Im worried about Rafa`s busy schedule over the next few weeks , i feel he`s taking on to much. Do you agree?

Question

If you click on the link below you`ll see what Nadal says about his tight schedule. Its not fair the only way Roger will win on clay is if Rafa is a little tired and not 100% focused and it appears Nadal will be like that! :( :(

Answer 1

No different to usual. It does undermine his hard court season later on, but realistically, the clay court season is where he really cleans up in points in the ATP race. It's hard to argue with winning.

Answer 2

First and foremost, Rafa is one of the best athletes tennis has seen in years.  He's fast, he's strong and he's still young.  I don't worry about him being physically tired... nor do I worry about him being mentally tired... I worry about an injury.  His style of play is so physical that he's bound to twist something, pull something or strain something.  Remember how he almost was unable to play the first round of last year's US Open due to his knee problems.

Will all of this said, I'm not overly concerned about him during the clay court season.  It is the hard courts that will take their toll on his body.  Let him play (and win) as many clay court events as he can.  Let him close the gap on Federer.  Then he needs to be smart about the hard court season and be ready for the US Open.  That is where he will pass Federer.

Answer 3

I agree with Robert E.

Answer 4

I have to agree with the poster who suggested that this season's schedule is no different from any others.  Rafa's paydays come on clay, so he's naturally busier at this point in the season.  It would make little sense to rest at this point only to be a little more fit on surfaces that he is not his best on anyway.  What would make sense would be for him to take it easy after the French and play less frequently than Roger, but that won't happen because he is too much of a competitor.  Besides, he's only 21, meaning he's got 5 years on Federer, plus he's just more fit in general.  I wouldn't worry too much about Nadal, he'll be fine.  In fact, I would say considering Federer's stuggles earlier this year, the Nadal has a better chance at Wimbledon this year than he did last year and if I were a betting man I'd put my money on him to win there this year.

Answer 5

It is a heavy schedule but he should manage it with all the help professionals receive. The only thing that could go wrong would be injury or exhastion. He would be unlucky to get injured and he is at the peak of his fitness so as long as he eats and rests well he shall be ok. Don't worry.

Answer 6

Roger is not playing in Barcelona. That's good because he can use this time to practice, so he can go in Rome and Hamburg to beat Nadal in the final, if he reaches it because he has better chances to beat him. Not only that, once Roland Garros finishes, I think the Olympics come before or after Wimbledon. This year is the hardest because of the Olympics. So let's see what Nadal and Federer does in the next couple of clay tournaments left. Maybe I am wrong, but why play so many tournaments like Nadal does. Barcelona is not important. It's not Rome, Hamburg, or Monte Carlo. But I do think the ATP is a little crazy, because it is too much to play from one tournament to another.

Answer 7

i agreed with you, i feel nadal is pushing too hard, perhaps he wants to get to the #1 position faster, also he prob. think he's young and in good physical condition.

however, he has the record of been worn out after playing for a long period of time, either lost in the final or injury, he does has to be careful to have a long healthy career.

Answer 8

Rafa is one person who can withstand a lot of pressure as he has shown in the past. I am sure he will be playing at his best, when he faces Roger. Most of the players have a busy schedule this year, due to Olympics, so don't worry about it. Everybody is pretty much in the same boat, and he is the last person who needs to worry about all this or is going to be affected because he is a fighter to the core.