One of the most striking observations so far in the first week of the French Open is the play of seven-time champ Rafa Nadal which is far off from his highest level.
Nadal has lost the first sets in both of his matches so far to Daniel Brands and Martin Klizan, hardly regarded as clay court juggernauts.
Sure, Nadal recovered and adjusted and swept the following three sets in both matches but his play has been spotty and erratic. He’s missing second serve returns on key points. He’s allowing players like Klizan and Brands to take control of baseline points. He just does not look like the Real Rafa. Maybe it’s those darn pink shorts.
To my eyes, it’s clear: the aura of invincibilty of Nadal on clay is missing.
Also strange is Rafa’s body language, he has shown too many flash looks of despair and what the heck is happening? to his coach and box.
The King of Clay, when he really was the King of Clay, seldom showed so much vulnerability. On paper, yes, Rafa is still considered the King of Clay but I think Novak Djokovic, by virtue of his dominant win over Rafa in Monte Carlo has regained the mental edge on Rafa, which he established in 2011 from beating Rafa seven times in a row.
Something is bothering and worrying Rafa and I believe it is the play of Novak Djokovic that is in the back of his mind and creating the unrest. To lose to a man seven times in a row is hard to forget. And to lose eight straight games to Djokovic, as he did in last year’s final before the drizzles stopped the match, is also hard to forget. Rafa knows more than anyone how lethal Djokovic is on clay, though the Serbian does not yet have the French Open title yet to show for it.
Surely, Nadal, as smart as he is, knows it’s inevitable that he will face Djokovic in the semis, and that the last time they met on clay in Monte Carlo, a disastrous straight set loss for Nadal, must still be lingering in his psyche.
Yes, I know it’s still early in the tournament and Nadal maybe hasn’t settled into his A game yet, but these two matches are the worst I’ve ever seen him play at Roland Garros since the Soderling shocker.
And Brands and Klizan are far from Soderling’s calibre, if you know what I mean.
Is the Rafa reign about to crumble?
Dan Markowitz · June 1, 2013 at 10:50 am
Scoop,
Nadal loses to players like Fognini like never at RG. I don’t care if Nadal is down 2 sets to love, he’s not losing to Fognini.
And I don’t think Nadal is thinking about Djokovic at all. Looking at Nadal’s body, I think it’s breaking down. He’s turning 27 in two days and I don’t think you’ll see Nadal winning slams after the age of 28.
But Nadal playing guys like Fognini is just like practice for him. You think he cares if he loses a set in practice? Same thing against Fognini, it doesn’t matter if he drops the first set or two.
loreley · June 1, 2013 at 11:41 am
Klizan was French Open Junior Champion & Brands likes to play on clay too.
Nadal is in bad mood. He was angry that he has to play two days in a row, because his match against Klizan was delayed, while Fognini could rest.
Players are saying that Nadal does smile less, since he came back from his break.
Maybe he senses that his days are numbered.
Steve · June 1, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Don’t underestimate the wind factor. Djokovic has taken two bad losses in part due to windy conditions. I’ll be rooting for Novak today but babyFed doesn’t fear him.
Gasquet is looking great. Hasn’t played any top guys but looks totally on his game.
Steve · June 1, 2013 at 12:59 pm
Scoop, you’re right. Nadal doesn’t look like he has in other years. He seems weighed down by the draw and seems to think the whole world is against him in Paris this year but he keeps winning.
Fognini is always fun to watch.
Henk · June 1, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Just relax guys. He’s keeping the best for last.
Finally the sun is coming out and slowly the soggy conditions will change into “Rafa conditions”.
The sun will be out all next week (except Tuesday when he doesn’t play – unless the schedule gets ‘rigged’ by the organizers 😉 )
Besides you cannot compare any of the 3 (clay-loving)players Rafa has faced to Roger’s and Novak’s opponents, except for David Goffin.
By the end of next week we’re looking at 18-23 degrees C (70-73 F), dryer courts, better (real) clay bounce and the sunshine in which Rafa loves to play.
Really enjoying the usual negative speculations. He’s still winning guys! You’re really funny Scoop by stating “when he was the King Of Clay” and that he has Novak in the back of his head!
‘Your’ Djokovic will never come near to being King of Clay even though the Roland Garros organizers are treating him like one and have given him the Chatrier court for all his matches, so far. Whereas greats like Roger and Rafa have had to play on Lenglen.
After the weekend, we’ll see a totally different Rafa. If that’s not going to be the case, then I too may start worrying. However, Rafa will not lose his status as “King of Clay” until someone can match or better his results/stats. As a matter of fact he has it in him to be the absolute and lone “Emperor of Clay” and no Djokovic is going to change that.
Henk · June 1, 2013 at 1:45 pm
PS: He played two 5 set matches at Wimbledon in 2010 on his way to his 2nd Wimbledon crown. “He didn’t look like the Rafa we know” then too.
Steve · June 1, 2013 at 2:10 pm
BTW, Wilander made a very interesting comment today. He said the top 25 guys are paid too much and that it affects their effort. He used Fognini as an example whose already made half of what Wilander earned with 7 slams. Of course he didn’t mention inflation.
I think, for once, he’s wrong. Fognini is Fognini. A very loose player while the Seppis and the Davydenkos workman-like out there. He basically trashed the entire generation of players. HA!
Mitch · June 1, 2013 at 6:44 pm
He’s had slow starts before, like when Isner took him to 5 sets. He’ll flip the switch when he needs to.
Steve · June 1, 2013 at 8:29 pm
If Gasquet gets through Wawrinka it’s curtains for Rafa.
He will shock the world if he gets through one more match.
tootsie · June 2, 2013 at 12:55 am
Scoop, your psychosis and delusions are getting worse by the day. You really should seek help.
Bryan · June 2, 2013 at 1:06 am
If you predicted Nadal would lose sets in 2 matches over the first three rounds I’d say no way. Well, here we are. He’s been inconsistent and is fortunate to have faced punching bags thus far. He’s complaining about the tight schedule and acting like a diva when everyone had back-to-backs due to rain. Isner gassed out due to the 5 setters in consecutive days but he didn’t complain. As I said before the FO started Djoker is taking this.
loreley · June 2, 2013 at 6:59 am
Djokovic’s first coach Jelena Gencic died. He learned it after the match against Dimitrov & broke down. Probably he’ll going to win the French Open for her now.
Scoop Malinowski · June 2, 2013 at 9:32 am
Very sad news Lorely, I’m sure this is going to have a profound effect on Djokovic who loved Jelena Gencic. She was the one that spotted his talent, she called him the golden child. She is the reason why Djokovic is at the top of tennis and he never forgot that. He even brought the Wimbledon trophy for her. I think we are going to see a very special emotional moment or two this weekend, something historic and as touching as anything we’ve ever seen on Chatrier Court on final sunday. Nothing is going to stop Djokovic now.
Henk · June 2, 2013 at 9:47 am
Bryan, Rafa’s had no practice time at all – and that’s a fact, but I do realize that those not just loving the sport for what it is and are ‘against’ certain players like to interpret press conferences any way they see fit
Loreley, so you’re saying that now the death of someone close to Novak should make him win the tournament?
When his grandfather died during Monte Carlo last year, he made it to the final. However, after he was blasted off the court by Rafa in the final, he insinuated his mind had been elsewhere. Pro Djokovic media and his fans were quick in blaming the loss to the sad passing of his grandfather. So now media and fans have the best of two worlds: If Novak wins, they can say he won it for his first coach. If he loses they can blame it on his death.
Let’s just enjoy the great tennis the 2nd week will offer and may the best man and woman (of this year’s tournament) win!
Henk · June 2, 2013 at 9:49 am
sorry, I’m referring to his first coach Jelena as a him and, of course, it should read her!
Scoop Malinowski · June 2, 2013 at 10:11 am
IN a way Jelena Gencic is the mother of Djokovic’s tennis, she conceived him as a player and nurtured the talent. Her passing is going to have a profound effect on Djokovic. They were extremely close, if you saw the videos of them when he brought the Wimbledon trophy for her. Remember, Buster Douglas’ mom passed away shortly before he fought Mike Tyson and it helped to galvanize all his talents and he put on the most spectacular and superb performance of his career in KOing Iron Mike Tyson, the first man to beat Mike Tyosn. Djokovic, IMO, is going to win this tournament now, with the added incentive and inspiration of his tennis mother with him in spirit every step of the way. It’s going to be a very special thing to see. The Great Nadal and Federer have had their times in the sun at Roland Garros, now it’s Djokovic’s time and nothing, mark my words, nothing is going to defy him from winning the 2013 French Open. There could be no better way for Djokovic to dedicate and pay tribute to Jelena Gencic than to win the tournament and dedicate it in her honor.
loreley · June 2, 2013 at 10:18 am
Henk, I said probably. We cannot know how Novak deals with that loss.
Henk · June 2, 2013 at 10:57 am
Hope for you Scoop that you don’t have to eat your words – again. Just remember, not to use this sad fact as an excuse if Novak doesn’t make it.
Oh, by the way, your friend Bodo, like you, has visions. He dedicated a whole article on Gael Monfils: “Hurricane Watch”. Monfils is one of the names I’m missing in your list of possible winners in Paris.
Once again, win or no win ‘your’ guy will never be “King of Clay” no matter how many times you proclaim your wishful thinking.
Scoop Malinowski · June 2, 2013 at 11:06 am
Who is the King of Monte Carlo clay Henk ) It’s coming. Monte Carlo was an important step of the dethroning of Rafa. With all due respect to Rafa he has been a great champion, but Djokovic is just a little bit better, as evidenced by the seven wins in a row vs. Rafa and the eight games straight in last year’s final before Rafa ordered (some might say bullied) officials to stop the match. I believe King Rafa’s reign is very soon coming to an end, as all great empires inevitably do.
Henk · June 2, 2013 at 11:26 am
Scoop, you sound like a broken record (remember those really old vinyl discs?)
You keep on distorting/misinforming about those ” seven wins in a row” in 2011 (2 years ago!)
We’re talking CLAY. Novak had two great wins on clay in 2011, like Roger has had really great clay wins over Rafa (and Roger also made numerous clay finals as opposed to Novak)
However, in 2012, Novak lost in Monte Carlo, Rome AND Paris. This year he didn’t even make it through the draw neither in Madrid nor Rome after his lone clay win of the year. Oh….yes, I forgot, he, of course, did that on purpose so he could concentrate on Roland Garros.
Novak IS a great player Scoop, especially on hard (even though he didn’t make it to the finals in Indian Wells – or was he saving energy for Paris there too and let Rafa win because he already beat him “seven times in a row” two years ago?),
but he will never and I repeat NEVER come near to being a King of Clay.
Steve · June 2, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Didn’t Grmapa’s passing hurt his play at Monte Carlo last year? Could have a diff. effect. I don’t know.
Steve · June 2, 2013 at 1:25 pm
Scoop, imagine being French and 15 thousand French fans cheering for Federer on every point! Simon is handling this well. Love Simon. Fittest tennis player by far.
Pros must handle these situations.
Mitch · June 2, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Will Fed get more crowd support than Tsonga?
Dan Markowitz · June 2, 2013 at 2:06 pm
Problem with Simon is he hits forehand very flat and can’t spin or power ball off the court for winners. He’s a marathon runner with no sprint speed on his shots.
Bryan · June 2, 2013 at 3:41 pm
Henk, I’m not against Rafa and am not “interpreting” his press conference. He made complaints about the scheduling and criticized FO organizers for making him play without enough rest. Fact. Isner also had insufficient rest and did not complain. Fact.
Scoop Malinowski · June 2, 2013 at 8:34 pm
Simon beat Fed the first two times he played him and Fed was in his prime then. Simon is an uncanny player. I wonder if any other player beat Fed the first two times they played with Fed in his prime. So many have tried – and failed.
Scoop Malinowski · June 2, 2013 at 8:50 pm
What was it 3 or 4 times in a row on clay in 2011? Djokovic clearly was dominating Rafa. He was the only player to ever dominate Rafa in the ATP level. For a great player like Rafa that had to be a deeply frustrating feeling. And Rafa knows Djokovic can dominate him again another seven finals in a row, or maybe even more. Based on what I saw in the Monte Carlo final I don’t get the feeling Rafa has figured out how to beat Djokovic on clay, in fact I get the opposite feeling – that Djokovic has figured out how to slay Rafa on clay. Time to turn the record over Henk!
Scoop Malinowski · June 2, 2013 at 8:54 pm
In a Master Series which is not crucial to him or his ranking I think Djokovic or any great player would not feel any urgency to compete. But the French Open is a different story. He’s the favorite to achieve a career grand slam, to fulfill the prediction of Jelena Gencic who would want him to play. I believe Djokovic will play and he will show amazing tennis, like Buster Douglas showed incredible boxing vs. Mike Tyson, inspired by his mom’s passing.
Scoop Malinowski · June 2, 2013 at 8:56 pm
Huge respect for Simon, not sure why the French crowds do not adore him, they said he’s not a favorite of the French crowds there. Odd, wonder why that is? They LOVE Federer in Paris, I think they will cheer for him over Tsonga.
Mitch · June 2, 2013 at 9:10 pm
Simon has no flair or charisma.
Scoop Malinowski · June 2, 2013 at 9:42 pm
Yeah, Simon plays android tennis, just like a machine. Like Davydenko or Davenport. I still like to watch him though. He’s almost like a stick figure guy, a lightweight, but he can battle and beat many heavyweights. SOmehow he pulls it off.
Steve · June 3, 2013 at 6:40 am
One of the things I like about Simon is that he knows exactly what type of player he is. He said once “I’m a pair of legs and a racquet”.