2017 Australian Open Final: Nadal (9) vs Federer (17)

Winner?


  • Total voters
    253

-NN-

G.O.A.T.
I'm delighted. Still don't enjoy Fedal but I'm delighted. If this was Roger's last time the AO and quite possibly professional tennis, then he couldn't have gotten a more poetic ending.

I'm delighted. Still don't enjoy Fedal but I'm delighted. If this was Roger's last time the AO and quite possibly professional tennis, then he couldn't have gotten a more poetic ending.

I'm delighted. Still don't enjoy Fedal but I'm delighted. If this was Roger's last time the AO and quite possibly professional tennis, then he couldn't have gotten a more poetic ending.

I'm delighted. Still don't enjoy Fedal but I'm delighted. If this was Roger's last time the AO and quite possibly professional tennis, then he couldn't have gotten a more poetic ending.

I'm delighted. Still don't enjoy Fedal but I'm delighted. If this was Roger's last time the AO and quite possibly professional tennis, then he couldn't have gotten a more poetic ending.

I'm delighted. Still don't enjoy Fedal but I'm delighted. If this was Roger's last time the AO and quite possibly professional tennis, then he couldn't have gotten a more poetic ending.

Thanks for your response. What I gather is that you're delighted but still don't enjoy Fedal; that if it's Roger's last roll of the dice then his ending couldn't have been more poetic. ;)
 

KINGROGER

G.O.A.T.
Absolutely amazing final really enjoyed it back and forth. 1st and 3rd fed dominated but Rafa 4th set was serving and grinding really really well and my heart sank when he broke Fed 5th set.

Never knew he had it in him to break back, twice! But always had hope he could after coming back 1st set vs Nishikori winning two 5 setters vs him and Wawrinka.

Well done Roger so happy he won number 18 and commiserations to Rafa, who I hope will come back strong for the rest of the season.
 

-NN-

G.O.A.T.
Ronnie won the Masters, Fed won the AO and Wesley So just won Tata Steel. Couldn't be better - lol.
 
D

Deleted member 512391

Guest
Thanks for your response. What I gather is that you're delighted but still don't enjoy Fedal; that if it's Roger's last roll of the dice then his ending couldn't have been more poetic. ;)
Roger dares to believe he can survive.
 

RF-18

Talk Tennis Guru
All this proves that even Nadal has declined a lot just like Federer, hence why our beloved Novak got the HTH lead against both. And after the first 2 rounds of the AO you were claiming Federer would get kicked out early, nice to see you backtracking as ever. Deep inside you're salty, we all know it. Chum Jetzt! Federer is now the clear HC GOAT with 10 HC slams and on 3 different HC surfaces.

P.S You should now change your name to RF 19 :)

No, actually today Federer proved why he said what he said in 2015. He is a better player and has improved, he has adapted to the modern game and the new generation. Serve, BH, net play, better attacker, FH still as good as ever, return of serve still there on HCs and more importantly: He can handle nadal thanks to his improved BH.

I can't see how Federer before was better. The only difference is the mileage and that federer can't play as much anymore as he used too cause I think he would want to enjoy life after retirement. But purely as a tennis player, he is better. He has become better in the most important shots in tennis, like the serve, and improved other parts of his game that suits this generation and style of tennis.
 

Tenisfan3

Professional
No, actually today Federer proved why he said what he said in 2015. He is a better player and has improved, he has adapted to the modern game and the new generation. Serve, BH, net play, better attacker, FH still as good as ever, return of serve still there on HCs and more importantly: He can handle nadal thanks to his improved BH.

I can't see how Federer before was better. The only difference is the mileage and that federer can't play as much anymore as he used too cause I think he would want to enjoy life after retirement. But purely as a tennis player, he is better. He has become better in the most important shots in tennis, like the serve, and improved other parts of his game that suits this generation and style of tennis.
Hahahahahaha! If his FH was as good as ever, our favourite Novack would still be on 1 Wimbledon tops and probably without a USO. He can handle Nadal better now at a time when everyone else is also handling Nadal. Fognini beat him on clay something like 3 in a row. You're a total joke of a poster with no clue. You want to validate Novack's vulturing against gramps and push your agenda. Continue being salty. FEDERER IS GOAT AND HC GOAT. Taste it.
 

Fedole

Semi-Pro
No, actually today Federer proved why he said what he said in 2015. He is a better player and has improved, he has adapted to the modern game and the new generation. Serve, BH, net play, better attacker, FH still as good as ever, return of serve still there on HCs and more importantly: He can handle nadal thanks to his improved BH.

I can't see how Federer before was better. The only difference is the mileage and that federer can't play as much anymore as he used too cause I think he would want to enjoy life after retirement. But purely as a tennis player, he is better. He has become better in the most important shots in tennis, like the serve, and improved other parts of his game that suits this generation and style of tennis.
One thing is for sure, Fed would dominate Novak on these courts at least 8 times out of 10, regardless of age. Please think about the court speed and style. It's a massive, massive factor. And he would have even more slams if the courts had been more suited to him this decade.
 

Tenisfan3

Professional
No, actually today Federer proved why he said what he said in 2015. He is a better player and has improved, he has adapted to the modern game and the new generation. Serve, BH, net play, better attacker, FH still as good as ever, return of serve still there on HCs and more importantly: He can handle nadal thanks to his improved BH.

I can't see how Federer before was better. The only difference is the mileage and that federer can't play as much anymore as he used too cause I think he would want to enjoy life after retirement. But purely as a tennis player, he is better. He has become better in the most important shots in tennis, like the serve, and improved other parts of his game that suits this generation and style of tennis.
Hahahahahaha! If his FH was as good as ever, our favourite Novack would still be on 1 Wimbledon tops and probably without a USO. He can handle Nadal better now at a time when everyone else is also handling Nadal. Fognini beat him on clay something like 3 in a row. You're a total joke of a poster with no clue. You want to validate Novack's vulturing against gramps and push your agenda. Continue being salty. FEDERER IS GOAT AND HC GOAT. Taste it.
 

Virtuous

Rookie
I didn't watch this for obvious reasons, but spend the night literally tossing and turning. I took a peek at the score after the second set and watched youtube videos to distract myself, all the while wondering if it was over already. I just wanted it to be over. Got on twitter 5 minutes after it ended and just.....
117495_original.gif


I lost track of how long I flailed and cried. This is everything. Thank you for always believing in yourself =
 

Fedole

Semi-Pro
No, actually today Federer proved why he said what he said in 2015. He is a better player and has improved, he has adapted to the modern game and the new generation. Serve, BH, net play, better attacker, FH still as good as ever, return of serve still there on HCs and more importantly: He can handle nadal thanks to his improved BH.

I can't see how Federer before was better. The only difference is the mileage and that federer can't play as much anymore as he used too cause I think he would want to enjoy life after retirement. But purely as a tennis player, he is better. He has become better in the most important shots in tennis, like the serve, and improved other parts of his game that suits this generation and style of tennis.
One thing is for sure, Fed would dominate Novak on these courts at least 8 times out of 10, regardless of age. Please think about the court speed and style. It's a massive, massive factor. And he would have even more slams if the courts had been more suited to him this decade.
 
D

Deleted member 743561

Guest
Thanks for your response. What I gather is that you're delighted but still don't enjoy Fedal; that if it's Roger's last roll of the dice then his ending couldn't have been more poetic. ;)
Was unable to like your post six times, but I was required to click it that many times to register the like. :)
 

junior74

Bionic Poster
Dramatic match, and I thought the overall better player won it :)

Federer had a better winner/ UE ratio, created (and won!) more BPs and won 11 more points in total.

I loved how he didn´t slice, but went for it from his backhand side. It really was the stroke that won the match for him today, strange as it sounds...
 

Mainad

Bionic Poster
Federer was the better player overall despite his inevitable dips in the 2nd and 4th sets. He was serving better and hitting his forehand and backhand better. He was incredibly clutch and cut down drastically on the shanking and other errors that have usually crept into his game in the last few years following a long match.

Nadal had his chance to win when he seized the early break in the decider. I'm very surprised he let it go. In contrast to Federer, his serve and groundstrokes were just not up to scratch in the main and he paid the price. Vintage Nadal would never have surrendered a vital break in the deciding set of a Slam final. Much of his play reverted to the patterns of the last couple of years after such a promising start in the earlier rounds. Maybe the effects of the Dimitrov match just 48 hours ago kicked in and killed off his chances?
 

Love all

Semi-Pro
Its all Federer vs ********. How Federer has suddenly sloppy games to gift breaks to Nadal and how Federer earnt them for himself. Federer went deep into so many Nadal's game and eventually losing them. Still won enough to seal victory.
 

Love all

Semi-Pro
Its all Federer vs ********. How Federer has suddenly sloppy games to gift breaks to Nadal and how Federer earnt them for himself. Federer went deep into so many Nadal's game and eventually losing them. Still won enough to seal victory.
 

RF-18

Talk Tennis Guru
Hahahahahaha! If his FH was as good as ever, our favourite Novack would still be on 1 Wimbledon tops and probably without a USO. He can handle Nadal better now at a time when everyone else is also handling Nadal. Fognini beat him on clay something like 3 in a row. You're a total joke of a poster with no clue. You want to validate Novack's vulturing against gramps and push your agenda. Continue being salty. FEDERER IS GOAT AND HC GOAT. Taste it.

Nadal for these two weeks has been playing excellent tennis, and to reach a GS final means you are at a very high level. It doesn't compare to at the stage nadal was when he met Fognini or the guys you are talking about. To reach a GS final you must be at a very high level.

I think the delusion lies in that people think Federer was 15 times the better player before, but of course that is only delusion. He wasn't.
 

Dolgopolov85

G.O.A.T.
Nadal for these two weeks has been playing excellent tennis, and to reach a GS final means you are at a very high level. It doesn't compare to at the stage nadal was when he met Fognini or the guys you are talking about. To reach a GS final you must be at a very high level.

I think the delusion lies in that people think Federer was 15 times the better player before, but of course that is only delusion. He wasn't
.

For once, I have to agree with you. I have watched many of those heartbreaking losses to Nadal. And while both players were better back then, they weren't exponentially better. Even if the match had some very erratic passages, in parts too it produced shotmaking of staggering brilliance that nobody else other than the Big Four themselves and Wawrinka and a few others on their GOAT days (like Del Potro) could have kept up with. There were things Fed did today that he did not do in previous Nadal encounters. Partly this was due to some relative weakness in Nadal (the forehand not kicking up as much as before and the forehand pass finding the net over and over) but partly also because Fed played smarter and showed plenty of guts.
 

Tenisfan3

Professional
Nadal for these two weeks has been playing excellent tennis, and to reach a GS final means you are at a very high level. It doesn't compare to at the stage nadal was when he met Fognini or the guys you are talking about. To reach a GS final you must be at a very high level.

I think the delusion lies in that people think Federer was 15 times the better player before, but of course that is only delusion. He wasn't.
From the same joke poster who kept trying to degrade Wawrinka's wins vs Djokovic last year and the year before last.
 

Tenisfan3

Professional
Nadal for these two weeks has been playing excellent tennis, and to reach a GS final means you are at a very high level. It doesn't compare to at the stage nadal was when he met Fognini or the guys you are talking about. To reach a GS final you must be at a very high level.

I think the delusion lies in that people think Federer was 15 times the better player before, but of course that is only delusion. He wasn't.
From the same joke poster who kept trying to degrade Wawrinka's wins vs Djokovic last year and the year before last.
 

Chauvalito

Hall of Fame
Is it me or did Federer hardly use his slice? I thought that was the shot he would use the most and I thought that there was no way for him to survive at the baseline but he was hitting Rafa off the court at times.

I noticed the same as well. Federer looked like he was hitting through and over the ball on the backhand side. Nadal in the past has been able to hit up the line against the slice cross-court. Not only was he not hitting less slice, he looked like he was emphatically stepping into the backhand and taking it early.

I was surprised I didn't hear commentary about this unless I missed it during a breakfast break. In the past it was common to see Federer swiping at backhands at or above shoulder height.
 

junior74

Bionic Poster
I noticed the same as well. Federer looked like he was hitting through and over the ball on the backhand side. Nadal in the past has been able to hit up the line against the slice cross-court. Not only was he not hitting less slice, he looked like he was emphatically stepping into the backhand and taking it early.

I was surprised I didn't hear commentary about this unless I missed it during a breakfast break. In the past it was common to see Federer swiping at backhands at or above shoulder height.

Absolutely the stroke that won the title for him IMO. He played so quick and offensive, taking it on the rise all the time. Great stuff!
 
D

Deleted member 512391

Guest
No, actually today Federer proved why he said what he said in 2015. He is a better player and has improved, he has adapted to the modern game and the new generation. Serve, BH, net play, better attacker, FH still as good as ever, return of serve still there on HCs and more importantly: He can handle nadal thanks to his improved BH.

I can't see how Federer before was better. The only difference is the mileage and that federer can't play as much anymore as he used too cause I think he would want to enjoy life after retirement. But purely as a tennis player, he is better. He has become better in the most important shots in tennis, like the serve, and improved other parts of his game that suits this generation and style of tennis.
Federer is definitely smarter player right now, since he's more experienced than 10 years ago. His strategical approach against Nadal these days is more efficient due to the experience he's gained in the matches against him.

But, it's one thing to be at your physical peak and to be able to execute the strategy you prepared before the match and to be older and, even though smarter, your physical condition (slower movement, tougher recovery after the match, tiredness etc) doesn't allow you to optimally set up for your shots - that's where you have it wrong. It's about the execution and Federer is far from his best years in that department.

His serve is better, his backhand is more steadier, although in his peak he could really hit a winner from everywhere with it, his backhand return is better. His forehand, however, is one level below compared to what it was before 2013.
 

Chanwan

G.O.A.T.
Dramatic match, and I thought the overall better player won it :)

Federer had a better winner/ UE ratio, created (and won!) more BPs and won 11 more points in total.

I loved how he didn´t slice, but went for it from his backhand side. It really was the stroke that won the match for him today, strange as it sounds...
Agree, 100 %. That backhand. Ivan can take some well deserved credit for that too, I believe.
Am completely overjoyed that Fed finally won one of these nailbiters. And yes, fully deserved.
 

Fate Archer

Hall of Fame
Federer is definitely smarter player right now, since he's more experienced than 10 years ago. His strategical approach against Nadal these days is more efficient due to the experience he's gained in the matches against him.

But, it's one thing to be at your physical peak and to be able to execute the strategy you prepared before the match and to be older and, even though smarter, your physical condition (slower movement, tougher recovery after the match, tiredness etc) doesn't allow you to optimally set up for your shots - that's where you have it wrong. It's about the execution and Federer is far from his best years in that department.

His serve is better, his backhand is more steadier, although in his peak he could really hit a winner from everywhere with it, his backhand return is better. His forehand, however, is one level below compared to what it was before 2013.

Absolutely this. He's definitely grown more experienced in the matchup, but more experience, better strategy and even a better mentality when going up against his biggest challenge might mean little if he doesn't have the legs to pull it off. Good thing the physical aspect didn't play a huge role on Federer's game today and he was able to execute his game well enough. I think he also paced himself well during the whole match, and made most of the points short and sweet. The match felt like it was played at Federer's pace for a change, they were going into the 4th set with less than 2 and a half hours of game. That was definitely not a Nadal paced game, and I'd suspect Grigor softened Nadal just enough so he couldn't impose his own physical game too much.

But overall, Fed's game in the last few years has probably been undergoing a number of small tradeoffs (never mind the injuries starting to appear due to age), he may lose a bit on his forehand but the serve keeps being one of the best strokes ever in the game. The backhand and return improves a bit according to matchups, but his movement and energy around the court decreases and he's at least one step slower than last time he's won a slam. Some of that may have related to the racket change too. So not the "full steam ahead!" Fedexpress of old, but still managing his resources quite well.

If the tour and tournament organizers can finally show some love for the old man who's nearing the end of his career by speeding up the court/balls just enough, he can still remain relevant, maybe even for another year. Surely, we had enough of a decade of slow tennis right?
 
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Dolgopolov85

G.O.A.T.
Federer is definitely smarter player right now, since he's more experienced than 10 years ago. His strategical approach against Nadal these days is more efficient due to the experience he's gained in the matches against him.

But, it's one thing to be at your physical peak and to be able to execute the strategy you prepared before the match and to be older and, even though smarter, your physical condition (slower movement, tougher recovery after the match, tiredness etc) doesn't allow you to optimally set up for your shots - that's where you have it wrong. It's about the execution and Federer is far from his best years in that department.

His serve is better, his backhand is more steadier, although in his peak he could really hit a winner from everywhere with it, his backhand return is better. His forehand, however, is one level below compared to what it was before 2013.

In this tournament, there were shades of the old magic on the forehand too. It's still inconsistent but he was able to go confidently for sharper angles and paint the lines today and in a crunch match at that. In 2015, it was deep but straight and fairly predictable. Of course, it won't be the GOAT stroke it once was but maybe he shanks less (or gets away with more mishits) due to the bigger racquet head?
 

Chanwan

G.O.A.T.
I guess you've never been happier to be proven wrong?
No doubt about that!
Though I did say, going into the fifth to the friend, I was watching it with: I do believe in him.
Then came the MTO, the two lose forehands and the immediate break and it was hard to believe then.
Then came the many missed/saved BP's, the break, the second break and the final nerve ridden last game.

This is tennis heaven!
 
D

Deleted member 512391

Guest
Absolutely this. He's definitely grown more experienced in the matchup, but more experience, better strategy and even a better mentality when going up against his biggest challenge might mean little if he doesn't have the legs to pull it off. Good thing the physical aspect didn't play a huge role on Federer's game today and he was able to execute his game well enough. I think he also paced himself well during the whole match, and made most of the points short and sweet. The match felt like it was played at Federer's pace for a change, they were going into the 4th set with less than 2 and a half hours of game. That was definitely not a Nadal paced game, and I'd suspect Grigor softened Nadal just enough so he couldn't impose his own physical game too much.

But overall, Fed's game in the last few years has probably been undergoing a number of small tradeoffs (never mind the injuries starting to appear due to age), he may lose a bit on his forehand but the serve keeps being one of the best strokes ever in the game. The backhand and return improves a bit according to matchups, but his movement and energy around the court decreases and he's at least one step slower than last time he's won a slam. Some of that may have related to the racket change too. So not the "full steam ahead!" Fedexpress of old, but still managing his resources quite well.

If the tour and tournament organizers can finally show some love for the old man who's nearing the end of his career by speeding up the court/balls just enough, he can still remain relevant, maybe even for another year. Surely, we had enough of a decade of slow tennis right?
Completely agree, man. And I think that Federer has been very smart with his trade-offs, a bigger racket certainly didn't help him with the racket head speed, but it has made that backhand (and his serve) a real weapon, especially the return, and made his baseline game more steady.

And I really hope that the tournament organizers will follow this tendency of speeding up the courts. It has already started last year with Shanghai and London (WTF) and that would help the old man to win more titles.
 
D

Deleted member 512391

Guest
In this tournament, there were shades of the old magic on the forehand too. It's still inconsistent but he was able to go confidently for sharper angles and paint the lines today and in a crunch match at that. In 2015, it was deep but straight and fairly predictable. Of course, it won't be the GOAT stroke it once was but maybe he shanks less (or gets away with more mishits) due to the bigger racquet head?
The heavier racket doesn't allow him to generate such an enormous head speed, so, yeah, his forehand is not as fast/sharp as it used to be. But, you are right, he cannot cover the court as good as before, so the bigger racket definitely helps - I don't think he used to shank his forehand before, but his backhand looks definitely more solid.
And I think it's a good trade-off for him, he wouldn't have survived as the top player without that racket change.
 
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icedevil0289

G.O.A.T.
Well, you've always had my respect Roger, now you have my awe. Congrats to you, your team and your decent fans who've never stopped believing that slam number 18 would happen. You're a truly remarkable champion.
this means a lot so thank you. apologize in advance for the obnoxious fed fans lmao i know this forum will be rough but right now I'm on cloud 9
 

icedevil0289

G.O.A.T.
Well, you've always had my respect Roger, now you have my awe. Congrats to you, your team and your decent fans who've never stopped believing that slam number 18 would happen. You're a truly remarkable champion.
this means a lot so thank you. apologize in advance for the obnoxious fed fans lmao i know this forum will be rough but right now I'm on cloud 9
 

kishnabe

Talk Tennis Guru
Took a 4 hour nap after watching from 3 am to 7:30 am. Almost turned off the TV, when Nadal broke in the 5th set. Thought mentally....Federer let Nadal win again...stay watching when Federer pushed on the next return game.

The sweetest victory, beating Nadal in a Slam final 10 years later. Nadal will get his 15 come French Open, I feel.

Shame, TT servers were down, would love to have seen the hater reaction (90's clay and other Federer naysayers).
 
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