Will Nadal pass Federer?

[GameSetAndMath]

There are no guarantees in sports, GSM. They still have to play the matches and last time I check Federer is still at 20 slams and Nadal is still at 17 slams...

Of course. That is what I am banking on.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Of course. That is what I am banking on.

Just enjoy the ride, GSM. If it happens, it happens and if it does not happens, then more happiness for all of you Fed fans.

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

Situation is dire.

Fed looks done.

Rafa looks to be sure of winning at least two RGs and at least one other slam (probably even this USO).

I'm thinking even Djokovic might cross him at this rate.
He was losing to journeyman till Rome earlier this year and now has a legit shot at a 2 slam season.
And he will have much better chances at 3 slams than Nadal.
Terrible time to be a Federer fan

 

[Fiero425]

I'm thinking even Djokovic might cross him at this rate.
He was losing to journeyman till Rome earlier this year and now has a legit shot at a 2 slam season.
And he will have much better chances at 3 slams than Nadal.

Here we go! ….Let's take it to the next level! :whistle: o_O

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

Here we go! ….Let's take it to the next level! :whistle: o_O

Sarcasm?

 

[rafanoy1992]

I'm thinking even Djokovic might cross him at this rate.
He was losing to journeyman till Rome earlier this year and now has a legit shot at a 2 slam season.
And he will have much better chances at 3 slams than Nadal.
Terrible time to be a Federer fan

Unless Djokovic goes on a superhuman transformation from this point on, I do not see Djokovic passing Federer at all. He basically have to win 8 slams at age 31 and above which will be really hard to accomplish. I can see him potentially surpassing Nadal but he has to win AT LEAST 5 slams and Nadal not winning a single slam from this point on (which is also highly unlikely).

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

Unless Djokovic goes on a superhuman transformation from this point on, I do not see Djokovic passing Federer at all. He basically have to win 8 slams at age 31 and above which will be really hard to accomplish. I can see him potentially surpassing Nadal but he has to win AT LEAST 5 slams and Nadal not winning a single slam from this point on (which is also highly unlikely).

But who will stop him unless he declines again?
He's 31 now and assuming he plays till 35 at the very least that's 4 chances at each major+ USO this year(17 in total)8 almost sure chances (AO+Wimb),5 good chances (USO) and 4 outside chances
At AO and Wimbledon, basically no one can give him a challenge since Wawrinka and Murray are far from their previous selfs.
At USO only Nadal has chances to stop him or a freak upset like Nishikori 2014
RG will be tough but a slight slip from Nadal and he will pounce on it.

 

[rafanoy1992]

But who will stop him unless he declines again?
He's 31 now and assuming he plays till 35 at the very least that's 4 chances at each major+ USO this year(17 in total)
At AO and Wimbledon, basically no one can give him a challenge since Wawrinka and Murray are far from their previous selfs.
At USO only Nadal has chances to stop him or a freak upset like Nishikori 2014
RG will be tough but a slight slip from Nadal and he will pounce on it.

That's the thing, yes he looks great right now but not does not mean he will be great forever or until he is 35 years old. Yes, he will always have a chance in every major but so does Nadal and Federer in AO and Wimbledon.

What I am trying to say is that at age 31, I just do not see him win 8 more slams and that's assuming Federer and Nadal do not win anymore slams either.

Like you and I said, if Nadal wins just one slam (whether this US Open or any slam), then it will be a hard climb for Djokovic to surpass both Federer and Nadal.

 

[DarthFed]

I think that ship sailed for Djokovic the past two years. Only scenario where he threatens the record is if he wins this one and then takes at least 3 next year. Even then that'd leave him at 17 majors going on age 33. The main threat is still Nadal, he's simply closer right now and he doesn't even need to play or move well to win RG. He could win RG for many years to come if he wants to stick it out.

Roger has no one to blame but himself if he gets passed up. Those other two haven't blown the same amount of opportunities combined as he has. Yesterday was 15th time he lost a major from 1 set up. I bet combined the other two are at 10 or less. He has lost 3 matches from 2 sets up, other two combined are at 2. He has lost 4 matches at majors from MP up, other two combined are at 1 I think.

 

[DarthFed]

Just enjoy the ride, GSM. If it happens, it happens and if it does not happens, then more happiness for all of you Fed fans.

Rafa passing Roger is not any kind of ride we'd enjoy. It'd make Roger's career look weak.

It is difficult near the end of the road for Roger but he has to keep trucking along and try to see the future. 20 is outstanding right now but might not be for much longer.

 

[monfed]

Unless dull's game falls of a cliff like 2015-16 and never recovers, 20+ slams looks inevitable. This year has been a total disaster since Rotterdam.

 

[El Dude]

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Rafa deserves to surpass Federer because he has dedicated his life to tennis, even delayed getting married and having kids because he loves tennis so much, wants to practice and train as much as possible and improve all the time. He even built a huge tennis academy.

Rafa is the GOAT, if you don't accept it yet, you will soon enough.

Actually Rafa is beyond being the GOAT, Rafa IS TENNIS.

 

[DarthFed]

And yet Roger is way more popular and it's usually when talking about Roger that most people wonder how bad off tennis will be when he is gone. I'd say he's a lot more "TENNIS" than Nadal is. Who cares how dedicated and obsessed Nadal is, at the end of the day it is all about how much they accomplish.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

And yet Roger is way more popular and it's usually when talking about Roger that most people wonder how bad off tennis will be when he is gone. I'd say he's a lot more "TENNIS" than Nadal is. Who cares how dedicated and obsessed Nadal is, at the end of the day it is all about how much they accomplish.

Actually these days whenever people talk they mention "Rafa & Roger" as a duo and how tennis without them won't be the same. Not saying that Federer isn't up there as a GOAT candidate, but when all is said and done Rafa will be the one regarded as the GOAT by most people. Rafa & Serena.

 

[Jelenafan]

I think tennis will survive the end of Rafa and Federer’s careers, ditto I would add the Williams.

What’s unusual about this generation is they’ve kept the spotlight/attention going on 15+ years, in the Williams case close to 20 years.

Only Open era player coming close to that was Chris Evert ( Martina N wasn’t a media darling).

Someone else will come along, they always do and the game marches on.

I would add the whole Rafa/Federer debate really only matters while they’re still playing; ie Relevant.

Once they retire it’s all moot talk about *past* champions with less impact.

Sobering thought. : (

ETA: The realist in me doesn't think Rafa will pass Federer's Major wins. However, I have been known to be flat out wrong with my predictions...LOL

 

[DarthFed]

Actually these days whenever people talk they mention "Rafa & Roger" as a duo and how tennis without them won't be the same. Not saying that Federer isn't up there as a GOAT candidate, but when all is said and done Rafa will be the one regarded as the GOAT by most people. Rafa & Serena.

Rafa is very popular of course but if you've been to any events or even just paid close attention to them on TV you'd know that the vast majority of people that go to those are Federer fans. And they are more vocal and passionate. Once he's gone there are going to be a lot of those fans that don't even bother to watch the sport. With Nadal you'll have some of the same stuff but I'm sure the rabid Nadal fans will latch onto some other blue-collared top player that comes along.

As for the rest we will see if Nadal ends up with more majors, it is as simple as that.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Rafa is very popular of course but if you've been to any events or even just paid close attention to them on TV you'd know that the vast majority of people that go to those are Federer fans. And they are more vocal and passionate. Once he's gone there are going to be a lot of those fans that don't even bother to watch the sport. With Nadal you'll have some of the same stuff but I'm sure the rabid Nadal fans will latch onto some other blue-collared top player that comes along.

As for the rest we will see if Nadal ends up with more majors, it is as simple as that.

You are very wrong I see more Nadal fans with banners, posters and flags than Federer fans, and they are even louder.

 

[DarthFed]

You are very wrong I see more Nadal fans with banners, posters and flags than Federer fans, and they are even louder.

Not even close to correct but I know better than to keep on with this game.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Not even close to correct but I know better than to keep on with this game.

Who is Wimbledonerer, your puppy? It likes each of your posts 2 seconds after you write them. Very freaky. Have a nice day.