ROME - 2010 ATP Masters 1000

[fedfan]

when he stay healthy he will overround federer in title account -no doubt about

title count as in master 1000 tournaments? no doubt there.
but if the reference is more toward total titles won either in Slams(Federer 16 Rafa 6) or all titles included (Fed 62 Rafa 37), then I'm not so sure there. Age is on his side but that would take an incredible effort just to get close to those kind of numbers, no?

Maybe the number of titles he could beat Federer, given Fed doesn't pick up as many tour titles week in week out, plus if Nadal is fit he is always likely to win 3 events on clay and 2/3 others.

I'd be surprised if he got to Federer's GS number though, especially as he is still winning them himself and given the physical demand of his game.

[Mike Rotchtickles]

BTW - I find his confidence on a par with Safin. Meaning he tells it like it is. No unessesory cockiness, no excuses, no vulgar parents, t-shirts etc...lol He is real. Thats why I like him.

Yeah there's definately something Safinesque about him. Sometimes that can be either a good or a bad thing.

This was a quote taken from an interview that Gulbis did after the match with Nadal:



I thought he was going to be much tougher

But actually I got into the game and didn't have any problems going into rallies with him.


That kinda reminds me of something in a similar vein that Djokovic said about Nadal a few years back after losing to Rafa at RG.
Check out that youtube vid and in particular Rafa's reaction/reply.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SdfhhYJsJ8

[jayl0ve]

I remember that Djokovic match.

I actually think that was the moment where I really started to hate him.

I saw those things that Gulbis said and I was kinda taken aback by it...he said that he thought Nadal's shots would be 'much heavier'

I think that's kind of ridiculous considering that literally nobody on Planet Earth hits a heavier ball than Nadal.

[AUSSIE_FABS]

I think that's kind of ridiculous considering that literally nobody on Planet Earth hits a heavier ball than Nadal.

I have hit heavier... (although the ball was really cheap soaking wet and covered in sand)

[djarvik]

BTW - I find his confidence on a par with Safin. Meaning he tells it like it is. No unessesory cockiness, no excuses, no vulgar parents, t-shirts etc...lol He is real. Thats why I like him.

Yeah there's definately something Safinesque about him. Sometimes that can be either a good or a bad thing.

This was a quote taken from an interview that Gulbis did after the match with Nadal:



I thought he was going to be much tougher

But actually I got into the game and didn't have any problems going into rallies with him.


That kinda reminds me of something in a similar vein that Djokovic said about Nadal a few years back after losing to Rafa at RG.
Check out that youtube vid and in particular Rafa's reaction/reply.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SdfhhYJsJ8

Nahhh....that comparation is not even close. Djokovic lost in easy 2 sets to Nadal and proceeded to blab for 30 minutes how he controlled the match.

Gulbis made one comment and it happen to be true as far as him concerned. Did you see these BH to FH rallies? ....if he would be less of an impatient F*** it would help his agenda. He more then hang with Nadal in rallies and hit more winners in that one clay match than Djokovic in all his matches against Nadal on clay (grossly exaggerated to get the point across).

So its safe to say that to Him, Nadals balls were not that as heavy, or as hard to handle as he originally thought.

Thats the main difference between Djoker and Ernests. Gulbis actually spoke the truth, and had a set to back it up. The 3 consecutive BAD drop shots he hit at 4-4.....arrrr.....can't help but think what would happened if it went all the way. But Nadal was just himself at the end. Solid as a rock.

In words of great Ivan Ljubicic, after wining Nadal this year: "He hit his short balls today..."

I think Nadal's balls definitely lacked a bit of length in this Gulbis match at Rome. Just enough so Gulbis could pound 50 winners.

Here is a shot at Nadal. In his interview, he said: "Gulbis played great, but this was my worst match on clay....puase.....this year."

So is this going to be the trend? ....anyone losing or playing close with Gulbis is on "their worst day" Its like they can't believe that kid can actually stay focused and push them....not a good showing from Nadal....even Fed gave more credit than that.

[jayl0ve]

When you win an obscenely large amount of the time on clay like Nadal, I think you can be forgiven for making a few slightly less than 'humble' statements, no?

He hasn't lost a set all year on clay, no? So, was shocking

[arcaniaBANNED]

Hello. My oppinion here. By judging from Nadal's clay matches this year, it was indeed his worst performance. All in all, it was enough to beat Gulbis in the form of his life(so far).

[djarvik]

When you win an obscenely large amount of the time on clay like Nadal, I think you can be forgiven for making a few slightly less than 'humble' statements, no?

He hasn't lost a set all year on clay, no? So, was shocking

Yeah.....just wanted to throw something at ya aaaall!

[djarvik]

Hello. My oppinion here. By judging from Nadal's clay matches this year, it was indeed his worst performance. All in all, it was enough to beat Gulbis in the form of his life(so far).

Gulbis is 21.

Do you think Gulbis had anything to do with Nadals bad performance?

How many UE Nadal hit?

Please.....just because someone pushes him in a clay match, doesn't make it his Bad performance. But it sure does make the other guy's performance great.

That is exactly what I was talking about. .......we will just have to see how many more "bad performances" will other players have this year against a guy that is playing so good at the moment. (and obviously has no influence on the opponent performance, a pure pusher that is Gulbis)

But I respect your opinion.

[arcaniaBANNED]

I got you. Let's just hope that Gulbis's tournament in Rome will not remain his highlight of the year. For the sake of tennis.

[Cro Morgan]

[coke4]

Hello. My oppinion here. By judging from Nadal's clay matches this year, it was indeed his worst performance. All in all, it was enough to beat Gulbis in the form of his life(so far).

Gulbis is 21.

Do you think Gulbis had anything to do with Nadals bad performance?

How many UE Nadal hit?

Please.....just because someone pushes him in a clay match, doesn't make it his Bad performance. But it sure does make the other guy's performance great.

That is exactly what I was talking about. .......we will just have to see how many more "bad performances" will other players have this year against a guy that is playing so good at the moment. (and obviously has no influence on the opponent performance, a pure pusher that is Gulbis)

But I respect your opinion.

I heard he did play badly as well, from un-biased sources

[djarvik]

Who's your source Coke?

I am not denying that Nadal looked not his best, I am simply saying that Gulbis has a lot to do with it.


BTW - if anyone interested, here is a 17-18 y/o Gulbis destroying Robredo:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3381x ... high_sport

Honestly, he looks better then then now

[arcaniaBANNED]

Ok man, Gulbis is the best. He will win 1000 Grand Slams, stay to the number one spot in the world 10 straight years and will be knon even by extra terestrials.

[coke4]

Who's your source Coke?

I am not denying that Nadal looked not his best, I am simply saying that Gulbis has a lot to do with it.


BTW - if anyone interested, here is a 17-18 y/o Gulbis destroying Robredo:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3381x ... high_sport

Honestly, he looks better then then now

2 Sources now

First my coach- Played lots of tourneys Future/Challrnger Tourneys, watches shit loads tennis (not dissimilar to you)
2nd- Girl in my Year, is the top(i think) U-18 in Ireland.

Sure Gulbis hindered Rafa's play a bit, but seriously, Rafa being hindered on clay while playing 85% + ?????

I think its time you take off the Gulbis goggles.

That being said, pushing Rafa on clay, no matter how well he plays, is impressive. The Latvian Playboy will is on course for great things