Federer talking about playing Rafa on clay

Still fearing the KOC, he better keep it real :)

Rafael+Nadal+French+Open+Roland+Garros+2008+SPLYN4YW4Mhl.jpg
 
Sudacafan said:
Federer seems to be afraid, and he doesn’t event want to hide it.
Click to expand...

Fed’s become a zen master of motivation.

Just enough for self-belief and not too much to be overwhelmed by burden of expectation.

It’s a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore like an idiot.

This is exactly how he should be talking if he intends to make a run at RG.
 
MichaelNadal said:
In all seriousness, Nadal was so deadly at RG last year, no one except a previous version of himself maybe, could have touched that. Idk if he even broke a sweat.
Click to expand...
Yes, I have no problem to admit that as a Federer fan.

But still, Rafa could have a 2015/16 type of clay season, and then Roger definitely has his chances. Even against the 2014 version of Rafa I wouldn’t rule it out.

So how likely is the „absolutely no chance“ scenario really?
 
merwy said:
Oh pleeaase.. typical TW style to take such a PC answer of Fed seriously and then conclude he’s afraid of Nadal.
Click to expand...
It's pretty clear that he doesn't really believe in his chances vs Nadal on clay. That's not fear, that's sense, and I think Fed is long over the fact that he'll never beat Nadal at Roland Garros.
 
merwy said:
Oh pleeaase.. typical TW style to take such a PC answer of Fed seriously and then conclude he’s afraid of Nadal.
Click to expand...
I’m relieved then, as this shouldn’t be taken seriously. So Federer's gonna play clay tournaments after all?
 
Last edited:
Fed's playing a very dangerous game if he's really considering clay. It's not just Rafa who can take him out there, it's virtually any player with a decent clay game.
Fed's results in his last 3 participations in the FO were QF, 4R, QF, and the last one was 3 years back!
It really is in vain.
 
Continue that hype and make him feel just comfortable on clay. This is a modified version of the 2017 comment ‘Go and thrash everyone on clay’ comment after Miami
 
Hydrocella said:
Maybe he’s planning for the poker tour after his tennis career?

He really knows when to hold and when to fold in the pressers. It’s amazing.
Click to expand...

Well, Rafa is said to be a pretty good poker player himself. Imagine if they were to meet in a poker tournament! I can already see the 'No excuses!' and 'Federer should fold' threads.

FederErizeD said:
Fed's playing a very dangerous game if he's really considering clay. It's not just Rafa who can take him out there, it's virtually any player with a decent clay game.
Fed's results in his last 3 participations in the FO were QF, 4R, QF, and the last one was 3 years back!
It really is in vain.
Click to expand...

IMO, it's dangerous only if he gets injured. Losing to a player who is not Rafa will be just a minor setback. Plus, any win on clay is free points that may be crucial at year-end.

Unless Roger wants to set the record for fewest losses in a year. Then he indeed should avoid clay.
 
Sounds like mind games to me. Not saying he doesn't believe it, but it goes well with the humbalito persona he seems to have adopted since last year.
 
helixx said:
hc is dead for me already:(
Click to expand...

I can’t say I ever really cared much for hard courts myself. Wimby and RG have always been my favourite slams, and surfaces.

But I’m also a bit of a tennis snob so my views probably could use a bit of updating. If I had my way everyone would come out in smoking jackets and sets would have tea breaks.
 
Fed afraid? Of that pipsqueak? Not anymore. The tide has turned.
He owns Nadal now. By 2020 Nads will be begging Roger for Severin's
job. Roger will send a few cabana boys his way and that should
occupy him. Roger's just messing with Mt Baldy's head on this one.
He'll bluff it right up to the eve of RG, "Will he, won't he?", and drive
the beady eyed sweathog from hell around the bend. Nads will be
so discombobulated by all the confusion he'll go belly up in the 1st
round to a qualifier. Federer will defeat him without even having to
play him! It's a brilliant strategy. Toni will be wildly impressed.

The only person Roger is afraid of is Mirka. Can you blame him?
She's terrifying.
 
Steve0904 said:
The last part of his statement is very telling to me. He's curious, but I don't think he's curious enough or stupid enough to play on clay.

"...but I don't think I'll necessarily have better chances now than before."
Click to expand...

You might be right but it does sound like he would love to meet Nadal at one point in the future on Clay just to see if he can match up to him which could very well happen if he desires.
 
Soul_Evisceration said:
You might be right but it does sound like he would love to meet Nadal at one point in the future on Clay just to see if he can match up to him which could very well happen if he desires.
Click to expand...

It might happen in future, but tbh I can't see it happening while they're 1 and 2. Maybe in Madrid, but I don't think Federer would make the finals in Rome or MC, and RG is an even longer shot obviously.
 
MichaelNadal said:
In all seriousness, Nadal was so deadly at RG last year, no one except a previous version of himself maybe, could have touched that. Idk if he even broke a sweat.
Click to expand...
I have to disagree there. ;) I think 2008 Nadal beats 2017 Nadal at RG 7-6, 6-4, 6-1. In fact I think there's a very generous scoreline. It would probably be more of a blow out than that.
 
Im(moral) Winner said:
Even 2008 Djokovic did better than that. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
No he didn't. The above scoreline has 2017 Nadal hanging with 08 Nadal the first couple sets. Seems dubious to me that would actually happen, but the only reason Djokovic wasn't thumped 4, 2, and 2 was because Nadal lost concentration after going up a double break in the third.
 
metsman said:
No he didn't. The above scoreline has 2017 Nadal hanging with 08 Nadal the first couple sets. Seems dubious to me that would actually happen, but the only reason Djokovic wasn't thumped 4, 2, and 2 was because Nadal lost concentration after going up a double break in the third.
Click to expand...
He wouldn't lose concentration against last year's Parera?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Rafa talking in very positive terms about playing a full clay court season and then Wimbledon
2
Replies
80
Views
3K
aman92
aman92
GrassMasters
It's hard to compare Clay achievements before and after Rafa
Replies
11
Views
514
messiahrobins
messiahrobins
Otacon
What Federer Really Thinks of Clay
Replies
31
Views
4K
ChrisRF
C
TheFifthSet
Why Rafa is so great on clay.....
Replies
23
Views
3K
ALCARAZWON
ALCARAZWON
Raining hopes
Rafael Nadal is an absolute God on clay.
Replies
26
Views
2K
moonballs
moonballs
Back
Top