Will Nadal pass Federer?

[Nadalfan2013]

I think it's also particularly satisfying to note this. Much has been made that he broke the 3-way tie. But he's never been behind Novak, in the slam count. However, he's spent his whole career chasing Roger in it, so I like pulling it out separately, as an achievement. There was a time, when Rafa was stalled at 14, that I thought I might be content for him just to pass Pete. And he was perpetually 3 behind Roger, for some long while. Taking the longer view, passing Roger is very sweet, indeed.

The best part about Nadal passing Federer (& also Djokovic) is that he did it at the Australian Open of all places completing the double career slam in the process. If he had won #21 at RG then I could already see all the "clay specialist" comments and how his #21 is not a big deal. But he did it at the AO, a perfect scenario.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I think it's also particularly satisfying to note this. Much has been made that he broke the 3-way tie. But he's never been behind Novak, in the slam count. However, he's spent his whole career chasing Roger in it, so I like pulling it out separately, as an achievement. There was a time, when Rafa was stalled at 14, that I thought I might be content for him just to pass Pete. And he was perpetually 3 behind Roger, for some long while. Taking the longer view, passing Roger is very sweet, indeed.

The two instances in which I thought he will never tie or surpass Federer was when Federer won the 2010 AO and when he won 2017 AO against Nadal. At those certain points, I told myself that Nadal will never catch Federer. But, Nadal kept fighting hard, believe in himself and he finally surpassed Federer in GS titles.

One last thing: I started to dream and believe that Nadal can surpass Federer when he won the 2019 US Open. When he won that title, I was like, "He will surpass him one day..."

 

[Jelenafan]

Toni Nadal always would remind everyone every few years that he thought Rafa would surpass Roger's Majors total and never ever bet against Uncle Toni.

Toni Nadal says Rafa will reach Federer's Grand Slam record | Tennis.com

At 16 Grand Slams, Rafa Nadal is being pegged by his uncle as the

www.tennis.com

And pre his Novak camp days Goran I. predicted this:

Goran Ivanisevic believes Rafael Nadal will eclipse Roger Federer’s record tally of 17 grand slam titles

“Nadal has 13 grand slam titles already, Roger Federer is on 17. When Roger broke the record of Pete Sampras on 14 we thought that would never be broken, but I don’t think that any more. I think Na…

rafaelnadalfans.com

Excerpt:
If he stays fit, who knows? He could even reach 20 grand slam titles. It’s possible,” he added.

 

[rafanoy1992]

In my opinion, I always though Nadal’s road to winning 21 slams is really special because I always felt like he was in the middle of both Federer AND Djokovic. Not only he had to attack (chase Federer), but he also had to defend (prevent Djokovic) just to win 21 slams. Add in the fact all the injuries he suffered throughout his career.

Just think of this, after Federer won the 2018 AO title, here are the Slam count:

Federer: 20 slams
Nadal: 16 slams
Djokovic: 12 slams

At that point, you probably thinking, I do not see Nadal surpassing Federer.

Nadal won 2018 RG, however, Djokovic won the next three slams after that RG (2018 Wim, 2018 US Open, and 2019 AO) so, the count was:

Federer: 20 slams
Nadal: 17 slams
Djokovic: 15 slams

At that point, not only Nadal might not surpass Federer, he might get surpass by Djokovic.

Fast forward into 2021 RG SF, we all thought Nadal will beat Djokovic, but he did not beat him AND Djokovic won both RG and Wim to tie Federer and Nadal.

Then, 2022 Australian Open happened. After ALL of those events (wins, losses, pandemic, injuries and etc…) somehow, Nadal was able to become the 1st male player in history to reach 21 slams!

It’s just remarkable to think about…at age 35.5 too!

 

[Moxie]

In my opinion, I always though Nadal’s road to winning 21 slams is really special because I always felt like he was in the middle of both Federer AND Djokovic. Not only he had to attack (chase Federer), but he also had to defend (prevent Djokovic) just to win 21 slams. Add in the fact all the injuries he suffered throughout his career.

Just think of this, after Federer won the 2018 AO title, here are the Slam count:

Federer: 20 slams
Nadal: 16 slams
Djokovic: 12 slams

At that point, you probably thinking, I do not see Nadal surpassing Federer.

Nadal won 2018 RG, however, Djokovic won the next three slams after that RG (2018 Wim, 2018 US Open, and 2018 AO) so, the count was:

Federer: 20 slams
Nadal: 17 slams
Djokovic: 15 slams

At that point, not only Nadal might not surpass Federer, he might get surpass by Djokovic.

Fast forward into 2021 RG SF, we all thought Nadal will beat Djokovic, but he did not beat him AND Djokovic won both RG and Wim to tie Federer and Nadal.

Then, 2022 Australian Open happened. After ALL of those events (wins, losses, pandemic, injuries and etc…) somehow, Nadal was able to become the 1st male player in history to reach 21 slams!

It’s just remarkable to think about…at age 35.5 too!

I love your Reader's Digest version of how the last few years have gone in the Slam Race. Particularly that bolded above. The only non-Rafa fan who seems willing to cop to the fact that being sandwiched in between Roger and Novak has been a tough road for Nadal has been @El Dude. But, besides 2010, there has been no respite for Rafa, especially when you add in the injuries. Good post.

 

[Andy22]

Nadal passing Federer was Always Going To happen Djokovic was Real danger To Nadal Goathood Not Fraud. However Nadal has Outlasted Djokovic and Now is Undisputable GOAT GOAT GOAT GOAT GOAT.

 

[the AntiPusher]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Nadalfan2013]

"Roger Federer is done for me in the GOAT talks" Nick Kyrgios believes the Swiss Maestro is no more worthy of the title

Former World No. 1 and 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer continues to recover from his 3rd knee surgery that he underwent in August last year. The

firstsportz.com

“If Nadal wins 22 I think he’s got the crown. Nah, he’s (Federer), I mean to quote this, Roger’s done for me in the GOAT talks boys, he’s done. I thought about it, he’s got a losing record against both of them, like really bad records. I don’t even think Roger beats some of the other guys on grass now,”said Nick Kyrgios during the recent episode of his ‘No Boundaries Podcast’.

 

[the AntiPusher]

"Roger Federer is done for me in the GOAT talks" Nick Kyrgios believes the Swiss Maestro is no more worthy of the title

Former World No. 1 and 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer continues to recover from his 3rd knee surgery that he underwent in August last year. The

firstsportz.com

“If Nadal wins 22 I think he’s got the crown. Nah, he’s (Federer), I mean to quote this, Roger’s done for me in the GOAT talks boys, he’s done. I thought about it, he’s got a losing record against both of them, like really bad records. I don’t even think Roger beats some of the other guys on grass now,”said Nick Kyrgios during the recent episode of his ‘No Boundaries Podcast’.

This is not directed at the poster, but why is any considered to be of any relevant coming from the mouth of Nick.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

This is not directed at the poster, but why is any considered to be of any relevant coming from the mouth of Nick.

Well it just shows that even the biggest fedtards like Nick are abandoning him and admitting that it’s all about Nadal.

 

[Jelenafan]

This is not directed at the poster, but why is any considered to be of any relevant coming from the mouth of Nick.

I certainly don't mind players voicing their opinion.

Maybe it's just me, but Nick seems to think his relevance now as being some sort of twitter mouthpiece. I'm sure he's gotten alot of positive feedback for giving his opinions, views, etc. Nick seems to relish the role. I agree on some of his views, and not so much on others...It happens with any twitter happy opinioned peeps I happen to come across.

At this point My own spin on this is to say "Hey Nick, with the full tennis calendar finally opening up, maybe, just maybe your best relevance is to get on the court and I dunno, try to be the best tennis player you can be before that window of opportunity closes up".

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

This is not directed at the poster, but why is any considered to be of any relevant coming from the mouth of Nick.

Please that Podcast is a 'send up' dont take it seriously what comes out of the mouth of Nick,he just started it to get attention
Another example was he told the ATP Tour on his podcast was to drop all clay court tournaments and Roland Garos? lol! reason being Nick sucks on clay.

 

[Fiero425]

I certainly don't mind players voicing their opinion.

Maybe it's just me, but Nick seems to think his relevance now as being some sort of twitter mouthpiece. I'm sure he's gotten alot of positive feedback for giving his opinions, views, etc. Nick seems to relish the role. I agree on some of his views, and not so much on others...It happens with any twitter happy opinioned peeps I happen to come across.

At this point My own spin on this is to say "Hey Nick, with the full tennis calendar finally opening up, maybe, just maybe your best relevance is to get on the court and I dunno, try to be the best tennis player you can be before that window of opportunity closes up".

Who doesn't think their words are meaningful? That's why people mouth off even if their commentary is worthless!

 

[Andy22]

Nadal passing Federer was written in the stars it always going to happen because Nadal turns dreams into reality.

 

[Moxie]

Interesting piece in The Guardian poo-pooing the GOAT debate, at all:

Rafa? Serena? Roger? Tennisâs Goat debate is an affront to history

As Rafael Nadal aims for his 23rd major and Serena Williams prepares to bid farewell, comparing players across generations is a futile activity

www.theguardian.com

 

[Kieran]

Interesting piece in The Guardian poo-pooing the GOAT debate, at all:

Rafa? Serena? Roger? Tennisâs Goat debate is an affront to history

As Rafael Nadal aims for his 23rd major and Serena Williams prepares to bid farewell, comparing players across generations is a futile activity

www.theguardian.com

It’s a very good article and I agree with every word of it…

 

[shawnbm]

It’s a very good article and I agree with every word of it…

Well, I will have to read it if brother Kieran agrees with every word of it!

 

[Fiero425]

Well, I will have to read it if brother Kieran agrees with every word of it!

Read, but says the same thing as most articles out there! The GOAT debate will continue t/b debated, but end up the same each time; questionable!

 

[shawnbm]

Read, but says the same thing as most articles out there! The GOAT debate will continue t/b debated, but end up the same each time; questionable!

Yes, it will. Just to be in the pantheon of the greats really should be enough. Statistics are only one metric. But, knowing brother Kieran I knew there would be something in there about Nadal being placed higher than Federer--at least the Kieran I know

 

[Andy22]

In what; money earned? I doubt even there if Roger plays a couple more years! It's not like Rafa will last as long; breaking down as we speak; errrr post! :whistle:

You was saying? I doubt Nadal never pass Federer even if he's retired now he's two slams ahead with Federer retired.

Your wrong as always and I'm right as always have nice day now.

By the way I said this way back in 2018 Nadal would pass Federer I always believed in him.

Happy never listened to Experts such as yourself on Nadal future .