Just between Federer and Nadal, it is hardly a secret who the alpha male is. The obvious question for Nadal is, but you beat Federer so bad, and so what are you really trying to say? That you got high, emotionally, seeing Federer across the net?It’s his opinion. I think he summed it up perfectly and in perfect “get to the point” Rafa style.
It’s also an opinion shared by tens of millions of people like me (if not more).
It doesn’t subtract from Novak’s records at all.
Novak fans who can’t live with it should try living with “40-15”!
I’m sure you wouldn’t make that trade. You’ve got the clutch record holder. Why worry that much about people’s opinions?
Anyway - it doesn’t make fans - or Novak - look any better when they get in a tizzy about it. Better to let it be.
Roger Federer may not be tennis' GOAT, but as Rafael Nadal articulated, he's a 1 of 1 | Tennis.com
The Swiss was a player for the ages in ways that goes far beyond his contribution as winner of 20 Grand Slam singles titles.www.tennis.com
Are Novak fans triggered again? What a surprise!It’s his opinion. I think he summed it up perfectly and in perfect “get to the point” Rafa style.
It’s also an opinion shared by tens of millions of people like me (if not more).
It doesn’t subtract from Novak’s records at all.
Novak fans who can’t live with it should try living with “40-15”!
I’m sure you wouldn’t make that trade. You’ve got the clutch record holder. Why worry that much about people’s opinions?
Anyway - it doesn’t make fans - or Novak - look any better when they get in a tizzy about it. Better to let it be.
Roger Federer may not be tennis' GOAT, but as Rafael Nadal articulated, he's a 1 of 1 | Tennis.com
The Swiss was a player for the ages in ways that goes far beyond his contribution as winner of 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
Djokovic wants the anthology trilogy of miraculous recoveries in Melbourne, right?
This statement by Novak was clearly to undermine Federer, not to praise Nadal.
I completely agree. The media hyped it up but it wasn’t the most exciting or competitive rivalry of the big 3.
I understand the OP. My point is simple by talking about y some fanatical fans do something you only invite more such commentary over and over again. Rafa expressed his personal opinion perfectly legit imho.
I want him to shut his mouth.
Well, you’re entitled to your opinion too.
But didn’t he say its his opinion? He did not say Roger is the greatest. Infact it would then be malicious of him to say that especially when Novak has the records. All he says is that Roger moved him the most especially because he was the guy to beat when he came to the tour. I don’t see an issue but if you do I’d like to hear your views. Also please see the context of the interview. The reporter specifically asks about Novak. Rafa did not volunteer. On the other hand though, probably he could be a little more generous towards praising Novak but I guess that wasn’t the occasion?
It's not an opinion that Djokovic holds all the records playing in the same time as Nadal. That's why no knowledgeable tennis analyst claims fedal are goat now. In this era Nole is unarguably the GOAT. And that means not just feelings are most important.
For him..
How is that different to nadal and djokovic? Their slam matches pretty predictable. Djokovic wins at half and Nadal the other half.
Nadal doesn't WINS at half. He barely is holding off by all his physicality to reach there in finals. In last 10 years he made 2 finals there, first time on the back of the easiest draw to the final. So don't try to equate him to the goat. Djokovic is there virtually every year if not for politics and bans etc.
Nadal 11-7 Djokovic
Nadal at two of the four slams lead Djokovic 10-3.
The difference is that they’ve had great matches at all 4 slams. Even at RG, where Nadal reigns supreme.
Not to sidetrack this debate but Nadal is not better than Novak at half the slams. He’s only better at RG. The 2-1 at USO is not indicative of much given how they’ve met there. At best we can call that a draw
THats not how professional sport works. Is ali v frazier a draw then?
There are plenty of threads on Nadal vs Novak at the USO.
Nadal and Djokovic matches to some wpuld not be seen as great matches as they were slug fests. Many like a contrast in styles.
I get that. And I’ve always thought of the Fedovic rivalry as the one least in the media’s eye yet the closest of the 3. Not sure why.
Because they didn't make many slam finals. In semis the focus can't be on the absolute best. Even though they were best hard courters in 2008 met in 2 slam semis. So these things are a major factor.
Power of nike perhaps? Sampras v Agassi was hyped up better than it actually was as well.
In sports, that's true. Compare Brian Lara with Chanderpaul.
It's as though they were hoping for a celestial proclamation and everyone to bow before him once he reached 23 slams, placing him beyond the tiniest bit of criticism, direct or imagined, as a person or as a player. Of course that didn't happen and they still don't understand why.
And yet you’re the one getting all emotional. Who hurt you?
Actually yes. The reporter actually starts the interview mentioning Novak. Thats how reporters are. They want you to say things that they can cut and post as headlines.
Why? Because the biggest Rafa-Fed matches happened during the TMF days. Its as simple as that. Novak was not battling Fed between 2005 and 2009 for the most part in the big stages of RG and Wimbly. A couple of matches yes but not time after time like Rafa-Fed. The contrast in styles, the stages, the fans…it definitely played its part. And then there were videos, charming ones at that, that I have never seen between Fed and Novak, especially in the late 2000’s.
Maybe his injuries are real. The fake kind are easier to recover from
Novak has played 18 years on Tour. He is the leader in Grand Slams and #1. He has his sports drink plastered on the advertising boards all over the tournaments in Australia. He is a gigantic presence on Tour.
How has the booing and bullying worked so far?
