Another Federer-Nadal GOAT Thread

[that_was_just_out]

Hey all, I'm a newbie here and just had to post something about the Federer-Nadal GOAT debate that really grinds my gears. Forgive me if it's been repeated many times before.

The argument I always hear is "How can Federer be the greatest of all time if Nadal has dominated the head-to-head record 20-10?"

Since when is head-to-head record against any one opponent the determining factor in greatest of all time? Wayne Ferriera had a 6-7 record against Sampras, does that make him his equal? Fabrice Santoro led Safin 7-2, did he really have the better career or was he really the better player?

I will grant you, Sampras dominated Agassi in the head-to-head and was clearly the greater player, but that conclusion is not drawn on the head-to-head alone, it was Sampras' sustained excellence over many years and near-continuous No.1 ranking in addition to doubling Agassi's number of Slams.

The bottom line is sustained excellence, and at times, domination, against the entire field on all surfaces over an extended period of time really determines GOAT.

And really these two links are all you need to read. Federer's achievements and records simply dwarf Nadal's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Roger_Federer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Rafael_Nadal

Might Nadal one day top Federer and be the GOAT? Yes! But not right now, any vote for Nadal as the GOAT right now over Federer is just irrational.

 

[cluckcluck]

Please. Just. Stop.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Honestly, this has been discussed a zillion times. I mean this very consideration and flaw in the debate is repeatedly talked about day in day out here.

 

[Nitish]

We need a separate section for GOAT discussions.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

We need a separate section for GOAT discussions.

Actually yes we do, and also for tennis statistics.

Mods, please consider this?

 

[Gandalf]

The argument I always hear is "How can Federer be the greatest of all time if Nadal has dominated the head-to-head record 20-10?"

Never heard of it. Tell me moar.

 

[Praetorian]

Simple answer is how one prioritizes those achievements. Because there is no definitive standards on measuring ones greatness, people will always find fault with any (or lack thereof) logic. Who won the most GS - Federer. Who won the most FO - Nadal. Who's the GOAT = fodder for Internet Warriors who are authorities on everything and anything they can google.

 

[that_was_just_out]

Okay, sorry everybody. It just ticks me off to no end whenever I hear that head-to-head crap brought up. Are most people on this message board rational and believe that head-to-head junk is a garbage stat in the debate?

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Okay, sorry everybody. It just ticks me off to no end whenever I hear that head-to-head crap brought up. Are most people on this message board rational and believe that head-to-head junk is a garbage stat in the debate?

Those who particularly have a reason to dislike Federer often flag it up with tremendous gusto and blood pumping through their veins among other things. At the same time it isn't totally meaningless.

 

[that_was_just_out]

Those who particularly have a reason to dislike Federer often flag it up with tremendous gusto and blood pumping through their veins among other things. At the same time it isn't totally meaningless.

You're right, maybe it isn't a garbage stat, that was a little strong, but anyway..

Ah never mind, I'm done with this thread then. It is a bit of a black hole.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

You're right, maybe it isn't a garbage stat, that was a little strong, but anyway..

Ah never mind, I'm done with this thread then. It is a bit of a black hole.

No problem that you brought it up. Feel free to speak your mind, the rest of us do anyway.