Author Topic: The Truth's Rant And Rave Show: Now In Progress (Read 66074 times)

Clay Death · « **Reply #3225 on:** January 19, 2016, 03:33:45 am »

Quote from: masterclass on January 19, 2016, 03:17:30 am

You said it General.

I still have hope for #10 at RG this year. But he has to abandon hard court play. He's changed his game too much to try and produce on hard courts, and now I think it has confused him. He doesn't seem to know whether to play up near the baseline or back a few meters. In that last set his forehands were not making it to the service line, just inviting Verdasco to bash away.

I'm going to be even more drastic. Forget Hard courts for the next 6-7 months. Rafa should skip Indian Wells and Miami. I know he likes going to IW to stay with his buddy Larry Ellison, and play golf, but clay is the only solution to get his game solid again.

Play as much as he can in South America, Quito or Buenos Aires, then Rio and avenge the loss against Fognini - another player Rafa used to own.

Skip IW and Miami. Get more miles on clay in practice and work on fitness. Come back fresh in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome and be ready for Roland Garros.

Hard court play is just useless now for him.

And yes, exhos were unnecessary, even if he made a million a match. He has all the money he needs. What he doesn't have are the physical tools.

Even the commentators noticed today how big Rafa's shorts looked on his legs and said he's lost a lot of muscle mass from his legs.

Respectfully,
masterclass

he has lost significant muscle mass general.

his fitness and his supreme physicality is a huge part of his game. I can assure you that it is not rocket science. but some people at other boards are so confused.

I played a similar game. it was a heavy topspin game. I rode bikes for 100 miles at a time and I often went on runs of 10 mile of longer after practicing for 6 hours.

in fact I never hit the practice courts without hitting against a wall for 2 hours first. I even lifted weights as I was driving out on the road. I kept 20 pound dumbbells handy in my car.

you know about vilas and muster. immense physicality and massive fitness. and what about borg.

rafa simply refuses to put in the work: both on the practice courts and on the fitness front.

he is not confused general. he just doesn't care to win anymore.

there is nothing we can do about it. Agassi warned about this nearly 6 years ago and I warned against this even longer.

this was going to happen. now it is just too tall of a mountain to climb even on clay.

he has one chance left and it will come in 2017. he has to get back to his roots and try to make something happen on clay in 2017.

he does not have the fitness and the physicality to win in 2016. you cant develop that overnight. it will take 9 months of very hard work.

he just does not have any fire in his belly. the relentless will to win is gone. I don't know how you get around that.

Clay Death · « **Reply #3226 on:** January 19, 2016, 03:40:58 am »

he is going to indian wells to hang out with larry Allison of oracle and to play golf. he knows he cant win anything there.

and the appearance money is good too.

he is also going to indian wells. he needs to skip Miami but he wont. he already said that he is going to Miami.

so the losses will just continue to mount.

I am so damn heart broken. only thing that can happen with this diminished fitness is an injury which may end his career rather quickly this time.

Clay Death · « **Reply #3227 on:** January 19, 2016, 03:41:44 am »

going to get some sleep.

talk tomorrow.

masterclass · « **Reply #3228 on:** January 19, 2016, 03:52:19 am »

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

masterclass · « **Reply #3229 on:** January 19, 2016, 03:53:58 am »

Quote from: Clay Death on January 19, 2016, 03:41:44 am

going to get some sleep.

talk tomorrow.

Ok General. Get some rest. The season just started. Still plenty of time to right the ship.

By the way, I hope everyone is healthy in your neck of the woods.

Respectfully,
masterclass

Clay Death · « **Reply #3230 on:** January 19, 2016, 10:55:31 am »

Quote from: masterclass on January 19, 2016, 03:52:19 am

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.

Clay Death · « **Reply #3231 on:** January 20, 2016, 12:44:14 am »

folks we have 214 members.

we added more today. our goal is 700+.

tennis is in our blood and it will be that way for ever but we had to reinvent Camelot to keep it growing.

our new vision for Camelot is to make it a learning center and a resource center.

there are no requirements at Camelot. Our people at Camelot are as free as the wind. they all have their own kingdoms here.

it gives them a sense of belonging and they do belong here.

our guests will come here to see, learn, share, and inspire if they have the time or when the time permits.

today we share our Camelot with the world. our gates are open to everyone.

only people not allowed here are those ate up with bitter and endless hate for Rafa and Roger.

we will also not tolerate anyone wishing to harm Camelot or any of our Camelot family.

EquineAnn · « **Reply #3232 on:** January 20, 2016, 05:11:32 am »

That's great, Clay. So, the only people not allowed in are people with hatred for anything other than cruelty of any kind. Cruelty of any kind cannot be condoned. I can't promise not to hate myself when I feel frustrated & angry with myself for some reason or other.

Clay Death · « **Reply #3233 on:** January 20, 2016, 08:50:31 am »

good morning Ann.

we all come from various other tennis forums where some top players were blindly hated endlessly.

we just don't want those kind of people here.

there were some forums out there that even allowed members to wish death and injury to top players.

such is the nature of reckless blind hate. we don't need it here.

EquineAnn · « **Reply #3234 on:** January 20, 2016, 03:50:24 pm »

Hello Clay! I agree with you. It's better when everyone gets on well with each other & solves problems by discussing them like civilised human beings. There is no need for hatred towards tennis players or indeed anyone unless they've been cruel to other people or animals. They do the job they chose to do. Some of them may have lost some of their zest for the game so aren't playing the best they can but that doesn't condone hatred or abuse. I don't know much about tennis but there is a lot more on here than that so can choose to look at other parts or indeed I've got my horse & book sections & indeed my poetry thread. I guess with you making this forum an educational tool you'll want to see my piece on Charlotte Bronte when I write it. I'm finishing off putting more information in my what if? piece but it's getting depressing so I'm giving myself a bit of a break.

thetruth · « **Reply #3235 on:** January 20, 2016, 09:14:42 pm »

Sorry Rafa lost, but I guess it was in the cards. I still have high hopes for him for the rest of this year. It's always a pleasure to watch him play. At least I can watch the Oz without emotion. I have a feeling that Andy will leave due to the baby, but he would be my next pick, then Berdych. Other than that just watching when I can.

Clay Death · « **Reply #3236 on:** January 21, 2016, 12:38:31 am »

I rather just remember him as the game's greatest gladiator he once was.

I cant bear to watch him at all. I cant even bear to watch the highlights.

he keeps showing up horribly unprepared.

he even gave us all a fair warning. he said a couple of months ago that he wont be prepared.

he just doesn't care to win anymore. not much we can do about it lady TT.

the game has not progressed that much. all these players are not much better than him

they just look like all world now. how the hell do you allow verdasco to hit nearly 100 winners on you.

and how does he make 91 unforced errors and still win the match against a guy who has owned him all his life on all surfaces.

also verdasco is not exactly young either. he is not all that fit either.

he is just fitter than rafa as many of the players are.

rafa is going to have to find the fire in his belly again and go after these guys.

he was born to be a gladiator. how about one last charge Rafa. go get fit and then go after them.

tony said earlier that the game has passed rafa by. what horse crap.

we are not buying it.

Clay Death · « **Reply #3237 on:** January 21, 2016, 12:41:12 am »

rafa can change his stars. he is the only one who can come back from this decline.

but it will take a lot of sacrifice.

thetruth · « **Reply #3238 on:** January 21, 2016, 01:30:44 am »

Quote from: Clay Death on January 21, 2016, 12:38:31 am

I rather just remember him as the game's greatest gladiator he once was.

I cant bear to watch him at all. I cant even bear to watch the highlights.

he keeps showing up horribly unprepared.

he even gave us all a fair warning. he said a couple of months ago that he wont be prepared.

he just doesn't care to win anymore. not much we can do about it lady TT.

the game has not progressed that much. all these players are not much better than him

they just look like all world now. how the hell do you allow verdasco to hit nearly 100 winners on you.

and how does he make 91 unforced errors and still win the match against a guy who has owned him all his life on all surfaces.

also verdasco is not exactly young either. he is not all that fit either.

he is just fitter than rafa as many of the players are.

rafa is going to have to find the fire in his belly again and go after these guys.

he was born to be a gladiator. how about one last charge Rafa. go get fit and then go after them.

tony said earlier that the game has passed rafa by. what horse crap.

we are not buying it.

I'm standing behind Rafa. This is a process. I believe that he'll be back. I still see him competing for majors (plural). Many experts agree with me.

thetruth · « **Reply #3239 on:** January 21, 2016, 05:40:34 am »

Just watched Lleyton's farewell and my eyes misted up. I can't imagine how I'll take Rafa's farewell. He's given me so many moments that I will cherish forever. Rafa is more than a tennis player to me. He's an inspiration of how to be a champion. He lets us in and doesn't pretend to be unaffected. I love that about him. I also love how complimentary he is to other players and gives everyone their due. All I wish for him is just a fraction of what he's given me. I love Rafa.

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Author Topic: The Truth's Rant And Rave Show: Now In Progress (Read 66074 times)

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masterclass

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Clay Death

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Clay Death

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