I know his back was ailing him in indian wells. you could see that he was not really doing much with his serve.
so if he really is a little spent mentally then why the hell did he not leave for home instantly after his early loss in indian wells. it would have been better for the back as well to go home, rest a couple of days, and then start preparing the single most important clay season of his career.
I could hardly bear to watch him play the way he was playing in indian wells. I watched with almost one eye closed.
he is just short on practice and a little short on fitness. short on practice on clay, that is.
he does not really have to win Madrid but 5 matches there would help his cause.
I think he has to win rome. lets see how it all plays out.
rafa does not really like the Madrid event all that much. but he is in a bind now. he has 1000 points to defend there.