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  1. #241
    Verticle? plowking's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    Quote Originally Posted by poido123
    You don't know what you're talking about Plowking.

    I have coached tennis and played at a fairly high level as a junior and I can tell you that Rafa is more than just your typical scrapper, just a guy who hits the ball back and hopes for a mistake

    I have a question, have you actually gone to a tennis match and watched Rafa up close? I have.

    The power, timing and skill of this guy is phenomenal. His forehand is the best the game has seen. Most of these guys on tour put in a minimum 4 hours on the practice court every day. That doesn't even include their gym workouts and other physical activity.

    Lleyton Hewitt is a bad comparison. Hewitt doesn't have a knockout weapon like Rafa has, he is more your typical scrapper.

    To play at the elite level, your best weapon is your mind. There are a heap of guys (like myself) who have the talent, but never quite make it to the ATP level. Only a small percentage make it, and many of them struggle to meet both the physical and financial demands that are required to play on the circuit. There are heaps of guys who you could say are great tennis players, but for one reason or another didn't crack the top.

    Nadal is super exciting. If you didn't enjoy that 5-6 hour epic he played last year at the Aussie Open against Novak, then you really aren't much of a tennis fan in general.
    I have watched him and met him, briefly chatted to him as well in the casino in Melbourne. Hes a great player, but hes a moonballer for the most part, who pounces on opponents mistakes. Hes not the GOAT like someone suggested though, even if he ties Fed.

    And his forehand certainly isn't the best weapon in tennis.

  2. #242
       
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    Quote Originally Posted by poido123
    Rafa has been playing around 10 years on tour. With the type of grinding game he plays, injuries and body deterioration will likely happen. He is 27 now, I suspect that the knee and back injuries will start to pop up more frequently as he ages, which you are starting to see now. He has NEVER been affected this badly by a back injury before. I can almost say for certain it is to do with tennis mileage.

    He has probably another 2 years max before he severely declines. He's a lock for Roland Garros though, this year and probably next. Tennis players peak earlier than basketball players and end their careers earlier on average, so mileage in tennis players is definately a big factor towards injury.
    that was the standard thinking for years before rafa had his HGH knee injections. now he has a second career, better than ever.

    who knows... maybe they can do something with his back? medicine gets more and more advanced.

  3. #243
    ... on a leash ArbitraryWater's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    Quote Originally Posted by plowking
    I have watched him and met him, briefly chatted to him as well in the casino in Melbourne. Hes a great player, but hes a moonballer for the most part, who pounces on opponents mistakes. Hes not the GOAT like someone suggested though, even if he ties Fed.

    And his forehand certainly isn't the best weapon in tennis.

    You basically just spewed the same crap all over again without proving anything.

  4. #244
    ... on a leash ArbitraryWater's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    Quote Originally Posted by poido123
    Rafa has been playing around 10 years on tour. With the type of grinding game he plays, injuries and body deterioration will likely happen. He is 27 now, I suspect that the knee and back injuries will start to pop up more frequently as he ages, which you are starting to see now. He has NEVER been affected this badly by a back injury before. I can almost say for certain it is to do with tennis mileage.

    He has probably another 2 years max before he severely declines. He's a lock for Roland Garros though, this year and probably next. Tennis players peak earlier than basketball players and end their careers earlier on average, so mileage in tennis players is definately a big factor towards injury.
    This. It worries me. I was pretty secure about the next 2 majors, making it 15. Now? Not so much. Might actually not surpass Federer. Especially as Djokovic, Murray AND Wawrinka will be great for probably the next 4-5 years..

  5. #245
    NUGGETS ALL THE WAY Mr Clutch Melo's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    I dont see Murray ever reaching the level of Djoko and Nadal. He seems talented enough but not strong enough mentally. Very fun player to watch though

  6. #246
    "The One" Budadiiii's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    Missed the match...

    This crazed Eminem fan did it... WOW! Congrats to him and very happy for his team, coaches, his family, and especially his nephew Matthew.

    Guy got away with murdering his GF and is now winning tennis grand slams. Unbelievable.

    Nadal.... get better, you spanish homo.

  7. #247
    Decent college freshman InfiniteBaskets's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    Good match by Stan. Although Nadal was injured, Stan fairly took the first set and broke Nadal in the second before we saw injuries play any part in the match.

    Nadal proved he's still a force even when injured, but seemed a bit off even before he was hurting. Meanwhile Stan played an awesome open. Beat Djokavic and Nadal in one go. Also kind of proved that a one handed backhand can generate tons of power against a guy like Nadal. Only sad thing is that Wawrinka is already 28

  8. #248
    NBA rookie of the year dude77's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    bit of overreactions I'm seeing .. he'll be fine with some time off and good conditioning .. sucks he couldn't get this one .. he should have the french and then who knows from there .. nadal is the last guy to start dwelling on anything .. he'll be back strong .. again

  9. #249
    . Grinder's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    Just finished watching the match on DVR. VERY happy for Stan

    It's unfortunate that Rafa wasn't 100% but it has to be noted that Stan was thoroughly outplaying him in the first set and got the break in the second when he Rafa was fine. Stan looked like his nerves were going to get the best of him in the fourth but thankfully he was able to get it together because he'll most likely never have a chance to win a slam again.

    It's great to see a surprise slam winner, just like the good 'ol days.

  10. #250
    ... on a leash ArbitraryWater's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    Quote Originally Posted by Grinder
    Just finished watching the match on DVR. VERY happy for Stan

    It's unfortunate that Rafa wasn't 100% but it has to be noted that Stan was thoroughly outplaying him in the first set and got the break in the second when he Rafa was fine. Stan looked like his nerves were going to get the best of him in the fourth but thankfully he was able to get it together because he'll most likely never have a chance to win a slam again.

    It's great to see a surprise slam winner, just like the good 'ol days.
    Im pretty sure had Rafa stayed healthy he wins in 4 or 5.

    There's no way he wouldnt up his level or stan could have sustained his...

    all speculations though, stans got it, and thats it.

  11. #251
    Canned DuMa's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    very sad to see a final like that where the other player came up lame for the 2nd half of the match. a huge let down. but it cannot be stated enough how much Stan was on fire with his groundstrokes in the first half. He deserved to win.

    Hes the only one who can say right now that he beat Rafa AND Novak in his grand slam victory.

  12. #252
    NBA lottery pick
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    When has Nadal ever lost and wasn't 100%?

    This guy is a clown.

  13. #253
    Decent college freshman InfiniteBaskets's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    Quote Originally Posted by ArbitraryWater
    Im pretty sure had Rafa stayed healthy he wins in 4 or 5.

    There's no way he wouldnt up his level or stan could have sustained his...

    all speculations though, stans got it, and thats it.
    Stan did beat Djoker though, and I don't remember any injuries being reported, although I didn't watch the match so not sure exactly how it went down.

  14. #254
    Gooner | Heat Nation EnoughSaid's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    I'm really hoping Fed grabs Wimbledon or the US Open this year. He could have had 20+ if not for missing break chances or just mental barriers.

  15. #255
    Knicks all da way imdaman99's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Australian Open of Tennis

    Quote Originally Posted by InfiniteBaskets
    Stan did beat Djoker though, and I don't remember any injuries being reported, although I didn't watch the match so not sure exactly how it went down.
    Not taking anything away from Stan, because he deserved it 100%...but Nadal had won 26 sets to Stan's 0 before in their previous 12 matches. While it's true Stan could have maintained that fire, I think Rafa would have fought back to win the 2nd set (tiebreaker) and from there on it would be have been a great match. He looked pretty bad against Baby Fed early too. Rafa is a master of willing himself to wins. Hell, he withstood Djokovic while he was on fire at the US Open.

    Granted, by me saying all that I am taking away from Stan's win

    I apologize, I repeat great match by Stan. Deserved this slam

    But I am 100% sure Nadal will be back. Vamos

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