Roger Federer’s 4th title and 9th final of 2014 prove that 2013 is a thing of the past. Roger did not win a Grand Slam in 2014, but his form, health and demeanor tell me he is someone to watch in 2015. At the end of 2013, I thought 2015 might be his swan song….
Category: Rafael Nadal
Tennis Power Ranking 2014: Cincinnati – All Hail King Roger the 6th
Tennis Abides Power Ranking 2014 Ranking #10: Cincinnati Novak Djokovic – Nole stays at #1, but his play in Toronto and Cincinnati will not be good enough to win in New York. I expect Novak to round into form, but this was not the most reassuring hard court swing for his supporters. Roger Federer – Rafa…
Rafa is out of Canada and Cincinnati – Early Implications
Dinner Debate Earlier in July, I was eating dinner with my family and the topic of Rafa overtaking Federer’s 17 majors arose. I told my older brother I thought it was quite possible because I figured Rafa should conservatively speaking win 1-2 more Roland Garros titles and that would mean that a smattering of success…
Rafa Gives a Lesson in Sportsmanship
It came to my attention today that Rafael Nadal cried with joy when Roger Federer won Roland Garros in 2009. Given that Nadal is tied for 2nd on the all-time list of male Grand Slam winners and that Roger Federer is 1st on that list, it seems like a generous outlook from Rafa. Competitors look…
Tennis Power Ranking 2014: Roland Garros is in the Books
2014 Power Ranking #7 – Roland Garros Rafael Nadal – Rafa entered Roland Garros with a few questions swirling around his level of play. He answered those questions and made history. Change since last ranking +1 Novak Djokovic – Nole had a good run to his second Roland Garros final in 3 years. Novak’s form was…
Rafael Nadal’s 9 Roland Garros Titles in 10 Years
Rafa and Pete There was a period in the Mid 1990s in which Pete Sampras had figured out grass court tennis. His serve was nearly unbreakable. He had the mentality of a dominating pitcher in baseball. He was going to give his opponents few looks, he was going to play tactically disciplined tennis, he was…
Some Fun with Nadal vs. Djokovic #42
Rafa and Nole will shortly be facing off for the 42nd time. Rafa leads the current head-to-head 22-19, but these two seem destined to meet many more times. The final at Roland Garros carries with it a Grand Slam crown, the number one spot in the ATP rankings and a possible Career Grand Slam. A…
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal a Match 2 Years in the Making
In 2010, Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic to win his first US Open title and cap off the best Grand Slam season of his career. In 2011, Novak Djokovic took the tour by its throat and won 3 major titles while defeating Rafa in 6 consecutive tournament final matches. 2012 saw the rivalry shift again….
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 