A big reason for Fed fans to route for a Djokovic return to fitness and slam winning form

[Terry Tibbs]

Nadal is now only 3 slams behind and 5 years younger. Fed has done astonishingly well to win 2 this year but it seems unrealistic to expect him to win any more majors. I feel that there is now a very realistic chance of Nadal catching Federer's slam count and claiming GOAT status. So perhaps the only thing that could prevent this is Djokovic coming back to fitness and blocking Nadal.

 

[HowsItGoin]

You are just repeating what was repeatedly asked 12 months ago, and long before that.

Also, GOAT status isn't automatically attached to GS title count.

 

[TheAssassin]

3 Slams behind and 5 years younger... It has been the same ever since the 2014 RG.

I want Novak back for his sake, and so his two rivals would stop winning as well.

 

[mike danny]

Or maybe it would be good for Djokovic (and Murray and Stan) to return because it would make things more exciting than what we are currently witnessing.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Djokovic, Murray and Wawrinka are all question marks currently. Will they be right mentally, how will they return after injury? How long will it take them to reach top form? It's not gonna be easy, as we seen Rafa take a while to return after his injuries, same with Fed.

Rafa will like his chances right now, plus moya has hugely improved nadals game. His serving, BH and net play is so much better. He looks complete right now.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Also, GOAT status isn't automatically attached to GS title count.

Yes it is. What is the single most important determinate of GOAT-hood? Slam count. Followed by weeks at #1. Nothing else remotely comes close.

 

[duaneeo]

Nadal is now only 3 slams behind and 5 years younger.

Nadal was "now only 3 slams behind and 5 years younger" back in June 2014. He hasn't made any progress since then.

 

[cc0509]

I couldn't care less if Nadal gets to Roger's slam total or not. I'm a Federer fan who much prefers Nadal over Djokovic. What will be will be. The worst are fans who obsess over stuff like that.

 

[helterskelter]

Nadal was "now only 3 slams behind and 5 years younger" back in June 2014. He hasn't made any progress since then.

He's now one Slam behind where Federer was then. Now, as then, Federer's lead probably depends on him stretching his count further.

 

[BeatlesFan]

The worst are fans who obsess over stuff like that.

What are fans supposed to obsess about if it isn't grand slams? That's the pinnacle of the sport. They're supposed to care more about some 250 in Istanbul or watching Barcelona?

 

[helterskelter]

Nadal is now only 3 slams behind and 5 years younger. Fed has done astonishingly well to win 2 this year but it seems unrealistic to expect him to win any more majors. I feel that there is now a very realistic chance of Nadal catching Federer's slam count and claiming GOAT status. So perhaps the only thing that could prevent this is Djokovic coming back to fitness and blocking Nadal.

I agree. Nadal can likely wrack up quite a few more weeks as #1, too, if Djokovic doesn't return to form. I can't see Zverev challenging for #1 in 2018. Perhaps 2019. I can't see Federer being fit enough to play a full schedule in 2018, either. I don't think any other younger player is in with much chance. If Nadal holds the #1 ranking through the end of 2018, he'll be up to somewhere in the region of 210 weeks at #1 by then. If he manages his schedule well going forward, he can probably get to 250 or so.

 

[Backspin1183]

Djokovic, Murray and Wawrinka are all question marks currently. Will they be right mentally, how will they return after injury? How long will it take them to reach top form? It's not gonna be easy, as we seen Rafa take a while to return after his injuries, same with Fed.

Rafa will like his chances right now, plus moya has hugely improved nadals game. His serving, BH and net play is so much better. He looks complete right now.

The biggest improvement under Moya is Rafa's second serve. It's so not attackable now. No wonder he is leading points won in second serve. I don't don't know how much improvement Moya has brought to Nadal's game but his presence sure has brought some life back in Nadal's career. Bringing in Moya in his team has been a great decision for team Nadal.

And worry not, Novak will be back strong at some point. It's good for him to see the success of Nadal and Federer. If nothing else, it would make him believe that he too can achieve the same success at their age. And what us Fedal fans might say about him, Novak is a world class great champion.

 

[cc0509]

What are fans supposed to obsess about if it isn't grand slams? That's the pinnacle of the sport. They're supposed to care more about some 250 in Istanbul or watching Barcelona?

Why obsess over any of it? It's a game. It's entertainment. Fans aren't supposed to live vicariously through their favorite players IMO. If Nadal gets to Fed's slam count, good for him. Three slams is still a long way to go at his age but it's not impossible if he remains fit and healthy and younger players don't step up. It's not like it's 7 slams which would be impossible at his age IMO.

 

[Tommy Haas]

I couldn't care less if Nadal gets to Roger's slam total or not. I'm a Federer fan who much prefers Nadal over Djokovic. What will be will be. The worst are fans who obsess over stuff like that.

I used to be a Fed fan and hated how Nadal always owned him, but I've changed and now like Nadal, but not at the cost of disliking Fed. I like them both, but like Nadal more, so between them two playing, I root for Nadal. When it's Roger against anyone else, I root for Roger.

I just think Roger has won enough and achieved enough already. All he's doing is padding his numbers now, so losses mean less. Records were made to be broken and it's exciting to see them eclipsed as a fan, no matter who's breaking it.

 

[Tommy Haas]

Nadal is now only 3 slams behind and 5 years younger. Fed has done astonishingly well to win 2 this year but it seems unrealistic to expect him to win any more majors. I feel that there is now a very realistic chance of Nadal catching Federer's slam count and claiming GOAT status. So perhaps the only thing that could prevent this is Djokovic coming back to fitness and blocking Nadal.

How many years do you think Djokovic can play using his human backboard style? Fed's really efficient which is why he's still winning slams at 36 and Nadal has changed his style and does less grinding.

 

[cc0509]

I used to be a Fed fan and hated how Nadal always owned him, but I've changed and now like Nadal, but not at the cost of disliking Fed. I like them both, but like Nadal more, so between them two playing, I root for Nadal. When it's Roger against anyone else, I root for Roger.

I just think Roger has won enough and achieved enough already. All he's doing is padding his numbers now, so losses mean less. Records were made to be broken and it's exciting to see them eclipsed as a fan, no matter who's breaking it.

I agree with you that it's interesting to see Nadal still in the hunt for the slam count. It definitely makes it more interesting. I prefer Federer but I also like Nadal.