What different does it make if its final or SF?
This is a common misunderstanding. At first thought, it seems reasonable that Nadal was "sandwiched in between" Federer and Djo ko. But Rafas prime was the 6 years 2008-2013 (13 counting). How many slams did Federer stop Nadal from winning those years? Federer isnt even a factor. Djokovic only beat Nadal in 3 slams in a stretch from Wimbledon 11 until Aussie 12. So the 5.5 other years Nadal cant blame either Federer or Djokovic for not winning more slams.
Yep. Let's take a look at some Nadal slam losses:
07 AO - Gonzalez (destroyed by Federer in the final)
07 USO - Pigeon Ferrer (LOL)
08 AO - Tsonga (owned by Djokovic in final)
08 USO - Murray (utterly destroyed by Federer in the final)
09 RG - Soderling (destroyed by Federer in the final)
09 USO - GOATing Del Potro in straights (beat Fed too, but in 5 tight sets after Fed choked away that one)
10 AO - Murray (utterly destroyed by Federer in the final)
11 AO - Pigeon Ferrer in straight sets (LOL)
12 Wimbledon - WR100 something Rosol (LOLOLOL)
13 Wimbledon - WR 100 something Darcis (LOLOLOLOLOL)
What a tough era. Nadal only lost to Djokovic or Federer, right????