Psychological effect of Federer knowing he doesn't have to deal with Nadal?

[ProRadTour]

Given recent results with Fed winning Wimbledon and now Cincinnati i think one could make the argument that Federer feels a sense of relief that he knows he doesn't have to contend with Nadal deep in a tournament.

Nadal went out early in Wimbledon and Fed wins even after having to deal with Novak in the Semi's. And now he has absolutely smashed Novak in Cincinnati.

Nadal knocked Fed out of the Australian; Fed knew if he beat Novak in the French he had deal with Nadal on his best surface. Bottom line is it looks like just Nadal being around is enough to put some fear into Fed.

It's clear Roger doesn't really fear anybody but Nadal. It's pretty scary to think what Rogers record would have looked like if Nadal didn't come into the picture.

As Nadal has pulled out of the US Open, looks like Roger will add another major to his list.

 

[cc0509]

Given recent results with Fed winning Wimbledon and now Cincinnati i think one could make the argument that Federer feels a sense of relief that he knows he doesn't have to contend with Nadal deep in a tournament.

Nadal went out early in Wimbledon and Fed wins even after having to deal with Novak in the Semi's. And now he has absolutely smashed Novak in Cincinnati.

Nadal knocked Fed out of the Australian; Fed knew if he beat Novak in the French he had deal with Nadal on his best surface. Bottom line is it looks like just Nadal being around is enough to put some fear into Fed.

It's clear Roger doesn't really fear anybody but Nadal. It's pretty scary to think what Rogers record would have looked like if Nadal didn't come into the picture.

As Nadal has pulled out of the US Open, looks like Roger will add another major to his list.

Nope, I think Federer wants to play Nadal at W or the USO even though Nadal has the mental edge in that match-up. Federer is all about challenges, he thrives on it.

 

[kishnabe]

Why didn't Federer throw the towel in the QF of Australia and IW!

Federer attitude is to face Nadal and give his best. He would still go out there if he knew the result beforehand that he would lose.

 

[AnotherTennisProdigy]

I would actually pick Fed to win. If he can beat him at a slow hard court like Indian Wells, I'm sure he can do it at the US Open.

 

[SLD76]

why should his mentality be different to years past, seeing as he has barely faced rafa in the summer/fall HC season anyway?

 

[ProRadTour]

Just to be clear, I am not saying Fed doesn't want to front up against Nadal and take him on. He is a bonefied chamption that would put his all in everytime he does take on Nadal.

Just an observation that his results seem to be far better when he doesn't have to contend or think about dealing with Nadal.

 

[guitarplayer]

I agree with you. Takes the pressure off.

Hey..why is that pic showing up ? I didn't put it there.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Just to be clear, I am not saying Fed doesn't want to front up against Nadal and take him on. He is a bonefied chamption that would put his all in everytime he does take on Nadal.

Just an observation that his results seem to be far better when he doesn't have to contend or think about dealing with Nadal.

You took a sample of two tournaments, where Nadal lost early or did not participate, that Federer won, to make your "case"?

This is masterclass.

Epic.

Fail.

 

[Steve132]

You took a sample of two tournaments, where Nadal lost early or did not participate, that Federer won, to make your "case"?

This is masterclass.

Epic.

Fail.

Exactly. The premises of the original post are absurd.

Nadal's presence certainly did not seem to affect Federer's confidence at Indian Wells or the WTF.

 

[Homeboy Hotel]

I think Federer is stubborn, in his perspective, this whole 'Nadal owns me in slams' is overrated - I think Federer strongly believes he can beat Nadal in every slam and surface. He loves the challenge.

 

[joeri888]

I think Federer is stubborn, in his perspective, this whole 'Nadal owns me in slams' is overrated - I think Federer strongly believes he can beat Nadal in every slam and surface. He loves the challenge.

The guy is one of the biggest legends in (our) sport(s). Of course he believes he can beat anyone with a tennis racquet. He has every reason to do so. The matchup IS overrated. Even though Federer has trouble with Nadal. It's not like he's owned at all. 18-10 means 4 matches lost you should have won. AO 09, Rome 06, Dubai 04, and maybe RG at one point. There you have them. That's not how it works, and he failed, but he knows that more often than not, he'll have his chances to win. He knows that if he plays his very best, he can trouble Nadal anywhere. He and Djokovic are the only ones to do that consistently, even on clay. Nadal has only ONCE beaten Federer in a way that you could say that he had no business in that match. ONCE in 28 matches. Federer had this as well on 1 or 2 occassions. I think that Federer believes in himself a lot more than all the retards on this forum, and I think he knows himself and Nadal a lot better. The guy's a champion, and always gives himself a fighting chance, even if he played Superman, or the combined power ranger. Federer thinks about himself.

The only time I think this was different was soon after RG08, with W08 and AO08 two somewhat unnecessary losses. Not undeserved, but not necessary.

 

[malbaker86]

I think Federer is stubborn, in his perspective, this whole 'Nadal owns me in slams' is overrated - I think Federer strongly believes he can beat Nadal in every slam and surface. He loves the challenge.

I truly don't believe his confidence dips when they meet at the French...which is understandable.