Rafa's constant praising of Federer play a role in Fed losing 8 of 10 slam matches?

[RAFA2005RG]

I've noticed that Rafa and Uncle Toni have praised Federer at every opportunity since about 2006, and called him the greatest ever (long before he reached Sampras' slam record). Has this played a part in Federer's problems with Rafa?

I know Rafa is extremely gifted, but for Federer to lose 5 straight slam matches to Rafa including TWO on hardcourt and one on grass, just seems like there could be more than one factor at play. I don't recall Djokovic or the Djokovic family praising Federer a whole lot. And I haven't noticed Murray doing it, as Murray has called Rafa 'probably the greatest player ever' rather than Federer. Maybe if Djokovic and Murray praised Federer more over the years they too would have had success at the slam level earlier.

Maybe Federer isn't good at handling immense praise from his opponent. It wouldn't make a difference if Federer's opponent was weak (like Benneteau), but the praise would still get into Federer's head and make Federer struggle a bit (he needed 5 sets to beat Benneteau). Maybe Federer's ego is so overflowing with self-love that it can't take the praise when a fellow player strokes his ego further, and overflows and explodes into unforced errors.

[tennis_pro]

What can I say, a 5 star thread.

[Ms Nadal]

Rafa likes to praise others too much, especially Roger. Maybe, its a reverse psychology thing against Roger. I wish that Rafa would praise himself more! . His fans think he is wonderful but he always says others do things better than he does. I remember he once said that he want's Karlovic's serve and Roger's volleys. Rafa you have good shots of your own and your fans love how you play! He wouldn't be Rafa if he had their shots!

[RAFA2005RG]

Originally Posted by Ms Nadal

Rafa likes to praise others too much, especially Roger. Maybe, its a reverse psychology thing against Roger. I wish that Rafa would praise himself more! . His fans think he is wonderful but he always says others do things better than he does. I remember he once said that he want's Karlovic's serve and Roger's volleys. Rafa you have good shots of your own and your fans love how you play! He wouldn't be Rafa if he had their shots!

It's all talk in the end. Nobody knows what anybody is thinking inside.

[The-Champ]

Originally Posted by Ms Nadal

Rafa likes to praise others too much, especially Roger. Maybe, its a reverse psychology thing against Roger. I wish that Rafa would praise himself more! . His fans think he is wonderful but he always says others do things better than he does. I remember he once said that he want's Karlovic's serve and Roger's volleys. Rafa you have good shots of your own and your fans love how you play! He wouldn't be Rafa if he had their shots!

Wouldn't any player out there love to have Ivo's serve

[beast of mallorca]

Originally Posted by RAFA2005RG

I've noticed that Rafa and Uncle Toni have praised Federer at every opportunity since about 2006, and called him the greatest ever (long before he reached Sampras' slam record). Has this played a part in Federer's problems with Rafa?

That's what I don't like about Rafa. I wish he can Trash talk Fed sometimes, just so he can rile up the Fedfans some more.

[RAFA2005RG]

Originally Posted by beast of mallorca

That's what I don't like about Rafa. I wish he can Trash talk Fed sometimes, just so he can rile up the Fedfans some more.

Or it would be good if Rafa took the praise to almost sarcastic levels and say something like "I feel like asking for his autograph at the end of each set". But I guess psychological warfare is a subtle game. Their matches are decided by a couple of points here and there (2008 Wimbledon, and Federer won more points than Rafa in 2009 Australian Open), so its a very calculated thing to make Federer believe you are genuinely in awe of him. Maybe Rafa is careful not to offend Federer. Djokovic offended Federer in 2011 and Federer put on a masterful display in 2011 RG semi.

Or maybe Rafa is just really humble. Uncle Toni's philosophies kind of point to humble attitude.

[Ms Nadal]

Originally Posted by beast of mallorca

That's what I don't like about Rafa. I wish he can Trash talk Fed sometimes, just so he can rile up the Fedfans some more.

I agree! . Rafa should have never comforted Fed after that AO 09 final either. Fed would never do such a thing. He was smiling his head off when Murray was crying at Wimby this year. Fed never praises any players ever. Would never say anything nice about Rafa.

[dangalak]

I feel Nadal and Toni like praising him so much because it helps when Federer is in his untouchable modes. A guy like Djokovic seems so devastated whenever he gets outplayed by Federer for even a set. (RG 11 second set, Wimbledon 12 4th set) It's almost like he quits.

Nadal on the other hand seems to not be bothered by Federer outplaying him. He accepts that Federer can be better than him and keeps him by the balls until Federer's level drops (which is bound to happen in BO5)

[Vcore89]

Originally Posted by RAFA2005RG

Or it would be good if Rafa took the praise to almost sarcastic levels and say something like "I feel like asking for his autograph at the end of each set". But I guess psychological warfare is a subtle game. Their matches are decided by a couple of points here and there (2008 Wimbledon, and Federer won more points than Rafa in 2009 Australian Open), so its a very calculated thing to make Federer believe you are genuinely in awe of him. Maybe Rafa is careful not to offend Federer. Djokovic offended Federer in 2011 and Federer put on a masterful display in 2011 RG semi.

Or maybe Rafa is just really humble. Uncle Toni's philosophies kind of point to humble attitude.

Rafa is truly humble imo. But the praising has its psychological effect on Roger too, evidently. Uncle Toni might be doing the same to Roger. We'll know for sure if Uncle Toni starts praising Djokovic or whomever it may concern.

[TheMusicLover]

Is this the reoccuring 'Rafa-**** IQ-test'-thread?
It's served its purpose once again.

[smoledman]

I think the real story is 5 of those 8 losses are on clay and 7/8 are on slow hard/clay.

[RAFA2005RG]

Originally Posted by smoledman

I think the real story is 5 of those 8 losses are on clay and 7/8 are on slow hard/clay.

And only 2 of the last 5 were on clay-

2008 Wimbledon
2008 French
2009 Australian
2011 French
2012 Australian (despite Federer winning 26 matches in a row before it)

[dangalak]

Originally Posted by RAFA2005RG

And only 2 of the last 5 were on clay-

2008 Wimbledon
2008 French
2009 Australian
2011 French
2012 Australian (despite Federer winning 26 matches in a row before it)

Who gives a crap? Federer was past his peak by 2008 and clearly past his prime after AO 2010. Every victory that Nadal has scored over Federer outside of clay was against a diminished Federer.

Not to mention, his point STILL stands. Only 1 slam victory of Nadal happened on a reasonably fast surface and that was Wimbledon 2008. Oh it also happened to be during Rafa's absolute peak, while Federer lost to people he would never lose to during his prime. (Karlovic, Fish, Roddick, Simon, not to mention the RR exit in the TMC )

The circumstances favoured Nadal tremenduously, hence why Federer fans object.

[RF20Lennon]

Originally Posted by Ms Nadal

I agree! . Rafa should have never comforted Fed after that AO 09 final either. Fed would never do such a thing. He was smiling his head off when Murray was crying at Wimby this year. Fed never praises any players ever. Would never say anything nice about Rafa.

Fed gave Murray a hug after and said sorry man! Plus he also said he was extremely happy that he won the Gold in the olympics. Also Fed has said Rafa is the greatest clay court player of all time and I think after the madrid 2010 final he said Rafa on clay is like playing a guy with two mega forehands. But looks like even you turned out to be a hater.

[RF20Lennon]

Originally Posted by RAFA2005RG

And only 2 of the last 5 were on clay-

2008 Wimbledon
2008 French
2009 Australian
2011 French
2012 Australian (despite Federer winning 26 matches in a row before it)

The big wins were indoor!! We all know what wouldve happened in that match had it been indoor quick conditions.

[RF20Lennon]

Originally Posted by beast of mallorca

That's what I don't like about Rafa. I wish he can Trash talk Fed sometimes, just so he can rile up the Fedfans some more.

He did talk trash remember?? this years Aussie he said Fed didnt do anything and wasnt a good president but Fed remained classy as usual and said its good Rafa had his opinions and Rafa then quickly saw that his image was being dropped and apologized. Federer may not give complete credit to his opponents but he never talks trash

[Sentinel]

Deeply insightful thread.

[RAFA2005RG]

Originally Posted by RF20Lennon

He did talk trash remember?? this years Aussie he said Fed didnt do anything and wasnt a good president but Fed remained classy as usual and said its good Rafa had his opinions and Rafa then quickly saw that his image was being dropped and apologized. Federer may not give complete credit to his opponents but he never talks trash

Rafa didn't take back his comments about Federer-

"Probably I am wrong telling that to (the media), especially because these things can stay, must stay in the locker room," Nadal said.

"I always had fantastic relationship with Roger. I still have fantastic relationship with Roger. Just I said we can have different views about how the tour needs to work. That's all."

Rafa only apologized for saying them publicly rather than in the boardroom. And the only reason why Rafa apologized for saying them publicly is because Federer started crying as per usual.

and probably cried some more after he read Davydenko's comments-

“I don’t know why Roger is not supporting the players,” Davydenko said. “Because he don’t want... any problems. He’s nice guy. He’s winning grand slams. He’s from Switzerland. He’s perfect. He don’t want to do anything, he just try to be an outsider from this one.”

“The ATP should try to do something between now and Indian Wells [the popular tournament held in California in the second week of March]. For sure, all the top 100 players will go there and just see what will be changed.”

[dangalak]

Originally Posted by RAFA2005RG

Rafa didn't take back his comments about Federer-


Rafa only apologized for saying them publicly rather than in the boardroom. And the only reason why Rafa apologized for saying them publicly is because Federer started crying as per usual.

and probably cried some more after he read Davydenko's comments-

Wow, this is some kindergarden type of BS.