re: Official 2013 French Open Thread

I am certifiably in love with Rafa Nadal.

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Why was this match not on ESPN? It was on the tennis Chanel right?

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Not sure why it wasn't on ESPN or ESPN2, just the contract I guess. I believe the first 3/4 was on Tennis channel and I think the end was on NBC (b/c the last set was available for streaming on NBC).

Bobbyray,

We need to talk. That was a hell of a match. Too bad I missed the last 2 1/2 sets due to work. Both guys have lots of heart.

As my earlier post about Ferrer's comments about Rafa show, you just can't keep up with the tenacity, heavy shots, variable spins, and hustle on clay to beat Rafa in 5 sets. Djoker elevated his game both sets he won when he got down a break. That is the level that is required for the entire match and its almost impossible to maintain that level for 5 sets. Rafa is a boxer that hits you in the ribs and gets stronger as the rounds. At some point, you just don't want to get hit anymore.

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I like his refusal to give respect to Nadal, it's exactly how Nadal treats Federer. Neither of these guys seem humble to the tennis gods, Federer at least seems to know his place in history. Seems like all of the old players would love to chat it up with him. Both of these guys I could see snub Laver at a dinner.

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No offense, but did you just make all of that up?

Nadal is universally acknowledged as pretty much the most humble athlete alive. Sure he always wanted to beat Federer, but to this day I don't think he's ever said anything other than Federer is the GOAT. He said it even when he was beating him.

Rafa and Djokovic have a healthy respect for each other. I used to hate Djokovic, but he's grown on me quite a bit. He can be so painful to watch cause he just doesn't have it there mentally.

Physically he's the GOAT, period. I don't care what anyone says. When he's on, no one can beat him. Some of the points he was so effortlessly running Rafa ragged it wasn't even funny. Then he'd go headcase for a set.

Overall, awesome match. Rafa will hafta improve his serving if he wants to win Wimbledon. He can't be dumping those softball seconds in there or Djokovic will eat him up. I also don't know if he lost confidence in his backhand or if it was part of some new strategy but he was running around EVERYTHING, to the point where he took himself out of alot of points IMO.

I just hope he remains healthy so we get some more Rafa-Djokovic showdowns. I was the same as everyone else at the end though. Forgot this wasn't the Finals and was waiting to hear Djokovic interviewed. Fvcking 3 seed, tennis rankings you're moronically archaic.

People keep saying this, and sure the Rafa/Djokovic winner would probably win, but upsets happen all the time.

I looked it up the other day and Ferrer-Djokovic have only played on clay three times, but Ferrer actually has the 2-1 advantage in those matches.

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No offense, but did you just make all of that up?

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Of course I did, it's called an opinion - what do you think I have an encyclopedia that I draw all of my opinions from?

I've never read or heard Nadal or Joker say ONE thing about another tennis player outside of their pre-match interview of the player they are about to face. No, "I love how Kuertan covered the court and used his angles..." or "Borg was incredibly fast on the court and it's something I've tried to achieve." You know some hero, or some respect for anyone before him. Really, no sense of place in the sport is how I feel.

It's an opinion, and maybe the it's the language barrier or lack of exposes. Maybe it's just that tennis used to be more covered in the media. IDK?

Tsonga playing really badly today.

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Tsonga playing really badly today.

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I don´t think his best would create problems for Ferrer.