Can anyone tell me how to beat Rafael Nadal on clay?

Question

Ive read and heard so much about Rafa on his favorite surface and i think its about time to see the other side...

Answer 1

to beat him wuld include using hardcourts tactics such as hitting the ball really flat.

making him run lyk crazy could be an option except there might be a chance he'll do the same back.

It's kind of hard when he is the king of clay

Answer 2

Why, do you think you have a shot??

You've just gotta out play him, hes not that good, hes human.

Answer 3

It is tough to tell you how to do something that no one has done in roughly 3 years.  With that said, here are some of the possible tactics to try.

1) Hit flat and through the court.  Blake does this well against him on hard courts, just like Tsonga did in Australia.  If you can end the point early enough and not give him time to start kicking the ball up high, you might have a chance.  The problem is that on clay it is more difficult to hit thru the court than on hard or grass.

2) Come to the net.  Again, Rafa's game is based on beating you into submission.  By coming into the net you are shortening the points and taking away his greatest asset which is his ability to track everything down.  Not too many players have a chance to do this.  Federer is probably the best at this, but if Rafa can start pounding Fed's backhand, he won't be able to get to the net.  

3) Create angles.  This one is a little tricky because Rafa is so good and running the ball down, but I remember a match that Rafa played against Agassi about 3 years ago in Canada.  Agassi was beaten badly in the first set, but then went to his vintage Agassi game by hitting short angles and yanking Rafa out of the court.  Nadal lost that set before Andre eventually tired and lost the 3rd.  But that showed me that by pulling him out of the court you can take away some of his ability to pound the ball.  

Regardless, the key to beating him is to not let him pound you to death.  Quick winners, short angles and volleys will let you do this...... the question is will he ?

Answer 4

I am sure if u go to Roger , he will tell u about the SECRET that you are looking for.

Answer 5

you don't, he has a clay record over the last 3 years of 107 - 3

Answer 6

Robert E answered perfectly.

Research the 3 times he lost on clay and how.

Answer 7

First of all you need to get the first hit in to put him on the defensive. If not he will be able to run you around like crazy with his heavy topspin shots that he virtually never misses. In this situation you will need to hang in there and look for a stroke you can hit to put you on the offensive. After this first strong hit has been done you need to get close to the baseline and hit on the rise. This will take time away from him and give you a greater area to hit the ball into (he is still recovering). Preferably you should get into the net cutting his time down even further and having the whole court to volley into. Another very important factor is that you remain positive (gonna be tough), agressive (rafa will beat you every time if you play defensively) and patient (not trying to hit blazing winners when you aren't in a good position/not the right ball). A bit of good luck wouldn't go astray either.

Answer 8

Tie him up before he steps on court. Seriously, the best tactical plan you can have against Nadal is to hang with him mentally. the same way you beat Fed on hard courts

Answer 9

Well this will be an extreme challenge, Rafa is no#1 on Claycourt, there is no way to beat him he is extremly good in tennis!

Claycourt master is Rafael Nadal at this point, and it looks like it will be for a while, he is only 22 and already he is winning everyone on the claycourt.

I Maybe think that Djokovic can possibly get a win if he is determinded and of course lucky, and who knows what Tsonga is on claycourt os it will be a even 50/50.

I am very excited to see rafa, but I'm not sure how he will go, All I can say is Good Luck to all the Players.

Phil

Answer 10

Build up your muscles and learn some chinese Kung Fu.  Then try to beat him before play tennis with him.  But I doubt that you will have any success :)

Answer 11

I think it's harder to beat Nadal on clay than it is to beat Federer on grass.

1) I think you need to take the ball early, so it won't bounce up too high. Especially on his serve, which is not very strong. And you know where it's going 95% of the time. Also when you take it early, you give him less time to prepare.

2) You also have to decide to come to the net often. We saw the success Federer had in the second set of last year's French Open. Then he got passed a couple of times, he abandoned the strategy that was working for him, and he lost. But you can't come up compulsively, otherwise he'll figure you out. But you have to come up often. You need a good day at the net to beat Nadal on clay.

3) Hope and pray that he plays some long matches before he gets to you. That's what happened last year in Hamburg. Nadal was exhausted.