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

[atttomole]

Really? Roger was scary today. I think the grass master is in the zone and is not giving this slam away. Djokovic doesn't have too much of a chance I thought. Remember what proportion of people were saying that Nadal is going to win this one? Roger proves everyone wrong all the time.

Nadal and Djokovic are two different players. You will see what happens to Roger when Novak ratchets up his return game.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Dear Rafa Fans: The surface is slower than before. Looks like a mid paced hard court. No amount of Roger win or Rafa win will change that fact
Also, I am a Roger fan and never been a Rafa hater but some of the stuff he does, I shake my head because he does not have to resort to that stuff, he is already good enough. Like, the shoe (or the sock) that was good enough for the whole match has to be changed right before Roger serves for the match. Just don't do it man...Not necessary. Like the bathroom break in Miami. Not necessary. Your are good enough bro. Just play.

 

[Moxie]

They are all great players, but honestly to say they are equal is a bit exaggerated.

Spoken like a true believer.

 

[Front242]

Dear Rafa Fans: The surface is slower than before. Looks like a mid paced hard court. No amount of Roger win or Rafa win will change that fact
Also, I am a Roger fan and never been a Rafa hater but some of the stuff he does, I shake my head because he does not have to resort to that stuff, he is already good enough. Like, the shoe (or the sock) that was good enough for the whole match has to be changed right before Roger serves for the match. Just don't do it man...Not necessary. Like the bathroom break in Miami. Not necessary. Your are good enough bro. Just play.

I'm glad Roger didn't let it get to him 'cos it worked in RG 2011 and changed the whole dynamic of the match when he went from 5-2 up to losing the first set 7-5.

 

[shawnbm]

I picked Rafa to win in four sets and got half the prediction correct. On form, I thought Nadal was favored to win, but Roger must have played well and used confidence from so many victories in the last two years. His level of play in the third and fourth sets (the parts I was able to see) was high and I should think he was applying a fair amount of pressure. The last four games or so were thrilling and nail-biting in intensity and he held his own and more so, obviously. If he is confident, he can bring it against Novak too. Novak does not hit passing shots as well as Nadal IMHO. His service and ROS are better though.

 

[Front242]

Novak had a silly amount of double faults against Hurkacz. 8 in total.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

I picked Rafa to win in four sets and got half the prediction correct. On form, I thought Nadal was favored to win, but Roger must have played well and used confidence from so many victories in the last two years. His level of play in the third and fourth sets (the parts I was able to see) was high and I should think he was applying a fair amount of pressure. The last four games or so were thrilling and nail-biting in intensity and he held his own and more so, obviously. If he is confident, he can bring it against Novak too. Novak does not hit passing shots as well as Nadal IMHO. His service and ROS are better though.

Roger raised his level significantly from the Nishikori match.

 

[don_fabio]

In my opinion Nadal was playing poorly last 2 sets, but that also has to do something with who was over the net. His shots were weak and barely ending up over the net. He got broken quite easily in both sets. The biggest fight he put was in last 2 games, but then it was too late already. He lost the match in the first set TB too, he had his chances there.

I felt like Nadal in last 2 sets was constantly on his back foot, his backhand was poor and couldn't execute, but FH was not working much better either. I felt like he didn't take enough risk with his shot making hoping that Fed will maybe donate much more, but it just didn't happen.

 

[Front242]

In my opinion Nadal was playing poorly last 2 sets, but that also has to do something with who was over the net. His shots were weak and barely ending up over the net. He got broken quite easily in both sets. The biggest fight he put was in last 2 games, but then it was too late already. He lost the match in the first set TB too, he had his chances there.

I felt like Nadal in last 2 sets was constantly on his back foot, his backhand was poor and couldn't execute, but FH was not working much better either. I felt like he didn't take enough risk with his shot making hoping that Fed will maybe donate much more, but it just didn't happen.

He didn't face anyone of that calibre till today.

 

[atttomole]

Spoken like a true believer.

True. I believe that Roger has so much flair to be grouped with the other two. I do concede that they are all warriors though.

 

[MartyB]

I don’t think Federer has a chance against Djokovic. Djokovic has a huge arsenal of weapons. His serve is amazing and we all know how good his return is. Federer has nowhere to go against Djokovic.

Really? No chance? I wouldn't be so sure

 

[Bonaca]

He didn't face anyone of that calibre till today.

How could he? There are only two of that calibre out there, beside Bull. No very high chance to face one of them in earlier rounds!

 

[Bonaca]

Really? No chance? I wouldn't be so sure

There is Always a chance.
The best player meets the best grass court player.... on grass.

 

[MartyB]

There is Always a chance.
The best player meets the best grass court player.... on grass.

As the draw unfolded Djokovic had guys he could beat rather handily. RBA was his stiffest test! Fed had to play the 2nd best grass court player this year and Nishikori and Nadal. Being tested and coming through playing inspired tennis will help a great deal. I like his chances.

 

[calitennis127]

Dear Rafa Fans: The surface is slower than before. Looks like a mid paced hard court. No amount of Roger win or Rafa win will change that fact
Also, I am a Roger fan and never been a Rafa hater but some of the stuff he does, I shake my head because he does not have to resort to that stuff, he is already good enough. Like, the shoe (or the sock) that was good enough for the whole match has to be changed right before Roger serves for the match. Just don't do it man...Not necessary. Like the bathroom break in Miami. Not necessary. Your are good enough bro. Just play.

Maybe Nadal doesn't have your geriatric mentality, which had you talking 7-8 years ago about Federer like he was 75 playing tennis for a little bit of exercise in Sarasota to enjoy his retirement.

Those little tactics by Nadal don't bother me that much.....they show he is passionate about winning and finding a way. That kind of grind-away mentality is a part of why he has the resume he does.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

Don't get nervous Roger... serve this out.

he did....finally, amazing end to match.

 

[Denis]

Congrats to the Fedfans! Great rebound from 2008 also, lol. Had to leave early second set, hope to catch up, but already the first set I thought Fed looked solid against Nadal.

 

[DarthFed]

Dear Rafa Fans: The surface is slower than before. Looks like a mid paced hard court. No amount of Roger win or Rafa win will change that fact
Also, I am a Roger fan and never been a Rafa hater but some of the stuff he does, I shake my head because he does not have to resort to that stuff, he is already good enough. Like, the shoe (or the sock) that was good enough for the whole match has to be changed right before Roger serves for the match. Just don't do it man...Not necessary. Like the bathroom break in Miami. Not necessary. Your are good enough bro. Just play.

Shameless shit but what do you expect? I'm sure his fans will defend that like everything else. Nothing will top the piss break before Roger served for it at IW though.

 

[Front242]

Shameless shit but what do you expect? I'm sure his fans will defend that like everything else. Nothing will top the piss break before Roger served for it at IW though.

They wonder then why we despise him.

 

[Fiero425]

Shameless shit but what do you expect? I'm sure his fans will defend that like everything else. Nothing will top the piss break before Roger served for it at IW though.

It's one of the reasons I've never cared for Rafa even when he was a pup of 15! His tactless gamesmanship obviously was coached/taught by Uncle Tony so I have a problem with the entire family! There's a sense of entitlement with these jerks that's been there from the start! The entire entourage ooze contempt for the system and feel justified in doing anything to win! The toweling off, challenging of every call, & Rafa shifting his junk in his underwear has truly gotten OLD! He obviously does need to resort to such tactics @Murat Baslamisli so we shouldn't be surprised he'll end his career on that embarrassing note of gamesmanship! It's inevitable! :whistle: :cuckoo: