Comments on: Paris: Semi presser

By: mary

mary — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:54:55 +0000

That is to say, win or lose I believe in him. :)

By: mary

mary — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:53:23 +0000

Thanks for the link Nana but can’t come to read anything that comes out of Feds’ mouth anymore. But I do agree that we need to take into account Rafa is only 23!
He’s had a serious knee problem, which he will always have to take precautions for. He had that 2 cm tear in his ab (now that must have been fun to play with}. So he has had a lot to contend with among personal upheavals.
Rafa has moved on mow & is trying to regain his mojo. In time I believe he will as you say Nana turn things around. He is at that threshold now.
I have total faith & I’m probably a dreamer as well, but I don’t give a rats a…. All I know is that I believe in him!!!

By: Delta

Delta — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:45:40 +0000

Si Rafafan, but wants to see his famalia, regain his confidence and like Miri said he does practise on hard courts there, which are indoors. Maybe the weather isn’t as damp as London, but should have no bearing, no? Plus the weather in Manacor isn’t exactly “balmy” this time of year. Next few days are in the 60’sF, 66 F w/fog early AM/PM w/ 100% humidity, granted warm to some in UK, but to him rather on the “cool side,” don’t think will be problemo’. It is a questionable debate though to most as less travel time if went straight from Paris. Time will tell…………

By: Emma

Emma — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:47:11 +0000

I really hope you are right, it all makes alot of sense about the time of year and the surfraces, and I so want it to all work out for him.

Just with regard to why I think there could be more going on that he isn’t telling us about (which I recognise is totally his priority) – I think I got a bit burned by the whole knee thing which he denied time and again until he went crashing out in the FO. I remember knowing damn well something was seriously wrong back in Miami in the Delps match (and subsequently), but when he was asked about it he said everything was fine, and we got nothing solid about the knees till he pulled out of Queens.

I know he had no choice but to do this and appreciate it was the best thing to do, but it’s made me a bit paranoid.

By: An

An — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:05:46 +0000

Well we just have to wait and see what happens, No?;)

By: Ch F

Ch F — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:53:17 +0000

Hello An! I agree that the Rafa we know will have all the will in the world, but people do change and their mentality does get tested. It happens to everyone. If he still has the same level of will and determination, I totally agree he’ll be back better than ever. I repeat, I don’t question that any more than he does. I really hope it’s in there somewhere. And I have all the patience in the world, I can wait forever to see that again! Thanks for the comment ;-)

By: An

An — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:10:26 +0000

Realy girls i think you are over-reacting! I perfectly understand that you do it out of love and worry’s for our Rafa, but still…

We just need to be patient! Remember only in the beginning off 2008 Rafa had a long period without winning tournaments too…. and then at one moment, it was all there, he got on a fantastic roll and won evrything he entered and i repeat with doing that he spoiled us! Now he’s had a tough year, he just is picking up play on a part off the season that never was his best ( because off the surfrace wich does suite his game the least ). I agree that it has evrything to do with his believe, but the Rafa that gave us that amazing results in 2008 is still there, its all inside him but at this moment it doesnt click and come out. I said it earlyer this week, in his head, he is accepting the rest off this year as it comes ( not meaning that he doesnt do his best to winn matches ) and sets his focus on the DC final and then 2010 and thats what is different from the Rafa we know who always refused to look further then his next match but i think its logical given the year he had to endure. For me that, and only that is the explanation for what you girls are signaling and i’m pretty sure as from the DC final and starting 2010 we’ll see back a fully focused and concentrated on his next match only Rafa, i mean come-on we are talking about the most mentally tough and willing to fight guy out there! Also why are we suddenly doubting his will to improve? He always is trying to improve, always telling us that that is the most important and always showed us that he can do just that, but its a process that comes slowly and takes time! Why are we suddenly suggesting that there should be problems with him wich he doesnt tell us about? I truely think he would be verry dissapointed if he knew his fans where thinking that way!

I still am convinced that it will click eventually again and that we aint seen the best of our Rafa jet!

By: Emma

Emma — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:21:44 +0000

I think that’s exactly where I am coming from. It isn’t that I don’t think he’s terrific or believe in him anymore – a million miles from it else I wouldn’t be posting anguished messages on here. I will carry on forever sky plussing horus of footage and watching it God knows when as everyone on here is doing.

I just think something undefinable is wrong, and feel like it’s not progressing to be sorted. I think you are right and it is to do with belief. It just doesn’t seem to be like Rafa not to be trying – and if he was really trying in that match like he can try, then I missed it.

By: Nana

Nana — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:16:46 +0000

Federer did an interview with the Times and talks a bit about Rafa.

And yes, after AO09 everyone said Fed was finished. Then within a few months he was hailed as the GOAT. I’m sure Rafa has the will power and the talent to turn things around as well. It won’t be an easy path but let’s have faith in him.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/paul_kimmage/article6917213.ece

By: Ch F

Ch F — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:58:01 +0000

What you’re saying makes perfect sense and I really want to see it that way. When Federer had a bad year and came back he was not in his greatest form ever, but his will to stay in the game in a competitive way made him develop his play in a way that allowed him to outplay his opponents. Serving better, attacking to finish the point earlier, good strategy, using his best characteristics to put pressure and hiding his weaknesses. What I fear is whether Rafa wants to accept there is some change to be made and if he wants to build on the experience he now has. He seems to think if he can’t win the way he played before his injuries, well that’s too bad. There is a lot of mind power and will involved in trying to understand what is to be done to stay on top and be able to win against top players.
Nobody questions his basic level to reach deep in tournaments-although he almost lost to Almagro-but whether he’s confident enough to win a title. Of course he can reach the semis, the thing is what happens then. He needs to be determined. If he is, he’ll be back on top. Of course we can’t expect him to be in his top form always, but he needs to adjust to stay on top. Will he? I really hope he does. Don’t take me wrong, it’s not that I don’t believe in him anymore, I just think there’s a struggle inside him causing him not to believe in himself. He has to cover a lot of ground mentally. This isn’t a question of form anymore. Look at what happened just now. Monfils was down 3-0 at the second set and put up a fight. And of course Djokovic lost his focus. Is he fitter than Rafa? No. Is he a better player? No. If he could do it, Rafa could as well. It’s just he didn’t believe in it at all. And that’s the problem. Will that change? I certainly hope so, cause Rafa deserves a lot better.