Roger's clay court success has HURT him against Nadal

[JennyS]

In many ways, doing well on clay is probably the WORST thing that could have happened to him. Look at all of these finals (and one semifinal) losses he's had over the years to Nadal on clay.

2005 French Open semifinal
2006 Monte Carlo Final
2006 Rome Final
2006 French Open Final
2007 Monte Carlo Final
2007 French Open Final
2008 Monte Carlo Final
2008 Hamburg Final
2008 French Open final

If Roger played like Pete on clay, he wouldn't have made most of those finals. And without all of those meetings, Rafa wouldn't have such a distinct mental edge over Roger.

This is to take nothing away from Rafa, who is one of the toughest players of all time. However, I think that all of those claycourt wins HELPED Nadal's confidence in the Wimbledon and Australian Open finals.

 

[srinrajesh]

In many ways, doing well on clay is probably the WORST thing that could have happened to him. Look at all of these finals (and one semifinal) losses he's had over the years to Nadal on clay.

2005 French Open semifinal
2006 Monte Carlo Final
2006 Rome Final
2006 French Open Final
2007 Monte Carlo Final
2007 French Open Final
2008 Monte Carlo Final
2008 Hamburg Final
2008 French Open final

If Roger played like Pete on clay, he wouldn't have made most of those finals. And without all of those meetings, Rafa wouldn't have such a distinct mental edge over Roger.

This is to take nothing away from Rafa, who is one of the toughest players of all time. However, I think that all of those claycourt wins HELPED Nadal's confidence in the Wimbledon and Australian Open finals.

maybe roger should avoid the events rafa plays on clay
or retire when he gets a set down so he doesnt have the mental block on other surfaces ..

 

[GasquetGOAT]

Very good point.

Maybe Federer knows it too since he's only scheduled to play two clay events prior the FO this year.

 

[marc45]

jenny, i don't think it's the losses themselves...meaning when i first saw your post i thought you were going to say roger's success on clay, which requires great baseline skills, has stopped him from developing the attacking game he needs to beat rafa on the non-clay surfaces

 

[bladepdb]

Could be that in order to be a GOAT you kinda have to be good on all surfaces?/

Just a thought.

 

[marc45]

Could be that in order to be a GOAT you kinda have to be good on all surfaces?/

Just a thought.

i think roger needs to start concentrating on beating rafa (and murray) and not be obsessed about 14 or goat...he's already good on all surfaces, but obviously we all know so is one other guy

 

[rosenstar]

In many ways, doing well on clay is probably the WORST thing that could have happened to him. Look at all of these finals (and one semifinal) losses he's had over the years to Nadal on clay.

2005 French Open semifinal
2006 Monte Carlo Final
2006 Rome Final
2006 French Open Final
2007 Monte Carlo Final
2007 French Open Final
2008 Monte Carlo Final
2008 Hamburg Final
2008 French Open final

If Roger played like Pete on clay, he wouldn't have made most of those finals. And without all of those meetings, Rafa wouldn't have such a distinct mental edge over Roger.

This is to take nothing away from Rafa, who is one of the toughest players of all time. However, I think that all of those claycourt wins HELPED Nadal's confidence in the Wimbledon and Australian Open finals.

No, I don't think so. Isn't wasn't until last year that Fed gave up his ranking to Nadal. Fed lost 3 french opens to nadal before loosing a wimbly and other big finals. I remember a year or two ago fed beat nadal easily (4 and 1?) at shanghi. It was pretty hard then to say that Nadal had a mental edge on fed. SInce Federer is expected to lose on clay, so I disagree with this completely. It might've boosted Nadal's confidence, but I don't think it hurt fed's.

I think the mono hit Fed hard. Yes I am a fed fan so maybe I am biased, but I think it disrupted his play in the first half of the year last year. This physical ailment slowed him down, and gave others confidence. Now the playing field believes, so it will be much harder for him.

I also think the challenge system has hurt federer's chances. Mentally, he was so much above his compitition, they'd freak out over a call, but fed could blow it off. No it's easier for all players to keep their cool. It's undeniable - the challenge system makes it easier for other players to avoid mental break downs.

Not only that, but Nadal has been breathing down fed's neck for years now (3 years at #2?). He's been grinding out matches and tournaments, and always improving. The rise of nadal was nearly inevitable.

Just for the record, I'm not trying to make excuses for fed, but rather offer an explination for his downfall other than reaching too many french open finals.

 

[RoddickAce]

jenny, i don't think it's the losses themselves...meaning when i first saw your post i thought you were going to say roger's success on clay, which requires great baseline skills, has stopped him from developing the attacking game he needs to beat rafa on the non-clay surfaces

Same, I thought the OP meant how Federer has changed his game to try and take down Nadal on clay, but then his old game style has disappeared...

 

[marc45]

Same, I thought the OP meant how Federer has changed his game to try and take down Nadal on clay, but then his old game style has disappeared...

yeah, but you know, let's not forget one thing...other than last year's french it's not like fed doesn't have chances to win these matches...both guys get lots of opportunities, including fed in those clay losses jenny listed.....he's not as far away from a win against rafa as it seems now..but definitely some more mental fortitiude and clearer thinking (strategy) on court is needed