Wimbledon
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He's had knee problems for years and his extremely physical style of play just makes it worse. Speculation for the past couple of years has been that his body won't be able to hold out for very long at the top. It looks like that speculation may be right. If it is, that's a shame because Nadal is a great player and anybody has to admire his work ethic and attitude about the game and his rivals.
In the past 7 years or so there's been Federer and Nadal just like Phil and Tiger. That is the matchup we want to see. That is the matchup that has had tennis getting the best ratings its had since Sampras Agassi.
But, should he have played? Obviously not. If Nadal is willing to not play at a major, notably Wimbledon after last year, then he's damn serious about the fact that he shouldnt be playing
But, should he have played? Obviously not. If Nadal is willing to not play at a major, notably Wimbledon after last year, then he's damn serious about the fact that he shouldnt be playing
The Nadal/Federer final of last year may be the greatest tennis match I've ever watched, and with Nadal not even playing in this year's tournament I'm considering Federer a lock and don't even plan on watching.
john mcenroe said that last year's wimbledon final was the best grand slam final ever. hate to see a young star have knee problems. the way nadal improved his game from a clay court specialist to a dominating player on all surfaces was amazing. hopefully, it really is only tendinitis, and some time off will have him back healthy for next year. </p>
he played in 2 exhibition matches last week to try to get ready for Wimbledon and he lost to both Leyton Hewitt (one ranked #1 a long time ago but now not even in the top 50) and Stanislas Wawrinka (a solid player who won the Olympic doubles with Federer's, but not a top 10 player). If he can't beat those guys, no way he could have been a factor at Wimbledon.msudawg12 said:
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td width="39">Year</td> <td width="134">Champion</td> <td width="38">Seed</td> <td width="137">Runner-up</td> <td width="40">Seed</td> <td width="181">Score</td> <td width="32">Mins</td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td>2008</td> <td>R. Nadal (ESP)</td> <td>2</td> <td>R. Federer (SUI)</td> <td>1</td> <td>6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (8-10), 9-7</td> <td>288</td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td width="39">2007</td> <td width="134">R. Federer (SUI)</td> <td width="38">1</td> <td width="137">R. Nadal (ESP)</td> <td width="40">2</td> <td width="181">7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-2</td> <td width="32">225</td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td width="39">2006</td> <td width="134">R. Federer (SUI)</td> <td width="38">1</td> <td width="137">R. Nadal (ESP)</td> <td width="40">2</td> <td width="181">6-0, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (2-7), 6-3</td> <td width="32">170</td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td width="39">2005</td> <td width="134">R. Federer (SUI)</td> <td width="38">1</td> <td width="137">A. Roddick (USA)</td> <td width="40">2</td> <td width="181">6-2, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4</td> <td width="32">101</td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td width="39">2004</td> <td width="134">R. Federer (SUI)</td> <td width="38">1</td> <td width="137">A. Roddick (USA)</td> <td width="40">2</td> <td width="181">4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4</td> <td width="32">151</td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td width="39">2003</td> <td width="134">R. Federer (SUI)</td> <td width="38">4</td> <td width="137">M. Philippousis (AUS)</td> <td width="40">U</td> <td width="181">7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 7-6 (7-3)</td> <td width="32">119</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>msudawg12 said:
you know they'll be hurting during the hard court season. tendinitis takes time to heal, and his must be pretty bad. those knee wraps he always has are like the jumper's knee bands - for tendinitis. i wouldn't be surprised if he took the rest of the year off and came back for the aussie open - which might be a wise move for his career longevity.
Really, last year is the only year in his entire career he hasn't had problems with his knees during the hardcourt season. And as you mentioned, if they're not holding up on the clay and grass this spring and early summer, I don't see any way they hold up for the hardcourts.
Darren Cahill had a real interesting perspective on it yesterday. Back in his playing days (he was ranked in the 20s for several years) he had similar problems with his knees and he said it eventually ended his career. He spent 3 straight years icing the knees twice a day (even on rest days), resting the knees often, and taking anti-inflammatories every day (which have side effects). After 3 years, he realized that he just wasn't getting any better and finally had surgery, which didn't help either. He said just the daily grind of dealing with the knees just wore him down.
Darren Cahill had a real interesting perspective on it yesterday. Back in his playing days (he was ranked in the 20s for several years) he had similar problems with his knees and he said it eventually ended his career. He spent 3 straight years icing the knees twice a day (even on rest days), resting the knees often, and taking anti-inflammatories every day (which have side effects). After 3 years, he realized that he just wasn't getting any better and finally had surgery, which didn't help either. He said just the daily grind of dealing with the knees just wore him down.
Nadal won his first French Open in 2005 vs Puerta.
He beat Federer in 2006, 2007, & 2008. (That's three years)
Thanks for playing....
He beat Federer in 2006, 2007, & 2008. (That's three years)
Thanks for playing....
Hard to count one match in 04 and two in 05 as a rivalry. We are not talking about the Eggbowl here, this is tennis.
Also, this thread's title is Wimbledon. Hope it didn't take you too long adding that wikipedia today. Congrats...</p>
Also, this thread's title is Wimbledon. Hope it didn't take you too long adding that wikipedia today. Congrats...</p>