Thinker_145
Rookie
Sampras has one more slam but let's be honest would he really have 7 HC slams if he had played in the era of Djokovic and Federer? 
Is Nadal a greater HC player than Sampras?
- Thread starter Thinker_145
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vive le beau jeu !
Talk Tennis Guru
#No #No #andNo
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I think Pete really gave his 110% at USO - the reason he retired there and declined wimby invitation, Rafa better hc player at everywhere else even indian wells, Rafa would probably win 10/10 encounters at AO against Pete, but USO - no brother, I don’t see Pete having 2days rest before semi’s and Finals EVER losing USO, a lot of his losses (there aren’t many) contributed to that.
Rafa = everywhere else on hc
Pete = will teach lessons on USO how it’s done if he gets rest like nowadays
Rafa = everywhere else on hc
Pete = will teach lessons on USO how it’s done if he gets rest like nowadays
Cupcake
Hall of Fame
Sampras has one more slam but let's be honest would he really have 7 HC slams if he had played in the era of Djokovic and Federer?
Probably not. But maybe they would have had fewer if Pete had been in the mix at the same time.
It's difficult however to compare players from different decades. There is better equipment now, better information and videos re opponents, as well as better physical recovery techniques. Pete and Rafa are my two favorite men players. Don't try to take my appreciation of Pete away.
Adam Copeland
Hall of Fame
Ray Mercer
Hall of Fame
Bottom line is Pete would whip his ass on any true fast hard court that rewards shotmaking and aggressive play. The conditions were way faster in the 90’s and actually rewarded Sampras’ style. The conditions today are a joke and heavily favour grinders like Nadal.
Djokovic2011
Bionic Poster
Of course he is. And Nadal's won more USO than Djokovic, which according to his fans makes him the greater hard court player. It can only be a matter of time till they find some way of placing him above Federer too.
Azure
G.O.A.T.
Haha ignore!
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
As if Pistol's bh would hold up against the Nadal fh when even Roger's couldn't...
NeutralFan
G.O.A.T.
Same
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
Of course he is. And Nadal's won more USO than Djokovic, which according to his fans makes him the greater hard court player. It can only be a matter of time till they find some way of placing him above Federer too.
I have not seen one Nadal fan say Rafa is a greater HC player than Novak... not one...
Instead of making up lies on here to gain clout with your fellow trolls how about getting a clue for once?
The reason we always bring up the fact that Nadal has more US Open than Novak is because we know it... gets your knickers in a knot
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
LOL. No. Not even close. Sampras would have 12-13 HC slams in this era
Steffi-forever
Hall of Fame
Would Nadal have 4 US Open titles if he had played in the era of Sampras, on the fast low bounce decoturf with a tiny and heavy and racquet?Sampras has one more slam but let's be honest would he really have 7 HC slams if he had played in the era of Djokovic and Federer?
Djokovic2011
Bionic Poster
I know you love me really T_OI have not seen one Nadal fan say Rafa is a greater HC player than Novak... not one...
Instead of making up lies on here to gain clout with your fellow trolls how about getting a clue for once?
The reason we always bring up the fact that Nadal has more US Open than Novak is because we know it... gets your knickers in a knot
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
With these rackets I'm Pete's BH would hold up fine. Even if not, he would just blugeon Nadal with Serve/Volley/FH power and look for the one break
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
I know you love me really T_O
I'll tell you what I'm really loving right now...
Whenever anyone tries to stir me up, I can just respond by saying 21 > 20...
I don't know how long that will last, but damn it, I'm gonna enjoy it after years of Rogi fans constantly posting his higher slam tally v Nadal...
So, a fine 21 > 20 to you sir.. hope that doesn't get your knickers in a knot too
Ray Mercer
Hall of Fame
The backhand is almost irrelevant when Pete is dropping bomb serves, taking massive forehand cuts and ending points with well placed volleys. We’re not playing 20 shot rallies here pal.
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
No it wouldn't and no he wouldn't. Nadal's slam tally is 150% of Pete's...
Mustard
Bionic Poster
Sampras wasn't perfect at the US Open. He lost to Courier, Edberg, Yzaga, Korda (when Sampras was heavy favourite), Rafter (a grudge match), and also battered in finals by Safin and Hewitt. Sampras barely won a classic in 1996 against Corretja as well.
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
It's not as irrelevant as your posturing and biased hypotheticals....
Pete was busy getting owned by Hewitt... Rafa would love the match up v Pete who's bh was even weaker than Roger's...
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
If Nadal has a rotten h2h against Djokovic on hards, hes gonna have a rotten h2h against Pete on Hards. This Grass would probably more interesting between the two than hards would be
Third Serve
Talk Tennis Guru
Counterpoint: Nadal wouldn’t have won six HC Slams if he was really in the era of Djokovic and Federer.Sampras has one more slam but let's be honest would he really have 7 HC slams if he had played in the era of Djokovic and Federer?
*glances at 2017, 2019 USO and 2022 AO*
Ray Mercer
Hall of Fame
Nadal is a grinder who’s won jack **** on fast hard courts. His indoor record is abysmal because he can’t wear guys down there and is prone to being hit off the court. Any surface where guys can 1-2 punch with big hitting and he’s extremely vulnerable.
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
You seriously comparing Pete with Novak?
The reason Novak has the upper hand is because his bh is so good, he can withstand the Nadal fh and attack it to open up the court. Really, he's the only guy who can consistently do that. Pete's pissant shbh ain't got a hope in hell of doing that... not a hope in hell
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
You seriously comparing Pete with Novak?
The reason Novak has the upper hand is because his bh is so good, he can withstand the Nadal fh and attack it to open up the court. Really, he's the only guy who can consistently do that. Pete's pissant shbh ain't got a hope in hell of doing that... not a hope in hell
Pete is as good as anyone whos ever played tennis on hardcourts.
titoelcolombiano
Legend
Nadal would annihilate Pete's backhand
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
He's won 4 US Opens and 2 AO... with a combined 5-4 h2h against Novak and Roger at those tournaments... that's more than enough to suggest Pistol would have a really tough time... especially when he was getting owned by Hewitt...
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
Do people think were gonna see Nole/Murray 20 shot rallies between pete/rafa? Yeesh. It has nothing to do with the Backhand. Sampras isn't gonna play Nadal's game. nadal will be forced to play his. LOL
Ray Mercer
Hall of Fame
What are his indoor accolades which represent true fast hard court? Federer, Nalbandian, Djokovic and countless others have steamrolled him there.
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
WTF isn't a true fast HC...
The speed is actually medium but the bounce is lower and Nadal was in cbf mode for most of them.
Mustard
Bionic Poster
Sampras will have to serve well then. Nadal might not be the best returner with a single shot like a Connors, Agassi or Djokovic, but once Nadal has nullified the serve I doubt there's anyone better at taking control of rallies.
D
Deleted member 788697
Guest
Sampras wouldn't be able to hit anywhere near as many unreturnables vs. Nadal, as he hit vs. Agassi.
Agassi was an aggressive returner, but he couldn't do that vs. Sampras at the US Open/Wimbledon, whereas Nadal would return from further back and get more balls into play.
Adam Copeland
Hall of Fame
Nadal's career duration is also 150% of Pete due to modern day medicines and training.
Adam Copeland
Hall of Fame
Give Nadal gut strings and send him to face Sampras on indoor carpets
What do you think would happen ?
hehe
What do you think would happen ?
hehe
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
I love Nadal don't get me wrong, Hes probably GOAT (At least until Nole goes off again) , but lets face it.. the dude isn't going to ever be on anyone's short, short list of the best HC players to ever put on a pair of shoes. Hes always going to be below a select few of 6-7 guys all time. Take nothing away from the guy, hes taken down some big names, had some great wins on hards. But his level just isn't up there in HC GOAT territory. i mean hes not even better than Agassi on hards. Much less Pete
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duaneeo
Legend
Sampras has one more slam but let's be honest would he really have 7 HC slams if he had played in the era of Djokovic and Federer?
Let's be honest, would Nadal have 4 USO titles if he played in any other decade?
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
Pete's career was ended because he could no longer cope with the grind of the tour. It was mentality more than anything else, he simply lost the passion.
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
Well he wasn't in a 3 man race for who wins 4,000 slams over GenMug and GenMuggier either. the Big 3 continue to play because they have to if they want to be GOAT.
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
True, but then again, if Pete was in a 3 man race for slam titles, he probably wouldn't have 14 right now either as the other 2 would've had to have taken some away from him.
His record in Cincinnati is not great either. One final reached in the whole of his career and that is played before US open so the end of season fatigue reason is less applicable
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
True, but I highly doubt Cinci titles are on his regret list...
He's won it once, I'd say he's more than content with that. His main focus is the majors and he's doing all right with that. Rafa has always found ways to adapt and if the US Open remained a really fast HC he would've found a way to adapt just like he did at Wimbledon early in his career.
Zara
G.O.A.T.
Murder on Elm Street.
Adam Copeland
Hall of Fame
Wrong, Pete would have even more slams
Reasons :
01. He would have motivation to play for 18-20 years and keep on improving like Roger did
02. Unlike Roger, in the 90s Pete was number 1 athlete of his era, so in a 3 guys slams race he would be trying to impose himself on other 2 unlike Fed who was playing catch up.
03. Pete would benefit with 2 other challengers as they would make each other better on their weakest surfaces by playing against each other.
04. Pete has a superior serve to everyone on earth, that would automatically given him an edge in any crunch situation to bail himself out.
05. USO would be home for Pete, good luck beating him with the crowd support there, also good luck beating him on Grass
06. Pete in a homogenous era would have much greater dominance and a much superior fitness too so that he can play till his mid 30s
07. Pete with his mental toughness would be like another Novak mentally, no weakness there either.
08. Pete with Poly would look double dangerous than he did in the 1990s
His slam count would easily be above 14, it would rival the Big 3 or perhaps be even more.
Adam Copeland
Hall of Fame
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
Yeah? Nah...
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