After 2012 French Open Federer only led Nadal by 5 Slams...

[Chicharito]

and now 4.5 years and 19 slams later the gap is 4, he has closed it by only one.

It was 16-11

Nadal was 26
Federer 30 and hadn't won a slam in over 2 years


Nadal was right there to get the record, the main concern was Djokovic. However Djokovic hasn't halted Nadal's slam tally at all since then. Nadal beat him is 3 decisive slam matches and only lost once(he wasn't winning the title anyway).

Although a lot of people pointed out at the time Nadal wouldn't have the longevity. His career timeline was earlier to that of Federer. Most knew he was writing cheques his body couldn't cash.

 

[mike danny]

and now 4.5 years and 19 slams later the gap is 4, he has closed it by only one.

It was 16-11

Nadal was 26
Federer 30 and hadn't won a slam in over 2 years


Nadal was right there to get the record, the main concern was Djokovic. However Djokovic hasn't halted Nadal's slam tally at all since then. Nadal beat him is 3 decisive slam matches and only lost once(he wasn't winning the title anyway).

Although a lot of people pointed out at the time Nadal wouldn't have the longevity. His career timeline was earlier to that of Federer. Most knew he was writing cheques his body couldn't cash.

Wht this stat shows isthat Nadal hasn't done miles better than Fed aince then. Fed has won 2 slams, while Rafa has only won 3. Despite being 5 years younger, he has only won 1 more major than Fed.

 

[GabeT]

it also shows that Nadal has aged worse than Fed.

 

[MichaelNadal]

You must be sipping that tea with extra delight

 

[Tennis_Hands]

it also shows that Nadal has aged worse than Fed.

Is "aged" a synonym for "less successful" these days?

 

[BeatlesFan]

Nadal's career timeline was earlier to that of Federer. Most knew he was writing cheques his body couldn't cash.

Most knew he would never get close to Fed's slam count. The only people who pushed that possibility were the *************. And the Djoker people are just as bad. Many still (apparently with a straight face) think their guy is going to bag 7 majors at the age of 30+.

Neither Djoker or Nadal passionately love the game of tennis as much as Roger. That should be clear since both have been (or currently are) burned out physically or mentally. No one in the history of the game has loved playing tennis as much as Roger and that's a huge factor that the Nole and Rafa fans never counted on. Just as most (not all) Fed fans never counted on him winning any more majors after #17.

 

[Service Ace]

The star that burns twice as bright burns half as long.

 

[Incognito]

The star that burns twice as bright burns half as long.

How can a light that burns so brightly, suddenly burns so pale?

 

[TMF]

Some Federer fans should get a life. Nadal is irrelevant for almost 3 years now and yet you can't leave him alone. I'm a Nadal fan for many years now and I never said he is better than Federer. I'm not that stupid to say such a thing. However almost EVERY Federer fan I know thinks a day without saying that Federer is better than Nadal is a wasted day.

But you have said some stupid things like the recent post below.

Nobody cares about the WTF. Just a stupid tournament.

 

[Goosehead]

How can a light that burns so brightly, suddenly burns so pale?

...briiiight eyes.

 

[asif]

im quite impressed that nadal isnt retired honestly

i expected him to look like michael J fox at this point

the damage he has done to his body is insane

granted- look at him compared to before and you can see the mileage on him

2007

2017

 

[KINGROGER]

His physical style of play always meant he had a short period at the top.

Federer's graceful gliding shotmaking style has meant he can and has extended his career into his late 30s.

Just a shame he didn't enter his prime earlier.

 

[MasturB]

Nadal's prime started At an earlier age than Fed.

He's 30 now but with the mileage he accumulated early he's approaching his mid 30s in tennis years.

I always said he would not age well because he roughly has he same serve now as he did 10 years ago. And his game is based on endurance and grind. People saying he'd bounce back at French are delusional. Rafa isn't the physical beast he was 5-10 years ago so it's probably the worst surface to expect him to start winning again.

 

[duaneeo]

Most knew he would never get close to Fed's slam count.

He was one set away from being within two.

 

[GabeT]

Most knew he would never get close to Fed's slam count. The only people who pushed that possibility were the *************. And the Djoker people are just as bad. Many still (apparently with a straight face) think their guy is going to bag 7 majors at the age of 30+.

Neither Djoker or Nadal passionately love the game of tennis as much as Roger. That should be clear since both have been (or currently are) burned out physically or mentally. No one in the history of the game has loved playing tennis as much as Roger and that's a huge factor that the Nole and Rafa fans never counted on. Just as most (not all) Fed fans never counted on him winning any more majors after #17.

Wherever do you get that Nole is burnt out? Nole turns 30 this year, let's see how the year plays out. At 28 and at 29 Nole won much, much more than either Federer or Nadal did in the years they turned 28 and 29. So far Nole is aging better than either one. That may change, of course, but the evidence is not there yet that Nole is burnt out.

Federer did much better than Nole when he was 23 to 26 but not as he got older.

 

[smoledman]

Nadal's prime started At an earlier age than Fed.

He's 30 now but with the mileage he accumulated early he's approaching his mid 30s in tennis years.

I always said he would not age well because he roughly has he same serve now as he did 10 years ago. And his game is based on endurance and grind. People saying he'd bounce back at French are delusional. Rafa isn't the physical beast he was 5-10 years ago so it's probably the worst surface to expect him to start winning again.

Hell the last time Nadal was a physical beast was 2013 summer. he's been a shell of himself ever since.

 

[KINGROGER]

Wherever do you get that Nole is burnt out? Nole turns 30 this year, let's see how the year plays out. At 28 and at 29 Nole won much, much more than either Federer or Nadal did in the years they turned 28 and 29. So far Nole is aging better than either one. That may change, of course, but the evidence is not there yet that Nole is burnt out.

Federer did much better than Nole when he was 23 to 26 but not as he got older.

That's because when Fed was 28/29 he had prime Nadal and Djokovic to contend with.

 

[GabeT]

That's because when Fed was 28/29 he had prime Nadal and Djokovic to contend with.

Not true. He was losing to other players. And 2009/2010 Nole was not prime Nole.

 

[KINGROGER]

Not true. He was losing to other players. And 2009/2010 Nole was not prime Nole.

07 onward is prime Nole but 2011 is peak. Also Fed was 29 throughout half of 2011.

He was losing to other players in 08 thanks to mono and exiting his peak but it's worth noting he only showed up for slams during that period and had a massive slump after his 2010 AO win when he was the record holder with 16 GS. Motivation was likely an issue that's why he lost to mugs like Tsonga and Berdych at Wimbledon.

 

[GabeT]

07 onward is prime Nole but 2011 is peak. Also Fed was 29 throughout half of 2011.

He was losing to other players in 08 thanks to mono and exiting his peak but it's worth noting he only showed up for slams during that period and had a massive slump after his 2010 AO win when he was the record holder with 16 GS. Motivation was likely an issue that's why he lost to mugs like Tsonga and Berdych at Wimbledon.

You know I think Fed is the greatest ever. But you just can't compare what Nole accomplished the years he turned 28 and 29 (2015 and 2016), including the arguably greatest 18 month dominance in tennis history, with what Fed did in 2009 and 2010.

 

[every7]

im quite impressed that nadal isnt retired honestly

i expected him to look like michael J fox at this point

the damage he has done to his body is insane

granted- look at him compared to before and you can see the mileage on him

2007

2017

For sure this photo comparison isn't fair imo. One shows him on his player kit celebrating after a final win, the other is him quite a while (probably wanting to get back to his hotel) after the match in a press conference in regular clothes. And the second photo is a candid and he is making an unusual expression, whereas the first photo is a staged professional photo.

This is a better comparisons:

This is Rafa nearly ten years ago:

This is Rafa NOW (public promotion late 2016):

He will probably still look 25 in his 50's, despite a lifetime of physical exertions. Some people just retain their manly physicality and looks well into later life. Edberg and Carlos Moya both haven't aged much despite long, fruitful ATP careers.

 

[beltsman]

Bull is merely biding his time to crush slam record once and for all. He likes to prove his haters wrong. His haters said that he would be done winning slams by the time he was 25, 27, 30. So now, he's planning on winning eight slams post-30.

 

[Dope Reign]

Feds game adapts well to different courts. Nadal's game is suited to one surface. The fact he even got close to Feds count at all with a relatively one dimensional game is huge testament to Nadal's character, but he was fighting an uphill battle.

 

[Fedfan34]

But you have said some stupid things like the recent post below.

How does that relate to the point he was making about flaming the Federer and Nadal fan camps?

 

[Sereger]

Dont get the point of this thread

 

[Luckydog]

He was one set away from being within two.

The final step is usually the most difficult one.The gap of final step looks like glass ceiling or something else.Sometimes , you even can see it,smell it,but,you never touch it even if you had tried your best.

 

[Luckydog]

Bull is merely biding his time to crush slam record once and for all. He likes to prove his haters wrong. His haters said that he would be done winning slams by the time he was 25, 27, 30. So now, he's planning on winning eight slams post-30.

8?
Thank God,it's just a plan that is ambitious,arrogant and even delusional.

 

[Druss]

Wherever do you get that Nole is burnt out? Nole turns 30 this year, let's see how the year plays out. At 28 and at 29 Nole won much, much more than either Federer or Nadal did in the years they turned 28 and 29. So far Nole is aging better than either one. That may change, of course, but the evidence is not there yet that Nole is burnt out.

Federer did much better than Nole when he was 23 to 26 but not as he got older.

Perhaps the fact that when Federer was 29/30, he had two ATGs (top 6 Open Era) in their peak breathing down his back. On the other hand, Djoker at 28-30 has who?

 

[KINGROGER]

You know I think Fed is the greatest ever. But you just can't compare what Nole accomplished the years he turned 28 and 29 (2015 and 2016), including the arguably greatest 18 month dominance in tennis history, with what Fed did in 2009 and 2010.

Comparable to Federer's 06-07 years (Fed's slightly higher thanks to 1 extra GS, YEC, YE#1, title and win %) but the reason Fed didn't perform as well at that age was due to holding the GS record and lacking motivation and also mono in 08 for that year specifically.

By the time his motivation returned strong, he sweeped 2011 indoor season and was very close to 2012 best player (Djokovic edged it thanks to YEC) at age 30-31.

I don't think Djokovic will dominate again like he did but don't think he will fall off a cliff either. He's still a top player and my favourite for RG if motivated.

 

[mike danny]

A shcoking stat is that once the most dominant duo has only only won 5 slams in nearly 5 years

 

[Pagoo]

Perhaps the fact that when Federer was 29/30, he had two ATGs (top 6 Open Era) in their peak breathing down his back. On the other hand, Djoker at 28-30 has who?

That guy keeps spewing the same thing in every thread like it's some great tennis achievement. Obviously, Djokovic benefited from not having younger challengers.

 

[DreddyTennis45]

Not sure why people are shocked here. Nadal has aged worse than Federer, which was always inevitable but given how he performed at the AO you can't rule anything out

 

[moonballs]

He was one set away from being within two.

That fifth set was so epic. Fed's backhand was on fire. Rafa's forehand finally broke down.