Rios. But even that’s irrelevant, you are still caught up in this simplistic height thing.
By all accounts, and quite a lot of evidence, they have a very genial relationship.
This is you inserting your fannish resentment of Nadal onto Roger's relationship with him. By all indications, while they are fully drawn for battle when they meet on court, they seem to appreciate what they have in common, when they meet in private, and also in how they assess one another, as people. Roger called Rafa to come to his rented house in IW to discuss the Kermode situation, even while neither one was any longer on the players' counsel. This tells us something about their connection and collegiality. You can also just look at how relaxed they are together in Laver Cup. How much fun they had playing doubles together, a couple of years ago. I don't think you can manufacture that. Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova have discussed how no one really understands them the way the other does. This is very likely something that comes into play for Rafa and Roger. The only other person who could understand what it feels like to be at their place in their career in tennis is Novak. You can impose your own resentments on it, but, if you really think about it, who else can relate to this life above the tree line? If they look to each other for a little support and commonality, I really don't find that unbelievable.
Is that a quote?There is no question there is more bad blood between Roger and Novak (King was dead at 2008 AO itself, remember). There is definitely more of a mutual respect between them for their achievements and abilities. Having said that there is no question Roger would hate the gamesmanship of Ralph, even if he won't say much publicly.
There was a SF in Madrid once between Novak and Ralph. They claimed it was a great match and went for a long time. Fed pooh poohed it and said how come a three set match takes that long (unless one is busy picking butt and other is busy bouncing balls).
Again, though, I think your notion that Roger "would hate the gamesmanship of Ralph" is more your notion than his. It implies that he thinks it's gamesmanship, which you don't know. He has ever said that "Rafa plays slow," and that he just had to accept that. There were other times when he had less patience for it, to be honest. But there is nothing clear that Roger feels the way about Nadal's play like the way the fan base does. If he in any way thought that he were a "cheater" or a great hinderance, I think he wouldn't have the relationship with him that he does. Same with the doping. It can't be lost on Roger the accusations against Rafa, across the years. If Roger were super-clean, and Rafa not so, Roger is surely in a better position to know than we do. And vice-versa. To me, either they're both clean, or both dirty, and they both know.There is no question there is more bad blood between Roger and Novak (King was dead at 2008 AO itself, remember). There is definitely more of a mutual respect between them for their achievements and abilities. Having said that there is no question Roger would hate the gamesmanship of Ralph, even if he won't say much publicly.
There was a SF in Madrid once between Novak and Ralph. They claimed it was a great match and went for a long time. Fed pooh poohed it and said how come a three set match takes that long (unless one is busy picking butt and other is busy bouncing balls).
Because he thinks they should. And he feels quite secure in his position to say it. What else do you think that proves?
It's a decent protocol, knowing what we know about doping staying ahead of the science from WADA. But surely he also knows that he'll never be called out, no matter what. He sits in the catbird seat. And so, now, does Rafa. And Roger would know that, too.
