CAMELOT FANTASIES

It's going to be tough for sure, General hercules. 

Rafa will be 30 this year.  Not many players in history have won Roland Garros after 30.

Only two in fact.  The ageless Ken Rosewall back in 1968 at 33 years old, when tennis was going from amateur to Open era.  And Gimeno at almost 35 back in 1972 against a rather weak field.  Laver did it in 1969 at 30.

We know why.  It takes top fitness and strength to win 7 matches on clay.

The window is closing.

We saw it coming.  Well, what can you say?  Rafa seemed happier at times playing golf, poker, and fishing.  He had done so much in the sport, and maybe all the years of investment in fitness, injuries, etc, finally took their toll and he needed to relax a bit.  He's only one man, and he was fighting on many fronts. 

I also think Uncle Toni is taking a lot of heat unnecessarily.  There is nothing he can do on the court. It's up to Rafa. 

Yes, Rafa has done a lot, 14 majors and all those masters, more than enough. 
Still, my wish is that he can get fit enough to win one more RG and go out on a high note.

Respectfully,
masterclass

great post. trend is your friend. we spotted the trends and what those trends would lead to long ago at Camelot and at tennis4you.

trends became a little too clear the last 3 years.