CAMELOT FANTASIES

here is Rafa's training session from Paris:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsFZMGaFSdY&feature=youtu.be

it is not just my opinion. general masterclass also sees the same thing I see.

even rafa says it himself. he said he doesn't like to hit too many backhands.



you can just watch him in a match or in practice. its a habit that he has developed.

it only takes him a second to start favoring the forehand.



not much can be done at this point. he has 13 majors and counting.


he has the highest winning percentage in the open era. so he makes it work anyway.


even jim courier said some of the same things that we say here.


he leads in many return stats but those stats conceal something too. he has lost some matches his year for example. in those matches there was 4 things that were very obvious:


**stats are averages as you know so what is concealed is that he has not been able to count on his return and his backhand wing in the clutch in those matches that he lost. his backhand was really off and his return was weak against ferru at monte carlo for example. same thing happened against almagro the following week in Barcelona.

**when you are not confident enough with your backhand, it throws off the rest of the game. remember that he is a baseliner so both wings have to be strong and efficient and consistent. you cant play the match with a forehand alone from your backhand corner.

1. backhand was sub par
2. return of serve in general was sub par but even more so off the backhand wing
3. court coverage was sub par. he gives up too much court

4. his fitness has taken a hit




at any rate some of these problems will go away if he can bag another RG crown. he will regain his confidence again.


and for the long run, he just has to work a little harder.

good news is that he has been improving with each week now. he is also looking far more focused. he is finding his rhythm off the ground and the backhand is looking more effective and efficient.

I see an intense and business like look on his face in the matches.

he had this look at the last u.s. open also. so its all good.


he needs a good workout against ferru so this match is just what the doctor ordered. it will do him good.

he has to win it and he will.

it is not just my opinion. general masterclass also sees the same thing I see.

even rafa says it himself. he said he doesn't like to hit too many backhands.



you can just watch him in a match or in practice. its a habit that he has developed.

it only takes him a second to start favoring the forehand.



not much can be done at this point. he has 13 majors and counting.


he has the highest winning percentage in the open era. so he makes it work anyway.


even jim courier said some of the same things that we say here.


he leads in many return stats but those stats conceal something too. he has lost some matches his year for example. in those matches there was 4 things that were very obvious:


**stats are averages as you know so what is concealed is that he has not been able to count on his return and his backhand wing in the clutch in those matches that he lost. his backhand was really off and his return was weak against ferru at monte carlo for example. same thing happened against almagro the following week in Barcelona.

**when you are not confident enough with your backhand, it throws off the rest of the game. remember that he is a baseliner so both wings have to be strong and efficient and consistent. you cant play the match with a forehand alone from your backhand corner.

1. backhand was sub par
2. return of serve in general was sub par but even more so off the backhand wing
3. court coverage was sub par. he gives up too much court

4. his fitness has taken a hit




at any rate some of these problems will go away if he can bag another RG crown. he will regain his confidence again.


and for the long run, he just has to work a little harder.

good news is that he has been improving with each week now. he is also looking far more focused. he is finding his rhythm off the ground and the backhand is looking more effective and efficient.

I see an intense and business like look on his face in the matches.

he had this look at the last u.s. open also. so its all good.


he needs a good workout against ferru so this match is just what the doctor ordered. it will do him good.

he has to win it and he will.

All true, and I hope you're right about the last statement. Winning RG.

2014 RG final highlights:

Awesome. I was still able to view it, and I still can't get enough of watching their winners. So strategic and masterful, the two of them.

Rafa's clay statue by Nike:

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2014-06-10/16025.php

great post. I agree.




also the French have been pretty brutal to Rafa over the years. now he will own the French forever and ever.

his statues will be all over paris one day as they will use that ploy to lure even more tourists to france.


one day Rafa will have 11 RG crowns. French will surely learn their lesson by then if they have not already.

French davis cup coaches have trashed rafa for years saying things like he is too muscular for tennis and stuff. they said he gives tennis a bad name.

Olympic glory for Rafa and for Spain:


how can we ever forget:



http://www.olympic.org/rafael-nadal