Rafael Nadal just debunked the slam race

[weakera]

Rafael Nadal says he believes his satisfaction with his career doesn’t depend on the number of major titles:

“I believe in having a good and great ambition, but, at the same time, healthy.

You reach the end of your career and, honestly, I am not more satisfied than Federer for having 22 and him 20. And I don't think I would be more satisfied or happy if I had 25, one more than Djokovic’s 24. I say it from the heart.

Of course, I would like to be at 25, without a doubt, because that's what sport is all about, trying to be the best. However, when it is over, you value what has been all together, not if it has been a little more.”

 

[Net Beast]

Rafael Nadal says he believes his satisfaction with his career doesn’t depend on the number of major titles:

“I believe in having a good and great ambition, but, at the same time, healthy.

You reach the end of your career and, honestly, I am not more satisfied than Federer for having 22 and him 20. And I don't think I would be more satisfied or happy if I had 25, one more than Djokovic’s 24. I say it from the heart.

Of course, I would like to be at 25, without a doubt, because that's what sport is all about, trying to be the best. However, when it is over, you value what has been all together, not if it has been a little more.”

That and the hundreds of millions in his bank account.

 

[Centrius]

Major cope.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Cope mechanism

 

[Krish872007]

Slightly late with this, but:

 

[Razer]

 

[slal1984]

hahah...i guess maturity comes with retirement..!!

 

[JMR]

Tennis is possibly the only major sport in which the "GOAT race" has been subjected to hyperintense real-time scrutiny for the last couple of decades. A bit of this occurs in basketball -- "Has LeBron finally passed Jordan in the court of public opinion?" -- but tennis fans have created and updated imaginary GOAT standings as if they were monitoring the day-to-day results of league play in their favorite team sport. "OK, who's ahead now??" I thought this perspective might abate with the sunset of the Big 3 -- Federer gone for years, Nadal on his way out the door, and Djokovic left with no one to really "race" against anymore -- but no! Now we get regular updates on the Alcaraz vs. Sinner standings, along with crazy projected slam totals that drag these young players into the GOAT battle prematurely. Clearly, this industry will outlive the Big 3. It used to be that being no. 1 for the year was something to be celebrated in itself. Today, it appears that the primary benefit of such a ranking is that it might conceivably be extrapolated into being no. 1 for all eternity.

All Nadal really needed to say here was, "Thank god for an exit ramp!" He and his partisans can enjoy the relief of being able to stop the counting.

 

[struggle]

Shoulda retired a couple years ago.

 

[thrust]

IMO, Nadal makes a lot of sense with that statement. Though he may not own most of the important stats., he had had an incredibly great career and established himself as the greatest clay court player of all-time.

 

[Neptune]

What to debunk when you lost all the pivotal races?

But yeah, must look at all the pivotal categories (Weeks #1, YE #1, Slams, TF, Masters, Top 5 wins, Top 10 wins).

 

[N01E]

The real GS titles were the friends we made along the way

 

[ollinger]

Tennis is possibly the only major sport in which the "GOAT race" has been subjected to hyperintense real-time scrutiny for the last couple of decades. A bit of this occurs in basketball -- "Has LeBron finally passed Jordan in the court of public opinion?" -- but tennis fans have created and updated imaginary GOAT standings as if they were monitoring the day-to-day results of league play in their favorite team sport. "OK, who's ahead now??" I thought this perspective might abate with the sunset of the Big 3 -- Federer gone for years, Nadal on his way out the door, and Djokovic left with no one to really "race" against anymore -- but no! Now we get regular updates on the Alcaraz vs. Sinner standings, along with crazy projected slam totals that drag these young players into the GOAT battle prematurely. Clearly, this industry will outlive the Big 3. It used to be that being no. 1 for the year was something to be celebrated in itself. Today, it appears that the primary benefit of such a ranking is that it might conceivably be extrapolated into being no. 1 for all eternity.

All Nadal really needed to say here was, "Thank god for an exit ramp!" He and his partisans can enjoy the relief of being able to stop the counting.

Very well said. I've always been amused when one player would pass another in the slam "race" and people would suggest that yesterday player A was the GOAT but today player B is, all on the strength of one win. Freud coined the term "narcissism of small differences" in1917 describing how groups that actually had a great deal in common would search for minute differences to differentiate themselves from each other. Worth reading about.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Tennis is possibly the only major sport in which the "GOAT race" has been subjected to hyperintense real-time scrutiny for the last couple of decades. A bit of this occurs in basketball -- "Has LeBron finally passed Jordan in the court of public opinion?" -- but tennis fans have created and updated imaginary GOAT standings as if they were monitoring the day-to-day results of league play in their favorite team sport. "OK, who's ahead now??" I thought this perspective might abate with the sunset of the Big 3 -- Federer gone for years, Nadal on his way out the door, and Djokovic left with no one to really "race" against anymore -- but no! Now we get regular updates on the Alcaraz vs. Sinner standings, along with crazy projected slam totals that drag these young players into the GOAT battle prematurely. Clearly, this industry will outlive the Big 3. It used to be that being no. 1 for the year was something to be celebrated in itself. Today, it appears that the primary benefit of such a ranking is that it might conceivably be extrapolated into being no. 1 for all eternity.

All Nadal really needed to say here was, "Thank god for an exit ramp!" He and his partisans can enjoy the relief of being able to stop the counting.

It's Nadal fans who boasted slam race because that is the only criteria in which he was passing Fed.

Not in consistency, not in money or fame or not even in dominance. 310 weeks was the standard.

What is left is slams. So they went hard.

 

[fedfan24]

level of play, iconic moments, what you do on the court in your career is everything. Big 3 race finished by 2019 then after was some late career inflation over the worst period in men’s tennis history.

 

[Bambooman]

He doesn't debunk it at all. You misunderstand his comment.

He even said this "Of course, I would like to be at 25, without a doubt, because that's what sport is all about, trying to be the best."

 

[Lleytonstation]

A true fan should not care if they did not win the race. I know as a Fed fan I do not care. Sure, it would be nice, but I did not watch Fed for almost 20 years because I thought he would be some farm animal.

Same with Rafa. Enjoy what you witnessed. When Djoker retires, fans wont be thinking 24 slams, they will remember the moments along the way.

If we all cared about who had the most slams, we would all be Djoker fans.

 

[Lleytonstation]

He doesn't debunk it at all. You misunderstand his comment.

He even said this "Of course, I would like to be at 25, without a doubt, because that's what sport is all about, trying to be the best."

He is basically saying that when you are done, you realize the numbers are not as important as you thought. He cherishes the good and doesn't focus on what could have been. Only way to live life, cause you wont always be first.

 

[inflation_era]

You have to read between the lines. He's saying Djokovic lead over Fedal is insignificant.

 

[Winner Sinner]

Have we really reached the point where someone cannot be at peace with themselves (let alone mention the word happiness) for having achieved the goals achieved in their career if that career has the requirements of Nadal's?

Fanaticism is a bad thing, where essentially the law is in force that if you have not achieved the most successful career in the history of tennis you have to live with perennial dissatisfaction. Maybe it's like this for their fans, but for those directly involved I don't think so.

Records are made to be broken, sooner or later someone will come along who will win even more than Djokovic, but this will not take anything away from the greatness of the results achieved by Djokovic as is true today for the other two members of the big three. The Goat issue is simply fluid and not static.

 

[Mustard]

Rafa knows that he's the best in the biggest matches.

 

[ND-13]

The big 3 know that it is just a matter of time before Sinner and Alcaraz cross them. So it is better to be like Pete as though he doesn’t care about the final count once it is all done.

Records are meant to be broken and they will always be

 

[Bastion]

Nadal satisfied not being the goat by winning most GS titles.
Novak satisfied with being the goat by winning most GS titles.

Both just fine and satisfied with what they accomplished, I see no problem here?

 

[Airspun]

Why are Novak fans still salty? Undisputed GOAT but always get your panties in an uproar when Fedal speak. Jealousy.

 

[Sport]

 

[Bastion]

Why do salty Fedal fans never attack the person who started a clear salty provocative thread in the first place?

But, the moment Novak fans joke along or fires back in jest, some fedal fans wet their panties by attacking Novak fans for attacking the original attacker who started another click bait thread?

 

[Biotic]

Nadal has made his peace with not being the best. Good for him.

 

[Hitman]

He still has the best trophy room in his academy, Federer freaking has his slams behind his work desk and Djokovic has his thrown around on the floor. Like WTF?

 

[tennis_error]

Lol, so much cope, in public... But It's ok, not the Rolex cope level... numbers don't matter, lol...

 

[weakera]

A true fan should not care if they did not win the race. I know as a Fed fan I do not care. Sure, it would be nice, but I did not watch Fed for almost 20 years because I thought he would be some farm animal.

Same with Rafa. Enjoy what you witnessed. When Djoker retires, fans wont be thinking 24 slams, they will remember the moments along the way.

If we all cared about who had the most slams, we would all be Djoker fans.

I just wish I had more Rafa matches to look forward to. The numbers seem so insignificant now that it is over. I don't care how the show ends, I just didn't want it to end.

 

[JasonZ]

nadal is lying. the slam race and his hunger to finish first was the only reason he didnt retire years ago, but ruined his body and tortured himself.

 

[nolefam_2024]

nadal is lying. the slam race and his hunger to finish first was the only reason he didnt retire years ago, but ruined his body and tortured himself.

Also


Delayed marriage. He said he will marry and start family after retirement when he was 25 or so. Then just this week when asked , how it feels to see your son watching , he said , maybe jokingly , once he was born I lost more matches than won.

Nadal sacrificed all for slam race. His soul, his body and a happy family life when it was time to go for glory.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

The big 3 know that it is just a matter of time before Sinner and Alcaraz cross them. So it is better to be like Pete as though he doesn’t care about the final count once it is all done.

Records are meant to be broken and they will always be

Not in all sports! Do you see Phil Taylor’s records getting broken in darts? Everyone thought Tiger Woods would break Jack Nicklaus 18 majors in golf. We still waiting though. Let’s see for tennis.

 

[Mustard]

Records are meant to be broken and they will always be

Not Nadal's 14 French Opens. LOL.

 

[GabeT]

He is basically saying that when you are done, you realize the numbers are not as important as you thought. He cherishes the good and doesn't focus on what could have been. Only way to live life, cause you wont always be first.

But that’s not the same thing. Sure, when you look at your life as a whole what you want is to make sure you enjoyed it and did your best. In that sense 22 or 25 doesn’t change much.

but that’s not what the slam race is. The slam race is a very specific goal for (a very very tiny group of) tennis players while they were active. All of them wanted to win it. But only one of them did

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Not Nadal's 14 French Opens. LOL.

Exactly. That will never be broken. I also doubt Novak’s 24 slams or even 10 Australian opens will be broken. They more likely but wouldn’t bet on it.

 

[Hitman]

Exactly. That will never be broken. I also doubt Novak’s 24 slams or even 10 Australian opens will be broken. They more likely but wouldn’t bet on it.

None of us know for sure what will be broken or not broken with 100% certainty. Because unless you have been to the future and seen all the years of tennis and have come back to the past, you don't know anything. There is a saying - Never say never.

 

[travlerajm]

Rafa can still win the slam race. All he needs is for the French Open to get a boost in adjusted slam value.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

None of us know for sure what will be broken or not broken with 100% certainty. Because unless you have been to the future and seen all the years of tennis and have come back to the past, you don't know anything. There is a saying - Never say never.

This is true but I think some people assume because the big 3 broke records the next guys will follow suit. They might but they have a long way to go and a lot has to go right.

Alcaraz looks the most talent to do it with Sinner there as well. However, all it takes is 1 serious injury, a younger player to come and block them, stop each other, distractions like gfs/wives, family issues, etc and it all crashes.

You right we don’t know but I think we have to just see. If I’m Alcaraz or sinner I’m not putting extra pressure on myself thinking about it.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Rafa can still win the slam race. All he needs is for the French Open to get a boost in adjusted slam value.

 

[Hitman]

This is true but I think some people assume because the big 3 broke records the next guys will follow suit. They might but they have a long way to go and a lot has to go right.

Alcaraz looks the most talent to do it with Sinner there as well. However, all it takes is 1 serious injury, a younger player to come and block them, stop each other, distractions like gfs/wives, family issues, etc and it all crashes.

You right we don’t know but I think we have to just see. If I’m Alcaraz or sinner I’m not putting extra pressure on myself thinking about it.

You think people would learn their lesson about not assuming. When Sampras got 14 slams, so many thought that record was monstrous, simply won't be toppled for a long time, if ever...and look what happened? Not one, not two, but three guys blew it out of the water. No one knows what will happen next, if they did, they would be winning every lottery out there.

 

[Mustard]

You think people would learn their lesson about not assuming. When Sampras got 14 slams, so many thought that record was monstrous, simply won't be toppled for a long time, if ever...and look what happened? Not one, not two, but three guys blew it out of the water. No one knows what will happen next, if they did, they would be winning every lottery out there.

14 French Opens is safer, because there's only one French Open per year. With majors, there are four per year.

Nadal won French Opens at age 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 36. Rune was talking about beating it a few years ago. It's too late already for him, as he's 21 and yet to win the tournament.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

You think people would learn their lesson about not assuming. When Sampras got 14 slams, so many thought that record was monstrous, simply won't be toppled for a long time, if ever...and look what happened? Not one, not two, but three guys blew it out of the water. No one knows what will happen next, if they did, they would be winning every lottery out there.

I agree it works both ways. True we can’t rule it out either.

I feel though the big 3 still grew up in a more focused environment without less social media distractions. I still think that can be more of an obstacle for Alcaraz and sinner.

Of course Alcaraz and sinner might deal with it. However, the big 3 were unique and their mentality and focus was insane. Less distractions for them too. We will see how it goes.

 

[Bastion]

Exactly. That will never be broken. I also doubt Novak’s 24 slams or even 10 Australian opens will be broken. They more likely but wouldn’t bet on it.

Beating 428 weeks as NR. 1 more difficult to get than the 24 GS?

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Beating 428 weeks AS NR. 1 more difficult to get than the 24 GS?

That is a tall order as well. Some records may fall but beating some of them is like climbing Mount Everest. A tall order for Alcaraz, sinner and co

 

[RS]

Rafael Nadal says he believes his satisfaction with his career doesn’t depend on the number of major titles:

“I believe in having a good and great ambition, but, at the same time, healthy.

You reach the end of your career and, honestly, I am not more satisfied than Federer for having 22 and him 20. And I don't think I would be more satisfied or happy if I had 25, one more than Djokovic’s 24. I say it from the heart.

Of course, I would like to be at 25, without a doubt, because that's what sport is all about, trying to be the best. However, when it is over, you value what has been all together, not if it has been a little more.”

This part flying over heads

 

[Hood_Man]

He should have been asked that question at the end of 2010 when it looked like the reign of Rafa Nadal had begun, and then at the end of 2011 when Novak had stolen the crown and pushed him off his horse.

 

[Bastion]

That is a tall order as well. Some records may fall but beating some of them is like climbing Mount Everest. A tall order for Alcaraz, sinner and co

Yes, I think those two, 14 RG Nadal, and 428 weeks Novak, will be the most difficult.

 

[Hitman]

14 French Opens is safer, because there's only one French Open per year. With majors, there are four per year.

Nadal won French Opens at age 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 36. Rune was talking about beating it a few years ago. It's too late already for him, as he's 21 and yet to win the tournament.

Safer, yes, I am not disputing what is more safer. I am saying it is not wise to ever say that a record will never be broken, you know better.

 

[Hitman]

I agree it works both ways. True we can’t rule it out either.

I feel though the big 3 still grew up in a more focused environment without less social media distractions. I still think that can be more of an obstacle for Alcaraz and sinner.

Of course Alcaraz and sinner might deal with it. However, the big 3 were unique and their mentality and focus was insane. Less distractions for them too. We will see how it goes.

That is what will make us watch, we really don't know what is coming next....