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…
Tag: Rafael Nadal
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….
Roland Garros 2014 – Andy Murray vs. Rafael Nadal Prediction
The 8 time champion and the clay court GOAT faces an interesting opponent in the semifinal. Andy Murray has tools that could/should make him hard to beat on clay. Murray is fit, he is one of the fastest players on tour and he has one of the top service returns on tour. The best analog…
Tennis Power Ranking 2014: Post Madrid & Rome – Nole Rising
After the injury marred Madrid final, I had no idea how to rank my Top 10 so I did the cowardly sensible thing and waited another week. So here is a Double Masters 1000 Power Ranking Extravaganza. 2014 Power Ranking #6 – Madrid and Rome (Roam If You Want To) Novak Djokovic – Nole answered questions about…
Roman Gladiators: Nadal vs. Djokovic XLI Prediction
Anytime #1 and #2 meet to decide a big tournament things are special. This one has the potential to be even bigger than special. Novak Djokovic is #2 in the world and has beaten #1 Nadal 3 consecutive times winning 6 consecutive sets. A win on clay over Nadal would propel Djokovic into Paris with…
Rome 2014: Dimitrov vs. Nadal Prediction
Grigor Dimitrov vs. Rafael Nadal Rafa has had some strange results on clay this year. Still, title in Madrid and Rio make Rafa the most successful player on dirt to this point in 2014. Rafa’s dominance is such that losing sets to Simon, Youzhny and Murray appear to many as signs of weakness. I think…
GOAT Confusion – Say What?
Roger Federer says there is no GOAT because players from different eras had different priorities etc. Pete Sampras says Federer is the GOAT for now, but that his head-to-head vs. Rafa is an issue. Andre Agassi says Rafa is the GOAT even if he once said Federer was the GOAT. John McEnroe says that Rafa…
Nishikori vs. Nadal Prediction
Nishikori is in the Top 10 Melbourne, Miami, Barcelona and Madrid prove Kei Nishikori belongs in the top 10. His talent and recent consistency have Nishikori taking advantage of a year of upheaval in the tennis pecking order. Michael Chang’s influence as coach has to be lauded as well. Nishikori could become King of Spain…
Nadal vs. Bautista Agut will give us some Data
Nadal vs. Spain in 2014 Rafael Nadal’s clay court losses to David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro along with his near miss vs. Pablo Andujar have raised some questions. Spaniards had generally wilted in front of Nadal, but in 2014 they have pushed back against their numero uno. Roberto Bautista Agut has had a bit of…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 