The best Match Nadal has played but lost??

[RS]

Who wins these matchups and in how many sets?

1. Berdych AO 09 vs Roddick AO 09 QF
2. Isner RG 11 vs Murray RG 11
3. Nadal RG 09 4R vs Federer RG 10 QF
4. Sampras RG 94 vs Berdych RG 10
5. Nadal AO 14 SF vs Djokovic AO 14 QF
6. Roddick Wim 03 SF vs Federer Wim 14 F
7. Federer Wim 04 F vs Djokovic Wim 15 F
8. Federer AO 05 SF vs Djokovic AO 19 F

 

[RS]

2010 Doha final loss to Davydenko, yep. Goated with a bagel, had MPs in the TB, even was up a break in the third but Denko was relentless.
2011 Miami final comes second and 2007 Wimbledon third as far as I can remember.

Didn’t expect you to pick 2010 Doha over Wimbledon 2007.

 

[DSH]

Yes that's true.
But also lack of clutch on Novak's part to have it dragged to a 5th set.
He had so many chances early on in set4.

Nadal should have won the third set in the tiebreak and would have dispatched Djokovic in 4 sets.

 

[DSH]

Wimbledon 2018 - The best match Djokodal ever played.

Indeed.

 

[DSH]

AO 19 final

 

[DSH]

Missing Miami 2005, although I'm not expecting that to be a popular pick.

He got robbed, well, in the Wimbledon semi-finals it was worse, actually.

 

[platypus50]

2018 Wimbledon - Nadal was the much better player in the baseline exchanges and he hit some really nice drop shots to keep Djokovic off balance

Djokovic's much better serve (23 aces compared to Nadal's 9) gave him the extra edge

Nadal's suicidal CC BH approach shot into the net though in the 5th set at 7-7 BP up - it was short and gave Djokovic just enough angle to work with to hit a short CC FH passing shot for a winner when he needed it most

 

[Third Serve]

Still going with W 2007 here. He went toe to toe with prime Fed for three sets and played one of his best grass court sets in the fourth. Even the 6-2 set he lost was much more due to Fed coming in clutch (especially on serving) than any particular failing he had. The only thing I’d fault him for is the very last game. But hey I’ve seen some Nadal fans argue he was injured in this one so maybe I’m wrong.

AO 2012 was great but I think it was more obvious he was the weaker player. Djokovic had chances to close it out in four. Still, this is the only other match that I’d understand putting at the top of this list.

W 2018 was an awesome match but I think Nadal’s decline in mobility is gonna really hurt him if we’re comparing him to the above.

 

[socallefty]

According to his fans, Nadal has been injured in every match he lost. So he has never been able to play well in one of his losses. Otherwise his fans know that he would have won every tournament he played.

 

[Mustard]

Probably the 2007 Wimbledon final.

 

[jl809]

It’s Wimbledon 2007

 

[Racquet_smash]

Definitely Wimbledon 2007, even if the legs were almost gone by the fifth.

 

[travlerajm]

Us Open 2011 final. Absolute bloodbath.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

chennai 2008

 

[djokovic the conqueror]

Roland Garros 2021 semifinal.

Nadal gave it all he got, but Djokovic did everything better. To this day Nadal fans make up this myth that he had a "foot injury". Nadal wasn't injured. He simply gave up in the 4th set because he realized that there was nothing he could do against Djokovic's brilliance.

 

[victorcruz]

Oh look its the usual unfunny and witless djokostans parading in here. Surprise surprise

 

[Galvermegs]

Roland Garros 2021 semifinal.

Nadal gave it all he got, but Djokovic did everything better. To this day Nadal fans make up this myth that he had a "foot injury". Nadal wasn't injured. He simply gave up in the 4th set because he realized that there was nothing he could do against Djokovic's brilliance.

The most overrated match ever. Went on a long time and was low quality mostly. And nadal barely played on for the next few years.

Speaking of giving up... novak has the best record of the big 3 for retiring mid match in a major..there is slightly more honor in withdrawing pre match or not playing an event like fed and especially rafa have done.

 

[RS]

Oh look its the usual unfunny and witless djokostans parading in here. Surprise surprise