Is Nadal going to be back to 100% for the us open? And does he have a shot at winning this thing? I know he has been dealing with knee problems and has taken some time off just didnt know if he was back to his usual form.</p>
Last year was the only year in his career he hasn't struggled with knee problems in the summer. He's only played two tournament since the French Open, losing in the quarterfinals and the semifinals. Since he's come back, he hasn't beaten anyone of significance. Both of his losses were to top 10 players and in both he lost one of the sets 1-6. I expect him to maybe make the quarterfinals. And he might go out early since these are best of 5 set matches while the other tournaments he's played this summer were best of 3.
take some time to let the tendinitis fully heal. take the rest of the year off and set your sights on sydney 2010. i guess he thinks this is the best way to be full strength next year (and avoid the rust of a long layoff). if it's as bad as everyone says, though, i'd be taking more time off.
He's at #3 now. If he missed the US Open, he would probably drop to #4 or even #5. If he drops to #5, he could face Federer as early as the quarterfinals of the big tournaments. Also, I don't think what's wrong with his knees is anything that just rest can fix. If he really wants to get better, I think he's going to need surgery, and even that might not help.
from what i recall, he just had bad tendinitis. maybe he has had enough time off, but from what i understand, the best way to treat tendinitis is to rest it and strengthen the other muscles around it. playing tennis = not good for rehab. ETA: i'm sure his doctors (and most likely you) know more about it than i do.
i basically cheer against the guy every time out, but i hate to see him out with injury, because his game is amazing. the game seems a bit lackluster without him. i hope he comes back strong next year. and i'll still be cheering for federer.</p>
except last year. He's not one of may favorite players either, but for the life of me I don't really know why not. He's a great player and is a good and humble guy off the court. I think I may have just not forgiven him for those damn capri pants he wore his first couple of years on the tour.
i would say that it could make for a good drinking game to have to drink everytime he picks one out, but you'd be drunk before the end of the first set.
when i worked at the tennis club in houston, we hosted john mcenroe's team for World Team Tennis. he sported the nadal capri's. and, despite my repeated requests, our sound guy refused to play toby keith's "I ain't as good as I once was" when mcenroe walked in (we did intro music for WTT). he would've flipped his lid.</p>