Sunday, September 06, 2015

Is it time for Rafa Nadal to change coaches?

Rafael Nadal's 2015 US Open run crashed with a loud thud as he was downed by Pablo Fognini in 5 sets in the third round of the US Open.

I wonder if this is due to the regression brought about by one's health and age, or is it more of a mental challenge for Rafa, who seemed a step slower and whose "return all balls at all costs" game is now porous.

This is not without precedent. Two similar clay court specialists ground out with an accumulation of age and court time. Marcelo Rios was a top player who faded to obscurity the same time his reflexes went awry. Another name: Gustavo Kuerten.

I am beginning to wonder if this is an accumulation of all the small ails and injuries these past few years, or if he simply needs a new set of eyes to give him a new course of attack and perspective and tactics to go hand in hand with his uncle Toni.

Many in the sport think that Nadal should follow Federer's example in another way by hiring extra help to back-up Toni, who has coached him since he was four.

Federer brought Stefan Edberg on board to work alongside longtime coach Severin Luthi.

Novak Djokovic has Boris Becker teamed up with Marian Vajda while Andy Murray works with Jonas Bjorkman and Amelie Mauresmo.

This would be the first time Rafa in a decade that Rafa is without a grand slam win in a season. His losses weren't just to the elite, he has lost to unheralded players this year. 15 losses in 2015, 11 in 2014, and less than 10 on both 2012 and 2013 show that this is a slow decline and not just a one-off for this season. The only silver lining is that Nadal can look to his contemporary in Federer who won Wimbledon at age 31, in 2012.