This is why tennis is THE BEST SPORT!! … And this is the best era.

[inflation_era]

Novak looked jealous when there was so much talk about Roger in the beginning.

 

[CHillTennis]

Sorta my point, no?

I would love to have seen prime Serena Williams against prime Steffi Graff. It's too bad that they played in different eras.

 

[Vish13]

Ok…I’ll ask this again since no Joker fan is willing to answer it. It Nadavic ate only a year apart, then why did it take so long for Joker to get going? RAFA won his first GS title in 05, while Joket won his in 08. Joker then had to wait 3 more years before he won his 2nd GS title. In the timeframe between 2005-2010 RAFA had already completed the golden CGS and was a 9x GS champ and had reached ATGhood. If they’re only a year apart then why did it take Joker so long to reach that same point in his career?

Anyone who really followed tennis would consider 2010 second half, around US Open / Davis Cup final, as a truly turning point in Novak's career. No one claimed till that point of time that he was in the league of Fedal. It was in 2011 when he simply outplayed Fedal when both were at their peak that a Big 3 was formalized. When Federer beat him at French I truly thought that this was just flash in a pan kind of thing for Novak and that it was done. But he continued for the rest of the year. After 2012 AO, I was pretty much sure that he would continue to be a nemesis for Fedal and barring 2013, that has been the case.

Over the years Djokovic provided lot of heart burns to me but I have no trouble in accepting that tennis achievement wise Djokovic is head and shoulders above Fedal now and there's no alternate narrative to that ... peak/non peak, prime/non-prime, weak/strong era are all made up discussions - something that allows some people to sleep well at night.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Anyone who really followed tennis would consider 2010 second half, around US Open / Davis Cup final, as a truly turning point in Novak's career. No one claimed till that point of time that he was in the league of Fedal. It was in 2011 when he simply outplayed Fedal when both were at their peak that a Big 3 was formalized. When Federer beat him at French I truly thought that this was just flash in a pan kind of thing for Novak and that it was done. But he continued for the rest of the year. After 2012 AO, I was pretty much sure that he would continue to be a nemesis for Fedal and barring 2013, that has been the case.

Over the years Djokovic provided lot of heart burns to me but I have no trouble in accepting that tennis achievement wise Djokovic is head and shoulders above Fedal now and there's no alternate narrative to that ... peak/non peak, prime/non-prime, weak/strong era are all made up discussions - something that allows some people to sleep well at night.

This is just revisionist history. They were called the Big 3 and the Big 4 well before 2011. And Fedal weren’t at their peaks in 2011, especially in Fed’s case. RAFA was still in his prime sure, but 2011 wasn’t his peak leveling of playing by any stretch of the imagination.

Peak, prime, strong competition, weak competition aren’t made of terms. If they were then we’d have guys in their 40’s and up still playing professional tennis. Obviously there’s a very short self life regarding a pro athletes playing career. If you think Joker’s the best then good for you. I just think it’s no coincidence that his most dominant periods have come in phases when there hasn’t been a fellow ATG level player in their prime to battle it out along side him.

 

[mike danny]

2005-15 is probably closer.

Why 2015 and not 2004?

 

[Razer]

2002-2022 sound about right for Golden Era of the Tennis?

Hmm...I seem to remember the WTA being a bit of a train wreck during the late 2000s through the mid 2010s.

In fact, Serena was one of the only things that saved it during that time.

1970s through early '90s was probably the golden era of women's tennis.

Golden era of men's Tennis for me would be 2003-2019, anything after 2019 can be called a dark age with these medvedev, thiems, ruuds and the gang competing in the business end of slams and pre 2003 was a different era entirely.

 

[DjokoLand]

I always say tennis for last 20 years spoiled us with all the talent. I always say Djokovic should have won more slams from 2012-2014 but the fact he was mostly #1 during that period was impressive.

That period had Big 3, Murray, Tsonga, Delpo, Berdych, Ferrer and Wawarinka.

Some of them players would clean up now. I could imagine Tsonga at W in his prime now.

 

[CHillTennis]

Why 2015 and not 2004?

I started with 2005 because it's the first year where Nadal had a serious impact on the tour.

2004 is difficult to re-watch unless you are a die-hard Federer fan.

 

[optic yellow]

And RAFA had far more injuries throughout his career mostly due to his congenital foot condition. He was even advised that he should retire at the end of the 05 season when he fractured his navicular bone. And yet he was not only able to breakthrough sooner, but he also maintained his winning form for 10 years straight before his prime ended without any lull.

Compare that to Joker who won his first schlem almost 3 years later (AO 08 vs RG 05) and then went an additional 3 years before he won his 2nd schlem and we can clearly see that they had vastly different career trajectories that played a much bigger role than their close ages.

Rafa's injuries were a result of his relatively poorly trained movement style, you can not hold these up as a mitigating factor against a player who spent 10+ years on a constant crusade of flexibility betterment.

 

[RS]

2008 2010 2013

 

[The Blond Blur]

Rafa's injuries were a result of his relatively poorly trained movement style, you can not hold these up as a mitigating factor against a player who spent 10+ years on a constant crusade of flexibility betterment.

Yeah, this is absurd lol. Poorly trained movement style? He has some of the best footwork in tennis history. The biggest impact as far as his susceptibility to injuries was his congenital foot condition that forced him to wear specially designed shoes that while helping with his foot pain to added stress on other joints like his knees, hips, and low back.

 

[optic yellow]

Yeah, this is absurd lol. Poorly trained movement style? He has some of the best footwork in tennis history. The biggest impact as far as his susceptibility to injuries was his congenital foot condition that forced him to wear specially designed shoes that while helping with his foot pain to added stress on other joints like his knees, hips, and low back.

I will revise my take if you convince me the congential foot condition is what cauaed him to move with the powerful violence people noticed from the start.

 

[The Blond Blur]

I will revise my take if you convince me the congential foot condition is what cauaed him to move with the powerful violence people noticed from the start.

All players move with explosive force during a match. It’s a professional sport lol. Did RAFA’s tireless retrieval style play a role in his injuries? Yes. Does that mean he’s a poorly trained mover? Lol, no. If anything, the constant sliding players do these days is worse for their joints.

I work in sports medicine and have feet issues of my own that lead to injuries becoming far more prevalent. I have a pretty informed idea of what congenital defects can have on an athlete’s health.

 

[mike danny]

I started with 2005 because it's the first year where Nadal had a serious impact on the tour.

2004 is difficult to re-watch unless you are a die-hard Federer fan.

Don’t see why. Agassi was there and the full roster of Hewitt, Roddick, Safin etc

 

[Bubcay]

I said their primes were overlapping the most between 2007-2013. That includes Fedal’s…and Joker was definitely playing prime tennis in 2008. And he fell off in 09-10 but that’s on him for not being able to sustain the high level he showed in 08 when he was competing for the #1 ranking.

Besides, both of Fedal were past their primes in 2014-onwards. So it’s not like we’re going to get a better timeframe to choose from regarding the best of the Big 3 years.

If we want to compare apples to apples, then we should use 3-4 years of proper prime/late prime overlap (2011-2014/5).

 

[Hood_Man]

Kind of funny that this was their second time doing this

That was like something from The Office.

"Oh Andy, we can't believe you're retiring, you must be so emotional!"

"Well actually I think I'll carry on."

"... Well, that's very good. Here's a video "

 

[SonnyT]

This is just revisionist history. They were called the Big 3 and the Big 4 well before 2011. And Fedal weren’t at their peaks in 2011, especially in Fed’s case. RAFA was still in his prime sure, but 2011 wasn’t his peak leveling of playing by any stretch of the imagination.

Peak, prime, strong competition, weak competition aren’t made of terms. If they were then we’d have guys in their 40’s and up still playing professional tennis. Obviously there’s a very short self life regarding a pro athletes playing career. If you think Joker’s the best then good for you. I just think it’s no coincidence that his most dominant periods have come in phases when there hasn’t been a fellow ATG level player in their prime to battle it out along side him.

Peak, prime, etc. are often used by Fedfans claiming Federer was a non-parallel player, in spite of his negative records vis-a-vis his two rivals. Most Fedfans would've trouble Alcaraz into the pantheon of tennis greats.

Before 2011, there was no reason to believe Djokovic was among Federer and Nadal. If you thought otherwise, you'll have to provide proof.

 

[The Blond Blur]

If we want to compare apples to apples, then we should use 3-4 years of proper prime/late prime overlap (2011-2014/5).

Why would we include 2014-2015? The only one who was in his prime in those years was Joker.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Peak, prime, etc. are often used by Fedfans claiming Federer was a non-parallel player, in spite of his negative records vis-a-vis his two rivals. Most Fedfans would've trouble Alcaraz into the pantheon of tennis greats.

Before 2011, there was no reason to believe Djokovic was among Federer and Nadal. If you thought otherwise, you'll have to provide proof.

If peaks and primes don’t matter then how come we don’t have 40+ year olds competing on the ATP tour outside of doubles? And it’s hilarious that you’re saying Fedal fans are using this as some sort of coping mechanism when in your own post you’re essentially using the deservedly memed excuse of tennis started in 2011.

 

[SonnyT]

Read my original comment, I specifically mentioned Fedfans, and not Rafans.

 

[Bubcay]

Why would we include 2014-2015? The only one who was in his prime in those years was Joker.

By that logic why would we include 2007,8,9? Although Novak had some glimpses of prime, he was far from it..

 

[The Blond Blur]

By that logic why would we include 2007,8,9? Although Novak had some glimpses of prime, he was far from it..

Dude, you’re not getting it, Fedal’s primes overlapped in those years. Meaning we had at least 2 ATGs in their primes in those years. 2014-2015 it was just Joker. So why would I include those years?

 

[GabeT]

Nobody gets tired of debating the same nonsense over and over and over?

The slam race is over. Two of the Big 3 are done for and the last one won’t last much longer.

Let’s look ahead.

 

[Bubcay]

Dude, you’re not getting it, Fedal’s primes overlapped in those years. Meaning we had at least 2 ATGs in their primes in those years. 2014-2015 it was just Joker. So why would I include those years?

Dude, YOU are not getting it. I was referring to your statement that all of the big 3 were in their prime 2007-2013. If you claim that Novak was in his prime 2007-2010, than Fedal were too 2014-15. If I misunderstood your statement below, my apologies.

I always consider 2007-2013 to the heart of the Big 3 Era since that’s when they were all on the scene competing for the biggest titles with their primes overlapping.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Dude, YOU are not getting it. I was referring to your statement that all of the big 3 were in their prime 2007-2013. If you claim that Novak was in his prime 2007-2010, than Fedal were too 2014-15. If I misunderstood your statement below, my apologies.

Dude it’s right in there in the post:

I always consider 2007-2013 to the heart of the Big 3 Era since that’s when they were all on the scene competing for the biggest titles with their primes overlapping.

I said their primes overlapped, I never said they were all in their primes at the same time. Fedal were in their primes is 2007-2009 with Joker showing glimpses of his prime like you said. Nadavic were in their primes from 2011-2013. But by 2014 the only one who was still in his prime was Joker.

 

[SonnyT]

Dude, you’re not getting it, Fedal’s primes overlapped in those years. Meaning we had at least 2 ATGs in their primes in those years. 2014-2015 it was just Joker. So why would I include those years?

Nadal was just a year older, at 28 years. Fed was only 33, still in his prime, and would win his three majors 3 years hence.

Without Djokovic, they would've ruled tennis for many years.

 

[RaulRamirez]

Back to the OP, yes, I'm also a softie for nice tributes, and shows of mutual respect. I have seen some other good retirement ceremonies in, say, the NBA, when Dr. J, or Bird or Magic retired. There's a slightly different dynamic with individual sports, but it's all good stuff, to me.

 

[Moon Shooter]

I’m not really a fan of tennis player talking about all the adversity they have to overcome. Serena showed up to a slam way out of shape and her serve almost carried her. I’m not saying pro tennis players don’t work hard I’m sure most do. It’s just not worse then other sports and actually easier then many contact sports.

For decades tennis players were spoiled brats. Now if someone is semi normal fans drool.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Tennis is trash.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Nadal was just a year older, at 28 years. Fed was only 33, still in his prime, and would win his three majors 3 years hence.

Without Djokovic, they would've ruled tennis for many years.

RAFA primed earlier and therefore declined earlier. It’s just common sense. He was also losing to journeyman everywhere like Joker was in 2017-mid 2018. I guess we can say he was in his prime and too since he was only 29-31 in that timeframe Ol’ Rog was not in his prime lol. Your perception of what a player’s prime is has been skewed because it took so long for an ATG level talent to finally show up after Joker. Besides, I thought you didn’t believe in primes?

 

[SonnyT]

This is a better era, if there's a capable opponent to Alcaraz and Sinner.