2006 vs 2025 competition

[Jonas78]

I started watching tennis in 2005. I have a lot of magazines at home of the years 2007-09.

One of the first matches I saw live was Nadal-Hanescu at Rome in 2005

Nice! But i have to say, if you followed Rafa sinse 2005 i cannot really understand if you think he was at his best in 2015. I mean, it wasnt just Nole he was losing for, 2xthe Fog and Stan on clay. Its the only season the King of Clay didnt even win a clay masters.

Who you cheered for before Djokovic?

Edit: and are you Italian??

 

[tennis_pro]

#3 Davydenko
#4 Blake
#5 Ljubicic

Legends of the game

As opposed to Shelton, de Minaur, Musetti and Fritz, absolute giants that the big 3 feared the most.

 

[jackson vile]

There are only three good players in 2006 Federer, Nadal, *Davykenko ( could never dream of winning a slam, defeated Federer 2 times out of 21 matches, but 6 out of 11 matches with Nadal)

Blake and Ljubocic in the top 5 are an absolute embarrassment and a joke, above even terrible Roddick. One of the reasons I can’t take Roddick seriously.

 

[Aabye5]

There are only three good players in 2006 Federer, Nadal, *Davykenko ( could never dream of winning a slam, defeated Federer 2 times out of 21 matches, but 6 out of 11 matches with Nadal)

Blake and Ljubocic in the top 5 are an absolute embarrassment and a joke, above even terrible Roddick. One of the reasons I can’t take Roddick seriously.

Name a player in the today's top 10 (outside of the top 4) who was better than than Ljubicic? Even Blake has his wins over Rafa.

 

[jackson vile]

Name a player in the today's top 10 (outside of the top 4) who was better than than Ljubicic? Even Blake has his wins over Rafa.

Listen to yourself “outside the top 4” that tells us the truth right there. Fossil Novak still superior than those lame jokes Blake, Lubicic, and Riddick.

 

[junkieballer]

Nice! But i have to say, if you followed Rafa sinse 2005 i cannot really understand if you think he was at his best in 2015. I mean, it wasnt just Nole he was losing for, 2xthe Fog and Stan on clay. Its the only season the King of Clay didnt even win a clay masters.

Who you cheered for before Djokovic?

Edit: and are you Italian??

I never wrote that. In 2015 I think he still would have won RG without Novak, but he was not at his best.

In 2021 he was at his best.

Before Djokovic I liked Roddick.

Yes I am italian.

 

[Pheasant]

Blake was very fast and had a scorching FH. And when he was on, he could be very dangerous. One of the best matches that I ever watched was the 2006 USO QF. Blake showed up with a bazooka and was ready for a showdown. He had just slaughtered world #12 Berdych in straights to earn a berth in the QF to face Federer. And Blake played Federer tougher during that QF than anybody did all tourney. Had Blake prevailed in that match, then I think that he would have won the title. But Federer had other plans. An older version of Federer(2012-2019) would have lost to Blake that day. But this was Peakerer that day.

 

[BernetExpress]

Listen to yourself “outside the top 4” that tells us the truth right there. Fossil Novak still superior than those lame jokes Blake, Lubicic, and Riddick.

Then difference here than none of you seem to comprehend is Blake Davy Roddick Lub all could have beat Novak at any point in his career. These bums today outside of JS/CA have no chance against even the oldest/unhealthiest version of Nole.

 

[BernetExpress]

Blake was very fast and had a scorching FH. And when he was on, he could be very dangerous. One of the best matches that I ever watched was the 2006 USO QF. Blake showed up with a bazooka and was ready for a showdown. He had just slaughtered world #12 Berdych in straights to earn a berth in the QF to face Federer. And Blake played Federer tougher during that QF than anybody did all tourney. Had Blake prevailed in that match, then I think that he would have won the title. But Federer had other plans. An older version of Federer(2012-2019) would have lost to Blake that day. But this was Peakerer that day.

He also knocked peakish fed out of medaling in Olympics

 

[jackson vile]

Then difference here than none of you seem to comprehend is Blake Davy Roddick Lub all could have beat Novak at any point in his career. These bums today outside of JS/CA have no chance against even the oldest/unhealthiest version of Nole.

Blake won 1 match of 11 against Federer, his tennis was trash and never should have been top 5, but unfortunately there was no real competition back.

Those guys are clowns and never should have been top 5, I bet you think Ferrero and Moya are topnotch as well.

Not really interested in your cooked opinions, because your brain is fried rice

 

[junkieballer]

Slam finalists in the top5

2003 - 5
2004 - 5
2005 - 4
2006 - 2
2007 - 4
2008 - 4
2009 - 5
2010 - 5
2011 - 5
2012 - 5
2013 - 5
2014 - 5
2015 - 5
2016 - 5
2017 - 5
2018 - 5
2019 - 5
2020 - 5
2021 - 4
2022 - 5
2023 - 4
2024 - 5
2025 - 4 (FAA is still young and could reach one)

2006 was so bad that it only had 2 Slam finalists in the top5 while all other years had 4 minimum, and nearly all of them had 5.

 

[Mustard]

I never wrote that. In 2015 I think he still would have won RG without Novak, but he was not at his best.

He might have, yes. On the other hand, Nadal was very erratic at the time. He would have had Murray and Wawrinka in the semi final and final, Murray having beaten Nadal at 2015 Madrid and Wawrinka having beaten Nadal at 2015 Rome, but over best of 5 sets at Roland Garros who knows? It's similar to Muster at the 1997 French Open in a way. Muster had a poor clay season in 1997, but had he beaten Kuerten in the third round, I think Muster might have won the whole tournament. His opponents would have been Medvedev, Kafelnikov, Dewulf and Bruguera. Muster has an excellent record against 3 of those, and would likely have had more trouble with the lower ranked Dewulf ironically.

In 2021 he was at his best.

Nadal's best is 2008 French Open good. Nadal was playing pretty well at the 2021 French Open, but don't go overboard. He had just won the 2021 Italian Open, where he beat Djokovic in the final. Nadal could have won the 2021 French Open, and I think he would have had he taken his set point in the third set against Djokovic, but it wasn't to be. Nadal had unfinished business with Tsitsipas had that been the final.

Nadal did have a foot injury at the 2021 French Open, but he also did at the 2022 French Open as well, and he beat Djokovic at the latter.

 

[junkieballer]

Nadal's best is 2008 French Open good. Nadal was playing pretty well at the 2021 French Open, but don't go overboard. He had just won the 2021 Italian Open, where he beat Djokovic in the final. Nadal could have won the 2021 French Open, and I think he would have had he taken his set point in the third set against Djokovic, but it wasn't to be. Nadal had unfinished business with Tsitsipas had that been the final.

Nadal did have a foot injury at the 2021 French Open, but he also did at the 2022 French Open as well, and he beat Djokovic at the latter.

Nadal from 2010 to 2022 won 10 French Opens and only lost the GOAT of tennis.

That in any of those editions he never played at least at the same level as 2008 seems highly unlikely.

 

[Mustard]

Nadal from 2010 to 2022 won 10 French Opens and only lost the GOAT of tennis.

To think that in all those editions he never played at least at the same level as 2008 seems highly unlikely.

Nadal's best form carves through the whole French Open field without losing many games, including Djokovic and Federer, as seen in 2008. Nadal never played as well off the ground at the French Open as he did in 2008. However, his best serving year at the French Open was 2017, by some distance, and statistically he lost even fewer games in 2017 than 2008.

 

[Mustard]

That in any of those editions he never played at least at the same level as 2008 seems highly unlikely.

The only years even close to 2008 for groundstroke brilliance are 2007 and 2012, in my opinion.

 

[junkieballer]

The only years even close to 2008 for groundstroke brilliance are 2007 and 2012, in my opinion.

From 2012 to 2021 Nadal in best of 5 was either beaten (2 times) or pushed to the 5th set (1 time) only by Djokovic.

Against all other players Nadal won all 59 matches without ever being pushed to the 5th set, including 14 matches against top10s and 21 matches against top20s.

Djokovic has beaten and troubled peak versions of Nadal, these numbers are unmistakable.

 

[Mustard]

From 2012 to 2021 Nadal in best of 5 was either beaten (2 times) or pushed to the 5th set (1 time) only by Djokovic.

Against all other players Nadal won all 59 matches without ever being pushed to the 5th set, including 14 matches against top10s and 21 matches against top20s.

Djokovic has beaten and troubled peak versions of Nadal, these numbers are unmistakable.

Nadal's 4 French Open match losses are the only times that he has ever lost over best of 5 sets on clay. That just shows the extent of his clay dominance over the years.

Nadal has beaten Djokovic in 8 of their 10 French Open matches, so 80% of the time. Nadal won the first 6 of those. Losing 8 times to the same opponent in the same major is an all-time record that Djokovic has.

 

[Jonas78]

I never wrote that. In 2015 I think he still would have won RG without Novak, but he was not at his best.

In 2021 he was at his best.

Before Djokovic I liked Roddick.

Yes I am italian.

Just a litte surprised, would have thought you had Sinner over Djokovic.

Yeah 2021FO wasnt a bad match at all, but it wasnt a good year for Rafa, with injury troubles both late 2020 season, early 2021 season, and late 2021 season.

 

[Jonas78]

He might have, yes. On the other hand, Nadal was very erratic at the time. He would have had Murray and Wawrinka in the semi final and final, Murray having beaten Nadal at 2015 Madrid and Wawrinka having beaten Nadal at 2015 Rome, but over best of 5 sets at Roland Garros who knows? It's similar to Muster at the 1997 French Open in a way. Muster had a poor clay season in 1997, but had he beaten Kuerten in the third round, I think Muster might have won the whole tournament. His opponents would have been Medvedev, Kafelnikov, Dewulf and Bruguera. Muster has an excellent record against 3 of those, and would likely have had more trouble with the lower ranked Dewulf ironically.


Nadal's best is 2008 French Open good. Nadal was playing pretty well at the 2021 French Open, but don't go overboard. He had just won the 2021 Italian Open, where he beat Djokovic in the final. Nadal could have won the 2021 French Open, and I think he would have had he taken his set point in the third set against Djokovic, but it wasn't to be. Nadal had unfinished business with Tsitsipas had that been the final.

Nadal did have a foot injury at the 2021 French Open, but he also did at the 2022 French Open as well, and he beat Djokovic at the latter.

I think players very rarily play at their very best with that little recent match experience. 2020 was the covid year. Nadal also pulled out of tourneys late 2020, then IW/M 2021 (was that bc of the foot injury?). Then he hardly played post FO. Something wasnt right.

 

[BernetExpress]

Blake won 1 match of 11 against Federer, his tennis was trash and never should have been top 5, but unfortunately there was no real competition back.

Those guys are clowns and never should have been top 5, I bet you think Ferrero and Moya are topnotch as well.

Not really interested in your cooked opinions, because your brain is fried rice

And exactly how many matches would Fritz adm faa Shelton Musetti Draper Ruud med of won vs prime Roger?
I’ll tell you.
Exactly zero.

 

[Aabye5]

Listen to yourself “outside the top 4” that tells us the truth right there. Fossil Novak still superior than those lame jokes Blake, Lubicic, and Riddick.

I think young Roddick could take out fossil Novak.

 

[BernetExpress]

Lub straight setter vs Nole 2010 IW
Roddick 5-4 vs Nole
Blake played tight match vs Nole in Olympics bronze medal match after just upsetting Roger and barely losing a controversial match with gonzo to reach the gold medal match in 08
Other two matches they played Blake was on the way out

 

[jackson vile]

Lub straight setter vs Nole 2010 IW
Roddick 5-4 vs Nole
Blake played tight match vs Nole in Olympics bronze medal match after just upsetting Roger and barely losing a controversial match with gonzo to reach the gold medal match in 08
Other two matches they played Blake was on the way out

That’s all you got?

Looks guys, he won one match and this other guy ALMOST did something once and then quickly disappeared.

And this other guy won the H2H, but was worse than the other guys that couldn’t get anything done at a slam SMH

 

[DSH]

Nadal was in top form at '21 RG SF, until he was broken twice to get down, and couldn't brake back in the 4th set.

Nadal claimed he wasn't competitive late on HC against Djokovic because his body wouldn't respond. Then how come his body responded well against Medvedev in '22 AO?

And how come he made it to the finals of '19 AO when his body didn't respond well?

Heh, Djokovic wouldn't make statement like that, which tends to diminish the victor. Even if such a statement is true.

No, Nadal's form was awful at RG 2021, not to the extreme of his participation in 2015 but he was definitely far from his best level in his favorite GS tournament in that edition.

 

[DSH]

Like this match shows. Watch it all, guys, if you can. It's Rafael Nadal's longest ever French Open match in terms of match time. This isn't the best form of Nadal by any means, but it certainly shows how he digs in for the long haul. Nadal had won 55 matches in a row on clay going into this match against Paul-Henri Mathieu, in the third round of the 2006 French Open. It was on Nadal's 20th birthday, i.e. 3 June 2006. Mathieu in this match played several levels above his usual level:

How many games could the 34-year-old Djokovic take from that 20-year-old version of Nadal at Roland Garros?

 

[BernetExpress]

That’s all you got?

Looks guys, he won one match and this other guy ALMOST did something once and then quickly disappeared.

And this other guy won the H2H, but was worse than the other guys that couldn’t get anything done at a slam SMH

They were playing the big 3 at their peaks. Their ceilings are higher. They were more dangerous and players the big 3 took seriously every match, knowing what high level they could produce. Much different story than the bums in the current tennis landscape that you’re supporting.

 

[jackson vile]

They were playing the big 3 at their peaks. Their ceilings are higher. They were more dangerous and players the big 3 took seriously every match, knowing what high level they could produce. Much different story than the bums in the current tennis landscape that you’re supporting.

Novak and Nadal were at their peaks in 2006???

You need to just stop it already, you’re embarrassing yourself.

 

[Sudacafan]

2006: Fedal duopoly, based on surface (non clay vs clay)
2025: Sinneraz duopoly, not notably sensitive to surface.

What decides the competitiveness comparison then?
Players ranked #3 and below, where I think 2006 was much better and competitive.

 

[TennisGrandpA]

Two prime ATG vs one prime ATG having a party

 

[jackson vile]

I think young Roddick could take out fossil Novak.

He couldn’t even stay in the top 5 against Blake and Lubicic

 

[Mustard]

I think players very rarily play at their very best with that little recent match experience. 2020 was the covid year. Nadal also pulled out of tourneys late 2020, then IW/M 2021 (was that bc of the foot injury?). Then he hardly played post FO. Something wasnt right.

The foot was bothering him. However, Nadal did win 2021 Rome and beat Djokovic in the final.

 

[TennisGrandpA]

He couldn’t even stay in the top 5 against Blake and Lubicic

Players like Fatdatis who was a journeymen through out his career bar here and there performance was making slam final in 2006

 

[Mustard]

Players like Fatdatis who was a journeymen through out his career bar here and there performance was making slam final in 2006

At the 2006 Australian Open, the unseeded Baghdatis beat #17 seed Stepanek in 5 sets, beat #2 seed Roddick in 4 sets, beat #7 seed Ljubicic in 5 sets, came from 2 sets down to beat #4 seed Nalbandian in 5 sets, and even led #1 seed Federer 7-5, 2-0 in the final before Federer won in 4 sets.

To me, a journeyman is someone who has never been in the top 50, or something like that.

 

[TennisGrandpA]

At the 2006 Australian Open, the unseeded Baghdatis beat #17 seed Stepanek in 5 sets, beat #2 seed Roddick in 4 sets, beat #7 seed Ljubicic in 5 sets, came from 2 sets down to beat #4 seed Nalbandian in 5 sets, and even led #1 seed Federer 7-5, 2-0 in the final before Federer won in 4 sets.

To me, a journeyman is someone who has never been in the top 50, or something like that.

Yeah mighty Ljubicic and Nalbndian who made zero finals on hc slams. Tell me if a player like Fatdatis would have made final in 2025?no chance

 

[Mustard]

Yeah mighty Ljubicic and Nalbndian who made zero finals on hc slams. Tell me if a player like Fatdatis would have made final in 2025?no chance

Ljubicic was fast on the rise in late 2005 to mid 2006, peaking at world number 3, and Nalbandian beat Federer in the 2005 YEC final.

 

[BernetExpress]

Players in the top 10 or so in 2025 will have on paper better careers than those in 2006. But they definitely aren’t better. Just better than the leftovers that remain. I have no doubt that 2006 roddick Blake lub Davy would have cleaned up in 2025. Including defeating JS/CA at various points throughout the season. They’d easily take over current ranking spots of FAA ADM Shelton and Fritz.

 

[jackson vile]

Players in the top 10 or so in 2025 will have on paper better careers than those in 2006. But they definitely aren’t better. Just better than the leftovers that remain. I have no doubt that 2006 roddick Blake lub Davy would have cleaned up in 2025. Including defeating JS/CA at various points throughout the season. They’d easily take over current ranking spots of FAA ADM Shelton and Fritz.

This is getting sad, they have better careers, but are worse and your source is “trust me bro”? SMH