What if Nadal played in Sampras' era?

[Blocker]

We all love to speculate on how players from different eras would fare against one another in a 'dream' match up. How would the speculation go in a dream match up between Federer and Nadal if Nadal played in Sampras' era and never got to play Federer? Assume that each has won what they've won at the present time.

I'll get the ball rolling as to some of the points that would be raised. I can imagine it would go something like this:

- Federer would beat Nadal because he has the all court game.

- Nadal's defensive game would not be able to withstand Federer's all court class.

- Federer would beat Nadal because he has more slams.

- There's no way known Nadal would beat Federer because no one has ever played the game like Federer.

- Nadal would not cope, Federer has him covered in almost every facet of the game. Almost everything Nadal does, Federer does better.

- Federer would wipe the floor with Nadal.

- Federer would destroy Nadal, his game is beautiful to watch.

Feel free to add.

 

[jelle v]

I do not understand the purpose of this thread.. What do you want us to say?

 

[NatF]

I do not understand the purpose of this thread.. What do you want us to say?

He's basically inviting people to come in here and bash Federer and his fans.

 

[Wynter]

The one difference is the racquet technology, but that is a rather large difference, still Rafa would've got 5-10 slams maybe more. He's still an incredible player

 

[jelle v]

He's basically inviting people to come in here and bash Federer and his fans.

Ow wow.. these trolling threads are getting too complicated for me.. I remember the good old days where could spot a trolling thread from miles away..

 

[FreeBird]

This thread... :lol:

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

The Brethren thread is very quiet, Freebird.

The world awaits Djokovic vs Federer in Dubai.

 

[FreeBird]

The Brethren thread is very quiet, Freebird.

The world awaits Djokovic vs Federer in Dubai.

Actually, I thought that updating brethren thread atm would not be a wise move since nobody cares looking in the pro results section. What say? :-?

 

[Russeljones]

Nadal would never have reached a Wimbledon QF.

 

[mike danny]

Nadal.would still lead the H2H because he would only meet federer on clay. On fast HC and grass he would not even get to Federer

 

[SLD76]

Nadal.would still lead the H2H because he would only meet federer on clay. On fast HC and grass he would not even get to Federer

while I am inclined to agree, the real answer is..we dont know.


Fed would still be a good baseliner(l as evidenced by his success on clay)
and he would still be a great fast court player( see dubai, madrid blue clay, uso, cincinnati, )

he would probably still be S&V as well and probably be a much better volleyer than he is today.

would he have 17 slams? who knows. he'd still be a hell of a player.


as for nadal? aside from clay, who knows?

different raquet technology, means he definitely wouldnt produce the spin he gets. and faster surfaces means he couldnt play his grinding style off clay.
but all that means only 2 things

1) he would be a clay specialist

2) he would develop a different game entirely and who knows what would result from that.

 

[mental midget]

The one difference is the racquet technology, but that is a rather large difference, still Rafa would've got 5-10 slams maybe more. He's still an incredible player

i can't stand nadal's antics but i agree with this. he's an exceptional athlete and whatever type of game he developed, he'd be hovering somewhere at the top of the sport.

or, if we're playing the game where we port his technique back to that era, at the very least he's still the class of the clay field. would demolish muster, kuerten could pose problems but nadal would take him more often than not. interestingly, i think gomez would have been an interesting test given the form he showed in his winning run--tall lefty with a big serve and nice hands around the net.