Fedalovic Wars

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa Trivia Answer: 2008 Rome Masters. Rafa lost to Juan Carlos Ferrero in the R32. Rafa was 7-2 vs Ferrero overall, his only other loss being the 2006 Cincinnati SF.

Another Rafa Trivia Question: What is the only INDOOR Hard title he won, out of 33 played?

Madrid against Lubi if I remember correctly in 2005?

 

[Moxie]

Rafa Trivia Answer: 2008 Rome Masters. Rafa lost to Juan Carlos Ferrero in the R32. Rafa was 7-2 vs Ferrero overall, his only other loss being the 2006 Cincinnati SF.

Another Rafa Trivia Question: What is the only INDOOR Hard title he won, out of 33 played?

I did think of this one, but I thought he had a bye in the first round. Much debated because Rafa had blisters, and Fed fans called us excuse makers.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Rafa Trivia Answer: 2008 Rome Masters. Rafa lost to Juan Carlos Ferrero in the R32. Rafa was 7-2 vs Ferrero overall, his only other loss being the 2006 Cincinnati SF.

Another Rafa Trivia Question: What is the only INDOOR Hard title he won, out of 33 played?

This is one I remember. It was 2005 Beijing during Rafa's 11-win season as a teenager.

 

[Kieran]

So someone like Roger, who reached a tonne of finals, is penalized for losing more finals. Obviously he was going to lose more because he reached more finals.

Roger isn’t penalised at all..

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Rafa's other loss being in 2008 is surprising. I thought the answer would be a random tournament in 2003, when he was just 16/17 and just starting out.

 

[atttomole]

I believe Rafa had blisters. Rafa wasn’t the type to give up for no good reason.

 

[atttomole]

Was it in 2000 when Safin destroyed Sampras at the US Open?

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Was it in 2000 when Safin destroyed Sampras at the US Open?

Yes, Safin was 20 when he defeated Sampras in the 2000 US Open final. At the time, many people believed Safin was going to be the next big thing in men's tennis.

 

[El Dude]

I did think of this one, but I thought he had a bye in the first round. Much debated because Rafa had blisters, and Fed fans called us excuse makers.

I should have specified: first match in a tournament.

But...there's always a reason, isn't there?

 

[El Dude]

This is one I remember. It was 2005 Beijing during Rafa's 11-win season as a teenager.

Beijing wasn't indoor that year. But it was that year...Madrid.

Actually, here's a fun fact: he's won TWO indoor tournaments, but only one on hards. The OTHER was indoor clay: Sao Paolo in 2013.

 

[El Dude]

Yes, Safin was 20 when he defeated Sampras in the 2000 US Open final. At the time, many people believed Safin was going to be the next big thing in men's tennis.

A reasonable assumption. It turned out to be his best year.

Actually, I'm guessing that Safin is the only good player in ATP history that had his best year the season he started as a teenager. Becker was my first thought, but his best year was 1989 when he was 21 for most of the year.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Beijing wasn't indoor that year. But it was that year...Madrid.

Actually, here's a fun fact: he's won TWO indoor tournaments, but only one on hards. The OTHER was indoor clay: Sao Paolo in 2013.

So I was correct it was in Madrid in 2005

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

A reasonable assumption. It turned out to be his best year.

Actually, I'm guessing that Safin is the only good player in ATP history that had his best year the season he started as a teenager. Becker was my first thought, but his best year was 1989 when he was 21 for most of the year.

Depends if you consider 2001 or 2002 to be Hewitt's best season. If 2001, then Hewitt joins Safin. If 2002, then Hewitt joins Becker. Pretty funny how before Sampras won his final US Open title, he was denied by two 20-year-old players having their best career performance in back-to-back years.

 

[Fiero425]

Beijing wasn't indoor that year. But it was that year...Madrid.

Actually, here's a fun fact: he's won TWO indoor tournaments, but only one on hards. The OTHER was indoor clay: Sao Paolo in 2013.

Ahhh, Beijing, Novak's fave little tournament where he brushes up on his Manderin to impress the crowds! I remember it well w/ Djokovic taking 6 titles; 2 over Nadal in straight sets! It's getting there w/ Sinner & Alcaraz playing the last couple seasons!

 

[Fiero425]

Yes, Safin was 20 when he defeated Sampras in the 2000 US Open final. At the time, many people believed Safin was going to be the next big thing in men's tennis.

I was big on Safin! Obviously a head-case, but had all the talent in the world! He hit w/ power & touch! He had a great serve & defeated both Sampras & Federer in Majors; Roger in AO SF! He was a very dangerous player! Too bad he couldn't harness that talent! Safin & his sister Safina were #1 for a min. together!

 

[El Dude]

Depends if you consider 2001 or 2002 to be Hewitt's best season. If 2001, then Hewitt joins Safin. If 2002, then Hewitt joins Becker. Pretty funny how before Sampras won his final US Open title, he was denied by two 20-year-old players having their best career performance in back-to-back years.

I'm giving it to 2002. He added Indian Wells to repeats of a Slam and the Masters Cup, thought lost an ATP 250 and 500. But overall, slightly better imo.

 

[Kieran]

I was big on Safin! Obviously a head-case, but had all the talent in the world! He hit w/ power & touch! He had a great serve & defeated both Sampras & Federer in Majors; Roger in AO SF! He was a very dangerous player! Too bad he couldn't harness that talent! Safin & his sister Safina were #1 for a min. together!

I think if he had discipline he could have shared a great rivalry with Roger at that time. He was an alpha, but part time in the position, unfortunately…

 

[mrzz]

Beijing wasn't indoor that year. But it was that year...Madrid.

Actually, here's a fun fact: he's won TWO indoor tournaments, but only one on hards. The OTHER was indoor clay: Sao Paolo in 2013.

I was there!

Btw, São Paulo

 

[atttomole]

I think if he had discipline he could have shared a great rivalry with Roger at that time. He was an alpha, but part time in the position, unfortunately…

Safin had an imposing skill set. An amazing ball striker. I liked him too and would have liked to see more of him.

There was mutual respect between him and Roger on a technical level. Roger knew that Safin had the game to beat him. In the tennis sense, what do you mean by alpha?

 

[Kieran]

Safin had an imposing skill set. An amazing ball striker. I liked him too and would have liked to see more of him.

There was mutual respect between him and Roger on a technical level. Roger knew that Safin had the game to beat him. In the tennis sense, what do you mean by alpha?

He could be a dominating and intimidating figure on the court, no matter who he played. But only when his mind was in the right place..