Will Nadal pass Federer?

[GameSetAndMath]

Not sure how many times they will actually meet this year especially at the GS's. Not the French nor Wimbledon. US Open maybe? And as the years progress even less of a possibility. And if we believe that both champions repeat at the French and Wimbledon respectively nothing has been altered in this aspect of their careers.

I think it is highly unlikely that a Fedal final (or for that matter any other round match) will happen at RG or Wimbledon any more.
The only chances are at AO and USO.

This year, Fed will come well prepared for the USO. After Wimbledon, he will play only Cincy and not repeat the old mistakes.
So, he is likely to reach the final. Assuming Rafa also keeps his end of the bargain, it could happen this year.

 

[DarthFed]

I completely agree that last year's AO was probably the most significant between them, in terms of the race for Majors. I still resent that they didn't have to play their 5-set semis on the same day. And I'm really disappointed that Rafa got hurt and couldn't meet Roger in the final this year, as he looked more vulnerable than last year. So, obviously, it will be a lot about the health of each, but Rafa has the historically more susceptible body to breakdown. With decent health, his form stays high, he should be in the running for Majors for the next 4 years. And, even with @mrzz's compelling argument for Thiem, Rafa is miles ahead of everyone on clay, when healthy and confident.

Rafa should have a more broken down body than Roger due to that ugly style of play. I also don't think the Roger that showed up to play Cilic would've been the one Nadal would've faced. Cilic's first strike tennis also hurt Roger's rhythm. Not sure Roger would've had such dips against Nadal this time. Going off form coming into that match and the fact he has won 5 in a row it'd likely have been a huge edge to Roger, especially indoors. And still on with the excuses for last year's loss? Anyways I'd say if Roger wants to play 4 more years he should have a good shot at 3+ Wimbledon's if he keeps that motivation high. He needs to make up for lost time there with the weak finals losses.

 

[Moxie]

Rafa should have a more broken down body than Roger due to that ugly style of play. I also don't think the Roger that showed up to play Cilic would've been the one Nadal would've faced. Cilic's first strike tennis also hurt Roger's rhythm. Not sure Roger would've had such dips against Nadal this time. Going off form coming into that match and the fact he has won 5 in a row it'd likely have been a huge edge to Roger, especially indoors. And still on with the excuses for last year's loss? Anyways I'd say if Roger wants to play 4 more years he should have a good shot at 3+ Wimbledon's if he keeps that motivation high. He needs to make up for lost time there with the weak finals losses.

The roof being closed would have been a benefit to Roger, if he'd played Rafa. But don't be such a putz about "excuses" re: last year's final. You tell me how them playing their SFs on different days is a good thing and not a detriment to the guy with one day less rest. Eh? Especially that it went 5 sets. And don't give me your tired story about how Roger should have won it 3. He didn't. And Rafa was up a break in the 5th. He could have used that extra day. That's not an excuse, that's just fair. In the match that is clearly a make-or-break in their Slam counts, it's a shame that they couldn't have played on a more level field.

 

[DarthFed]

The roof being closed would have been a benefit to Roger, if he'd played Rafa. But don't be such a putz about "excuses" re: last year's final. You tell me how them playing their SFs on different days is a good thing and not a detriment to the guy with one day less rest. Eh? Especially that it went 5 sets. And don't give me your tired story about how Roger should have won it 3. He didn't. And Rafa was up a break in the 5th. He could have used that extra day. That's not an excuse, that's just fair. In the match that is clearly a make-or-break in their Slam counts, it's a shame that they couldn't have played on a more level field.

It's only an advantage if the opponent plays a brutal 5 set match. If Rafa had finished off his way inferior opponent in 4 or less sets then 1 days rest is plenty. Also Rafa didn't lose that match because of fatigue, he was moving fine in the 5th and throughout most of the match, he just banked on backhand errors in the 5th and they didn't come.

 

[Moxie]

It's only an advantage if the opponent plays a brutal 5 set match. If Rafa had finished off his way inferior opponent in 4 or less sets then 1 days rest is plenty. Also Rafa didn't lose that match because of fatigue, he was moving fine in the 5th and throughout most of the match, he just banked on backhand errors in the 5th and they didn't come.

They both played hard 5-set semis. That's an equivalency. (And you don't get off the hook by calling Dimitrov "way inferior." That's cheese.) Except they played them on different days. And Rafa was flat that whole match. But don't deflect the question. Let's say Roger had played a 5-setter one day after Rafa, had gone into the final, been up a break in the 5th, and lost in the end. How would you feel? Be honest.

 

[DarthFed]

They both played hard 5-set semis. That's an equivalency. (And you don't get off the hook by calling Dimitrov "way inferior." That's cheese.) Except they played them on different days. And Rafa was flat that whole match. But don't deflect the question. Let's say Roger had played a 5-setter one day after Rafa, had gone into the final, been up a break in the 5th, and lost in the end. How would you feel? Be honest.

I'd be ticked off of course and bitter just like you. But regarding the fifth set blown lead I'd also be less pissed if the opponent was playing lights out the last five games. Roger ripped the match away even with Rafa serving close to 80% that set and barely making any errors. Roger lost two sets because his concentration dropped badly and he was used to being a basketcase against Nadal. That was the difference between that final and the 3 blowouts after.

And if Rafa was flat that whole match you really shouldn't complain when I say the same about Roger at Wimbledon 2008. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

 

[Federberg]

I'd be ticked off of course and bitter just like you. But regarding the fifth set blown lead I'd also be less pissed if the opponent was playing lights out the last five games. Roger ripped the match away even with Rafa serving close to 80% that set and barely making any errors. Roger lost two sets because his concentration dropped badly and he was used to being a basketcase against Nadal. That was the difference between that final and the 3 blowouts after.

And if Rafa was flat that whole match you really shouldn't complain when I say the same about Roger at Wimbledon 2008. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

she does like to have her cake and eat it!

 

[Moxie]

I'd be ticked off of course and bitter just like you. But regarding the fifth set blown lead I'd also be less pissed if the opponent was playing lights out the last five games. Roger ripped the match away even with Rafa serving close to 80% that set and barely making any errors. Roger lost two sets because his concentration dropped badly and he was used to being a basketcase against Nadal. That was the difference between that final and the 3 blowouts after.

And if Rafa was flat that whole match you really shouldn't complain when I say the same about Roger at Wimbledon 2008. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Different matches and different circumstances (same day SFs, each in straights, and they were 9 years younger.) You're the one who keeps saying that Roger should have one in 3, and we watched that match together, everyone thought pretty much same.

 

[Moxie]

she does like to have her cake and eat it!

Seems we all 3 do.

 

[Federberg]

Different matches and different circumstances (same day SFs, each in straights, and they were 9 years younger.) You're the one who keeps saying that Roger should have one in 3, and we watched that match together, everyone thought pretty much same.

everyone?

 

[Federberg]

Seems we all 3 do.

lol! You say things like this without any specific back up....

 

[Moxie]

lol! You say things like this without any specific back up....

You have a short memory.

 

[Federberg]

You have a short memory.

either that, are you like to fling baseless accusations. Enlighten me please...

 

[Ricardo]

lol! You say things like this without any specific back up....

That’s what happens when you argue with a woman...

 

[Moxie]

either that, are you like to fling baseless accusations. Enlighten me please...

I hurt you've forgotten that we just went 3-4 rounds on "Roger was affected by mono/back, but don't try to talk about Rafa's knees." :lulz2:

 

[roberto]

The one day rest advantage is unusual--I believe AO is the only slam where that is the case. But one could also argue that Roger is 5 years older than Rafa. I thought it was a classic match---but I do agree that Fed could/should have finished it earlier. But Rafa's unmatched fight plus his current skill level is still enough to push Fed to the limit, even on fast hards. I hope they have the chance to play a major and/or masters final this year, as their matches are at a different level.

 

[Federberg]

I hurt you've forgotten that we just went 3-4 rounds on "Roger was affected by mono/back, but don't try to talk about Rafa's knees." :lulz2:

I'm not sure how I'm trying to have my cake and eat it though. Yes I believe Roger was affected by mono. I believe it impacted his annual routine of practicing in the spring and his form was off for the rest of the year. I really believe that. And his performances throughout 2008 bear that out. Am I saying that he had mono when he was getting tuned? No. I haven't said that. Rafa beat him fair and square in RG. I have complaints about the match being extended past about 2 - 2 in the 5th set at Wimbledon. I agree with DF that he was shite in the first 2 sets. Even Roger has talked about how he had such a loss of confidence facing Rafa in the final after being crushed in RG, I don't know why you have an issue with that. I have never said that Rafa didn't deserve to win that match. Never. Is that the same as your implying that Rafa would have beaten Soderling in 09 if he didn't have knee issues? I would say not. That's excuse making. El Dude was kind enough to post a link of highlights of that match and what any neutral observer would tell you is that Rafa was hitting the ball short to absolutely the worst opponent to do that to in those conditions and he paid for it. He could have had bionic knees and he wasn't getting to those balls. You can delude yourself all you want. But to simplistically say that I'm trying to have my cake and eat it? Nah... I don't write posts saying that if Roger's back had been fine in last year's USO he would have won. He lost. I"m over it. I do berate him for putting himself in that position. But then there's you, saying that Rafa would have beaten Stan at the AO after getting crushed in the first set. Despite what was in plain view. I could forgive your initial excuse making, because none of us knew who Sftanimal was at the time. But even now I get the sense you want to come up with that woulda coulda stuff about that match. I don't do that. I don't argue in the face of overwhelming evidence, even if I probably have more justification seeing as Roger is a more accomplished winner than Rafa. But then I guess it's easier for me to get over losses, maybe that's what sets Fed fans apart from Rafa fans

 

[Fiero425]

The one day rest advantage is unusual--I believe AO is the only slam where that is the case. But one could also argue that Roger is 5 years older than Rafa. I thought it was a classic match---but I do agree that Fed could/should have finished it earlier. But Rafa's unmatched fight plus his current skill level is still enough to push Fed to the limit, even on fast hards. I hope they have the chance to play a major and/or masters final this year, as their matches are at a different level.

The USO has done that in the past; esp. on the ladies' side of the tourney! Going back to '79, I still remember Evert had a very easy time with BJK (injured neck) in their SF match on Thursday, while Martina fell to Austin on Friday! :whistle:

 

[Ricardo]

Seems we all 3 do.

Oh no no even a bystander can see that you stand alone in this one, you top them all.

 

[Andy22]

Nadal will pass federer it only a matters of time