Toni just gave an interview on Spanish radio. Said:
- Rafa's career is not in any danger. They are just being cautious.
- Rafa would like to play in Rio 2016 and hopes to compete there (again I suppose emphasising this is not some career ending injury). They all want to extend his career as much as possible and to do that they are taking the conservative approach -- "no more patches". (By this I think he is referring to earlier remarks he made about how this year they've just tried to manage injury in a piece meal way by taking time off in Miami etc. but that is not correct. He needs to wait till he is 100%.)
- It is not the same tendinitis as before, but is related to the same issue.
- Toni's been hearing that Nadal's career will be short all his life - but even if he retired now it would not have been a short career as he's played for a decade as a professional - since he was 16.
They also had some doctor on who said Nadal's tendon had degenerated and needed 3 months of rest. Given that he had most of June off, July and now August, maybe a DC return in September is not too far fetched...
Basically, as always, I think the "his career is over" brigade are going a bit far. If anything this sounds like he's learned from past mistakes and is following exactly what the doctors tell him to try and get the most from what remains of his career. Beating any of the other 3 - Andy, Roger, Nole - would have been tough at the US Open - let alone when not at full match fitness and without competitive play. If he was still suffering a bit, then better to be cautious - at this stage he needs to basically try and maximise slam chances.
As a reminder - think of the Nadal we saw at WTF 2011 - listless, passionless, bagelled by Federer. Next major tournament a few months later - few games away from winning the Australian Open. His body will always be an issue but the fire and motivation to me has been a bigger concern - at least that seems to still be there and perhaps be even stronger due to setbacks. Sounds like Rio 2016 might just be the think that keeps him going even if it seems farfetched right now that he'd be competitive in 4 years time. :lol:
Re: Spanish Press: Nadal not in DC; rest of season inc. WTF in doubt
If the rest of the season is a write off then we'll have to start speculating about how quickly he can get back to his best in the new year. At least apart from the current top 3, no other player can even come close so a spot in the top 4 is guaranteed, beyond that it's tough to predict...
Re: Spanish Press: Nadal not in DC; rest of season inc. WTF in doubt
Like I said, as long as he recovers properly and gets healthy, then that's all I care about. It's kind of expected that he'd miss the rest of 2012 anyway. There's no need to rush. Don't want to come back too soon and fuck up his knee again somehow on the Asian and Indoor swing coming up. If he's ready to come back by the Asian/Indoor season, great. But if he doesn't, then so be it. As long as he achieves a clean bill of health.
Like I said, as long as he recovers properly and gets healthy, then that's all I care about. It's kind of expected that he'd miss the rest of 2012 anyway. There's no need to rush. Don't want to come back too soon and fuck up his knee again somehow on the Asian and Indoor swing coming up. If he's ready to come back by the Asian/Indoor season, great. But if he doesn't, then so be it. As long as he achieves a clean bill of health.
Yeah, it's not really much of surprise the rest of the season is unlikely. It's what many have been suspecting. The broader issue can he really ever come back. That's the real question, not missing the least important part of the season post US.
Re: Spanish Press: Nadal not in DC; rest of season inc. WTF in doubt
I'm not sure I'm patient enough to wait till January - he's not played for 2 months already. Plus he's not someone who goes in at his best level straight away - needs matches. The 2009 break was only missing Queens and Wimbledon - he was back at Rogers Cup. This is missing half a season - can't imagine what sort of shape he'd be in by Doha.
Still hopeful he'll feel better once he starts practicing and can at least give the WTF a go - even if he loses all 3 matches it's an opportunity to test his level - not be too worried about the result but get the big match sensations back. Otherwise to go from Wimbledon 2nd round straight to Aus Open, with only perhaps Doha in between, seems much. He'll be defending 1200 points there too....
Stupid Hoffa and stupid knees. And stupid Rafa for overplaying so often.
Re: Spanish Press: Nadal not in DC; rest of season inc. WTF in doubt
Rafa should do this every year. Play till Wimbledon, then rest for the remaining part of the season. Then maybe, just maybe, he could actually be playing in Rio 2016
Re: Spanish Press: Nadal not in DC; rest of season inc. WTF in doubt
Do we need 1 bilion threads about this? what did Toni said, what did the sapanish press said what did Nadull himself said. C'mon! one fucking thread is enough.
Re: Spanish Press: Nadal not in DC; rest of season inc. WTF in doubt
who's bothered....blind breed arse kissing brigade thinking world toast finals have any meaning... nadal has real tournaments to think about.................
who's bothered....blind breed arse kissing brigade thinking world toast finals have any meaning... nadal has real tournaments to think about.................
Re: Spanish Press: Nadal not in DC; rest of season inc. WTF in doubt
As usual, I'll wait to hear it from his mouth since the Spanish press are almost as good as the British at making up bullshit stories on the flimsiest of excuses.
As usual, I'll wait to hear it from his mouth since the Spanish press are almost as good as the British at making up bullshit stories on the flimsiest of excuses.
Re: Spanish Press: Nadal not in DC; rest of season inc. WTF in doubt
Sad business going on there right now in the Nadal camp, but I still believe he'll be back for the 2013 clay court season.
If not earlier. Which I hope so.
I think we all hope it's not the end for him, and i'm not prediciting it will be. But it's clear it's serious, and if he does come back it wont be in the next few weeks.
No, it's unlikely it would be that simple for him at 27. 17 sure 27 no.
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Mens Tennis Forums
18.5M posts
87.7K members
Since 2002
A forum community dedicated to male tennis players and enthusiasts. Talk about everything from the ATP, NSMTA, to college Tennis and even everything about equipment. It's all here!