Rafael Nadal returned to training with a light practice today in Manacor after being sidelined with tendinitis in his knees. His first tourney is scheduled to be the Montreal Masters which begins on August 8th...tick tock tick tock Rafanatics.
On a side note, the ATP's numbers nerd Greg Sharko contemplates in his "Shark Bites" column the possibility of Andy Murray eventually breaking the almost 4-year stranglehold Fedal has had on the top two ranking spots by the end of the U.S. Open.
Even Rafa isn't feeling so great about the rest of his season after coming back from about a month away, though he's probably being cautious by playing his chances down more than anything else.
Via TENNIS' ticker:
What's left of the season is going to be difficult," he said. "After stopping for a month -- almost two -- you lose your rhythm while others carry on competing."Now, what was I saying about Muzz's chances way back when?
More images from Rafa's practice below...
(image via JAIME REINA/AFP/Getty Images)
I am looking forward to the day when Andy Murray gains the No. 1 ranking without having won a major. I really want to see what people will say. Whether they will think that it is consistency that does it, or whether they will start talking about who is the real No. 1 in the ATP. From where I am sitting I dont think Roger really wants the No. 1 ranking back, and I dont think that even Nadal wants it. I think the only 2 people on tour who really want to be called No. 1 are Novak and Andy. Rafa and Roger are all about getting their majors (Roger even more so because he wants to leave something historical behind). Rafa, just because he wants to kick Roger's ass.
ReplyDeleteI want Rafa to win the USO just so he can reclaim his rightful #1 ranking, complete his career GS, and solidify the mental asterisk over Fed's French and Wimbledon wins. And yes - I drank my haterade this morning.
ReplyDeleteWord Joseph! That would so rock.
ReplyDeleteIt's so strange to be even discussing the possibility of Rafa at No. 3 especially after he started off the year in such a huge way in Oz. The talk then was of a possible, though very slight, run to a Calendar Slam and now he's got one Slam which isn't the French, lost his Wimby crown, and could fall to No. 3.
ReplyDeleteI always thought Muzz would make No. 2 this year but I imagined he would be behind Rafa and not Fed. That being said, I'd say the Brit has a better chance of overtaking Fed at No. 1 than if Rafa was there - he still has the last 4 over Rog and should rack up points on the hard since it's his best surface.
Then again, who the hell knows anymore!
I don't get why the players have to drop the points from the Olympics. It's not their fault they're played every 4 years. It doesn't make any sense to me.
ReplyDeletei don't care anymore if he doesn't get back to no.1 or even loses his eternal no.2 this year. the only thing i care for is to see him back on court. i'm hearing too much nonsence these days about him not beeing able to play his best again.
ReplyDeletei just miss the guy on court, it's so unbelievable boring without him
Fed is kicking eveyone's ass again