.

nadline
, 1/10/12 7:57 PM

I read that interview, very insightful. I especially liked the part where he said he is not a very brave person. This is Rafa, his personality He does not need false bravado, the truth will do for him.

And that, more than the size of his trophy cabinet, is what draws me to that young man.

Vamos!!!!!!!

Do not jump into conclusion too soon. Even if Rafa overcomes Nole, nobody knows whether there'll be any more 'obstacles' ahead of him. We have yet to see Rafa coming out with a counter plan against Nole, and Nole has only dominated over Rafa in one year, unlike Rafa dominating over Fed from the very beginning that they met, at least on one surface and about even on the others.

To me a Rafa with a better serve and better backhand, and of course a bit more confidence, will help him wins some matches against Nole. IMO, their H2H will be close, but with Rafa dominating on clay and Nole on hard. Rafa should have an edge on grass too. Also there are other players who may have the game and fitness to match up with them, players like Murray and Tsonga. Berdych and Delpo may have their chances too.

PS The way Berdych played at the Beijing Open and the way he beat Murray in Paris, I like his chances against the top guys. He did beat Fed last year, ran Nole close at Dubai and Rafa at Miami. Delpo too was impressive against Rafa at the DC final.

Berdych beating Murray is sooo last year...;)

Yes deuce, but last year was only two months back:)

Berdych was looking good at the Hopman Cup. I like his chances against the big four and against Tsonga, Delpo too, if he played like he did at Beijing Open last year. He was hitting like the Delpo of 2009 USO, the way he played at Beijing and that to me was enough to beat the top four guys. To me both Berdych and Tsonga are good enough to win a slam during their career, whilst the top four are all multi slam winners ( yes Murray included). Oh and Delpo too. If Delpo and Murray win only one slam each in their whole tennis careers, I'll say that they've not realize their full potential and I'll be disappointed with them.

I don't think too much changed between Rafa and Nole last year. Nole was always a match for Rafa more than anyone else but it was Nole who had a psychological block against Rafa that's the table that's in favour of Nole. Rafa only has to beat Nole once and normal service will be resumed.

Rafa, IMO, still has the edge over Roger but Muzz is losing his awe of Rafa, so I think Nole and Muzz are the two players that Rafa needs to watch out for. OK, Rafa will lose to other every now and again, but only two players can really trouble him. Delpo, on a good day, will give Rafa a run for his money but not often.

For the first time I really believe that Muzz could win a slam. If Rafa takes command of the clay season, everything else is jam on top.

Yes, I think Andy's had far too much respect for Rafa and Rog and I really hope Mr Lendl knocks that out of him!
lucky, didn't Big Bird just lose? Yes, I know it's only an exho.

deuce, why you sounded so sore when I mentioned Berdych beating Murray? It's not the first time he beat Murray, he also beat Murray one year at the FO. It's alright to be beaten by any of the top ten players now and then, even when you're a top four player. Our dear Rafa also was beaten by Tsonga, Fish and Ferrer last year other than by Fed/Nole/Murray.

I believe all along that Murray has the game to beat both Rafa and Nole; it's a matter of him realizing his potential. IMO, the three of them are rather close in their overall abilities when they are at their full potential, and that's why I was saying all along that Rafa would have a hard time fighting off his competitiors, his peers.

Contrast that to Fed, Fed also had at least two very talented peers ( Safin and Nalby) but somehow they didn't live up to expectations. Davy was another talented guy but developed late so was unfortunate to have to fight against Fed during his prime. At least Hewitt, Roddick and Ferrero reached their potential earlier than Fed and managed to win some slams before Fed took them all.

all meaning the grey and green ones :-) Roger didn't take the red one until years later parental separation, busted knees AND a red-hot Swede took care of the Red Bull :-)

lucky I was joking re Big Bird, hence the wink...;) I really don't get "sore" about facts.