Rafa Nadal

[Señor_Contador]

Did you read his post? The part you guys quoted wasn't worded too well, since he isn't talking about PEDs per se but about steroids and the like. Later in that same post he acknowledges the possibility that he does EPO and HGH, among other things.

Oh, I think he does take some endurance stuff. Definitely.

But, to show pictures of him shirtless as proof that he is big... it only makes me laugh, because he is not big by anyone's standards.

 

[richtea]

But the main point of my post is that Nadal keeps to his peak for a while, while Federer can string half his carreer onto one single peak.

While this is true, I think there are some moderating factors:

- Nadal relies primarily on his physical qualities rather than shot making ability - his low risk strategy relies on strength (to continually hit the amount of top spin required to give him the margin for error he needs) and endurance - this strategy does not give quick resolution to points and games. Hence when his physical level drops a little bit he falls in mundane 6-4 6-4 defeats - see Del Potro v Nadal USO 2009, Sod v Nadal FO 2009, Murray v Nadal USO 2008, Toronto 2010.

- I don't think anyone would disagree Federer's shot making ability and anticipation are superior to Nadal's. Federer plays shorter points that are less demanding on his body, and has less to recover from than Nadal. I wouldn't say Fed has superior ability to recover than Nadal.

- For a long period (2004 - 2007), Federer arguably faced opposition of a standard lower than the current crop of top 10 players. Federer's streak should be seen in that context (i.e. its not as impressive as people make it out to be)

- Someone pointed out their records in 5 set matches as a sign that Nadal is more likely to be doped than Fed. Nadal success in these matches may partly be due to his endurance, but also his superior (mental) ability to play big points. This is certainly not one of Fed qualities - when he does win a 5 set match, its often due to his opposition being too scared to beat him (i.e. choking) - see Haas FO 2009, Falla Wimbledon 2010.

There is probably a high likelihood that many, most, or all in the top 10/50 are doped given the lax standard of testing in tennis and only seem to be caught when customs officers find vials of HGH in their luggage, but I would expect the nature and extent of their preparation varies from player to player substantially given the huge diversity in the way the game can be played.

 

[Albatros]

Don't be a smart-áss.

Someone, or some people, posted pictures of Nadal as unequivocal proof that he is doping. Since I am a bodybuilding fan and know what people look like when on steroid cycles, seen it for many years, I can say that those pictures show anything but. Meaning the pictures prove the total opposite, that he does not dope.

Now, post me a video of him running around during a 5th set like it's the 1st and then I would say the opposite, that he is taking something.

The body mass bodybuilders have would be detrimental to a tennis player. That doesn't mean he is not micro-dosing.

Actually, if you don't want to get caught using anabolic steroids that is the only way to go about it, as it takes a while to eliminate them from your system when using large doses.

 

[Señor_Contador]

The body mass bodybuilders have would be detrimental to a tennis player. That doesn't mean he is not micro-dosing.

Actually, if you don't want to get caught using anabolic steroids that is the only way to go about it, as it takes a while to eliminate them from your system when using large doses.

Yes, but the cummulative effects of microdosing are the same as a "regular" dose, hence the effects would be just as visible.

 

[Andynonomous]

The itf covers up a positive test ?

According to a French forum, Nadal tested positive for a banned substance last year at the US Open. The article was apparently written by a CNN journalist and stored on a CNN computer where it was downloaded by one of the forum members.



Nadal contrôlé positif à USO!!!

By Scott Williams

MIAMI | Fri Dec 3, 2010 6:28pm EDT

MIAMI (Reuters) - The ATP on Friday announced that current world number one player Rafael Nadal has tested positive for an undisclosed banned substance during the USO. The ATP declined to make further comments because it is up to the anti-doping authorities, within the International Tennis Federation (ITF), to assess such a case.

Based on previous doping cases, most recently the one involving french tennis player Richard Gasquet who failed a test for a recreatonal drug during the Miami tournament in 2009, as well as standard ITF procedure, B sample testing through an independant lab will be performed within 7 days.

Neither Rafael Nadal nor Toni Nadal, his uncle and long-time mentor, were available for immediate comment. Andre Agassi, a former number one tennis player, and only open-era career-slam holder alongside Nadal and Roger Federer, told NBC that should Nadals' failed test be confirmed by the B sample of the spaniard, it "would be a huge dissapointment for tennis fans around the world, although not totally unexpected for those closely following the game".

http://forums.la1ere.fr/sport/tennis/RolandGarros/dopage-nadal-liste-sujet_2445_66.htm



This sounds suspiciously like the Contador affair, where there was a long delay while the authorities attempted to cover it up (Contador admitted that he thought the Clenbuterol positive was going to be handled "in-house" = silent ban). Only Contador was unlucky that a German journalist spilled the beans.

Either this is a VERY elaborate hoax, or it's true. Knowing that the ITF, and the UCI are both EXTREMELY corrupt, my suspicion is that the article is true, but was held back because of pressure from the ITF.

 

[richtea]

I'm amazed i missed this. I'd have thought this would be all over the tennis press at the time. I wonder what it was for (if the report was accurate)!

 

[richtea]

Also, if there is a performance in tennis that is more suspicious (for me) than any other its Nadal USO 2010 - he suddenly adds 30kmph to his serve for the duration of the tournament, but hasn't achieved it again since?

 

[richtea]

Though, i would be careful of any accusations levelled at the spanish from paris

 

[The Hitch]

According to a French forum, Nadal tested positive for a banned substance last year at the US Open. The article was apparently written by a CNN journalist and stored on a CNN computer where it was downloaded by one of the forum members.



Nadal contrôlé positif à USO!!!

By Scott Williams

MIAMI | Fri Dec 3, 2010 6:28pm EDT

MIAMI (Reuters) - The ATP on Friday announced that current world number one player Rafael Nadal has tested positive for an undisclosed banned substance during the USO. The ATP declined to make further comments because it is up to the anti-doping authorities, within the International Tennis Federation (ITF), to assess such a case.

Based on previous doping cases, most recently the one involving french tennis player Richard Gasquet who failed a test for a recreatonal drug during the Miami tournament in 2009, as well as standard ITF procedure, B sample testing through an independant lab will be performed within 7 days.

Neither Rafael Nadal nor Toni Nadal, his uncle and long-time mentor, were available for immediate comment. Andre Agassi, a former number one tennis player, and only open-era career-slam holder alongside Nadal and Roger Federer, told NBC that should Nadals' failed test be confirmed by the B sample of the spaniard, it "would be a huge dissapointment for tennis fans around the world, although not totally unexpected for those closely following the game".

http://forums.la1ere.fr/sport/tennis/RolandGarros/dopage-nadal-liste-sujet_2445_66.htm



This sounds suspiciously like the Contador affair, where there was a long delay while the authorities attempted to cover it up (Contador admitted that he thought the Clenbuterol positive was going to be handled "in-house" = silent ban). Only Contador was unlucky that a German journalist spilled the beans.

Either this is a VERY elaborate hoax, or it's true. Knowing that the ITF, and the UCI are both EXTREMELY corrupt, my suspicion is that the article is true, but was held back because of pressure from the ITF.

I dont get this. The article says there was a ATP announcment, that Federer takjed about it on NBC.

Where is the ATP announcment. Where is this NBC coverage?

If Nbc really did cover a Nadal positive in Devember it would be bigger news i think.

This article should be easy to disprove. Either there was an ATP announcment or there wasnt.

 

[robertocarlos]

actually, NAdal went to the Aus Open about 10kgs lighter in southern hemisphere summer 2010. He had an elbow or shoulder injury late 2009, but he came in a shadow of the physique he had brought to the boil in all of his major wins.

oh was it the knee? Uncle Tony lol, may have decided to get him a little lighter to lessen the burden on the knee. But question is, why did he look like a tight end instead of a tennis playerR?

you are jocking right? the stereotypicla tight end is 6'4"-6'8" and anywhere from 240lbs to 280lbs. i do not think nadal is more than 200lbs at 6'1".

 

[Andynonomous]

You are right.

I dont get this. The article says there was a ATP announcment, that Federer takjed about it on NBC.

Where is the ATP announcment. Where is this NBC coverage?

If Nbc really did cover a Nadal positive in Devember it would be bigger news i think.

This article should be easy to disprove. Either there was an ATP announcment or there wasnt.

The story names the journalist who supposedly wrote it, and Agassi was asked what he thought about it.

It would be EXTREMELY easy for any journalist to confirm or deny the story by just getting in touch with the article writer and Agassi.


I don't know if this is an elaborate hoax or not, but the article just looks "real" to me.

 

[sniper]

The story names the journalist who supposedly wrote it, and Agassi was asked what he thought about it.

It would be EXTREMELY easy for any journalist to confirm or deny the story by just getting in touch with the article writer and Agassi.


I don't know if this is an elaborate hoax or not, but the article just looks "real" to me.

the rumor is discussed here. The author of this blog also suggests Nadal was banned silently. Interesting piece (not sure if it has been posted already):
http://tennishasasteroidproblem.blogspot.com/2011/02/curious-case-of-rafael-nadal.html


However, it's all a hoax, as one learns here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB06JiKIQI0

 

[Andynonomous]

[/url]


However, it's all a hoax, as one learns here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB06JiKIQI0

We can all go home now. Nothing to see here.

 

[The Hitch]

Where is this ATP announcement then?

Without that, the story is clearly bull****.

 

[Suedehead]

Yes, but the cummulative effects of microdosing are the same as a "regular" dose, hence the effects would be just as visible.

I hope you meen the acne, (or smaller testicles?), but you don't go big unless you lift very heavy weights, repetedly, no matter how much you consume. So how do you know if a 1500 m runner uses anabolics?, 'cause they used to do it and some probably still do. They just work so damn good...

 

[auscyclefan94]

Personally i think by the look of the women in Tennis that a higher percentage of them are doping than the men. The amount of muscle some of them have is phenomenal. Sam Stosur for one...her arms would put most men to shame

 

[Andynonomous]

You are probably right.

Personally i think by the look of the women in Tennis that a higher percentage of them are doping than the men. The amount of muscle some of them have is phenomenal. Sam Stosur for one...her arms would put most men to shame

You are probably right. Power seems to be more important in the women's game than the men's game, therefore growth hormones, and steroids are probably more prevelant in the women's game. Since the men can play 5 set matches, and the women never play more than 3 sets, stamina substances (Edgar Allen Poe and "Spain's choice" {autologous blood doping}) are probably more prevelant in the men's game.

I suspect that more than 60% of the women are using something illegal, and more than 40% of the men (maybe MUCH more in both cases).

What ticks me off tho, is that the ITF insists that doping is rare in tennis, when in fact, probably more than half of the top women, and about half of the men are doping. Unfortunately, because the tennis press backs up the ITF, much of the public buys the b.s.

 

[blackcat]

Sam Stosur likes to bench press her partner post coitus

 

[blackcat]

you are jocking right? the stereotypicla tight end is 6'4"-6'8" and anywhere from 240lbs to 280lbs. i do not think nadal is more than 200lbs at 6'1".

a tight end who has to run for 4 hours.

Take him 15 minutes to put on those other 40 lbs. It is relative, shrink Antonio Grates down to 6'1" and make him run for 4 hours on a tennis court, and u have Nadal.

 

[Hawkwood]

Personally i think by the look of the women in Tennis that a higher percentage of them are doping than the men. The amount of muscle some of them have is phenomenal. Sam Stosur for one...her arms would put most men to shame

About ten years ago there was an article in L'Equipe about the leading French female tennis player of the time, she stated that she'd used steroids. I can't remember any fuss at all at the time.

 

[ChrisE]

sam stosur likes to bench press her partner post coitus

lol. Potm.

 

[hrotha]

Why would doping be more widespread among women than among men? The WTA moves less money than the ATP and the competition at the top is typically smaller. It makes no sense.

 

[frenchfry]

About ten years ago there was an article in L'Equipe about the leading French female tennis player of the time, she stated that she'd used steroids. I can't remember any fuss at all at the time.

I think Mary Pierce said she used creatine, I don't think it was on the banned list at the time.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Why would doping be more widespread among women than among men? The WTA moves less money than the ATP and the competition at the top is typically smaller. It makes no sense.

the money they earn is still very high and I don't necessarily agree with your statement regarding the competition at the top is typically smaller.

 

[Hawkwood]

I think Mary Pierce said she used creatine, I don't think it was on the banned list at the time.

Yes it may have been her, but I thought she said steroids. Wasn't it Voet who wrote that creatine only worked if you took it with an illegal drug, I think steroids?