CAMELOT FANTASIES

General, he can play doubles into his 50's and 60's if he wants, same with poker, golf, and other relaxing sports.

He'll probably have a billion in the bank by then.

His time for playing singles tennis at the highest level is drawing to a close.

The curtain may have already set if the hard work won't be there.

He just lost in his opening round in Shanghai to Viktor Troicki of all people in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(3). First win ever for Troicki over Nadal.  He used the same formula as many have lately to win.  Stay aggressive on the court and wait for the inevitable short ball and go for it.

And his rabid blind toothless fans tell everyone to stop being negative and to shut up. 
Burying one's head in the sand won't help.
Facts are facts, objective fans face reality, his fall cannot be ignored.  Sudden falls have happened before, to players even younger.  Wilander won 3 majors in a year at age 24, and nothing more thereafter. McEnroe had his greatest season at age 25, maybe the greatest in history in 1984 (82-3 and 2 majors) and never won another major.

As tennis fans we can only suggest the best course of action.  I don't even know if being a coach would help at this point.

The worry one might realistically have is that if he insists on playing with this level of fitness, that he might take himself out of the game with injury.
His mind is simply trying to make promises his body can't keep.

Respectfully,
masterclass

Enjoy the beach general.

I have to add something to what I said about the Nadal Troicki match. 
Yes, Troicki took advantage of short balls, but watching it again, he also outgrinded and outworked Nadal.
Many points were long, Troicki getting to every ball, but the key was that Nadal's shots didn't have enough sting. Just not enough power to hurt Troicki.

More later.

Respectfully,
masterclass

Rafael Nadal:

Nadal: 'I Need To Create Pain' 
Oct 12 2016
ATP


Rafael Nadal, renowned from his ferocious game and battling qualities, says that he will look to restore his sledgehammer forehand in order to return to top form on the ATP World Tour.

Following his opening-round exit to Viktor Troicki on Wednesday at the Shanghai Rolex Masters, the former World No. 1 admitted, “I need to recover the forehand. I know I need to hit forehands. Every time that I hit the forehand, I need to create pain for my opponent.

“It is something that is not happening very often now, and it’s something that needs to happen for the next year… If that happens, then, for sure, I need to recover a little bit the electricity in my legs. I need to move faster to hit more forehands. But I need to be more confident with the forehand to make that happen. Everything is a cycle. I need to do the things together.”

The 30-year-old Nadal, who has suffered wrist problems this year, dropped to a 39-14 match record (15-6 at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments).

“I need to play my matches, to practise more and just to keep playing,” said Nadal. “I know what I have to do and I am going do it. I have two-and-a-half months until the new season starts, so I have two-and-a-half months to put myself at the level that I need to be. I have the confidence that I'm going do it.”

How many months has he had already?
How many embarrassing losses to players he has owned will it take?

It looks like Rafa has traded his forehand with Murray.  He has just lost too much strength.
If he had listened to us General and hired an expert fitness coach, and worked hard months and years ago he wouldn't be at this point now.

Unbelievably,
masterclass

Quote from: Clay Death on October 12, 2016, 03:38:45 pm

Now clay warrior says he is switching focus to 2017.

How long can this lip service last before even the color blind circus clowns figure out that Rafa is not interested in winning matches anymore..

More later.


You are 100 percent correct general.

He has insufficient depth, pace, and spin on his shots.

That rank is bogus. He can't beat anybody that can play at a decent level.

There is just no real work on the practice courts and on the fitness front.


Soon he is out of time.

He has wasted 4 years doing nothing but farting around.

Absolutely correct general.  Spot on.
Whomever cannot see this is a blind and deaf circus clown trying to sell peanuts in an empty circus tent.

Right now, almost any player in the top 100 willing to work in a match can beat Rafa.
But they are not beating him. They are beating a shadow.  There is almost nothing there in any department at the moment.
It's as if Rafa left the building and an imposter returned.

Respectfully,
masterclass

he is making more money than ever before. such is the way in this new world general:

legends of the sport can easily amass $1 billion over a course of their lifetime.


Michael Jordan was able to do it sooner. he is 53 and now making $100 million a year in endorsement income alone.

rafa is also more popular than ever.

so he just goes through the motions and endless lip service for public consumption.

nalbandian said it. we said long before nalbandian but nobody listens. it is clay or nothing.

this first round loss to victor triocki should shed some light on the matter.

at the current rate he will drop out of top 20 and wont be able to win a single match.

now he has even lost the deadly effect of his forehand. he actually cant even count on his forehand.

he says he also has no speed to get to his forehand to be able to hit it. how pathetic is that.

more later.

ha ha ha.

he is too funny general.


if he is a singles player than why so much focus on doubles while the singles games continues to fall apart with each passing day.

he has no focus to begin with as far as tennis is concerned.


I used to play doubles strictly for the social aspect of it. it did nothing for my singles game.

it helps some and hurts others.


I will explain why in my next post.

Stan is out.

That emaciated, 1/2 starved to death Frenchman got by him in straights.

Shouldn't Simon be out looking to steal food somewhere.

Ha ha ha, funny general.

2016 US Open Champion Stan said he was confused how to play Simon.

Translation:  He donated the match so that Siiiiimon could get himself a good meal or two and keep himself from being blown away by the first good wind gust.



The Scottish Highlander looks in good shape to take this Shanghai title General.   They are doing a similar thing to Djoker that they did at the US Open.  All the good players in his half are exiting before they play him and he is getting no test and can't elevate his level.  This time he'll be undercooked vs. Murray.  We will see.

Respectfully,
masterclass

I think you are right general:

this is Andy's chance to finally get a win over djokovic.

we will just have to see how it plays out.