posted Jun 15, 2008

i dont think the game was that superlative frankly. it was a very good game and the two were very well matched, but i wouldnt attach a 5 star rating to today's match.

this match came nowhere near the intensity of nadal v djokovic in hamburg

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jun 16, 2008

Nadals weakness is his right knee,
and backhand shot which needs the right knee. His left shoulder will be playing up soon due to the intensity of its use.
His weakness is the intensity of his play. Formula 1 car engines last only two races.Nadal is a formula 1 tennis player, and only injury will shorten his career.
Our bodies have basic laws on wear and tear, !

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jun 16, 2008

nb1405

I do have to agree with that observation.. although if you saw him working out on court to strengthen his knees it made your mind boggle. But I do fear that Rafa will have a shorter career than most. All the more reason to enjoy and appreciate him whilst he is around

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jun 18, 2008

I would just like to add what a complete and utter gentleman he is, what a great sportsman, and how his gentle, unassuming nature and personality is a credit to himself and the game. I think he is absolutely charming.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jun 20, 2008

Though no player will be completely perfect, Rafa has got more superior game compared others so that he can win this year wibledon title. His mental toughness, precision,ability to decrease the unforced errors,court covering,ferocious play when the situation demands are some things which puts him ahead in race.By the above qualities even the best players go mad while playing Rafa.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jun 20, 2008

I agree with most of what was written here (apart from Tom___ on the volley - Nadal does not have a great volley, he just builds his points well so the volley becomes easier!).

Still, it may be strange for my generation, who have seen serve-volley players from Mac, Becker, Edberg, Sampras, to Federer dominate wimbledon, to envisage a baseliner winning!

Of course baseliners HAVE won in the past, but does anyone actually know QUANTITATIVELY what the alleged slowing-down of the courts actually entails? Or is it the balls, the greater sweet spots and lighter rackers making passing easier, or the ball bounce(not the same as speed perhaps) that make the real difference?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jun 20, 2008

Hope this helps PimBo:
The courts used for Wimbledon are all composed purely of rye grass. The speed of 100% rye grass is much slower than the 80% rye grass mix previously used. The courts are sown with 100% Perennial Ryegrass (since 2001) to improve durability and strengthen the sward so that it can better withstand the increasing wear of the modern game

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jun 20, 2008

Hi Phoenix, thanks a lot.

That is very interesting, and I am still interested to also see quantified what "much slower" actually means in speed loss of a typical service or groundstroke. Any ideas?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jun 22, 2008

If nadal makes it through the first week, the title is his.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jun 22, 2008

rafa is not a complete player, his serve could deffinatly do with more pace, especially on the grass.
i to am a huge Federer fan and i have a great deal of belief in my idol but i acknowledge this is going to be a massive slam for him and his already gleaming career.
good luck Roger!

add comment | complain about this comment