J'ai dû poster ça en fin d'année dernière. Désolé de remettre l'ennuyeux sujet du dopage sur la table, mais je tiens quand même à montrer que je ne suis pas seul à halluciner dans mon coin quand j'ai l'impression que Nadal a tendance à pas mal varier dans sa masse musculaire, et que ça a un effet direct sur son jeu. Tous ces articles ont été publiés au moment des World Tour Finals en novembre 2009, et pendant l'Open d'Australie 2010.
Guardian :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/nov/23/atp-finals-rafael-nadal-robin-soderlingNow it is clear, beyond doubt, that the bulk of his upper body has been much reduced. This is Rafa mark II, and for the time being it is much inferior to mark I. Nadal remains reticent about any weight loss but it appears a decision was taken to slim him down to take the strain off his knee joints, an attempt to prevent the tendonitis that has punctuated his playing days, and prolong his career. There are rumours from the Spanish camp that Fernando Verdasco, having bulked up considerably, and trained hard under Gil Reyes, Andre Agassi's former trainer, is also having knee problems, while there have been worries that Andy Murray has been overdoing his physical preparation.
Times Online :
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/expert_advice/article6935007.eceA slimmed-down but perfectly chiselled torso, a loss of bricklayer bulk in the shoulders and defined but less Popeye-looking biceps. While the rest of us may wonder what’s not to celebrate in the new-look body of Rafael Nadal, others are asking whether form has been sacrificed in the transformation of his near-perfect appearance. Last week the world No 2 was knocked out of the ATP World Tour finals with many blaming his upper -body weight loss for his apparently diminishing power. For a man who once had arm muscles that Andy Roddick described as “bigger than my head,” they may have a point. But his torso looks better than ever.
Daily Telegraph :
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/andymurray/7072863/Australian-Open-2010-Andy-Murray-tipped-as-favourite-to-defeat-Rafael-Nadal-in-quarter-finals.htmlThe bicep-watchers of professional tennis would have it that there is not as much of the Spaniard as there used to be, that he does not appear to be as thick in the trunk or in the arms "I don't think Nadal is back to his best physically yet," Boris Becker, a former Australian Open champion, told Telegraph Sport.
J'ai également lu à l'époque les témoignages de Mark Philippoussis, qui allait jusqu'à dire que Nadal avait perdu 15 livres, soit 7,5 kilos, et le témoignage d'un joueur de double suédois qui donnait sur son blog son impression que Nadal avait fondu.
Maintenant je constate que Nadal est revenu à son poids de forme et à son apparence de début 2009. Confirmé par McEnroe qui dans son commentaire à la télévision a dit que pour lui Nadal était "bigger than ever". Au sens propre ou figuré, on ne sait pas, il y a peut-être un doute.
J'espère que même les fans de Nadal comprendront que je suis un peu perplexe et que je développe de soupçons face à ce genre de situation. Non je n'aime pas Nadal. Oui j'aimerais trouver des moyens de le descendre. Mais là ce n'est pas que moi, ce sont des journalistes de grands quotidiens britanniques qui sont réputés pour leur couverture du tennis. On peut maintenant retourner au train-train habituel...