Hypothetical question for Big 3 fans...

[UnderratedSlam]

Your favourite Big 3 player is in a slam finale of the slam you (and/or he) value the most...

He is playing against another Big 3 player...

Your player gets injured at the beginning of the 5th set...

He is told by the ATP physician "If you continue playing you are almost certain to end your career with that injury. This could be your last match."

The ATP physician is correct in his assessment.

The slam finale in question is so important that it might very well decide the outcome of the (20-19-16) slam race.

Question: do you want him to pull out of the 5th set and hand over the victory to his rival, or do you want him to continue (assuming he will win if he continues)?

 

[Third Serve]

For Federer's own good, I'd like him to retire from the match even if it meant giving up the Slam race.

I would love for him to go out on a win, but only on his own terms.

Either way, it'd be a shame if the Slam race was settled by an injury.

 

[clayqueen]

Health and fitness are far better than setting records. I'm very happy with Rafa's achievements anything else will be icing on the cake.

 

[Towny]

I'd rather watch Federer play for longer without the slam record rather than see him crippled for life. Not least for Federer's own sake. Having the slam record is small comfort when you won't ever be able to play tennis competitively again

 

[UnderratedSlam]

Health and fitness are far better than setting records. I'm very happy with Rafa's achievements anything else will be icing on the cake.

To be frank, already at 14 slams I was saying he doesn't have to win any slams anymore, he'd done more than enough to rock the GOAT BOAT.

The fact he's won 5 more really put the GOAT debate into a state of chaos... or bliss. Depending on the fanbase.

He doesn't have to win 20 to prove anything. Not to expert tennis fans, anyway...

 

[clayqueen]

To be frank, already at 14 slams I was saying he doesn't have to win any slams anymore, he'd done more than enough to rock the GOAT BOAT.

The fact he's won 5 more really put the GOAT debate into a state of chaos... or bliss. Depending on the fanbase.

He doesn't have to win 20 to prove anything. Not to expert tennis fans, anyway...

Whatever happens, Rafa has his place in history as the King of Clay, no one can take that away from him. As far as the debatable GOAT is concerned, I have a feeling that 'they' will find a way of Fedr topping that poll, however they evaluate it. If Djokovic ends up with the most slams and most weeks at #1, it will be in the stats, but his profile will not eclipse Roger or Rafa because Roger and Rafa have defined this era like Borg and McEnroe. It is unfair but that's life.

 

[Phoenix1983]

I'm not sure what a slam "finale" is. Or is that the new marketing term for a final?

 

[UnderratedSlam]

Whatever happens, Rafa has his place in history as the King of Clay, no one can take that away from him. As far as the debatable GOAT is concerned, I have a feeling that 'they' will find a way of Fedr topping that poll, however they evaluate it. If Djokovic ends up with the most slams and most weeks at #1, it will be in the stats, but his profile will not eclipse Roger or Rafa because Roger and Rafa have defined this era like Borg and McEnroe. It is unfair but that's life.

It's not up to "experts" to declare anything. Facts don't lie, and facts say that the three are roughly equal in their success hence no verdict can be made. Not even close. Whoever eliminates Novak from the discussion or tries to diminish his stature is clueless and has an agenda.

But yeah, future knuckleheads will make simplistic bombastic declarations. It will be up to intelligent people to fight their ignorance. As per usual...

 

[UnderratedSlam]

I'm not sure what a slam "finale" is. Or is that the new marketing term for a final?

It's that 7th round match that ends the event.

No 8th round. Winner takes it all.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Easy, play the match lol Nadal did enough for me years ago. If I still need to find reasons to make him keep playing after all he's given me, something is wrong. Win Wimby or AO, retire on top, and enjoy your life.

 

[SaintPetros]

I'm not sure what a slam "finale" is. Or is that the new marketing term for a final?

I guess those neurons couldn't power you through to the resolution of this great mystery.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Tank deliberately to asterisk the win but not yourself.

 

[swordtennis]

Nothing comes before health. Took me a devastating injury and being crippled for 2 years to understand this fully.
So retire and play for another day all the way.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Nothing comes before health. Took me a devastating injury and being crippled for 2 years to understand this fully.
So retire and play for another day all the way.

This. No matter what.

 

[tennisaddict]

Federer is GOAT regardless . Health matters than the slam count

 

[Phoenix1983]

I guess those neurons couldn't power you through to the resolution of this great mystery.

I'm basically wondering why he's using the wrong word.

 

[UnderratedSlam]

I'm basically wondering why he's using the wrong word.

A "slam finale" is last two playing for de trophee, no?

 

[clayqueen]

It's not up to "experts" to declare anything. Facts don't lie, and facts say that the three are roughly equal in their success hence no verdict can be made. Not even close. Whoever eliminates Novak from the discussion or tries to diminish his stature is clueless and has an agenda.

But yeah, future knuckleheads will make simplistic bombastic declarations. It will be up to intelligent people to fight their ignorance. As per usual...

We have been fighting the Federer GOAT thing for almost a decade to no avail.

Whenever I see this Rolex advert I feel like throwing something at the TV. It is a complete misrepresentation of the facts but the wider world watches it for 2 weeks during every change of ends and believe that Federer has perpetual excellence at RG. To crown it all, Rafa is not even included in the advert because they only show the players they sponsor. This is the sort of thing I'm talking about.

Many commentators continuously bleat on that Federer has broken all the records, which is simply not true, who can stop them telling such blatant untruths?

 

[UnderratedSlam]

We have been fighting the Federer GOAT thing for almost a decade to no avail.

Whenever I see this Rolex advert I feel like throwing something at the TV. It is a complete misrepresentation of the facts but the wider world watches it for 2 weeks during every change of ends and believe that Federer has perpetual excellence at RG. To crown it all, Rafa is not even included in the advert because they only show the players they sponsor. This is the sort of thing I'm talking about.

Many commentators continuously bleat on that Federer has broken all the records, which is simply not true, who can stop them telling such blatant untruths?

It is very difficult, sometimes impossible, to delete 15 years of intense brainwashing.

The cult around RF... is exactly that, a cult. A sort of religion almost. You can't expect people to give up their 15-year beliefs so quickly. It takes a lot of time, eventually most of them will get it.

 

[OhYes]

I would like Djokovic to continue playing, and at match point to get retirement injury, just so Fed fans would be kind to him once again like they were while he was lousy in the beginning of 2018, and to say - Djokovic didn't fake his injury.
Just kidding ofc, I know even then usual suspects would scream at his gamesmanship.

 

[clayqueen]

It is very difficult, sometimes impossible, to delete 15 years of intense brainwashing.

The cult around RF... is exactly that, a cult. A sort of religion almost. You can't expect people to give up their 15-year beliefs so quickly. It takes a lot of time, eventually most of them will get it.

That's what I meant by my comment at #6.

Talk to anyone who is not a tennis anorak and Federer has won everything and unassailable in their heads. I once had a heated discussion with a couple of friends who fervently believe that Federer let Murray win the Olympic Gold in 2012 because it was on his home turf and he was being nice. They just wouldn't buy the idea that Federer badly wants a single's gold medal. They believe that he would never lose to Murray unless he didn't really care.

 

[UnderratedSlam]

I would like Djokovic to continue playing, and at match point to get retirement injury, just so Fed fans would be kind to him once again like they were while he was lousy in the beginning of 2018, and to say - Djokovic didn't fake his injury.
Just kidding ofc, I know even then usual suspects would scream at his gamesmanship.

Yes, but these usual suspects are irrelevant...

 

[UnderratedSlam]

That's what I meant by my comment at #6.

Talk to anyone who is not a tennis anorak and Federer has won everything and unassailable in their heads. I once had a heated discussion with a couple of friends who fervently believe that Federer let Murray win the Olympic Gold in 2012 because it was on his home turf and he was being nice. They just wouldn't buy the idea that Federer badly wants a single's gold medal. They believe that he would never lose to Murray unless he didn't really care.

You won't believe this, but when Novak lost W13 to Murray 0-3, which was a bit amazing, MANY people in Serbia were convinced Novak was BRIBED by the Queen to let Murray win the title.

People are sooooooooo sssssssssssssssss...

Strange.

I asked some of them: "Don't you realize that you are saying that your idol Novak is a bribable moron?..."

Besides, HOW do you possible bribe a guy who had earned close to 50 or 100 mill by that point? Send him a check for 15 million? 30 million?

People are such iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii...

 

[clayqueen]

You won't believe this, but when Novak lost W13 to Murray 0-3, which was a bit amazing, MANY people in Serbia were convinced Novak was BRIBED by the Queen to let Murray win the title.

People are sooooooooo sssssssssssssssss...

Strange.

 

[Frank Bannister]

We have been fighting the Federer GOAT thing for almost a decade to no avail.

Whenever I see this Rolex advert I feel like throwing something at the TV. It is a complete misrepresentation of the facts but the wider world watches it for 2 weeks during every change of ends and believe that Federer has perpetual excellence at RG. To crown it all, Rafa is not even included in the advert because they only show the players they sponsor. This is the sort of thing I'm talking about.

Many commentators continuously bleat on that Federer has broken all the records, which is simply not true, who can stop them telling such blatant untruths?

It's not a Richard Mille commercial.

What do you expect?

 

[clayqueen]

It's not a Richard Mille commercial.

What do you expect?

It's at RG and Federer hasn't got perpetual excellence there.

 

[Frank Bannister]

It's at RG and Federer hasn't got perpetual excellence there.

He's a RG Champion.

I promise everyone knows that Rafa is Kwing of Kway.

 

[clayqueen]

Some are born great - Rafael Nadal
Some achieve greatness - Novak Djokovic
Some have greatness bestowed upon them - Roger Federer

 

[clayqueen]

He's a RG Champion.

I promise everyone knows that Rafa is Kwing of Kway.

Once is not perpetual.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Some are born great - Rafael Nadal
Some achieve greatness - Novak Djokovic
Some have greatness bestowed upon them - Roger Federer

Does Federer bestow fat L's upon Nadal?

 

[OhYes]

Yes, but these usual suspects are irrelevant...

Like individuals yes they are. Like a pack of smely hyenas they can be pretty annoying.

 

[UnderratedSlam]

He's a RG Champion.

A vultured slam.

Rolex should have an ad campaign like...

"Is it a bird? Is it a Swiss Air plane?...

It's a bird alright. A vulture. From the Alps.

Buy Rolex. To be a proper vulture who wins absentee slams. Be proud. Make us rich. Belieeeee18eveeeee".

Something to that effect...

 

[ForehandRF]

Some are born great - Rafael Nadal
Some achieve greatness - Novak Djokovic
Some have greatness bestowed upon them - Roger Federer

This post shows that you have an anti Fed bias.No wonder

 

[clayqueen]

He's a RG Champion.

 

[Frank Bannister]

A vultured slam.

Rolex should have an ad campaign like...

"Is it a bird? Is it a Swiss Air plane?...

It's a bird alright. A vulture. From the Alps.

Buy Rolex. To be a proper vulture. Be proud. Make us rich. Belieeeee18eveeeee".

Something to that effect...

He faced the man that beat Nadal.

That's not vulturing.

 

[Frank Bannister]

Does Federer bestow fat L's upon Nadal?

The latest in the series of L's.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

.

 

[clayqueen]

The latest in the series of L's.

Let's not go down that road.

 

[Frank Bannister]

haha, the low-speed leg swing kills.

Nadsworth slayed by the geezer a-gain.

The leg swing... He had to have practiced that

 

[Deleted member 743561]

The leg swing... He had to have practiced that

Hehe, possibly.

Looked a bit fatigued to me, but who knows.

Any way you slice it, Nad was shown the door by a 38-year-old.

 

[Frank Bannister]

Hehe, possibly.

Looked a bit fatigued to me, but who knows.

Any way you slice it, Nad was shown the door by a 38-year-old.

Just a weak era champion though as they say...

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Whenever I see this Rolex advert I feel like throwing something at the TV. It is a complete misrepresentation of the facts but the wider world watches it for 2 weeks during every change of ends and believe that Federer has perpetual excellence at RG.

Federer displays a perpetual excellence at RG. That is a fact.

To crown it all, Rafa is not even included in the advert because they only show the players they sponsor.

Yes, it is an scandal and a outrage that Rolex doesn't include a player that is advertising a competitive product to their own ......

when you are in la-la land.

This is the sort of thing I'm talking about..

It is an advertisement aimed at pointing the attention of the spectators towards the brand .... for those that can afford it it is just a watch commercial. For those that can't it is a conspiracy related to the GOAT debate.

 

[fmadej]

for those that can afford it it is just a watch commercial. For those that can't it is a conspiracy related to the GOAT debate.

I surely can't afford a Rolex yet, not sure what was that meant to be? A dig at less wealthy or on this poster alone?

 

[Tennis_Hands]

I surely can't afford a Rolex yet, not sure what was that meant to be? A dig at less wealthy or on this poster alone?

It is neither. It is an observation that people that don't view Rolex as a product (those that can't afford it) are focusing on other things about that commercial. It is another matter that the poster is focusing on the other aspects in the most hilarious way, as no company that is in its right mind will give its competitors the time of day in their ad campaigns picturing those competitors in a positive light. Rolex is a serious company (certainly the most serious independent watchmaker in the industry) to make that sort of stupid mistakes, which makes the angry rant even more hilarious.

 

[MichaelNadal]

The latest in the series of L's.

Lol as good as it might feel, Nadal has dropped way more L's on Fed. And more important ones. 40-15 and the US Open ripped these gifs to pieces lol

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Lol as good as it might feel, Nadal has dropped way more L's on Fed. And more important ones. 40-15 and the US Open ripped these gifs to pieces lol

No, dude.

RF took his lumps on clay, and it altered the rest of the match-ups. Nadal was also fortunate that the Tour made hard courts as clay-like as possible for him.

There's no getting around the fact that Nadal is owned by a guy closing on 40.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Lol as good as it might feel, Nadal has dropped way more L's on Fed. And more important ones. 40-15 and the US Open ripped these gifs to pieces lol

Nothing can rip to pieces a win over a 5 years younger ATG achieved at the age of 38. Nothing. You are too young to understand what such wins mean to the legacy of a player, so you can go on about "epicness" as much as you like. It doesn't matter.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Lol as good as it might feel, Nadal has dropped way more L's on Fed. And more important ones. 40-15 and the US Open ripped these gifs to pieces lol

AO17 trumps it all.

 

[MichaelNadal]

No, dude.

RF took his lumps on clay, and it altered the rest of the match-ups. Nadal was also fortunate that the Tour made hard courts as clay-like as possible for him.

There's no getting around the fact that Nadal is owned by a guy closing on 40.

Im cool with every bit of that #19

AO17 trumps it all.

I can understand a Maestronian clinging to Federer finally beating Rafa outdoors after a decade of stomps.

Nothing can rip to pieces a win over a 5 years younger ATG achieved at the age of 38. Nothing. You are too young to understand what such wins mean to the legacy of a player, so you can go on about "epicness" as much as you like. It doesn't matter.

Im 34, and I was very much present when Fed was dominating. I understand, it just doesn't mean a hill of beans when Nadal has caught up now. Im not the one that had 2 match points to shut me up lol, just the messenger

 

[Deleted member 743561]

#19

P.S. For now...