The key difference between Borg and Nadal on clay?

[DeShaun]

Nadal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lem3Lfpu6go
Borg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvbA3V5hX7o#t=3m45s

As I watch these clips, I think that Bjorn with the right racket could easily have traded blow for blow on clay with the very best in today's game.

 

[ibbi]

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]

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.

 

[purge]

key difference? they are entirely different

nadal is a raging beast. borg was an iceberg

 

[NLBwell]

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

 

[BeHappy]

Borg was more like Djokovic.

 

[Mighty Matteo]

I think that I'm the only person who thinks that, as of now, Borg was better clay court player than Nadal is right now.

 

[mltaylor]

Borg was more like Djokovic.

Yep.

10char

 

[mltaylor]

I think that I'm the only person who thinks that, as of now, Borg was better clay court player than Nadal is right now.

Nope.

10 char

 

[laughingbuddha]

Key difference was Borg had competition while Nadal did/does not.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Dr. Fuentes.

 

[Bjorn99]

Borg was a cool guy, never picked his arse. And he had a bit of a serve.

 

[Praetorian]

Let's build a time machine, pluck one baby and bring em to the other's era, and let's find out.

 

[zcarzach]

I think that I'm the only person who thinks that, as of now, Borg was better clay court player than Nadal is right now.

Nope, you aren't the only one who thinks that.

 

[Atherton2003]

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.

 

[Apple Juice]

Borg was more like Djokovic.

Am I the only one that laughed out loud at this?

 

[NLBwell]

I just had a wry smile.

 

[tata]

Soon to be one 1 slam.

 

[Lsmkenpo]

Main difference is one was a classy honorable champion and the other is a phoney, spoiled punk.

 

[ruerooo]

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.

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]

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.