Ferru destroyed Fog as we knew he would.
Rafa is losing because of his significantly diminished fitness and some loss in focus.
he has to re-focus and rededicate himself to the sport. he has no business losing to these no names on clay.
he took on too many interests and is simply too big and too rich and too famous.
he also cant shake the hard courts. he has to start practicing and playing more on clay.
ferru is 1/2 the man rafa is and is also nearly 10 years older. he is winning because of his fitness and tremendous dedication to the sport.
right now I am really worried about Rafa. his practice sessions are the same where he avoids hitting backhands and just hits forehands from about a mile back.
he does not practice his return of serve. and the practice sessions are a lot shorter in duration.
nole is already on record for saying that he is going to make sure that Rafa does not win the French open.
for the first time in my life I am not sure what is going to happen at the French open.
rafa has to find a way to win monte carlo and beat nole in the final there.
and he has to win Barcelona and rome masters.
and then we know he is going to take RG.
What's new? At some point it may come true, but personally, I'm sick of Novak saying that every year. Do it, then.
It amazes me why people don't get on the court and let their racket do the talking. I'm not a fan of that type of behavior, because when you don't do it, you look like a fool. And even worse, when you don't learn from it, you like an even bigger fool.
Hopefully, (and I'm sure) Rafa is working hard and will be ready when the time comes, he uses Novak's words to motivate himself.
nole is overplaying his hand again.
he is seeing injured rafa and taking the opportunity to run his mouth.
I agree. It's like Nike says, "Just Do It" and quit selling wolf tickets.
He's a great player, but I'm not a fan of his mouth or his actions (especially his timing).
he (nole) is working hard to take advantage of his opportunities. he did say he was going to outwork everybody and he is so that is commendable.
but he also is a little bit lucky at the moment as the coast is clear for him right now:
rafa has too many injuries and they keep setting him back
roger is getting old
andy is having trouble getting going
berdy is not consistent enough for nole. berdy also does not have the optimal movement for top flight tennis at the very top.
the coast is clear for nole so he is starting to run his mouth. I am not happy with that.
he is also not as respectful to rafa as he used to be. for about 3-4 years running now he has been dogging Rafa and it is not cool.