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There is ONE fairly blatant thing that reinforces Nadal's commitment to be the best tennis player he can be - that none of the six and more Slam winners 'exhibited'.
What is it?
HINT: Closest clown? Sampras.
First correct answer = Wall Of Fame listing.
Winner / Correct answer: Monday, Mar 5, 2018.
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No interest other than tennis?
Posted by: O | 02/26/2018 at 09:32 PM
no commitment for marriage before achieve the "goat" goal.
Posted by: Jim | 02/27/2018 at 06:47 AM
I think he has interests outside tennis. Fishing is certainly one of them. But, he's no good in anything else, tennis is the one and only thing he can do. He won't be able to coach or comment, be in arts or showbiz, even politics is out of reach. Tennis is all he knows.
Posted by: Veglia | 02/27/2018 at 02:39 PM
I thought he was a Poker Star-in-the-making.
Posted by: Gary Moser | 02/27/2018 at 02:53 PM
cannot let go of sponsors endorsements
Posted by: alex | 02/28/2018 at 12:54 AM
To master one shot in the arsenal that makes them unique and won them majority of matches (top spin forehand) unlike other players whose armory is distributed.
Posted by: Kitty | 02/28/2018 at 04:24 AM
Yes, that's there too, you are right.
Posted by: Veglia | 02/28/2018 at 04:53 AM
Sampras didn't do that
Posted by: Veglia | 02/28/2018 at 04:54 AM
How about Novak or Becker or Agassi ...
Posted by: Veglia | 02/28/2018 at 04:54 AM
Being told that they would not play tennis for long due to some physical condition.
Posted by: Sarvesh | 02/28/2018 at 10:11 AM
I see that TP is hinting at Sampras being a one-trick pony, same as Nadal, but I don't agree with that. Sampras had the big serve but also a great net game and best running forehand in history. Nadal, aside from his serve that can be improved, is an all-court player. There is a reason why nobody successfully explored his BH. It is not weak. Nadal also has a great touch at the net.
Posted by: Veglia | 02/28/2018 at 11:14 AM
How about this: Nadal is a natural right-handed player but was told ("forced") to play with his left hand. Sampras played two-handed backhand as a junior then switched to one handed. Both were told this is the way to go if they wanted to arrive at the top of the game. Under these "forced" conditions they were both required an extreme commitment to the game, to practice, to specific mindset and focus to achieve the results.
And that "is ONE fairly blatant thing that reinforces Nadal's commitment to be the best tennis player he can be"!
Posted by: Veglia | 02/28/2018 at 11:19 AM
For Nadal, beating his closest rival i.e, Federer, is personal. Just like beating Agassi was for Sampras.
Posted by: Alpha | 03/01/2018 at 12:17 AM
Or...
He beat his closest rival when it mattered.
Posted by: Alpha | 03/01/2018 at 12:17 AM
I agree this is personal but I can't agree Australian Open 2017 didn't matter. Of even Wimbledon 2007, which in my view could have turned the course of history.
Posted by: Veglia | 03/01/2018 at 04:40 AM
good analysis
Posted by: Jim | 03/01/2018 at 07:05 AM
thanks :)
Posted by: Veglia | 03/01/2018 at 07:54 AM
I have given two separate answers that are not necessarily related. One is about feelings and intent, ie it’s personal. The second is about outcomes — beat him when it mattered.
Posted by: Alpha | 03/01/2018 at 04:15 PM
I'm a bit late to this party, but I'll jump in because I didn't see the answer I was expecting people to say. I don't pay much attention to exo activities or results, but it seems to me that Nadal doesn't play very many, whereas players like Federer have been criticized for participating in some that clog up their ATP schedule. Cash over career? There are two hints in the question: The "exhibited" reference, and Sampras, who never seemed comfortable in those sorts of hamming-it-up scenarios (especially that one with Agassi!).
Posted by: Clifford | 03/03/2018 at 07:43 PM
Hmmm, how about half grass/half clay exo Rafa played vs Roger? Or Rafa Academy exos? Or Sampras/Federer exos?
Posted by: Veglia | 03/04/2018 at 06:44 AM
Veglia, as you've had a comment for every other answer...
First, the choice for Nadal to be a lefty was made by Toni, not Rafa, and made at an age when Rafa was much too young to decide.
Second, the choice wasn't deliberate. Rafa was hitting off both wings with two hands and Toni thought he lefty swing was the more natural one. And so Rafa played with his left hand.
Posted by: Alpha | 03/04/2018 at 03:53 PM
All true.....but worth a shot!
Posted by: Clifford | 03/04/2018 at 05:19 PM
I didn't know about the 2nd. Interesting.
Posted by: Veglia | 03/04/2018 at 06:29 PM
I have a feeling Kitty is going to win based on TP's delusion that Rafa is a one trick pony ...
Posted by: Veglia | 03/04/2018 at 06:31 PM
My guess is Rafa is willing to pay as many tournaments as needed to get back to No 1 ranking. He did not have to play so many in 2017. It is ridiculous he was planned to show up in Mexico, for nothing but protecting the ranking points. Peter was willing to play 250 events to get the number 1 ranking so that was similar.
Posted by: Gipotu | 03/04/2018 at 07:22 PM
WINNER: JIM.
Delaying marriage to concentrate on his career - exclusively.
Posted by: Tennis Planet | 03/05/2018 at 04:26 PM
Congrats Jim!
Posted by: Veglia | 03/05/2018 at 05:43 PM
Congrats Jim!
Posted by: Veglia | 03/05/2018 at 05:50 PM
Congrats Jim!
Posted by: Alpha | 03/05/2018 at 08:10 PM
Great! Thanks TP!
Posted by: Jim | 03/06/2018 at 08:29 AM
Thanks :)
Posted by: Jim | 03/06/2018 at 08:29 AM
Sure :)
Posted by: Jim | 03/06/2018 at 08:29 AM