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Apr/14

24

Rafa looks vulnerable in Barcelona

Tense_Rafa
Rafa barely eked by Albert Ramos 76 64 and reportedly had to take a pill at 54 in the second because of hand cramps.

“The King of Clay” used to thrash players like Ramos 2 and 2 but something is amiss with Nadal right now and I think it’s three things: the devastation in Melbourne of getting blasted by Wawrinka, getting booed by the fans when he came back to the court after the eight minute injury timeout, AND the bashing he took in Miami to Djokovic.

Even the loss to Ferrer in Monte Carlo was highly un-Rafa like, because he usually handles Ferrer comfortably. And yesterday in Barcelona, in a big surprise, Ferrer got straight-setted by journeyman Teymuraz Gabashvili. You have to wonder about Ferrer’s form at the moment. Did a mediocre Ferrer beat a fading Rafa in Monte Carlo?

Something just isn’t right with Rafa right now. He’s struggling. He’s not posting those intimidating one-sided blowout wins like he used to. Is Rafa feeling the pressure from Djokovic, Federer and Wawrinka? Is Rafa losing that fraction of footspeed and handspeed which the other players are sensing and capitalizing on?

We’ll be keeping an observant eye on the King of Clay in Barcelona this week…

(Photo by HENK ABBINK)

46 comments

  • Dan Markowitz · April 24, 2014 at 8:53 am

    You might be right, Scoop. I was watching the early part of the Ramos match and the minor Spaniard was taking his cuts and hitting outright winners against Nadal and Rafa didn’t chase what seemed to me, gettable balls.

    How about Kosakowski beating Jenkins 0 and 3 in Savannah! Kosakowski has come out of virtually nowhere to emerge, at least on clay, as the best young American player. Isn’t he coached by Taylor Dent?

    And this isn’t a good result for JJ. This Facundo of Argentina must be good on clay, he beat Smyczek and Reynolds without losing a set.

  • bjk · April 24, 2014 at 9:25 am

    Then Kos gets clocked by Bogie in straight sets, setting up another Krajinovic-Bogomolov battle for the ages. So I would wait off a little while before crowning Kosakowski king of the challengers.

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 24, 2014 at 9:38 am

    Kosakowski is making a move, similar to Rhyne Williams a couple of years ago. But Bogomolov blocked him yesterday. Facundo Bagnis is from Argentina. Somebody told me last year that the Argies play much better on South American clay than they do on American. They are like a fish out of water in America and are far more comfortable in the Southern Hemisphere. A player told me this memorable comment.

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 24, 2014 at 9:43 am

    Gabashvili really overpowered Ferrer, he hit him off the court. Rarely see that, especially from a journeyman player. But again, it’s the Rosol effect, all these outsiders believe now. Gabashvili is actually at his career high ranking, he’s penetrating inside of 60 and 50. His coach for a couple of years now is the great Guillermo Canas. I’d keep an eye on Gabashvili, there is little art or aesthetics to his game he’s a pure brawler, throwing bombs with bad intentions at you. I’ve interviewed Gabashvili a couple of times and he’s a very smart guy, gave some nice insights about playing Federer. Good to see a guy like Gabashvili get a big big win like this over Ferrer. Gabashvili practiced with Young next to me in Key Biscayne three years ago when I was playing a USTA tournament in early Feb. Imagine playing a USTA tournament and the next court over is Donald Young and Gabashvili with Jay Berger keeping an eye on things.

  • Abe Froman · April 24, 2014 at 9:49 am

    oh rafa’s definitely rattled…..confidence is low – understandably due to recent losses, drama, etc…but he’s a great champion and should be able to piece it back together by paris – otherwise, duhn duhn duhn !…the frail branch he’s clinging onto will snap and the wolf pack of wawa, fed, djoko will be waiting below to feast on the bull….vamos rafa ! (he’s gotta switch juices or increase the dosage or put more cocaine in his crotch are or something) LOL

  • Dan markowitz · April 24, 2014 at 1:23 pm

    Bjk

    You make a good point. The Challengers don’t mean a lot. Theres a very good chance Kosakowski, Klahn and JJ will never get a foothold on the ATP circuit. What they can possible hope for is to steal a moment or two in the spotlight the way a Kendrick, Witten or Goldstein used to do. Once you’re on that Challenger swing for a while, it exposes what level you’re going to reach.

  • Harold · April 24, 2014 at 3:08 pm

    “Once you’re on that Challenger swing for a while, it exposes what level you’re going to reach”.

    Wow!!!

    Never thought I would see those words uttered on this board. This is the board where a win in the first round, is usually considered the gateway to the top 50.
    American Tennis is at it’s all-time low. What was “potential” is now living in mediocrity, down on the proverbial farm. It’s the minor leagues.
    I always laughed about how they made such a big deal about Agassi, and his little Challenger stint, on his way back from his injury, or Meth experiment. He could have walked into those Challengers, borrowed a racket and won them, his level being so far superior to any other player there. His ranking had dropped because he was out, not because he went on a Spadea like losing streak.

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 24, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    Harold, have you ever been to a Challenger besides Forest Hills? There are some quality events. Sarasota is fantastic. Lexington KY is also a special event, my friend there always tells me how great it is. Dallas and Hawaii are popular too. Agassi’s tale about his Challenger made it seem like it was the lowest rung, two people watching, flip your own scores, pick up your own balls, etc. Sarasota and I’m sure Lexington are really well run, well organized solid events. It’s a big deal to win a Challenger today considering how difficult and deep it is now in mens tennis.

  • Harold · April 24, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    I respect that # 300 in the world is a great player. Just saying, that the Challenger circuit is their level. The better players at this level, get to try and move up, some do,and stay on the main tour, but most take their beatings, and head back to Challengers.

    Been to the Bronx Challenger a few times years ago. Good tennis, rather watch the main tour

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 24, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    It’s unfair that the hundredth best tennis player in the world ekes a humble existence while the hundredth best football soccer and baseball players are millionaires.

  • Dan Markowitz · April 24, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    Not unfair, Scoop, that’s what the public will pay. The Challengers I’ve gone to, Forest Hills, Carson, Ca., de Bronx and they had one once in Armonk (Westchester County), NY, they couldn’t give tickets away. Basically no one came out to watch.

    But I agree with you, Scoop, anyone who’s winning a Challenger these days is a pretty fine player. The story of Agassi going back down to the Challengers is that he didn’t either one he played. Didn’t he lose to Christian Vinck in one finals or semis of a Challenger? Yes, the famous Christin Vinck. The fact of the matter is that even an Agassi can lose and did lose in Challengers.

    If you’re a legit ATP player, and go down for an extended stay or not even that extended (look at Stepanek last year winning a couple of events), you usually end up being dominant on the Challenger circuit. But there are a lot of Michael Yani’s or Cecil Mammit’s who played for more than a decade mostly on the Challenger level.

  • bjk · April 25, 2014 at 3:30 am

    It’s hard to express tone, so I wasn’t dumping on challengers. It’s one of the few sporting events where professionals are almost literally playing for their supper. Great theater and super quality of play.

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 25, 2014 at 8:06 am

    Dan, the complaint of the players ranked outside a hundred is that they deserve more prize money. The majors are too imbalanced for the winners and SFists. But it’s easy to understand tennis is a star driven sport and the big names are the ones who sell tickets, draw ratings, etc. It just seems cruel that a guy who career bests at #229, who had two MPs on Blake in Montreal, who lost to number four in the world Ferrer 46 46 in S Hertogenbosch, who played Rafa and Hewitt in doubles, after a lifetime of dedication to the sport has barely any money to show for it at age 28.

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 25, 2014 at 8:10 am

    Well said bjk. If the player doesn’t win matches, he ain’t surviving on the tour. The Challenger tour is a more realistic, basic version than the glitz and glamor of most of the major stops on the ATP level.

  • Abe Froman · April 25, 2014 at 9:18 am

    Scoop, maybe you should tweak your banner and include a photo of a journeyman (harry or donald, etc.) on it – instead of having the all-time greats up there.

    I gotta agree with Harold on this one….challenger tennis is still solid tennis / drama but it doesnt deserve the attention and ink it gets from this site, IMO.

    And regarding prize money…..it has to be skewed to reward the better performers (beyond QF, etc.)…otherwise it’ll become more of a “showup job” and reduce motivation.

  • Abe Froman · April 25, 2014 at 11:43 am

    it’s time to….place your bets – place your bets ladies and gents !!

    nico over rafa the king of clay
    kohlschreiber over giraldo
    kei over cilic the juicer
    gabashivili over gulbis

  • Abe Froman · April 25, 2014 at 11:49 am

    primetime over stakhosky
    le monf over mathieu
    rosol over simon
    haase over uzi

  • Dan Markowitz · April 25, 2014 at 12:47 pm

    Almagro goes up a break on Nadal in the third set, having won 3 straight games to lead 4-3.

    The problem with tennis is that most of the venues aren’t attractive enough to sell. In baseball, it’s compelling to go see a minor league stadium. But look at basketball players, if they don’t make the NBA, they have to play for little money in the D-League. Yes, they can go overseas and play, but that’s often not a lifestyle choice.

    Look, I wrote a book with John Starks, the guy was bagging groceries at Safeway for $3 an hour before he got his big breakthrough. I don’t feel too sorry for most tennis players as they usually can fall back on family money or an education when they’re through with their sport.

    But as Spadea said, Tennis is the only pro sport where you can lose money playing it.

  • Abe Froman · April 25, 2014 at 12:56 pm

    ole ole~ ole ole ole~…..ole ole~ ole ole ole~…… nico’s hot hot hot ! haha

    love this guy’s one hander !

  • Harold · April 25, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    If I was ranked outside the top 50, I would fight for the reinstatement of ” Bonus” points for beating higher ranked players. That would make a big upset more valuable.

    I watch some Challengers on the internet, there is never more than 15 people in the crowd.

    Hate to bring this up, but equal pay for men and women, has taken money out of the mouths of male players outside the top. The disparity in revenue they generate is huge.

  • Abe Froman · April 25, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    Thanks for bringing up equal prize money Harold……it’s a total crock !…..billie jean king’s justification was that the WTA has equal “entertainment value”….uh, i dont think so….the ATP got shafted on this one – big time..

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 25, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    Dan, aren’t there a lot of European pro basketball leagues? I’ve heard of former NBA players playing all over the place, China, Turkey, Spain, Israel, France, Italy, Philippines, etc. etc. Marbury might even still be playing in China. Tennis players also have a lot of opprtunities, the German club league is pretty lucrative from what I hear.

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 25, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    I have heard rumblings that ATP players are not happy at all with the equal prize money deal but it’s politically incorrect to complain about it. Everyone in tennis knows the women’s game piggybacks off the men’s game at majors. It’s not equal. Ask fans at any mens and womens event which they prefer to see mens or womens and I guarantee you the answer will be the men by a wide margin.

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 25, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    It looks like Rafa is not winning the French Open this year. He’s clearly got some issues right now. Quite frankly, he looks ordinary. Players like Almagro are blasting him off the court. They have the belief now. Rosol, Wawrinka, Djokovic showed the blueprint. The fear factor is gone. Another theory I have is maybe Rafa subconsciously wants to go into Paris as an underdog, not the “top dog.” After the booing debacle in Australia, the pressure from Djokovic, the pressure to defend points, Rafa has too many threats and issues to deal with. If he can go into Paris a little under the radar, with lower expectations from fans and media, maybe that will be better for him. But losing to Ferrer and Almagro, two players he’s owned in the past, is catastrophic for Rafanation. Like I said during Monte Carlo, the new king of clay is about to be crowned.

  • loreley · April 25, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    When I was wondering about Rafa’s & Djoker’s “bad” performances this season, I’ve been told that it might be because they don’t risk doping anymore, because of the new blood pass.

  • Hans Landa · April 25, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    This could well be the beginning of the end for Rafa. He is human afterall and there’s absolutely no shame in dropping a few; when he has so emphatically dominated on clay for so long. However, I do still favor him in Paris and hope to see him closer to 100% by then, physically and mentally. As per Abe, he should increase the dosage or take the new superchargers. Who cares if he loses all of his hair or if his “bull” shrinks to a snail.

  • Abe Froman · April 25, 2014 at 2:27 pm

    @ loreley & hans….nice deduction !….big time capitulations going on around here ! if blood pass is a factor – it’s mano-a-mano, as it should be. all of these junkies are gonna drop like flies. LOL

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 25, 2014 at 2:34 pm

    Anything is possible.

  • Abe Froman · April 25, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    @ hans….”bull to a snail”….LMFAO !!!! mazel tov and happy friday there..

  • Andrew Miller · April 25, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    Fortunes change quickly in tennis. My hunch is nadal is either avoiding surgery or saving himself for the French after which he pulls from Wimbledon. He just hasn’t been playing good ball all year.

    On the challengers etc it wasn’t that long ago that wawrinka wasn’t a slam contender or that Blake was outside the top 100 recovering from a freak accident or Brian baker coming from nowhere to make the nice final vs. Davydenko. The point is no one has a crystal ball and also finally tennis is interesting again. The big four continue to be the favorites but not by much.

  • Andrew Miller · April 25, 2014 at 2:54 pm

    Nadal could dig deep. I dont think his body is cooperating. He was grimmacing a lot in oz and nishikori dimitrov were able to exploit his movement – which really no one can do ( nalbandian exploited his knowledge but not nadals movement ). He may not even play at this point but it is his favorite tournament so he will probably show up.

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 25, 2014 at 3:04 pm

    Rafa has not win a big title all year, he came up empty at Melbourne, IW, Miami and his favorite of all Monte Carlo. Rafa’s confidence is partly or even primarily nourished by winning big, important titles. He has not been able to do it yet this year, which is substandard for him, and the longer the slump continues the harder it will be for Rafa to get out of it. I think the best remedy for Rafa would be to put himself into a final in Rome or Madrid against Federer. And hope the draw plays out that way. If he can win one or both of those titles vs. Fed it will do wonders for his confidence.

  • Abe Froman · April 25, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    @ scoop…absolutely, he needs to go back to his ol’punching bag federer LOL

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 25, 2014 at 7:15 pm

    Abe I think Fed can take down Rafa on clay right now. Yep, I really said that.

  • CS3 · April 25, 2014 at 7:30 pm

    Rafa is clearly in a mental funk right now… Other players are seizing on the opening for which they deserve credit… I have noticed Rafa’s movement hasn’t been right for going on a few months… The dominant & amazing year he had last year clearly took a lot of him & the very big disappoint in Australia has left a lingering affect on Rafa: mind, body & soul… It’s inevitable that at some point, even the greatest of the greats will start to become more human & lose more often even where they reign supreme… I think it’s probable Rafa will be dethroned this year at Roland Garros but there will never be a new King of Clay, only a temporary heir… No player will ever even come close to repeating the dominance of the Mallorcan Bull on the dirt… Bjon Borg is really the only player worthy of being put in the same sentence in terms of All Time clay court greatness… There is the possibility that Rafa is saving himself for the French & that he may want the pressure taken off of being the absolute favorite… I have said more than once, Rafa prefers being the HUNTER (world #2) more than he does the HUNTED (world #1) which the results he’s produced while the #2 confirm… I think we may see Rafa shut it down again for a while after Roland Garros, regroup & come back with a vengeance in 2015… History always repeats with this guy… He has a truly amazing year then he has a big drop the following year where he ends up taking time away to rest his battered body & tired mind… The players who Rafa typically owns & makes suffer physically & emotionally deserve credit for earning their victories over Rafa right now especially on red clay so credit where it’s due… First time I’ve really seen Rafa in a mental slump which is compounding some of his physical limitations at the moment… BURNED OUT & VULNERABLE are terms that is coming to mind! All the best to my fellow Tennis Fans, enjoy the upcoming matches & events!

  • Abe Froman · April 28, 2014 at 10:17 am

    @ scoop and CS3….abosultely, fed has a great chance ! if nico can out-grind and out-hit rafa – so can the great one ! as i mentioned earlier, there’s no shame in nadal’s capitulation after all of his dominance on clay. and i do suspect that he’s prioritizing and saving himself for paris.

  • Bryan · April 28, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    Watching Rafa vs Almagro it seemed like his problems are in his mind and technique more than conditioning and strength.

    When he lost at MC he sprayed 44 errors in 2 sets. Against Almagro he had only 24 errors in 3 sets but lost the biggest points. His topspin heavy forehand was off though, there were times he did rainbow shots with no spin at all.

    Did he change coaches recently or change his grip?

  • CS3 · April 28, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    Rafa is using a new racquet so he may not have the feel & timing down for the racquet just yet… He’s just not playing well right now & other players are stepping up their game… Rafa is human & can go through a mental funk/lack of confidence as well… Failing to become the first player since Laver to complete the career Double Grand Slam obviously was a very disappointing blow psychologically to Rafa & it’s left some lingering negative effects on his level of play & mind state… With his movement looking to be a little hampered at the moment, it’s going to take Rafa working his way out of this slump he’s in… History has shown that he will eventually but there’s a HUGE OPENING this year for some other player to get a chance to lift the Musketeer Cup for a change!

  • Abe Froman · April 29, 2014 at 10:00 am

    not sure if it’s the racquet as i believe he has been using the same frame for years but only refreshes with the paintjob of current model for marketing purposes.

    i think he’s struggling with the recent losses and possible withdrawl / cutback from all of the juices – adjustments due to a newly implemented “blood passport”…

  • CS3 · April 29, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    We’ll have to see if other players with “unique training methods & diets” see their level of play hampered by the new blood testing going on… As I have before, if Rafa is/has been doping, he is definitely not the only 1! Lol

  • CS3 · April 29, 2014 at 9:13 pm

    Rafa has been a great player throughout his career & has dominated with both a very muscular physique early on & a slimmed down physique since his return in early ’13… Winning Grand Slams every year since he was in his late teens just reflects him being a SPECIAL PLAYER & TALENT… I’m not dismissing the possibility of him having been on something either when I say that I am just saying… It’s a lot more suspicious that guys are genuinely having their performance ENHANCED unnaturally when they suddenly & unexpectedly raise their game & accomplishments to levels never before seen like a couple of players have in the last few years… It all begins with having talent to begin with which the world’s Fab Five do but 1 guy can’t be singled out when there is a very good possibility that “the right formula” is or has been used by his peers as well!

  • Dan markowitz · April 30, 2014 at 3:41 am

    Well put, CS3

  • CS3 · April 30, 2014 at 10:06 am

    I appreciate that Dan… I know I have been a little combative & defensive at times on the subject of Rafa but I want to let you know that I respect your work… Reading more of the pieces you write as well as your comments, I can see that you are fair in both praising & criticizing all players which is really all I look for… I apologize if I have accused you of targeting specific player(s) in the past… I have read articles attached to Rafa, Novak & other players on the matter… I can’t say for sure that “juicing” or “doping” has been or is taking place but I wouldn’t be shocked either… Sadly, it’s widespread throughout sports in general including Tennis… I believe PEDs only “ENHANCE” an athlete to the next level that their natural ability has them at to begin with but it would still be ideal if athletes were doing the things they do without the assistance of chemically created substances & other things!

  • Dan Markowitz · May 2, 2014 at 8:43 am

    Thank you, CS3. I think you’re right regarding PED’s only enhancing an athlete’s ability, but we’ve seen some instances where they’ve really “enhanced” an athlete’s performance. What comes to mind is Brady Anderson hitting all those home runs for the Orioles one year or Barry Bonds hitting 73 homers in a season at the age of around-40, when as a young man, he never hit more than 30-35 homers. Even Petr Korda, was he good enough to win a slam without the PED’s.

    They really haven’t shown that taking PED’s hurts anyone’s health, not that I’ve seen definitively. So I’m of the mindset of just letting these players use them without penalty. Then maybe we’ll have a more level playing field.

  • CS3 · May 2, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    I feel there should be severe penalties that deter using PEDs or no penalties at all, 1 or the other… Tennis doesn’t have a transparent enough policy nor testing procedure on the matter unfortunately… Punish harshly for those found guilty of using PEDs or as you reasonably suggest Dan, let the players use whatever they choose so the playing field will be level. Brady Anderson, Luis Gonzalez, Eric Gagne & several other MLB players are examples of guys who saw a significant increase in their performance while using… Brady Anderson’s career high in HRs was 19 prior to his 50 HR season in ’96 I believe… Eric Gagne, formerly of My LA Dodgers, was an average at best, back of the rotation starter who threw in the low 90s prior to finding the “magic potion” that enabled him to become for a period of time the most dominant closer the game has seen.. Gagne started regularly blowing guys away with a heater that averaged 97-99 mph… Major League Baseball has seen the most drastic examples of players being ENHANCED well beyond their natural talent level… Petr Korda with some assistance from Marcelo Rios’s non-performance that day in Melbourne is definitely 1 of the most blatant Tennis cases of a player who achieved something he would have likely never been able to do by just relying on his natural ability… I guess the effects & benefits of “juicing” vary depending on the player or athlete involved!

  • Abe Froman · May 5, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    @ cs3….yes, in a perfect world – the professional tennis world could have a free for all and let the junkies do as they please (which would taint the game’s image even more, ie, cycling)….or on the flipside, they could have a zero tolerance policy and weed out all of the juicers (which would diminish the level of play, etc.)…however, unfortunately whenever a major international business like professional tennis is involved – they will always need a gray area to tread on for workig purposes and hence the lax juicing policies of today..

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