Ferrer vs Gaudio: who had the better career?

[Navdeep Srivastava]

Sure but Ferrer wouldn't be favored over Coria either. Coria is a much better clay courter than Ferrer. So for Gaudio (who was a huge underdog) to beat Coria was still a huge win.

But here is more chance that Coria will choke again than Rafa. Coria was better on clay but not by much in comparison to Ferrer. Coria vs Ferrer comparison is like Lendl vs Wilander, anybody can win on its best day.

 

[duaneeo]

Sure but Ferrer wouldn't be favored over Coria either. Coria is a much better clay courter than Ferrer. So for Gaudio (who was a huge underdog) to beat Coria was still a huge win.

I agree that Gaudio's slam record is "better" than Ferrer's. His 1 slam title > Ferrer's SFs/QFs/1 slam final. But like Gaudio, Ferrer made the final of Roland Garros. What made the difference between Gaudio "reaching the pinnacle" and Ferrer "never doing so" is that Ferrer faced arguably the greatest clay court player ever (who was 7-0 in FO finals); Gaudio faced Guillermo Coria (who was playing in his first slam final, and with the added pressure of being the huge favorite).

Regardless, the thread asks who had the better career, and IMO 1 slam title does not make the better career. All Gaudio has over Ferrer is a lone slam title, so only those who think slam wins are everything would say Gaudio had the better career.

 

[edmondsm]

Ferrer without a doubt. Gaudio got red hot at the right moment and good for him. That's how history will remember him. Ferrer is an iron man who could have easily won a GS title if the cards had fallen like they did for Gaudio in 04'. The fact they didn't in no way detracts from the fact that Ferrer is twice the play Gaudio ever was.

 

[NatF]

Ferrer without a doubt. Gaudio got red hot at the right moment and good for him. That's how history will remember him. Ferrer is an iron man who could have easily won a GS title if the cards had fallen like they did for Gaudio in 04'. The fact they didn't in no way detracts from the fact that Ferrer is twice the play Gaudio ever was.

Doubt it. Not sure Ferrer has ever been that hot at a slam.