Which are the best Big Three vs. another Big Three matches?

[zvelf]

If you think a better Federer vs. Nadal vs. Djokovic match is not listed here, name it in the comments. Here are some top matches I couldn't fit in the poll:

2007 Canadian Open final: Novak Djokovic d. Roger Federer 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, 7-6 (7-2)
2007 Wimbledon final: #1 Roger Federer d. #2 Rafael Nadal 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-2
2009 Australian Open final: #1 Rafael Nadal d. #2 Roger Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-2
2011 French Open semifinal: #3 Roger Federer d. #2 Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5)
2014 Wimbledon final: #1 Novak Djokovic d. #4 Roger Federer 6-7 (7-9), 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-4
2021 French Open SF: #1 Novak Djokovic d. #3 Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2

 

[CCPass]

Should have just excluded non-slams

 

[Deleted member 748597]

Wimbledon 2008 final.

Nadal dethroning the peakest version of Federer on grass.

 

[One]

They played too much. Need to rank them per surface first.

 

[NoleIsBoat]

1. 2019 W final
2. 2008 W final
3. 2012 AO final

 

[ChrisRF]

Wimbledon 2008 final.

Nadal dethroning the peakest version of Federer on grass.

Not really. Federer just wasn’t that great by his own standards in 2008 apart from US Open, and 2008 Wimbledon Nadal would have lost to Federer in at least 5 other years (most likely even more). No shame though, because to be fair Federer never beat Nadal at RG where the gap was bigger and where more outlandish things had to happen for Federer to have a chance.

On topic: All those matches were huge, so it’s almost impossible to choose.

 

[King No1e]

AO12 and W08 stand above the others. Those 2 combined with Borg-McEnroe W80 form the golden trilogy of historic tennis classics.

 

[MichaelNadal]

They all involve Rafa

 

[Deleted member 771911]

miami open '05

 

[Third Serve]

W 2008 is probably the greatest. It had the drama, the quality, and the historical significance.

Rome 2006 was the highest quality encounter between any of the Big 3 imo.

 

[Third Serve]

Wait I only voted for one. Can you make it so I can add my other two votes?

 

[King No1e]

They all involve Rafa

USO10 semi?
I'm sure it involved Rafa - relaxing in front of the TV chowing down on spicy wings, enjoying Roger and Novak fight fiercely for the honor of being his blood sacrifice.

 

[SonnyT]

BTW, the short name is intramural B3, or just B3, matches.

I think the list should be limited to Slam matches.

 

[MichaelNadal]

USO10 semi?
I'm sure it involved Rafa - relaxing in front of the TV chowing down on spicy wings, enjoying Roger and Novak fight fiercely for the honor of being his blood sacrifice.

Nothing epic about it. Just another choke

 

[ForehandCross]

From the list, #1 is Fedal 2006 #2 2018 WB SF #3Fedovic 2011 USO SF

 

[Nadal>>>>>Federer]

2006, 2012 and 2018.

Personally I would have 2009 AO higher than all three

 

[StannisTheMannis]

40-15

 

[MadariKatu]

2012 AO final - best match ever.
2008 W final - previous best match ever.

Anything else is pretty distant. 2017 AO final and 2018 W semi were very high quality matches, but they could all play better when younger. I'd go:
- 2006 Rome final
- 2013 RG semi
- 2009 Madrid semi

In my eyes Federer is the best tennis player of all times, but I'm a great Nadal fan because of this: from all my picks for the best matches, he's in all of them.

 

[zvelf]

Wait I only voted for one. Can you make it so I can add my other two votes?

You should be able to add votes now.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Trick question, there is only a big 2.

 

[SonnyT]

Among B3, which pair has the most epic matches, in quantity and quality combined? For me, Nadal-Djokovic just edges Federer-Nadal!

ND 3 top epics: '12 AO, '13 RG, '11 USO
FD 3 top epics: '19 W, '11 USO, '14 W
FN 3 top epics: '08 W, '17 AO, '09 AO

 

[Lleytonstation]

Wimbledon 2008 final.

Nadal dethroning the peakest version of Federer on grass.

A throne is a chair. A kingdom is forever.

 

[ForehandCross]

2012 AO final - best match ever.
2008 W final - previous best match ever.

Anything else is pretty distant. 2017 AO final and 2018 W semi were very high quality matches, but they could all play better when younger. I'd go:
- 2006 Rome final
- 2013 RG semi
- 2009 Madrid semi

In my eyes Federer is the best tennis player of all times, but I'm a great Nadal fan because of this: from all my picks for the best matches, he's in all of them.

2018 Djokodal WB Semi and 2006 Rome F >>2012 AO.

Playing dynamic tennis and constantly adjusting to opponent's strategy>>Hitting safer shots

All day every day.

 

[MadariKatu]

2018 Djokodal WB Semi and 2006 Rome F >>2012 AO.

Playing dynamic tennis and constantly adjusting to opponent's strategy>>Hitting safer shots

All day every day.

I don't know. I have very very bad memory. I don't remember the matches themselves, generally. Some points or moments I do, but generally I remember how I felt about them. And the way I felt when the 2012 AO final was over was thinking that had to be the best match of all time.

I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm saying I don't remember enough to either agree or disagree with you.

 

[ForehandCross]

I don't know. I have very very bad memory. I don't remember the matches themselves, generally. Some points or moments I do, but generally I remember how I felt about them. And the way I felt when the 2012 AO final was over was thinking that had to be the best match of all time.

I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm saying I don't remember enough to either agree or disagree with you.

Who is to say you are not right. Match quality is highly Subjective. And I like only certain kind of matches. Someone else like something different.


Sorry if I was rude in my tone

 

[platypus50]

1. 2018 Wimbledon SF
2. 2013 French Open SF
3. 2011 US Open SF

 

[zvelf]

I'm slightly surprised 2012 AO is beating 2008 Wimbledon for the top spot since the latter often gets called the greatest match of all time.

 

[zvelf]

Also a little surprised 2013 French is placing so highly.

 

[T007]

If you think a better Federer vs. Nadal vs. Djokovic match is not listed here, name it in the comments. Here are some top matches I couldn't fit in the poll:

2007 Canadian Open final: Novak Djokovic d. Roger Federer 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, 7-6 (7-2)
2007 Wimbledon final: #1 Roger Federer d. #2 Rafael Nadal 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-2
2009 Australian Open final: #1 Rafael Nadal d. #2 Roger Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-2
2011 French Open semifinal: #3 Roger Federer d. #2 Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5)
2014 Wimbledon final: #1 Novak Djokovic d. #4 Roger Federer 6-7 (7-9), 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-4
2021 French Open SF: #1 Novak Djokovic d. #3 Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2

Agree with all but this years FO SF was that good except the 3rd set. How can we count It as best quality match when Nadal makes 56 UFEs

 

[T007]

1. 2019 W final
2. 2008 W final
3. 2012 AO final

2008 is miles above other 2 quality wise.

 

[NoleIsBoat]

2008 is miles above other 2 quality wise.

Federer and Nadal both played better in 2019 SF.

 

[zvelf]

Agree with all but this years FO SF was that good except the 3rd set. How can we count It as best quality match when Nadal makes 56 UFEs

UFE is an important data point but not the most important. 1980 Wimbledon is widely held to be one of the greatest matches of all time, but according to Tennis Abstract, Borg had 86 unforced errors and McEnroe had 102!

1980 Wimbledon F: John Mcenroe vs Bjorn Borg Detailed Stats | Tennis Abstract

Even in the 2008 Wimbledon final, Federer made 64 unforced errors.