ohn McEnroe says Roger Federer, not Rafa Nadal, is now the best player ever

[Fiero425]

But No1e isn't facing Roger and Rafa at their best, it's also clear to many people he's not as good as they are, thus why he's benefiting without them around in their pomp to stop him. Unless you're going to claim 2015 Djoker would defeat prime Roger and Rafa on grass and clay.


So did players 15 years ago. Saying and doing are two different things.


Nobody thought the tour was weak in 2012 when 4 different players split the majors. That's because all of the Big 4 were close to or at their best.

Difference between now and then is Djoker is winning on surfaces against players he probably wouldn't be a few years back.

You're not giving Nole enough credit! Federer is still killing it'; even Murray who used to test him! You're just being like most who can't see past Fedal when times have to change sooner or later! ;-)

 

[jga111]

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/07/rog...ever-john-mcenroe-rafael-nadal-novak-djokovic

And don't know why he's suddenly changed his mind, I mean 17>14, no? Regardless, do we put any credence on anything this guy says anymore? I mean, really. He changes his tune every five minutes?

A man is allowed to change his mind isn't he?

 

[SQA333]

But Nadal is still the best volleyer on tour right?

 

[Deleted member 307496]

You're not giving Nole enough credit! Federer is still killing it'; even Murray who used to test him! You're just being like most who can't see past Fedal when times have to change sooner or later! ;-)

You're giving Fed too much credit.

Saying he's still "killing it" is like saying Agassi was "killing it" at 34-35.

 

[Fedalforever]

You're giving Fed too much credit.

Saying he's still "killing it" is like saying Agassi was "killing it" at 34-35.

Yeah or like saying hewitt was "killing" it in 2001-2003 lol

 

[Fiero425]

You're giving Fed too much credit.

Saying he's still "killing it" is like saying Agassi was "killing it" at 34-35.

If you're winning tournaments and making multiple major finals; "yeah, he's still killing it!" ;-(

 

[nolefam_2024]

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/07/rog...ever-john-mcenroe-rafael-nadal-novak-djokovic

And don't know why he's suddenly changed his mind, I mean 17>14, no? Regardless, do we put any credence on anything this guy says anymore? I mean, really. He changes his tune every five minutes?

There is nothing wrong in changing sides. Rafa was on course to catch Federer in 2010. He also had great 2013, at the end of both years, he could have topped Fed's slam rally.

Does it seem premature to call Rafa > Roger before he does it, maybe but both are from similar era. Unlike Borg/Sampras and Mc concluded on what he saw, beating Rafa gave Roger time after time after time. At the end of the day, if Rafa somehow reaches 16 slam and Roger stays at 17, statistically Roger would be better but not by much. Both are great, the GOAT concept is stupid and it just makes some player seem far better than other while Tennis is played, everyweek, all year and no one is unbeatable.

So, if its subjective, the GOAT concept, people's feelings does change, I am sure Mc loses less sleep on it, than some posters here.

 

[Fiero425]

There is nothing wrong in changing sides. Rafa was on course to catch Federer in 2010. He also had great 2013, at the end of both years, he could have topped Fed's slam rally.

Does it seem premature to call Rafa > Roger before he does it, maybe but both are from similar era. Unlike Borg/Sampras and Mc concluded on what he saw, beating Rafa gave Roger time after time after time. At the end of the day, if Rafa somehow reaches 16 slam and Roger stays at 17, statistically Roger would be better but not by much. Both are great, the GOAT concept is stupid and it just makes some player seem far better than other while Tennis is played, everyweek, all year and no one is unbeatable.

So, if its subjective, the GOAT concept, people's feelings does change, I am sure Mc loses less sleep on it, than some posters here.

It's hard for me to anoint Rafa anywhere near GOAT'dom! The guy's career and results have been the spottiest of so call greats like no other player I can think of; and I go back a long way! He owns the FO; no doubt about it, but after he leaves the dirt, you have to scratch your head! To this day, he's NEVER defended a title off the clay surface, he's injury prone, and his game, without a doubt is the ugliest of the top echelon! He works too hard to beat even the most menial of players outside the top 100 and it's always been that way! Why go 3 sets with a qualifier or WC in early rounds, then be surprised he's worn down and doesn't have enough to finish off the top players today! Roger's the same way really; all too often thinking "I can rally with these kids!" No you can't old man! Rafa could have already passed Roger in the Majors count and I'd still have reservations about him! What player other than Agassi has had such a rollercoaster of a tenure in the ATP? ;-(

 

[nolefam_2024]

It's hard for me to anoint Rafa anywhere near GOAT'dom! The guy's career and results have been the spottiest of so call greats like no other player I can think of; and I go back a long way! He owns the FO; no doubt about it, but after he leaves the dirt, you have to scratch your head! To this day, he's NEVER defended a title off the clay surface, he's injury prone, and his game, without a doubt is the ugliest of the top echelon! He works too hard to beat even the most menial of players outside the top 100 and it's always been that way! Why go 3 sets with a qualifier or WC in early rounds, then be surprised he's worn down and doesn't have enough to finish off the top players today! Roger's the same way really; all too often thinking "I can rally with these kids!" No you can't old man! Rafa could have already passed Roger in the Majors count and I'd still have reservations about him! What player other than Agassi has had such a rollercoaster of a tenure in the ATP? ;-(

Every player has had a period of dominance after which they seem not dominant. For Rafa it was weird case of dominance on hard coming from 2009-2013 but on natural surface grass coming from 2006-11. 5 year of real dominance on both surfaces.

He has 10 year dominance on clay from 2005-2014 which is ridiculous. His game there is awe inspiring.

Is he best on every court and condition there is on the tour? NO, but he adapted and had some success anyway. So he is problem solver.

Fed on the other hand has been best on every court and condition there is.

 

[Fiero425]

Every player has had a period of dominance after which they seem not dominant. For Rafa it was weird case of dominance on hard coming from 2009-2013 but on natural surface grass coming from 2006-11. 5 year of real dominance on both surfaces.

He has 10 year dominance on clay from 2005-2014 which is ridiculous. His game there is awe inspiring.

Is he best on every court and condition there is on the tour? NO, but he adapted and had some success anyway. So he is problem solver.

Fed on the other hand has been best on every court and condition there is.

All the more to question Rafa being greater than Roger who has 2 major runs of 5 years at the top 2 majors; Wimbledon and the USO! Rafa barely has 2 of each, most of the time falling off the map in the 2nd half of a season! He's yet to even take 1 YEC which truly measures greatness for some people since everyone's there gunning for you! There are just too many holes for me to even consider Rafa "The GOAT;" even with a winning edge over Roger! ;-)

 

[nolefam_2024]

All the more to question Rafa being greater than Roger who has 2 major runs of 5 years at the top 2 majors; Wimbledon and the USO! Rafa barely has 2 of each, most of the time falling off the map in the 2nd half of a season! He's yet to even take 1 YEC which truly measures greatness for some people since everyone's there gunning for you! There are just too many holes for me to even consider Rafa "The GOAT;" even with a winning edge over Roger! ;-)

Hmm and that is your opinion and as much as you, Mc is entitled to his opinion.

 

[Fiero425]

Hmm and that is your opinion and as much as you, Mc is entitled to his opinion.

Not as much an opinion, but makes sense! Collectively we've all been hypocrites or delusional when it comes to naming the greatest ever! It wasn't that long ago, Sampras was proclaimed the GOAT; even without playing a FO final! If Roger hadn't come along, then maybe we could give Rafa more props, but he has to do more than excel on clay IMO! ;-)