Rate each player out of 10

[gold soundz]

The ratings go by the players general/overall quality/effectiveness/success in the specific area being rated. Don't rate each area
on how they did in a specific match or tournament.

By the way, consistency refers to how often they are in the zone and how often they come on the court with their proper game (i.e not patchy).

I haven't added fitness/physical strength because I wouldn't know enough to rate. Feel free to add any more areas to rate.

I've started with a few here...



Federer
Forehand - 10 (the best of all time. i wouldn't rate any other forehand 10)
Backhand - 9 (underrated. it only looks bad against nadal)
Serve - 9.5
Slice - 9.5
Volley - 9.5
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 9.5
Consistency - 9.5 (grand slams 10 without a doubt though)



Nadal
Forehand - 9.5
Backhand - 9
Serve - 8.5 (doesn't get enough free points imo)
Slice - 8.5
Volley - 9
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 10
Consistency - 9.5


Roddick
Forehand - 8.5
Backhand - 8.5
Serve - 10 (only other 10s would be sampras, karlovic, ivansevic maybe?)
Slice - 9
Volley - 8.5
Return - 8.5
Speed/footwork - 9
Mental Strength - 9.5
Consistency - 9.5


Nalbandian
Forehand - 9
Backhand - 9.5
Serve - 8.5
slice - 9
Volley - 9
Return - 9.5
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 8.5
Consistency - 7



Murray
Forehand - 8.5
Backhand - 9
Serve - 9
Slice - 9.5
Volley - 9
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 9.5
Consistency - 8.5


Gasquet
Forehand - 7 (terrible shot for a pro)
Backhand - 9 (a bit overrated. unless he sets up for a big one, it's average generally.)
Serve - 8.5
Slice - 9
Volley - 9
Return - 8.5
Speed/footwork - 8.5
Mental Strength - 6.5
Consistency - 7



Gonzo
Forehand - 9.5
Backhand - 8.5
Serve - 9
Slice - 9.5
Volley - 9
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 9
Mental Strength - 9
Consistency - 8


Del Potro
Forehand - 9.5
Backhand - 9
Serve - 9
Slice - 9
Volley - 9
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 9
Mental Strength - 9.5
Consistency - 9


Djokovic
Forehand - 9.5
Backhand - 9.5
Serve - 9
Slice - 9
Volley - 9
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 8.5
Consistency - 7.5


Davydenko
Forehand - 9.5
Backhand - 9.5
Serve - 8.5
Slice - 9
Volley - 9
Return - 9.5
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 8 (lets him down in the slams)
Consistency - 8.5






Also, I don't think anyone has a backhand worthy of a 10. No one has a backhand in the same category as Federer's forehand for example (IMO).

 

[darthpwner]

Gonzo's backhand, Davydenko's serve, Nadal's serve, Roddick's backhand, Nalbandian's serve, and Gasquet's forehand are rated way too highly in my opinion. Most of these stats are way too high.

 

[OKUSA]

Davydenko
Forehand - 8
Backhand - 9.5
Serve - 7
Slice - 6 (i don't think i've ever seen him slice)
Volley - 7 (forehand volley is non-existent)
Return - 9 (being short has it's disadvantages even if you are a great returner)
Speed/footwork - 9
Mental Strength - 8 (lets him down in the slams)
Consistency - 9

 

[gold soundz]

Davydenko
Forehand - 8
Backhand - 9.5
Serve - 7
Slice - 6 (i don't think i've ever seen him slice)
Volley - 7 (forehand volley is non-existent)
Return - 9 (being short has it's disadvantages even if you are a great returner)
Speed/footwork - 9
Mental Strength - 8 (lets him down in the slams)
Consistency - 9

Come one his forehands deserves more than an 8. He bullies players around the court, including Nadal and Federer with it.

 

[OKUSA]

it's a good rally shot, yes. good depth and pace, rarely does he hit winners with it. he does have good approach shots with it though

 

[gold soundz]

it's a good rally shot, yes. good depth and pace, rarely does he hit winners with it. he does have good approach shots with it though

So you're saying his backhand is miles ahead of his forehand and (considering you rated his forehand 8 and his backhand 9.5)? So therefore he'd prefer to hit backhands much more over forehands. Wouldn't that mean that we'd see him frequently running around his forehand to hit backhands the way Federer runs around his backhand to hit forehands?

 

[OKUSA]

there's no reason for him to, his backhand is good at everything while his forehand is good at rallies and approaches. murray doesn't even run around his forehand even though it's garbage compared to his backhand. it just doesn't happen that way since it takes more time to set up a backhand

 

[Scientist]

Why are you rating everyone 9s and up? This is pointless

 

[gold soundz]

Why are you rating everyone 9s and up? This is pointless

Because these are like the best tennis players in the world.

 

[Scientist]

OK how about some ratings that make sense

Federer

FH-10
BH (topspin/flat)-8
BH (slice)-9.5
Serve-8.5
Volley-9.5
Return-8.5
Speed/Footwork-9
Stamina-9
Mental-9.5


Nadal

FH-9.5
BH (topspin/flat)-8.5
BH (slice)-7
Serve-7.5
Volley-7.5
Return-9.5
Speed/Footwork-10
Stamina-10
Mental-9.5

Djokovic
FH-9
BH (topspin/flat)-9
BH (slice)-8
Serve-8.5
Volley-7
Return-9
Speed/Footwork-8
Stamina-7.5
Mental-7.5

and for fun...MICHAEL RUSSELL
FH-7
BH (topspin/flat)-7.5
BH (slice)-6.5
Serve-6
Volley-6.5
Return-8
Speed/Footwork-8.5
Stamina-8.5
Mental-8

 

[Scientist]

How about Feliciano Lopez lol:

FH:7.5
BH (topspin/flat): N/A
BH (slice):9
Serve: 9
Volley:8.5
Speed/Footwork:7.5
Stamina:7.5
Mental:6.5

 

[TennisandMusic]

It still amazes me that some people think Nadal's volley is poor, or worse than Federer's. Do you guys watch the matches? Nadal regularly hits better volley's than Federer, and Federer consistently misses many "easy" volleys. Very odd thing. It's like people's desire to believe something strongly clouds their vision and/or judgement. Though I guess that's nothing remarkably new about people.

It would be like if I said Nadal had a tour beating serve.

 

[Scientist]

There's no way Nadal volleys better than Federer

 

[gold soundz]

It still amazes me that some people think Nadal's volley is poor, or worse than Federer's. Do you guys watch the matches? Nadal regularly hits better volley's than Federer, and Federer consistently misses many "easy" volleys. Very odd thing. It's like people's desire to believe something strongly clouds their vision and/or judgement. Though I guess that's nothing remarkably new about people.

It would be like if I said Nadal had a tour beating serve.

I get where you're coming from, but I think Fed makes incredible volleys, often with lots of backspin.

 

[sh@de]

It still amazes me that some people think Nadal's volley is poor, or worse than Federer's. Do you guys watch the matches? Nadal regularly hits better volley's than Federer, and Federer consistently misses many "easy" volleys. Very odd thing. It's like people's desire to believe something strongly clouds their vision and/or judgement. Though I guess that's nothing remarkably new about people.

It would be like if I said Nadal had a tour beating serve.

I think you should check your own comments before you say things like that. Nadal volleying better than Fed? I can get it when you say Nadal volleys well, not poor, but the same as or better than Fed?

 

[gold soundz]

I think Gasquet's volleys are highly underrated/unnoticed simply because he doesn't play many big matches. I nearly rated his volleys the same as Federer.

 

[kimbahpnam]

I'd give Nadal's slice a 9 and I gotta rate his speed/footwork a 10 if you give Fed a 9.5 because he is definitely faster than Fed and his defense is better.

 

[gold soundz]

I'd give Nadal's slice a 9 and I gotta rate his speed/footwork a 10 if you give Fed a 9.5 because he is definitely faster than Fed and his defense is better.

I don't think Nadal's footwork is better than Federer's. He's often out of position hitting, whilst it seems like Federer never is.

 

[kimbahpnam]

well you put them in the same category as speed + footwork so I'd say footwork alone they'd both be a 9.5, but as far as speed goes, Nadal wins. And since I am putting defense in the speed/footwork category and Nadal has better defense, I give him a higher grade.

 

[P_Agony]

I only included guys from the top 10:

Federer
Forehand - 10 (It deserves an 8 now, but if we are counting overall career, it's 10)
Backhand - 8.5 (Huge slice, great angles and passing shots, not a great rally shot)
Serve - 10 (While hasn't served that well in 2010, proven in slams that it's the serve which wins or losses him matches. Federer is the best clutch server on tour, which makes his serving the best serving, even if there are more powerful serves out there)
Slice - 10
Volley - 8
Return - 7
Speed/footwork - 9
Mental Strength - 8
Consistency - 8 (10 at slams, 6 at other events)

Nadal
Forehand - 10 (Best FH on tour today)
Backhand - 8.5 (consistent, great passing shots on the run, can't hit it DTL almost at all, slice lands short and to the middle)
Serve - 7 (consistent but very attackable)
Slice - 6
Volley - 7.5
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 9.5 (Not as fast as in 2005 but still the fastest out there)
Mental Strength - 10
Consistency - 9 (great at MS events, usually very consistent at slams as well)

Roddick
Forehand - 8 (loopy)
Backhand - 8 (underrated)
Serve - 9.5 (Roddick's serve is huge, but I think there are player who are better clutch servers and have better accuracy)
Slice - 9 (pretty good actually)
Volley - 8
Return - 7
Speed/footwork - 9 (improved over the last two years)
Mental Strength - 9.5
Consistency - 8 (pretty consistent, but where is the clay?)

Murray
Forehand - 7 (big weakness for Murray, good CC passing shots though)
Backhand - 10 (best today)
Serve - 7 (low 1st serve % most of the time)
Slice - 9
Volley - 8
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 8.5
Consistency - 8.5

Del Potro
Forehand - 10 (Best today along with Nadal's)
Backhand - 9
Serve - 9
Slice - 6
Volley - 7
Return - 8
Speed/footwork - 8
Mental Strength - 9.5
Consistency - 7 (Not in the big consistency league yet)

Djokovic
Forehand - 8 (Quite a weakness, but works well at times)
Backhand - 10 (brilliant)
Serve - 8 (good 1st serve, but too many DFs at the wrong moments)
Slice - 6 (awful)
Volley - 8
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 8.5
Consistency - 7.5

Davydenko
Forehand - 8.5
Backhand - 10 (along with Djoko and Murray, the best out there today)
Serve - 8.5
Slice - 7
Volley - 7.5 (good drop volleys, not much else)
Return - 9.5 (excellent)
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 8 (lets him down in the slams)
Consistency - 8.5

 

[sh@de]

well you put them in the same category as speed + footwork so I'd say footwork alone they'd both be a 9.5, but as far as speed goes, Nadal wins. And since I am putting defense in the speed/footwork category and Nadal has better defense, I give him a higher grade.

How the heck does that work...? So should attack be lumped with power?

:shock:

 

[Anaconda]

I love P_Agony's post about how Roddick's serve is 9.5, and Federer's serve is apparently the best on tour. Funny, except Federer's serve isn't clutch when he's playing Nadal, or any other player (like JMDP or Murray) he struggles with.

I will however say that Federer has got a good service game as a whole. He's got great strokes and volleys so he can hold. However there is no getting away from the fact that if Karlovic and Roddick didn't have a serve, they probably wouldn't be top 50 players. Federer without his serve would still be #1.

 

[Augustus]

I love P_Agony's post about how Roddick's serve is 9.5, and Federer's serve is apparently the best on tour. Funny, except Federer's serve isn't clutch when he's playing Nadal, or any other player (like JMDP or Murray) he struggles with.

I will however say that Federer has got a good service game as a whole. He's got great strokes and volleys so he can hold. However there is no getting away from the fact that if Karlovic and Roddick didn't have a serve, they probably wouldn't be top 50 players. Federer without his serve would still be #1.

No, just no. Federer has a great serve that has won him many matches when his groundgame was off. Without his serve he wouldn't even have half the number of slams he has now.

 

[P_Agony]

I love P_Agony's post about how Roddick's serve is 9.5, and Federer's serve is apparently the best on tour. Funny, except Federer's serve isn't clutch when he's playing Nadal, or any other player (like JMDP or Murray) he struggles with.

I will however say that Federer has got a good service game as a whole. He's got great strokes and volleys so he can hold. However there is no getting away from the fact that if Karlovic and Roddick didn't have a serve, they probably wouldn't be top 50 players. Federer without his serve would still be #1.

Which is why I explained that I prefer Federer's serving, not his serve. My opinion isn't popular around here, I know that, and I can understand that, and still I would take Fed's serve over Roddick's, because of the serving. Roddick couldn't serve big to save his life back in the 2009 Wimbly final, he couldn't serve out the 2nd set TB despit having, what, 5 SPs?

Fed's serve, like his whole game, suffers when he plays Nadal, but I've seen Fed's serve come to his rescue more than any other stroke of his. He gets so many cheap points even from his 2nd serve, and you can see that when he's serving well he usually is playing well too. The serve, IMO, defines his current game more than his strokes. Don't forget Fed was almost winning W 08 despite his game not working, only his serve was there to rescue him. Nadal was so superior from the baseline that day that Federer really needed to work in these TBs and when he had the chance he served it out.

BTW, Fed's serve was VERY clutch in the AO final this year. The times it wasn't clutch and he didn't serve well, he ended up losing.

 

[P_Agony]

No, just no. Federer has a great serve that has won him many matches when his groundgame was off. Without his serve he wouldn't even have half the number of slams he has now.

I agree. Fed's serve build his finishing FH as well. Many forget that and just see it as a great FH, but it's the serve really. I dare say that Fed won his slams past 2007 based mostly on his serve.

 

[Augustus]

I agree. Fed's serve build his finishing FH as well. Many forget that and just see it as a great FH, but it's the serve really. I dare say that Fed won his slams past 2007 based mostly on his serve.

Yes. If Federer had Nadal's serve his last slam would've been AO 2007.

 

[Anaconda]

Which is why I explained that I prefer Federer's serving, not his serve. My opinion isn't popular around here, I know that, and I can understand that, and still I would take Fed's serve over Roddick's, because of the serving. Roddick couldn't serve big to save his life back in the 2009 Wimbly final, he couldn't serve out the 2nd set TB despit having, what, 5 SPs?

Fed's serve, like his whole game, suffers when he plays Nadal, but I've seen Fed's serve come to his rescue more than any other stroke of his. He gets so many cheap points even from his 2nd serve, and you can see that when he's serving well he usually is playing well too. The serve, IMO, defines his current game more than his strokes.

BTW, Fed's serve was VERY clutch in the AO final this year. The times it wasn't clutch and he didn't serve well, he ended up losing.

- Wait, Roddick, who is considered the worst returner in the top 30, managed to break Federer twice. In fact, Federer, IMO the second best returner managed only one break of serve. I'd rather hold all but 1 serve and hit 30 aces, than blast 50 aces against a poor returner and hold less.

- Murray is the best returner in the game and struggled with Roddick's serve and his service game overall at Wimbledon. Same can't be said for Federer.

- Looks at the stats on the ATP website, Roddick and Karlovic are ahead of Federer in every category. I'm not calling you an idiot or anything like that, however the numbers don't lie.

- Federer was #1 in 2005. He didn't serve that well that year.

You can say that Federer serves better than anyone, it's your opinion. Not many people will take that point of view seriously.

 

[AndyArodRoddick]

I only included guys from the top 10:

Federer
Forehand - 10 (It deserves an 8 now, but if we are counting overall career, it's 10)
Backhand - 8.5 (Huge slice, great angles and passing shots, not a great rally shot)
Serve - 10 (While hasn't served that well in 2010, proven in slams that it's the serve which wins or losses him matches. Federer is the best clutch server on tour, which makes his serving the best serving, even if there are more powerful serves out there)
Slice - 10
Volley - 8
Return - 7
Speed/footwork - 9
Mental Strength - 8
Consistency - 8 (10 at slams, 6 at other events)

Nadal
Forehand - 10 (Best FH on tour today)
Backhand - 8.5 (consistent, great passing shots on the run, can't hit it DTL almost at all, slice lands short and to the middle)
Serve - 7 (consistent but very attackable)
Slice - 6
Volley - 7.5
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 9.5 (Not as fast as in 2005 but still the fastest out there)
Mental Strength - 10
Consistency - 9 (great at MS events, usually very consistent at slams as well)

Roddick
Forehand - 8 (loopy)
Backhand - 8 (underrated)
Serve - 9.5 (Roddick's serve is huge, but I think there are player who are better clutch servers and have better accuracy)
Slice - 9 (pretty good actually)
Volley - 8
Return - 7
Speed/footwork - 9 (improved over the last two years)
Mental Strength - 9.5
Consistency - 8 (pretty consistent, but where is the clay?)

Murray
Forehand - 7 (big weakness for Murray, good CC passing shots though)
Backhand - 10 (best today)
Serve - 7 (low 1st serve % most of the time)
Slice - 9
Volley - 8
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 8.5
Consistency - 8.5

Del Potro
Forehand - 10 (Best today along with Nadal's)
Backhand - 9
Serve - 9
Slice - 6
Volley - 7
Return - 8
Speed/footwork - 8
Mental Strength - 9.5
Consistency - 7 (Not in the big consistency league yet)

Djokovic
Forehand - 8 (Quite a weakness, but works well at times)
Backhand - 10 (brilliant)
Serve - 8 (good 1st serve, but too many DFs at the wrong moments)
Slice - 6 (awful)
Volley - 8
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 8.5
Consistency - 7.5

Davydenko
Forehand - 8.5
Backhand - 10 (along with Djoko and Murray, the best out there today)
Serve - 8.5
Slice - 7
Volley - 7.5 (good drop volleys, not much else)
Return - 9.5 (excellent)
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 8 (lets him down in the slams)
Consistency - 8.5

I lold hard at Roddicks serve points. No way Fed's is better. Laughter. Fed outserved Andy in 1 match and now he has better serve ?.....

 

[Bud]

It still amazes me that some people think Nadal's volley is poor, or worse than Federer's. Do you guys watch the matches? Nadal regularly hits better volley's than Federer, and Federer consistently misses many "easy" volleys. Very odd thing. It's like people's desire to believe something strongly clouds their vision and/or judgement. Though I guess that's nothing remarkably new about people.

It would be like if I said Nadal had a tour beating serve.

There's no way Nadal volleys better than Federer

Go watch a match, sometime

 

[P_Agony]

- Wait, Roddick, who is considered the worst returner in the top 30, managed to break Federer twice. In fact, Federer, IMO the second best returner managed only one break of serve. I'd rather hold all but 1 serve and hit 30 aces, than blast 50 aces against a poor returner and hold less.

Overall, Fed hit aces and held serve when it counted the most. Roddick actually held his serve because his baseline game that day was brilliant. It was like he borrowed Nalby's BH there for a while.

- Murray is the best returner in the game and struggled with Roddick's serve and his service game overall at Wimbledon. Same can't be said for Federer.

- Looks at the stats on the ATP website, Roddick and Karlovic are ahead of Federer in every category. I'm not calling you an idiot or anything like that, however the numbers don't lie.

Actually, if we are going by the stats, Federer had the highest number of 2nd serve points won last year, above both Karlovic and Roddick. Does that mean Fed has a better 2nd serve? No. Stats don't tell the whole story, there is more to serve than just aces. I would rather have one ace at a crucial moment than hit 78 aces and lose the match.
- Federer was #1 in 2005. He didn't serve that well that year.

You can say that Federer serves better than anyone, it's your opinion. Not many people will take that point of view seriously.

Like I said, it's not a popular opinion, but I'm a proud owner of it.

In the bold.

 

[P_Agony]

Go watch a match, sometime

Nadal's volleys are overrated IMO. He only comes to the net for sitters, and of course he won't miss them. Even I wouldn't, and my volleys are crap.

When someone challlenges Nadal with low passing shots he will often miss.

 

[sh@de]

Go watch a match, sometime

Haha.

Hahahahahahah.

Hahahahahahahhahhahahahahahahahahhahaha!!

Go get a brain, sometime.

 

[kimbahpnam]

How the heck does that work...? So should attack be lumped with power?

:shock:

sure if it works for ya

 

[Vyse]

Fernando Verdasco:
FH: 9 (Forces players so far back behind the baseline and is great with topspin or flattening it)
BH: 8 (Seems solid to me)
Slice: 6 (Rarely uses it)
Serve: 8.5 (I think it is one of the best although he DFs way too much.)
Volley: 5 (Nonexistent)
Mental Strength: 5 (pretty bad but looked solid this year, gotta wonder about that match yesterday though)
Speed: 8 (great speed as he is in near perfect shape)
Consistency: 6 (not great, goes with his poor mental strength)

 

[ChopShot]

Ernests Gulbis:
FH: 8.5 - Above 10 when it's on, and somewhere below 5 when it just really isn't.
BH: 10 - Along with Murray, has the best BH on tour today.
Slice: 8 - Definitely serviceable, not top-notch.
Serve: 10 - Monster first and especially seconds. Great clutch serving as well.
Volley: 9 - Excellent touch, especially drop volleys.
Mental Strength: Over entire career, 3. As of late, 6 or 7.
Speed: 7 - Reasonable enough as to not be a liability. Underrated footwork.
Consistency: Over entire career, 2-3, as of late, 7 or 8.

 

[pjonesy]

Davydenko
Forehand - 8
Backhand - 9.5
Serve - 7
Slice - 6 (i don't think i've ever seen him slice)
Volley - 7 (forehand volley is non-existent)
Return - 9 (being short has it's disadvantages even if you are a great returner)
Speed/footwork - 9
Mental Strength - 8 (lets him down in the slams)
Consistency - 9

I would tend to agree with your criticisms. Davydenko's talent stems from his great movement and his ability to take the ball early. If you take his strokes individually, they are not worth the sum of his parts.

 

[viduka0101]

Haha.

Hahahahahahah.

Hahahahahahahhahhahahahahahahahahhahaha!!

Go get a brain, sometime.

wow,what a lame comeback line:neutral:

 

[World Beater]

It still amazes me that some people think Nadal's volley is poor, or worse than Federer's. Do you guys watch the matches? Nadal regularly hits better volley's than Federer, and Federer consistently misses many "easy" volleys. Very odd thing. It's like people's desire to believe something strongly clouds their vision and/or judgement. Though I guess that's nothing remarkably new about people.

It would be like if I said Nadal had a tour beating serve.

federer has a volley that is MILES better than nadal.

have you even noticed when nadal does come to net. He comes to net only to hit sitters.

Federer actually comes to net to try and win points. So federer is at net more often - so makes and misses more often than nadal. Federer can hit all kinds of volleys - nadal is very limited with what he can do at net.

But nadal understands this, and he is smart about when he does come to net. he has an amazing baseline game and doesnt need to come to net that often.

Federer risks much more when he comes to net. He comes to net maybe at 70% probability of winning the point - where the opponent still has a good chance of hitting a passing shot. Nadal comes to net when he has a 90% chance of winning the point.

Two different approaches. If you focus only on the federer misses, then one could come to your conclusion. But roger has hit many fantastic volleys against all kinds of players.

 

[World Beater]

No, just no. Federer has a great serve that has won him many matches when his groundgame was off. Without his serve he wouldn't even have half the number of slams he has now.

Agree.

Federer's serve is really excellent. He may not be bombing his serve like ivanisevic or roddick. But he sets up points well, and throughout his career - he has been quite clutch with it hitting aces at crucial times.

But it is not as consistent of a weapon as roddick's though. But then roddick has arguably the best serve on tour.

 

[World Beater]

There's no way Nadal volleys better than Federer

pretty much.

Federer does miss easy sitters sometimes but then again so does rafa. Overall, i expect rafa to have a higher success rate than federer at net because of the nature of his approaches to net. but he will come to net less frequently on average than federer. But this will not be the case for all their matches. Much will depend on the matchup.

Nadal can gain the edge on the baseline against federer and thus can be aggressive coming to net more. Federer will not come to net unless he can hit a strong approach shot and if he is losing the baseline battle - we wont see him at net that often.

I have watched sampras, edberg...and yes they missed easy volleys in many matches as well. But coming to net was an overwhelmingly successful strategy for them.

 

[P_Agony]

Agree.

Federer's serve is really excellent. He may not be bombing his serve like ivanisevic or roddick. But he sets up points well, and throughout his career - he has been quite clutch with it hitting aces at crucial times.

But it is not as consistent of a weapon as roddick's though. But then roddick has arguably the best serve on tour.

Fair enough, well written post (even if I disagree a bit). I think Roddick has the better serve, but Federer has the better serving.

 

[P_Agony]

Go watch a match, sometime

Well then, why don't you find a video of Nadal hitting a volley as difficult and as good as the one in the following video (5:00). I challenge you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvMr6736Sqw&feature=related

 

[vbranis]

Here's an amazing volley from Nadal:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWC_Pc7vmfI

 

[P_Agony]

Here's an amazing volley from Nadal:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWC_Pc7vmfI

That's a brilliant shot, but not a great volley in the classic sense. It was great defense more than anything, Nadal reached it and tried to hit and it went where it went. Great winner sure, but didn't require volley skills as much as defensive skills. I would like a video of Nadal coming to the net on his own terms and getting a tough passing shot like the one Fed got from Gulbis, and I would like to see Nadal doing all sorts of special things with the ball.

And while you're at it, check out this great volley (6:11):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6eK8r9lRt0

 

[vbranis]

That's a brilliant shot, but not a great volley in the classic sense. It was great defense more than anything, Nadal reached it and tried to hit and it went where it went. Great winner sure, but didn't require volley skills as much as defensive skills. I would like a video of Nadal coming to the net on his own terms and getting a tough passing shot like the one Fed got from Gulbis, and I would like to see Nadal doing all sorts of special things with the ball.

And while you're at it, check out this great volley (6:11):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6eK8r9lRt0

There is no doubt that Federer has great volleys, but lately I've noticed him missing more easy volleys than before whereas Nadal has kept steadily improving. Fed's volleys for the first 1/2 of his career were right up there with the best of all-time (much better than Rafa's today) but he's let them slip since as his game has become more baseline oriented. So right now I'd have to say Fed is about even with Rafa in the net play department.

I was watching the IW dubs final this year and I was really impressed with how Nadal was volleying and he really took it to Nestor/Zimonjic, who are both great volleyers. His net game is underrated, IMO, because some people simply refuse to accept that a clay-courter with extreme grips can possibly have good volleys.

 

[P_Agony]

There is no doubt that Federer has great volleys, but lately I've noticed him missing more easy volleys than before whereas Nadal has kept steadily improving. Fed's volleys for the first 1/2 of his career were right up there with the best of all-time (much better than Rafa's today) but he's let them slip since as his game has become more baseline oriented. So right now I'd have to say Fed is about even with Rafa in the net play department.

I was watching the IW dubs final this year and I was really impressed with how Nadal was volleying and he really took it to Nestor/Zimonjic, who are both great volleyers. His net game is underrated, IMO, because some people simply refuse to accept that a clay-courter with extreme grips can possibly have good volleys.

His net game is solid, but not more than that IMO. He can make it look great because he's barely approaching the net and when he does it's easy sitters. Fed can miss easy volleys but he doesn't often, and keep in mind that Fed approaches the net a lot more and has to hit difficult volleys often.

 

[Serendipitous]

10's all around!

 

[viduka0101]

And while you're at it, check out this great volley (6:11):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6eK8r9lRt0

if it's still a challenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8-oH1YM110
at 1:05

now we could play this stupid game all night long believe me

 

[djokovicgonzalez2010]

Federer
Forehand - 10
Backhand - 7 That's right. 7. I don't like it, I think it's undependable.
Serve - 9.5
Slice - 9
Volley - 9.5
Return - 7
Speed/footwork - 9
Mental Strength - 8
Consistency - 6 (In Slams, 10, in nonslams 1)



Nadal
Forehand - 8
Backhand - 8
Serve - 6, just happens to work vs Fed, overall very poor
Slice - 8.5
Volley - N/A
Return - 9.5
Speed/footwork - 10
Mental Strength - 08 Nadal: 10 2010 Nadal: 7.5
Consistency - 10


Roddick
Forehand - 8.5
Backhand - 7.5
Serve - 10
Slice - 9
Volley - 9.5, just the approach shot....
Return - 7
Speed/footwork - 8.5
Mental Strength - 10
Consistency - 8.5- Injured all the time

Nalbandian
Forehand - 9
Backhand - 9.5
Serve - 8.5
slice - 9
Volley - 9
Return - 9.5
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 2
Consistency - 2



Murray
Forehand - 7
Backhand - 10
Serve - 6
Slice - 9.5
Volley - 9.5
Return - 10
Speed/footwork -10
Mental Strength - 7
Consistency - 9

Gasquet
Forehand - 6
Backhand - 10
Serve - 9
Slice - 9
Volley - 9
Return - 8
Speed/footwork - 8.5
Mental Strength - 5
Consistency - 7



Gonzo
Forehand - 10
Backhand - 6.5
Serve - 9
Slice - 9.5
Volley - 9
Return - 7
Speed/footwork - 8
Mental Strength - 10
Consistency - 5


Del Potro
Forehand - 9.5
Backhand - 9
Serve - 9
Slice - 9
Volley - 9
Return - 8
Speed/footwork - 6
Mental Strength - 9.5
Consistency - 6


Djokovic
Forehand - 9
Backhand - 9.5
Serve - 5.5
Slice - 9
Volley - 9
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 10
Mental Strength - 7.5
Consistency - 8


Davydenko
Forehand - 8.5
Backhand -10
Serve - 7
Slice - 9
Volley - 8.5
Return - 10
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 8 (250s-1000s 10, Slams 5-6)
Consistency - 10

For the Fed draw:

Montanes
Forehand - 8
Backhand -8
Serve - 5
Slice - 10
Volley - 8.5
Return - 10
Speed/footwork - 10
Mental Strength - 10
Consistency - 2 (largest gap you'll ever see between last 2 stats)

Soderling
Forehand - 10
Backhand -10
Serve - 10
Slice - 3
Volley - 3
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 5
Mental Strength - 7.5
Consistency - 9.5

 

[gold soundz]

Federer
Forehand - 10
Backhand - 7 That's right. 7. I don't like it, I think it's undependable.
Serve - 9.5
Slice - 9
Volley - 9.5
Return - 7
Speed/footwork - 9
Mental Strength - 8
Consistency - 6 (In Slams, 10, in nonslams 1)



Nadal
Forehand - 8
Backhand - 8
Serve - 6, just happens to work vs Fed, overall very poor
Slice - 8.5
Volley - N/A
Return - 9.5
Speed/footwork - 10
Mental Strength - 08 Nadal: 10 2010 Nadal: 7.5
Consistency - 10


Roddick
Forehand - 8.5
Backhand - 7.5
Serve - 10
Slice - 9
Volley - 9.5, just the approach shot....
Return - 7
Speed/footwork - 8.5
Mental Strength - 10
Consistency - 8.5- Injured all the time

Nalbandian
Forehand - 9
Backhand - 9.5
Serve - 8.5
slice - 9
Volley - 9
Return - 9.5
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 2
Consistency - 2



Murray
Forehand - 7
Backhand - 10
Serve - 6
Slice - 9.5
Volley - 9.5
Return - 10
Speed/footwork -10
Mental Strength - 7
Consistency - 9

Gasquet
Forehand - 6
Backhand - 10
Serve - 9
Slice - 9
Volley - 9
Return - 8
Speed/footwork - 8.5
Mental Strength - 5
Consistency - 7



Gonzo
Forehand - 10
Backhand - 6.5
Serve - 9
Slice - 9.5
Volley - 9
Return - 7
Speed/footwork - 8
Mental Strength - 10
Consistency - 5


Del Potro
Forehand - 9.5
Backhand - 9
Serve - 9
Slice - 9
Volley - 9
Return - 8
Speed/footwork - 6
Mental Strength - 9.5
Consistency - 6


Djokovic
Forehand - 9
Backhand - 9.5
Serve - 5.5
Slice - 9
Volley - 9
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 10
Mental Strength - 7.5
Consistency - 8


Davydenko
Forehand - 8.5
Backhand -10
Serve - 7
Slice - 9
Volley - 8.5
Return - 10
Speed/footwork - 9.5
Mental Strength - 8 (250s-1000s 10, Slams 5-6)
Consistency - 10

For the Fed draw:

Montanes
Forehand - 8
Backhand -8
Serve - 5
Slice - 10
Volley - 8.5
Return - 10
Speed/footwork - 10
Mental Strength - 10
Consistency - 2 (largest gap you'll ever see between last 2 stats)

Soderling
Forehand - 10
Backhand -10
Serve - 10
Slice - 3
Volley - 3
Return - 9
Speed/footwork - 5
Mental Strength - 7.5
Consistency - 9.5

So you think Roddick has a better forehand than Nadal?