Nadal has a greater longevity than Fed

[aman92]

For years we only hear of Federer's longevity in the game and while that's remarkable, Nadal has surpassed him now in terms of years as a top player.
- He has a longer span between his first and latest GS (RG 2005- RG 2020 : 15 years 4 months) compared to Federer (Wim 03- AO 18: 14 years 6 months)
- He has the most consecutive weeks in top 10 in the history of tennis, surpassing Connors at 817 (nearly 80% of these weeks have been in the top 3)

Still ruling tennis along with Djokovic at 35. Not bad for someone , whose body many predicted will breakdown before 30.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Simple math refutes this. The statement "Nadal has a greater longevity than Fed" is untrue and provably so.

Fed turned pro in 1998, Nadal turned pro in 2001. Fed has been on tour 23 years, Nadal 20.

End thread.

 

[aman92]

Simple math refutes this. The statement "Nadal has a greater longevity than Fed" is untrue and provably so.

Fed turned pro in 1998, Nadal turned pro in 2001. Fed has been on tour 23 years, Nadal 20.

End thread.

It's about years playing high quality tennis...Federer didn't win a slam until 2003 and has hardly played in the past 2 years. Just being present on the tour isn't a mark of longevity. Next you'll argue Feliciano Lopez who turned pro in 1997 has a greater longevity than Fedal?

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

For years we only hear of Federer's longevity in the game and while that's remarkable, Nadal has surpassed him now in terms of years as a top player.
- He has a longer span between his first and latest GS (RG 2005- RG 2020 : 15 years 4 months) compared to Federer (Wim 03- AO 18: 14 years 6 months)
- He has the most consecutive weeks in top 10 in the history of tennis, surpassing Connors at 817 (nearly 80% of these weeks have been in the top 3)

Still ruling tennis along with Djokovic at 35. Not bad for someone , whose body many predicted will breakdown before 30.

Nope.
I disagree with that, gentleman

 

[Deleted member 771911]

For years we only hear of Federer's longevity in the game and while that's remarkable, Nadal has surpassed him now in terms of years as a top player.
- He has a longer span between his first and latest GS (RG 2005- RG 2020 : 15 years 4 months) compared to Federer (Wim 03- AO 18: 14 years 6 months)
- He has the most consecutive weeks in top 10 in the history of tennis, surpassing Connors at 817 (nearly 80% of these weeks have been in the top 3)

Still ruling tennis along with Djokovic at 35. Not bad for someone , whose body many predicted will breakdown before 30.

Tennis' most underrated achievement.

 

[topher]

Rosewall has a span of 19 years between his first and last GS I believe.

Even if you don’t count amateur GS’s then he had 15 years between his first pro slam pre-Open era and his last GS in the open era.

Rafa and Fed have their cases but they’re not the only ones with amazing longevity.

 

[BeatlesFan]

It's about years playing high quality tennis...Federer didn't win a slam until 2003 and has hardly played in the past 2 years. Just being present on the tour isn't a mark of longevity. Next you'll argue Feliciano Lopez who turned pro in 1997 has a greater longevity than Fedal?

Yeah I will. Why don't you look up the word "longevity?" Feli has had greater longevity than Federer.

Period.

Connors won nothing the last few years of his career, it's utterly immaterial when using the term "longevity." Since in your world you wish to change the definition of the word and include your concept of "it's all about playing high quality tennis!" it's curious you omit the salient fact Roger Federer won 3 slams after the age of 35 and was the oldest ranked #1 player in the history of the ATP at age 37. But whatever floats your boat.

 

[uscwang]

For years we only hear of Federer's longevity in the game and while that's remarkable, Nadal has surpassed him now in terms of years as a top player.
- He has a longer span between his first and latest GS (RG 2005- RG 2020 : 15 years 4 months) compared to Federer (Wim 03- AO 18: 14 years 6 months)
- He has the most consecutive weeks in top 10 in the history of tennis, surpassing Connors at 817 (nearly 80% of these weeks have been in the top 3)

Still ruling tennis along with Djokovic at 35. Not bad for someone , whose body many predicted will breakdown before 30.

Yes.
I felt Moya may have something to do with it. Moya became Nadal's coach in Dec 2016. Since then, Nadal reached 2 finals at AO, won 4 consecutive FO, reached 2 SF at WB, and won 2 USO. And he has been playing full seasons without major injuries.

 

[Backspin1183]

No, not yet but his longevity is equally impressive, if not more.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Nope.
I disagree with that, gentleman

Your Lordship, which part offends thy sensibilities?

For me, I find the premise ****-eyed to begin with.

For as we know all too well, Nadal worked loopholes and manipulated the system by taking recuperative breaks throughout his entire career.

 

[Hitman]

Not greater, but he's right up there with him. Djokovic fast approaching it also.

 

[USO]

Rosewall has a span of 19 years between his first and last GS I believe.

Even if you don’t count amateur GS’s then he had 15 years between his first pro slam pre-Open era and his last GS in the open era.

Rafa and Fed have their cases but they’re not the only ones with amazing longevity.

I think I spot Rosewall somewhere:

Please don’t ever compare him to Fedal.

He’s better than Djokovic though.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Not greater, but he's right up there with him. Djokovic fast approaching it also.

Just six more years and he'll have it in the bag.

 

[Hitman]

Just six more years and he'll have it in the bag.

Why not?

 

[duaneeo]

For years we only hear of Federer's longevity in the game and while that's remarkable, Nadal has surpassed him now in terms of years as a top player.
- He has a longer span between his first and latest GS (RG 2005- RG 2020 : 15 years 4 months) compared to Federer (Wim 03- AO 18: 14 years 6 months)
- He has the most consecutive weeks in top 10 in the history of tennis, surpassing Connors at 817 (nearly 80% of these weeks have been in the top 3)

We're talking longevity. Federer has ended the year in the Top-3 fifteen times...every year except 2013, 2016, and 2020 since 2003.

 

[GhostOfNKDM]

Nadal has had a far more ‘remarkable’ durability, not necessarily longer, although that could happen too.

Ironically it was all those injury breaks that seem to have added mileage towards the back end of his career.

Seems like an apt instance of “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”

 

[SonnyT]

For years we only hear of Federer's longevity in the game and while that's remarkable, Nadal has surpassed him now in terms of years as a top player.
- He has a longer span between his first and latest GS (RG 2005- RG 2020 : 15 years 4 months) compared to Federer (Wim 03- AO 18: 14 years 6 months)
- He has the most consecutive weeks in top 10 in the history of tennis, surpassing Connors at 817 (nearly 80% of these weeks have been in the top 3)

Still ruling tennis along with Djokovic at 35. Not bad for someone , whose body many predicted will breakdown before 30.

You nailed the important criteria on the head. It's not how long the playing careers; it's the longest span between 1st and last slams!

 

[Lleytonstation]

Tennis' most underrated achievement.

Not even top 10.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Not even top 10.

I think it's top 5.

 

[Lleytonstation]

I think it's top 5.

I think consecutive QF and SF appearances is bigger, same with no retirements mid match. But the one you speak of is a great achievement, but I dont know about top 5.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

I think consecutive QF and SF appearances is bigger, same with no retirements mid match. But the one you speak of is a great achievement, but I dont know about top 5.

Top 15?

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Not yet although it's quite possible, which would've been considered nuts until recently. OP is running ahead of himself like a dullard, naturally.

17 years between Federer's first and last top level performance (2002 Hamburg - 2019 Wimbledon).
16 years between Nadal's first and last top level performance (2005 Miami - pending 2021 RG)

Nadal looks poised to take it unless Fred can come up with something at 40 - slim chance.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Top 15?

Probably 8-12 in my opinion, but it is a pretty subjective stat considering how others feel, but I just feel like top 5 would be a bigger deal, as you cant take an entire half season off and still stay top 5. He might have that one as well though.

 

[SonnyT]

Another consideration is that, since 2011, Federer was relegated essentially to being the 3rd wheel. But Nadal remains in the top 2 to this day!

 

[Texas Tennis Fan]

Tennis' most underrated achievement.

Actually not that hard since all it takes is about 2700 points to be in the top 10, so one slam, one 500, and a few more points.

A far more significant achievement is being in the Top 3 for a long time. Course as a Djokovic fan I especially love that he is the all time leader with weeks as No. 2.

 

[ChaelAZ]

This thread drips with ironic satire in light of all the early threads saying Nadal couldn't keep up his physical level of play and would burn out.

Love it.

 

[mike danny]

This thread drips with ironic satire in light of all the early threads saying Nadal couldn't keep up his physical level of play and would burn out.

Love it.

At the same time, this thread dips with ironic satire in light of all those years where people complained about Nadal's bad luck with injuries

 

[SonnyT]

Most important to Nadal's longevity was changing coaches, and playing much closer to the BL.

He couldn't have lasted this long, if he had stayed way back! Now he only stays way back on the serve return!

What I find most amazing is that, even after he made the strategic change, he still dominates on clay, maybe more than ever! It just shows how great his groundstrokes are!

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Fed turned pro in 1998, Nadal turned pro in 2001. Fed has been on tour 23 years, Nadal 20.

It's about years playing high quality tennis...

oh ok, then it's easier: 23 vs 0

you don't like the good tennis?...

I think I spot Rosewall somewhere:

Please don’t ever compare him to Fedal.

He’s better than Djokovic though.

you don't like the thirdwheeloceratops?

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Your Lordship, which part offends thy sensibilities?

For me, I find the premise ****-eyed to begin with.

For as we know all too well, Nadal worked loopholes and manipulated the system by taking recuperative breaks throughout his entire career.

K

 

[vex]

For years we only hear of Federer's longevity in the game and while that's remarkable, Nadal has surpassed him now in terms of years as a top player.
- He has a longer span between his first and latest GS (RG 2005- RG 2020 : 15 years 4 months) compared to Federer (Wim 03- AO 18: 14 years 6 months)
- He has the most consecutive weeks in top 10 in the history of tennis, surpassing Connors at 817 (nearly 80% of these weeks have been in the top 3)

Still ruling tennis along with Djokovic at 35. Not bad for someone , whose body many predicted will breakdown before 30.

Not buying it. 2015 Federer at the same age was a significantly bigger factor on tour than current Nadal.

 

[vex]

Most important to Nadal's longevity was changing coaches, and playing much closer to the BL.

He couldn't have lasted this long, if he had stayed way back! Now he only stays way back on the serve return!

What I find most amazing is that, even after he made the strategic change, he still dominates on clay, maybe more than ever! It just shows how great his groundstrokes are!

Now this is actual analysis

 

[MadariKatu]

Probably 8-12 in my opinion, but it is a pretty subjective stat considering how others feel, but I just feel like top 5 would be a bigger deal, as you cant take an entire half season off and still stay top 5. He might have that one as well though.

No, he doesn't. He stands as #5 for consecutive weeks in the top5:

#	Cons. top 5
659	Jimmy Connors
558	Ivan Lendl
548	Roger Federer
535	Novak Djokovic
522	Rafael Nadal

He doesn't have the record for non consecutive weeks in the top5 either:

#	Top 5
859	Roger Federer
764	Rafael Nadal▲
706	Jimmy Connors
656	Novak Djokovic▲
563	Ivan Lendl

But he does have the record for most at top2:

#	Top 2
579	Rafael Nadal
528	Roger Federer
465	Novak Djokovic▲
385	Jimmy Connors
377	Ivan Lendl

 

[GabeT]

I love how we always find new ways to troll each other. I feel like I’ve been slacking. Will need to come up with some threads like this on my own.

 

[Nate7-5]

Looking forward to seeing Nadal play at 39

 

[MeatTornado]

Yes it turned out all those debilitating injuries weren't quite such a big deal after all.

 

[Lleytonstation]

I love how we always find new ways to troll each other. I feel like I’ve been slacking. Will need to come up with some threads like this on my own.

Did you know Djoker is the only big 3 never to turn 34.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Federer fans living in denial. Nadal won his first Slam when he was 19 yo and he won his last when he was 34. That's span of 15 years - Federer OTOH has 14.5 years period between his first and last Slam. Nadal may not last in his late thirties but let's not forget he made break through very early. His longevity already as good as Federer if not better..

 

[D.Nalby12]

Also Nadal won more Slams in his thirties than Federer, he finished season as #1 when he was 33 yo. Federer was 28 yo when he finished as #1 last time.

 

[aman92]

Federer fans living in denial. Nadal won his first Slam when he was 19 yo and he won his last when he was 34. That's span of 15 years - Federer OTOH has 14.5 years period between his first and last Slam. Nadal may not last in his late thirties but let's not forget he made break through very early. His longevity already as good as Federer if not better..

That is what I keep saying... Lonegivity in tennis is the amount of time you spend at the top not the no of years playing in the tour. Murray is still technically a tour player but for all intents and purposes his career finished in 2018.

 

[Tshooter]

For years we only hear of Federer's longevity in the game and while that's remarkable, Nadal has surpassed him now in terms of years as a top player.
- He has a longer span between his first and latest GS (RG 2005- RG 2020 : 15 years 4 months) compared to Federer (Wim 03- AO 18: 14 years 6 months)
- He has the most consecutive weeks in top 10 in the history of tennis, surpassing Connors at 817 (nearly 80% of these weeks have been in the top 3)

Still ruling tennis along with Djokovic at 35. Not bad for someone , whose body many predicted will breakdown before 30.

When Nadal first came on tour the tennis cognoscenti gave him 10 years max with his style of play before he was done. He’s surpassed all expectations.

 

[aman92]

Fed fans naturally fuming at the thread... One thing they could still cling on to was his longevity and Nadal (Djokovic too soon) will surpass that

 

[TMF]

Sadly some people in here don't understand the meaning of longevity

 

[TMF]

Yeah I will. Why don't you look up the word "longevity?" Feli has had greater longevity than Federer.

Period.

Connors won nothing the last few years of his career, it's utterly immaterial when using the term "longevity." Since in your world you wish to change the definition of the word and include your concept of "it's all about playing high quality tennis!" it's curious you omit the salient fact Roger Federer won 3 slams after the age of 35 and was the oldest ranked #1 player in the history of the ATP at age 37. But whatever floats your boat.

Well said.

 

[PrinceMoron]

Dinosaurs were around for a long time and then all of a sudden

 

[Sunny014]

Yeah I will. Why don't you look up the word "longevity?" Feli has had greater longevity than Federer.

Period.

Connors won nothing the last few years of his career, it's utterly immaterial when using the term "longevity." Since in your world you wish to change the definition of the word and include your concept of "it's all about playing high quality tennis!" it's curious you omit the salient fact Roger Federer won 3 slams after the age of 35 and was the oldest ranked #1 player in the history of the ATP at age 37. But whatever floats your boat.

What he meant was Longevity at the top level by being a ruthless force of nature that nobody can subdue and he is somewhat right in that (because of the french open).

Nadal has been a brute force punisher in 2005 and he was the same in 2020, that 16 years in between and he has won the French 13 times out of 16 times.

Even this year he is looking the fav to win it for the 14th time.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

So much smuggery, and with a straight face in light of the physiological Armageddon Nadal has been championed to have faced over the years. Fed had a super economic game, quicker matches, fewer long rallies, really light practices, mostly smart scheduling, didn't chase every ball/point, and managed to avoid injuries to a far greater extent than Nadal. It turns out that all of that was pretty much pointless, because Nadal is showing that you can just Energizer/Duracell Bunny your way through your entire career and end up having the last laugh anyway, and with fewer surgeries just for those extra lols. I guess it's all down to genetics and physio.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Dinosaurs were around for a long time and then all of a sudden

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

So much smuggery, and with a straight face in light of the physiological Armageddon Nadal has been championed to have faced over the years. Fed had a super economic game, quicker matches, fewer long rallies, really light practices, mostly smart scheduling, didn't chase every ball/point, and managed to avoid injuries to a far greater extent than Nadal. It turns out that all of that was pretty much pointless, because Nadal is showing that you can just Energizer/Duracell Bunny your way through your entire career and end up having the last laugh anyway, and with fewer surgeries just for those extra lols. I guess it's all down to genetics and physio.

 

[NatF]

Not yet although it's quite possible, which would've been considered nuts until recently. OP is running ahead of himself like a dullard, naturally.

17 years between Federer's first and last top level performance (2002 Hamburg - 2019 Wimbledon).
16 years between Nadal's first and last top level performance (2005 Miami - pending 2021 RG)

Nadal looks poised to take it unless Fred can come up with something at 40 - slim chance.

Nadal first top level performance was at the AO in 2005