Federer/Nadal on grass/clay...

[Pete.Sampras.]

I'm sure you've heard about their match on a mixed grass/clay court. Fed on the grass side, Nadal on the clay side.

Now I wonder... isn't that an advantage for Fed?

What are your thoughts?

 

[caulcano]

I'm sure you've heard about their match on a mixed grass/clay court. Fed on the grass side, Nadal on the clay side.

Now I wonder... isn't that an advantage for Fed?

What are your thoughts?

Hi Mr Pete Sampras. I would have thought you'd know the answer to that question.

 

[Alafter]

No that is a big advantage to Nadal in my thinking.

Fed relies on putting his opponent away with well placed speedy balls, right? Clay court isnt going to help him because everything he sends to Nadal will slow down on touching the clay court? And we all know Nadal has endless stamina on clay, so he can essentially return everything.

On the other hands, balls landing on Fed's side wont do anything for fed...unless somehow the ball is substantially easier to put away directionally and speedily upon touching the grass court?

For some reason, I really think Nadal's advantage on the ball slowing down is much greater than Fed's advantage of being more familiar with how balls bounce on grass.

 

[zacinnc78]

wont they switch sides just like a normal match?so that both players experience both surfaces....

 

[Pete.Sampras.]

Well I thought that Fed will have an advantage. The ball will be in his comfort zone most of the times and he can attack just as he does on grass. Nadal's topspin is also not as good on grass as it is on clay.

But maybe you're right and Nadal's fighting abilities will win. I doubt that they will change sides during the match though...

 

[dh003i]

I think that the ball not raising so high on the grass side is insignificant compared to the speed reduction, and speed increase, on the clay and grass sides, respectively.

If Federer's on the grass side, that's a huge advantage to Nadal.

 

[Benhur]

But course they will switch sides! Just like in a regular match. Otherwise the advantage to the player on the clay side would be huge. I also read they will change shoes for the appropriate surface everytime they switch.

 

[hyrulemaster]

Federer would have a big disadvantage. Clay courts are better for defensive play, because of the high bounces and what not, so its better to have clay on your side as you can chase more balls down. Grass is much better for offensive play, because of lower bounces, so its better for the other guy to be on grass. So Nadal can defend better as he is on clay and his balls will attack Fed much better as he is on grass. Fed will have to defend more, and his shots wont be as offensive because Nadal can just chase them down.
So: Nadal - ad. in
Fed - ad. out


This is all of course, if they don't switch sides.

 

[z-money]

Well I thought that Fed will have an advantage. The ball will be in his comfort zone most of the times and he can attack just as he does on grass. Nadal's topspin is also not as good on grass as it is on clay.

But maybe you're right and Nadal's fighting abilities will win. I doubt that they will change sides during the match though...

the grass of wimbledon isnt as fast anymore. tim henman has been complaining about this. but they are trying to lengthen the rallies there. and when you compare how many short points those to have i thing you will find that the longer the point goes with these too it will benefit the spaniard. thats my logic anyway but it would still be hard to call because they met in the final in both last year and both were 4 setters. but nadal on clay has like 5-0 record on him and a 7-3 total. so im going with nadal

 

[janipyt05]

well seeing as that was rafa's second try at grass i'd say his got a better chance at getting wimbeldon than Fed has at R.G... Don't all of you start showing his flipping results i know them. Just stating what i see

 

[JohnS]

IMO, they wont make it a serious match and it will be only for advertisements and such.

Will this be televised on TTC? It certainly wont be on espn or any other national stations.

 

[allez_mike]

nah, the tennis channel isn't gonna air this match, although i wish they would...its a phenomenal match-up in my opinion, with a sweet twist to it too