Who is tennis' true GLADIATOR?

[Steve0904]

Yup. Obviously that famous Djokodal 54 shot rally had higher quality than the Simon/Monfils point but they're both similar in that neither had much aggression. Simply playing safe shots until one guy tires or hits an UE isn't 'gladiator' to me.

I agree. For me it's the live aspect. What I mean is that I could watch the USO 2013 or AO 2012 or even AO 2011 finals when they actually happened. It's about the suspense of not knowing the result, but if you put together 7-8 mins of long rallies all in one YouTube video (and no offence meant to the OP) I'm not watching it.

 

[Dope Reign]

The worst thing about that point is that Simon wins it. Monfils, at least, did hit a couple of shots with a little somethin somethin on them. Or maybe it just looks like that because all the other shots have less than nothing on them.

What really would've taken the cake is if Simon also bent over after the point trying to catch his breath like Monfils. Though I think he wouldn't so much be trying to catch his breath as double checking that he's breathing at all.

 

[4-string]

Serena, surely.

 

[kabob]

No one has more heart than Tomic. You can never count him out even in the most difficult situations.

Oh sure, that guy's all effort

http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis...n/news-story/34d19bed9347913edb52e0ab30ac44c3

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-17/bernard-tomic-bad-behaviour-timeline/6626898

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016...-point-im-23-and-worth-over-10-million/58375/

 

[clayqueen]

You could argue Sampras.

Just as well they were not enforcing the time limit between points because Sampras was so unfit he could hardly walk or breath.

 

[SinjinCooper]

Oh sure, that guy's all effort

http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis...n/news-story/34d19bed9347913edb52e0ab30ac44c3

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-17/bernard-tomic-bad-behaviour-timeline/6626898

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016...-point-im-23-and-worth-over-10-million/58375/

It's almost like one would be hard pressed to take the suggestion of Tomic seriously. Almost.

 

[Mustard]

Eh, what on earth are you talking about? Nadal started out as an extremely talented tennis prodigy that started winning big titles as a teen and has been a massive favourite in 99% of the matches he has played in his career.

What am I on about? The fact that Nadal does not see himself in the light you paint. He starts from the present, takes nothing for granted, and fights to succeed. One might be the favourite for the match, but that person must deliver the goods. It's easy for fans to just assume it will happen when looking at matches on paper, but the reality is much more difficult. Nadal could not function well if he went into matches assuming victory beforehand.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

What am I on about? The fact that Nadal does not see himself in the light you paint. He starts from the present, takes nothing for granted, and fights to succeed. One might be the favourite for the match, but that person must deliver the goods. It's easy for fans to just assume it will happen when looking at matches on paper, but the reality is much more difficult. Nadal could not function well if he went into matches assuming victory beforehand.

Are there any assumptions we can make about his matches beforehand, as fans? There are many of those.

 

[haqq777]

 

[Shaolin]

Oh sure, that guy's all effort

http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis...n/news-story/34d19bed9347913edb52e0ab30ac44c3

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-17/bernard-tomic-bad-behaviour-timeline/6626898

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016...-point-im-23-and-worth-over-10-million/58375/

I guess you haven't seen him play because no one is a bigger warrior than Tomic. More heart that Nadal and Hewitt combined.

 

[goatstomin]

Eh, what on earth are you talking about? Nadal started out as an extremely talented tennis prodigy that started winning big titles as a teen and has been a massive favourite in 99% of the matches he has played in his career.

I think @Mustard meant it in the sense that Rafa has suffered so many injuries/Köhler Disease related medical complications throughout his career, which I think would've been career-ending for the majority of other pro players, but Rafa still has found a way to recover and fight back.

 

[Boom-Boom]

Benoit Paire

 

[amorys90]

Thomas Muster

 

[TheMaestro1990]

There's a possible new gladiator in town (also added him to the poll):

 

[SamprasisGOAT]

Just as well they were not enforcing the time limit between points because Sampras was so unfit he could hardly walk or breath.

Yeh Pete was so unfit lol.

Unfortunately for nadal (who's super fit and never gets injured) Pete would take a likening to his moonballs very much and sampras slam dunk ball after ball into nadals head, face, midriff and legs. Then nadal looks up at uncle Toni starts his moaning, calls for a medical time out (Wawrinka style 2014 Australian open final) and finally limps through to the last point where Pete has straight seted him.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

What am I on about? The fact that Nadal does not see himself in the light you paint. He starts from the present, takes nothing for granted, and fights to succeed. One might be the favourite for the match, but that person must deliver the goods. It's easy for fans to just assume it will happen when looking at matches on paper, but the reality is much more difficult. Nadal could not function well if he went into matches assuming victory beforehand.

Tell us about Nadal's serve.

 

[donquijote]

 

[heftylefty]

 

[SamprasisGOAT]

Yeh Pete was so unfit lol.

Unfortunately for nadal (who's super fit and never gets injured) Pete would take a likening to his moonballs very much and sampras slam dunk ball after ball into nadals head, face, midriff and legs. Then nadal looks up at uncle Toni starts his moaning, calls for a medical time out (Wawrinka style 2014 Australian open final) and finally limps through to the last point where Pete has straight seted him.

Clayqueen I look forward to your response

 

[Capulin Zurdo]

The Nadalinator

Nadal's style of play greatly compliments his grit, desire and never-give-up aggressiveness.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Nicolas Lapentti, hm? Made it as high as No.8 in the world by sheer grit (IIRC he saved MPs in 4(!) match wins that year, 1999). For a player devoid of ATG talents, 16-2 (30-16 overall) five-setter record during his 1999-2003 prime, coupled with 9 wins saving MPs (16 overall in his career) is something else.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Nicolas Lapentti, hm? Made it as high as No.8 in the world by sheer grit (IIRC he saved MPs in 4(!) match wins that year, 1999). For a player devoid of ATG talents, 16-2 (30-16 overall) five-setter record during his 1999-2003 prime, coupled with 9 wins saving MPs (16 overall in his career) is something else.

He actually made it to 6th in the world. He won titles in Indianapolis and Lyon, over Vincent Spadea and Lleyton Hewitt respectively.

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

Fabio Fognini stands above the croud

 

[Elektra]

Nadal, he gets better the more he fights. Nadal admits that he likes the fight and battle to his success.

 

[Kalin]

Who is Tennis' true GLADIATOR?

Rafael Nadal?

Novak Djokovic?

After a grueling match between Novak and Rafa, the above question was asked to Roger and Mirka Federer and they were asked to pass a judgement. A cameraman captured their reply...

Andy and Judy Murray can be seen in the background; Andy is wearing a new model of UA hat while Judy is smelling the flowers that a secret admirer had just given to her.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Isn't the alpha gladiator the one who wins his tournaments?