CAMELOT FANTASIES

Well general, I'm not sure if anything will happen in Hamburg.  We'll see.

But it looks like the practice Monaco had with Rafa was not enough for Juan. 

In his first match in Bastad, Juan lost 4-6, 2-6 against the promising 18 year old German, Alexander Zverev.

In the interview he said his wrist was ok again, but I don't know if he got enough work when he practiced with Rafa.

In the interview, Monaco actually said what they did every day.  Wake up early. Breakfast.  Start practice at 9 am. Finish practice about 12 noon. Go to the gym for a little rehab and then from 2-2:30 on the rest of the day, have a good time doing whatever, being with friends, boating, swimming, playing cards, etc.

So 3 hours on the court/day, general.  And Monaco exited in his first match.  So I don't know if that is going to get it done. 

Heck general, I spend 3-4 hours on the court/day when I'm at my Mom's, and I'm not a pro. 
And then yesterday we saw Rafa bent over trying to catch his breath in that hit with Uncle Toni.  His footwork also looked like he was dragging his feet a lot, look how dirty his socks are, and he looked a bit lethargic.  But we are only seeing bits and pieces in these videos, so who knows really.

Maybe Rafa will have better luck in Hamburg.   But I remember the guys like Muster and Borg and Vilas would be practicing for 6 hours or more per day when they were coming off a break and getting ready for a tournament.  They would hit in the morning take a break for lunch and then be back out there in the afternoon.  But maybe things are different these days.  Less time in the court, more time in the gym.

I think I understand more why Rafa needs 2-3 matches at the start of the tournament before he can be near his best.  His practices aren't enough. They don't give him the timing and fitness he needs with his big topspin game.  So his first 2-3 matches, he's trying to get that, and hopefully win against the lesser players in the early rounds.  But if he gets a guy on fire in an early round, he isn't ready and can be beaten.  But additionally, he just doesn't seem to have the fitness to go hard for 3 sets.  It looks like he needs more work for his wind, and cardio.  I don't think he's going to get that boating and diving with his friends.  But maybe he would rather do that these days.  He has done enough on court the past 10 years and wants to do other things in his life.

Pointing the finger in fun


Pointing the finger at Djokovic falling on the net, winning Roland Garros


Respectfully,
masterclass