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Rafael Nadal’s U.S. Open State Of Mind
10 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
About to embark on the conquering the last great challenge of his illustrious career – to win the United States Open – the last and only grand slam to elude him so far, Rafael Nadal shares some thoughts on his New York state of mind…
“I think I am playing better and better in this tournament, but still the center court – difficult to play. Is a lot of windy, always, more wind than the rest of the Grand Slams. Sometimes when you are against the wind, seems like you are not moving the ball. That’s my feeling for the moments. But I did well. When you are in the semifinals two years, why not?”
“I always thought it was going to be easier for me to play well in Australian than here. But at the same time, I always thought it was gonna be easier to play well here than Wimbledon. So you never know what happened in your career.”
“I hope I have another chance to play well here and to have the chance to win, to win, but without obsession, no? Now I have the illusion to improve my tennis to play well here and that’s what I am trying all the time.”
“I would love to play against him (Federer) this year because I can only play against him in the final. For me, the important thing is to play well and try to be in the last round. If I am, I have a great chance to play against him because he is always there.”
Nadal’s friend and arch-rival Roger Federer offered some comments about the Spaniard’s chances in New York: “I just feel on average the U.S. Open could be the fastest Grand Slam. That could be one of the problems for Rafa here in the past. But the problems are on a very high level. I mean, the guy’s won in Australia, he’s been here in three semis already. This guy doesn’t need to learn how to play on hard courts anymore.”
Federer was 28 when he achieved his career grand slam at the 2009 French Open. It was his 11th attempt to win in Paris. If Nadal can win the U.S. Open in two weeks time he will have done it at the age of 24. This will be Nadal’s eighth time playing at Flushing Meadows.
Nadal will open the tournament with a first round encounter against Russia’s Teimuraz Gabashvili.
With Tsonga and Del Potro out, his untaped knees healthy, and entering New York well-rested unlike year’s past, Nadal has to be thinking, It’s now or maybe never.
Nadal takes on his toughest challenge - New York
Dan Markowitz · August 29, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I’d say Nadal’s chances are slim to win the Open. Just like I said with Roddick at Wimbledon, you don’t come into a tournament losing to Dudi Sela and then win Wimbledon. It doesn’t happen. Likewise, you don’t almost lose to Julien Benneateau and then lose to Bagdhatis and win the U.S. Open.
Nadal doesn’t return well on the hard courts, he doesn’t win enough free points on serve, his backhand mysteriously looks weaker and his body breaks down over long matches in two weeks. If he makes another semis, that will be as far as Rafa will go.
Sakhi · August 29, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Thanks for the Nadal insights. While I agree with the conventional wisdom on Nadal–i.e., that he will struggle at the U.S.Open due to the fast surfaces — I still think the 5 set format of the Slams gives him a very solid chance, as does it an aging Federer. For example, even as a recreational player, when I switch from clay courts to fast courts, I can see the immense change-up in speeds, grips, footwork that is needed, and how much harder it is for one of my partners who hits with mega topspin. I think even us plebs get the mechanics of it. What I think we can’t underestimate is Nadal’s ability to stay in matches till he is thoroughly beaten. IF Murray is any evidence of my theory, then Nadal should be hopeful. Murray has been bragging about his beefed up physique but has notoriously faltered precisely due to physical conditions. At the AO, he claimed he had over-trained and was too tired by the time he reached the final blah blah. All this to say, Nadal and Federer will always be contenders because they thrive NOT wilt in the 5 set format.
Scoop Malinowski · August 29, 2010 at 7:16 pm
But Red you know that can also mean nothing. Sampras lost to Mathieu at the Hamlet before winning his final US Open. Would you say losing to Mathieu is a good result to launch a grand slam winning effort?
Dan Markowitz · August 29, 2010 at 9:07 pm
The Hamlet, my friend, is not a Masters Event. Also, Sampras had a different game. He could turn it on and off a lot more readily than Nadal. Sampras moved as well as Nadal when he was young, had a much better serve and hit his forehand harder (just not with as much spin). Nadal has struggled in Toronto and Cincy, I just don’t see him beating Murray or Fed or even Berdych or Roddick or, should I say it? Fish, in a big match at the Open.
Scoop Malinowski · August 30, 2010 at 12:46 am
We will see. I like Nadal’s mindset here. He haas had his trials and tribulations here in NY, he could be ready now. How about that quote: “I would love to play against Federer.” If they meet in the final I would make Nadal a considerable favorite.
zoozoo · August 30, 2010 at 11:40 am
I’m with you Scoop. Most players would love to have Nadal’s record in NY – 21 and 7 with two semis. He’s never won Cinci, it’s not a good tournament for him, so you can’t put two much weight on that result. All I know is that when the pedal hits the metal, I wouldn’t bet against a healthy Rafa when he sets his mind to something.
DM just doesn’t like Rafa and never has anything good to say about him. Makes up a lot of sh!t about him too and looks for reasons to diss him. I wouldn’t pay much attention to his opinion when it comes to Mister #1 in the world.
Scoop Malinowski · August 30, 2010 at 12:24 pm
YEs Red has his favorites and his not so favorite (sometimes bordering on disliked) players too but I assure you he is a very very good guy and friend and a great person to hang with at tennis events. His love passion and knowledge of the sport are unquestionable. He has understimated some top players in the past and I believe he is underestimating Querrey and Nadal now. We will see. It’s always fun though, to judge and try to measure the future successes of players with our opinions which can make us look brilliant or silly : 0
Dan Markowitz · August 30, 2010 at 12:59 pm
I think zoozoo is hanging out with the hippos too much at the zoo. I do not underestimate Nadal except for here, at the Open, where he’s lost to Youzhny and Del Potro and Blake and has not looked particularly Nadal-like. How can I down sell Nadal when he’s won RG and Wimbledon, the Borg-double? He’s truly a great player, and I think he will one day win the Open, possibly, just not this year.
perry utanis · September 4, 2010 at 3:54 am
Rafael Nadal improved a lot with marginal error committed on his serve. He wiil go to the final no doubt to satisfy the crowd?