Simple answer: No.
In the NYT Magazine Cynthia Gorney asks: Can Rafael Nadal survive his own grueling style of tennis?
Dinna was telling us about the Vogue article which discussed the training regimen ‘Uncle Toni’ put Nadal through as a child, hitting scraggly balls in mud and awful conditions. It sounds like child abuse to me (and tennis parents are notoriously pushy). Maybe Nadal fans should sue to get custody of Rafa because he’s literally being worn out. (He’s 23 but seems younger.)
I find that many Nadal fans leap at the idea. This is one of the differences between Nadal fans and Federer fans. Nadal fans want to touch their idol and squeeze his muscles. We would not dream of touching The Fed, we are not worthy, we are sweaty plebs, we would have to get a really good stylist first. He is more Idea than flesh.
The mantra is: Elegance and subtlety may be beaten by strength and tenacity, but elegance and subtlety last longer.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
June 21st, 2009 at 01:19
The knee problem is chronic and I don’t think therapy, or even surgery can restore his knees. I knew Nadal was going to burn out eventually, but not this early.
Rafa said he would be taking at least a month off so that means he’ll return at the beginning of the North American hardcourt season — bad move for someone recovering from knee injury.
But who knows, maybe he’ll prove us wrong.
June 21st, 2009 at 13:40
“Elegance and subtlety may be beaten by strength and tenacity, but elegance and subtlety last longer.”
Exactly! Nadal’s awesome power on court has produced some of the best results in the tour recently, but the way he is punishing is body is just unsustainable, it’s like he’s getting all the trophies in one go only to retire soon because of injuries.
There is something more than beauty in the way Roger dances all over the courts.
June 21st, 2009 at 14:25
“Elegance and subtlety may be beaten by strength and tenacity, but elegance and subtlety last longer.”
–Not when there’s a recession.
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:28
With Nadal’s style of play, it’s prone to a lot of injuries. He’s too stressed out already. He may not be able to last (or dominate in a long period of time) like Federer if he continues to play like this.
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:39
I would never dream of “touching” Rafa. But I really do hope he recovers fast from his injury. He and Roger make tennis much more exciting to watch.
June 22nd, 2009 at 21:37
Plus, the Fed is simply just more efficient than anyone out there. It takes him less to get the job done.
And yeah, not worthy! I wouldn’t know what to do if I were to meet him.