BGod
G.O.A.T.
On the surface the numbers are 8 for Lendl, 7 for Federer, 6 for Borg and 5 for Nadal, however I would hope those numbers alone don't dictate the awesome tail of all these consecutive Slam Finals. I will proceed to go case by case:
Ivan Lendl 8 Consecutive USOs with Threepeat
Honestly if it wasn't for his Threepeat, this wouldn't even be up for discussion because as impressive as 8 straight finals is, perspective is important. Losing so many times in the Final isn't what greatness is made of when people discuss legacies. The winners are simply going to overshadow the repeat losers. Compare the Bills 4 consecutive Super Bowls and any repeat champion and see how many side with 4 losses over 2 wins. That said, Lendl lost to some great players, McEnroe in 84, Becker in 89, Wilander in 88 and Jimmy Connors back to back. The Wilander match was the only 5 setter but then agains he was only straight setted by McEnroe in 84. He also had two straight set victories against McEnroe in 85 and Mecir in 86.
Federer's 7 Consecutive Wimbledons, 6 Victories
Federer was able to repeat Borg's 5 consecutive titles but instead of retiring after his 5 set loss in 2008, he came back and won in thrilling 5 set epic 16-14. That last victory gave him two five set victories to follow with his three 4 setters, two against Roddick and one against Nadal in 06. In this time he only had one straight set affair, his maiden Slam period against Philippoussis in 03. In that first run, he only dropped a single set. He would repeat this feat again in his 3rd title of 05 and 4th title of 06. He would also not drop a set until the final in his only loss of 08 during the streak.
Borg's 6 Consecutive Wimbledons and Fivepeat
I think I have to spend considerable time defending Borg's consideration here to Federer's as Roger extended his streak to 7 and won a 6th title. However Borg did in 1976 what Roger couldn't. Win the tournament without dropping a set. Furthermore for Roger's Trilogy, Borg won 3 five set marathons, all 3 of which he lost the opening set and in 79 was down 1-2 to Roscoe Tanner. Furthermore his run totaled 8 victories in 5 sets, including two 0-2 holes and four 1-2 comebacks. Absolutely untouchable by any other long Slam runs. His ultimate loss in 81 came in a close 4 setter against ascending McEnroe 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 4-6 who finished the year #1.
Nadal Steamrolls 5 French Opens
As with Borg's clean run in 76, this streak is up for consideration because Nadal did it in 2010 but also because of his 4 other demolitions. He only dropped 1 set in 2012 to #1 Djokovic in the final and 2 sets in 2014 again to Djokovic in the final and Ferrer in the quarters. His most troubled journey of 2011 and 2013 saw him win both 5 set matches he faced, against Djokovic in the 2013 semifinal and surprise but massive server John Isner in the 1st round of 2011. That 2011 run in particular saw him roll off 5 consecutive straight set victories before losing his 3rd set of the tournament to long-time rival Federer seeded 3rd when up 2-0 in the match 5-7. What needs to be understood is how Borg in his 5 consecutive titles at Wimbledon faced 7 marathon matches and several 4 setters and Federer at Wimbledon gave up at least a set to 6 different players facing Roddick 4 times and Nadal thrice. Nadal lost sets to 5 different players, not much of a difference but 3 came in 2013 and it can be argued faced better competition on his surface with Djokovic 3 consecutive times, Federer and yes for clay Ferrer. He brutally beat Wawrinka their one meeting in the streak and Soderling, Murray and Ferrer on two occasions each.
Ivan Lendl 8 Consecutive USOs with Threepeat
Honestly if it wasn't for his Threepeat, this wouldn't even be up for discussion because as impressive as 8 straight finals is, perspective is important. Losing so many times in the Final isn't what greatness is made of when people discuss legacies. The winners are simply going to overshadow the repeat losers. Compare the Bills 4 consecutive Super Bowls and any repeat champion and see how many side with 4 losses over 2 wins. That said, Lendl lost to some great players, McEnroe in 84, Becker in 89, Wilander in 88 and Jimmy Connors back to back. The Wilander match was the only 5 setter but then agains he was only straight setted by McEnroe in 84. He also had two straight set victories against McEnroe in 85 and Mecir in 86.
Federer's 7 Consecutive Wimbledons, 6 Victories
Federer was able to repeat Borg's 5 consecutive titles but instead of retiring after his 5 set loss in 2008, he came back and won in thrilling 5 set epic 16-14. That last victory gave him two five set victories to follow with his three 4 setters, two against Roddick and one against Nadal in 06. In this time he only had one straight set affair, his maiden Slam period against Philippoussis in 03. In that first run, he only dropped a single set. He would repeat this feat again in his 3rd title of 05 and 4th title of 06. He would also not drop a set until the final in his only loss of 08 during the streak.
Borg's 6 Consecutive Wimbledons and Fivepeat
I think I have to spend considerable time defending Borg's consideration here to Federer's as Roger extended his streak to 7 and won a 6th title. However Borg did in 1976 what Roger couldn't. Win the tournament without dropping a set. Furthermore for Roger's Trilogy, Borg won 3 five set marathons, all 3 of which he lost the opening set and in 79 was down 1-2 to Roscoe Tanner. Furthermore his run totaled 8 victories in 5 sets, including two 0-2 holes and four 1-2 comebacks. Absolutely untouchable by any other long Slam runs. His ultimate loss in 81 came in a close 4 setter against ascending McEnroe 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 4-6 who finished the year #1.
Nadal Steamrolls 5 French Opens
As with Borg's clean run in 76, this streak is up for consideration because Nadal did it in 2010 but also because of his 4 other demolitions. He only dropped 1 set in 2012 to #1 Djokovic in the final and 2 sets in 2014 again to Djokovic in the final and Ferrer in the quarters. His most troubled journey of 2011 and 2013 saw him win both 5 set matches he faced, against Djokovic in the 2013 semifinal and surprise but massive server John Isner in the 1st round of 2011. That 2011 run in particular saw him roll off 5 consecutive straight set victories before losing his 3rd set of the tournament to long-time rival Federer seeded 3rd when up 2-0 in the match 5-7. What needs to be understood is how Borg in his 5 consecutive titles at Wimbledon faced 7 marathon matches and several 4 setters and Federer at Wimbledon gave up at least a set to 6 different players facing Roddick 4 times and Nadal thrice. Nadal lost sets to 5 different players, not much of a difference but 3 came in 2013 and it can be argued faced better competition on his surface with Djokovic 3 consecutive times, Federer and yes for clay Ferrer. He brutally beat Wawrinka their one meeting in the streak and Soderling, Murray and Ferrer on two occasions each.
