Everything looked good to me: movement, FH, BH, serving. No indication of injuries. There’s reason for hope!
I finally saw the Kubler match, and v. much like what I'm seeing. I agree that he's playing much more aggressive, not looking to extend rallies. Kubler wasn't much of a test today, tbh. Let's see how it goes v. Thompson. Will be very interesting if he gets to Dimitrov.
I just finished watching the Kubler match, I want to see how Rafa fares against a higher ranked player,
Agreed. In retrospect, that's why I think Thiem was a good place to start: known opponent, talented, but with struggles of his own. Good for the confidence. If he'd gotten a lesser qualifier, then Kubler, it would be much harder to judge the level.
Hi Sis @Moxie Moxie, do you remember Rafa playing first strike tennis like this for the entirety of a match..his UFEs are still low or at a Rafa acceptable level..my thoughts are this will put stress on whomever he faces including the world's top 5 players.
I honestly don't. Finally doing what we've been begging him to do for years. Well, Federer learned a thing or two rather later, too. Old dogs CAN learn a few new tricks. Better for the old bones. If he can keep playing like this, he will stress anyone. He's moving great, too. I'll be holding my breath until he gets out of Oz, though. It's not his luckiest quadrant of the Earth.
The most pleasing thing I read, Rafa said he can move freely with no pain .I honestly don't. Finally doing what we've been begging him to do for years. Well, Federer learned a thing or two rather later, too. Old dogs CAN learn a few new tricks. Better for the old bones. If he can keep playing like this, he will stress anyone. He's moving great, too. I'll be holding my breath until he gets out of Oz, though. It's not his luckiest quadrant of the Earth.
I do feel that the site is at risk of being non-stop Rafa, but the news of the week (on the ATP side) is actually the return of Rafa, and Novak's wrist.
Maybe I should have put that post on the Rafa Fan post, Novak didnt have to play against Aussie in the United Cup for starters he was having pain in his wrist in his previous match and had MTO for it, that was his decision to play against de Minaur.
