The key difference between Borg and Nadal on clay?

ibbi

G.O.A.T.
The key difference between them on clay is that Borg competed against guys who spent their entire careers playing clay court tennis, while the last era of true clay courters died about the time Nadal rose to the top. Yes, there are still great players on the surface, but they are not the battle hardened clay players that they would have been in days past considering how relatively little time they spend on the surface.
 

DeShaun

Banned
The key difference between them on clay is that Borg competed against guys who spent their entire careers playing clay court tennis, while the last era of true clay courters died about the time Nadal rose to the top. Yes, there are still great players on the surface, but they are not the battle hardened clay players that they would have been in days past considering how relatively little time they spend on the surface.
Yeah, Nadal's prowess has been somewhat inflated by him playing during clay era that has been utterly devoid of other staunch dirtballers--there can be no doubt about this. Almagro is decent although he is not made of slam-winning material, so I do not consider him to be a "staunch" dirtballer in the intended sense.
 
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NLBwell

Legend
Difference in strength vs. speed. Of course, both have a lot of both. Borg a little faster and Nadal a little stronger.
 

Atherton2003

Hall of Fame
The key difference is I never once saw Borg scratch and adjust himself in the front and constantly pick at his butt. Borg had much more decorum.
 

ruerooo

Legend
Yeah, Nadal's prowess has been somewhat inflated by him playing during clay era that has been utterly devoid of other staunch dirtballers--there can be no doubt about this. Almagro is decent although he is not made of slam-winning material, so I do not consider him to be a "staunch" dirtballer in the intended sense.

:confused: :confused:

The first RG title Rafa got, he defeated Puerta. The MC title that year he got by defeating Coria.

Ferru had three clay titles this year before the European season even started.

How long have you even been watching tennis?

:?
 

diggler

Hall of Fame
Borg had wooden rackets and gut and he kept the ball in. Rafa has synthetic racket and big banger. Rafa is more aggressive but part of that is the equipment, part is the physique.

Rafa transported to 1977 would be like Vilas.

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

There is something strangely relaxing about watching this.
 
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