N
nikdom
Guest
Not too long ago, I confessed that if Nadal crosses Sampras' GS figure, I'd have to start considering him as serious GOAT contender even if he is behind a couple of slams from Federer.
Today, I think I'm ready to say that even as I think Roger is the best player I've seen (subjective), Nadal will be the GOAT if he wins no.15 at Wimby 2014.
Why this condition when some already consider him the best ever?
1. First of all, if he hadn't at least equaled Sampras' record, Nadal's only claim would be a self-referential personal record over Federer. (Nadal is greatest because he beat the greatest). With 14 under his belt and within spitting distance of Roger's record, the H2H is definitely now a decider.
2. If he wins Wimbledon again, not only does Nadal cross Sampras but he does a 3 peat of FO-Wimby back to back. No matter your fidelity, that is an impressive achievement and I daresay better than YE masters trophies . Surely Federer will do his best to stop him and if that doesn't work, then one can't reasonably say Federer is better when he couldn't defend his most cherished surface. Prime or not, whether he agrees or not, this is what Roger is playing for....to try and put some more distance between himself and Nadal.
3. Back when there was a comfortable 6-7 slam difference between the two, it was disrespectful to Roger's achievements and illogical to simply use the H2H as a way to say Nadal is a better player. But even if both guys retired with 15 and 17 respectively, can anyone argue H2H doesn't make a dent in their comparison. And not only that but Olympic gold, Davis cup, winning record against peers and finally sheer respect from the whole tennis community including from Roger?.... it'd be hard to argue against it at that point IMO.
Now what happens if Nadal doesn't win Wimbledon this year? Well, then I'd have to delay this discussion some more. Perhaps he'll cross it at the USO or AO and then we'd be back to the same point. But what if never wins another slam again for some reason? Then it'd be hard to argue he's greatest when Sampras has at least equal claim.
What happens with Fed wins at Wimby and gets to no. 18? Well, again, we'd have to kick the can down the road. At that point, it'd be wiser to wait until both are retired to see where they end up.
One thing is certain though... anyone denying at this point that Nadal is even in contention for the GOAT discussion is a partisan dreamer. The guy is in the Top 5 best players to ever play the game, that's for sure.
Today, I think I'm ready to say that even as I think Roger is the best player I've seen (subjective), Nadal will be the GOAT if he wins no.15 at Wimby 2014.
Why this condition when some already consider him the best ever?
1. First of all, if he hadn't at least equaled Sampras' record, Nadal's only claim would be a self-referential personal record over Federer. (Nadal is greatest because he beat the greatest). With 14 under his belt and within spitting distance of Roger's record, the H2H is definitely now a decider.
2. If he wins Wimbledon again, not only does Nadal cross Sampras but he does a 3 peat of FO-Wimby back to back. No matter your fidelity, that is an impressive achievement and I daresay better than YE masters trophies . Surely Federer will do his best to stop him and if that doesn't work, then one can't reasonably say Federer is better when he couldn't defend his most cherished surface. Prime or not, whether he agrees or not, this is what Roger is playing for....to try and put some more distance between himself and Nadal.
3. Back when there was a comfortable 6-7 slam difference between the two, it was disrespectful to Roger's achievements and illogical to simply use the H2H as a way to say Nadal is a better player. But even if both guys retired with 15 and 17 respectively, can anyone argue H2H doesn't make a dent in their comparison. And not only that but Olympic gold, Davis cup, winning record against peers and finally sheer respect from the whole tennis community including from Roger?.... it'd be hard to argue against it at that point IMO.
Now what happens if Nadal doesn't win Wimbledon this year? Well, then I'd have to delay this discussion some more. Perhaps he'll cross it at the USO or AO and then we'd be back to the same point. But what if never wins another slam again for some reason? Then it'd be hard to argue he's greatest when Sampras has at least equal claim.
What happens with Fed wins at Wimby and gets to no. 18? Well, again, we'd have to kick the can down the road. At that point, it'd be wiser to wait until both are retired to see where they end up.
One thing is certain though... anyone denying at this point that Nadal is even in contention for the GOAT discussion is a partisan dreamer. The guy is in the Top 5 best players to ever play the game, that's for sure.
French open every year is the worst time of the year for me but maybe on day I can enjoy watching djokovic lift up the trophy instead of nadal
