Once upon a time, people used to look forward to...

[Speranza]

...a Fedal match, regardless of the result.

Alas, those days are behind us.

Or are they?

[TJfederer16]

I think the epic matches are over, but its always a pleasure to see both of them on the same court together regardless of the outcome or level of tennis, it always feel special.

[Russeljones]

That is akin to one saying one does not look forward to a good meal. Nonsense.

[Leto]

Originally Posted by Speranza

...a Fedal match, regardless of the result.

Alas, those days are behind us.

Or are they?

Eventually, Rafa's going to start declining due to age at a more rapid pace than Fed is, given his playing style. Maybe then, we'll see more competitive Fedal matches.

For now, I expect Rafa to continue to dominate (except for indoor HC late in season).

On slow courts like today, I think Fed only wins if Rafa plays poorly. If they both play solid, I think Rafa wins it in straights.

[nadalwon2012]

Originally Posted by Leto

Eventually, Rafa's going to start declining due to age at a more rapid pace than Fed is, given his playing style. Maybe then, we'll see more competitive Fedal matches.

For now, I expect Rafa to continue to dominate (except for indoor HC late in season).

On slow courts like today, I think Fed only wins if Rafa plays poorly. If they both play solid, I think Rafa wins it in straights.

That's the plan/hope/wish. But will it be the reality? Nadal has won at least 1 slam per year for the last 7 years. Nadal has made the last 4 slam finals and 7 of the last 8. Nadal at age 25.5 has played a 6 hour slam final, and only lost 7-5 in the 5th set. That isn't something a guy with longevity problems does. On top of that, Nadal continues to improve his net-play, while Federer's net-play got worse (less-used) every year.

[Leto]

Originally Posted by nadalwon2012

That's the plan/hope/wish. But will it be the reality? Nadal has won at least 1 slam per year for the last 7 years. Nadal has made the last 4 slam finals and 7 of the last 8. Nadal at age 25.5 has played a 6 hour slam final, and only lost 7-5 in the 5th set. That isn't something a guy with longevity problems does. On top of that, Nadal continues to improve his net-play, while Federer's net-play got worse (less-used) every year.

Not a plan/hope/wish on my part. Just predicting what is likely.

Also, I don't see any real significance in those matches if things turn out that way. Both guys will be past their prime and unlikely to be true slam contenders or fighting for #1.

But for pure entertainment value in terms of the outcome being less predictable than it tends to be now, it would make each potential Fedal encounter more interesting.

[tacou]

if you don't look forward you're spoiled and will be a depressed tennis fan in 5 years time.

the matches always feature, at the very least, a handful of stunning points, and even the lopsided wins have been displays of fantastic tennis for Nadal (FO 0 or Fed (WTF11).

above all else it's another chapter in the greatest rivalry in tennis, and possibly sports in general. always a pleasure to be part of that.

[Warmaster]

Originally Posted by tacou

if you don't look forward you're spoiled and will be a depressed tennis fan in 5 years time.

the matches always feature, at the very least, a handful of stunning points, and even the lopsided wins have been displays of fantastic tennis for Nadal (FO 0 or Fed (WTF11).

above all else it's another chapter in the greatest rivalry in tennis, and possibly sports in general. always a pleasure to be part of that.

Depends on how you look at it. I mean, for me a match where it isn't easy to predict the winner is a lot more enjoyable, Federer-Djokovic is way more interesting if you look at it that way.

[Evan77]

their matches are so predictable. No, I'm not looking forward to another Fedal match. Raf keeps pounding Rogs' BH, blah, blah... same old story. yes, I will always watch their matches because I love tennis, but Rog is simply Nadal's turkey...

[Hood_Man]

Once upon a time, the result wasn't a foregone conclusion.

8-6 from 2004-2007, 10-3 ever since.

[flyinghippos101]

Yup. Fed will get some sniffs, but most of the time he'll find a way to blow it. Absolutely NOT looking forward to another fedal match. The only ones that are are the Nadal fans.

[Leto]

Originally Posted by flyinghippos101

Yup. Fed will get some sniffs, but most of the time he'll find a way to blow it. Absolutely NOT looking forward to another fedal match. The only ones that are are the Nadal fans.

Even Nadal fans might not look forward to this match.

Anything can happen and he could end up losing.

Good luck dealing with that on a forum like this, based on what I have seen

For Nadal fans, I can see it as being like there is little to gain if he wins as usual, but a lot to lose if he doesn't win

[Rusty669]

Fed should be quietly optimistic for today's match. He has won the last two tournaments on the spin and has had a lot more match practice than Rafa has since the Australian Open.
Obviously the slow hard court favours Nadal, but I am curious to see if Fed might squeeze a win today, as he has come through some matches where he wasn't playing his best tennis. I always look forward to their matches, even if the head to head is a little lopsided.

[tacou]

Originally Posted by Warmaster

Depends on how you look at it. I mean, for me a match where it isn't easy to predict the winner is a lot more enjoyable, Federer-Djokovic is way more interesting if you look at it that way.

I know what you mean, however remember before WTF? Who would've guessed how easily Federer would win, even on a fast indoor.

What I'm saying is these are the 2 best ever and in 5 years time both will be gone...some of the next generation players are fun/interesting, but none will achieve the success of Nadal or Federer, and certainly there won't be 2 of them going at it in 2-3 slam finals a year.

[tennis_pro]

Originally Posted by Leto

Even Nadal fans might not look forward to this match.

Anything can happen and he could end up losing.

Good luck dealing with that on a forum like this, based on what I have seen

For Nadal fans, I can see it as being like there is little to gain if he wins as usual, but a lot to lose if he doesn't win

Nadal won't lose anything if Fed beats him, if anything he can protect himself from another Djokovic beating in the final.

[Bjorn99]

Does the winner play again tomorrow? Wow, that is TOUGH. I always enjoy these two going at it. It is like Ali/Frasier in my opinion. No hype, just a a battle between beauty and gristle at the highest level.

[sureshs]

Remember that Fed still has a cold and is not 100%.

If he was not injured, he would easily beat Nadal today.

[nadalwon2012]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Remember that Fed still has a cold and is not 100%.

If he was not injured, he would easily beat Nadal today.

And if he is not injured, he would easily get beaten in straight sets by Nadal today, according to outdoor hardcourt history.

[Rock Strongo]

Originally Posted by Speranza

...a Fedal match, regardless of the result.

Alas, those days are behind us.

Or are they?

Holmes, is that thou?

[Rozroz]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Remember that Fed still has a cold and is not 100%.

If he was not injured, he would easily beat Nadal today.

stop this nonsense.
his perfectly ok now.
he will lose as usual.
end of story.