2006 Federer vs 2015 Nadal on Clay - Who would win?

[Megafanoftennis100]

2006 was arguably the best season of Roger Federer's career, while 2015 was the worst season for Rafael Nadal.
Of course, we know that a match on clay between the best version of Federer and the best version of Nadal would be very one-sided in Nadal's favor.
But what if we took the best version of Federer (2006) and pitted him against the worst version of Nadal (2015)? Could he still defeat Nadal on clay?
The match takes place at Philippe Chatrier Court at Roland Garros.

 

[Deleted member 758560]

freddy of course

 

[Megafanoftennis100]

Yeah Nadal in 2015 was just really bad, even on Clay. Nadal's playing style of spamming high, spinny forehands to Fed's backhand would give Fed some trouble, but in the end, the level gap between 2006 Federer and 2015 Nadal might be too much for Nadal to overcome, and I think Federer would end up winning the match in 4. Although of course, if it were Nadal from 1 year prior to 2015, then surely, he would win against prime Fed, no doubt.

 

[NatF]

Fed destroys him.

 

[RS]

Fed in 4

 

[Megafanoftennis100]

I wouldn't necessarily say "destroy", because Nadal is a terrible match-up for Federer on clay, especially due to his topspin high forehands that trouble Federer's one-handed BH. But yeah, 2006 Federer would still win.

 

[Rosstour]

Any version of Nadal beats any version of Federer. Don't you guys know the rules?

 

[Megafanoftennis100]

Any version of Nadal beats any version of Federer. Don't you guys know the rules?

Well, it's not like Federer is winless against Nadal on clay. Remember how Federer bagelled Nadal in 2007 Hamburg Open and then two years later, straight-setted him in Madrid? 2007-2009 Nadal >>> 2015 Nadal on Clay and 2006 Federer > his 2007 and 2009 counterparts. So I think Fed would end up beating 2015 Nadal in 4 tight sets, e.g. 7-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3

 

[Pheasant]

It's really not fair to Nadal to include 2015. That's the same year Fognini beat Nadal in straight sets on clay TWICE. Nadal hit short balls all year long; which allowed guys like Fognini to tee of on his shots.

That's like asking how Michael Chang would handle Fed in Halle in 2000. Wait. We already have that answer. Chang stomped Fed in straight sets, despite Halle being Fed's best event(10 titles for Fed).

 

[Holmes]

Well, it's not like Federer is winless against Nadal on clay. Remember how Federer bagelled Nadal in 2007 Hamburg Open and then two years later, straight-setted him in Madrid? 2007-2009 Nadal >>> 2015 Nadal on Clay and 2006 Federer > his 2007 and 2009 counterparts. So I think Fed would end up beating 2015 Nadal in 4 tight sets, e.g. 7-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3

He was trolling.

 

[Biotic]

Could go either way really.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Could go either way really.

Yeah, that's why 2006 Fed held two MP's in their Rome final. But that version of Fed loses to 2015 Claydal? Dream on.

 

[Megafanoftennis100]

Yeah, that's why 2006 Fed held two MP's in their Rome final. But that version of Fed loses to 2015 Claydal? Dream on.

Well, if we learned anything from watching Federer's career, it is that when Federer has match points, especially two, against Djokodal, he is actually the closest to losing the match than winning it. I mean, look at, for instance, US Open 2011 and Wimbledon 2019. When he was 40-15 up, he suddenly started playing like a NCAA 2 player.

 

[Rosstour]

Well, it's not like Federer is winless against Nadal on clay. Remember how Federer bagelled Nadal in 2007 Hamburg Open and then two years later, straight-setted him in Madrid? 2007-2009 Nadal >>> 2015 Nadal on Clay and 2006 Federer > his 2007 and 2009 counterparts. So I think Fed would end up beating 2015 Nadal in 4 tight sets, e.g. 7-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3

Nadal was injured in those losses

 

[The Blond Blur]

Peakerer at worst drops the 2nd set but probably wins in straights. No way does a Crapdal who struggled with Jack freaking Sock beat Peakerer.

 

[NatF]

Well, if we learned anything from watching Federer's career, it is that when Federer has match points, especially two, against Djokodal, he is actually the closest to losing the match than winning it. I mean, look at, for instance, US Open 2011 and Wimbledon 2019. When he was 40-15 up, he suddenly started playing like a NCAA 2 player.

When did Fed lose from two match points up against Nadal? When in his prime did that happen too?

 

[Rosstour]

Peakerer at worst drops the 2nd set but probably wins in straights. No way does a Crapdal who struggled with Jack freaking Sock beat Peakerer.

In fairness, Jack Sock has a better backhand than Federer according to @Holmes

 

[Biotic]

When did Fed lose from two match points up against Nadal? When in his prime did that happen too?

Spoiler

 

[TheNachoMan]

Nadal in 4 or Federer in 5

 

[NatF]

Spoiler

Fair play lol.

 

[StrongRule]

Well, it's not like Federer is winless against Nadal on clay. Remember how Federer bagelled Nadal in 2007 Hamburg Open and then two years later, straight-setted him in Madrid? 2007-2009 Nadal >>> 2015 Nadal on Clay and 2006 Federer > his 2007 and 2009 counterparts. So I think Fed would end up beating 2015 Nadal in 4 tight sets, e.g. 7-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3

There is no way it would be that close. Nadal for most of 2015 was getting physically tired VERY fast, he would be totally dead after 2 sets. This is something all the trolls who claim 2015 Nadal was winning RG without Djokovic always totally ignore. 2015 Nadal has to win 6-0 6-0 6-0 to have a chance, before stamina becomes an issue.

 

[Kralingen]

There is no way it would be that close. Nadal for most of 2015 was getting physically tired VERY fast, he would be totally dead after 2 sets. This is something all the trolls who claim 2015 Nadal was winning RG without Djokovic always totally ignore. 2015 Nadal has to win 6-0 6-0 6-0 to have a chance, before stamina becomes an issue.

I agree, I don’t think he gets by Murray in the SF if Djokovic isn’t there. Perhaps he could elevate his game a bit just because it’s Roland Garros.

 

[jm1980]

Fed wins but it would be a close match