I think Djokovic and Nadal performing in beast mode on every tournament before and after GS's are things of past now they're in their thirties and we'll see even more of their early exits on masters as they get older. I really wouldn't predict their GS performances based on their recent form.
Tennis 2019
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
Another day another average Nadal performance. I can't even blame this on age alone as Nadal was unbelievably good just last year on the surface and also pretty good in his first two matches at Monte Carlo. The dramatic fall in form since has been strange. Conceding 10 games to Struff on clay is not something you'd expect from Rafa here. I don't know if he's not fully fit yet or what it is but he's really got to step up several gears. This isn't even jinxing but if this is the level he's going to keep playing at, it won't be easy vs Thiem tomorrow.
5 games in and Nadal with 4 double faults already 
A break down to Thiem.
A break down to Thiem.Thiem 6-4. That's 4 sets now thst Rafa has dropped in 6 matches on clay
What a good match this is..
Break Thiem, 3-2 in second.
Thiem gets the first break in the 2nd set
If Thiem wins this, I wonder if we'll have a competitive French Open. Nadal not been looking great by his high standards during this clay court season so far.
And Theim gets the break. You can't give away 10 break points in around 6 service games and expect to win vs a guy like Thiem. Like I said earlier, shaping up to be Rafa's worst clay season ever. He's traditionally poor at Madrid so Rome is probably the only chance of a title entering RG.
Another Rafa service game another deuce
Thiems played very well.
Nadal coach said the other day he is very nervous on court.
Nadal coach said the other day he is very nervous on court.
Thiem bottling his service game
Back to deuce
Match point for Thiem
Thiem wins
Great performance by Thiem. French Open will be very very interesting this year
Nadal didn’t play too badly compared to last week.
Thiem played well, but he’s beaten Nadal in the last few years too so no surprise he can beat Nadal in a masters or 500 event.
Like his coaches said Nadal needs to stop playing too passively. He’s got two tournaments before the French to sort it out.
Thiem played well, but he’s beaten Nadal in the last few years too so no surprise he can beat Nadal in a masters or 500 event.
Like his coaches said Nadal needs to stop playing too passively. He’s got two tournaments before the French to sort it out.
He's always passive but this year is at another level. Madrid next up where he struggles a bit with the height and pace so he's got Rome to try fix his form. Even though his level today was decent, he's having an awful clay season by his standards.
You have to stop overreacting, he’s had bad stretchs in recent years and still competitive in the following Slams. If the problem isn’t physical, which is the case, he’ll still be blowing everybody off the court in RG, especially with Djokovic being off since AO.
It's not over reacting. He's always had poor stretches but almost never on clay. He pretty much ALWAYS wins Atleast one if not both of Monte Carlo and Barcelona. For him to go out before the finals of both and lose in straight sets as well is indeed a big shock and a big deal. I'm not panicking yet because he's been out for a while and he was not all that bad today but he's got to drastically improve before RG. He's always carrying momentum and form and confidence coming into RG. This time is unique.
Thiem has beaten Nadal once in the build up to the last years French Open and they year before and given him a few other good matches which Nadal won.
Form hasn't been great on clay but I'm not concerned just yet. As long as he wins one of Madrid or Rome (preferably) then I'll remain confident for Roland Garros.
Form hasn't been great on clay but I'm not concerned just yet. As long as he wins one of Madrid or Rome (preferably) then I'll remain confident for Roland Garros.
Yeah Thiem has beaten 4 times now. It's not losing to Theim that worries me but just Rafa's play in general. It definitely improved today but two tournaments in, this is still the poorest he's played on clay and I included 15 in it. He's still hard to beat over 5 sets in Paris but he's looking a lot more vulnerable than usual. Really needs a win at Rome.
Thiem in the driving seat. 1 set and 4 love up in the second.
Shame, Medvedev.
But nice clay season so far.
But nice clay season so far.
Good win for Thiem. Let's hope he can bring this form to the French Open.
Interesting on the Gimelstob issue
What’s going on with Zverev?
Having a shit year so far and lost in a tournament that he usually wins to some unranked player. Thought he’d step it up with Lendl.
Having a shit year so far and lost in a tournament that he usually wins to some unranked player. Thought he’d step it up with Lendl.
He's still #4 in the world (nearly #3) so he can't be doing that poorly.
He’d sink down further.
He was number 3 but he lost today so now Feds overtaken him. He’s lost a lot of points that he was defending last season as he’s done worse in every tournament he’s played compared to last year.
In the next two tournaments he needs to win one and make the final in the other. So hes defending 1600 points. So he could end up being 6th if he gets knocked out early in those.
Kyrgios already out.
Fedo with Gasquet or Fokina.
Fedo with Gasquet or Fokina.
Also Felix Auger Aliassime playing Shapovalov in an hour in Madrid. Winner plays Nadal in next round. They're meant to be good mates too.
Will be my first time watching Aliassime so quite intrigued.
Nice. 
Tennis has started. Thank God. AA and Shapa playing. Two Next Gen stars.
Kyrgios is just embarrassing. Just retire if you don’t want to play.
Ferrer's last tournament and he gets an impressive win over RBA.
Federer back on clay later tonight.
Seems as though Nadal has recovered from his virus ready for his match against FAA tomorrow.
Federer back on clay later tonight.
Seems as though Nadal has recovered from his virus ready for his match against FAA tomorrow.
Federer back on clay today.
Should be starting very soon.
Should be starting very soon.
Ronaldo watching Federer.
Roger wins the first set.
Played two drop shots in the last game.
Played two
drop shots in the last game.