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Toni: Djokovic and Murray are favourites for RG 2017 but Rafael is also a contender

2K views 26 replies 20 participants last post by  Cloren 
#1 ·
Toni Nadal: "Nuestra ilusión para 2017 es volver a ganar un Grand Slam"

Most grateful if someone could translate it in English. For now I can only rely on Google. The main idea is that the Nadal team hopes they can win a slam in 2017 and Toni believes that Rafa can win a slam again.


Dec 1, 2016

VALENCIA - Toni Nadal, Rafa Nadal coach, said in an interview with*Efe newsagency that the great enthusiasm they have for next season is "back to win a Grand Slam tournament, which is".*But he did not hide his preference to repeat success in Paris and get what would be his tenth Roland Garros.

"The next season is open," he said, "although there are two that leave as clear favorites, which are Murray and Djokovic because the results of the last years, and this year in particular, so testify, and then there is a whole series Of candidates to be at the top as well. "

"I also include Rafael because I know how we train, I know the motivation we have and the enthusiasm we work with every day. I also think that this year that ends, if we had not had the injury, we were playing at a very good level and We were clear hopefuls to win Roland Garros, along with Djokovic. In the end the people are prepared thoroughly and will be a difficult year. "

Before the voices that in the last two years have shown their doubts about the possibilities of Rafa Nadal to return to recover his better level of game, his technician was not at all annoying:

"They do not bother me and I understand that people can say and think what they want.It's very normal for people to have logical doubts about whether Rafael will be back on top, because we have them too, although we still believe we're going to do well" , He said.

"Even my young children ask me if Rafael will return to win a Grand Slam and I say yes, because I am convinced and I think we are going to do it. We are willing to do everything we need even knowing that it will not be easy," he added.
 
#4 ·
RAFA's La Decima at RG will be the most decorated achievement ever in tennis history considering no one (men or women) has ever won more than 8 titles at a single slam :worship:

GOATdal :bowdown:
 
#7 ·
Toni is right, you can never completely count out a guy who has 9 RGs. If there's to be a fairytale 15th slam, it'll obviously be at RG.

Still, Djokovic and Murray are definitely favourites, and seeing as Nadal hasn't made it past the QFs at any slam since 2014 RG, I'll be surprised if there's a genuine resurgence.
 
#10 ·
good to see that Nadal and Toni are mentally staying in it, gotta have faith

I think belief is probably the biggest tool in the sport, a lot of people in the past have come from injuries or breaks and been shaken from a loss of confidence

If Nadal is healthy and mentally 'there' then anything is possible. One thing is for sure, after a few pretty awful seasons he'll feel extra motivated. Will be hoping to come out with some momentum at the Australian Open

who knows, maybe he'll get a good draw. I think it's safe to say that Nadal is still capable of beating anyone anytime. the Olympics last summer were sort of a sign of that. Just came back too early
 
#11 ·
Shouldn't he reach a GS QF first?
 
#17 ·
Makes sense at this time. Novak and Andy have been the best Clay-ers the past 2 seasons. Novak should be favourite. Stan won RG '15 but got trounced by Andy this year - still fresh in the mind. Rafa's fitness makes him hard to judge. The odds will change by the time RG comes 'round in 6 months.
 
#16 ·
Murray is still overrated, he lost to Nadal in MC and Djokovic in Madrid and RG final.
I know it is based also on rankings, not just on the recent performances on the surface.

I was delighted to see that Wawrinka wasn't the favorite this year, because he showed enough times in the past that he is unable to repeat his showdown in a big tournament and nothing pointed to in the leading up Euro clay season that this time it would be otherwise.
The same thing with Murray. Although he showed some improving results on clay in 2015-16 (beating Nadal and Djokovic for the first time on the surface, though arguably they were at their weakest selves on it since like 2010 when he managed that), though a true analyst should also realize that only the showings in MC, Rome and RG really count for these betting odds, since they are the most similar surfaces in slowness and behavior to Roland Garros Philippe Chatrier court where the final is held.

Overall Murray improved in Rome and RG, but still had some duds in MC. While Djokovic's loss in MC proved to be as a one-off.
 
#19 ·
Murray is rightfully the second favourite, he beat Nadal in Madrid the past two years in straights, he beat Djokovic in Rome, he schooled Wawrinka at RG. He is clearly the second best clay player.
 
#20 ·
He would have easily reached QF of RG this year if he wasn't injured.
I'm not sure what that's based on. He's made one semi since the French open - at Rio.
 
#23 ·
Well that's more reasonable from Tio, unlike few months ago when he said Rafito is the favourite.
Really cant wait for 2017 to see what Nadal and Fed still have left in them...
 
#25 · (Edited)
Kyrgios above Kei there in the odds is a terrible joke no matter how peak you can put on Kyrgios...even if Kei generally sucks at RG. Even on the most suited of the clay surfaces, and with over 75% first serves in play for 2 sets, Kyrgios could not break Kei once and was outwinnered when you even consider the ace count.



Kei winners on baseline 42 - 5 aces = 37 winners to 38 groundstroke UEs = -1
Kyrgios winners on baseline 34 - 18 aces = 16 winners to 49 groundstroke errors = -33

37:16 is huge (more than double) but the groundstroke W/UE ratio is even more hilarious now
-1/-33...
 
#27 ·
This doesn't need a thread tbh. This is an obvious statement. There's still a long time for RG but as far as things are going at the moment, Djokovic, Murray are top 2 favorites with Nadal behind them b/c of his legendary clay records and how much he loves playing RG.
 
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