Secret goal Nadal nourishes every day. Have a clue? No, you don’t!!!!!
Posted by tennisplanet on October 7, 2008
The biggest humiliation for a player of Nadal’s stature and rank is to be bageled – irrespective of the surface. But to happen at his own door, despite extenuating circumstances, is like someone driving the dagger in and then swirling in around for full measure.
But to happen at the hands of a guy who has denied him so much – snapping 81-match winning streak being the sorest wound – it’s like the dagger was waved around to disconnect every internal organ from the body wall.
Nadal may show stark carelessness and no big ‘dealness’ about it, but it’s one of his most painful open wound he wants to take care of before Federer rides into the sunset. And what’s the shortest route to get there?
Bagel Federer at Wimbledon. The snapping of five straight Wimbledon titles may have partially satisfied the 81-match winning streak, but that bagel stares him in the face every freaking night. That’s the price you have to pay for being ultra competitive at this level. Events that roll off the back of ‘civilians’ will stick to you and hound you until revenge is exacted.
That is as impossible a task as bagelling Nadal on clay, but Nadal is hoping for circumstances similar to what he faced to rise to make it possible. Bagelling Federer on clay, which he has achieved, does not have the same bang for the buck as taking the lion down in his own den.
Nadal has achieved what he has strived for all his career – take over Federer in every department of the game. Now he just has to milk it. That’s the reason Nadal now wants Federer to stay as long as he can, to on the one hand, pad his resume while on the other ruin Federer’s legacy.
If Nadal faces Federer in a Slam final now, AND that gets Federer his No. 14, you can bet Nadal is winning that match – grass, clay, hard, water, gas, clouds, you name it. Not because Nadal will get his No. 6. Duh!!!!
The rivalry has reached a point where if earlier Nadal owned Federer mentally, he now owns everything Federer owns including Wawrinka – mentally, physically, spiritually and all other allys. The scales have reached the tipping point and Nadal has just next year to capitalize on it before each of his win over Federer loses it’s zing.
There’s no way Nadal is getting to No. 13 or 14, but he has a good shot at a career Slam. You think that will be the main reason Nadal will have the most ‘tried hardest EVER’ Australian Open in January? You freaking bet your everything!!!! He may not win it, but it will most certainly be his most serious assault ever on the title.
If he gets a favorable draw and gets to meet Federer in the final, consider it a done deal already. You see, until we see the ice cream in front of us, our desire for it is iffy. But when it’s placed in plain sight, the urge is at it’s strongest.
With the run Nadal has had, it has enabled him to see the ice cream now, which has triggered a whole new chain reaction to make him even hungrier. It’s the classic case of the more you get the more you want.
Bottom line: Nadal relishes the idea to meet and beat Federer on any surface now. You think Nadal would have folded in straight tame sets against Federer in the US Open finals like Murray did, despite the physical condition he was in? No freaking way. He would have tapped into his super reserves to at least make it a close contest if not win it.
They don’t call this game 110 percent mental for nothing.
e said
Nadal rides high for a few months each year starting the clay season. He has reached a pinnacle in his career this year winning RG, QS, WB, OLYMPICS…, I just think it’s hard for him to top that in the coming years. Translation: for what he’s done to Fed, it may be payback time next year, we’ll see.
cf said
hey… this is a nadal-supporting post (not that i support nadal or anything)
-just saying…tp seems to praise federer more than nadal
“if earlier Nadal owned Federer mentally, he now owns everything Federer owns including Wawrinka “-LOL!!!
dlj said
i sense a discrepancy in these two comments of yours, spaced a month apart with no major tournaments being played by either player in the interim.
October:
“You think Nadal would have folded in straight tame sets against Federer in the US Open finals like Murray did, despite the physical condition he was in? No freaking way. He would have tapped into his super reserves to at least make it a close contest if not win it.”
Sept.:
“Relentless and burning with intense desire to not let this one slip by, Federer returned to his usual self to deny Murray even a sniff at the title. Nadal must be feeling pretty happy not to have made it through to the finals. Because that’s someone Roger would have really liked to spank for so many injustices.”
Bettyjane said
I agree with most of what you wrote save the bageling at Wimbledon. Straight sets, yes, I can see Nadal bemoaning the fact that he could have done that last July. Bagel—come on TP.
Bento said
TP, what are you on? Bagel Federer at Wimbledon??????? What about being superman?
Geez, you have to see it with your own eyes forever to believe it. Federer is the best ever, TP. It doesn’t matter if he is bageled. It has been written already.
And, by the way, Nadal is more past than Federer, and that’s not far fetched.
Andy said
Am I the only one who thinks “bagels” do NOT play that big a factor in a player’s mind and that TP is WAY off in his emphasis on them? I’ve noticed his obsession (bordering on lunatic obsession) with “bagels” before, but this latest post is like the quintessential example of TP’s exaggerated view of the significance of the “bagel” in tennis. I really doubt a player cares THAT much about being bageled in a set. What does it matter if the palyer manages to come back and win the next set, let alone the match. Nadal, of all players, certainly understands this, and probably could care less that Fed bageled him that time in Hamburg. While I’m sure he did/does care that he lost that match, all the clay matches after that vs. Fed have gone, well, EXCELLENT for him, so I’m sure that has more than eased any pain. My guess is that the Hamburg bagel occupies about 00000000000000000000000000000001 worth of space in Rafa’s brain.
jOHN tp said
NADAL WILL NEVER WIN AO AND UO. THAT’S IT BUDDY.
DREAM ON. AND FEDERER ALWAYS WANT NADAL IN THE FINAL.
EVERN IN 2008 US OPEN, HE WANTS NADAL IN THE FINAL.
HE IS NOT SCARED OF NADAL. YOU WILL SEE IN 2009
WIMBLEDON, FEDERER WILL KILL HIM.
Adrian said
Yeah, and also consider that Federer has been very close to bageling Nadal at Roland Garros — in the first set of 2006, 6-1!
grendel said
“That [bagelling Federer at Wimbledon} ia as impossible a task as bagelling Nadal on clay”.
Now we have been endlessly told by Rafa fans that the 2007 Hamburg didn’t really count (3rd set, Federer 6, Nadal 0), as poor Rafa was tired. But still, something happened. Technically, a bagel did occur. It hasn’t – yet – been written out of the history books. I’ve just watched that third set again. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUrT8e6XHSk). Highly enjoyable.
C said
Yeap it’s a mental block Federer has when it comes to Nadal. I really wish Fed will snap out of it, he has what it takes to beat Nadal. He just to wipe away the mental ‘fear’ he has against Nadal. Though it’s easier said than done but hope he wil do it figure out himself or which his coach. Worse case, just whack himself in the head and maybe he will get selective amnesia when it comes to Nadal.
Erwin said
Exactly. It’s 110% mental. So why was Nadal tired against Murray ? He shouldn’t even have felt it in such a big match. The guy still has a lot to learn in the mental department.
boxingary said
Despite Nadal bageling Federer at the French this year,
and despite Nadal having more hard-court success this year,
he actually MOVED BACKWARDS in respect to a (presumed) goal of bageling Federer at Wimbledon.
In the 2007 Wimby final, Nadal won the fourth set 6-2.
In this year’s Wimby final, Nadal couldn’t do better than 6-4.
Oh, and BTW, Federer bageled Nadal in the first set at
the 2006 Wimbledon…
banti said
TP,
Once again must ask, where do you get this stuff? Roger is still ahead of Rafa head to head on any other surface besides clay. He came out flat footed, over confident in Wimbi and it cost him. Roger vs Rafa on grass 2/1. On hard courts 3/2.
Here is how I look at.
Roger will never have to face Rafa in a Hard court GS final bc Rafa wont make it there! lol. Not happening. He is so weak on that surface, gets toyed with really. Murray was playing around with him, as was querry, as will Del Potro if he plays him.
If he does somehow squeeze through its not Rafa who’s going to have the mental edge, its Roger who’s going to come out with something to prove. Roger wants to play Rafa in that situation. He has said this. He wants to justify that Wimbi loss. The best thing for Rafa is hope to not face Roger anytime soon in that situation bc you will for sure have at least one more Bagel to talk about. In my eyes Rafa has now become a Djoker to Roger . And we all know that story. Still give Rafa the French but if there is a year to do it, next year is Roger’s best chance in Paris
Chris-Evert said
In 1983-1984, Navratilova won 13 consecutive matches against Evert, with 3 bagels. Everybody said that Evert could never again beat Navratilova. However, Evert won 7 of their last matches, including 2 slams.
So, you are maybe right, but who really knows?
On the other hand, I agree with you on next AO. Winning this slam will be a great asset for the whole year, whoever wins.
Banti said
“EVERN IN 2008 US OPEN, HE WANTS NADAL IN THE FINAL.
HE IS NOT SCARED OF NADAL. YOU WILL SEE IN 2009
WIMBLEDON, FEDERER WILL KILL HIM.”
I believe this as well. Fed was not confident going into that final in Wimbi this year. Things have changed in Fed’s head recently prior to winning the USO. I honestly don’t think Nadal will be a problem at all next year, and Fed will have one of his best years yet! Straight set demolition of Nadal in next years Wimbi final for sure. Were looking at a new mentally strong Fed, who is not afraid of Nadal.. Mark my words, i just have that feeling:)
EngllishWoman said
This latest offering from TP just HAS to be a wind up. Obsessions with bagels, bagelling Fed at Wimby, Rafa’s winning Wimby this year not erasing the ignominy of Fed bagelling him on clay at Hamburg. Do me a favour lol.
Tony said
Fed fans are SO in denial, it’s pathetic and pathological…
Jenny said
Personally I don’t think the odd bagel registers too much in the minds of Fed and Nadal. I agree with Tony, far too much emphasis is made of it. I’ve seen players bageled in the first set and go on to win a match. eg Robredo/Murray – Metz 2007, Robredo won the match.
Anonymous said
Tony, do you have anything intelligent to say other than telling us how Fed fans are? YOU’re starting to look pathetic by the way you get pissed at anything that has to do with Federer.
grendel said
I agree with Jenny up to a point – bagels often have no effect. Did Murray bagel Gasquet last year (or was it 6-1?) before being beaten? My point was just that TP had forgotten that Nadal had been bagelled on clay. Nevertheless, although a bagel is probably not important in terms of results, players are only human, and I imagine they are not too happy to be on the receiving end.
djb said
All you Federer fans out there should really quit it. Haven’t you gotten it through your skulls that Nadal has taken over and he’s at the top to stay? He’s fully capable of giving Fed a bagel on ANY surface, especially grass and hard. All of a sudden, along comes a player that Fed can’t handle and his fans CAN’T deal with it. Typical!! Deal with reality, Fed Fans. Roger’s days of dominance are OVER!!!!
KC C-P said
bagels have effect.
even if you win the match.
getting bageled is something your peers would pick on and make fun of about you.
repeat: even if you win the match.
Sol said
Djb, I thought you were serious before I read this “He’s fully capable of giving Fed a bagel on ANY surface, especially grass and HARD” and then I thought maybe you’re just being ironic cause there’s no way you actually believe that… Or then I’m missing something…
Deep South Girl said
grendel–you know l love you so I hope you won’t be upset with me but I have to let you know that you remind me of the Will Ferrell impersonation of James Lipton and his program Inside The Actors Studio.
Maybe you can catch it on
Youtube.com love and kisses