CAMELOT FANTASIES

Didn't want to leave a pic of Djokovic as the last thing in Lady TT's thread... I know she is not a big fan.

So here is an article yesterday from Sky Sports, Barry Cowan:

Rafael Nadal has lost his fear factor as next generation make their mark

Personally, I wouldn't be worried about young Thiem, after all, youngsters are supposed to challenge the older players eventually and push them out.
What is more worrying is that someone like Cuevas from Rafa's generation and others even older are having success against Rafa. 
Pablo Cuevas is 6 months older than Rafa born on New Year's day 1986.
Cuevas has undoubtedly worked hard on his fitness.  He finished off Rafa late at night while Pella was resting, and came back the next day and snatched the title in 3 sets.

The whole world of tennis reporting thinks that Rafa is having a crisis in confidence, and losing his nerve, but for me it all stems from two things:

1. Greater Dedication/Motivation needed to:
2. Work harder on his fitness and game

When you have the fire inside to work harder, success and results follow, and that builds confidence.
For me, we haven't seen that fire from Rafa since losing the Australian Open final in 2014. 
Actually it began earlier, in 2011 when he said he lost his passion for the game, but he was able to take a long break and restored the passion for awhile in 2013.

Yes, he won Roland Garros in 2014, and 4 other lesser titles since then, but 2014 RG was mostly won on inertia, and other players fear of Rafa on clay.
So Cowan makes a good point; other players do not fear Rafa anymore.  Why?

These players are on the court and in the locker room with Rafa and can see and feel close up what we here at Camelot have been seeing for the past few years.
Sadly, but inevitably I suppose, he is a shadow of his former self.  It happens to all players eventually, great and small. 
The great topspin players don't last as long; it's a brutal way to play tennis and the body and mind have to be extremely dedicated to play that game.

I just wanted to add that all should still respect what Rafa has done in the game. 
He is still #5 in the world even with these problems, perhaps due to the aging of the tour combined with the youngsters not coming up to speed fast enough.
Some forums have lots of people laughing and enjoying Nadal's decline. 
This is not respect and quite sad for one of the greatest players the tennis world has ever seen, and frankly idiotic, since it will happen to their favorites eventually. 
NO human is immune to Father Time.

Respectfully,
masterclass