Are there Sampras fans who cheer for Nadal to not let Federer break his record?

[Darth Nihilus]

Just curious. After the match last week I had some friends who are Sampras fans completely delighted with this. One of them openly admitted that he hopes that Nadal starts to dominate in order to avoid letting Rog take the slam record and consecutive year end #1 record as well. Are there any in here too?

 

[veroniquem]

Nope. I want to see Nadal win for Nadal's sake. I couldn't care less about Sampras' s records!

 

[TennisLover17]

*slowly raises hand*

Sorry, for some reason I just don't want to see Federer at a higher spot than Sampras

 

[TheTruth]

^^^
Ditto! I want to see a changing of the guard and I like Rafa's personality and game better!

The ditto was for Veroniquem.

 

[luckyboy1300]

TheNatural is the most perfect example for this one. but hey, i think he jumped out of that bandwagon into nadal wagon.

 

[luckyboy1300]

*slowly raises hand*

Sorry, for some reason I just don't want to see Federer at a higher spot than Sampras

dude federer is already a spot higher than sampras.

 

[grimmbomb21]

Count me as well. I wouldn't mind Nadal taking that spot or matching it though. But not Federer. He talks enough already about how great he is and how he is now "kind of a legend".

 

[Nickognito]

I was a Sampras fan and I care only about of one of his records: the 7 wimbledons. So yes, i hope Federer will never win his 7th wimbledon. For the other records, I don't care, Federer can break all Sampras records. But the record of majors won is not Sampras' 14 but 23-24 majors (Rosewall, Laver, etc) and 8 years as n.1 (Gonzales). So I think we have to wait if we want to see Federer break all these records.

And I don't think Sampras is the best player of all times (in my personal ranking he's maybe the alltime #4, and Federer #5, but it's just subjective).

Anyway, I supported Nadal in Wimbledon final also for other reasons.

c.

 

[DarkSephiroth]

No. I am a huge Sampras fan, but if his record is meant to be broken, let it be broken. Roger is a man of class, if he breaks the record, good for him!
Sampras's greatness doesn't diminish due to Roger Federer's success. =D

 

[Nadal_Freak]

Federer deserves the record but Nadal might prevent it from happening. It is a nightmare matchup to Roger. Every weakness he has is exploited in it. I don't know if anyone else in history of tennis could be as bad of a matchup for Federer than Nadal is.

 

[DarkSephiroth]

Federer deserves the record but Nadal might prevent it from happening. It is a nightmare matchup to Roger. Every weakness he has is exploited in it. I don't know if anyone else in history of tennis could be as bad of a matchup for Federer than Nadal is.

Who knows, but Nadal's doing a good job of playing smart and to his strengths. I am a "Federer Fan" but I have the utmost respect for Nadal as well because he carries himself with Dignity, humility and class.

 

[certifiedjatt]

i am one of those people! but it was more because i've started to dislike federer's personality and overhyped persona. i think his talent itself is historic. i also think that no one on earth can compare the two by simply saying one is better than the other. they both have weaknesses that the other does not (fed's volleys, pete's topspin backhand, and more) and strengths the other wished he had (fed's backhand, pete's volleys, and more). only morons say one is better than the other. how do these morons know? they just perpetuate what they hear on TV and read in the paper and pretend it's their own opinion and that they're privy to the mind of federer and sampras. like that guy from Good Will Hunting who recites a passage from a book to impress the girls in the bar.

i wanted federer to lose last year because i didn't want him to break the record. but now, i want him to lose because of how aggressively he's been marketed. i'm just sick of hearing about him as being "immortal" and "unreal" and "godlike" etc; i'm also sick of seeing his brand "RF" everywhere, his arrogant outfits and his pretenses and backhanded compliments to players. there's no mystery left about him. i'm glad sampras retired before youtube really took off. plus sampras looked like any other player on tour; no special treatment, just baggy white shorts and a shirt with the occasional change in the Oscillate colour scheme. federer reminds of the CEO who occasionally comes to the manufacturing plant in a three piece to make the workers there feel like he's one of the them and that they're all part of a "team", asks how one of the worker's baby is doing, and uses words like "synergy" and "strategize." nadal reminds me of the CEO who comes to the manufacturing plant in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and kicks a piece of wood around with the workers and uses words like "gooooooaaaall" and "no ****in' way, dude" but still runs a tight shift.

i wouldn't care if any other player breaks the record, even nadal. so far, the only thing i've seen on his shoes is "vamos rafa" which, though personalized, is simply incomparable to the "RF", the cardigans and blazers, the cup with the 5 on it etc...if he sticks to being humble and doesn't go the route of federer's branding, i would want nadal to break the record. i'm not sure anyone else has the career pace or the consistency to break it. right?

 

[TheTruth]

i am one of those people! but it was more because i've started to dislike federer's personality and overhyped persona. i think his talent itself is historic. i also think that no one on earth can compare the two by simply saying one is better than the other. they both have weaknesses that the other does not (fed's volleys, pete's topspin backhand, and more) and strengths the other wished he had (fed's backhand, pete's volleys, and more). only morons say one is better than the other. how do these morons know? they just perpetuate what they hear on TV and read in the paper and pretend it's their own opinion and that they're privy to the mind of federer and sampras. like that guy from Good Will Hunting who recites a passage from a book to impress the girls in the bar.

i wanted federer to lose last year because i didn't want him to break the record. but now, i want him to lose because of how aggressively he's been marketed. i'm just sick of hearing about him as being "immortal" and "unreal" and "godlike" etc; i'm also sick of seeing his brand "RF" everywhere, his arrogant outfits and his pretenses and backhanded compliments to players. there's no mystery left about him. i'm glad sampras retired before youtube really took off. plus sampras looked like any other player on tour; no special treatment, just baggy white shorts and a shirt with the occasional change in the Oscillate colour scheme. federer reminds of the CEO who occasionally comes to the manufacturing plant in a three piece to make the workers there feel like he's one of the them and that they're all part of a "team", asks how one of the worker's baby is doing, and uses words like "synergy" and "strategize." nadal reminds me of the CEO who comes to the manufacturing plant in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and kicks a piece of wood around with the workers and uses words like "gooooooaaaall" and "no ****in' way, dude" but still runs a tight shift.

i wouldn't care if any other player breaks the record, even nadal. so far, the only thing i've seen on his shoes is "vamos rafa" which, though personalized, is simply incomparable to the "RF", the cardigans and blazers, the cup with the 5 on it etc...if he sticks to being humble and doesn't go the route of federer's branding, i would want nadal to break the record. i'm not sure anyone else has the career pace or the consistency to break it. right?

I love your post. I'm hopping on this bandwagon! I would rather Nadal break it because he is so sweet and humble. Fed is too pithy! I absolutely loved the CEO analogies. That sounds just about right!

 

[TheTruth]

OK, I'm bleary-eyed so take my posts with a grain of salt.

Anyway, I used to be a huge Sampras fan, but him hanging out with Roger really diminished him in my eyes. I always thought of Pete as being a down-to-earth guy without a bunch of pretentions. Since he started hanging around with Fed I've lost respect for him. My love for Nadal though has nothing to do with Sampras, though. The first time I saw Nadal I knew he was special. I love the way he competes and the way he is off court. Those rare glimpses we get of him are always so touching. Him sneaking in the studio, being carefree on the beach, him always giving his opponents credit. I know his parents and family are proud of him, not simply for his achievements, but for the way he carries himself. Pure class. It's what I want for my son!

 

[Deleted member 21996]

as a HUge Sampras (even more Agassi actually) i really couldn't care less for both Fed and Nad...

 

[Cenc]

im not sampras fan but i cheer that no one today breaks his record because he was simply better than fed and deserves to hold the record until someone better appears

 

[Cindysphinx]

*slowly raises hand*

Sorry, for some reason I just don't want to see Federer at a higher spot than Sampras

Same here.

Roger has come across as too arrogant lately. The sense of entitlement is off-putting.

I'd prefer that Pete kept the record.

 

[nickb]

OK, I'm bleary-eyed so take my posts with a grain of salt.

Anyway, I used to be a huge Sampras fan, but him hanging out with Roger really diminished him in my eyes. I always thought of Pete as being a down-to-earth guy without a bunch of pretentions. Since he started hanging around with Fed I've lost respect for him. My love for Nadal though has nothing to do with Sampras, though. The first time I saw Nadal I knew he was special. I love the way he competes and the way he is off court. Those rare glimpses we get of him are always so touching. Him sneaking in the studio, being carefree on the beach, him always giving his opponents credit. I know his parents and family are proud of him, not simply for his achievements, but for the way he carries himself. Pure class. It's what I want for my son!

What's wrong with Sampras hanging out with Roger?!?

They are good friends. I think its great that two tennis greats can have a good friendship and respect each other.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

I found Sampras's game immediately easy to appreciate because of how smooth he played and because of the classy way he conducted himself.
I also liked Feds game and also others games when Sampars retired. As soon as I saw Nadal, he instantly became the easiest guy to support and the most exciting player to watch. SO its been good to see him progress, improve and also spank Fed every opportunity he gets.

 

[certifiedjatt]

I love your post. I'm hopping on this bandwagon! I would rather Nadal break it because he is so sweet and humble. Fed is too pithy! I absolutely loved the CEO analogies. That sounds just about right!

hop on. bring some friends.

 

[ksbh]

Yes, I want Nadal to stop Federer breaking Sampras' records not because I want to see Sampras's records stand but because I don't like Federer very much.

If some other player broke Sampras' record, I would hardly be bothered. Records are meant to be broken.

Just curious. After the match last week I had some friends who are Sampras fans completely delighted with this. One of them openly admitted that he hopes that Nadal starts to dominate in order to avoid letting Rog take the slam record and consecutive year end #1 record as well. Are there any in here too?

 

[logansc]

There are always going to be Protagonists and Antagonists in any kind of situation, I happen to be an antagonist in this case as I grew up a Sampras fan, but if Fed does break it (which he probably will) then kudos to him and I'll move on just like everyone else should do.

 

[GeoffB]

Sampras Fans might prefer Fed...

There will be as many different opinions as there are fans, of course, but some Sampras Fans might actually be rooting for Fed to break the record. If you're a Sampras fan, odds are good that you like serve and volley tennis and one handed backhands - think Becker, Edberg, McEnroe, Rafter... and you're probably pretty starved for this kind of tennis now. Even Wimbledon, with the slower grass, no longer displays much serve and volley tennis, and Fed often plays from the back court. But Fed is still the closest you're going to get.

So in a strange way, rooting for Fed might be the ultimate affirmation for a Sampras fan.

Personally, I generally root for contrast, because it makes for interesting tennis. The player personality matters to me too, of course, but Fed's "arrogance" doesn't really bug me, I think it's overblown. When huge serves dominated the game, and rallys were rare at wimbledon, I rooted for Agassi, Chang, and Courier, because they made matches more interesting. How things have changed - now I'd love to see a Sampras or Edberg, someone who would approach the net at every possible occasion. If someone could make that work against Nadal's remarkable diving spin, it would make for a very interesting match.

 

[P-Town Tennis]

I am a Sampras fan but I want Federer to break his GS record because...

*drum roll please*

he's good at tennis! People might not like his attitude, but he can play damn well and that's what matters. I actually thought Federer acted worse last Wimbledon, but that just might be me.

 

[Enlightened Coelacanth]

Considering Federer has been the king of men's tennis for so long and has won Grand Slam titles at an unprecedented rate, I'm surprised at all this talk of "arrogance". I don't see it.
You'd have to be a robot not to be effected by all the people around you kissing your rear and telling you that you're the greatest thing since sliced bread every waking moment.

Considering his position and success, Fed is remarkably humble and well respected for his even temperament. But I guess people have to hate him for something. It's too bad their is so much pettiness.
Do I cheer for Nadal? In no way. Federer plays tennis with elegance and style. Nadal is a nice guy but he dresses like a gay pirate and plays like a ditch digger. His mannerisms are crude and
he owes much of his success to his equipment.
Give Fed Nadal's racquet and he could still win. Give Nadal Fed's stick and he'd be lost.
It's not a huge point but just illustrates the gulf, talent wise, between the two.

 

[oranges]

Sampras is among my all-time favorites, but I don't care one way or the other if his record is broken or not. Records are an interesting tidbit and an indication of one's dominance, but they don't necessarily tell the whole story. I don't particularly care about either Nadal or Federer among today's players and my favoring one or the other when playing each other tends to depend on most irrelevant things, such as the commentator's bias, a statement made I disliked or lately the attitude of the player's fans ;-)

 

[fastdunn]

I think I am one of these one of these Sampras fan. I mean I gotta admit I have some part of my mind that cheer for Nadal to defend some of Sampras' record.

I think Federer probably will break 14 slam record. And probably not the 6 straight year end #1 record.

But I still don't think Federer is a better player than Sampras.

I think ATP created a very homogeneious condition with court surfaces and the ball. So a player can win many slams in short period because tennis is being played on very similar surfaces with same baseline style. I think that made Federer look like an amazing player, perhaps a bit more amazing than what he actually is, IMHO.

 

[TheTruth]

What's wrong with Sampras hanging out with Roger?!?

They are good friends. I think its great that two tennis greats can have a good friendship and respect each other.

I don't like Roger. I find him to be fake, puffed up, and arrogant as _____! I think he plays mind games to the nth degree. To me, he's a composite champion. Almost as if he's carefully constructed his entire persona. He tries to be articulate like Agassi, humble like Pete, and humorous like McEnroe. He compliments and stabs at the same time. He speaks out of both sides of his mouth.

This Roger that we've come to know in recent years is light years away from the guy he started out as. Back then his pressers were humble and appreciative. The moment he started winning he turned into an ugly beast. It became all about him, his talent, how could he could do this, and that, his arrogant puffed up comments make me cringe inside. The cardigans and crested blazers are too much. They look nice but have no place on a tennis court. Who in their right mind wears a blazer to play tennis in?

I've been reading articles about Roger since before he became "Roger." Why? I used to be a fan. But now I can't stomach the man! He is way too full of himself.

 

[Klatu Verata Necktie]

Considering Federer has been the king of men's tennis for so long and has won Grand Slam titles at an unprecedented rate, I'm surprised at all this talk of "arrogance". I don't see it.
You'd have to be a robot not to be effected by all the people around you kissing your rear and telling you that you're the greatest thing since sliced bread every waking moment.

Considering his position and success, Fed is remarkably humble and well respected for his even temperament. But I guess people have to hate him for something. It's too bad their is so much pettiness.

I agree with you. I think claims of his arrogance has been greatly overblown. He has had the best four years in the history of tennis, and should not have to pretend otherwise. However, I find his interview comments to be fair and honest rather than the standard canned "sports interview" cliche.

I disagree with your take on Nadal, though.

 

[carlos djackal]

Just curious. After the match last week I had some friends who are Sampras fans completely delighted with this. One of them openly admitted that he hopes that Nadal starts to dominate in order to avoid letting Rog take the slam record and consecutive year end #1 record as well. Are there any in here too?

yeah, i'm sure there must be some of em here......

 

[TheTruth]

It would be fitting for me if Nadal broke Sampras records rather than Roger, since Pete came out and said some negative things about Rafa. Just him siding with Roger made me angry. The former pros need to not allow themselves to get pulled into Roger's little webs. I have never in my life seen a world's #1 "courting" so many legends. It's pathetic. And while some people say it doesn't bother them, it's only about the tennis. Me personally, I can't root for someone I don't respect as a human being.

 

[veroniquem]

Considering Federer has been the king of men's tennis for so long and has won Grand Slam titles at an unprecedented rate, I'm surprised at all this talk of "arrogance". I don't see it.
You'd have to be a robot not to be effected by all the people around you kissing your rear and telling you that you're the greatest thing since sliced bread every waking moment.

Considering his position and success, Fed is remarkably humble and well respected for his even temperament. But I guess people have to hate him for something. It's too bad their is so much pettiness.
Do I cheer for Nadal? In no way. Federer plays tennis with elegance and style. Nadal is a nice guy but he dresses like a gay pirate and plays like a ditch digger. His mannerisms are crude and
he owes much of his success to his equipment.
Give Fed Nadal's racquet and he could still win. Give Nadal Fed's stick and he'd be lost.
It's not a huge point but just illustrates the gulf, talent wise, between the two.

You see, you hate Nadal because of stuff like his clothing style. Personally, I will never warm up to Fed's personality. The cardigan and other accessories he sports do not seem elegant to me but pretentious and cheesy and I do see arrogance in some of his statements and attitudes. But his tennis is awesome, it's a real pleasure to watch (which is what truly matters isn't it?) To me you lose all credibility when you downplay (I should say negate since you ridiculously claim his only talent is his racquet) Nadal's tennis which is equally awesome in a different way and maybe the best ever on clay. I can completely understand that you hate his style and character but insulting a kind of game that has already brought him 11 MS and 5 slams and tons of very spectacular matches is just dumb and in total bad faith. Without Nadal tennis would be much much less exciting right now.

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

I am a huge Sampras fan but Federer has such class and is such a great player that Sampras himself has said that if someone was to break his record Sampras hopes that it would be broken by someone like Federer. If Sampras can let go, why can't some of his fans?

 

[certifiedjatt]

I don't like Roger. I find him to be fake, puffed up, and arrogant as _____! I think he plays mind games to the nth degree. To me, he's a composite champion. Almost as if he's carefully constructed his entire persona. He tries to be articulate like Agassi, humble like Pete, and humorous like McEnroe. He compliments and stabs at the same time. He speaks out of both sides of his mouth.

This Roger that we've come to know in recent years is light years away from the guy he started out as. Back then his pressers were humble and appreciative. The moment he started winning he turned into an ugly beast. It became all about him, his talent, how could he could do this, and that, his arrogant puffed up comments make me cringe inside. The cardigans and crested blazers are too much. They look nice but have no place on a tennis court. Who in their right mind wears a blazer to play tennis in?

I've been reading articles about Roger since before he became "Roger." Why? I used to be a fan. But now I can't stomach the man! He is way too full of himself.

my long lost twin brother!

 

[TheTruth]

my long lost twin brother!

Twin sister. Truth is a woman!

 

[Ossric]

If he compliments his opponent he's lying.

If he insults his opponent he's arrogant.

Roger can't win. You're all jealous that he was able to make it look effortless.

What exactly do you want from him? Is he supposed to apologize for winning?

Get over it already.

And to the guy saying who would wear a vest to play tennis in, I recall him taking it off and wearing a T-shirt and shorts, not sure which matches you're watching.
Ever watch Boris Becker play? I recall him wearing a sweater vest a couple times.

 

[Morrissey]

I'm not sure if I qualify because I was never a Sampras fan. But I can certainly see some Sampras fans being Nadal fans, why? Because he's shares the same drive, passion and "singled-mindedness" that champions are made of. Where exterior "style-wise" Fed and Sampras are more similar, but inside (between the ears) Sampras is more similar to Nadal. He's a no nonsense all business player who is more humble and down to earth than Fed. As for the blazers and pants and all that other stuff, I think Nike is just as guilty of that as Fed is. I do think Fed has a choice to wear it or not. What I can't stand are the backhanded compliments. "Oh yeah, it was dark, but hey no excuses, Nadal played great". You know, those kinds of lines he always throws at the end of matches.

 

[helloworld]

I don't wanna say this, but it's true that Fed's personality is a mystery. He seems like a nice and humble guy, but he showed some serious arrogance at times. There's just so much contradiction in him that you can't help but think that his personality is a fake.

 

[Coop]

Let the titles speak for themselves...

I was always a huge Borg fan, then Sampras and now really enjoy watching Fed play too - I tend to pull for the guys I can identify with. I hit with a OHBH, like to serve and volley, I tend to be pretty quiet on the court (no fist pumping or yelling, etc...). That being said, I really admire the passion that Rafa plays with, man you can just feel it. Loved watching Agassi for the same reasons...but I can't even begin to play that way so . So, I'm rooting for the dudes I'd like to play like...can't feel it for the 2HBH and the extreme grips.

It'll all play out with the titles...hard to debate Fed's 4 yr run though...that was ridiculous.

 

[Arafel]

If he compliments his opponent he's lying.

If he insults his opponent he's arrogant.

Roger can't win. You're all jealous that he was able to make it look effortless.

What exactly do you want from him? Is he supposed to apologize for winning?

Get over it already.

And to the guy saying who would wear a vest to play tennis in, I recall him taking it off and wearing a T-shirt and shorts, not sure which matches you're watching.
Ever watch Boris Becker play? I recall him wearing a sweater vest a couple times.

I never was a fan of Roger's to begin with, but his arrogance really shone through in 2005, when he beat Roddick in Cincinnati and then said something after the match to effect the of "I like playing Andy, and not just cause I always beat him."

As obnoxious as McEnroe could be, I could never see him saying that about someone he had played in multiple Slam finals. I think the only time I heard him insult someone badly in a post-match interview was when he said something about losing to Gilbert make him wonder what he's doing on the court. Considering he only lost to Gilbert once ever, I can understand that statement.

 

[tennis-hero]

I'm one of Sampras's biggest fans but to say you dont want Nadal to win just for Pete's sake (pun intended) is stupid

Pete is a legend, no one will ever take that away.... but think about it.... if someone is going to take his record, do you want it to be a gentleman like rog or some punk who comes along and starts talking trash...?

 

[Atherton2003]

I never cared for Sampras....I was always bored watching him cause he had a great serve and nobody could return it. I like to see a little more action than that. I love watching Nadal run around the court and get to balls that nobody else could get near and make a winning crosscourt shot......he is amazing and that's what makes tennis much more exciting. So, I don't mind seeing Sampras's record be broken, but only by Nadal - which I don't think will happen.

 

[crocon]

I'm a Sampras fan, but I want to see Federer beat his record.

 

[The-Champ]

Before Nadal became known on tour, I was a Sampras fan. When Sampras retired, I didn't know he would become an a-hole! I remember him saying something like....Nadal is good on clay because he relies on his speed and strength, and playing on clay doesn't need superior technique, unlike grass. Simply put, he thinks Nadal doesn't have what it takes to be a wimby champ, I wonder what that idiot Sampras is saying nowadays? I hope 5 people break his record, but not Federer, I hate him just as much as I hate Sampras.Sampras and Federer are both arrogant and whinny individuals. They don't have an ounce of humility in their blood.

 

[boringmember]

I am a fan of all three players. I like that they all have somewhat different styles (both in tennis and in what they wear etc). If everyone was the same, it would be boring like my name.

 

[veroniquem]

I am a fan of all three players. I like that they all have somewhat different styles (both in tennis and in what they wear etc). If everyone was the same, it would be boring like my name.

yes, the more variety, the better.

 

[FEDEXP]

I was always a Sampras fan; he's the guy that got me into tennis (and I could care less about Agassi, great champion that he is). Federer is his heir apparent IMHO, so I'd be delighted if he broke the record.

 

[Enlightened Coelacanth]

You see, you hate Nadal because of stuff like his clothing style. Personally, I will never warm up to Fed's personality. The cardigan and other accessories he sports do not seem elegant to me but pretentious and cheesy and I do see arrogance in some of his statements and attitudes. But his tennis is awesome, it's a real pleasure to watch (which is what truly matters isn't it?) To me you lose all credibility when you downplay (I should say negate since you ridiculously claim his only talent is his racquet)

??? I don't get this at all (and never claimed this). Nadal's talent is in his legs and his willingness to dig deep and play hard every single point, no matter what the score. But is he elegant and stylish in the way Federer is? Could Nadal beat Federer on a real grass court like Wimbledon used to produce? Highly doubtful. Highly.

Could Nadal be as effective with a more traditional frame? It seems unlikely, though Nadal is certainly not cheating or gaming the system. It's just another sign of how mono-dimensional he is. If you like that dimension then more power to you. I don't happen to.
You will see on the hard courts the limitations in Nadal's game.

Joe Frazier was a great fighter. He even beat Muahmad Ali. But was he as gifted? Was he the pleasure to watch that Ali was? Did Joe Frazier excite people, who realized they were watching a once in a generation talent in Ali, the way Ali did? Nadal is Joe Frazier, but Federer is Ali. There is nothing wrong in recognizing that. Nadal is a great athlete. But Federer is a greater tennis player.

Nadal's tennis which is equally awesome in a different way and maybe the best ever on clay. I can completely understand that you hate his style and character but insulting a kind of game that has already brought him 11 MS and 5 slams and tons of very spectacular matches is just dumb and in total bad faith. Without Nadal tennis would be much much less exciting right now.

I don't question his effectiveness. He intimidates people and takes their fight away. But he has made tennis into a thugish street brawl.

I don't think tennis wins when Nadal does, but I'll admit there are lots of fans who don't know anything else. So for them, Nadal is their template for a winning tennis player. In the long run, the game will suffer for that.

 

[stormholloway]

Sorry, but if Nadal's talents were only speed and strength then everyone would be hitting with the kind of mustard he does. He has superior technique off both wings to nearly every player on tour.

 

[veroniquem]

??? I don't get this at all (and never claimed this). Nadal's talent is in his legs and his willingness to dig deep and play hard every single point, no matter what the score. But is he elegant and stylish in the way Federer is? Could Nadal beat Federer on a real grass court like Wimbledon used to produce? Highly doubtful. Highly.

Could Nadal be as effective with a more traditional frame? It seems unlikely, though Nadal is certainly not cheating or gaming the system. It's just another sign of how mono-dimensional he is. If you like that dimension then more power to you. I don't happen to.
You will see on the hard courts the limitations in Nadal's game.

Joe Frazier was a great fighter. He even beat Muahmad Ali. But was he as gifted? Was he the pleasure to watch that Ali was? Did Joe Frazier excite people, who realized they were watching a once in a generation talent in Ali, the way Ali did? Nadal is Joe Frazier, but Federer is Ali. There is nothing wrong in recognizing that. Nadal is a great athlete. But Federer is a greater tennis player.

I don't question his effectiveness. He intimidates people and takes their fight away. But he has made tennis into a thugish street brawl.

I don't think tennis wins when Nadal does, but I'll admit there are lots of fans who don't know anything else. So for them, Nadal is their template for a winning tennis player. In the long run, the game will suffer for that.

I don't see that at all. I still think you greatly underestimate the technical skills of Nadal. He's not just physical presence and power, he has excellent touch too, soft hands, good wrist, good tactical thinking, precision, superior footwork and flexibility. I'm sorry that his "thuggish" appearance makes you miss out on all that. Sometimes appearances are deceptive, you should judge a book by more than its cover... (about the racquet business you said "he owes much of his success to his equipment", that's what I reacted to in my former post)