Comments on: ROGER FEDERER REVEALS HIS CRAFTY STRATEGY AGAINST NADAL

By: CCtenniselbow

CCtenniselbow — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:32:49 +0000

That’s just it, Mim. Rafa does things for himself, without regard for, or maybe without noticing, how it affects the other players or how it may violate a rule (such as there being a limited amount of time to serve). I’m sure that he is quite happy doing these things for himself; the problem is that other players, like Roger, who try to be respectful of the rules and of others (I’m not saying that Rafa is never respectful of other players) are rightly bothered by some of these things that Rafa does. The fact is that many of the things that he does, whether or not they be just for himself, can affect the psyche of other players, and he seems to have no regard for that. In a sense, he plays dirty, but it may be just that he does not have the grace of someone like Roger.

So, all of these things that he does — the bouncing around like a boxer, the rituals with the bottles, the delaying on the serve, etc. — are all done for him and are done with no regard for anyone else. If this is negatively affecting his opponent, then his opponent may need to do something to overcome this, and maybe the things that Roger did this last match released some of the tension from all of these things that Rafa does. Or maybe rules just really don’t matter?

By: Mim

Mim — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:55:58 +0000

LOL! The things one must do to beat Nadal.
Anyway, I think this is all silly. Seriously? Is that the answer to beating Rafa? Choosing to receive and arriving second to the coin toss? *sigh* Mind games they may be, but I think they are definitely more for Roger than Rafa. I bet Rafa didn’t even notice, and doesn’t even care. His Uncle Toni purposely had him train on bad courts with faulty equipment so that he wouldn’t use extraneous elements as excuses. This is the biggest difference between Roger and Rafa. When Rafa does something it’s solely for him. He doesn’t have the INTENTION of “hurting” or “disrupting” the opponent. But if this is what the great Roger’s come up with, then, good luck at the French.

By: CCtenniselbow

CCtenniselbow — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:39:31 +0000

One other thing Roger could do is to talk to some of his sponsors and have them supply the water bottles. For the first few games or set, supply Rafa with bottles with no labels. For the next round, have labels with random patterns so that it is impossible to align two bottles the same. And have the bottles designed so that they either are not straight up and down when on their bottom or such that they won’t stay upright when placed this way and have to be stored horizontally. I’m sure that would irritate him quite a bit.

By: CCtenniselbow

CCtenniselbow — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:21:56 +0000

What Roger needs to do is “mis-hit” some of his serves and knock over Rafa’s water bottles. Rafa will look over at them and be so distracted that he won’t be able to play until after that game when he can make them right. Also, when they change ends, Roger could, accidentally of course, bump into the neatly arranged items in Rafa’s area. I’m sure Rafa would accept his apology.

And every time that Rafa violates the time limit for serving, Roger should point it out to the umpire or do something else to make Rafa pay for this. Once someone playing against Rafa, who almost beat him, used tactics like this, and it was obvious that it bothered Rafa; the guy stood way back out of return position to make Nadal pay for having taken so long to serve on previous points. Nadal had to wait on the guy to get into position.

Personally, I love the way that Roger goes through his serves so quickly. It doesn’t matter whether he is facing a break point or is serving for the game at 40-0, he wastes no time bouncing the ball or anything else. He just serves, even after long rallies when he may need a brief rest. It gives the opponent little time to have a mini-rest, and I think that it is also admirable.

By: Mixedblessings89

Mixedblessings89 — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:13:22 +0000

That’s a very happy Rafa… especially after losing! Ah, I guess he is a Fedophile, after all…

By: tessa

tessa — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:35:43 +0000

while Rafa takes out a ruler to measure the distance between his beloved water bottles.

Hysterical!

but I can see that happening too. XD

By: jenica

jenica — Tue, 19 May 2009 07:42:35 +0000

how much more if he has one….

By: anne

anne — Tue, 19 May 2009 07:26:54 +0000

oh put a sock on it will you….maybe your nadal will be in for a rude surprise this time……LOL!

By: freakyfrites

freakyfrites — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:31:48 +0000

Go Roger! Just glad that he finally admitted that he needs to change something. And that he did. And it worked.

By: freakyfrites

freakyfrites — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:30:59 +0000

Hi Aurora! Sometimes it’s the little things that matter. After all, both the Australian Open and Wimbledon went down to the wire.

I don’t think Roger has much of a chance at RG, but the win could build confidence for Wimbledon, where he definitely has a better chance.

By: jfk

jfk — Tue, 19 May 2009 05:53:38 +0000

I love this crafty new Roger too! He’s just made some changes. I’m proud of him!! !!!!

By: Liz

Liz — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:14:11 +0000

Lulu, I know exactly what you mean! With all the other players, I can be philosophical about their wins and losses. But Roger is like family. I was a little down about clay court season, with the dreaded French Open at the end of it. But last night I was fantasizing about Roger getting the French, Wimbledon, and the US Open again!

By: lulu

lulu — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:25:49 +0000

i cannot wait for the french. i was in such a great mood yesterday simply because he won again. i feel like he is my brother – that is how much i care about his winning and losing.

By: Rafterfan

Rafterfan — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:19:17 +0000

That’s exactly what I was thinking! And also that he might show Rafa what it’s like to be on the receiving of it. Way to go Roger. Not sure I would’ve tipped my hand, but Roger is an honest guy…

By: Aurora

Aurora — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:36:18 +0000

That’s all? I was thinking he would reveal something technical or some tweaking to his game. He was lucky to beat Rafa on an off-day and on the surface least close to RG. And if gamesmanship is his way to battle Rafa’s proven mental toughness and focus, he’s in for a rude surprise at RG.