Federer is that good

[volfanbill]

Nadal is not better than Federer in each of their respective primes. Nadal had just reached his prime before these injuries and then it's just a struggle with it going either way against a past his prime Federer. Nadal owns clay, but all around player, it's still Federer. And Nadal isn't close.

[WA_Vol]

Tennis isn't popular like it was McEnroe, Connors, Bjorg, Lendl, etc played.

[kidbourbon]

Originally Posted by volfanbill

Nadal is not better than Federer in each of their respective primes. Nadal had just reached his prime before these injuries and then it's just a struggle with it going either way against a past his prime Federer. Nadal owns clay, but all around player, it's still Federer. And Nadal isn't close.

Nadal isn't close? To be clear, we're not talking career resume. We're talking prime vs. prime. Not even close? The unfortunate part of this discussion is that Nadal may never have a prime. He was getting better and better every year until his body started to break down in '09. So all we have is a body of evidence from '06-'08 where Nadal is getting the better of Federer.

When exactly did Federer come out of his prime? If you're conveniently defining Federer's prime as "the time before Nadal emerged on the scene", then how do you explain Federer's dominance in '09 when Nadal was essentially out of the picture? And what about those pesky head to head numbers?

[kidbourbon]

Originally Posted by oklavol

Tennis isn't popular like it was McEnroe, Connors, Bjorg, Lendl, etc played.

As a general rule, staying on topic is preferred.

[DyronNix]

Many have predicted that this year -- 2010 -- is the end of the Federer and Nadal rivalry. Rankings, injuries, etc., will make it harder and harder for both players to make it to finals. We have been lucky for sure. Of course, no one in the tennis commentating business knows what they are talking about.

I have seen Federer and Nadal both play up close and personal. Here are a few things that struck me about each player:

#Nadal is a lot taller in person than he appears on tv. I knew he was ripped, but I had no idea that he was built like a linebacker. He is huge in person.

#Federer is also taller in person and he has really big feet. During practice, Federer is basically a showoff trying all sorts of trick shots.

#Federer's forehand strokes in person make a distinct whizzing noise traveling through the air. I've played tennis for 20 years and have never heard that sound from anyone else's strokes.

#There are some tremendously hot babes that hang out at professional tennis tournaments. Top notch. It is something you have to see to believe.

I've followed tennis since I was 7 years old. Federer is the best I've ever seen. I also think that Federer figured something out about how to beat Nadal last May just before the French Open. Too bad they didn't get to play each other after that Madrid final that Federer won on clay. The key for Federer is running around his backhand against Nadal and keeping a high serve percentage.

[kidbourbon]

Originally Posted by DyronNix

Many have predicted that this year -- 2010 -- is the end of the Federer and Nadal rivalry. Rankings, injuries, etc., will make it harder and harder for both players to make it to finals. We have been lucky for sure. Of course, no one in the tennis commentating business knows what they are talking about.

I have seen Federer and Nadal both play up close and personal. Here are a few things that struck me about each player:

#Nadal is a lot taller in person than he appears on tv. I knew he was ripped, but I had no idea that he was built like a linebacker. He is huge in person.

#Federer is also taller in person and he has really big feet. During practice, Federer is basically a showoff trying all sorts of trick shots.

#Federer's forehand strokes in person make a distinct whizzing noise traveling through the air. I've played tennis for 20 years and have never heard that sound from anyone else's strokes.

#There are some tremendously hot babes that hang out at professional tennis tournaments. Top notch. It is something you have to see to believe.

I've followed tennis since I was 7 years old. Federer is the best I've ever seen. I also think that Federer figured something out about how to beat Nadal last May just before the French Open. Too bad they didn't get to play each other after that Madrid final that Federer won on clay. The key for Federer is running around his backhand against Nadal and keeping a high serve percentage.

Recent evidence suggests Federer still has not figured out how to beat Nadal.

[kidbourbon]

Originally Posted by DyronNix

#Nadal is a lot taller in person than he appears on tv. I knew he was ripped, but I had no idea that he was built like a linebacker. He is huge in person.

#Federer is also taller in person and he has really big feet. During practice, Federer is basically a showoff trying all sorts of trick shots.

.

Yeah, they're the same height. This surprises a lot of people. Most people tend to assume Nadal is shorter than he is. I guess 6-1 guys aren't supposed to move like that.

I haven't seen either guy in person. I'm gonna work on changing that this summer. I really want to see Federer. I want to see the ease with which he hits his forehand. David Foster Wallace gave me some excellent mental imagery, but I do wanna see it for myself.

[**ORANGEBLOOD**]

Roddick is disappoint...

2010 French Open: Americans Andy Roddick, Mike Bryan-Bob Bryan ousted - ESPN

[IBlvNTmWrk]

Not surprised by Roddick. Dissappointed... yes, surprised... no.

But the Bryan brothers? That's a shocker.

[SWIL]

Nadal's got Fed's number.

[kidbourbon]

Fed got ousted by Soderling* today. This snaps his streak of 23 consecutive grand slam semifinals appearances.

Most of my posts in this thread have been pro-Nadal arguments. I make these arguments because I think the fact that the consensus greatest player of all time has been pretty fairly dominated by a guy in his own era is a point that merits discussion. BUT, I have to give props to Federer on this streak. The second longest streak of this nature is Ivan Lendl with 10.

Federer's 23 straight is arguably the most impressive streak in all of sports, and I doubt I will see it broken in my lifetime.

*Soderling is obviously 100% legit. I didn't see the match, but by all accounts Federer played a very good match. Soderling just played better.

[truefan]

Originally Posted by BigPapaVol

McEnroe, with the older and faster Wimbledon without the ridiculous new racquets and strings, could have handled Federer in the big kahuna.

No....I loved McEnroe and the way he played but Roger is a MUCH better player. And yes, Federer would beat him with a Wilson Jack Kramer

[IBlvNTmWrk]

Originally Posted by truefan

No....I loved McEnroe and the way he played but Roger is a MUCH better player. And yes, Federer would beat him with a Wilson Chris Evert

fyp

[kidbourbon]

Originally Posted by volfanbill

Nadal is not better than Federer in each of their respective primes. Nadal had just reached his prime before these injuries and then it's just a struggle with it going either way against a past his prime Federer. Nadal owns clay, but all around player, it's still Federer. And Nadal isn't close.

Federer's game has aged nicely.

Your post, on the other hand.....

[Velo Vol]

So, does Federer have a shot at Wimbledon this year, with one nemesis already gone?