Rome Masters 2019

That was probably Nadals last win ever on Djoke, he should cherish this moment 

What worries me about today is that I am not confident Nole's poor performance was just due to bad scheduling and tiredness, and that all will be good at RG:

First, when Nole is in his superpower mode, he does not get tired.  In 2011 in Rome he played a brutal SF vs Murray and everyone expected him to be tired vs Rafa next day.  Yet he showed no signs of fatigue and wiped the floor with Rafa.

Second, when Nole is in his superpower mode, he does not end up with back-to-back long three setters vs Delpo and, especially, Schwartzman.

Third, this Rome performance was not entirely out-of-character for 2019 Nole.  In fact, after the AO he has more often been poor than not.  The only tournament where he looked anywhere near respectable was in Madrid.

I am worried that this up/down form is more permanent.  Now, if someone could eliminate Rafa from RG, I would be all for an up-down inconsistent Nole, but good luck with that.

Of course Screech is not as consistent or as good as 2011. He’s 8 years older and so if Rafa. On current form he is good enough to beat Rafa all things being equal leading up to the clash.

I doubt Novak will look as fallible at RG. Ultimately, a second NCYGS puts him right up there in any GOAT discussion and will also put him halfway to a CYGS - with the toughest hurdle out of the way. Super Novak will undoubtably be present in Paris.

wimbledon 2018 and australia 2019 have been hard for nadal fans

then claycourt season has not looked good at all

Rome is a good title, and specially against Nole. But still, not sure about the outcome of RG

will nadal be ready to win Roland Garros again? I dont know... he has to be favourite, but an in form Nole seems like a real threat now... still that encounter can only happen in the final.

I do feel though that this is his last time as the favourite (and I am not sure if this is the first time I say this or not)

naxroy wrote:wimbledon 2018 and australia 2019 have been hard for nadal fans

then claycourt season has not looked good at all

Rome is a good title, and specially against Nole. But still, not sure about the outcome of RG

will nadal be ready to win Roland Garros again? I dont know... he has to be favourite, but an in form Nole seems like a real threat now... still that encounter can only happen in the final.

I do feel though that this is his last time as the favourite (and I am not sure if this is the first time I say this or not)

Wouldn't say he is in form if he had to save match points on clay vs Delpo. Not a good indicator of him being in form

Dull is the fav this year.. but next year I see Tsitsipas or ball basher Thiem as the favs. Maybe Zverev if he develops a stronger mentality

Emancipator wrote:Of course Screech is not as consistent or as good as 2011. He’s 8 years older and so if Rafa. On current form he is good enough to beat Rafa all things being equal leading up to the clash.

The difference of course is many players fancy taking a set or 2 off Screech whereas none of them ever make Nadal sweat in RG. If it's rough conditions on the day then he might lose 1 set (last year vs schwartzman) at most.

Slippy wrote:I doubt Novak will look as fallible at RG. Ultimately, a second NCYGS puts him right up there in any GOAT discussion and will also put him halfway to a CYGS - with the toughest hurdle out of the way. Super Novak will undoubtably be present in Paris.

A one dimensional player like him does not deserve to be part of GOAT debate. He has benefited hugely from surface homogenization. He is not adaptable in the way Roger and Rafa have proven to be and that’s because his skill set, however brilliant, is limited.

Rafa adaptable?  lol... no.

Rafa is a fantastic all court player and has made lots of small changes over the years. Only a blind fool would deny this.