Clay season is here.
lets get this party started.
Great pictures general.
I have djokovic and Federer as the very heavy favorites for the title.
General, I was just watching the Muster vs. Becker full match I just posted. Amazing turnaround from Muster to win the 1995 Monte Carlo title. 2 sets to love down, then the 4th set tiebreaker saved 2 match points. Muster was a fun player to watch.
I'll be interested to see where Wawrinka and Nadal are in the draw.
Main draw is scheduled for this Saturday April 11th at 12.30 pm Monte Carlo time , about 36 hours from now. I guess that's about 5:30 am your time General.
Respectfully,
masterclass
I am going to watch that match general masterclass.
thanks for posting it.
Muster is one of my all time favorite players.
Becker accused Muster of taking steroids after that match.
ha ha. Muster just outworked them on the practice courts and on the fitness front.
he was called the ironman of tennis.
It's a beautiful venue. I never noticed it before. It will be interesting.
Main Draw in Post #1.
QF Projections:
Top Half
[1] Djokovic vs. [8] Cilic (if he plays...), my guess is Tsonga will be the QF opponent)
[3] Nadal vs. [5] Ferrer (the Spanish 1 - 2) (Nadal could play Ferrer in the QF)
Bottom Half
[4] Raonic vs. [6] Berdych (tall ships)
[2] Federer vs. [7] Wawrinka (rematch of last year's final)
Respectfully,
masterclass
Thanks for posting the draw general.
Looks like another masters series shield for djokovic or federer.
It is a tough draw for Rafa.
I hope I am wrong obviously but in his current condition and form it is hard for me to believe he will make past the quarters.
I am just calling it like I am seeing it.
Of course it breaks my heart to see it this way.
Rafa told the Spanish press Friday that he is arriving at this clay season in "the worst form" of his entire career.
He also said he has a lot of doubts.
This is not what a top player---who also happens to be the greatest clay court player---should be saying.
I am really worried to death about this.
For one thing his considerably diminished fitness could lead to more injuries and end his career.
How could a top pro in his prime let his fitness decline so much.
Rafa said his ranking could suffer a lot.
Why is he allowing this to happen?
I think he starts to turn it around here general. This demise can't keep going on, and not on clay It is indeed the "wellspring from which he flows". I expect those forehand topspin cyclones of death to start finding their mark. Why not here? He's won 8 of these, more than anyone else in the history. We will see.
Ferrer beat him last year in the QF, and they are set to meet again there if they both get that far. Somehow, I have a feeling No1e will take a bit of a break here after the tough IW - Miami, and charge his batteries for RG.
Edit: Yes, his lack of confidence is distressing. But as Uncle Toni said, he might only need one good set of circumstances to turn that around. If he can somehow, win 4 matches and make it to a MC final, then I think he has a good chance. It probably won't be easy, but when has Rafa done things the easy way?
Nadal follows through on his forehand cyclone of death - Monte Carlo 2008
Respectfully,
masterclass
I think he starts to turn it around here general. This demise can't keep going on, and not on clay It is indeed the "wellspring from which he flows". I expect those forehand topspin cyclones of death to start finding their mark. Why not here? He's won 8 of these, more than anyone else in the history. We will see.
Ferrer beat him last year in the QF, and they are set to meet again there if they both get that far. Somehow, I have a feeling No1e will take a bit of a break here after the tough IW - Miami, and charge his batteries for RG.
Edit: Yes, his lack of confidence is distressing. But as Uncle Toni said, he might only need one good set of circumstances to turn that around. If he can somehow, win 4 matches and make it to a MC final, then I think he has a good chance. It probably won't be easy, but when has Rafa done things the easy way?
Nadal follows through on his forehand cyclone of death - Monte Carlo 2008
Respectfully,
masterclass
Great post general.
The problem is lack of fitness, lack of match play, and lack of practice.
I don't know how you overcome all 3 factors in such a short period of time.
He is a top pro. He would have gone to Casablanca if he wanted this bad enough.
Tony is right about one thing anyway: he needs luck this time around.
