REKX
Rookie
So I am a Federer and Nadal fan, originally just a Federer fan but then I learnt to appreciate what Nadal has done over time.
So this is a comparison from when they were in their best years. I think around 2010 onwards, Federer's greatest form had gone for good, and Nadal was beating him all during 2011-2015 easily but that was after Federer had lost his greatest form. Similarly now in 2017, Nadal over 30, he has lost half a step of one of his greatest assets - his speed. So this is a comparison when they were both in their prime.
It was quite amazing when Nadal emerged, Federer was dominating everyone, yet somehow from the very start Nadal was winning against Federer. Most interesting was Nadal was able to compete and beat Federer on Federer's best surface.
Consider Wimbledon 2007 and 2008. 2007 was probably Federer's greatest ever form in his best years, and Nadal was able to play to 5 sets in 2007, and beat him in 2008. This is the greatest grass court player of all time in his greatest years we are talking about which Nadal managed to beat.
2008 Wimbledon Federer was playing amazing, I was watching the whole tournament. He hadn't lost a set till the final and I don't think any player in the history of tennis could have beat 2008 Federer at Wimbledon. No Sampras, Borg or Prime Djokovic because he was playing that good. This is the reason why most experts in the world of tennis consider Wimbledon 2008 as the greatest final of all time, because of the level of tennis being played by both players - and the game still amazes me to this day from both players.
So what were the reasons that Nadal was so comfortable during their best years?
I think Federer's game matched up well for Nadal, Federer hits with amazing amounts of spin (just a bit below Nadal's spin rates), which is why he dominated the field except Nadal. But the combination of Nadal's amazing speed, and his extreme low to high racquet action meant he was always in the rally even when Federer would go for his classic winners - which Nadal could get back into play.
The Nadal forehand to Federer backhand was a factor of course. Federer did not have a weak backhand, he won many grand slams because of his backhand, neat, powerful and deadly accurate. Nadal would target around 70% of his shots to Federer's backhand and it gave him good success.
Nadal's passing shots were crucial as well. I have never seen a player in history hit passing shots like Nadal did in his prime. Federer for some reason approach the net against Nadal at the worst times and would always get passed during those years. It was painful to watch at times as a Federer fan. We have to remember Federer is probably the greatest at serve and volley in this current generation.
What do you think?
So this is a comparison from when they were in their best years. I think around 2010 onwards, Federer's greatest form had gone for good, and Nadal was beating him all during 2011-2015 easily but that was after Federer had lost his greatest form. Similarly now in 2017, Nadal over 30, he has lost half a step of one of his greatest assets - his speed. So this is a comparison when they were both in their prime.
It was quite amazing when Nadal emerged, Federer was dominating everyone, yet somehow from the very start Nadal was winning against Federer. Most interesting was Nadal was able to compete and beat Federer on Federer's best surface.
Consider Wimbledon 2007 and 2008. 2007 was probably Federer's greatest ever form in his best years, and Nadal was able to play to 5 sets in 2007, and beat him in 2008. This is the greatest grass court player of all time in his greatest years we are talking about which Nadal managed to beat.
2008 Wimbledon Federer was playing amazing, I was watching the whole tournament. He hadn't lost a set till the final and I don't think any player in the history of tennis could have beat 2008 Federer at Wimbledon. No Sampras, Borg or Prime Djokovic because he was playing that good. This is the reason why most experts in the world of tennis consider Wimbledon 2008 as the greatest final of all time, because of the level of tennis being played by both players - and the game still amazes me to this day from both players.
So what were the reasons that Nadal was so comfortable during their best years?
I think Federer's game matched up well for Nadal, Federer hits with amazing amounts of spin (just a bit below Nadal's spin rates), which is why he dominated the field except Nadal. But the combination of Nadal's amazing speed, and his extreme low to high racquet action meant he was always in the rally even when Federer would go for his classic winners - which Nadal could get back into play.
The Nadal forehand to Federer backhand was a factor of course. Federer did not have a weak backhand, he won many grand slams because of his backhand, neat, powerful and deadly accurate. Nadal would target around 70% of his shots to Federer's backhand and it gave him good success.
Nadal's passing shots were crucial as well. I have never seen a player in history hit passing shots like Nadal did in his prime. Federer for some reason approach the net against Nadal at the worst times and would always get passed during those years. It was painful to watch at times as a Federer fan. We have to remember Federer is probably the greatest at serve and volley in this current generation.
What do you think?