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:
Rafa withdrew as a favour to his friend, Roger, who was so rudely snubbed. Those ignorant organizers needed to be put in their place, now their tournament is ruined. Thanks, Rafa hope your tummy is better soon.
Re: Rafael Nadal Injury/Health Update Thread : Nadal out of Abu Dhabi exho
don't know any more. it's getting more and more bizarre with Nadal lately. Abu Dhabi is completely irrelevant, but not sure why Rafa even committed to play there ... feel bad for organizers.
Re: Rafael Nadal Injury/Health Update Thread : Nadal out of Abu Dhabi exho
I think this will work out OK. It's probably not in Rafa's best interest to play some of his top rivals right off the bat, even if it is only an exhibition event.
Doha has a weaker field than usual and as a seed Rafa won't have to play any top 40 player in his first two matches. Even his quarter-final won't be too bad.
Re: Rafael Nadal Injury/Health Update Thread : Nadal out of Abu Dhabi exho
The Abu Dhabi exho is run by IMG. Federer left IMG, which is probably the reason why the organizers didn't extend an invite to him this year. Now, Nadal is reportedly leaving IMG to set up a separate management company run by his family.
I don't think it's a special coincidence that Rafa was struck by a stomach virus after the news of his departure from IMG was made public this week, since the only reason he committed to play Abu Dhabi in the first place was because of his ties to IMG. In any case, I'm sure Rafa will be fine. Whatever the deal is with him right now, he'll be back soon enough.
The Abu Dhabi exho is run by IMG. Federer left IMG, which is probably the reason why the organizers didn't extend an invite to him this year. Now, Nadal is reportedly leaving IMG to set up a separate management company run by his family.
I don't think it's a special coincidence that Rafa was struck by a stomach virus after the news of his departure from IMG was made public this week, since the only reason he committed to play Abu Dhabi in the first place was because of his ties to IMG. In any case, I'm sure Rafa will be fine. Whatever the deal is with him right now, he'll be back soon enough.
I had heard this rumour that he was thinking of leaving IMG (many moves in that department after Fed had left in the middle of last year and as Djokovic has just joint them) but I really don't think it's the reason why he withdrew from Abu Dhabi : he had spoken about being back there for long, and obviously he was looking forward to being back. Also I think it's better to come back for an exho with the certainty to play 2 matches even if he loses, rather than with the pressure of an official match against a player against whom he's not supposed to lose and in a match which defines if he will be allowed to keep on playing matches the same week.
He says it's a stomach virus, I can only believe him, as it seems to me he also has had many illnesses in the past especially in stressful situations.
The World Number one + World Tour Final and the last Grand Slam winner of 2012 + Olympic Champ, give it a lot of credibility, more than smugfed could ever of done.
They did the same last year, don't you remember? Novak was ranked #1, yet he had to play one match before getting to the semis, where he met Roger, who had been given a bye, in spite of being ranked #3.
Last year some people said that that's why Roger lost so badly to Nole: because Nole got extra practice. Maybe this time Nole will lose to Berdych or Ferrer, they are the only 2 players who will get an extra match before the semis this year.
Re: Rafael Nadal Injury/Health Update Thread : Nadal out of Abu Dhabi exho
Federer being a last minute back up for Rafa. When they couldn't get the real star, they had to try and go for the second choice, the old geezer. You have to feel for the tournament director.
Federer being a last minute back up for Rafa. When they couldn't get the real star, they had to try and go for the second choice, the old geezer. You have to feel for the tournament director.
Re: Rafael Nadal Injury/Health Update Thread : Nadal out of Abu Dhabi exho
Note for all tards of other players : This thread is about RAFAEL NADAL.
Many posts of previous pages should be deleted or moved to the thread about the Mubadala exho.
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