Comparing the last 5 years of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic

M

McEnroeisanartist

Hall of Fame
Not a lot to discuss in tennis with the Olympics over and tennis enters the dog days of summer part of the season.

Comparing the win/loss records of the big 3 since 2008. Why 2008? Federer's prime ended, Nadal's prime started, and Djokovic was ranked number 3 at the start of the year.

Federer - 307-59 83.88%
Nadal - 330-56 85.49%
Djokovic 318-69 82.17%

What is most surprising is that Nadal's winning percentage isn't higher, considering that 2008 marked the end of Federer's prime and perhaps the beginning of Nadal's. A 1.61% winning percentage difference between Nadal and Federer from 2008-2012 isn't much when you consider that there was an 8.16% winning percentage difference between Federer and Nadal from 2005-2007.

Comparing Grand Slams Won
Federer - 5
Nadal - 8
Djokovic - 5

Of course, tennis is more than just the Grand Slams
Tournaments won
Federer - 22
Nadal - 27
Djokovic - 23
 
I like this thread.

One of the better comparison threads I have seen.

It's a shame all the "****s" may wreck it.

I say we ignore everything 6-0,6-1,6-3 or whatever the poo he's called...

...anyway, I digress on their future digressing.

I do wish tennis fans and not "****" fans could be the only ones to chime in.

For me I am a big Murray fan, Roddick fan(foremost) and I just appreciate the Top 3 guys.

Considering Feds dominant years it is remarkable what he's done in his post peak years.

To me it is almost like watching how Evert was able to get Martina back even when she was on the downside of her career and had been taken to the wood shed by Navratilova for some time.

On a mostly unrelated note, when you see what Date-Krumm has done in her 40's, it does make you wonder what Steffi could do, even today, on the crap WTA.
 
For once OP you have a thread with some interesting stats rather than obscure stats aimed at proving Fed's greatness.

Anyway, these stats go to show how dominant Fed has been even in his latter years. It will take a remarkable effort from Nadal or Djoker to have that kind of career once they hit 27.

Given the type of style Nadalovic play and add to that their early blooming, I don't think Rafa has more than 3 slams left in him and Djokovic more than 5.

Only time will tell.
 
Biscuitmcgriddleson said:
Even if she couldn't, I'd still rather watch her than most of the others that are out there currently.
Click to expand...

Well and besides the rarity of the 1HBH that Fed has he also has such a well developed slice backhand.

I would think, even today on Grass that Steffi could do mondo damage with that thing.
 
Fed fans need an excuse when he loses. This fact clearly proves that Fed has been playing well and was decimated by Nadal in Majors since 2008.

Now Fed fans have no excuse anymore!
 
Qubax said:
Well and besides the rarity of the 1HBH that Fed has he also has such a well developed slice backhand.

I would think, even today on Grass that Steffi could do mondo damage with that thing.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I'd love to see today's power players go against her. I have a feeling that she wouldn't be as hindered as many believe.
 
Talker said:
Is Nadal still leading in slams when Fed was his age?
Click to expand...

Nadal is currently aged 26 years and 2 months, and has won 11 majors and 50 tournaments.

When Federer was that age, it was October 2007. At that time, Federer had won 12 majors and 51 tournaments, so Federer had won slightly more.
 
Biscuitmcgriddleson said:
Sadly I wish more posters on here knew what he did also. It amazes me how people can think Federer is close to prime Fed.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Fed still has moments where he plays really, really well, but he's not close to his peak level.

I don't care if he's playing against Rafa, or a guy ranked #500. From 2004-2007, the way he moved and the way he hit his forehand were just ridiculous compared to his current level. His serve was bigger then (but more accurate now). He's improved strategically with Annacone I think, and some say his BH is better...I don't know if I agree. It might be more consistent, but it's far less explosive.

During the Gold medal match, I was struck by how poorly Federer moved to his forehand, and his FH up the line is almost non-existent now. In his prime he could camp out and run around backhands, because he could defend his FH better than anyone else, and his running FH was awesome. He could take it up the line, down the middle or cross court, which forced his opponents to guess. He's far worse at defending that FH corner now, which was painfully evident yesterday.

He still plays some great tennis, but it's not nearly as consistent, and not as explosive/powerful.
 
BigServer1 said:
Agreed. Fed still has moments where he plays really, really well, but he's not close to his peak level.

I don't care if he's playing against Rafa, or a guy ranked #500. From 2004-2007, the way he moved and the way he hit his forehand were just ridiculous compared to his current level. His serve was bigger then (but more accurate now). He's improved strategically with Annacone I think, and some say his BH is better...I don't know if I agree. It might be more consistent, but it's far less explosive.

During the Gold medal match, I was struck by how poorly Federer moved to his forehand, and his FH up the line is almost non-existent now. In his prime he could camp out and run around backhands, because he could defend his FH better than anyone else, and his running FH was awesome. He could take it up the line, down the middle or cross court, which forced his opponents to guess. He's far worse at defending that FH corner now, which was painfully evident yesterday.

He still plays some great tennis, but it's not nearly as consistent, and not as explosive/powerful.
Click to expand...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-TZeGkEQWc

the point at 32 seconds you never see anymore.. but this whole highlight reel demonstrates the explosiveness he used to have, and we never see anymore.
 
Cup8489 said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-TZeGkEQWc

the point at 32 seconds you never see anymore.. but this whole highlight reel demonstrates the explosiveness he used to have, and we never see anymore.
Click to expand...

Yeah. That shot doesn't really exist for Fed anymore.

I love these highlights so much. I also think it's tragic how people talk about "Grandpa Brokeback Agassi", because Agassi played a such a high level in the first three sets of this match. The quality of rallies and the ball striking was exceptional, regardless of one player's age.
 
Mustard said:
Nadal is currently aged 26 years and 2 months, and has won 11 majors and 50 tournaments.

When Federer was that age, it was October 2007. At that time, Federer had won 12 majors and 51 tournaments, so Federer had won slightly more.
Click to expand...

Fed is also ahead in number of weeks at #1, more year end #1, and 3 WTF.
 
Mustard said:
Nadal is currently aged 26 years and 2 months, and has won 11 majors and 50 tournaments.

When Federer was that age, it was October 2007. At that time, Federer had won 12 majors and 51 tournaments, so Federer had won slightly more.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's an awesome stat and super close.
 
BigServer1 said:
Agreed. Fed still has moments where he plays really, really well, but he's not close to his peak level.

I don't care if he's playing against Rafa, or a guy ranked #500. From 2004-2007, the way he moved and the way he hit his forehand were just ridiculous compared to his current level. His serve was bigger then (but more accurate now). He's improved strategically with Annacone I think, and some say his BH is better...I don't know if I agree. It might be more consistent, but it's far less explosive.

During the Gold medal match, I was struck by how poorly Federer moved to his forehand, and his FH up the line is almost non-existent now. In his prime he could camp out and run around backhands, because he could defend his FH better than anyone else, and his running FH was awesome. He could take it up the line, down the middle or cross court, which forced his opponents to guess. He's far worse at defending that FH corner now, which was painfully evident yesterday.

He still plays some great tennis, but it's not nearly as consistent, and not as explosive/powerful.
Click to expand...

Pretty much sums it up. 2004-2007 Federer was stuck in redline all the time. The way he was able to hit forehand winners was just amazing. I will say that he is much smarter now and has a greater arsenal. I could only wonder what 2004-07 Federer would have been with the knowledge he has now.
 
Cup8489 said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-TZeGkEQWc

the point at 32 seconds you never see anymore.. but this whole highlight reel demonstrates the explosiveness he used to have, and we never see anymore.
Click to expand...

Yep, that trunk rotation is no more. He use to just absolutely RIP the balls. He just doesn't have that same spring he once did. Now it looks as though he actually has to put effort in, but back then he made tennis looks far more simple than it truly is.
 
RogerFederer4life said:
Over the last five years Federer has dominated rafa, just look at this years indian wells, Nadal had no answers, the wind was helping rafa too
Click to expand...

I6GSf.gif
 
Mustard said:
Nadal is currently aged 26 years and 2 months, and has won 11 majors and 50 tournaments.

When Federer was that age, it was October 2007. At that time, Federer had won 12 majors and 51 tournaments, so Federer had won slightly more.
Click to expand...

I thought it was close but haven't heard much about it lately.
Fed did start out slowly and has quite some time in those early years doing "not so well".
 
RogerFederer4life said:
Over the last five years Federer has dominated rafa, just look at this years indian wells, Nadal had no answers, the wind was helping rafa too
Click to expand...

I wasn't sure Fed was going to win that match till it was over, Nadal was just starting to get his game going but it was too late.
Fed seemed also to attack Nadal's BH IIRC.
 
Nadal is usually very good at playing in the wind, but it was awful for him in that Indian Wells match against Federer. Federer dealt with the wind a lot better than Nadal on that day.
 
McEnroeisanartist said:
Not a lot to discuss in tennis with the Olympics over and tennis enters the dog days of summer part of the season.

Comparing the win/loss records of the big 3 since 2008. Why 2008? Federer's prime ended, Nadal's prime started, and Djokovic was ranked number 3 at the start of the year.

Federer - 307-59 83.88%
Nadal - 330-56 85.49%
Djokovic 318-69 82.17%

What is most surprising is that Nadal's winning percentage isn't higher, considering that 2008 marked the end of Federer's prime and perhaps the beginning of Nadal's. A 1.61% winning percentage difference between Nadal and Federer from 2008-2012 isn't much when you consider that there was an 8.16% winning percentage difference between Federer and Nadal from 2005-2007.

Comparing Grand Slams Won
Federer - 5
Nadal - 8
Djokovic - 5

Of course, tennis is more than just the Grand Slams
Tournaments won
Federer - 22
Nadal - 27
Djokovic - 23
Click to expand...

Winning percentage does not really matter. What if you play all small tourneys and have 95% winning percentage?

Number of important tournament won is the only thing you need to consider.

Maybe winning precentage of Grand slams if you want to add.

You know it is nothing if you do not win championship(world series, super bowl etc...) even if you have 90% winning percentage during regular season in NBA, NFL, NHL or MLB. You can raise your winning percentage by keep beating low rankers. But you would never be the champion if you can't beat top rankers consistently or in finals.
 
Last edited:
Clearly Fed is the best player so far in tennis history. But from 2008-2012 it seems Nadal is the best. This thread shows it. Most titles, most grand slams, highest winning percentage

why do you point out winning percentage differences??? Nadal's got highest winning percentage anyway. You do not need to win by large margin to be champion. It dose not matter if you win by 1000 or 1. You are still same winner in either cases. Do they give you something extra if you win by large margin?
 
Last edited:
Mustard said:
Nadal is currently aged 26 years and 2 months, and has won 11 majors and 50 tournaments.

When Federer was that age, it was October 2007. At that time, Federer had won 12 majors and 51 tournaments, so Federer had won slightly more.
Click to expand...

This deserves a thread. Not for gloating, but as a reference for troll wars.
 
Mustard said:
Nadal is currently aged 26 years and 2 months, and has won 11 majors and 50 tournaments.

When Federer was that age, it was October 2007. At that time, Federer had won 12 majors and 51 tournaments, so Federer had won slightly more.
Click to expand...

These stats are VERY interesting, it`s (to me atleast) VERY HARD to think that Nadal will have the kind of career Fed had from 26-27 and forward.
I can`t see that happen, i think Nadal MIGHT tie Sampras GS-count though...maybe ...
17? No. Just no. And Federer will not stop at 17.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I think it's not about FedEx declining but other players figuring out how to beat Roger's game.

If you haven't notice already, with the exception of Nadal because he is a lefty. Novak, Murray and Del Potro all beat or come very close to beating FedEx with the exact same tactic.

Novak's team figured it out first. Basically,

serve to backhand
flat aggressive backhand to pin FedEx to far ad side
slice for slice
anything higher than the net, aggressive backhand down the line

Or flat aggressive forehand

Novak used it successfully against Federer, then Murray used the same tactics in Wimbledon but lost.

Even Del Potro managed to go the distance with FedEx in Olympic semi and finally Murray beat FedEx and took the Gold Medal.

I was surprised that FedEx have no answer to this tactics in the Gold Medal match...
 
Might I just add...

McEnroeisanartist said:
Federer's Decline (2008 onward)

Comparing Grand Slams Won
Federer - 5
Nadal - 8
Djokovic - 5

Of course, tennis is more than just the Grand Slams
Tournaments won
Federer - 22
Nadal - 27
Djokovic - 23
Click to expand...

Federer's Prime (2004-2007)

Comparing Grand Slams Won
Federer - 11
Nadal - 3
Djokovic - 0

Of course, tennis is more than just the Grand Slams
Tournaments won
Federer - 53
Nadal - 23
Djokovic - 6
 
tennnnis said:
Clearly Fed is the best player so far in tennis history. But from 2008-2012 it seems Nadal is the best. This thread shows it. Most titles, most grand slams, highest winning percentage

why do you point out winning percentage differences??? Nadal's got highest winning percentage anyway. You do not need to win by large margin to be champion. It dose not matter if you win by 1000 or 1. You are still same winner in either cases. Do they give you something extra if you win by large margin?
Click to expand...

Yes, I think it is significant to highlight that the winning percentage difference between Nadal and Federer (from 2008-2012) isn't that great compared to the winning percentage between Federer and Nadal (from 2005-2007).
 
Djokodal Fan said:
Fed fans need an excuse when he loses.
Click to expand...

We have to clarify what do you mean by excuse, does saying Fed is "sloppy", "flat", "uninspired" and "subpeak" count?

Or are those observations?

Djokodal Fan said:
This fact clearly proves that Fed has been playing well and was decimated by Nadal in Majors since 2008.
Click to expand...

Nope but it proves that Nadal barely beats a supbeak and uninspired Fed in non-clay slams and that a subpeak Fed does nearly as good against the field as the peakest of peaks Nadal :)

It will be fun seeing how your hero will do in 2013-2017 :).

Djokodal Fan said:
Now Fed fans have no excuse anymore!
Click to expand...

No problem, we'll just use "observations" instead.
 
Talker said:
I thought it was close but haven't heard much about it lately.
Fed did start out slowly and has quite some time in those early years doing "not so well".
Click to expand...

That's it, basically. We're at the stage where their two curves intersect (more or less). Before that age, Nadal was ahead, and by a huge margin in the early years, but Federer has been steadily pulling back and is now ahead. It will take a huge effort from Nadal not to lose any more ground...
 
merlinpinpin said:
That's it, basically. We're at the stage where their two curves intersect (more or less). Before that age, Nadal was ahead, and by a huge margin in the early years, but Federer has been steadily pulling back and is now ahead. It will take a huge effort from Nadal not to lose any more ground...
Click to expand...

For Fed and Sampras the two curves was the opposite. At early stage Fed was behind Pete and then they finally intersect, and then Fed surpassed him.
 
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