Tio Toni in El Pais: Rafa didn't have good sensations of any sort,not on his shots,his movement or his attitude. What failed most was...
— Sandy (@nycsandygirl) June 26, 2013
(cont'd) his attitude. That's why we lost. In the end, he didn't confront the match well." Article says this reinforces what others heard...
— Sandy (@nycsandygirl) June 26, 2013
Right Toni. If you say so ...
I looked at this picture, you see, and watched Rafa on Monday. And of course I'm just a simple fan so I don't know anything. But when I saw how Rafa let shots go on Monday, and couldn't make it to others; and how he tried to play every single shot on his forehand, and took backward, running steps with his racquet held out in his hand so that he could yet again avoid hitting a backhand ... my thought was that it was just a lack of preparation that was making him play so badly. Or Rafa's attitude.
And from my friends who were there at the match and who reported that Toni was incredibly vocal to Rafa throughout it, but then he just stopped in the third set. Was it because he resigned himself to the inevitable, or was it because Rafa told him that it was just not going to happen?
And by the look of that picture above after a stop off in Barcelona - where his doctor is - rather than a trip straight home, I think the taping all over it suggests something other than "a lack of preparation".
And what does Rafa have to say?? ...
Rafa Nadal via @davidjnadal "Each has his opinion. It's not mandatory to have the same opinion as my uncle"
— Camelia Melescanu (@cami_melescanu) June 27, 2013
Quite, Rafa ...
I tire of Toni ... I really do. How Rafa handled himself with the media after that match was exemplary. He refused to speak about his knee when asked, he gave credit to his opponent - credit being soooooo important to the baying masses out there. He spoke about how the impact of grass affects him differently. He said enough, without saying anything ... and that's the way it should be. He then has to dust himself off and move on, and we as fans have to do likewise.
So as with Rafa's injury lay off last year, Toni speaks in half-sentences, fans the flames, creates the headlines ... and puts Rafa in a position where it is he who receives the backlash of any negativity. But as Rafa says, it's not mandatory to have the same opinion as Toni. No it's not Rafa, and I don't ...
Once again, Wooffie, you said exactly what I've been thinking! It often sounds like dear Tio is just plain cruel. Does he EVER cut Rafa Sony slack? I wish he'd just hush!!
ReplyDeleteANY slack...good grief...sorry
ReplyDeleteDear Tio Toni:
ReplyDeleteSTFU.
And I say that with every fibre of my loathing for you.
I'm sure you speak out of the many years of your own remarkable success as a tennista, but recognize that Rafa is a very competent adult perfectly capable of speaking for himself, and hasn't needed any help from you in that demanding are for many years now. In fact, he could teach you a thing or two in public speaking--starting with, when to be silent.
Oh, another thing: Rafa's fans aren't stupid. We have eyes to see, and we know what we saw Monday. Let those who have ears, hear. (That would be you.)
Very sincerely, A.(M)
N.B. Wooffs--thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
I think there's a bit of a language problem here. I've read several different articles about Toni's comments and yes, they are playing up the 'attitude' bit, but if you read the whole thing, I think what Toni is saying is that Rafa's frame of mind wasn't where it needed to be, that he was lacking confidence and didn't go out there believing in himself like he had when he played on clay.
ReplyDeleteToni said, and I believe Rafa has said it too, that his knee wasn't any worse for Wimbledon than it was for the French. I think the surface really spooked him out and that he didn't feel he had prepared properly for Wimbledon (for several different reasons). It was obvious his knee was really bothering him but I think it was bothering him more than he let on during clay season and for multiple reasons, he just wasn't able to deal with it on grass. I don't think Toni meant that Rafa had a bad attitude in that he wasn't prepared to work and do his best like he always does, but more that his (as I said earlier) frame of mind and thus his confidence wasn't where it needed to be.
Perhaps you are right, Vernon. However, if Toni were to cease making public comments at all--especially after Rafa has had his say--there would not be any confusion. I can't think of another coach in tennis who does this on a regular basis.
DeleteI think Toni polarises Rafa's fans. And I'm in the camp of not liking him. And I just do not understand why it is only he of the top guy's coaches that is ever in the media and offering up his opinions. We don't hear anything from Lendl, that Serbian thug, Annacone, Piles ... none of them. They all play a background role, are never heard and that's what I would much rather happen with Toni. I mean, do none of these coaches ever get asked a question or are approached by the media??
ReplyDeleteAll I'm interested in is what Rafa has to say, and for Rafa to handle this publicly himself. There was too much crap going on last year with Toni being at the root of it and it creates headlines and negativity which ultimately is directed at Rafa. And it was just the quote from Rafa, "it's not mandatory to have the same opinion as my Uncle." Well, surely that means he doesn't ... and the thing is, enough. I just want Toni to keep his place in the background and keep his mouth shut.
Woofie, I agree with you completely. Toni is a fame whore - loves the spotlight with the press. Has no regard for Rafa's feelings. He doesn't have the brain power to even realize that he has a wonderful nephew, who carries himself beautifully not only on the court, but in life as well. I can't give Toni the benefit of the doubt as posted by Vernon, as Rafa contradicts his comments completely. The bottom line is, Benito should shut him down, now; especially after last year's numerous comments. Unfortunately, they're probably all afraid of him.
DeleteAnon, I agree with you and Wooffs, but I think Benito is unable to do anything with Toni. If Rafa cannot gag him, who can? Reading Rafa's book was an eye-opener; this man is a law unto himself.
DeleteOh, well. Rafa's made it clear to whom I should listen--not that I was in any doubt.
Athena, you are right about Benito. In fact, on Benito's twitter page, he tweets about Toni and Judy Murray at some PR event for Lavazzo coffee. The date is June 26 - still in London. Judy, herself, tweets a picture of Toni. This just reinforces my opinion of Toni as a fame whore. What is Toni doing still in London? Maybe he didn't want to go home after the comments he made.
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