2017 Miami Final: [4] Roger Federer vs [5] Rafael Nadal

[The Green Mile]

These guys are ready for another epic encounter.

Interesting. Rafa didn't seem to know how many Masters he had won. Said "twenty something". Also forgot he made the Miami final in 2014. Quite telling really. Obviously the majors are the most important, but maybe a lot more than what some people think. Placing Majors and Masters in the same "tier" is a no for me, and obviously Rafa thinks the same way.

 

[TheMusicLover]

But obviously someone reported it, for it to be deleted. Can't understand why someone would be so anal.

It wouldn't surprise me if it were due to one of the usual suspects... whose name(s) I won't utter here.

 

[Feather]

Nadal deserves this omission on his resumé, doesn't he?
Also, it would be nice to see folks exaggerating Nadal's current so-called 'bad level of play' finally get *shut up*.
He's already reached, what, FOUR finals on his 'worst' surface this season!!!

Would be nice to see Rog finally get a Rome title in reverse, but not counting on that, LOL.

I don't believe such a thing exists in Tennis. That Rafa should win this just coz Roger won AO and IW. The player who plays better will deserve today.

If Kyrgios and Roger were in different halfves, I don't think Rafa would have reached final. Rafa had a very easy draw, kind of masters 250 draw. Roger on the other hand...

 

[Feather]

I tend to agree, but let's not forget that Fed has never been more confident returning the Nadal serve. if he can serve lights out and get up a break early (as he did in IW), then who knows.

Again, the rallies need to be short.

Also, Fed ABSOLUTELY needs the first set to have a chance.

I don't think so. As if Roger is some weakling who can't play three sets

 

[TheMusicLover]

I don't believe such a thing exists in Tennis. That Rafa should win this just coz Roger won AO and IW. The player who plays better will deserve today.

Of course, I wasn't totally serious - eventually, the guy that wins the title, is the guy that always truly DESERVES the title.
Still, as I like both players, I wouldn't at all mind a victory for Rafa here, and as I said before: it's time for certain folks to stop lamenting Rafa's current 'bad level of play'.

In my 35+ years of watching tennis, there have been exactly TWO final matches where I think the trophy should've been cut in half: Rome 2006 and Wimbledon 2009.

If Kyrgios and Roger were in different halfves, I don't think Rafa would have reached final. Rafa had a very easy draw, kind of masters 250 draw. Roger on the other hand...

Fully agree that Roger had the hardest job, here. Still that makes no difference: both players had to make do with the opponent that appeared on the other side of the net.
Eventually 'uneven draws' even out on the long run.

 

[6-3 6-0]

Good thing about this match is that it starts at 10:30 pm my time

The 3 am or the 4 am matches were just horrible for sleep

 

[TheMusicLover]

Good thing about this match is that it starts at 10:30 pm my time

The 3 am or the 4 am matches were just horrible for sleep

19:00 PM over here, yayyyy!!!

 

[Feather]

In my 35+ years of watching tennis, there have been exactly TWO final matches where I think the trophy should've been cut in half: Rome 2006 and Wimbledon 2009.


Fully agree that Roger had the hardest job, here. Still that makes no difference: both players had to make do with the opponent that appeared on the other side of the net.
Eventually 'uneven draws' even out on the long run.

Agree with you that, uneven draws even out on the long run. Over a career..

I want to see Roger win as it increases his chances for number one..

I am also a big fan of the match Rome 2006 and one of those victories of Roger that I didn't celebrate was Wimbledon 2009

 

[Hitman's Gurl]

Please win Miami Roger. Thank you.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Interesting. Rafa didn't seem to know how many Masters he had won. Said "twenty something". Also forgot he made the Miami final in 2014. Quite telling really. Obviously the majors are the most important, but maybe a lot more than what some people think. Placing Majors and Masters in the same "tier" is a no for me, and obviously Rafa thinks the same way.

Placing the Masters and Majors on the same tier happens nowhere else except on tennis forums with people who know nothing about tennis. Majors are the overwhelmingly important factor in determining a tennis player's greatness. It's always been so. Masters 1000's are important for ranking points and momentum. They count little towards a player's legacy. No player's obituary will mention these tournaments.

How many Masters 1000's does Pete have? Agassi? Becker? Nobody knows and nobody cares. Yet any tennis fan can instantly tell you the # of majors they all have. It's been the Djoker fans who have inanely promoted the 1000's because he has more of them, but nobody knows the # because it's irrelevant.

 

[6-3 6-0]

I don't think so. As if Roger is some weakling who can't play three sets

Chum Jetzt Rogaaaaaaaaah!

 

[hawk eye]

Abu Dhabi is not a tournament, don't act like a clown. And reaching finals is not an achievement at all. The gap between reaching finals and winning titles is really big. And Nadal can't pass it.

A certain over 30 French player, known for giving some top players a hard time in majors is shrinking the moment he reads this.

 

[6-3 6-0]

Abu Dhabi is not a tournament, don't act like a clown. And reaching finals is not an achievement at all. The gap between reaching finals and winning titles is really big. And Nadal can't pass it.

The player Nadal is playing is 5 years older than him and has been on tour for more years as well.

 

[atp2015]

I'm about as "unnationalistic" as any American can be. Years ago my favorite player was Borg, and I liked Edberg as well as anyone who has played the game. I didn't like Connors or McEnroe, though I did enjoy watching both play.

I don't care at all about any of the older Americans playing right now. Sock? Could not care less. Isner? I'd rather watch paint dry.

But it's a mystery to me how Switzerland can have two guys in the top five but the US can't produce one guy who threatens the rest of the tour.

For all of us who were young when Connors, Evert and McEnroe were huge what has happened in this century has been totally unexpected.

What about Sam Querrey the giant slayer..
The most exciting player to watch.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Placing the Masters and Majors on the same tier happens nowhere else except on tennis forums with people who know nothing about tennis. Majors are the overwhelmingly important factor in determining a tennis player's greatness. It's always been so. Masters 1000's are important for ranking points and momentum. They count little towards a player's legacy. No player's obituary will mention these tournaments.

How many Masters 1000's does Pete have? Agassi? Becker? Nobody knows and nobody cares. Yet any tennis fan can instantly tell you the # of majors they all have. It's been the Djoker fans who have inanely promoted the 1000's because he has more of them, but nobody knows the # because it's irrelevant.

Same with WTF, most people have no clue how many WTF players have won.

 

[StanTheMan]

I'm severely depressed for I've just found out I won't be able to watch the final.

 

[Rafa the King]

Current bet365 odds:

Fed : 1.72
Nadal : 2.10

In the last 3 of their matches Nadal was the big favourite.

Last 3 matches:
IW: 2.2-1.66 in favor of Rafa
AO: 2.1-1.9 in favor of Rafa
Basel: 1.36-3 in favor of Federer

 

[TheMusicLover]

Abu Dhabi is not a tournament, don't act like a clown. And reaching finals is not an achievement at all. The gap between reaching finals and winning titles is really big. And Nadal can't pass it.

Welcome to my ignore list.

60s Weed and Suresh are funny and entertaining. You are just boring.

 

[-NN-]

Is is too late for the officials to change the final to best of 5?

I was thinking yesterday that for Masters 1000 finals, if both players request it then the match should and can be changed to Bo5. That would be cool.

 

[6-3 6-0]

Last 3 matches:
IW: 2.2-1.66 in favor of Rafa
AO: 2.1-1.9 in favor of Rafa
Basel: 1.36-3 in favor of Federer

I probably read the Basel one wrong

But yeah Nadal was the favourite in the other two.

 

[BretH]

I think one of these guys will take it in 2 or 3 sets.

Truer words were never spoken.

 

[atp2015]

I'm severely depressed for I've just found out I won't be able to watch the final.

Me too. I have to stay away from tt and watch the replay without checking the result elsewhere.

 

[JRAJ1988]

Federer in 2 sets, I think he'll throw everything into this as he'll have Clay Spring Break.

 

[BretH]

I think Nadal has a lot more to prove than Federer, but how that will affect each player's dynamics I can't say.

 

[StanTheMan]

Me too. I have to stay away from tt and watch the replay without checking the result elsewhere.

I was thinking the exact the same thing, but how?! Where do you intend to watch the replay?

 

[Hitman's Gurl]

It feels like Roger and Rafa were playing two parallel tournaments. Roger's side had all the quality matches which saved this tournament from being boring. He played so many in form players and keeps adding to year of Zen.

Still the most loved of them all!

 

[KINGROGER]

Working tonight but I'm on the desk so I'll stream the final on the PC.

 

[Brave New World]

Hard to look past Federer right now, he's returning so well, confidence sky high and the fact that it is against Nadal will focus him even more. I know he's 35 and he's had some close battles in this draw, but same thing happened in Australia. He says he's surprised how good he his feeling.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Fred got #18, a win over Ralph, and then a demolition over Ralphie en route to an IW title.

If Freddie steps up tomo, it's icing on the cake. Otherwise no shame in letting Ralph hoist the hardware this time.

Those Swiss doctors know what they are doing.

 

[Tatenda]

Rafa should by all means not allow fed to just tee off off of his backhand side.
hit long and hard or go DTL

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Don't think so. He should get as many wins as he can against Nadal when he is still playing that well. Who knows how long can he maintain his form? Maybe an injury will stop him for good next year.

Injuries have stopped Nadal from winning enough slams in his prime. There would be no shame in Federer losing a measly Masters title due to injury.

Federer fans are so greedy.

 

[killerboi2]

It feels like Roger and Rafa were playing two parallel tournaments. Roger's side had all the quality matches which saved this tournament from being boring. He played so many in form players and keeps adding to year of Zen.

Still the most loved of them all!

There is no quality anymore. Berdych and Kyrgios are tripe, especially Berdych. Fed just made them look better than they were as he is well past his best. Del Potro has lost it for good now and I can't even remember what other losers Fed played. Weak draw argument holds no weight when everyone sucks.

 

[killerboi2]

Same with WTF, most people have no clue how many WTF players have won.

More important than m1000s but no one in his right mind is going to put WTF anywhere near the level of slams either.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Nadal is older in tennis years. I don't have a problem with people giving Fed a fair amount of praise, but this "ZOMG FED AT 35" stuff from the media goes way overboard. Sorry, not mad at you, not your fault but it gets tiresome from others.

Chronologically speaking Fed is 5 years older, but thanks to the miracles of Swiss medicine and the difference in styles, it's Fed who is beating on an old man. It's sad to watch, really.

 

[6-3 6-0]

Injuries have stopped Nadal from winning enough slams in his prime. There would be no shame in Federer losing a measly Masters title due to injury.

Federer fans are so greedy.

Ofcourse you weren't here when the Nadal trolls were running rampant in 2013 when Rafa beat Fed 4 times and Fed had his worst year since maybe 2002. Were the wins illegitimate? Absolutely not just like these aren't. Also Fed isn't younger than Rafa like Djoker is. Both are past their hey days especially Fed.

We are greedy, yes, I'll give you that
Last year was absolutely dreadful for us

 

[enlightenment]

Oh no!!! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease, don't ignore me, I will not be able to live with that!!!

Lol, do you seriously think I care? Ignore as much as you wish, haha.

Sounds like you do care.

 

[Backspin1183]

Can someone please provide a link for free streaming of this match? I don't want to have to sign up in the last minute. Would like to do it now. Thanks.

 

[Backspin1183]

Ofcourse you weren't here when the Nadal trolls were running rampant in 2013 when Rafa beat Fed 4 times and Fed had his worst year since maybe 2002. Were the wins illegitimate? Absolutely not just like these aren't. Also Fed isn't younger than Rafa like Djoker is. Both are past their hey days especially Fed.

We are greedy, yes, I'll give you that
Last year was absolutely dreadful for us

Their Cincinnati match was good quality though. Everywhere else it was sad to see a Fedal match in 2013. Some here said Nadal might have even gifted him a game or two in Rome final. Fed actually was that bad that year, especially in the middle of the season.

 

[6-3 6-0]

Their Cincinnati match was good quality though. Everywhere else it was sad to see a Fedal match in 2013. Some here said Nadal might have even gifted him a game or two in Rome final. Fed actually was that bad that year, especially in the middle of the season.

But that didn't stop the trolls (READ: not fans) from spreading the hatred. Surely Nadal has declined and has been for a while but its not like he is facing a prime Djokovic who was his nemesis after 2014.

A lot of Nadal "fans" (not you btw) showing their true colours especially after the 2 matches this year who pretended to like Fedal

 

[Feather]

Their Cincinnati match was good quality though. Everywhere else it was sad to see a Fedal match in 2013. Some here said Nadal might have even gifted him a game or two in Rome final. Fed actually was that bad that year, especially in the middle of the season.

I remember watching the final, Rome 2013. Roger was really that bad. When I was watching it, I was thinking about Rome 2006 and what a pale shadow Roger has become.

 

[stringertom]

Chronologically speaking Fed is 5 years older, but thanks to the miracles of Swiss medicine and the difference in styles, it's Fed who is beating on an old man. It's sad to watch, really.

Lindt 90% Excellence, being a dark chocolate, has been proven as a great source of powerful antioxidants, lowering blood pressure and raising HDL (good cholesterol) levels while preventing LDL (bad) cholesterol from oxidizing. That's some amazing "Swiss medicine".

Nadal should have been on this regimen before 2011 and could have used the delightful products of Spanish chocolatiers Chocovic to help ward off the demon from Serbia with a very similar surname, no? Then he would have perhaps 16 or more slams and be right in contention for GOATdom, no?

 

[Backspin1183]

I remember watching the final, Rome 2013. Roger was really that bad. When I was watching it, I was thinking about Rome 2006 and what a pale shadow Roger has become.

I watched that match expecting a great match and to cheer for Rafa. But then I was like, ok that's enough Rafa, take it easy, he's not at his best now. I felt more sorry for Roger than happy for Nadal because Nadal used to dominate the clay tournaments those days. This is why I didn't feel bad at all when Roger denied Rafa the AO this year. For me it was the least painful Slam final Rafa had lost. I was happy for Roger. He can retire happy now knowing he was able to overcome his greatest rival on the biggest stage again.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Ofcourse you weren't here when the Nadal trolls were running rampant in 2013 when Rafa beat Fed 4 times and Fed had his worst year since maybe 2002. Were the wins illegitimate? Absolutely not just like these aren't. Also Fed isn't younger than Rafa like Djoker is. Both are past their hey days especially Fed.

We are greedy, yes, I'll give you that
Last year was absolutely dreadful for us

I'm just joking, remembering the days when Fed fans claimed 26 year old Fed was too old to win beause Nadal was from a younger generation, so he had the age advantage. Turns out Fed wasn't too old after all.

 

[6-3 6-0]

I'm just joking, remembering the days when Fed fans claimed 26 year old Fed was too old to win beause Nadal was from a younger generation, so he had the age advantage. Turns out Fed wasn't too old after all.

Ofcourse he wasn't. Nadal beat him fair and square. Excuses will come from fanboys, its upto us to choose whom to respond to

 

[Feather]

I watched that match expecting a great match and to cheer for Rafa. But then I was like, ok that's enough Rafa, take it easy, he's not at his best now. I felt more sorry for Roger than happy for Nadal because Nadal used to dominate the clay tournaments those days. This is why I didn't feel bad at all when Roger denied Rafa the AO this year. For me it was the least painful Slam final Rafa had lost. I was happy for Roger. He can retire happy now knowing he was able to overcome his greatest rival on the biggest stage again.

I support Roger but I will not be sad if Rafa wins. Somehow I can't stand Nick Kyrgios. I like his game but his personality makes me tough to root for him. I hope Nick improves. It would be great if he could.

 

[Zebrev]

At AO everyone thought Rafa would win.

At IW everyone thought Roger would win.

Now here at Miami no one knows who will win!

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I watched that match expecting a great match and to cheer for Rafa. But then I was like, ok that's enough Rafa, take it easy, he's not at his best now. I felt more sorry for Roger than happy for Nadal because Nadal used to dominate the clay tournaments those days. This is why I didn't feel bad at all when Roger denied Rafa the AO this year. For me it was the least painful Slam final Rafa had lost. I was happy for Roger. He can retire happy now knowing he was able to overcome his greatest rival on the biggest stage again.

If these guys play clay finals this year, who do you think will be the favorite? Now, that will be interesting.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Either way, it will be a good result for tennis. I'll be happy if Rafa wins, but seeing Fed winning another title this year would be unreal, specially if he plays as well as he has been playing. Breathtaking stuff, really.

 

[6-3 6-0]

At AO everyone thought Rafa would win.

At IW everyone thought Roger would win.

Now here at Miami no one knows who will win!

At IW, Rafa was the bigger favourite than he was at AO according to bookies.

 

[Hitman's Gurl]

If only Rafa was playing anyone else. I would have been behind all the way. But when it is against Roger I cannot be impartial. I will always side with Roger no matter who he plays. I think if Rafa wins I will be sad and disapointed initially because I will look at it as Roger's fan. I think in a day or two when I have stopped sulking I will be happy for Rafa. I know he deserves it too and it would be amazing story for 2017 if Fedal split their first two finals in big tournaments.

For now...Roger all the way.

Btw. Not watching!