Ohh Rafa-A fan’s anguish AND a prescription!

Ohh Rafa-A fan’s anguish AND  a prescription!

There were several tragedies unfolding world over as I tuned into my car radio this morning on the way to dropping my daughter at school….gas leak/explosions in Kenya, truck bomb explosion in Afghanistan and the horrific/somber memory of 9/11……..all great human tragedies, harrowing experience just knowing them but callous as it may sound the greatest tragedy of the day was yet to unfold…..and it did unfold in the painfully familiar and brutal fashion…..yup Rafa was beaten again, sixth time consecutively no less, by Novak in US Open 2011.

Oh lords of the universe what did I/we ever do that you punish us thusly? Can’t the world end lest we were subjected to another miserable loss? Ohh Rafa what did you do to us that we lose all perspective and blather on world ending? Why couldn’t you think of all those millions’ of hearts passionately pounding for you, willing you to fight and willing you to win to no avail? Didn’t you think how it would singe our hearts endlessly that you were pushed around for the better part of match? Why are we so crushed if it’s just a tennis match….because it hurts to be dominated by someone who until just a few months ago was almost a favorite whipping boy! Ultimately it hurts because we so deeply love you and connect with you at a level ordinary fan can never understand. It hurts because you are such an incredible warrior and champion and to see you reduced to helplessness is painful! Don’t ever take refuge that you fought like a champion and lost…..who remembers even valiant losers? Just ask Novak of 2009 Madrid semi-final vintage! We cannot be bystanders when your legacy is tarnished and your present is destroyed…..since you have overcome even gargantuan challenges earlier, resuming beating the seemingly invincible Novak shouldn’t be difficult. Here’s what we are going to do…..

Never ever try to win on defense against Novak….he’s not only out-Rafaing you in that department but also doing with something to spare!

Come out of denial that how an obedient loser has turned all conqueror….Novak should be your biggest motivation. If Novak, who was humiliated at GS stages by all and sundry for the past 2 yrs-remember Melzer beating from 2 sets down at RG, semi-retired Hass beating at Wimby, Berdych belting at Wimby, cowering and groveling against Roger at 09 USO-can scale such unprecedented peaks the sky is the limit for you!

You have shown to be greatest problem solver that Tennis has ever known….who expected you to win Wimby but you did it, who expected you to do anything at Hard Courts but you won Aus and USO and I will not mention the legendary clay record that surpasses even the great Borg! If anyone can do it…..it’s you. Start believing dear Rafa…..

Fix the darn serve….you served much better even as teenager at Miami 2005! Now you were serving at avg speeds of 104-106 mph…..what’s wrong? If this was the case against all out attackers like Becker, Pete even Rafter on a fast court…..you would get 3 bagels! So wake up…..you must serve at least at an avg 115-120 mph range with some 130+ mph corkers thrown for good measure. Then we can say that serving is an advantage….otherwise Novak will murder and each game will go to deuce….better commit more double faults! Novak now thinks that he not only has to win his service games but has a noble responsibility to win every return game. His outstanding return notwithstanding your WTA serving simply doesn’t cut the mustard.  Loosen that arm and swing like hell otherwise you are on the back foot before you began. Alternately just watch footage of  Serena pounding 120+ mph serves and get angry, get motivated and get ripping!

Novak backhand has become an unbelievable punishing weapon down the line and cross court…..so don’t hit normal rally balls to that side. When you can step in and let it rip then do it otherwise normally rally balls are toast! Hit deep even if the velocity has to be compromised  or sharply angled strokes where Novak cannot use swivel motion to paint the lines.

You are underselling your excellent volleying skills….make more regular sorties to mess with Novak patterns of play.

For Chrissssakess stand closer to the baseline and rip those fearhands/forehands on any short ball. The other alternative being rally to death and lose! Nope….rip those forehands…..you can only win attacking. Exploit the slightly weaker FH side of Djoker consistently……no short balls at any cost! Repeat after me…..no short balls pls.

And finally the raging bull cannot be physically weak….explore all diets, if gluten-free works so be it….embrace it! Become more wiry and run more lightly…..machismo be damned if you have to lose some muscle then you must lose some muscle….become lean, mean and hungrier and scarier.

Have the courage and conviction and winning should follow and the odd defeats should remain a novelty. You are many times better than Nole….you know it but seem to have forgotten, we know it and we will do it together! Just listen to your soul and listen to your vast swathes of humanity that are your fans. We cannot be denied in 2012 and beyond!