CAMELOT FANTASIES

Rafa defeated himself in a number of ways long  before these players like almagro, verdasco, and even fognini started beating him:

1. He defeated himself with terrible decision making after the end of 2013 u.s. Open.
He could not say no to appearance fees and the chance to get at the number one ranking.

I said at the time that it would cost him big time and it did.

2. Extrapolating from the first point, his body finally hit the wall from the toll it took on all the hard court events after that 2013 u.s. Open.


First came the back injury and then the wrist injury.

He then screwed around and wasted endless time while having appendicitis. He would not bother with surgery and let his weakened condition linger on.

That cost him his proper preparation for the Australian open in 2014. he showed up horribly unprepared.

And was nearly comical and reckless with his practice sessions in Melbourne. He did not take them seriously.


3. So somewhere along the way in days leading up to the Australian open he lost his hunger, drive, and relentless will.
He has not been the same since.


He used the word "fight" quite a lot after getting thrashed at RG.


That is what is different. He does not have the fight anymore.


He also said that he wants to be more or better prepared for 2016 so he can be more competitive.


That is great for the fans and sponsors to hear but that next year needs to start right away.

There is one thing common in all his losses: he refuses to fight. He also loses majority of the long rallies.

He simply won't dig in and dig deep and leave blood out there.


He is not doing it in practice and he is not doing it any of those matches he has lost.

So next year needs to start today if he is ever to be competitive again.