Which run was more impressive for Federer

[Pheasant]

In this comparison, we are looking at Fed’s run on hard courts from 2005 Rotterdam to 2007 Dubai vs Fed’s run on grass from 2003 Halle to 2008 Halle. Here are some of the stats:

2005 Rotterdam-2007 Dubai
111-2, .982 overall, 1.42 DR
25-1, .962 vs top-10, 1.41 DR
Won all 4 majors
Won Masters Cup(only 1 played during this span)
Won 7 Masters (out of 8 played)

2003 Halle-2008 Halle
59-0, 1.000 overall, 1.48 DR
9-0, 1.000 vs top-10, 1.25 DR
Won all 5 majors

This one is tough for me. His grass streak is cool, since he was undefeated on it while winning 5 grass majors in a row. But on the other hand, his hard court streak was insane with a 56 match winning streak, along with 4 straight majors and a Master’s Cup. In addition, he played 26 matches vs the top-10 vs only 9 on grass courts. However, Fed’s run on grass courts spanned 5 years whereas his run on hard courts only spanned 2 years.

Which run of Fed’s was better? What do you guys think?

 

[NatF]

In this comparison, we are looking at Fed’s run on hard courts from 2005 Rotterdam to 2007 Dubai vs Fed’s run on grass from 2003 Halle to 2008 Halle. Here are some of the stats:

2005 Rotterdam-2007 Dubai
111-2, .982 overall, 1.42 DR
25-1, .962 vs top-10, 1.41 DR
Won all 4 majors
Won Masters Cup(only 1 played during this span)
Won 7 Masters (out of 8 played)

2003 Halle-2008 Halle
59-0, 1.000 overall, 1.48 DR
9-0, 1.000 vs top-10, 1.25 DR
Won all 5 majors

This one is tough for me. His grass streak is cool, since he was undefeated on it while winning 5 grass majors in a row. But on the other hand, his hard court streak was insane with a 56 match winning streak, along with 4 straight majors and a Master’s Cup. In addition, he played 26 matches vs the top-10 vs only 9 on grass courts. However, Fed’s run on grass courts spanned 5 years whereas his run on hard courts only spanned 2 years.

Which run of Fed’s was better? What do you guys think?

Both runs were generational.

 

[BauerAlmeida]

I would say HC was a little bit more impressive because the surface has a deeper field than grass, and you need to sustain dominance across a whole year, except for two events (Halle & Wimbledon). But you can make a case for either, really.

In how many instances was the streak almost ended? Ferrero in Dubai 2005, IIRC, so that was right after it started, it still would have been a really long streak even if started right after that. And for the grass one, Rochus in 2006.

 

[Pheasant]

I’m leaning towards hard courts here. He was 25-1 with a 1.41 DR vs the top-10. I’ve never seen a case where somebody dominated the top-10 to this extent. The 1.41 DR is stupendous. Also, during this ridiculous run, Federer had 2 of the longest winning streaks on hard courts. He had a 56 match winning streak(#1 all-time) and he had a 36 match winning streak(2nd all-time on hard courts). That is absolutely stupendous.

That said, how could Fed have done any better than 59-0 during that grass court streak? The object of the game is to win. And Fed was perfect, when it came to winning percentage.

I’m going to vote hard courts for now. But this is really a paper-thin margin.

 

[MichaelNadal]

His consistency was astounding

 

[mike danny]

I would say HC was a little bit more impressive because the surface has a deeper field than grass, and you need to sustain dominance across a whole year, except for two events (Halle & Wimbledon). But you can make a case for either, really.

In how many instances was the streak almost ended? Ferrero in Dubai 2005, IIRC, so that was right after it started, it still would have been a really long streak even if started right after that. And for the grass one, Rochus in 2006.

Ljubicic Rotterdam 2005 before that

 

[MissileBackHand99]

I’m leaning towards hard courts here. He was 25-1 with a 1.41 DR vs the top-10. I’ve never seen a case where somebody dominated the top-10 to this extent. The 1.41 DR is stupendous. Also, during this ridiculous run, Federer had 2 of the longest winning streaks on hard courts. He had a 56 match winning streak(#1 all-time) and he had a 36 match winning streak(2nd all-time on hard courts). That is absolutely stupendous.

That said, how could Fed have done any better than 59-0 during that grass court streak? The object of the game is to win. And Fed was perfect, when it came to winning percentage.

I’m going to vote hard courts for now. But this is really a paper-thin margin.

THIS is what I absolutely LOVE about this thread. Ppl (Djoko stans and tennis fans who only started watching tennis during the last 10 years or so) don't fully understand how RIDICULOUS Fed was on HCs. Winning 56-straight and then 36-straight is insane on any surface--to do them both back-to-back is mind-boggling

 

[Pheasant]

THIS is what I absolutely LOVE about this thread. Ppl (Djoko stans and tennis fans who only started watching tennis during the last 10 years or so) don't fully understand how RIDICULOUS Fed was on HCs. Winning 56-straight and then 36-straight is insane on any surface--to do them both back-to-back is mind-boggling

He was indeed ridiculous. And I left out this first piece. It went like this:

26 match winning streak
Lost to Safin
56 match winning streak
Lost to Nadal
19 match winning streak
Lost to Murray
36 match winning streak

That right there is a record of 137-3, which is an average of 35 2/3 wins per loss during that stretch. However, 111-2 is an average of 55 1/2 wins per loss; which is why I posted that. Looking back, maybe I shouldn’t have dissed his 137-3 run so quickly. That’s actually a crazy run.

 

[objection_]

Not to mention, we can technically extend the grass streak up to the 2008 Wimbledon Final, which results in an absurd 65-0 record...

 

[aman92]

Fed at that time was just a cheat code. It was a massive event when he even lost a single set during his matches

 

[Rosstour]

THIS is what I absolutely LOVE about this thread. Ppl (Djoko stans and tennis fans who only started watching tennis during the last 10 years or so) don't fully understand how RIDICULOUS Fed was on HCs. Winning 56-straight and then 36-straight is insane on any surface--to do them both back-to-back is mind-boggling

Well, surely Nadal and Djokovic have eclipsed those streaks now, right?