MONTE CARLO ROLEX MASTERS - Apr. 12-20 - 2014.

[GameSetAndMath]

The Breathtaking Picturesque Monte Carlo Tournament is almost ready to begin.
I can smell it in the air. All top 6 players are participating and 16 of the top 20 players
are participating (except for JMDP, Andy, Big John and Tommy Haas; the first and last
due to injury issues). Last year, there was a first time winner. Will we have a first
time winner again this year?

Here is the entry list of 45 players. There will be 7 qualifers and 4 wild cards
(we know one of them) also.

http://www.montecarlotennismasters.com/Players/Player-Landing.aspx

Here is a 30 second preview.
http://www.montecarlotennismasters.com/Media/Video/2014/Monte-Carlo-2014-Preview.aspx#ooid=w0aG91bDqr8DMQTdllBhO2tBzS4U41SZ

The qualifying tournmanets which begins on saturday. Folks like Ramos and
Montanes have to play qualifying despite being dirt ballers.

Here is the qualifying draw.

http://www.montecarlotennismasters.com/~/media/B4CE3A1344B14BB4BD1DF23FDDE2042D.ashx

Let the games begin and the dirt fly.

 

[Kieran]

First thought: strong field.

I read that Andy is skipping this to rest a bit. Got to listen to the body. The really good news is that Roger is bringing his show to Nole's adopted home, and one of Rafa's traditional money-earners. last year, indeed, a new name on the cup: could Federer get his name on it this year? Stranger things have happened.

I often wonder, when we come to the clay, when will Rafa begin to show clay-fatigue? When will the strain start to show, the concentration waver, the resolve begin to falter? And when will age catch up, or else somebody else just become plain better than him? Every year is a huge test for him, but he comes through it, only once being second best on the dirt, in 2009.

Could be this year.

Will be interested to see how the young guns do too. No breakthrough in IW or Miami, have they anything to bring to Monte Carlo?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It is also customary to wonder how great Rafa is on Clay when MC starts.
In case you live in a bubble, you can read the following article.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/15/FedEx-Clay-Records-Nadal.aspx?utm_source=ATPMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ATP%20World%20Tour%20Insider%20#15%20-%20April%2010%202014%20(1)

This year, Rafa has the chance to become the all time title leader in clay titles.
He is not already the title leader will be a surprise to most folks though.
He has 43 titiles, 3 less that the max ever achieved (Guillermo Vilas is the
current record holder with a count of 46). With Rafa playing in 5 clay
events this spring, he only needs 4 of them to take sole possesion of the
#1 spot in clay title leaders list.

 

[harrycairns]

Can't see past Rafa, even after last year.

 

[Kieran]

Can't see past Rafa, even after last year.

If the weather is hot and dry, it'll help. Last year, there was a lot of rain before the final and the court took time to dry out.

When is the main draw? Tomorrow?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Can't see past Rafa, even after last year.

If the weather is hot and dry, it'll help. Last year, there was a lot of rain before the final and the court took time to dry out.

When is the main draw? Tomorrow?

Weather looks good. At present rain is forecast for the quarterfinals on friday (and
by and large clear on other days). But, I suspect that too will go away as the date
comes nearby.

The draw is at noon on saturday, the 12th.

 

[Kieran]

Noon, Saturday? Cheers!

 

[tented]

Can't see past Rafa, even after last year.

If the weather is hot and dry, it'll help. Last year, there was a lot of rain before the final and the court took time to dry out.

When is the main draw? Tomorrow?

Weather looks good. At present rain is forecast for the quarterfinals on friday (and
by and large clear on other days). But, I suspect that too will go away as the date
comes nearby.

The draw is at noon on saturday, the 12th.

Thanks for the info, GSM.

I can't wait for the draw. OK, scratch that. I can't wait to find out where Federer lands in the draw.

 

[nehmeth]

Looking to see if Stan is over his post-slam-win-swoon. He's done nothing since Oz.

 

[Moxie]

It is also customary to wonder how great Rafa is on Clay when MC starts.
In case you live in a bubble, you can read the following article.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/15/FedEx-Clay-Records-Nadal.aspx?utm_source=ATPMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ATP%20World%20Tour%20Insider%20#15%20-%20April%2010%202014%20(1)

This year, Rafa has the chance to become the all time title leader in clay titles.
He is not already the title leader will be a surprise to most folks though.
He has 43 titiles, 3 less that the max ever achieved (Guillermo Vilas is the
current record holder with a count of 46). With Rafa playing in 5 clay
events this spring, he only needs 4 of them to take sole possesion of the
#1 spot in clay title leaders list.

"Only." It speaks to Rafa's dominance on clay that you would phrase it as I bolded above. I'm a bit with Kieran, which could be a fan's nerves, but every year we wonder if he can keep up this high-wire act on the clay. For now, of course, he is still the man to beat on clay. Taking back Monte Carlo could be a challenge. Like tented, I want to see where Roger gets drawn. And Stan, I guess, though he's had a rough patch since the AO. It's a great field, and should garner some good matches, though I don't expect huge surprises at the end.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Looking to see if Stan is over his post-slam-win-swoon. He's done nothing since Oz.

He did the most important thing of winning the match against KuKushkin when under
pressure. That win would have rejuvenated him.

I expect him to be back at full force in the clay season. He does like clay.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It is also customary to wonder how great Rafa is on Clay when MC starts.
In case you live in a bubble, you can read the following article.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/15/FedEx-Clay-Records-Nadal.aspx?utm_source=ATPMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ATP%20World%20Tour%20Insider%20#15%20-%20April%2010%202014%20(1)

This year, Rafa has the chance to become the all time title leader in clay titles.
He is not already the title leader will be a surprise to most folks though.
He has 43 titiles, 3 less that the max ever achieved (Guillermo Vilas is the
current record holder with a count of 46). With Rafa playing in 5 clay
events this spring, he only needs 4 of them to take sole possesion of the
#1 spot in clay title leaders list.

"Only." It speaks to Rafa's dominance on clay that you would phrase it as I bolded above. I'm a bit with Kieran, which could be a fan's nerves, but every year we wonder if he can keep up this high-wire act on the clay. For now, of course, he is still the man to beat on clay. Taking back Monte Carlo could be a challenge. Like tented, I want to see where Roger gets drawn. And Stan, I guess, though he's had a rough patch since the AO. It's a great field, and should garner some good matches, though I don't expect huge surprises at the end.

Since he needs only 4, I am hoping he takes the first 4 and leaves the last one for
someone else.

 

[Moxie]

It is also customary to wonder how great Rafa is on Clay when MC starts.
In case you live in a bubble, you can read the following article.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/15/FedEx-Clay-Records-Nadal.aspx?utm_source=ATPMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ATP%20World%20Tour%20Insider%20#15%20-%20April%2010%202014%20(1)

This year, Rafa has the chance to become the all time title leader in clay titles.
He is not already the title leader will be a surprise to most folks though.
He has 43 titiles, 3 less that the max ever achieved (Guillermo Vilas is the
current record holder with a count of 46). With Rafa playing in 5 clay
events this spring, he only needs 4 of them to take sole possesion of the
#1 spot in clay title leaders list.

"Only." It speaks to Rafa's dominance on clay that you would phrase it as I bolded above. I'm a bit with Kieran, which could be a fan's nerves, but every year we wonder if he can keep up this high-wire act on the clay. For now, of course, he is still the man to beat on clay. Taking back Monte Carlo could be a challenge. Like tented, I want to see where Roger gets drawn. And Stan, I guess, though he's had a rough patch since the AO. It's a great field, and should garner some good matches, though I don't expect huge surprises at the end.

Since he needs only 4, I am hoping he takes the first 4 and leaves the last one for
someone else.

I see where you're going with that, but if he takes the first 4, he's taking the 5th. Rafael is also a confidence player. And if he's playing that well on clay, no one else has a chance. However, I think he could win MC again, but lose Madrid. And potentially drop Barcelona, if he needs the rest. I don't think he'll pass Vilas this year, as he'll be protecting RG. At least, I hope he is.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Even if Rafa won no clay titles from now on, his legacy as the best dirt baller ever is more than secure. Rafa on clay is like Jordan on hardwood.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It is also customary to wonder how great Rafa is on Clay when MC starts.
In case you live in a bubble, you can read the following article.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/15/FedEx-Clay-Records-Nadal.aspx?utm_source=ATPMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ATP%20World%20Tour%20Insider%20#15%20-%20April%2010%202014%20(1)

This year, Rafa has the chance to become the all time title leader in clay titles.
He is not already the title leader will be a surprise to most folks though.
He has 43 titiles, 3 less that the max ever achieved (Guillermo Vilas is the
current record holder with a count of 46). With Rafa playing in 5 clay
events this spring, he only needs 4 of them to take sole possesion of the
#1 spot in clay title leaders list.

"Only." It speaks to Rafa's dominance on clay that you would phrase it as I bolded above. I'm a bit with Kieran, which could be a fan's nerves, but every year we wonder if he can keep up this high-wire act on the clay. For now, of course, he is still the man to beat on clay. Taking back Monte Carlo could be a challenge. Like tented, I want to see where Roger gets drawn. And Stan, I guess, though he's had a rough patch since the AO. It's a great field, and should garner some good matches, though I don't expect huge surprises at the end.

Since he needs only 4, I am hoping he takes the first 4 and leaves the last one for
someone else.

I see where you're going with that, but if he takes the first 4, he's taking the 5th. Rafael is also a confidence player. And if he's playing that well on clay, no one else has a chance. However, I think he could win MC again, but lose Madrid. And potentially drop Barcelona, if he needs the rest. I don't think he'll pass Vilas this year, as he'll be protecting RG. At least, I hope he is.

I was joking of course. As you say, if he wins the first four, he will surely win the last
one also. But, seriously speaking I think Rafa will win only 3 out of 5 this year.
But, unlike you, I think he will win Barcelona as he is sure to have the weakest competition
there. He has good chances of losing Madrid, as he generally does not like that
tournament. I think that's all I am willing to say at this time.

 

[Moxie]

Even if Rafa won no clay titles from now on, his legacy as the best dirt baller ever is more than secure. Rafa on clay is like Jordan on hardwood.

In theory yes, but in practice, no. It would damage his legacy to fall off the map on clay. That won't happen, but it will be interesting to see how he winds down on clay, and if there is a dirt-devil coming up to challenge him.

It is also customary to wonder how great Rafa is on Clay when MC starts.
In case you live in a bubble, you can read the following article.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/15/FedEx-Clay-Records-Nadal.aspx?utm_source=ATPMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ATP%20World%20Tour%20Insider%20#15%20-%20April%2010%202014%20(1)

This year, Rafa has the chance to become the all time title leader in clay titles.
He is not already the title leader will be a surprise to most folks though.
He has 43 titiles, 3 less that the max ever achieved (Guillermo Vilas is the
current record holder with a count of 46). With Rafa playing in 5 clay
events this spring, he only needs 4 of them to take sole possesion of the
#1 spot in clay title leaders list.

"Only." It speaks to Rafa's dominance on clay that you would phrase it as I bolded above. I'm a bit with Kieran, which could be a fan's nerves, but every year we wonder if he can keep up this high-wire act on the clay. For now, of course, he is still the man to beat on clay. Taking back Monte Carlo could be a challenge. Like tented, I want to see where Roger gets drawn. And Stan, I guess, though he's had a rough patch since the AO. It's a great field, and should garner some good matches, though I don't expect huge surprises at the end.

Since he needs only 4, I am hoping he takes the first 4 and leaves the last one for
someone else.

I see where you're going with that, but if he takes the first 4, he's taking the 5th. Rafael is also a confidence player. And if he's playing that well on clay, no one else has a chance. However, I think he could win MC again, but lose Madrid. And potentially drop Barcelona, if he needs the rest. I don't think he'll pass Vilas this year, as he'll be protecting RG. At least, I hope he is.

I was joking of course. As you say, if he wins the first four, he will surely win the last
one also. But, seriously speaking I think Rafa will win only 3 out of 5 this year.
But, unlike you, I think he will win Barcelona as he is sure to have the weakest competition
there. He has good chances of losing Madrid, as he generally does not like that
tournament. I think that's all I am willing to say at this time.

We seem to agree that he will likely not overtake Vilas this year. He may tie him. I have no problem agreeing that he will win Barcelona, if he plays it. My suggestion is that he may not. And we agree on Madrid…it's his least favorite. Even HE has only won 3 MS on clay in a single season, I think, so what are the chances of doing it again?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Actually, Rafa does not know what is good for him scheduling wise. He was vehemently
complaining of the scheduling by ATP that year. But, that was the only year in which
he sweeped all three clay masters tournaments and followed it up with FO, a Clay Slam
so to speak.

This is how Rafa's schedule was that year (2010).

A week of Monte Carlo, followed by a week of rest.

A week of Rome, followed by a week of rest.

A week of Madrid, followed by a week of rest.

and then the FO.

Rafa was vehemently complaining that year because he was forced to skip Barcelona
as playing that would have meant playing for three consecutive weeks. Little did he know
that skipping Barcelona was a blessing in disguise as it helped him achieve Clay Slam.

 

[Kieran]

Totally agree. I wish he'd forget about Barcelona and just play the others...

 

[tented]

Totally agree. I wish he'd forget about Barcelona and just play the others...

Me, too, but I think Rafa feels obligated to play Barcelona since it's his "home" tournament. If I had to choose, however, I'd prefer he play there than Madrid, which does little, if anything, to prepare him for RG.

 

[isabelle]

Can't see past Rafa, even after last year.

If the weather is hot and dry, it'll help. Last year, there was a lot of rain before the final and the court took time to dry out.

When is the main draw? Tomorrow?

Nice weather for the moment, hope it can continue like that. Haas and Mayer are out by the way and Monfils is doubtfull (ankle injury)