Djokovic and Coria both at their best on clay- who wins

[thalivest]

Agassi post '96 was never dominating on clay. Yes, he won the French in '99, but he did not have to play Rios, Safin, Kafelnikov or Kuerten. I am not sure he ever had a win on clay against any of those players, but I am sure he beat most of them on hardcourts. Coria was probably the best clay court player in the world in '03. Agassi was not in Coria's league on clay, but certainly could compete with him on hard courts. Agassi was a great competitor on any surface, but he was not a natural mover on clay. He basically brought his hardcourt game to the clay, which played into the hands of the top clay courters.

Yeah Agassi was never a dominant clay courter and was lucky to win the French the year he did win it. He was much more of an elite on clay in the early 90s though. Agassi did more than compete with Coria on hard courts, he stomped him into the ground on that surface even in his twilight years. However on clay Coria was superior to Agassi by that point. I laughed how Mary Carillo compared Coria's chances vs Agassi leading into the 2003 FO quarters to Chris Lewis's vs John McEnroe leading into the 83 Wimbledon final. What a twit that manly women can be at times.

 

[thalivest]

Gaudio did not whip him Nadal played a sloppy match hell in 2008 Nadal lost to an old JCF. Don't cry injury or anything please I'm sick of it. He went on to crush in the next two tournaments. I mean seriously the guy does lose occasionally. I'm not saying he wouldn't hold his own but I'm saying I don't feel he would fair as well as Coria as what it comes down to with Nadal is who can keep up with Nadal better. I don't think Djoker could ever do that more than Coria.

Djokovic DID push Nadal of 2009 and even 2008 (eg- the Hamburg semis) to the limit multiple times on clay so it isnt speculating he could have. He did it vs a much better Nadal than the baby Nadal of 2005, so what is there to speculate on that he would be able to give Nadal at only 18 a real battle. I actually dont think Coria of 2004-2005 would have given Nadal of 2008-2009 as many really tough matches on clay as Djokovic did.

I dont know what your point is by the past his prime Ferrero example. By that logic if slow footed fast courter Soderling could beat Nadal at the French then why shouldnt Federer, Djokovic, Davydenko, Ferrer, and many otheres have been able to. Or if Peter Doohan beat Becker in his prime at Wimbledon why couldnt Lendl, Cash, or Wilander do it.

 

[dropshot winner]

The way Djokovic struggles with Ferrer on clay I'd easily pick Coria.

 

[egn]

Djokovic DID push Nadal of 2009 and even 2008 (eg- the Hamburg semis) to the limit multiple times on clay so it isnt speculating he could have. He did it vs a much better Nadal than the baby Nadal of 2005, so what is there to speculate on that he would be able to give Nadal at only 18 a real battle. I actually dont think Coria of 2004-2005 would have given Nadal of 2008-2009 as many really tough matches on clay as Djokovic did.

I dont know what your point is by the past his prime Ferrero example. By that logic if slow footed fast courter Soderling could beat Nadal at the French then why shouldnt Federer, Djokovic, Davydenko, Ferrer, and many otheres have been able to. Or if Peter Doohan beat Becker in his prime at Wimbledon why couldnt Lendl, Cash, or Wilander do it.

Uhh your point was 18 year old Nadal lost to Gaudio saying it could justify Djokovic beating him..mine is saying old broken Ferrero beat Nadal why couldn't Coria. You're still blinded by age saying 18 year old Nadal is nowhere near as good as 2009 Nadal. Nadal in 2005 was no baby, he was winning master series and the French Open. THE AGE IS NOT A FACTOR. Nadal's clay game has been the same since circa 2005. I don't feel baby Nadal in 2005 exists like people believe since considering 2005 Nadal won 4 master series a slam and was #2 in the world. What baby does this? He was a capable player and in his prime.

 

[joeri888]

Coria would go up 2 sets easy, because he's better. 6-1 6-1, than he'd go up 5-0 and choke the match away, losing 1-6 1-6, 7-6 6-0 6-2