[Corey Feldman]

Originally Posted by Yolita

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.

yah, thats what i'm saying, joke tournament

least Djokovic found his level with this event

[Ash86]

Nadal back practicing on clay today. Toni gave an interview saying they'll slowly increase intensity - may play before Acapulco depending on Nadal and also doctor's advice. (Sao Paolo being touted as an option as well as European indoor events - don't see any possibility of that myself though - think it'll be clay). Toni said Nadal's practices this last month have been good - Toni expects him to reach his best level again this year. Bodes well for RG hopefully...

[duarte_a]

Originally Posted by Ash86

Nadal back practicing on clay today. Toni gave an interview saying they'll slowly increase intensity - may play before Acapulco depending on Nadal and also doctor's advice. (Sao Paolo being touted as an option as well as European indoor events - don't see any possibility of that myself though - think it'll be clay). Toni said Nadal's practices this last month have been good - Toni expects him to reach his best level again this year. Bodes well for RG hopefully...

[Litotes]

Originally Posted by Ash86

Nadal back practicing on clay today. Toni gave an interview saying they'll slowly increase intensity - may play before Acapulco depending on Nadal and also doctor's advice. (Sao Paolo being touted as an option as well as European indoor events - don't see any possibility of that myself though - think it'll be clay). Toni said Nadal's practices this last month have been good - Toni expects him to reach his best level again this year. Bodes well for RG hopefully...

Practicing on clay seems to me to make South America more likely than indoor Europe, although of course both are still quite far away in the calendar.

[Certinfy]

Originally Posted by duarte_a

Bitter that a Nadal only playing a few months will still end up with more Grand Slams than Federer in 2013?

[Ash86]

Originally Posted by Litotes

Practicing on clay seems to me to make South America more likely than indoor Europe, although of course both are still quite far away in the calendar.

Far away yet not too far either if he aims for Sao Paolo - 6 weeks. Could do Sao Paolo, week off, Acapulco, IW, Miami. Or maybe skip one of IW and Miami if needs be. Could get match practice on clay and general confidence against lower ranked opposition prior to Monte Carlo. Better than getting that practice at a slam or Masters. It would not be beyond him to win those clay tournaments too - 750 points before IW would not be bad given he hasn't earned any points since Wimbledon.

Personally I think they're being cautious as they don't want to in any way jeapordise the clay/grass season - his best chance at titles and points. Try and peak then - if he wins RG then the season is a success no matter what else happens. Some of the pessimism about his future seems misguided to me - just think his priorities are different - will go for the titles he thinks he can win and pare down schedule rather than fighting for everything and potentially worsening knee problems.

RG and Wimbledon will always be easier for him than US Open and Australia - particularly with Novak and Murray around. Could be a very wise decision indeed to skip Australia and let the others battle it out in the heat.

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by Certinfy

Bitter that a Nadal only playing a few months will still end up with more Grand Slams than Federer in 2013?

Like in 2012?

[duarte_a]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

Like in 2012?

Too easy.

[Certinfy]

Don't worry guys, I'm sure it won't rain the last few days of Wimbledon this year.

[samanosuke]

Canceled a tournament two weeks before the start but already training. Rafito even left his credibility gaining habits. Desperate times, demand desperate measures

[duong]

Originally Posted by Ash86

Some of the pessimism about his future seems misguided to me - just think his priorities are different - will go for the titles he thinks he can win and pare down schedule rather than fighting for everything and potentially worsening knee problems.

if his knees were 100% recovered, he would not worry about that : he would just play a slam on a surface which suits him quite well

now we can see that the virus was not that hard as he already can practice then it seems quite clear to me that they're indeed still worried about his knees

and that in itself is worrying because several times, it was heard that the "Hoffa syndrom" was a short term problem which would be solved once it's recovered.

of course he probably will start on clay, and he might play one or two tournaments before Acapulco.

[duarte_a]

I just facepalmed. Thought it was obvious but certinfy was a bit confused.

Originally Posted by samanosuke

Canceled a tournament two weeks before the start but already training. Rafito even left his credibility gaining habits. Desperate times, demand desperate measures

This is what I meant.

And what about the potent stomach virus that would sideline nadal for 2 weeks....

[cveks]

so is it official now that Nadal is skipping Doha and Australian Open?

[Arakasi]

He's practicing on clay? What happened to the stomach virus?

[Fujee]

Originally Posted by cveks

so is it official now that Nadal is skipping Doha and Australian Open?

Where have you been? Stuck in a serbian cave somewhere?