Nadal

[oliensis]

Watching Djoker vs. Nadal in London on tennistv.com.
Commentators commented that Nadal's average groundstroke speed is down 10mph from what it was at the Australian Open '09.

Part of it may be the inreased use of the slice backhand which clearly travels more slowly than his 2hbh. But, in general, his groundstrokes appear to be much less imposing than in 1H'09. Many more balls landing short and w/out penetration. He was ripping balls past people from the baseline at the French in '08. And now he has a lot more trouble doing that on an indoor hardcourt in London.

Lack of "vitamins?"
He doesn't appear to be hitting as hard as he did when he was 17, which was pre-muscle-beach time for him.

Thoughts on what's going on?

[carrerakent]

did he get off performance enhancing drugs????

weight loss, less stamina, less hyper, less power? hmmmm

[oliensis]

Well, that's the implication of my question re: "vitamins."

Interesting that he cycles 6 months on and 6 months off in his results.

I'm not asserting that he does extracurricular "vitamins." But I do wonder.

[carrerakent]

well, his name was found in the files of a spanish doctor that was arrested for doping spanish cyclists. the atp would never publicize top performers' drug related issues like pro cycling will. agassi's book is proof of that.

nadal has also exhibited behavior in locker rooms that would point directly to "vitamins".

his recovery during some grand slams of monumental feats has to lead to question. super human recovery rates coupled with his inability to recover a few months later like you say points at one thing...

[nokomis]

One thing I've noticed is that he seems to be clearing the net more than before so that his shots don't have the penetration and pace he had before. Although I might stand to be corrected here but it appears his average shots are about six feet over the net cord - might be too much.

[backhand]

well, his name was found in the files of a spanish doctor that was arrested for doping spanish cyclists.

Could you provide a source for this? Thanks.

[chuck62]

6 months on and 6 months off ? Do those 6 months on just happen to be the clay court season ? Its not about vitamins its about different surfaces. He's never been a dominating indoor hard court player. Anybody watch the Davis Cup final last week ? He was 2-0.

[oliensis]

The clay court season like Australia? Rotterdam, Indian Wells, and Miami?

[carrerakent]

Could you provide a source for this? Thanks.

during the tour de france last year the television people were doing a special thing about doping and the spanish riders...then i looked it up online and found it someplace. i will look again and see if i can find it.