2019 Men’s Wimbledon SF: Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal

[kskate2]

I knew this match was ovaah. Now let's see what the old man can do against Djoke

 

[El Dude]

Wow. Just, wow. That was so hard to watch, but worth it.

Kudos to Nadal - the greatest fighter ever. He just never gives up, is so hard to put down.

Watching these two, and Novak, and I'm struck by just how equal they are. I know fans are always trying to give their guy an angle, but for me these two (and Novak) are co-GOATs.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

The good news is Rafa doesn't have to play Djokovic.

He doesn't even have to play !

 

[Fiero425]

Wow. Just, wow. That was so hard to watch, but worth it.

Kudos to Nadal - the greatest fighter ever. He just never gives up, is so hard to put down.

Watching these two, and Novak, and I'm struck by just how equal they are. I know fans are always trying to give their guy an angle, but for me these two (and Novak) are co-GOATs.

Tis true! Roger's a few yrs older & Nole has time to win quite a few more majors! I'm just glad Nadal doesn't even get a sniff of a final!

 

[rafanoy1992]

Congratulations to Federer as he played well especially in the third and fourth sets. Let’s see if how he fares against Djokovic in the final.

As for Nadal, he could not just return well and his backhand was just non-existent.

 

[mrzz]

Hey, @DarthFed and @Front242 , are you guys alive?

 

[tenisplayrla08]

3-1 Fed at Wimbledon. 6 out of the last 7. 5 out of the 6 since they came back from injury in 2017. 24-16 overall Rafa.
Close match to start. Always close really. But this is a very different match if Fed doesn't get those mini breaks back in the tiebreak. The winner of the first set won yet again. Showing again just how important that is.

Now a third final with Novak Djokovic. He played 3 finals against Rafa. Won 2 of those. Lost the first 2 against Novak. Hopefully he'll get the third one for a 1-2 reversal of his 2-1 in finals against Rafa. He'll definitely need that first set again against Novak. Despite Rafa's improved serve. Djokovic is still a better all around server than Rafa. As we've seen in the last two finals with Fed.

Wimbledon still the best chance for him to win his next slam. That's been proven this week. BUT. Novak the biggest test and the favorite for the final. He'll return better than Rafa did today. And Fed will feel that pressure even more than he did today even before he steps on court.
Completely different match up. We'll see how it goes this time around.

But first.

SERENA v HALEP! Serena goes for number 24.

 

[El Dude]

One positive note for Roger is that it almost certainly forever protects his grass record against Nadal: he's now 3-1, all four matches at Wimbledon. They may never meet here again and even if they do, it is unlikely to happen two more times.

 

[mrzz]

Congratulations to Federer as he played well especially in the third and fourth sets. Let’s see if how he fares against Djokovic in the final.

As for Nadal, he could not just return well and his backhand was just non-existent.

Largely agree but as some counterbalance Nadal connected a few monstrous backhands at some key points... including a match point (or even two).

 

[HSD]

Hey, @DarthFed and @Front242 , are you guys alive?

and @GameSetAndMath

 

[Moxie]

One positive note for Roger is that it almost certainly forever protects his grass record against Nadal: he's now 3-1, all four matches at Wimbledon. They may never meet here again and even if they do, it is unlikely to happen two more times.

That seems like cold comfort.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Largely agree but as some counterbalance Nadal connected a few monstrous backhands at some key points... including a match point (or even two).

At that point, the match was pretty much over.

I credit Federer’s defense especially in the third set for making Nadal uncomfortable on the ground.

 

[Michael;Kiwi]

That last game was excruciating. I'm not sure I could even have watched the fifth set if it had happened. So happy. I believe Federer has a real chance against Djokovic on Sunday. He is playing well.

 

[El Dude]

That seems like cold comfort.

You mean if Roger loses to Novak? Well obviously Roger taking the title is the preferred outcome, but beating Nadal at a Slam, and especially Wimbledon, is important for the bean-counters re: legacy and such. If Nadal had won this match and tied the grass H2H at 2-2, it would negatively impacted Roger's resume.

 

[Michael;Kiwi]

One positive note for Roger is that it almost certainly forever protects his grass record against Nadal: he's now 3-1, all four matches at Wimbledon. They may never meet here again and even if they do, it is unlikely to happen two more times.

Also, it evens up the non-French Grand Slam matches at 4-4. Obviously Rafa still with the big advantage, but at least he isn't ahead on Federer's surfaces.

 

[kskate2]

Wow. Just, wow. That was so hard to watch, but worth it.

Kudos to Nadal - the greatest fighter ever. He just never gives up, is so hard to put down.

Watching these two, and Novak, and I'm struck by just how equal they are. I know fans are always trying to give their guy an angle, but for me these two (and Novak) are co-GOATs.

Watching these 3 compete also shows you how far away the next-gen, lost gen whatever level you want to create is to taking over the game.

 

[El Dude]

At that point, the match was pretty much over.

I credit Federer’s defense especially in the third set for making Nadal uncomfortable on the ground.

How can you say a match with Rafa down is ever over? The dude fights like no other. You know that in that final game we Fedfans were groaning and thinking, "Fuck, here we go again."

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

Nadal is

That seems like cold comfort.

Federer dominates this match up now Moxie. Its's over.

 

[rafanoy1992]

How can you say a match with Rafa down is ever over? The dude fights like no other. You know that in that final game we Fedfans were groaning and thinking, "Fuck, here we go again."

Come on, El Dude! If it was any other player not named Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer, then yes he would have comeback. But we are talking about one of the greatest male tennis player (probably the greatest) and probably the best clutch server ever.

 

[El Dude]

Watching these 3 compete also shows you how far away the next-gen, lost gen whatever level you want to create is to taking over the game.

Yes and no. The Big Three bring out the best in each other. All three have been upset by Next Genners, even at Slams. I still have faith that Zverev will pull his head out of his own ass and compete at Slams, and Tsitsipas is really close. He has the mental game, which LostGen lacked. And I've gone on record as saying that FAA is going to be really special and emerge as the top player in the ATP, but that's probably a few years away.