CAMELOT FANTASIES

Everybody knows Rafa is the best clay court player ever lived.

What happened this year was that Rafa ruled hard courts too.



What is your favorite tournament on hc from Rafa, and which hc do you think suit his game?

Great choice, Embla,

But I struggle with picking one over the other. Your post reminded me of how great Indian Wells was, and in many ways I agree. Mostly because it was the first time I had seen him looking so aggressive on hard court, but then...

Cincinnati was awesome as well. Playing Isner, who was on fire was a daunting test, not only because of the skill on display, but because when playing Isner there is so little room for error. Not only was John's serve phenomenal, but he was actually making great volleys. I think John would've beaten a lot of players that day, but Rafa stayed so focused and played so well during the tiebreaks that that match became even more significant, but then again...

The USO still brings me the chills. I will never forget the 0-40 and break back that halted Djokovic in his tracks. Then, to go on and put the final stamp on the fourth set so convincingly was otherworldly.

After the USO I was sated. None of those losses bothered me one bit. Rafa overly exceeded my expectations and all I wanted from him was adequate rest so that he could do it all again in 2014.

I was watching it over and over too, Embla. But, after I switched cable companies I lost all of my tennis matches. I am so hurt about that, but hopefully ESPN Classic will do some reruns, them and TTC.

I keep checking daily, because watching tennis is so relaxing, especially when your favorite wins and you can watch it, sans the tenseness and the emotions you suffer the first time around.

awesome thread.


he really made some magic on those hard courts this year.


and what is often forgotten is that he also took indian wells.  clay warrior really shut down his blind haters for a while.

they resurfaced like bats out of hell when they saw him struggle a little bit at the O2 arena.



 

I find it hard to pick his best HC performance this year.  IW was a shocker, of course, just for coming from left-field.  In Canada, he was fantastically aggressive, and beat Djoker, which makes that one tempting.  Cincy, however, was one that no one saw him ever getting, so that was a total bonus!  USO trumps all for being a Slam, and a win over Djokovic in a final.  But for his highest level on HCs this year, overall, I'll say Canada.

Goodness he played great in Canada. Hope he can play like that again in 2014 on hc.

he transformed himself into a hard court wizard in 2013.

I mean he did not even leave indian wells on the table. he took that too.

the word on the street is that he still has some pain in the knee.


he was not moving all that well against Tsonga.


I think he would be wise to cut back on some of the hard court activity in 2014 if the pain is significant in the knee in order to protest and prolong the career.



what do you think?

to be honest, I am a little bit worried about the knee now.

that was one of his greatest matches ever general shanks.


we have it at the CETSVids tennis video center. catch it again when you can.



he simply took nole's will away and then he broke his spirit completely.



nole was on fire there and was just rocketing balls left and right. it took massive mental and physical capital to slow nole down.


I think it was his greatest slam win ever as it gave him a chance to stare down tennis history:

now he has a shot at the slam record.