2018 Australian Open, Melbourne - ATP GRAND SLAM

[El Dude]

Are you kidding, @DarthFed? Rafa most definitely wants to see Roger in the final. He is a fierce competitor and wants to reassert his dominance.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Are you kidding, @DarthFed? Rafa most definitely wants to see Roger in the final. He is a fierce competitor and wants to reassert his dominance.

I think this is an interesting debate. It's tough to know one way or another, and I'm sure it differs from one athlete to another, and one situation to another.

Rafa is a smart guy. If you ask him if he'd like to play Roger Federer again, or Kevin Anderson again in the final, I think it's a very, very easy choice. One is basically ensuring him of a major win (which is of course more important than reasserting his dominance over a rival), and the other makes him 50-50 at best. I've seen interviews with Nadal in the past in which, when asked who he'd prefer to face in an upcoming match, he answers by saying the player he has a better chance at beating. Now of course, this is just talk, and Nadal is not going to state that he'd like a crack at a particular player to the media because that would be stupid, but I imagine he was more than happy to see Roger in the final at Roland Garros in 2011, rather than Novak, for example.

Now, that isn't to say that Nadal would be shaking in his boots if he were to play Federer in the final, and these athletes wouldn't get to where they are now by being afraid of an opponent. In fact, Nadal has proven in the past that he relishes a challenge and is a constant problem solver, as evidenced by turning the tide against Novak in 2012 and 2013 after the latter had absolutely dominated in 2011. Of course, in Nadal, we're talking about one of the fiercest competitors in sports history. But these players are smart. Roger himself admitted after the Wimbledon final in 2008 that, following the loss to Nadal at Roland Garros a month before, he wasn't exactly looking forward to see him on the other side of the net. That said, as stated above, I think it's a matter of circumstances, as I believe Roger was really looking forward to playing Nadal last year, even before he beat him in Australia, as he was at a much more relaxed stage of his career, with much less pressure.

 

[DarthFed]

Are you kidding, @DarthFed? Rafa most definitely wants to see Roger in the final. He is a fierce competitor and wants to reassert his dominance.

Not kidding at all. From your post I seriously question if you played anything competitively in your life or if you even understand human psychology.

People will always want to take the path of least resistance if the reward is the same. And yes the reward is the same (AO title) regardless of whether it's Federer or Gasquet in the final from the bottom half or if it's Rafa or Edmund from the top half. You seriously think Roger wasn't happy as hell to face Soderling in 2009? Or that Rafa wasn't thrilled to see Anderson last year. If so you are in an alternate reality.

 

[Horsa]

People will always want to take the path of least resistance if the reward is the same.

Really? I don't always. I like a challenge & go for the more challenging option rather than the easier 1. I don't normally do things the easiest way either.

 

[DarthFed]

Really? I don't always. I like a challenge & go for the more challenging option rather than the easier 1. I don't normally do things the easiest way either.

Give an example.

If someone at age 10 sets out to be a professional athlete and was told it would happen and they could do it with very little work or they could work long and hard and suffer for it which would they choose? Or if someone aimed to be a billionaire do you think they'd rather barely work for it or have to work endless hours? I guarantee just about everyone will take the easy way and they'd be fools if they didn't.

 

[Fiero425]

Not kidding at all. From your post I seriously question if you played anything competitively in your life or if you even understand human psychology.

People will always want to take the path of least resistance if the reward is the same. And yes the reward is the same (AO title) regardless of whether it's Federer or Gasquet in the final from the bottom half or if it's Rafa or Edmund from the top half. You seriously think Roger wasn't happy as hell to face Soderling in 2009? Or that Rafa wasn't thrilled to see Anderson last year. If so you are in an alternate reality.

People forget we proclaimed Sampras the GOAT for a while even though half his majors were won against players we consider pigeons; Pioline, Philippoussis, Martin, Chang, Moya, & his personal whipping boy to the end at USO in 2002 Andre Agassi! It's why we have more respect and reverence for today's GOAT's, Fedalovic! They had to beat each other for the most part each time! Rafa had a few pigeons, but Novak never got a break; always having to go thru Fedalray! I'm almost embarrassed how I was one of the people leading the charge making Sampras the best ever even though Laver won 2 CYGS; 1 as an amateur in '62 and 1 as a pro in '69! What were we thinking; just maybe wanting to be a part of history and to be able to say "we saw him?" :whistle:

 

[Horsa]

A lot of people take the easy way but some people enjoy a challenge as they like to prove themselves to both themselves & others as it gives them more sense of achievement. It makes them feel as if they deserve what they get & have earned it. Where I come from only cowards choose the easiest competitor.

 

[Moxie]

I think this is an interesting debate. It's tough to know one way or another, and I'm sure it differs from one athlete to another, and one situation to another.

Rafa is smart guy. If you ask him if he'd like to play Roger Federer again, or Kevin Anderson again in the final, I think it's a very, very easy choice. One is basically ensuring him of a major win (which is of course more important than reasserting his dominance over a rival), and the other makes him 50-50 at best. I've seen interviews with Nadal in the past in which, when asked who he'd prefer to face in an upcoming matches, he answers by saying the player he has a better chance at beating. Now of course, this is just talk, and Nadal is not going to state that he'd like a crack at a particular player to the media because that would be stupid, but I imagine he was more than happy to see Roger in the final at Roland Garros in 2011, rather than Novak, for example.

Now, that isn't to say that Nadal would be shaking in his boots if he were to play Federer in the final, and these athletes wouldn't get to where they are now by being afraid of an opponent. In fact, Nadal has proven in the past that he relishes a challenge and is a constant problem solver, as evidenced by turning the tide against Novak in 2012 and 2013 after the latter had absolutely dominated in 2011. Of course, in Nadal, we're talking about one of the fiercest competitors in sports history. But these players are smart. Roger himself admitted after the Wimbledon final in 2008 that, following the loss to Nadal at Roland Garros a month before, he wasn't exactly looking forward to see him on the other side of the net. That said, as stated above, I think it's a matter of circumstances, as I believe Roger was really looking forward to play Nadal last year, even before he beat him in Australia, as he was in a much more relaxed stage of his career, with much less pressure.

I've absolutely heard Rafa say, laughingly, that he'd like to play the easier guy. But, all of your points taken, and if we leapt to the final, do you think Rafa, AO '18, would prefer to play Federer or Djokovic?

 

[Fiero425]

I've absolutely heard Rafa say, laughingly, that he'd like to play the easier guy. But, all of your points taken, and if we leapt to the final, do you think Rafa, AO '18, would prefer to play Federer or Djokovic?

Rafa's FOS for the most part! He acts an absolute fool regardless of who he's play; which is why I've never cared for him! His enthusiasm and competitive nature is over the top all the time! The pumping, primal screams, and challenging of unnecessary calls even when up by a couple sets has always made me dislike him from the very beginning! He expects to be respected and I can still hear commentators almost admonishing Wawrinka to keep his celebration of winning his AO title to a minimum because supposedly Rafa was hurt! When has Rafa given a $#!t if his opponent was hurt or mourning a loved one? He still acts a total arse on the court! I'm from the old school and acting out on court in celebration of even winning a point just wasn't done! The hypocrisy of it all just makes my blood boil! :whistle:

 

[Moxie]

Rafa's FOS for the most part! He acts an absolute fool regardless of who he's play; which is why I've never cared for him! His enthusiasm and competitive nature is over the top all the time! The pumping, primal screams, and challenging of unnecessary calls even when up by a couple sets has always make me dislike him from the very beginning! He expects to be respected and I can still hear commentators almost admonishing Wawrinka to keep his celebration of winning his AO title to a minimum because supposedly Rafa was hurt! When has Rafa given a $#!t if his opponent was hurt or mourning a loved one? He still acts a total fool on the court! I'm from the old school and acting out on court in celebration of even winning a point just wasn't done! The hypocrisy of it all just makes my blood boil! :whistle:

Well, THAT`S one man's biased yet unbridled opinion. You keep mentioning him challenging calls. You know that one reason for that is his spin, which sends the ball in where it is sometimes seen as going out, right? This especially happened when lines people were getting used to the oddness of where his balls landed. Happens less now, but still does. And if his challenges are right, what is your complaint? You're a Djokovic fan, I think. Talk about primal screams. And shirt-ripping and showing up an opponent. As to this comment: "When has Rafa given a $#!t if his opponent was hurt or mourning a loved one?" I don't even know where to begin. Where does that even come from? Rafa has shown a lot of generosity to his opponents, especially in injury, since he's been there. And in mourning? You'll just have to explain that one.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I've absolutely heard Rafa say, laughingly, that he'd like to play the easier guy. But, all of your points taken, and if we leapt to the final, do you think Rafa, AO '18, would prefer to play Federer or Djokovic?

That's a really tough question. I guess it depends on how Novak looks throughout the tournament. Obviously if he reaches the final, he's doing something right, but he's still good enough to reach the final without playing his absolute best tennis (in theory at least. Whether that's still true coming off a long layoff remains to be seen), and Novak being shaky at a major final is not something we haven't seen before. So given that Roger is arguably the best player in the world right now, and has beaten Nadal that many times in a row, he might actually prefer a Djokovic with question marks over him. If Novak is playing good tennis though, then I think Rafa would prefer Roger any day.

 

[El Dude]

Not kidding at all. From your post I seriously question if you played anything competitively in your life or if you even understand human psychology.

I never played anything competitively in my life (and I'm ok with that), but....your second comment is really funny because I have a Master's degree in psychology and part of my work involves mental health counseling.

People will always want to take the path of least resistance if the reward is the same. And yes the reward is the same (AO title) regardless of whether it's Federer or Gasquet in the final from the bottom half or if it's Rafa or Edmund from the top half. You seriously think Roger wasn't happy as hell to face Soderling in 2009? Or that Rafa wasn't thrilled to see Anderson last year. If so you are in an alternate reality.

Always? Always? Now you're showing your ignorance of psychology. First of all, things don't work the same in the minds of folks like you--an amateur athlete (I presume)--or myself--a non-athlete--and folks like Rafa, who is one of the greatest athletes in modern history.

Secondly, your hatred of Rafa is so extreme that it pretty much invalidates anything you have to say about him. You are so biased against him that you cannot see him at all objectively.

Personally I think both are true: Rafa would be happy to play Kevin Anderson (To use @brokenshoelace's example above) and get an easy Slam title, but he would also love to face Roger and get his crown back. It is both.

 

[Moxie]

Go, Tennys! BTW.

 

[britbox]

I missed the Kyrgios match last night so catching up some highlights. He's looking pretty focused and zoned in.

 

[Moxie]

I missed the Kyrgios match last night so catching up some highlights. He's looking pretty focused and zoned in.

He certainly looks more committed than to just piss it or flake it away.

 

[britbox]

Juicy fourth rounder with Dimitrov.

 

[Nekro]

Yo guys on Monday Fucsovics-Federer match, a dream come true for me no matter who wins....

TBH Fucsovics has the game to take out Federer, prob is he's a Fedtard, so there's a chance he'll go into fanboy mode, but if he plays at least at 85% and Fed plays average he will beat Fed....

 

[I.Haychew]

F3!!!

 

[I.Haychew]

Yo guys on Monday Fucsovics-Federer match, a dream come true for me no matter who wins....

TBH Fucsovics has the game to take out Federer, prob is he's a Fedtard, so there's a chance he'll go into fanboy mode, but if he plays at least at 85% and Fed plays average he will beat Fed....

What's a Fedtard?

 

[Busted]

What's a up with Sascha Zverev? He can't seem to take out players in his own age group. Maybe he'll pull the match out...but it ain't looking good right now...

EDIT: Crikey...Sascha's a bit of a diva. He doesn't like it when guys his own age won't bow down and go away. Taking a bagel or a breadstick from Federer/Djokovic/Nadal is one thing...but Chung? And losing in another 3rd round of a Slam? Gonna be a long ass trip back to Monte Carlo for the Zverev clan.

Meanwhile...Djokovic is licking his chops and smells the SF...