M
Morrissey
Guest
I'm shocked people defend Roddick. Unless they're just Nadal haters just going for whoever opposes Nadal.
Better grass court player: Roddick or Nadal
- Thread starter edmondsm
- Start date
How can you say that when they have only played once in the last 4 years, on a court that is almost as slow as Roland Garros (The hard blue clay at Indian Wells)?
Ok, if he is so bad, show me ONE player besides the top 3 that have a better overall Grand Slam and Masters record than Roddick in the past 4 years. You can't. Youzhny got blasted in the Davis Cup, has a very poor grand slam record, and doesn't even come close to the number of titles that Roddick has won. I almost choked to death with laughter with your statement. Better check your facts before you make statement based on opinions only.
If being ranked lower than someone makes you a better player than that person, then I can certainly see why so many TT posters say "I lost to this pusher who isn't nearly as good as me". Getting bageled by Tsonga doesn't sound more impressive than taking Kohlschreiber to 5 sets.
Tennis fans seriously have absolutely zero understanding of competition.
Federer_pilon
Professional
Youzhny was injured, but so was Nadal in the final. Don't forget that.
lambielspins
Banned
Alot of them probably are, but not all. Even today there remains a fascination with Roddick among NA tennis fans. I guess it comes with being the only substantial figure in American tennis (unless you count Blake which is even more of a stretch) these days. It is hard to admit the best there is left is still close to hopeless when it comes right down to the very elite group of players.
Nadal_Freak
Banned
Roddick's style is just totally wrong against a player like Nadal. His backhand is a liability and his forehand is not big enough. Also he doesn't move great. Nadal should dominate the ralleys.
alienhamster
Hall of Fame
I'm less interested in the question of who would win if they played each other on grass. Overall, I'm wondering about who is a better grass court player . . . as in, which man plays better on grass?
I have no doubt that Nadal could beat Andy on grass. But I think Andy has demonstrated an ability to beat a much wider variety of players on grass than has Nadal. Nadal's had two great Wimbledon runs, but also benefitted from some cushy draws and conditions very favorable to his game. He hasn't really shown anything too impressive at Queen's so far.
In terms of game style, I don't see how one could argue that Andy's game isn't better suited to the surface than Nadal's is. Roddick has killer slice and flat serves, and solid flat and slice backhands. His rally shots do much better on the surface, whereas Nadal's topspinapalooza in the early stages sits up into people's strike zones much more. Nadal of course has supreme defense, which works on every surface. But his is not exactly an awesome "grass court" game.
I wish they'd stop slowing the grass down so much or worrying about producing "true" bounces. The surface is interesting BECAUSE it's fast and low. I like me some slices and volleys.
I have no doubt that Nadal could beat Andy on grass. But I think Andy has demonstrated an ability to beat a much wider variety of players on grass than has Nadal. Nadal's had two great Wimbledon runs, but also benefitted from some cushy draws and conditions very favorable to his game. He hasn't really shown anything too impressive at Queen's so far.
In terms of game style, I don't see how one could argue that Andy's game isn't better suited to the surface than Nadal's is. Roddick has killer slice and flat serves, and solid flat and slice backhands. His rally shots do much better on the surface, whereas Nadal's topspinapalooza in the early stages sits up into people's strike zones much more. Nadal of course has supreme defense, which works on every surface. But his is not exactly an awesome "grass court" game.
I wish they'd stop slowing the grass down so much or worrying about producing "true" bounces. The surface is interesting BECAUSE it's fast and low. I like me some slices and volleys.
Andres
G.O.A.T.
I'm going to be the only "sane people" and vote Roddick. OK, Nadal got to 2 Wimbledon finals.. but so did Roddick
The thing is... Nadal never ever won a grass event, while Roddick is almost a lock for Queen's every year.
Now, the career record on grass is:
Roddick:57-11 (4 titles) - 83.8%
Nadal: 19-7 (No titles) - 73.1%
4 more titles, and over 10% in their grass record. And everyone here was laughing about Roddick being a better grasscourter?
I have to say Roddick. Number usually don't lie.
The thing is... Nadal never ever won a grass event, while Roddick is almost a lock for Queen's every year.
Now, the career record on grass is:
Roddick:57-11 (4 titles) - 83.8%
Nadal: 19-7 (No titles) - 73.1%
4 more titles, and over 10% in their grass record. And everyone here was laughing about Roddick being a better grasscourter?
I have to say Roddick. Number usually don't lie.
noeledmonds
Professional
The question is who is the best grass player. Roddick has shown that he is a better grass court player than Nadal. However, in an encounter now Nadal would be likely to win.
Both players failed to beat Federer at Wimbledon after two attempts each. What Roddick does have massively in his favour though is that Roddick has won the 2nd largest grass court event of the ATP season (Queens) 4 times while Nadal has yet to win a grass court tournament. Surely this gives Roddick the definate edge.
Both players failed to beat Federer at Wimbledon after two attempts each. What Roddick does have massively in his favour though is that Roddick has won the 2nd largest grass court event of the ATP season (Queens) 4 times while Nadal has yet to win a grass court tournament. Surely this gives Roddick the definate edge.
Roddick has won more titles on grass while Nadal hasn't won any,yet.
Roddick has faced better grass court players at Wimbledon imo compared to Nadal.
Nadal is beatable on grass.Didn't that nobody Kendrick hold 2 MP's on Nadal until he choked when he had to serve for the match in 2005 in the what,1st round?
Mahut showed how you can beat Nadal by destroying him in straight sets.
M.Youzhny and Djokovic were are beating on Nadal like a drum until they both got injured and the other one retired.
Soderling was throwing not only the kitchen sink at Nadal but the whole house,until rain and his usual choking got in the way?
The difference between Roddick and Nadal is simple;Roddick as usual serves his arse out on the grass and keeps the points short.He nowadays uses a 1 handed slice and it works against whom that tactic will work if they can't sniff the serve;Nadal relies more on return of serves and flattens his balls more and is more agressive.
tough to decide but maybe slight edge to Roddick considering his results on grass at Wimbledon and his titles won.Would love to watch these 2 play having said that
Roddick has faced better grass court players at Wimbledon imo compared to Nadal.
Nadal is beatable on grass.Didn't that nobody Kendrick hold 2 MP's on Nadal until he choked when he had to serve for the match in 2005 in the what,1st round?
Mahut showed how you can beat Nadal by destroying him in straight sets.
M.Youzhny and Djokovic were are beating on Nadal like a drum until they both got injured and the other one retired.
Soderling was throwing not only the kitchen sink at Nadal but the whole house,until rain and his usual choking got in the way?
The difference between Roddick and Nadal is simple;Roddick as usual serves his arse out on the grass and keeps the points short.He nowadays uses a 1 handed slice and it works against whom that tactic will work if they can't sniff the serve;Nadal relies more on return of serves and flattens his balls more and is more agressive.
tough to decide but maybe slight edge to Roddick considering his results on grass at Wimbledon and his titles won.Would love to watch these 2 play having said that
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daddy
Legend
Okay I wanted to be labeled as one of the "insane" people and thus I just gave my vote to Roddick along with 40 others and wanted to make sure this is done before their match at Dubai starts. So now if Nadal beats Roddick easily I will have to think about what I write. But at this moment, I truly believe that Roddick as a former nr1 and GS winner on HC and by all his results and stats on grass - I really firmly believe he is better grass court player.
Ps - As someone said, this does not mean he would win every single meeting between the two on grass but in general he should win more.
So now if Nadal beats Roddick easily I will have to think about what I write. But at this moment, I truly believe that Roddick as a former nr1 and GS winner on HC and by all his results and stats on grass - I really firmly believe he is better grass court player. Ps - As someone said, this does not mean he would win every single meeting between the two on grass but in general he should win more.
ATXtennisaddict
Hall of Fame
I cannot believe Nadal is leading the polls here. Most of you are basing this off Nadal's strong showing at last year's wimby finals. Have you ever given any thought about Roddick's achievements at Wimby? 3 finals right? So what if he lost to Roger...it's a match up issue. Not competence on grass.
Roddick is far better on grass than Nadal. Stop judging based on one tournament result and watch for consistency over time.
Roddick is far better on grass than Nadal. Stop judging based on one tournament result and watch for consistency over time.
4 Queens titles, 1 semi-final, 2 finals. Highlights of Roddick's grass career.
ATXtennisaddict
Hall of Fame
I believe he made the quarters of Queen twice, two Wimbledon finals, and alot of early round exits before 2006.
daddy
Legend
I am still waiting for someone to tell me what made them think that Nadal is better on grass - since we had a chance to see todays match and it was obvious who has weapons better suited for grass - like service, volleys, forhand to some extent. I mean I still stick to what I said - Nadal is not a fast court player and Roddick is and in a classical way Roddick is better and its no contest. Now Roddick is a top player for years, not beating federer does not mean you are bad, just that he is better. So ? Either people are confused because of Nadal's good results, excellent results in Wimbledon or they really think he has better suited game for grass ? I just can not believe the 2nd.
edmondsm
Legend
Yeah that's not what happened in Dubai is it? To bad your whole theory fell apart. You get a gold star for effort.
lambielspins
Banned
I did not see this poll worded as asking who has the better career on grass at this point, in which case you are right that it probably would be Roddick slightly. It is who is better on grass point blank, which would seem to imply current ability. The current better grass court player is the player who was in the last 2 Wimbledon finals and gave Federer all he could handle, not someone who was upset before the semis the last 2 Wimbledons and who last made the final back in 2005.
You are even conceding Nadal would likely win the matchup now. Why is that if Roddick is supposably the better grass court player.
Rhino
Legend
I think the 2004 Roddick would have had a better chance against the 2007 Federer, but Federer in 2004/2005 was slightly better so Rafa probably wouldn't have taken him to 5 at that level.
The guy who said the rain saved Federer against Roddick in that Wimbledon final.... actually it was his tennis. Roddick didn't even manage a deciding set.
Ultra2HolyGrail
Hall of Fame
Roddick "should" be a better player on grass than nadal. With his big serve he comes close to reminding me of sampras on how dominate his serve is. I think it's mostly psychological problems with roddick and the devastating losses to federer that holds him back. Not to mention feds crazy 15-1 record against him. It's the same with nadal vs fed in that nadal actually leads their overall head to head. Roddick needs to improve his baseline game and realize he will probably need more than his serve to win. He needs to keep watching the koelshreiber match and figure out why he lost. Probably the same reason fed keeps beating him, if fed can get the ball back on roddick serve and get a rally going, advantage fed. Same with nadal. He needs to become more consistent, or hit more winners and go for broke more. I know, easier said than done.
aceroberts13
Professional
Couldn't have been more wrong. In your defense and everyone else's who thought the same about Nadal; I don't think anyone expected Andy to come out blasting forehands and serves like it was summer '03 again. Nadal will be fine he is young and three GS's doesnn't hurt him either.
daddy
Legend
I asked about why and I asumed that people pick nadal because of recent wimbledon results. Wimby is not some challanger, its a GS, you can get knocked out early and thats it and Roddick is prone to that. Nadal did not get knocked out although 2006 Kendrick and 2007 Soderling - both gave him a lot to think about and he could have lost both matches. So based by those results you can not really determine Nadal is better than Roddick and you did that. Roddick for whom I can say has all the weapons for grass + the better career is the obvious pick. One can pick nadal only if their mind is shaded by his 2 finals at wimbledon.
andyroddick1
Rookie
I just think that Rafa gives Fed trouble with his game even though Andy is the better grass court player.
PROTENNIS63
Hall of Fame
The way Roddick played against Fed in the 2004 and 2005 finals of Wimbledon, Nadal would not stand a chance. But with the grass courts today being slower than some hard courts, Nadal has a solid chance.
