Let us settle this once and for all: What is Nadal's best season?

[JaoSousa]

2008:

Loses in Final of Chennai Open to Youzhny: 0-6 1-6
Loses in AO Semi to Tsonga: 2–6, 3–6, 2–6
Loses to Seppi in Rotterdam 2R : 6–3, 3–6, 4–6
Loses to Roddick in Dubai QF: 6–7(5–7), 2–6
Loses to Djokovic in IW SF: 3–6, 2–6
Loses to Davydenko in Miami F: 4–6, 2–6
Wins MC over Federer: 7–5, 7–5
Wins Barcelona over Ferrer: 6–1, 4–6, 6–1
Loses to Ferrero in Italian Open 2R : 5–7, 1–6
Beats Federer in Hamburg: 7–5, 6–7(3–7), 6–3
Beats Federer in FO: 6–1, 6–3, 6–0
Wins Aegon over Djokovic: 7–6(8–6), 7–5
Beats Federer at Wimby: 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(8–10), 9–7
Wins Canada over Kiefer: 6–3, 6–2
Loses in Cinci SF versus Djoker: 1–6, 5–7
Wins Olympics over Gonzo: 6–3, 7–6(7–2), 6–3
Loses to Murray in USO SF: 2–6, 6–7(5–7), 6–4, 4–6
Loses to Simon in Madrid: 6–3, 5–7, 6–7(6–8)
Loses to Davydenko in Paris QF: 1–6 RET

2010:
Loses in Qatar Final to Davydenko: 6–0, 6–7(8–10), 4–6
Loses in Australia QF to Mury: 3–6, 6–7(2–7), 0–3, retired
Loses in IW SF to Ljubicic: 6–3, 4–6, 6–7(1–7)
Loses in Miami SF to Roddick: 6–4, 3–6, 3–6
Wins MC versus Verdasco: 6–0, 6–1
Wins Italian Open versus Ferrer: 7–5, 6–2
Wins Madrid versus Federer: 6–4, 7–6(7–5)
Wins FO versus Soderling: 6–4, 6–2, 6–4
Loses in Aegon QF versus Lopez: 6–7(5–7), 4–6
Wins Wimbledon versus Berdych: 6–3, 7–5, 6–4
Loses in Canada Semi versus Murray: 3–6, 4–6
Loses in Cinci QF versus Baghdatis: 4–6, 6–4, 4–6
Wins USO versus Djokovic: 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–2
Loses in Bangkok SF versus GGL: 6–2, 6–7(3–7), 3–6
Wins Japan Open versus Monfils: 6–1, 7–5
Loses in Shanghai versus Melzer: 1–6, 6–3, 3–6
Loses in WTF versus Federer: 3–6, 6–3, 1–6


2013:
Loses to Zeballos in Chile Final: 7–6(7–2), 6–7(6–8), 4–6
Wins Brasil over Nalby: 6–2, 6–3
Wins Acapulco over Ferrer: 6–0, 6–2
Wins IW over Delpo: 4–6, 6–3, 6–4
Loses to Djoker MC final: 2–6, 6–7(1–7)
Wins Barcelona over Almagro: 6–4, 6–3
Wins Madrid over Wawa: 6–2, 6–4
Wins Rome over Federer: 6–1, 6–3
Wins French Open over Ferrer: 6–3, 6–2, 6–3
Loses Wimby R1 versus Darcis: 6–7(4–7), 6–7(8–10), 4–6
Wins Canada versus Raonic: 6–2, 6–2
Wins Cinci over Isner: 7–6(10–8), 7–6(7–3)
Wins USO over Djokovic: 6–2, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1
Loses in Beijing to Djokovic: 3–6, 4–6
Loses in Shanghai versus Delpo: 2–6, 4–6
Loses to Ferrer in Paris: 3–6, 5–7
Loses to Djokovic in WTF: 3–6, 4–6

 

[Hitman]

Level of play wise = 2008
Big title wise = 2010
Fantastic consistency wise = 2013

 

[Breakpointerer]

2015 and it's not close.

 

[ibbi]

2008. That win streak is from the Gods. I'd have 2013 second because I think the Roland Garros run is maybe his greatest, and the North American swing was incredible too.

 

[JaoSousa]

2015 and it's not close.

''It was frustrating. You know, it was miserable. It sucked. It was terrible. Besides that, it was fine.''- Nadal on his 2015 season.

 

[JaoSousa]

2008. That win streak is from the Gods. I'd have 2013 second because I think the Roland Garros run is maybe his greatest, and the North American swing was incredible too.

Which win streak are you referring to?

 

[weakera]

Surface slam

 

[NatF]

2008. That win streak is from the Gods. I'd have 2013 second because I think the Roland Garros run is maybe his greatest, and the North American swing was incredible too.

Wall to wall good to great claycourters in that 2013 FO draw, sick stuff. I think having no wins at two of the majors disqualifies 2013 from being the best overall.

Hard to argue with three slams but for level of play and beating out some tough players in epic matches all year round I prefer 2008.

 

[Krish872007]

Which win streak are you referring to?

He went unbeaten from Hamburg / RG until Cincinnati

 

[MichaelNadal]

2008 for me. Epic. Wings. Best Kits.

#SaucyAf

 

[NatF]

Which win streak are you referring to?

Think Nadal had an all-surface streak of 32 (?) matches from the Hamburg to Cincy.

 

[Breakpointerer]

2008 for epic wins and epic level.

 

[Hitman]

Think Nadal had an all-surface streak of 32 (?) matches from the Hamburg to Cincy.

He did. Snapped by Earth's Mightiest in semis, right after it was confirmed that Nadal would be the new number one when the rankings would be refreshed.

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

Peak hypothetical 2020 Nadal season

 

[GreedyAlgorithm]

1985

 

[metsman]

2010 for a calendar year, but 08 Hamburg - 09 Rome is overall by far his best 1 year stretch (and one of the more impressive ones by anyone).

It's too bad Nadal never could do that for a year, but in that stretch, he was 88-7 with 11 titles, slams on all 3 surfaces against very tough competition, OG, Queens, 3 masters on clay, 2 on hard. Would definitely be one of the best seasons ever if it was over a calendar year.

 

[metsman]

For 2008 vs 2010 it comes down to:

Canada, OG, Queens, little better levels on clay and grass vs USO and a good/great WTF run. I think you have to prefer the latter because those events are just bigger. 2013 has no place in the discussion. 2010 was better at all 4 majors and WTF, 3 HC masters doesn't come close to making that up.

 

[Start da Game]

2008

for tennis only gods could play before........

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

2010 for a calendar year, but 08 Hamburg - 09 Rome is overall by far his best 1 year stretch (and one of the more impressive ones by anyone).

It's too bad Nadal never could do that for a year, but in that stretch, he was 88-7 with 11 titles, slams on all 3 surfaces against very tough competition, OG, Queens, 3 masters on clay, 2 on hard. Would definitely be one of the best seasons ever if it was over a calendar year.

Shame he got injured in the fall, 2008dal would spice up the yec nicely. Getting outclassed by mury at the uso takes a bit off though.

 

[Eren]

2008 for me. Epic. Wings. Best Kits.

#SaucyAf

Watch out bruh. Tsonga ate him alive lol. Sick stuff from Tsonga that day, 2 3 2.

 

[King No1e]

2010 by far. Even if his playing level wasn't as high as his HC stretch in 13 or his clay level in 08, he won RG, W, and USO in the same year which makes his 2010 one of the greatest season performances of all time.

 

[Hitman]

Shame he got injured in the fall, 2008dal would spice up the yec nicely. Getting outclassed by mury at the uso takes a bit off though.

Murray was entering his first red hot period at that time, he won Cincinnati, finals of USO, won Madrid, won the Abu Dhabi event, plus Doha, with several wins over Fedal during that time.

 

[King No1e]

2008 for me. Epic. Wings. Best Kits.

#SaucyAf

My favorite pirate era Nadal outfit by far! Loved that tournament all around.

 

[Hitman]

Watch out bruh. Tsonga ate him alive lol. Sick stuff from Tsonga that day, 2 3 2.

@vive le beau jeu ! knows all about that.

 

[metsman]

Shame he got injured in the fall, 2008dal would spice up the yec nicely. Getting outclassed by mury at the uso takes a bit off though.

fatigue-dal.

If Nadal had won that match, things would have been very interesting. Fed gets the chance to even the scores on better conditions for him, which may then lead to AO win and Federer's legacy is boosted quite a bit. On the other hand, if mental demons are too strong a loss at USO would have been devastating to legacy.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Murray was entering his first red hot period at that time, he won Cincinnati, finals of USO, won Madrid, won the Abu Dhabi event, plus Doha, with several wins over Fedal during that time.

ATG level of play always beats Murray in slams. Besides the match was only somewhat close because Nadal fought like a demon saving a shipload of BPs, could've easily been a crushing not much better than Tsonga's.

 

[Hitman]

ATG level of play always beats Murray in slams. Besides the match was only somewhat close because Nadal fought like a demon saving a shipload of BPs, could've easily been a crushing not much better than Tsonga's.

Well, Nadal did look to be running on fumes, because he was running real hard that year. Murray was just getting started, really only made his first dent by making his first quarters in W that year, before that, there really wasn't too much.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

fatigue-dal.

If Nadal had won that match, things would have been very interesting. Fed gets the chance to even the scores on better conditions for him, which may then lead to AO win and Federer's legacy is boosted quite a bit. On the other hand, if mental demons are too strong a loss at USO would have been devastating to legacy.

Inefficientdal can't win matches quickly enough not to waste effort.

No way Federer could lose that given Nadal's condition, that's the sort of failure that makes one retire and become a monk.

 

[metsman]

Inefficientdal can't win matches quickly enough not to waste effort.

No way Federer could lose that given Nadal's condition, that's the sort of failure that makes one retire and become a monk.

I guess I meant hypothetically if Nadal had skipped Cincy like he should have or something. Given us the showdown we deserved. Just like 95 with Agassi overplaying and showing up to Pete with little left in the tank.

Yeah with the scheduling and Nadal's fatigue if Federer had lost that hypothetical final he needed some deep self reflection.

 

[MichaelNadal]

My favorite pirate era Nadal outfit by far! Loved that tournament all around.

It's in my top 5 I can't say it's the top one bc there are so many epic ones

 

[MeatTornado]

Fantastic consistency wise = 2013

Sure says a lot about Rafa's "consistency" if 2013 is his gold standard.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

2010 us open was peak Nadal.

 

[JaoSousa]

2010 us open was peak Nadal.

What about RG 2008?

 

[Third Serve]

What about RG 2008?

Peakier Nadal

 

[PerilousPear]

His best season: 2010
My favorite Nadal season: 2004

 

[Winners or Errors]

2010 for a calendar year, but 08 Hamburg - 09 Rome is overall by far his best 1 year stretch (and one of the more impressive ones by anyone).

It's too bad Nadal never could do that for a year, but in that stretch, he was 88-7 with 11 titles, slams on all 3 surfaces against very tough competition, OG, Queens, 3 masters on clay, 2 on hard. Would definitely be one of the best seasons ever if it was over a calendar year.

AO 2009 is still my favorite version of Nadal.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Wall to wall good to great claycourters in that 2013 FO draw, sick stuff. I think having no wins at two of the majors disqualifies 2013 from being the best overall.

Hard to argue with three slams but for level of play and beating out some tough players in epic matches all year round I prefer 2008.

Wawrinka after a marathon 5-setter and Ferrer in the final

 

[Hitman]

Sure says a lot about Rafa's "consistency" if 2013 is his gold standard.

He will always behind Federer and Djokovic when it comes to the consistency marks, but it's still very good.

 

[DSH]

2009 would have been his best season if his technical team had not made such bad decisions; Of course, Rafa Nadal himself did not help much in that.
It was a great opportunity thrown it to the ground!

 

[Third Serve]

Not a single vote for 2013?

 

[NatF]

Wawrinka after a marathon 5-setter and Ferrer in the final

Order of the opponents doesn't matter to me.

Wawrinka won the real match of the tournament

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

What about RG 2008?

Mostly Federer sucking.

Rafa serve has never been better than '10 uso.

 

[Hitman]

2009 would have been his best season if his technical team had not made such bad decisions; Of course, Rafa Nadal himself did not help much in that.
It was a great opportunity thrown it to the ground!

He shouldn't have been so hell bent to prevent Djokovic getting a win over him on clay, otherwise he might have been just fine.

 

[DSH]

He shouldn't have been so hell bent to prevent Djokovic getting a win over him on clay, otherwise he might have been just fine.

Is much more than that.
After winning the AO 2009 in that state and having such a close history with injuries in the final months of 2008, it would have been sensible to ease the burden of pre-season tournaments on clay and also take a page from Federer's book: The Masters 1000 are just a preparation for the most important thing: Grand Slam tournaments.

But Nadal and his uncle did not understand to dose at that time and the drop that spilled the glass was his brutal match against Djokovic in Madrid having around the corner RG and the great opportunity to win for the first time more than 2 Majors in one season; But his arrogance or lack of good sense ended up paying him dearly and it took Spaniard almost 1 year to recover good feelings, which caused him to lose several months of fullness in his tennis career.

That gave Federer new vigor to take over the tour as in his best seasons.

 

[Hitman]

Is much more than that.
After winning the AO 2009 in that state and having such a close history with injuries in the final months of 2008, it would have been sensible to ease the burden of pre-season tournaments on clay and also take a page from Federer's book: The Masters 1000 are just a preparation for the most important thing: Grand Slam tournaments.

But Nadal and his uncle did not understand to dose at that time and the drop that spilled the glass was his brutal match against Djokovic in Madrid having around the corner RG and the great opportunity to win for the first time more than 2 Majors in one season; But his arrogance or lack of good sense ended up paying him dearly and it took Spaniard almost 1 year to recover good feelings, which caused him to lose several months of fullness in his tennis career.

That gave Federer new vigor to take over the tour as in his best seasons.

Yes, but understand that Nadal has explicitly stated that the more he plays, the better his form. He was in such good form that he didn't want to lose it, especially considering he had finally toppled Federer at the top of the rankings. Nadal always played with the mentality of a sprinter, and considering just how red hot he was for about 11 months he didn't want to stop....remember, Federer himself had a season where he played 97 matches and followed it up with a season where he won three slams and the WTF.

Nadal wouldn't have changed anything. He needs to keep the momentum going, and knowing just how much fire Djokovic was catching, he was hellbent to make sure Djokovic did not have any belief that he was ready to topple Nadal in the slams.

 

[Lleytonstation]

2020 no? Two slams in a month?

 

[Krish0608]

2013 because it came after being owned by Djokovic across surfaces in 2011, not to mention sweeping the USO hardcourt swing beating Djokovic twice in the process. No other season even comes close to being that impressive for Nadal. Not 2010 and not 2008 even.

 

[GabeT]

In 2011 Nadal reached 3 slam finals and 5 masters finals. He never managed that in any other season.

 

[The Blond Blur]

2009 would have been his best season if his technical team had not made such bad decisions; Of course, Rafa Nadal himself did not help much in that.
It was a great opportunity thrown it to the ground!

I've always considered 2009 to be the "lost" season. He started out on fire, but those 3 clay wars with Joker absolutely derailed the rest of his season. It didn't help that in 2009-2010 Madrid was actually played after Rome, and it's his weakest clay Masters event. I think he would have skipped Rome had it had been played after Madrid. He then has more time to recover and maybe doesn't lose to Sod. Also, had he scheduled his year better he'd have a chance to defend his Wimby crown. Lastly, he missed out on roughly 52 weeks at #1 during this time

 

[Towny]

I would tend to say 2010 largely due to the 3 slams. There are good arguments for 2008 and 2013 as well but the extra slam seals the deal for me. In terms of best non-calendar year though, I imagine we can all agree that it would be Hamburg 2008 - Rome 2009. The stats for this period are impressive:

3 slams (Beating Prime Federer for all 3)
5 masters
1 OSG
11 titles
89-7 W/L (92.7%)

H2H v Federer: 4-0
H2H v Djokovic: 7-1
H2H v Murray: 5-2

These stats would be pretty similar to Federer and Djokovic's best calendar years. I would also say it was Nadal's highest level of play overall, certainly at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon