Federer 'won't be destroyed' if Nadal beats his grand slam record

[Mike Sams]

Been saying it on here for years, some Fed fans have started to realise it's happening, now Fed himself is coming around. Fed is not the GOAT.

Mike Tyson also isn't the GOAT in boxing but he's still the most popular boxer who ever lived because he was a bad mofo and people still talk about him to this day more than any other boxer.
Federer always drew more tickets than Nadal and Djokovic. He was always more popular than both of them throughout the world. People loved his silky smooth ballet-like sublime all-court style of play more than the injury-prone grinding bull Nadal and the baseline robot Djokovic. Far more people would adopt the Federer style of tennis than the other guys. For that reason, Federer will always be considered one of the greats. To me they're all legends but until Nadal wins 21 Slams, Federer will have to stay as the GOAT for now. Although Nadal should pass the record in 2020 if he's in top shape.

 

[Krish0608]

Once in 7 attempts, in Nadal's worst season when he was being beaten by everyone. Nadal spanked him the other 6 times. Let's not get carried away (especially when Djoker still went on to lose the French after beating the weakest version of Rafa possible).

I think it's more interesting that Nadal beat the so-called "Hardcourt GOAT" twice in the final of the US Open, when Djokovic was at his best.

Well, to Novak's credit, Rafa has not taken a set off him on hardcourts for the last 5 years, forget about a match. He's won something like 18-0 sets on a trot against Nadal. That's brutal.

 

[Mike Sams]

Well, to Novak's credit, Rafa has not taken a set off him on hardcourts for the last 5 years, forget about a match. He's won something like 18-0 sets on a trot against Nadal. That's brutal.

Nadal is the GOAT on clay for sure. Definitely not the GOAT on grass or hardcourts. But if we're talking overall GOAT, it should be measured by Slam count. So therefore Federer is still GOAT until Nadal wins 21 Slams. So Nadal has to win 2 more Slams to make it official.

 

[BringBackSV]

Mike Tyson also isn't the GOAT in boxing but he's still the most popular boxer who ever lived because he was a bad mofo and people still talk about him to this day more than any other boxer.
Federer always drew more tickets than Nadal and Djokovic. He was always more popular than both of them throughout the world. People loved his silky smooth ballet-like sublime all-court style of play more than the injury-prone grinding bull Nadal and the baseline robot Djokovic. Far more people would adopt the Federer style of tennis than the other guys. For that reason, Federer will always be considered one of the greats. To me they're all legends but until Nadal wins 21 Slams, Federer will have to stay as the GOAT for now. Although Nadal should pass the record in 2020 if he's in top shape.

Tyson was the most famous boxer ever?

 

[Mike Sams]

Tyson was the most famous boxer ever?

I would've said Ali or Ray Robinson or Joe Louis first but most of today's gen (kids and teens) don't have a clue who they are. More of today's younger gen seem to know Tyson because of "The Hangover" movies.
So I'll have to put Tyson as the most famous boxer of all. Tight race though. Could go to Ali because of what he stood for and being an active figure for black americans during the civil rights movement. I'd say Tyson's had more of an impact in pop culture in terms of his name and likeness over the past few generations. Plus Federer said he stopped taking an interest in boxing after Tyson retired so there's that.

 

[BringBackSV]

I would've said Ali or Ray Robinson or Joe Louis first but most of today's gen (kids and teens) don't have a clue who they are. More of today's younger gen seem to know Tyson because of "The Hangover" movies.
So I'll have to put Tyson as the most famous boxer of all. Tight race though. Could go to Ali but not many people liked Ali's style as much as Tyson's. I'd say Tyson's had more of an impact in pop culture in terms of his name and likeness.

I'd throw Dempsey in there too but I'd vote for Ali.

 

[Mike Sams]

I'd throw Dempsey in there too but I'd vote for Ali.

Funny story: Mike Tyson a few years ago went to a school to do a lecture. Before his speech, they showed a video on the screen of his boxing highlights. All the kids in the auditorium had no clue he was a boxer. They thought he was just the "black guy from The Hangover". LOL!!!!

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nadal is the GOAT on clay for sure. Definitely not the GOAT on grass or hardcourts. But if we're talking overall GOAT, it should be measured by Slam count. So therefore Federer is still GOAT until Nadal wins 21 Slams. So Nadal has to win 2 more Slams to make it official.

Will he do it?

 

[Mike Sams]

It's strange to think that in just 10 years since his retirement in 2005, a whole generation of people (aged 18 and under) don't even know who Mike Tyson is.
Imagine in about 15 years from now, young kids coming onto this forum won't know who Nadal, Federer and Djokovic are.

 

[Mike Sams]

Will he do it?

I think he will. If he wins RG (big time favourite) in 2020 and 1 more Slam (one of the favourites for AO, Wimbledon and USO) then he can get the record. Although the Slam race doesn't end there. Djokovic and Federer are there in the race and will be competing too. So we'll see.

 

[Marfrilau]

Lol...Federer loses and says he is injured. Not being pedantic but that hardly qualifies as evidence

So the fact that his opponent said it aswell count for nothing?

 

[Gary Duane]

It's an inconvenient truth that Nadal has a career H2H advantage over Fed, so it's a factor. It would be more conclusive if the H2H was not so weighted towards clay, but regardless it is an important factor. I recall no instance in the past when two ATGs playing in the same era were not confronted by a H2H analysis. Recently both Mac and Lendl talked about it between them.

It's also an inconvenient truth that Nadal has failed to win a single WTF. Finals sometimes determining ranking for the year have always been considered important.

The thing that makes the 3-way slam race so interesting is that not only are Fedal now very close but also that it could get much closer if Djokovic regains health and goes on another spree. I have thought for years that the Big 3 are very close in accomplishments and that convincing arguments can be made why any one of them should be considered best - which is why I look at them as pretty equal right now and have felt that way for some time.

OK. Now fans from all three groups can aim their hate at me.

 

[Gary Duane]

Because your logic doesn't make any sense. Nobody ever said Federer wasn't great. Federer already has GOAT status, whether he will become the 1st GOAT or not doesn't matter anymore.

What is "1st GOAT"?

Either you believe in the GOAT concept, or you don't. If you do, there can be only one, like Highlander.

 

[Mike Sams]

It's an inconvenient truth that Nadal has a career H2H advantage over Fed, so it's a factor. It would be more conclusive if the H2H was not so weighted towards clay, but regardless it is an important factor. I recall no instance in the past when two ATGs playing in the same era were not confronted by a H2H analysis. Recently both Mac and Lendl talked about it between them.

It's also an inconvenient truth that Nadal has failed to win a single WTF. Finals sometimes determining ranking for the year have always been considered important.

The thing that makes the 3-way slam race so interesting is that not only are Fedal now very close but also that it could get much closer if Djokovic regains health and goes on another spree. I have thought for years that the Big 3 are very close in accomplishments and that convincing arguments can be made why any one of them should be considered best - which is why I look at them as pretty equal right now and have felt that way for some time.

OK. Now fans from all three groups can aim their hate at me.

Do you think Djokovic has one more big surge left in him as he nears age 33? Can he go on another 2015-2016 tear or 2018-2019 tear where he won 5 out of 6 Slams and 4 out of 5 Slams respectively during both periods? I feel 2020 is going to be a crucial season for the big 3. The Slam race could go on for several more years even if Nadal hits 20. If Nadal wins 1 Slam next season and Djokovic wins the other 3, then it could be very very interesting indeed. Although I'm starting to think that we could be seeing a changing of guard pretty soon. I don't know how much longer Nadal and Djokovic can keep this up.

 

[Gary Duane]

Do you think Djokovic has one more big surge left in him as he nears age 33?

Man, I HAVE NO IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've totally given up trying to predict what the Big 3 can or will do. I have no idea if all the younger guys and their contemporaries were/are so much worse, or if they really are as good as they seem some days. I'd love to be around another 30 years to put it all into perspective, but that would make me 101 and people in my family don't live that long.

Can he go on another 2015-2016 tear or 2018-2019 tear where he won 5 out of 6 Slams and 4 out of 5 Slams respectively during both periods? I feel 2020 is going to be a crucial season for the big 3. The Slam race could go on for several more years even if Nadal hits 20. If Nadal wins 1 Slam next season and Djokovic wins the other 3, then it could be very very interesting indeed. Although I'm starting to think that we could be seeing a changing of guard pretty soon. I don't know how much longer Nadal and Djokovic can keep this up.

I'm with you. I won't see that Nadovic can't keep it up, and I won't even rule out another major for Fed, but I'd really rather see them maybe grab a couple more slams but open the door for younger players. I do think their dominance has kept a lid on everything. So many years of not breaking through has given everyone else PTSD, and the older they are, the worse it is for them.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Mike Tyson also isn't the GOAT in boxing but he's still the most popular boxer who ever lived because he was a bad mofo and people still talk about him to this day more than any other boxer.
Federer always drew more tickets than Nadal and Djokovic. He was always more popular than both of them throughout the world. People loved his silky smooth ballet-like sublime all-court style of play more than the injury-prone grinding bull Nadal and the baseline robot Djokovic. Far more people would adopt the Federer style of tennis than the other guys. For that reason, Federer will always be considered one of the greats. To me they're all legends but until Nadal wins 21 Slams, Federer will have to stay as the GOAT for now. Although Nadal should pass the record in 2020 if he's in top shape.

Lots of good points there. Although I would argue that Ali, not Tyson is the most popular boxer that ever lived.

 

[lethalsnake]

Djokovic beat your so called GOAT at RG in straight sets.

yeah he did but we all know what happened to rafa in 2015 if it wernt djokovic some one else wouldve beaten him later on, he was terrible.

 

[UnderratedSlam]

ANy evidence?

Yeah, sure. I´ve personally attended to Roger´s injuries, and will provide you with 1000 photos and documents that show in detail how his back was injured. I shall place them on mega.nz and you can study them for hours...

 

[UnderratedSlam]

And you know this how? You know how pathetic you look, making personal attacks on somebody's wife you hardly know.

I hardly knew any dictator´s wives either, yet somehow I know they were not good people.

How do I know? Magic.

Btw, she´s his manager and a former pro, not some trophy wife. She is absolutely fair game here, she´s part of the biz.

 

[Slybluesam]

Yeah, sure. I´ve personally attended to Roger´s injuries, and will provide you with 1000 photos and documents that show in detail how his back was injured. I shall place them on mega.nz and you can study them for hours...

Anyone with a bad back knows a player wouldn’t be able to move let alone play 5 sets!!

 

[Slybluesam]

So the fact that his opponent said it aswell count for nothing?

Baby Fed blindly following what his idol says....shock horror!

 

[Slybluesam]

...and still Didn't address the point I made. Lol

Address mine first as mine is more relevant

 

[UnderratedSlam]

Anyone with a bad back knows a player wouldn’t be able to move let alone play 5 sets!!

Clearly you are the medical sports expert here, but I do wonder why you´re not applying your vast knowledge and skill set on the tour instead of posting here?

 

[UnderratedSlam]

Anyone with a bad back knows a player wouldn’t be able to move let alone play 5 sets!!

Clearly you are the medical sports expert here, but I do wonder why you´re not applying your vast knowledge and skill set on the tour instead of posting here?

 

[Mike Sams]

Surprising that Djokovic hasn't made an RG final in the past 3 years. Or probably not so surprising seeing that he has no answers for Thiem on Paris clay these days.

 

[stingstang]

Weeks at no.1 is totally overrated. Once you're there, it's in your hands - you just have to not lose. To stay at say, no.14, for years would be a much more impressive feat.

 

[Marfrilau]

Anyone with a bad back knows a player wouldn’t be able to move let alone play 5 sets!!

So by that logic Nadal wasn't injured in AO14? Or can someone injured play 4 sets but not 5?

 

[Slybluesam]

So by that logic Nadal wasn't injured in AO14? Or can someone injured play 4 sets but not 5?

Nadal couldn’t move!!! Rewatch the match. You and me would have beat him

 

[Slybluesam]

Clearly you are the medical sports expert here, but I do wonder why you´re not applying your vast knowledge and skill set on the tour instead of posting here?

My fee is too high apparently

 

[Marfrilau]

Nadal couldn’t move!!! Rewatch the match. You and me would have beat him

He couldn't move but won a set? Suuuure.

 

[Slybluesam]

He couldn't move but won a set? Suuuure.

Wawrinka got tight....otherwise would have been straight sets.

But in any event you contradict your own argument lol

 

[KINGROGER]

Been saying it on here for years, some Fed fans have started to realise it's happening, now Fed himself is coming around. Fed is not the GOAT.

Neither is Nadal

 

[Slybluesam]

Neither is Nadal

Yes Nadal is. Ask Laver . Did u miss his tweet? Clearly inferred Nadal is GOAT as has every ex pro since two weeks ago.

 

[Marfrilau]

Wawrinka got tight....otherwise would have been straight sets.

But in any event you contradict your own argument lol

What argument am I contradicting exactly?

 

[KINGROGER]

Yes Nadal is. Ask Laver . Did u miss his tweet? Clearly inferred Nadal is GOAT as has every ex pro since two weeks ago.

No chance

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Neither is Nadal

Yet...

 

[The_Order]

Federer might not be completely destroyed, but some of his delusional brethren certainly will be

 

[FedrMatt]

He looked pretty destroyed after 40-15. Cincinatti he looked in a state of flux and as soon as he got remotely challenged in anew york (dimitrov was not that good) Federer folded as if he simply didn’t have the stomach for working through points.

Whether his despair is the likelihood of Nadal overtaking him or the fact he is 0-3 v Djokovic in Wimbledon finals I’m unsure.

His body language at Laver Cup will be interesting . Expect to see him over do the pumped upness.

Or the fact that he had a back injury

 

[FedrMatt]

Rafa is already GOAT. Tbh he was a long time ago.

Did you know in MajorsFederer is 10-20 v Nadal and Djokovic? Djokovic is 16-15 and Nadal 19-10.

On the above stat alone it’s absurd to even consider Federer as a challenger for GOAT with such a record like that at the biggest events v his two biggest rivals.

Rafa is not GOAT. He isn’t even above Djokovic.

 

[Slybluesam]

Rafa is not GOAT. He isn’t even above Djokovic.

Lol keep telling yourself that if it helps. Meanwhile rest of the world accepts Nadal is GOAT. Winning is the key

 

[FedrMatt]

Lol keep telling yourself that if it helps. Meanwhile rest of the world accepts Nadal is GOAT. Winning is the key

Nadal isn’t GOAT though

Winning is key? Both Djokovic and Federer have won more than Nadal at 2/4 and 3/4 slams.

 

[Slybluesam]

No chance

Lol read Laver tweet after Nadal owned USO again...there for all to see

 

[FedrMatt]

Lol read Laver tweet after Nadal owned USO again...there for all to see

Lol he’s not th GOAT. He’s worse than Djokovic at 2/4 slams and worse than Federer at 3/4 slams.

He also hasn’t beaten either off clay in 5+ years

 

[FedrMatt]

Correction. Nadal 10-4 Federer at Majors ...19 majors won during Federer and Djokovic peak...Federer has 7 when Nadal and Djokovic peak so Federer not even close to either Nadal or Djokovic.

As for your 2 out of 4 slam remark that is so laughable it’s made my day...just re read what you put lmao.

Sorry dude...Nadal universally accepted as GOAT only Djokovic his rival. Winning what counts.

Your main argument is h2h. That always has been and always will be irrelevant.

By that standard, Djokovic is GOAT

And of course, it’s Federer’s fault for being born when he was lol. Why are you people so dim witted?

 

[Slybluesam]

Your main argument is h2h. That always has been and always will be irrelevant.

By that standard, Djokovic is GOAT

And of course, it’s Federer’s fault for being born when he was lol. Why are you people so dim witted?

Dude goatness is defined by being the best . Federer was found out by Nadal and Djokovic.

And the h2h Nadal v Djokovic is 9-6 in best of 5 set matches the ultimate test. You donrealise Majors are best of 5?

And you have just contradicted yourself . Nadal has 19 majors Djokovic 16. That’s not about h2h is it. Federer won 13 majors before Nadal and Djokovic we’re out of there teens and as this year shows when all three are playing well it has always been Federer not winning Majors. The evidence is as clear as a bell. Wimbledon 2019 was the match that made people finally wake up to him being third of his era. 40-15...

 

[FedrMatt]

Dude goatness is defined by being the best . Federer was found out by Nadal and Djokovic.

And the h2h Nadal v Djokovic is 9-6 in best of 5 set matches the ultimate test. You donrealise Majors are best of 5?

And you have just contradicted yourself . Nadal has 19 majors Djokovic 16. That’s not about h2h is it. Federer won 13 majors before Nadal and Djokovic we’re out of there teens and as this year shows when all three are playing well it has always been Federer not winning Majors. The evidence is as clear as a bell. Wimbledon 2019 was the match that made people finally wake up to him being third of his era. 40-15...

You just contradicted everything you said with your last sentence.

Federer has played in 3 eras and set the standard in all and the others are 6 years younger and still haven’t caught him.

He will always be the best and there’s nothing you can do about it

 

[FedrMatt]

Stop crying lol. U will run out of salt. So u just admitted Federer is 3rd as having 6 years longer to pile on wins yet he now only 1 Majors ahead( well 0 given Nadal wins FO annually) and only 3 ahead of Djokovic.

Federer was the top dog when Roddick and phillipousis and Hewitt were his main rivals no doubt. All went a bit sour when Nadal Djokovic and Murray and Delpo arrived..cilic as well.

He has had a great career and being third best of this era is nothing to be ashamed of at all

I never admitted anything other than Roger being the greatest

 

[sliceroni]

It was very rough after Wimbledon for him, but that's obviously normal. He'll be fine. He's got a lot of family support, and kids to distract him. Don't forget he's one the most admired athletes of all time so he has that support too. People with kids can understand and related. They can distract you and help you move on from far more catastrophic events such as the death of close family member.

 

[weakera]

It was very rough after Wimbledon for him, but that's obviously normal. He'll be fine. He's got a lot of family support, and kids to distract him. Don't forget he's one the most admired athletes of all time so he has that support too. People with kids can understand and related. They can distract you and help you move on from far more catastrophic events such as the death of close family member.

Lol at comparing 40-15 to the death of a family member

 

[sliceroni]

Lol at comparing 40-15 to the death of a family member

Lol sorry to get dark there. Just putting things into perspective, nobody died he'll be fine.