Australian Open 2011

[wr8_utd]

Bloody hell, where did that come from? I had to feckin' work so I didn't see it. Was Nadal badly injured? Murray will never have a better chance to win one. On this surface he can beat any of the players left in it.

No one knows. It was fine for the first 3 games with it going on serve and then out of the blue he goes for a medical time out and just never looked like winning today. He had been broken 2 times all tournament before today and was broken 7 times today.

Should take nothing away from Ferrer though, he was fantastic and deserves to be in the semis. He's yet to lose a match in 2011. Murray will beat him in 4 sets imo.

News reaching us that Nadal injured his left thigh during game two of the first set. It sounds like a fresh injury, and seems his medical time-out at the end of that mammoth game was actually to receive strapping for the problem. More as and when we get it.

 

[bazalini]

Murray will definitely beat Ferrer. I'm praying Novak beats Fed becaue a Novak Murray final could be absolutely fantastic unlike Fed Murray which will unfortunately be a straight sets victory for Fed.

Wouldn't be too confident of Murray beating Ferrer. Will not be much in it. I've seen Murray come up against Ferrer and mUrray in great form and Ferrer pissing all over him.

Murray would need to be playing at his best

 

[wr8_utd]

Wouldn't be too confident of Murray beating Ferrer. Will not be much in it. I've seen Murray come up against Ferrer and mUrray in great form and Ferrer pissing all over him.

Murray would need to be playing at his best

Well Ferrer leads the head to head 3-2 but on hard courts Murray's won both meetings. Ferrer might be in good form but Murray's different class on these hard courts. It might not be easy but he'll come through.

The Fed Djokovic match can be a classic.

 

[Raees]

Damn woke up to the news Nadal is out, wasn't expecting that one.. anyway watched the Murray match and some worryingly familiar problems were present, i.e. tensing up against an exhuberant attacking player who goes for his shots. Murrays serve went in periods and that backhand collapsed on easy to perform shots instead of being executed with serious conviction.

If he faces Federer in the final, I worry that he's not going to bring his A game once again, its just a mental issue now for me.. he's shown enough during this tournement that physically his shot-making has gone up a notch.

 

[Enigma_87]

If anyone, it's you who's getting really tedious now. He's going for 4 in a Row. If he started getting treatment when he was a set or 2 down or losing the set then I could understand a "tactical" medical time out but within the first 3 games? I'm sure if he was playing against anyone but Ferrer he would have retired. Ferrer is his friend and he din't want to take anything away from Ferrer's win by retiring.

"It's not easy because Rafa is a gentleman and he played with an injury as we are friendly," says Ferrer. "I fought a lot but for him with injury it was not easy. I did my game, played every serve, tried to go to the net. It's not normal that you win against Rafael in three sets - it's a victory for me but not really a victory. It wasn't easy for me because I could see Rafael could not run. But I just focused on me and my game. I'm very happy with this two weeks, it's amazing. I will try to do my best in the semi-finals, I will do my best."

You really should join the 606 Forum. It's full of Fed fans like you who have no other work in life other than whining and bitching about Nadal 24x7x365

Does Nadal lose a match without calling a trainer or being injured? It's not something new or like it didn't happen.

Today - again injured, medical timeout. Against Murray last year - retired, injured. Against Delpo - injured, against Soderling - injured. Am I missing something?

When was the last time Federer called for a trainer in a grand slam, since he had back problems in -09 AO, mono in 08, back problems against Berdych last year again..

How many times Sampras or Agassi retired and called for a trainer in slams?

 

[Enigma_87]

Back on the draw.

Murray will get past Ferrer. He's playing well at the moment and having a bigger serve will prevail eventually. I don't see him beating Federer or Djokovic however.

On the other side of the draw it's really a tossup. Maybe a 5 setter. Depends on who converts his chances.

Federer won the last 3 meetings, losing 1 set, but Djokovic so far has looked much better and beat him the last time they met in a slam.

 

[wr8_utd]

Does Nadal lose a match without calling a trainer or being injured? It's not something new or like it didn't happen.

Today - again injured, medical timeout. Against Murray last year - retired, injured. Against Delpo - injured, against Soderling - injured. Am I missing something?

When was the last time Federer called for a trainer in a grand slam, since he had back problems in -09 AO, mono in 08, back problems against Berdych last year again..

How many times Sampras or Agassi retired and called for a trainer in slams?

Common sense. You just hate Nadal so much your blinded by it and talk nonsense.

So if anyone calls a trainer their a cheat? Your a joke

Federer has kept his body in far far better shape than Nadal has, that's common knowledge. It does not take a genius to figure out that Nadal would require more MTO's considering his style of play. The reason Nadal will never get to Fed's number of Slams is precisely this. His all action, bustling game will not win him another 7 Slams.

And stop whining about the past. Why on EARTH would he go get his thigh strapped in the THIRD GAME of the FIRST SET? Or did Nostradamus whisper in his dreams last night that he's going to lose to Ferrer (who he has a 12-3 record against) and he should fake injury to make it look like that's the reason he lost? If he had taken his MTO in the 2nd set or even when he was losing in the first set I could understand your point but when he's just broken Ferrer back and has a little bit of momentum built up is not a time for him to go take a MTO. Anyway please do reply, I want to see what more nonsense you can come up. And honestly join up the 606 Forum. You'll LOVE it. They'll probably make you Chief Rafa basher there.

 

[wr8_utd]

Back on the draw.

Murray will get past Ferrer. He's playing well at the moment and having a bigger serve will prevail eventually. I don't see him beating Federer or Djokovic however.

On the other side of the draw it's really a tossup. Maybe a 5 setter. Depends on who converts his chances.

Federer won the last 3 meetings, losing 1 set, but Djokovic so far has looked much better and beat him the last time they met in a slam.

Murray could beat Djokovic but won't beat Fed.

Anyway I'm hoping Novak wins this. I'd said after the USO final that Novak deserves a Slam and had backed him for the Aussie Open. I hope he can do it.

 

[wr8_utd]

Oh and Enigma, as for blaming defeats on injuries, your Federer is pretty darn good at it as well so get off that high horse.

 

[Enigma_87]

Common sense. You just hate Nadal so much your blinded by it and talk nonsense.

So if anyone calls a trainer their a cheat? Your a joke

Federer has kept his body in far far better shape than Nadal has, that's common knowledge. It does not take a genius to figure out that Nadal would require more MTO's considering his style of play. The reason Nadal will never get to Fed's number of Slams is precisely this. His all action, bustling game will not win him another 7 Slams.

And stop whining about the past. Why on EARTH would he go get his thigh strapped in the THIRD GAME of the FIRST SET? Or did Nostradamus whisper in his dreams last night that he's going to lose to Ferrer (who he has a 12-3 record against) and he should fake injury to make it look like that's the reason he lost? If he had taken his MTO in the 2nd set or even when he was losing in the first set I could understand your point but when he's just broken Ferrer back and has a little bit of momentum built up is not a time for him to go take a MTO. Anyway please do reply, I want to see what more nonsense you can come up. And honestly join up the 606 Forum. You'll LOVE it. They'll probably make you Chief Rafa basher there.

I didn't call him a cheat, did I?

It's just the same old story with Nadal. Never finishing a match(which he loses) without a trainer or retirement..

 

[wr8_utd]

I didn't call him a cheat, did I?

It's just the same old story with Nadal. Never finishing a match(which he loses) without a trainer or retirement..

That's what your implying.

And never loses without a retirement? He played on the entire match out of respect for Ferrer. 2 years back in the final of Rotterdam he could not move around but he did not retire even though he lost the final set 6-0 to Murray.

And you din't really reply to anything I asked so basically you know your talking shite as usual.

 

[Zen]

That's what your implying.

Not he's not. Faking an injury to lose isn't cheating, it'd be corruption if anything..

 

[wr8_utd]

Not he's not. Faking an injury to lose isn't cheating, it'd be corruption if anything..

He's implying and has (many many times on this forum) that Nadal "cheats" by taking his MTO's.

 

[Raees]

Oh and Enigma, as for blaming defeats on injuries, your Federer is pretty darn good at it as well so get off that high horse.

Exactly I mean Fed would always cite something post match, but to be fair to him he just rarely gets injured in general.

I didn't call him a cheat, did I?

It's just the same old story with Nadal. Never finishing a match(which he loses) without a trainer or retirement..

Well maybe you're right to make an accusation like this under usual circumstances, but the chance to win a grand slam (4 in a row) is a once in a lifetime oppurtunity and I doubt Rafa had anything on his mind apart from wanting to put his body on the line and doing whatever it took to win it, he's looked very ill in past few matches, sweating profusely and looking abnormally slim by his standards.

 

[Enigma_87]

He's implying and has (many many times on this forum) that Nadal "cheats" by taking his MTO's.

No I'm not implying this? Where did you see that?

We're not talking about old matches, but for today.

Nadal has a history of taking MTO's, retiring and the likes. None of the great champions in his league did that.

Nadal has been accused and warned by empires multiple times for cheating (on court coaching) and the "" are a bit redundant.

If you're fit to play there are no excuses. But seems with Nadal that's never the case.

Well maybe you're right to make an accusation like this under usual circumstances, but the chance to win a grand slam (4 in a row) is a once in a lifetime oppurtunity and I doubt Rafa had anything on his mind apart from wanting to put his body on the line and doing whatever it took to win it, he's looked very ill in past few matches, sweating profusely and looking abnormally slim by his standards.

I don't think the trainer would do anything to help Nadal if he has a serious injury.

If he has problems that he couldn't solve it's either giving his opponent a walkover or express his concerns AFTER the match. Not to give signals after 3 games played.

 

[wr8_utd]

Exactly I mean Fed would always cite something post match, but to be fair to him he just rarely gets injured in general.
Well maybe you're right to make an accusation like this under usual circumstances, but the chance to win a grand slam (4 in a row) is a once in a lifetime oppurtunity and I doubt Rafa had anything on his mind apart from wanting to put his body on the line and doing whatever it took to win it, he's looked very ill in past few matches, sweating profusely and looking abnormally slim by his standards.

Exactly and today it was pretty obvious his movement was not all that great after those first three games. He was letting shots go past him which he would always chase down.

Also his serve seemed very weak today. Been broken twice in 10 days and gets broken 7 times today.

 

[wr8_utd]

Nadal has a history of taking MTO's, retiring and the likes. None of the great champions in his league did that.

So none of the "great" champions took MTO's. So? And where does Nadal have a "history" of retiring? He could have retired today but he played on, he could have vs Murray in ROtterdam where he could barely move and couldn't serve and yet completed the entire final set losing 6-0.

Nadal has been accused and warned by empires multiple times for cheating (on court coaching) and the "" are a bit redundant.
I don't think the trainer would do anything to help Nadal if he has a serious injury.

Do you ever EVER watch tennis? Absolutely every player gets on court coaching in some form or the other. Every single player looks at his coach before deciding if he should Challenge a call or not. So why single him out? You've got serious serious issues.

And you don't think a trainer would do nothing so he should not get treatment after tweaking a muscle? Your a genius.

If he has problems that he couldn't solve it's either giving his opponent a walkover or express his concerns AFTER the match. Not to give signals after 3 games played

Are you just normally this dense or are you trying to be so here? What difference does it make WHEN he gives a signal to the chair? You think no one can get injured at the start of a match?! Have you ever watched any sport?! He had no reason to "fake" injury 3 games in after he had just broken.

 

[wr8_utd]

If he has problems that he couldn't solve it's either giving his opponent a walkover or express his concerns AFTER the match. Not to give signals after 3 games played.

''I can't say nothing about the injury. Seriously, I would prefer I don't talk a lot about the injury … tonight I don't know nothing and, second, respect to the winner and a friend,'' Nadal said. ''It's obvious I didn't feel at my best, I had a problem in the match in the beginning and after that the match was almost over and that's all I can say.

''It seems I always have problems when I lose and I don't like to have this image.''

Nadal, who was forced to retire last year, said he did not want to forfeit because of that experience and because of his respect for Ferrer. ''I hate the retirements. So it was not the day to go out, I did last year, I hated that moment, I didn't want to repeat that,'' he said.

 

[Enigma_87]

So none of the "great" champions took MTO's. So? And where does Nadal have a "history" of retiring? He could have retired today but he played on, he could have vs Murray in ROtterdam where he could barely move and couldn't serve and yet completed the entire final set losing 6-0.

He has retired against Murray, Monaco,Davydenko, Guccione, Hewitt, Hrbaty since he break on the scene.
Every slam he takes MTO's. Although he should be one, if not the, fittest guys on tour. Look at his five set record.

Do you ever EVER watch tennis? Absolutely every player gets on court coaching in some form or the other. Every single player looks at his coach before deciding if he should Challenge a call or not. So why single him out? You've got serious serious issues.

Well unlike you I even play tennis. Every player get on court couching? Really?

Who's singling him out? How many times he has been called out by empires? I seem to think your head is so deep in his ass you can't see anything wrong done by your beloved Rafa.

And you don't think a trainer would do nothing so he should not get treatment after tweaking a muscle? Your a genius.

So after every muscle tweaking the trainer should be called? Do you play tennis?

Are you just normally this dense or are you trying to be so here? What difference does it make WHEN he gives a signal to the chair? You think no one can get injured at the start of a match?! Have you ever watched any sport?! He had no reason to "fake" injury 3 games in after he had just broken.

Where have I said he has faked the injury? I can see you have some issues with the comprehension skills?

 

[Enigma_87]

''I can't say nothing about the injury. Seriously, I would prefer I don't talk a lot about the injury … tonight I don't know nothing and, second, respect to the winner and a friend,'' Nadal said. ''It's obvious I didn't feel at my best, I had a problem in the match in the beginning and after that the match was almost over and that's all I can say.

''It seems I always have problems when I lose and I don't like to have this image.''

Nadal, who was forced to retire last year, said he did not want to forfeit because of that experience and because of his respect for Ferrer. ''I hate the retirements. So it was not the day to go out, I did last year, I hated that moment, I didn't want to repeat that,'' he said.

Oh boy. Do you know the difference between walkover and retirement?

 

[wr8_utd]

He has retired against Murray, Monaco,Davydenko, Guccione, Hewitt, Hrbaty since he break on the scene.
Every slam he takes MTO's. Although he should be one, if not the, fittest guys on tour. Look at his five set record.

6 retirements in 9 years. OMGZZ!??!!!!

He might be the fittest guy but considering the way he plays the game it is absolutely no surprise he suffers from so many injuries. Did you see what happened to Hewitt? He was a similar player in style to Nadal and look at him. Perpetually injured. If Nadal had a game like Fed's I would not expect him to take MTO's but when you have a game as physical as Nadal's I think it's very very obvious you'll have more injuries.

Australian Open just seems to give more problems than most.

Well unlike you I even play tennis. Every player get on court couching? Really?

Who's singling him out? How many times he has been called out by empires? I seem to think your head is so deep in his ass you can't see anything wrong done by your beloved Rafa.

Yes you are singling him out because you only ever come on to this forum and whine about him using on court coaching. Today Ferrer looked at his coach to ask him if he should challenge a call atleast 3 times. Every single player does it. I don't know what your issue is really.

So after every muscle tweaking the trainer should be called? Do you play tennis?

He had a hamstring strain. His thigh was heavily strapped after the third game. Just explain to me, why would Nadal use a strategic MTO in the third game of the first set after he had just broken and had momentum? I've asked you this 4 times now and not once have you replied.

Where have I said he has faked the injury? I can see you have some issues with the comprehension skills?

Well it's very obvious from what your saying that he's just blaming defeat on injury.

 

[wr8_utd]

Oh boy. Do you know the difference between walkover and retirement?

He got injured DURING the game. You expect him to give a walkover before the match has even started?!

 

[Enigma_87]

He got injured DURING the game. You expect him to give a walkover before the match has even started?!

I don't think you are following the discussion. First of all the walkover quote wasn't directed to you.

Secondly Nadal has history of retirements that only Djokovic can match. He has been booed off court when he was getting beaten soundly by Davy in Paris. But maybe you didn't watch that match?

Thirdly, how conveniently of you to disregard the latter part of the interview

Q. What was the problem, though?

RAFAEL NADAL: You are listening me? I can't tell you which problem I have. First thing, because I don't know. That's my answer.

Odd that. After Cilic's match he said he was feeling physically perfect. Now he doesn't know what problem he has.

Name me one slam Nadal hasn't called a MTO or retired in the past 4-5 years, bar the FO.

 

[Zen]

Nadals a joke tbh. He's a quitter inside.

 

[wr8_utd]

I don't think you are following the discussion. First of all the walkover quote wasn't directed to you.

Secondly Nadal has history of retirements that only Djokovic can match. He has been booed off court when he was getting beaten soundly by Davy in Paris. But maybe you didn't watch that match?

Thirdly, how conveniently of you to disregard the latter part of the interview

How is his retirement record in anyway related to you wanting him to give a walkover?

And yes I watched the Davy match and it's the French crowd. No one really cares what they think eh? They even booed Nadal during his FO match against Sod. They just seem to have gotten tired of him winning too much. A bit like you.

And honestly what's your problem with retirements? If a player is injured he's injured. He's not going to play and aggravate injury.

And you were talking about the "greats" never retiring.

Well Agassi retired 11 times. Connors retired 14 times.

And as for your rather retarded comment on Nadal retiring at Paris vs Davydenko, you do realize that he did not play Tennis again that year? He missed the Year ending Masters Series as well as the Davis Cup final vs Argentina.

 

[wr8_utd]

Odd that. After Cilic's match he said he was feeling physically perfect. Now he doesn't know what problem he has.

Name me one slam Nadal hasn't called a MTO or retired in the past 4-5 years, bar the FO.

Dear God. He was fine at the start. He got injured AFTER the match started!

Nadals a joke tbh. He's a quitter inside.

 

[Zen]

Well tbh, he kinda started making up injury excuses after he lost to Soderling in the French Open too. Dudes just a bitch and makes up excuses for when he loses instead of accepting it like a man.

 

[wr8_utd]

Well tbh, he kinda started making up injury excuses after he lost to Soderling in the French Open too. Dudes just a bitch and makes up excuses for when he loses instead of accepting it like a man.

Yes ofcourse Super Saint Roger Federer has never made excuses about losing.

 

[Enigma_87]

How is his retirement record in anyway related to you wanting him to give a walkover?

And yes I watched the Davy match and it's the French crowd. No one really cares what they think eh? They even booed Nadal during his FO match against Sod. They just seem to have gotten tired of him winning too much. A bit like you.

And honestly what's your problem with retirements? If a player is injured he's injured. He's not going to play and aggravate injury.

And you were talking about the "greats" never retiring.

Well Agassi retired 11 times. Connors retired 14 times.

And as for your rather retarded comment on Nadal retiring at Paris vs Davydenko, you do realize that he did not play Tennis again that year? He missed the Year ending Masters Series as well as the Davis Cup final vs Argentina.

The retirement is related to walkover as Nadal doesn't know whether he is injured or ill.
Shall I paste the quote again or you have no comment on that?

How can Nadal be feeling perfect after 1 match, and then doesn't know if he's ill or not?

Next up - Agassi never retired in a slam. Federer never retired in a slam. Sampras never retired in a slam. Connors retired once in a slam in >22 years. Agassi and Connors had like 20 years careers, and Nadal has number close to theirs(7) at the age of 24.

Again, in how many of the slams since like the last 5 years(outside the FO) Nadal didn't ask for a trainer, MTO or retired?

Go on, name couple?

 

[wr8_utd]

The retirement is related to walkover as Nadal doesn't know whether he is injured or ill.
Shall I paste the quote again or you have no comment on that?

How can Nadal be feeling perfect after 1 match, and then doesn't know if he's ill or not?

Next up - Agassi never retired in a slam. Federer never retired in a slam. Sampras never retired in a slam. Connors retired once in a slam in >22 years. Agassi and Connors had like 20 years careers, and Nadal has number close to theirs(7) at the age of 24.

Again, in how many of the slams since like the last 5 years(outside the FO) Nadal didn't ask for a trainer, MTO or retired?

Go on, name couple?

Are you seriously dumb? He was not injured in the previous game. He felt the thigh in the match today during the first three game

How on earth would he know after his previous match if he would get injured during a match 2 days later?

And seriously what on Earth is the difference whether you retire in a Slam or some other tournament?

And Nadal has retired just ONCE in a Slam btw. ( I don't even know why I'm debating something as stupid as retirements bloody hell)

 

[Enigma_87]

Are you seriously dumb? He was not injured in the previous game. He felt the thigh in the match today during the first three game

How on earth would he know after his previous match if he would get injured during a match 2 days later?

And seriously what on Earth is the difference whether you retire in a Slam or some other tournament? Have you lost it?

And Nadal has retired just ONCE in a Slam btw.

Really you have reading issues. You should be back in 1st grade.

Did you read Nadal's interview or you read it diagonally? What was the injury again?

Q. What was the problem, though?

RAFAEL NADAL: You are listening me? I can't tell you which problem I have. First thing, because I don't know. That's my answer.

Now read it again. Slowly. Try to comprehend it. And then get back to me.

Again. Nadal retired in one slam. At the age of 24. Federer, Agassi, Sampras, retired 0 times during their careers.

Nadal calls for MTO at 90% of the slams. Who of the past greats did that?

 

[Zen]

Yes ofcourse Super Saint Roger Federer has never made excuses about losing.

Who said he hadn't? But is Federer being discussed here?

 

[wr8_utd]

Really you have reading issues. You should be back in 1st grade.

Did you read Nadal's interview or you read it diagonally? What was the injury again?

Now read it again. Slowly. Try to comprehend it. And then get back to me.

So? He says he does not know what the problem was. But he had the problem in the game TODAY. Why else would he call for a MTO 3 games into the first set?

Again. Nadal retired in one slam. At the age of 24. Federer, Agassi, Sampras, retired 0 times during their careers.

Nadal calls for MTO at 90% of the slams. Who of the past greats did that?

Wait. Tell me one thing. What's the big deal about calling a MTO? Maybe the past greats were just FITTER THAN HIM!!! Listening to you it would seem it's a death penalty crime to call for a MTO. He's injured...obviously he's going to ask for a MTO. Hewitt gets injured tons of times and calls for MTO's. Nadal has a well known poor medical history. He's already missed the Australian Open once, Wimbledon once, Davis Cup final twice, end of series Masters once. With the way he play he's obviously going to be injured. What's your problem with that?

Or do you also have problems with footballers receiving treatment on the pitch eh?

 

[wr8_utd]

Who said he hadn't? But is Federer being discussed here?

It's something that he's also done. And since Enigma is a massive Fed fan and thinks he can do no wrong and at the same time says Nadal blames defeat on injury which is exactly what Fed has done tons of times.

 

[Zen]

Federer rarely calls for trainers and shit though -_-

 

[Enigma_87]

So? He says he does not know what the problem was. But he had the problem in the game TODAY. Why else would he call for a MTO 3 games into the first set?

So? Didn't you just say that Nadal lost because he injured himself in the 3rd game? Didn't your entire debacle relied on that? Well guess what, Nadal himself couldn't state the source for his injury, yet you know better than him?

Wait. Tell me one thing. What's the big deal about calling a MTO? Maybe the past greats were just FITTER THAN HIM!!! Listening to you it would seem it's a death penalty crime to call for a MTO. He's injured...obviously he's going to ask for a MTO. Hewitt gets injured tons of times and calls for MTO's. Nadal has a well known poor medical history. He's already missed the Australian Open once, Wimbledon once, Davis Cup final twice, end of series Masters once. With the way he play he's obviously going to be injured. What's your problem with that?

Or do you also have problems with footballers receiving treatment on the pitch eh?

So Nadal is injured in 90% of the slams, is that what you are saying? Cause the slams he had not asked for it are couple.

If you compare it with football, he's like Nani in terms of taking MTO(always on the ground, never know what's actually wrong with him).

The past greats were fitter than Nadal? Nadal whose 5 set record is something like 80%-20%? Interesting statement.

It's something that he's also done. And since Enigma is a massive Fed fan and thinks he can do no wrong and at the same time says Nadal blames defeat on injury which is exactly what Fed has done tons of times.

You dragged Federer into the debate once again, not me.

While we're at it. How many times Federer retired during his career? And how many times he asked for MTO? Or he's never injured, sick and all?

 

[championo]

Steroids sometimes leaves you like that too. Just saying just saying.

 

[Neutral]

WTF is going on in this thread?

 

[wr8_utd]

So? Didn't you just say that Nadal lost because he injured himself in the 3rd game? Didn't your entire debacle relied on that? Well guess what, Nadal himself couldn't state the source for his injury, yet you know better than him?

Good god your going to look very very foolish but once and for all I'll clear this up for you. And next time you pick up stuff from the interview do make sure you put up the whole thing:

Nadal was first asked :

Q. It's going to be difficult for us to write a piece without appreciating how well you could move. It seemed to us you couldn't move as well as you would like to have been moving tonight. Is that a fair statement?

RAFAEL NADAL: You see the match?

Q. Yes.

RAFAEL NADAL: So you are ready to write everything. I don't have to tell you about what I felt on the court because I tried my best all the time. But is obvious that I didn't feel at my best. I had a problem during the match, in the very beginning. After that, the match was almost over. So that's what I can say.

But you know what, for me is difficult come here and speak about. In Doha I wasn't healthy. Today I have another problem. Seems like I always have problems when I lose, and I don't want to have this image, no? I prefer don't talk about that today. If you can respect that, will be a very nice thing for me. Thank you.

So he's admitted here that he had a problem at the start of the match after which which was effectively over. Then AFTER this he says :

Q. What was the problem, though?

RAFAEL NADAL: You are listening me? I can't tell you which problem I have. First thing, because I don't know. That's my answer.

He says he can't tell us which problem he has because he's already made it clear he does NOT want to talk about it and make it look like an excuse. Anyway hope that answers you.

So Nadal is injured in 90% of the slams, is that what you are saying? Cause the slams he had not asked for it are couple.

If you compare it with football, he's like Nani in terms of taking MTO(always on the ground, never know what's actually wrong with him).

The past greats were fitter than Nadal? Nadal whose 5 set record is something like 80%-20%? Interesting statement.

Wow. I'm sorry. MTO's should be outlawed.

Nadal might be the greatest ATHLETE but if you think he does not have injury and fitness issues your deluded. I've already told you about the number of tournaments he's already missed.

And ask anyone and they'll say this, his style of tennis is such that he's going to last many more years BECAUSE he has such a game so it's obvious he'll suffer more injuries. Just like Hewitt.

You dragged Federer into the debate once again, not me.

While we're at it. How many times Federer retired during his career? And how many times he asked for MTO? Or he's never injured, sick and all?

Yeah so Federer is a far fitter athlete who has looked after his body better. Your point being?

 

[wr8_utd]

And as I already said, he was fine before the match. It was only during the match that he had the problem so there is no chance of a "walkover"

Q. The match against Cilic showed you were recovering well. Did you feel anything unusual the last couple days?

RAFAEL NADAL: I felt fantastic the last couple days. I practiced very good yesterday. I had a fantastic warmup today before the match. Only feeling that I can say was very positive. I started the second week, and when the second week started, everything was better and better for me: the health, sweat, the level of tennis. Everything was better and better.