Nadal Greatest AO Final Performance?
- Thread starter lud
- Start date
TheNachoMan
Legend
First 4 sets of AO 09 are some of the sexiest tennis you’ll ever see. Better than the often overrated Wimbledon 2008.
Ray Mercer
Hall of Fame
2009 without question. His retrieving ability was out of this world. I still believe Federer blew that match but Nadal was getting balls that only he in the history of the game could have retrieved. Federer served poor that day and the court speed was not ideal.
BauerAlmeida
Hall of Fame
2012 or 2009.
RelentlessAttack
Hall of Fame
2009 AO Nadal in the last two rounds was an absolute freak. Shame he lost that movement after the clay trilogy with Novak later in the year. Even though he got better results against the field on HC from 2010 on due to tactics, serve and court positioning, he was never better off the ground on HC than he was then
DogInSpace
Semi-Pro
That one point of 09 final (with Federer insane forehand slice and Nadal's open stance FDTL winner) is the best point that has ever been played on the tennis court. Absolute pinnacle of the shotmaking.
NatF
Bionic Poster
The explosive shotmaking, creativity and athleticism was simply out of this world. It was also the Fedal rivalry in a microcosm, don't think any other two players could have played out that point nor do I think anyone else could have stolen it from Federer.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
09 is crispier than double fried korean chicken 
RelentlessAttack
Hall of Fame
How I long for this level of entertainment to come back
NatF
Bionic Poster
They don't make them like this anymore as Djokovic is showing. I will agree to disagree with anyone who thinks the absolute standard of tennis at the top is better than 15-20 years ago.
Standard at present is very poor with Next Gen gasping and cramping after one intense set. Here first 4 sets were of high intensity
TennisFan3
Talk Tennis Guru
Watching something like this makes me emotional. Those Fedal matches were so special.
Tennis just doesn't have the same excitement anymore. What a huge void Fed/Nadal have left in Tennis.
DogInSpace
Semi-Pro
It's incredible. Every single shot it that rally was insane.
Hood_Man
G.O.A.T.
2009. These days the idea of a player spending 9 hours on court across two rounds is still incredible, but back then it was thought to be impossible.
His win literally changed the perception of tennis.
2022 may be his most satisfying but to be honest Medvedev lost that one more than Nadal won it.
His win literally changed the perception of tennis.
2022 may be his most satisfying but to be honest Medvedev lost that one more than Nadal won it.
Alcaraz and Sinner produce these kinds of insane points, which gives me hope. There will be future greats.
Third Serve
Talk Tennis Guru
obviously 2019
completely tore apart strong era titans Tiafoe and Tsitsipas
completely tore apart strong era titans Tiafoe and Tsitsipas
dr. godmode
Hall of Fame
Has to be 2009 as it doesn't have the slightly choking present in the 2012 final. 2022 might be his strongest mental performance of all his hard court slams.
jl809
Hall of Fame
This slice by Federer is probably the best shot I've ever seen from a player that didn't then win the point. I get such a kick out of seeing the shot every time
DogInSpace
Semi-Pro
Followed by the iconic Nadal's 360 sliding retrieval. I swear this single point has it all.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
2009 is at the wheel.
The Guru
Legend
New Avi
RS
Bionic Poster
You would say 2012 was better if forced to pick.
Last edited:
Start da Game
Hall of Fame
2009 aus open without a doubt.....that tournament he attacked with his backhand as well.....djokovic would have been reduced to scrubs in the final had he not lost to roddick in the heat and made the final......
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
I don't really agree re 2022, Nadal was in control from basically the second set on.
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
It was special
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Remember how big tennis felt back then?
Nadal's semi and final combo are the best back to back matches ever
TearTheRoofOff
G.O.A.T.
TearTheRoofOff
G.O.A.T.
Best rally ever and of course Fed loses it, lawl.
Hood_Man
G.O.A.T.
I'll always remember those two points as the most peak Fedal era points ever; Nadal wins the first with the most grueling, long, punishing rally imaginable, and then Federer immediately aces him in the 2nd
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
I'll always remember those two points as the most peak Fedal era points ever; Nadal wins the first with the most grueling, long, punishing rally imaginable, and then Federer immediately aces him in the 2nd
One of my fav things about Nadal is his 360 slice backhand. The way he can lose sight of the ball while spinning and stay in rallies and turn it into an offensive position is sick af
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Tell me about it lol
NatF
Bionic Poster
Nadal's strength e.g. ability to generate pace at the end of his range has always been sick, it's why he's the GOAT at defence to offence and passing shots IMO. What an athlete
D
Deleted member 779124
Guest
On paper in 2009 but in 2012 Djokovic was a tougher matchup.
mike danny
Bionic Poster
D
Deleted member 629564
Guest
I vote for 2017.
He did everything he could, but was eclipsed by his opponent, a mental rock, the unbeatable GOAT.
He did everything he could, but was eclipsed by his opponent, a mental rock, the unbeatable GOAT.
CoolCoolCool
Hall of Fame
2019.
RS
Bionic Poster
AO 2009 is just credited as Wimbledon 2008 on here if not more credited......
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
It was absolutely insane
jl809
Hall of Fame
Same exact thing happened at AO 17 F in the 5th set... Fed won a ridiculous long point (that people like to cite as the moment he got on top), but then Nadal just aced him on the next pointI'll always remember those two points as the most peak Fedal era points ever; Nadal wins the first with the most grueling, long, punishing rally imaginable, and then Federer immediately aces him in the 2nd
TennisFan3
Talk Tennis Guru
Even watching Nadal in his earlier years, shows how good he really was. Compared to guys such as Alcaraz, Rune, Sinner etc - Nadal was a BEAST. Mentally stronger and physically faster and fitter.
No way would be cramping up in a slam SF like Alcaraz did. Also he wouldn't turn off in a slam QF after a long match, just as Rune did.
It's kind of shameful how bad these new generation are. There is a rest day between slam matches and they are still EXHAUSTED after a long match.
Back in the day, Fed and Nadal used to play Masters Best of 5 sets. Also they had to play multiple days with rain that no longer happens.
Similar threads
