As a huge fan of Federer I have to say even I am exhausted with people not giving Nadal his due. Yeah. Certainly Fed had some nerve issues on a number of points. But Rafa Nadal has played big points probably better than anyone ever or at least better than both Fed and Djokovic and Murray. And he just finds a way. And that's everywhere. On clay, he is a whole other monster. And also, Fed's nerve issues are a credit to Rafa too. He didn't have them against anyone else at the time. Nadal gets credit for making Fed doubt himself. Anyways. Fed is brilliant. Amazing. Unique. All time great. Current GOAT. Will always have a strong case to stay the GOAT even if he gets passed. But on clay, as brilliant as he could be, to the point that he could create opportunities for himself, break point opportunities, even opportunities within a point, Rafa was just as brilliant as finding a way to turn the tables. AND he had the advantage of his best lefty forehand ever, going into Fed's one handed backhand. Which is one of the all time great one handed backhands. But it's just no match for Rafa's ferocious forehand. Or it wasn't until stubborn Roger finally decided to let go of his precious 98 square inch racket head.
I do agree that this was Roger's best chance. He played the best in this match. But it wasn't enough. So he didn't win. Rafa was better over the long haul. He got the W. It sucks. But I usually say that in reality. The real fault of Roger's career is not winning the French before Rafa showed up. He was already good enough on clay in 2004 that he should have won the match he lost and won the tournament or at least went further in the tournament. Same goes for Rome and Monte Carlo. He had a solid year or two without Rafa in 2003 and 2004 to win those masters titles. Anyways. Again, that's not how it went down. He's human. So is Rafa (though, only sort of human on clay). So are we all.
