What would your title be?

[lindseywagners]

If you were writing an article about Federer and Nadal, and you were using this photo to head the piece, what would the title be?

One possibility I came up with is:

'Does Nadal Need Federer?

The article would discuss how Nadal might be affected by Federer's decline.

Overall, I think it's such a great photo, given that it shows Nadal, the younger of the two, appearing concerned as he looks on at his old rival.

 

[Front242]

A bit of a sad photo as all tennis pros know it can't last forever and Nadal knows he'll be like this too some day. Obviously Nadal would like to surpass Fed's slam count but I'd say even he would prefer if Roger were still relevant at slams a bit longer as he'd feel he'd achieved more beating him while he was still a force to be reckoned rather than what he is now.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I'd use it to start a crazy rumor (Mastoor style): "Nadal to coach Federer? The Spaniard rehearses sitting court-side before a 2014 coaching gig with the former world number 1."

 

[Kieran]

I'd say even he would prefer if Roger were still relevant at slams a bit longer as he'd feel he'd achieved more beating him while he was still a force to be reckoned rather than what he is now.

Eh, he's beaten him enough, hasn't he! :lolz:

The headline should be: Nadal still coaching from the stands, as Federer loses to Irish #1!

 

[Front242]

I'd say even he would prefer if Roger were still relevant at slams a bit longer as he'd feel he'd achieved more beating him while he was still a force to be reckoned rather than what he is now.

Eh, he's beaten him enough, hasn't he! :lolz:

Sure he has but not too convincingly the last few times given how Fed has declined.

 

[Front242]

There's a lot of mutual respect between them and Rafa likely feels sorry for Roger right now. He knows how much Roger loves playing tennis and clearly he doesn't love losing the way he has all year. That's the vibe I get anyway from that photo. I think Rafa would like to see Roger back playing his best to be honest or at least a whole lot better than he is.

 

[Kieran]

I'd say even he would prefer if Roger were still relevant at slams a bit longer as he'd feel he'd achieved more beating him while he was still a force to be reckoned rather than what he is now.

Eh, he's beaten him enough, hasn't he! :lolz:

Sure he has but not too convincingly the last few times given how Fed has declined.

He's played him 3 times this year and only dropped a single set.

But I agree that Rafa would like Roger to endure, just like Roger seemed genuinely glad to have Rafa back. They'll always be a special pair, even if Novak is now Rafa's main rival. But I wonder where the photo was taken. Rafa looks like he's in his playing shirt and ready to take to the court...

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Based on 2013, Nadal does not need Federer.

I think the less Nadal plays Federer the better. Because if Nadal adds to the 8-2 slam h2h, say he increases it to 11-2, it might create a perception that Nadal took advantage of an "ancient" version of Federer. I hope 2012 AO (when Federer was on a 26 match winning streak) is their last slam meeting ever.

 

[Kieran]

Another title:

Federer becomes blurred at crucial moment in match: Nadal to blame?

 

[Didi]

Well that's a brillant picture. When I saw it last week Bryan Adam's most famous song immediately popped up into my head and I imagined Rafa singing in his head with a bit nostalgic and melancholic touch deeply thanking him for all those shanks while watching his friend Royer ...

Look into my eyes, you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart, search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more

Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do, I do it for you

There's no love, like your love
And no other, could give more love
There's nowhere, unless you're there
All the time, all the way, yeah

 

[Kieran]

Aw, you're making me sentimental, Didi! Feel so sad now... :blush:

 

[Didi]

I hear you Kieran. I seriously miss the beginnings of their rivalry from 2005 - 2008 when it was indeed a true rivalry. So many great matches and fond memories. Miami final 05, Paris SF, the very competitive and underrated Monte Carlo and Paris finals in 2006, of course with Rome 06 in between as the standout. Their fascinating YEC encounter in 06. Wimbledon 2007 & 2008. One can even make a case for AO 09 which was an incredible battle for 4 sets. No matter what happened after 2008, the early stage of their rivalry was the most fascinating since the days of Borg & Mac, Boris & Edberg and Pete & Andre.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

^ Don't forget 2012 AO semi. That was a simply awesome match from start to finish. And Federer had won 26 matches in a row heading into it.

 

[tented]

But I agree that Rafa would like Roger to endure, just like Roger seemed genuinely glad to have Rafa back. They'll always be a special pair, even if Novak is now Rafa's main rival.

Completely agree. When they -- two GOAT candidates -- play each other, it's a unique atmosphere, despite the head-to-head, even despite the final score.

But I wonder where the photo was taken. Rafa looks like he's in his playing shirt and ready to take to the court...

Shanghai. Rafa's match followed Roger's, so he watched a few games before heading back to the locker room.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

TITLE OF PIC:

Federer goes all rubbish because half of him isn't there any more.

 

[Riotbeard]

I'd use it to start a crazy rumor (Mastoor style): "Nadal to coach Federer? The Spaniard rehearses sitting court-side before a 2014 coaching gig with the former world number 1."

That's what I thought too :lolz:

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

" Bromance?"

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The OP's title "Does Nadal Need Federer" obviously raises the question of
whether Nadal's game will decline as a side effect of Fed's game declining.
When one member of a couple who have lived together
a long time dies, ususally the other one dies pretty soon too. Is this
almost like that?

Leaving aside the question of whether Fed's deterioration is complete,
how many believe that Nadal's decline will follow very soon after Fed's
decline (say within an year or so).

 

[shawnbm]

He still beautiful to me, no?

 

[Mastoor]

I'd use it to start a crazy rumor (Mastoor style): "Nadal to coach Federer? The Spaniard rehearses sitting court-side before a 2014 coaching gig with the former world number 1."

Actually "rumour" (well, someone's joke rather) that I read in this particular case was that Rafa left Juan Monaco for Fed.