Toni Nadal reacts to Federer's victory

[Keystoner]

If the slam count were tied, why wouldn't things like slam finals, YEC titles, weeks/years at No. 1, or any other field-based achievements be the appropriate tiebreakers? (That's assuming that attempting to break the tie would be more sensible than simply acknowledging two greats of roughly equal stature.)

Who said they wouldn't?

 

[hipolymer]

“.”

" THAT's RIGHT NEPHEW, JUST DESTROY YOUR BODY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, WE NEED ALL THE RECORDS AND MONEY AND WE CAN'T HAVE THAT IF YOU DON'T PLAY FOR ANOTHER 8 YEARS VAMANOS VAMOS ! ! ! 1! ! 1 1 1 1 !!06 ! 5!5647673 3534 @3@#$@@32 2# 2! 23574]' .;]> }|./]\[./] >{] .]\[|]897608^ *&^&%45#$%@~`~%^4~* " '' '

 

[TU87]

I've always said that Nadal has wants to go down in history as the best male player ever. IMO that is why he won't start a family until he retires.

 

[TU87]

The prove is also Nadal’s whiny demeanor at PCs when he loses at GS and Federer is still in the draw. Also the one way friendship with Federer.

The friendship has always seemed a little phony to me. Somewhat staged because they are both sponsored by Nike.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Do you see him getting 21? Wouldn't at least tying make the GOAT argument all the more interesting and make the H2H all the more relevant?

See who getting to 21? Nadal? I think that is the absolute maximum he can get from this point imo.

Would tying Federer make things interesting? Yes, of course it will. It means the record no longer belongs only to Federer, Nadal will have equal claim over it. At that point many other things come into play, and one of the many things will be H2H.

 

[JMR]

Who said they wouldn't?

Don't be coy. You said the head-to-head mark would be "all the more relevant" in these hypothetical circumstances (a slam count tie). If you in fact agree that we already have plenty of tiebreakers based on accomplishments against the entire field -- and you're now implying that you agree, even if you won't come out and say it -- then why would the H2H be of more relevance?

 

[merlinpinpin]

I am amazed to see Berdych so high on the list and Nadal being all the way down since the vag brigade declared him as "unstoppable" in 5 sets.

That was more than half a dozen years ago, people who keep saying that he is are living in the past and think that what was true in 2008 still is today (hint: they're the same who are touting his "favorable H2H" against two players whom he basically hasn't beaten for age and vs whom he's been 2/11 and 0/5, respectively, in the last four or five years).

 

[heninfan99]

The last time. I thought she was doing fine. Remember something about her being inspired by Federer's FO win to come back.

Anywho, miss Henin's game. Ever since she retired, the women's game has been unwatchable.

Henin v Serena matches used to be awesome.

She fell hard at Wimby and hurt her elbow.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

I've always said that Nadal has wants to go down in history as the best male player ever. IMO that is why he won't start a family until he retires.

It will be a pleasure to see Nadal fail in his quest for GOAT. Especially now that I know how badly he wants it.

 

[Keystoner]

Don't be coy. You said the head-to-head mark would be "all the more relevant" in these hypothetical circumstances (a slam count tie). If you in fact agree that we already have plenty of tiebreakers based on accomplishments against the entire field -- and you're now implying that you agree, even if you won't come out and say it -- then why would the H2H be of more relevance?

More relevant than it is now with Fed up by 4 GS. Right now I assume most would agree the 4 GSs trump the H2H.

 

[Julian Houston]

Nadal is obsessed with the slam record, he wants to be GOAT.

But looking at circumstances he will destroy his body first.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I've always loved Uncle Toni but there is no way in hell someone who will be 32 years old when the next slam is contested is winning 5 more majors at that age. That ship sailed long ago. Toni is no dummy and knows this too but it would look lame if he told the truth: "Rafael has no chance of overtaking Roger." This is all PR, as both Nadals know.

 

[BeatlesFan]

More relevant than it is now with Fed up by 4 GS. Right now I assume most would agree the 4 GSs trump the H2H.

"Most" would agree? How about every tennis fan aside from the VB fringe. Tennis players are judged on one thing above all else: major titles. Then it's followed by weeks at #1. The whole concept of H2H isn't even a tennis stat.

Consider this: most tennis fans instantly know how many majors Borg won, or Pete, Andre, Connors or Lendl. How many off the top of their heads knows the H2H between Edberg-Becker, Mac-Lendl, Pete-Andre, Connors-Mac, Connors-Lendl?

H2H is the only thing Nadal fans can cling onto at this point. They used to drum beat Davis Cup until Fed won it and then that one evaporated in about .02 nanoseconds.

 

[Julian Houston]

Yes of course, that is more likely, he only has to win one more vs Rafa needing five more.

I reckon Nadal will end up with 19 tbh. I can't see him getting more than that but I certainly can see him ending up with less than that. If he does, then damn what an incredible career, to win 19 majors and be second only to Federer isn't a shame at all, especially if it's only by 1 or 2.

Fed is reaching his limit imo. This AO, he didn't really have to work hard (only in the final) but the eye test tells me he was not on the same level as last year. Just saying I'm seeing signs that he won't be in major winning form going forward. Age catches up with every man and at 36 going on 37, he will need a draw at Wimbledon similar to last year to win it. I can't see him winning RG ever again and tbh I don't see him winning the US Open again either. So this WIM will be his last shot imo.

Nadal otoh, same can be said about him at Wimbledon. Can't see him ever winning it again (maybe if he gets a very favorable draw being his only hope), but I can see him winning 1 more US Open or believe it or not, even 1 more AO but not both.

Realistically though, he probably gets 2 more RG and 1 more USO, hence the 19 prediction.

I doubt Federer is stopping, with this competition he will win Wimb and USO as well. Nadal has best luck of history in USO last year, easier draw than this year's Federer AO.

 

[Dlabsiladan]

This is what happens if you retire!

 

[The_Order]

I doubt Federer is stopping, with this competition he will win Wimb and USO as well. Nadal has best luck of history in USO last year, easier draw than this year's Federer AO.

Time will tell.

 

[D.Nalby12]

The obsession is real. Fedr better aware of it and put Slam record truly out of reach of these Mafias. (3 more Slams as it would take).

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Sometimes I hang out in the tennis tips and instruction forum. Even at the recreational level, people always struggle with the same issue. It goes something like this "If I make a big change to my game, I know my game is going to suffer in the short-term...can I trust I will get back to my baseline and then start improving and reaping the rewards?

This can be hard call for a junkballer who plays solid 3.5 tennis with unconventional strokes. Nevermind a multiple major winner on the pro tour.

Federer has the talent to experiment and tweak his game with very little repercussions, where Nadal does not. Djokovic himself said it straight out at one point--Federer just has more talent than the rest of us.

This means Federer can do things like take more breaks between competing, practice less often, experiment with new rackets or different tactics, yet not significantly drop his level.

I just love when people need a cylinder every time they need a rabbit for whatever reason.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Woah a competitive athlete wants to set a major record in his sport? UNTHINKABLE!!!

So, why he and Tio refuse to say it?

Like: " That is our long term goal. We will do everything we can do to reach it."

 

[Tennis_Hands]

I've always said that Nadal has wants to go down in history as the best male player ever. IMO that is why he won't start a family until he retires.

 

[mtommer]

Does Rafa want to play five years in pain, possibly damaging his body, postponing marriage and kids (he's said he doesn't want to have kids until he's off the tour) on the off chance that the stars will align for him in the way they did for Fed? The scenario that Fed could now be ending his career on 17 Slams having done permanent damage to his back was just as likely as the one we actually have at the moment.

Well yes, Rafa probably does. Rafa's legacy as GOAT (let's just say for the sake of argument he does break Roger's Slam count) will always last. His marriage and kids won't do anything for him except personally. I don't doubt for one second that Rafa and Toni believe themselves better than Roger, although perhaps Rafa is closer to believing he's equal to Roger rather than better. Roger started playing tennis for the pure joy of it. I suspect Rafa was created by Toni specifically to take over the tennis world and own it. Roger is a natural threat to that in the same way that Sampras' legacy eventually far outshined Agassi's.

 

[mtommer]

So, why he and Tio refuse to say it?

Like: " That is our long term goal. We will do everything we can do to reach it."

Because it won't be taken well by the inferior tennis and general public alike. And that, may complicate matters. As annoying as it is to have to deal with inferiors, in enough numbers, they are problematic.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

" THAT's RIGHT NEPHEW, JUST DESTROY YOUR BODY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, WE NEED ALL THE RECORDS AND MONEY AND WE CAN'T HAVE THAT IF YOU DON'T PLAY FOR ANOTHER 8 YEARS VAMANOS VAMOS ! ! ! 1! ! 1 1 1 1 !!06 ! 5!5647673 3534 @3@#$@@32 2# 2! 23574]' .;]> }|./]\[./] >{] .]\[|]897608^ *&^&%45#$%@~`~%^4~* " '' '

pero... can i remove my hand from the frying pan now, tio ?