Nadal and Djokovic look like they are aging better than Federer

[President]

Who would have predicted this in 2005 or 2006? Nadal is 27 right now and Djokovic is 26, this corresponds with Federer's age in 2008/2009. I don't think many people would deny that they are playing better tennis than Roger was at the same age.

I think it has to do with their greater emphasis on being physically fit. They are both clearly in much better shape than Federer ever was. Thoughts? IMO its a shame that Federer didn't train harder, especially as he approached his late 20's. He could have been in much better athletic shape than he was, in terms of speed and strength.

 

[NatF]

Who would have predicted this in 2005 or 2006? Nadal is 27 right now and Djokovic is 26, this corresponds with Federer's age in 2008/2009. I don't think many people would deny that they are playing better tennis than Roger was at the same age.

I think it has to do with their greater emphasis on being physically fit. They are both clearly in much better shape than Federer ever was. Thoughts? IMO its a shame that Federer didn't train harder, especially as he approached his late 20's. He could have been in much better athletic shape than he was, in terms of speed and strength.

They're much better than he was in 2008, but then we know there were circumstances which hindered Federer in that year. Will they be better than he was in 2009? We'll have to wait till next year to see that.

Although Djokovic's 2013 should correspond to Federer's 2007. In that comparison Djokovic comes out far behind. I don't think compared to Federer of 2007 Djokovic comes out ahead in terms of level of play at a single slam.

 

[President]

They're much better than he was in 2008, but then we know there were circumstances which hindered Federer in that year. Will they be better than he was in 2009? We'll have to wait till next year to see that.

Although Djokovic's 2013 should correspond to Federer's 2007. In that comparison Djokovic comes out far behind. I don't think compared to Federer of 2007 Djokovic comes out ahead in terms of level of play at a single slam.

IMO Federer's level of play wasn't all that great in 2009 except for Cincinnati. I'm a Federer fan but IMO Nadal's burnout in the middle of the year (for injury or whatever other reason) really helped him out at RG/Wimbledon. In fact, I think Federer probably played better at AO and USO that year than at the two majors he actually won! I'm just using the eye test, but I was a lot more impressed with Nadal this year (and he is virtually the same age Federer was in 2009) in playing level than I was with Federer in 2009.

 

[tennis_pro]

They look better than Fed cause they don't have a couple of 5-6 years younger group of the next all-time-greats to make them look worse than they actually are. Fed aged 27 had Nadal/Djokovic/Murray at the age of 20-22, these dudes only have themselves (and ******* who's falling into oblivion)

 

[President]

They look better than Fed cause they don't have a couple of 5-6 years younger group of the next all-time-greats to make them look worse than they actually are. Fed aged 27 had Nadal/Djokovic/Murray at the age of 20-22, these dudes only have themselves (and ******* who's falling into oblivion)

That is also a good possibility, the younger guys these days are absolutely terrible. Still, Nads/Djok are definitely more consistent in the Masters events than Federer was in 2008/2009, IIRC Federer to some pretty poor players in those especially in 2008.

 

[NatF]

IMO Federer's level of play wasn't all that great in 2009 except for Cincinnati. I'm a Federer fan but IMO Nadal's burnout in the middle of the year (for injury or whatever other reason) really helped him out at RG/Wimbledon. In fact, I think Federer probably played better at AO and USO that year than at the two majors he actually won! I'm just using the eye test, but I was a lot more impressed with Nadal this year (and he is virtually the same age Federer was in 2009) in playing level than I was with Federer in 2009.

I wasn't that impressed with Nadal this year in general. I think his level on clay was much lower than before and the top guys were MIA for large sections of the year. Nadal was very strong this year but Djokovic wasn't in top form during the middle part of the year.

Federer was pretty good in the last 2 rounds of the FO in 2009 and was solid at Wimbledon. He wasn't at his best but he was certainly 'good'. At the AO he was playing really well and at the USO especially versus Djokovic he was excellent.

At the slam level I'd say Federer of 2009 was better than Nadal this year. He made all 4 finals unlike Nadal who only showed up at 2 majors really. Obviously at the masters level Nadal cleaned up. I think next year will be more telling about how Nadal is aging.

 

[papertank]

For Nadal, this is impressive. Nadal started winning slams earlier than Federer and at the moment he is playing better age-for-age. However, Federer won two slams in 2009 so Nadal has a big task in front of him, I don't think it's likely that he continues to outperform Federer age-for-age.

Djokovic is a different story because he peaked later than Federer and Nadal. Sure he's playing better than Federer age-for-age right now, but pre-2011 was almost non-existent for him in terms of top performance. It's not really comparable.

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

Maybe Fed should hook up with Cindy Crawford.

 

[TMF]

May Fed should hook up with Cindy Crawford.

Try to fine-tune your sense of humor.

 

[Wim]

For Nadal, this is impressive. Nadal started winning slams earlier than Federer and at the moment he is playing better age-for-age. However, Federer won two slams in 2009 so Nadal has a big task in front of him, I don't think it's likely that he continues to outperform Federer age-for-age.

Djokovic is a different story because he peaked later than Federer and Nadal. Sure he's playing better than Federer age-for-age right now, but pre-2011 was almost non-existent for him in terms of top performance. It's not really comparable.

Is it any proof that players who peaked later would have a higher level rest of their career?
I saw some numbers about this, and it says the opposite

 

[chandu612]

Who would have predicted this in 2005 or 2006? Nadal is 27 right now and Djokovic is 26, this corresponds with Federer's age in 2008/2009. I don't think many people would deny that they are playing better tennis than Roger was at the same age.

I think it has to do with their greater emphasis on being physically fit. They are both clearly in much better shape than Federer ever was. Thoughts? IMO its a shame that Federer didn't train harder, especially as he approached his late 20's. He could have been in much better athletic shape than he was, in terms of speed and strength.

Nadal and Djoker are way better than Fed at this same age. period.

 

[chandu612]

They look better than Fed cause they don't have a couple of 5-6 years younger group of the next all-time-greats to make them look worse than they actually are. Fed aged 27 had Nadal/Djokovic/Murray at the age of 20-22, these dudes only have themselves (and ******* who's falling into oblivion)

And how did Fed cope up with that? But losing to them and crying. And winning only when the better player was injured...that is GOAT stuff right there

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Well, it's to see if they go nr. 1 at 31.

 

[degrease]

Yet another stupid thread

 

[timnz]

Ah - no...here are the facts

Who would have predicted this in 2005 or 2006? Nadal is 27 right now and Djokovic is 26, this corresponds with Federer's age in 2008/2009. I don't think many people would deny that they are playing better tennis than Roger was at the same age.

I think it has to do with their greater emphasis on being physically fit. They are both clearly in much better shape than Federer ever was. Thoughts? IMO its a shame that Federer didn't train harder, especially as he approached his late 20's. He could have been in much better athletic shape than he was, in terms of speed and strength.

Ah no. Federer was only 2 sets away from winning 6 straight slams from the US Open 2008 to the Australian Open 2010. So no, they aren't playing better or are fitter than he was.

 

[tennisaddict]

Till the time Tomic, Dmitrov, Janowicz and Raonic step up, this decade will continue to be the worst tennis field in the last 40 years.

It is not Nadal or Novak's fault that they are taking advantage of that.

 

[bullfan]

I don't agree. Nadal has had injury outages.

 

[chjtennis]

Federer was unlucky to get mono infection in 2008. I think that did a lot of damage to his body.

 

[bullfan]

Federer was unlucky to get mono infection in 2008. I think that did a lot of damage to his body.

Cough cough, I cry bs on that. That's a newer Fed fan reaction. Only one Fed fan posted that during the final, and no Fed fans here supported it. Fed was favored to win W2008. Fed was very consistent during the year, and I call that a cheap bs excuse. Nadal was beasting during the FO, due to his prime. Fed never bothered changing his tactics against Nadal, and the h2h show that.

 

[sbengte]

Federer was unlucky to get mono infection in 2008. I think that did a lot of damage to his body.

While I agree with that, it may have at the most cost him one good year in 2008. I think what really brought about Federer's sudden decline is having kids and travelling with them while still in his prime. Since I don't see Nadal or Djoker doing the same while they are still playing, we will never know and cannot compare how they would fare under similar circumstances.

 

[bullfan]

While I agree with that, it may have at the most cost him one good year in 2008. I think what really brought about Federer's sudden decline is having kids and travelling with them while still in his prime. Since I don't see Nadal or Djoker doing the same while they are still playing, we will never know and cannot compare how they would fare under similar circumstances.

I don't agree. Feds mono is way overblown at this point. His legion of fans didn't consider it an issue at the time, even during the loss to Nadal at W2008. We don't know when Novak will start spawning given his engagement.

 

[sbengte]

We don't know when Novak will start spawning given his engagement.

After seeing what happened with Federer, it would be really stupid if Novak does that while he still has some good years ahead of him

 

[bullfan]

After seeing what happened with Federer, it would be really stupid if Novak does that while he still has some good years ahead of him

Quite frankly, I think it was a good idea by Fed. He'll be there for the girls getting older. Some folks don't deal with infancy well, but deal with kids at a certain age better. Fed was smart in my opinion starting his family when he did.

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

Try to fine-tune your sense of humor.

Try to acquaint yourself with remedial English.

 

[sbengte]

Quite frankly, I think it was a good idea by Fed. He'll be there for the girls getting older. Some folks don't deal with infancy well, but deal with kids at a certain age better. Fed was smart in my opinion starting his family when he did.

Oh come on, it was not a smart thing to do career wise. All he needed to do was wait 2-3 years more before starting a family so he can give his best years to his career because a professional tennis player can only have so many good years. It is his personal choice of course, but definitely not the smart thing. I have read his interviews where he has said how he showed up for important matches without having slept at night because of his infants keeping him up all night.

 

[kOaMaster]

do they really?
djokovic is aged 26. federer at 26 was in 2006/2007 - I don't think this is even close one. forget it.

nadal is 27. federer at 27 was in 2007/2008. nadal had some trouble injury-wise, roger didn't. I don't think there is anything where you yet could say "nadal did age better". what certainly is true: nadal did come of better (as a young player). resultwise, nadal had several years already that can be compared pretty well with federers 2008 - his 2nd worst season until 2013 (beginning with the first GS title)

I guess we have to wait for 2-3 more years. personally I would have never bet federer having a "bad" 2008 as he did when he won in shanghai 07. it looked like he could go on. you just never know what is going to happen next.

and with injuries like mono or knee problems: you could always say "if..." but the fact is: neither of them did. it is as it was. you don't get anything in sports for an "if", the result counts. this is whether you participate or not. borg might have been the most successful player ever but he isn't. rafael nadal might have many more weeks as #1 or another GS title but he didn't. and federer could've done much better in 2008 (or 2013) without injury but he didn't.

 

[The_Order]

Oh come on, it was not a smart thing to do career wise. All he needed to do was wait 2-3 years more before starting a family so he can give his best years to his career because a professional tennis player can only have so many good years. It is his personal choice of course, but definitely not the smart thing. I have read his interviews where he has said how he showed up for important matches without having slept at night because of his infants keeping him up all night.

I wonder if he yelled "shut up!" to them kids as well...

 

[dominikk1985]

Who would have predicted this in 2005 or 2006? Nadal is 27 right now and Djokovic is 26, this corresponds with Federer's age in 2008/2009. I don't think many people would deny that they are playing better tennis than Roger was at the same age.

I think it has to do with their greater emphasis on being physically fit. They are both clearly in much better shape than Federer ever was. Thoughts? IMO its a shame that Federer didn't train harder, especially as he approached his late 20's. He could have been in much better athletic shape than he was, in terms of speed and strength.

roger federer won 3 slams and reached 7 out of 8 finals in 08/09. that period was without a doubt still in his peak (apart from AO 08 when he had mono).

fed turned 28 in 2009 so this corresponds to nadals 2014 or novaks 2015 season.

do you think that nadal will reach 6 finals and win 3 13/14 combined or novak will do that in 14/15?

 

[mike danny]

I don't agree. Feds mono is way overblown at this point. His legion of fans didn't consider it an issue at the time, even during the loss to Nadal at W2008. We don't know when Novak will start spawning given his engagement.

So you don't agree fed's level was horrible in 2008? he did not even win a masters and did not even reach a non-clay masters final.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Fed was very consistent during the year

Not really, comparatively.

 

[Chanwan]

Who would have predicted this in 2005 or 2006? Nadal is 27 right now and Djokovic is 26, this corresponds with Federer's age in 2008/2009. I don't think many people would deny that they are playing better tennis than Roger was at the same age.

I think it has to do with their greater emphasis on being physically fit. They are both clearly in much better shape than Federer ever was. Thoughts? IMO its a shame that Federer didn't train harder, especially as he approached his late 20's. He could have been in much better athletic shape than he was, in terms of speed and strength.

Djoko is born in May, Rafa in June and Fed in August.
Djoko's 2013 corresponds to Fed's 2007. I would take Fed's any day.
Nadal's 2013 corresponds with Fed's 2008, clearly Nadal (and yes, Fed made three finals and a semi, but he didn't win that much beside the two slams).

I tend to see it this way. Fed's winning percentage against the field as well as top-10 dropped dramatically in 2008. From 80-100 from 2004-2007 to 41 % in 2008. He still had enough fear factor and enough game to make it all the way to the slam finals and win some. But not enough to dominate.

Imo - and I know this will be very controversial to some - had Federer not had mono in 2008, it's very likely that the passing of the torch would have waited another year or more. Likewise, had Rafa not got injured/family trouble or what not in 2009, it's quite likely Fed would never have gained that RG title and perhaps even not the Wimbledon-title either.
Imo, they would have been very equal ranking and slamwise in 2008 and 2009, with Rafa (with no injuries/familytrouble), getting the definitive edge either in late 2009 or 2010.

And yes, I know this is pure speculation, but whichever way you want to put it, there's a dramatic drop in Fed's performance in 2008, when he's still only 26 for most of the year. And it cannot in any way be ascribed to Rafa alone (Rafa beat him 4 times in 2006 as well as in 2008 ).

 

[chjtennis]

Cough cough, I cry bs on that. That's a newer Fed fan reaction. Only one Fed fan posted that during the final, and no Fed fans here supported it. Fed was favored to win W2008. Fed was very consistent during the year, and I call that a cheap bs excuse. Nadal was beasting during the FO, due to his prime. Fed never bothered changing his tactics against Nadal, and the h2h show that.

Mono infection is more serious than you seem to believe. If you don't understand that, I've got nothing more to tell you.

From 2008, Fed's level dropped. If you don't believe that, fine. You are entitled to your own opinion. However, I make judgement from what I see and Fed of 2008 clearly seemed somewhat different from previous years. Inconsistency in his play(not results) became more of a problem from 2008.

 

[Kenshin]

I don't believe had Federer's mono in 2008. If he had he would be out of the tour like other players who suffered from it. He looked he was in a slump in 2008 but that was because Nadal(2008 FO, WIM) and Djokovic (AO) played better than him. If he was really suffering from mono, he would not have reached four grandslam finals in 2009 and won two of them.

 

[Omega_7000]

I don't believe had Federer's mono in 2008. If he had he would be out of the tour like other players who suffered from it. He looked he was in a slump in 2008 but that was because Nadal(2008 FO, WIM) and Djokovic (AO) played better than him. If he was really suffering from mono, he would not have reached four grandslam finals in 2009 and won two of them.

To begin with, Federer did not know he had mono during the AO.
How do you know it wasn't a mild from of mono?
The doctors confirmed he had mono...You know more than the docs? :roll:
He didn't use the "mono excuse" after 2008...It's not like he says he lost all his matches in 2008 due to mono.
Although he doesn't use it an excuse, you would have to admit it must've affected his training blocks and as a result ===> his form.

Also.............................................................................................................................................

Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is a common acute infectious disease usually found in adolescents and young adults. It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Classic symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands. Sometimes, liver involvement may develop, causing nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and/or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice). A swollen spleen may cause abdominal pain and places the person at risk for splenic rupture, which requires emergency treatment. Heart problems or involvement of the central nervous system occur(s) only rarely, and infectious mononucleosis is almost never fatal. There are no known associations between active EBV infection and problems during pregnancy, such as miscarriages or birth defects. Although the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis usually resolve in 1-2 months and rarely last more than four months, EBV remains latent in a few cells in the throat, blood, and immune system for the rest of the person’s life. This dormancy is characteristic of all herpes viruses. Periodically, the virus can reactivate and is commonly found in the saliva of infected persons. This reactivation usually occurs without symptoms of illness.

DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is confirmed by blood test(s). Test results include an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, an increased percentage of certain typical WBC’s, and a positive “mono spot” (antibody) test. The mono spot test has about a 10-15% false negative rate, but these occur primarily in children under ten. Your physician may wish to repeat the test in a week or so. When the test is repeatably negative, a person with a mononucleosis-like illness may have cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, or toxoplasmosis infection. These tests may not be positive until several weeks after the symptoms arise and, rarely, may remain negative throughout the course of the disease.

TREATMENT
There is no antiviral medication or vaccine available. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive, but medical supervision is absolutely necessary. Patients are instructed to:

Obtain 10-12 hours of sleep a day.
No contact sports, weightlifting, or jumping. Avoid exercise until your energy returns to normal.
Do not drink alcohol.
Do not take Tylenol (acetaminophen).
Increase your intake of fluids; avoid caffeine.
Avoid social activities; limit activities to sleeping, eating, and studying and, if able, classes.
Remain at home if fever develops.
Eat a well-balanced diet.

RECOVERY
The acute phase generally lasts 1-2 weeks; at the end of that time, normal stamina is regained to about 90%. Full recovery may take 1-2 months, possibly longer.

Bed rest, while recommended for those suffering from the disease, has been found to lose its efficacy if prolonged excessively. In one study, a group of students allowed normal activity as soon as they felt like it appeared to recuperate faster than a group confined to bed until all signs of the illness were gone.

http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/infectious_mononucleosis.html

 

[Kenshin]

If he had mono in 2008 it must been really not serious at all. Because other players who suffered from it was not able to play at all.

 

[mike danny]

I don't believe had Federer's mono in 2008. If he had he would be out of the tour like other players who suffered from it. He looked he was in a slump in 2008 but that was because Nadal(2008 FO, WIM) and Djokovic (AO) played better than him. If he was really suffering from mono, he would not have reached four grandslam finals in 2009 and won two of them.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3282485

 

[TheAnty-vic]

To begin with, Federer did not know he had mono during the AO.
How do you know it wasn't a mild from of mono?
The doctors confirmed he had mono...You know more than the docs? :roll:
He didn't use the "mono excuse" after 2008...It's not like he says he lost all his matches in 2008 due to mono.
Although he doesn't use it an excuse, you would have to admit it must've affected his training blocks and as a result ===> his form.

Also.............................................................................................................................................

Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is a common acute infectious disease usually found in adolescents and young adults. It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Classic symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands. Sometimes, liver involvement may develop, causing nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and/or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice). A swollen spleen may cause abdominal pain and places the person at risk for splenic rupture, which requires emergency treatment. Heart problems or involvement of the central nervous system occur(s) only rarely, and infectious mononucleosis is almost never fatal. There are no known associations between active EBV infection and problems during pregnancy, such as miscarriages or birth defects. Although the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis usually resolve in 1-2 months and rarely last more than four months, EBV remains latent in a few cells in the throat, blood, and immune system for the rest of the person’s life. This dormancy is characteristic of all herpes viruses. Periodically, the virus can reactivate and is commonly found in the saliva of infected persons. This reactivation usually occurs without symptoms of illness.

DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is confirmed by blood test(s). Test results include an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, an increased percentage of certain typical WBC’s, and a positive “mono spot” (antibody) test. The mono spot test has about a 10-15% false negative rate, but these occur primarily in children under ten. Your physician may wish to repeat the test in a week or so. When the test is repeatably negative, a person with a mononucleosis-like illness may have cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, or toxoplasmosis infection. These tests may not be positive until several weeks after the symptoms arise and, rarely, may remain negative throughout the course of the disease.

TREATMENT
There is no antiviral medication or vaccine available. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive, but medical supervision is absolutely necessary. Patients are instructed to:

Obtain 10-12 hours of sleep a day.
No contact sports, weightlifting, or jumping. Avoid exercise until your energy returns to normal.
Do not drink alcohol.
Do not take Tylenol (acetaminophen).
Increase your intake of fluids; avoid caffeine.
Avoid social activities; limit activities to sleeping, eating, and studying and, if able, classes.
Remain at home if fever develops.
Eat a well-balanced diet.

RECOVERY
The acute phase generally lasts 1-2 weeks; at the end of that time, normal stamina is regained to about 90%. Full recovery may take 1-2 months, possibly longer.

Bed rest, while recommended for those suffering from the disease, has been found to lose its efficacy if prolonged excessively. In one study, a group of students allowed normal activity as soon as they felt like it appeared to recuperate faster than a group confined to bed until all signs of the illness were gone.

http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/infectious_mononucleosis.html

When was mono? Dec '07 right? His doctor said, that he was in recovery phase in Jan.
June is still 6 months away, no?
Anyways, Roger had no trouble running for hours at a stretch & that too for weeks. He was winning convincingly before. Even in finals, he played competitively for 5 sets! And still, mono excuse...LOL!

 

[NatF]

If he had mono in 2008 it must been really not serious at all. Because other players who suffered from it was not able to play at all.

Serious enough to cause a drop in form, not serious enough to ruin his career.

 

[Kenshin]

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3282485

Thanks for the info. Then it makes sense that mono he got was not that serious.

 

[Kenshin]

Serious enough to cause a drop in form, not serious enough to ruin his career.

I didn't see any serious level of drop in play in 2008 and in 2009 at grandslams. He was beaten more because other players just got better.

 

[NatF]

I didn't see any serious level of drop in play in 2008 and in 2009 at grandslams. He was beaten more because other players just got better.

So you did see a drop in form in the rest of the events? To me Federer did look off at the AO. He certainly wasn't playing as well as 2007 at the event (but that was his best performance there ever).

Federer looked like he was struggling with confidence throughout the entire year, I'd say alot of this was due to his horrible losses at the beginning. Even at the USO which he won it was obvious he wasn't moving and playing as sharply as he had in previous years.

In 2009 I think his level of play was definately better than in 2008. His play was better in all the slams bar Wimbledon. His record versus top 10 opponents and the field in general also went back up. Unless 2008 was an unusually strong blip competition wise that doesn't make sense unless Federer's level dropped. Bar in mind Federer didn't lose to Nadal anymore than usual (he lost 4 times to him in 2006) and he actually slightly did better versus Novak in 2008.

 

[Chanwan]

I didn't see any serious level of drop in play in 2008 and in 2009 at grandslams. He was beaten more because other players just got better.

Even a minor drop is enough at that level. One of the three slams he lost in, he lost in the fifth - the others were uncharacteric three-setters
And what the mono did, it partly to influence, negate and hinder his training.
Anyhow, I doubt people can be convinced to change opinions on this subject.

 

[sbengte]

I don't believe had Federer's mono in 2008. If he had he would be out of the tour like other players who suffered from it.

As an objective poster, I am sure you also believe that Nadal never ever had a knee problem, and if he really did, he would never have won as much and his career would have ended long back.

He looked he was in a slump in 2008 but that was because Nadal(2008 FO, WIM) and Djokovic (AO) played better than him.

As has already been pointed out, he didn't lose any more to Nadal or Djokovic. The difference was that he lost to lesser players.

If he was really suffering from mono, he would not have reached four grandslam finals in 2009 and won two of them.

Are you going to say the same thing about Nadal's 7 month injury break ? If he was really injured, he wouldn't have come back better than what he was when he left, and won everything in sight.

 

[TheAnty-vic]

Federer NEVER lost matches when healthy.

He lost because of -

Mono
Bad back
Blisters on feet
post prime
post peak
Other rival was on PED
Clay matches don't count


What else? Keep adding to the list. :roll:

 

[NatF]

Federer NEVER lost matches when healthy.

He lost because of -

Mono
Bad back
Blisters on feet
post prime
post peak
Other rival was on PED
Clay matches don't count


What else? Keep adding to the list. :roll:

Nadal is the better tennis player because he only needs one excuse;

- Knees

 

[TheAnty-vic]

Nadal is the better tennis player because he only needs one excuse;

- Knees

I don't believe his knees had to do anything in his loss to Rosol. Sure, the bounce on grass is too low for him to bend his knees well. But he lost that match fair & square. I don't buy the excuse.

Nadal has had to miss months of Tennis due to injury issues. Yet Federer, with ALL the excuses in the world, NEVER missed even a match, let alone a tournament!

 

[NatF]

I don't believe his knees had to do anything in his loss to Rosol. Sure, the bounce on grass is too low for him to bend his knees well. But he lost that match fair & square. I don't buy the excuse.

Nadal has had to miss months of Tennis due to injury issues. Yet Federer, with ALL the excuses in the world, NEVER missed even a match, let alone a tournament!

You know there are varying degrees of injury right? A player can be hindered but not bed ridden.

 

[TheAnty-vic]

You know there are varying degrees of injury right? A player can be hindered but not bed ridden.

If he was fit enough to compete in professional tennis at the highest level, and reach Slam finals & win (USO '08), then the injury excuse is just pathetic!

If a player is playing, then he is accountable for his wins as well as his losses.
If he has to play the injury card, then he shouldn't participate in a tournament in the first place.

 

[Kenshin]

As an objective poster, I am sure you also believe that Nadal never ever had a knee problem, and if he really did, he would never have won as much and his career would have ended long back.



As has already been pointed out, he didn't lose any more to Nadal or Djokovic. The difference was that he lost to lesser players.



Are you going to say the same thing about Nadal's 7 month injury break ? If he was really injured, he wouldn't have come back better than what he was when he left, and won everything in sight.

I don't know if it is a waste of time to answer to a troll poster like you but Nadal actually took 7 month injury break because of his knee injuries. Federer who is believed to be suffering from mono in 2008 did not take any break. Big difference.

 

[sbengte]

Nadal has had to miss months of Tennis due to injury issues. Yet Federer, with ALL the excuses in the world, NEVER missed even a match, let alone a tournament!

It depends on a player's attitude , tolerance to pain etc.

Nadal is clear that if he doesn't stand a chance of winning, there is no point competing. He said as much when he didn't show up to defend Wimbledon 2009.

Federer , on the other hand, is known to play on even when he shouldn't really be playing and in situations where he is almost certain to lose. He has his own reasons for doing that, so to each his own.

Basically, don't just reach a conclusion on the magnitude of a player's injury/illness based on who stayed off the tour and who played on through injuries