Australian Open

[samuibeachcomber]

am watching the mens open final right now and it looks like nadal is going to win.after losing to murray a couple of times earlier this year am wondering if the will to win more grand slams is fading away.a great player.

[mauiguy90]

am watching the mens open final right now and it looks like nadal is going to win.after losing to murray a couple of times earlier this year am wondering if the will to win more grand slams is fading away.a great player.

Fed is still a great player. He showed he can play with Nadal by adjusting his game so that he could attack Nadal's topspin more effectively even from his weaker wing, the backhand. In truth, Fed outplayed Nadal much of the match, however, Nadal is the supreme competitor and athlete. And Fed apparently still has doubts in his own mind whether he can still beat Nadal, as demonstrated by his loss of concentration in the 5th set.

With all the competition around this year, this may work to Fed's advantage. Guys like Murray, Tsonga and even Roddick can beat Nadal on a hardcourt, which could open up opportunities for Fed. The question is whether Fed can recover from this loss and display the championship form and especially the guttiness, he needs to break Sampras' record.

Edited February 3, 2009 by mauiguy90

[ClaytonSeymour]

however, Nadal is the supreme competitor and athlete. And Fed apparently still has doubts in his own mind whether he can still beat Nadal,

Hardly surprising, given that he was allegedly a client of Dr Eufemiano Fuentes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eufemiano_Fuentes

[Mighty Mouse]

And Fed apparently still has doubts in his own mind whether he can still beat Nadal, as demonstrated by his loss of concentration in the 5th set.

Purely psychological when playing Nadal. Fed demolished Roddick with power and precision in their semi-final match but couldn't produce the same levels against Nadal in the final.

Fed still remains without a coach and over the last few years his game hasn't really improved, irrespective of him being almost perfect now. But on the other hand Nadal continues to show new and more exciting skills on the tennis court. These, together with his amazing levels of fitness, make him a formidable opponent.

I doubt whether Fed will ever regain the No.1 position.

[mauiguy90]

however, Nadal is the supreme competitor and athlete. And Fed apparently still has doubts in his own mind whether he can still beat Nadal,

Hardly surprising, given that he was allegedly a client of Dr Eufemiano Fuentes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eufemiano_Fuentes

Funny that the quoted wikipedia reference makes no mention of Nadal as a client. Guilty until proven innocent!

While the subject lingers, this brings up the question of why the 2nd seeded Federer had the obviously more desirable draw, which allowed him to rest 2 full days versus the single day that the #1 seeded Nadal had prior to the final. Of course, it must have been the luck of the draw!!!

Edited February 8, 2009 by mauiguy90

[ClaytonSeymour]

Funny that the quoted wikipedia reference makes no mention of Nadal as a client. Guilty until proven innocent!

While the subject lingers, this brings up the question of why the 2nd seeded Federer had the obviously more desirable draw, which allowed him to rest 2 full days versus the single day that the #1 seeded Nadal had prior to the final. Of course, it must have been the luck of the draw!!!

Type operacion puerto Rafael Nadal in a search engine & you'll find plenty of food to feed upon. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operaci%C3%B3...rto_doping_case

This is from November last year: 'The wife of the doctor at the centre of the 'Operation Puerto' doping affair said she could bring down Spanish sport if she revealed all to which she was privy.' More here: http://www.france24.com/en/20081119-revela...ys-fuentes-wife

Nadal's also leading the 'rebellion' against the world anti-doping code. Interestingly, Andy Murray too, has plenty to say about this - the same Andy Murray who suddenly seems much fitter & durable - what have they got to hide?

Edited February 8, 2009 by ClaytonSeymour

[mauiguy90]

And Fed apparently still has doubts in his own mind whether he can still beat Nadal, as demonstrated by his loss of concentration in the 5th set.

Purely psychological when playing Nadal. Fed demolished Roddick with power and precision in their semi-final match but couldn't produce the same levels against Nadal in the final...

I doubt whether Fed will ever regain the No.1 position.

Agree on both counts! First, Nadal has Fed beat psychologically. During the 5th set, it was purely psychological and after Nadal broke Fed, you could see that Fed wasn't in the match thereafter. Secondly, it is very doubtful that Fed can regain the #1 position, especially with so many other young talented players contending (Murray, Djokovic, Tsonga, Simon, Verdasco, etc.).

However, that being said, Fed's major goal(s) at this point in his career is to match, then surpass Sampras' record of 14 major titles. That is probably the major reason that Fed wanted to win this AO so badly that he broke down in tears during the AO finals ceremony. Especially, with all the tennis "legends" in attendance at the final, he was apparently under huge pressure to win and tie Sampras' record. I hope that he wins either Wimbledon or the US Open this year, or his chances of breaking Sampras' record may pass him by.