Who was faster at their peak?

[gennosuke]

technically, standing far behind the baseline opens up the court a lot too.

Which he doesn't. He stands on it.

 

[gennosuke]

This is at their peaks, where Federer could do a lot more damage running around his backhand. At his best, it was rare to see Federer looking awkward hitting a shot.

Oh I think i know what you mean now.

 

[paulorenzo]

Which he doesn't. He stands on it.

djokovic? he doesn't. his positioning usually has him behind the baseline.

 

[The Bawss]

Waste of time poll. Federer wins every poll.

 

[gennosuke]

djokovic? he doesn't. his positioning usually has him behind the baseline.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpJE2JzMLLo

1:22

 

[Raz11]

i think it's difficult to say, since we saw djokovic's footspeed every time he faced nadal in 2011. i recall federer being just about as fast, but even in his prime, he never ran after balls as frequently as djokovic did/does throughout a match. it normally doesn't get to that point in a rally.

Agreed since they both have different movement. Though I think if anyone would be faster, it would be Djokovic. But the difference would be negligible.

 

[paulorenzo]

Good post, but I think that Djokovic's "positioning" is better. He doesn't open up that much court.

for clarity, in this post, are you talking about djokovic having better positioning or federer?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpJE2JzMLLo

1:22

because in that video, djokovic is clearly behind the baseline more often, therefore, like i said, opening up the court more and forcing him to do more running as opposed to if he stuck to the baseline.

 

[Evan77]

Federer has better footwork. Djokovic is faster.

I can go with this, although the OP asked about speed, not a foot work. Djokovic is definitely much faster than Roger ... his court coverage plus his movement are simply amazing. the problem is that Rog fans will vote for Fed no matter what, so I find these polls useless.

 

[gennosuke]

for clarity, in this post, are you talking about djokovic having better positioning or federer?


because in that video, djokovic is clearly behind the baseline more often, therefore, like i said, opening up the court more and forcing him to do more running as opposed to if he stuck to the baseline.

I meant Federer analyzing him, saying they both play pretty close to the baseline.

Djokovic, when playing Federer doesn't scramble that much. He tried to outhit him without giving up ground on the baseline. That's why the points are shorter, he would rather be overwhelmed by the pace than give up ground.

 

[TTMR]

Not even close. Hewitt is faster than Nadal.

However, you have to do something with ball once you get there. Nadal is much stronger than Hewitt and could do more with the ball on the run. So Nadal would be harder hit winners against.

Federer was faster than Novak. I don't see how you can say different. Federer however, only used his top speed when he really had to.

In his prime, Federer also had the backhand in tennis (ever). I don't see how you can say different [sic].

 

[paulorenzo]

I meant Federer analyzing him, saying they both play pretty close to the baseline.

Djokovic, when playing Federer doesn't scramble that much. He tried to outhit him without giving up ground on the baseline. That's why the points are shorter, he would rather be overwhelmed by the pace than give up ground.

good point, djokovic doesn't give up as much ground to federer than he does to rafa. but he does hang behind the baseline more than federer. he doesnt stand on the baseline.

in regards to federer usually hanging more towards his backhand side, you said djokovic doesn't open up as much court since he doesn't stand on his backhand side like federer, thus he has better positioning. i countered that djokovic usually gives up just as much ground since he is standing further behind the baseline than federer. those two situations sort of cancel each other out. naturally, there is more to positioning than just those two aspects, federer is always looking for the aggressive court position, novak, more often than not, isn't.

 

[Cup8489]

Federer's anticipation is second to none, but Djokovic is the faster in terms of pure speed, for sure.

 

[Evan77]

In his prime, Federer also had the backhand in tennis (ever). I don't see how you can say different [sic].

no he did NOT. it's a pretty BH (when on) to watch, but far from being the best, not even close ... The only big thing that Fed has is his huge ugly nose :grin:

 

[Sid_Vicious]

no he did NOT. it's a pretty BH (when on) to watch, but far from being the best, not even close ... The only big thing that Fed has is his huge ugly nose :grin:

Pretty sure the guy was being sarcastic, Evan.

 

[Carsomyr]

Pretty sure the guy was being sarcastic, Evan.

He wanted a chance to showcase his immense comedic talent. He'll be here all week, folks.

 

[Evan77]

Pretty sure the guy was being sarcastic, Evan.

alright, I guess I didn't see it.

 

[roberttennis54]

Federer is not the sort of guy, who is going to chase down everything at full speed. He does not have the fitness and it is not the type of game he wants to play. However, when it is an important point he WILL run and you will see how quick he is.

Two matches people should watch is 2006 French Open vs Nadal and 2007 Wimbledon vs Nadal. You'll be surprised at just how fast Federer is. Or watch his earlier matches on carpet.

 

[paulorenzo]

Federer is not the sort of guy, who is going to chase down everything at full speed. He does not have the fitness and it is not the type of game he wants to play. However, when it is an important point he WILL run and you will see how quick he is.

Two matches people should watch is 2006 French Open vs Nadal and 2007 Wimbledon vs Nadal. You'll be surprised at just how fast Federer is. Or watch his earlier matches on carpet.

i do recall federer being as fast as anyone on tour when he did run down balls. i also recall the around the post winners that often ensued after running those balls down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll7SCg-tZ08

check the footspeed, footwork and anticipaton prior to the winner.

 

[TTMR]

So who is faster at his peak? Federer or Nadal? Federer or Murray? Federer or Hewitt?

Federer is faster than all these players, yet simply chooses not to use his otherworldly speed except on "big points" (except for the big points he doesn't)? Why? So he can conserve energy? So he can circumvent the stigma of being labelled a "pusher"?

He wanted a chance to showcase his immense comedic talent. He'll be here all week, folks.

Ok there. I simply don't understand this compulsive urge among Federer fans to insist he is the absolute best at every aspect of the game (see the Federer vs. Sampras serve thread). I guess it's not enough that he is likely the most accomplished tennis player in history; he must supersede every other current or past player pound for pound, stroke for stroke. It's a mentality I fail to understand.

 

[Carsomyr]

Ok there. I simply don't understand this compulsive urge among Federer fans to insist he is the absolute best at every aspect of the game (see the Federer vs. Sampras serve thread). I guess it's not enough that he is likely the most accomplished tennis player in history; he must supersede every other current or past player pound for pound, stroke for stroke. It's a mentality I fail to understand.

I was talking about the other guy. :razz:

 

[Magnetite]

Part of Djokovic's perceived speed, is his flexibility. He often can return many shots, because he can contort his body into a position where he can still hit the ball over the net. Thus, even if another player could get to the ball at the same time, Djokovic appears faster because he can return the ball, from a weird position.

That being said it's very close, and Fed's movement is definitely more graceful and smooth, but Djokovic wins in the speed category.

 

[SLD76]

djokovic and nadal may be faster, djoker maybe by an eyelash or two

but fed is the superior mover.

 

[roberttennis54]

Part of Djokovic's perceived speed, is his flexibility. He often can return many shots, because he can contort his body into a position where he can still hit the ball over the net. Thus, even if another player could get to the ball at the same time, Djokovic appears faster because he can return the ball, from a weird position.

That being said it's very close, and Fed's movement is definitely more graceful and smooth, but Djokovic wins in the speed category.

This something people are failing to realise. Djokovic has great flexibility and Nadal has great core strength, which allows them to hit shots on the stretch.

Someone clearly faster like Blake would not be able to hit such a shot, though he is faster than both. The same with guys like Phau and Monfils.

Federer was the best defensive player on a fast surface. How do you think he managed this feat if he was as slow as people here seem to think? Stamina is a key issue. Sampras was another very, very fast player, but did you seem him chasing after everything? No. Tennis is about conserving energy. I dare anyone to actually watch Federer vs Nadal matches in 06-07. Forget Nadal hitting wonder shots on the run and look to, who actually gets to the ball first.

 

[World Beater]

federer had better top speed. the guy was very fast - see the vid against coria in hamburg.

ive never seen djoker move like that. Djokovic is a bit stronger on the stretch and laterally is more agile than roger esp changing directions.

but i favor federer on the dead run over djokovic. only nadal is better than roger on the dead run.

 

[TTMR]

federer had better top speed. the guy was very fast - see the vid against coria in hamburg.

ive never seen djoker move like that. Djokovic is a bit stronger on the stretch and laterally is more agile than roger esp changing directions.

but i favor federer on the dead run over djokovic. only nadal is better than roger on the dead run.

Really? Not Monfils? Not Murray? Not Hewitt? Not Blake? Not Chang?

Again, for some reason, Federer fans cannot rest until their player is considered the best at everything. Explain it to me, because I cannot understand it.

 

[gennosuke]

So who is faster at his peak? Federer or Nadal? Federer or Murray? Federer or Hewitt?

Federer is faster than all these players, yet simply chooses not to use his otherworldly speed except on "big points" (except for the big points he doesn't)? Why? So he can conserve energy? So he can circumvent the stigma of being labelled a "pusher"?



Ok there. I simply don't understand this compulsive urge among Federer fans to insist he is the absolute best at every aspect of the game (see the Federer vs. Sampras serve thread). I guess it's not enough that he is likely the most accomplished tennis player in history; he must supersede every other current or past player pound for pound, stroke for stroke. It's a mentality I fail to understand.

It's a strawman, my friend. Ask if he has better volleys or Edberg, most will say Edberg etc.

You clearly have a chip on your shoulder.

Really? Not Monfils? Not Murray? Not Hewitt? Not Blake? Not Chang?

Monfils obviously is. Murray, nah. Hewitt, maybe by a hair. Blake is faster. Chang too.

See, it's possible.

I may have underrated Hewitt too. Murray is way too heavy when moving from side to side, he recovers too slowly.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

Federer had better top speed. the guy was very fast - see the vid against coria in hamburg.

ive never seen djoker move like that. Djokovic is a bit stronger on the stretch and laterally is more agile than roger esp changing directions.

but i favor federer on the dead run over djokovic. only nadal is better than roger on the dead run.

You should watch the proper video, not some overstretched and mangled footage posted on youtube by someone who loves distorted tennis.

Federer moved well in that match, but not like an olympic sprinter like that video made it out to be.

I watched the proper footage of the match posted by another youtube poster and I saw absolutely nothing that made me think Federer has a faster top speed than Djokovic.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6759189&postcount=17

 

[ZeroSkid]

Prime:

Speed

1. Nadal
2. Murray
3. Djokovic
4. Federer

Movement

1. Federer
2. Djokovic
3. Nadal
4. Murray

 

[SLD76]

Prime:

Speed

1. Nadal
2. Murray
3. Djokovic
4. Federer

Movement

1. Federer
2. Djokovic
3. Nadal
4. Murray

Blinks...*double blink*

I actually agree with you for once except.i...is put fed ahead of murray and put murray last, and maybe tie fed and djoker

 

[Jaitock1991]

Haha...

This is redicilous, man!! If you're posting a thread by asking a question and inviting your readers to answer that very question, then why in the world do you critisize everyone not sharing your excact opinion the way you do? Amazing to read...

 

[Sid_Vicious]

I don't think Murray gets the credit he deserves for his movement on court. Not surprising, considering people only noticed how well Djokovic moves in 2011, when the guy had shown how quick he was in the preceding years. I think Murray has footspeed that rivals that of Nadal and is superior to Federer's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6dF0KNvRCs&feature=player_detailpage#t=508s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMq5-MG6HoE&feature=player_detailpage#t=999s

 

[ZeroSkid]

Blinks...*double blink*

I actually agree with you for once except.i...is put fed ahead of murray and put murray last, and maybe tie fed and djoker

Murray's speed is highly underrated, he trains with sprinters too, but he can't move as well as the top 3

 

[Federer20042006]

Splitting hairs. A Djokovic/Federer race really isn't anything you'd want to see. Tennis court coverage is more about quickness, anyway.

Monfils would dust everyone in an actual sprint.

 

[gennosuke]

Prime:

Speed

1. Nadal
2. Murray
3. Djokovic
4. Federer

Movement

1. Federer
2. Djokovic
3. Nadal
4. Murray

:lol:

This is redicilous, man!! If you're posting a thread by asking a question and inviting your readers to answer that very question, then why in the world do you critisize everyone not sharing your excact opinion the way you do? Amazing to read...

Once you turn 14, you will realize that I'm not required to suck up to everyone posting in my thread. You will also realize that I'm criticizing them, not because they don't agree with me, but because they do not make sense.

 

[ZeroSkid]

:lol:


.

what is so funny?

 

[Badger]

Who is this joker? Ban him.

 

[NamRanger]

Well I believe Federer was 26 or 27 in 2007, he won 3 slams, made the French final and won the masters cup as well as 2 masters. As usual Nadal won everything on clay. Please explain how this is an incorrect statement? Also, correcting a persons gramma for a auto type error is just childish.:neutral:

Because statistically his 2006 was better.

 

[BeHappy]

Djoker's movement is a little overrated, he's not as fast as Nadal or Murray at all of their respective bests. I'd say about the same as Federer at Federer's peak.

Djoker's defence is the best, but not his movement in my opinion.

 

[Evan77]

lol, Fed winning this poll ... Fed ****s voting skills are amazing... too bad most of them know nothing about tennis or they are that blind , haha, just hilarious

 

[roberttennis54]

lol, Fed winning this poll ... Fed ****s voting skills are amazing... too bad most of them know nothing about tennis or they are that blind , haha, just hilarious

It is got nothing to do with liking Federer or not. Personally I think all of the top 4 are overrated when it comes to speed. I think people also confuse outright speed with defensive ability. Hence why they often name the best defensive players instead of just the fastest.

When it comes to plain speed over the last few years it would be something like this.

Monfils
Blake/Pahu
Coria/Hewitt
Davydenko/Nadal/Federer
Murray
Djokovic.

Probably missed a few, but that is close to what it would be like. As I said before stamina is vital. The fitter guys like Nadal, Murray and Djokovic are going to sprint around for much longer and more often. Where as other guys are going to pace themselves.

 

[Evan77]

It is got nothing to do with liking Federer or not. Personally I think all of the top 4 are overrated when it comes to speed. I think people also confuse outright speed with defensive ability. Hence why they often name the best defensive players instead of just the fastest.

When it comes to plain speed over the last few years it would be something like this.

Monfils
Blake/Pahu
Coria/Hewitt
Davydenko/Nadal/Federer
Murray
Djokovic.

Probably missed a few, but that is close to what it would be like. As I said before stamina is vital. The fitter guys like Nadal, Murray and Djokovic are going to sprint around for much longer and more often. Where as other guys are going to pace themselves.

Rob, your post makes some sense. If we talk about raw speed, yes Monfils is probably the fastest guy on the tour. However, I respectfully disagree that Fed at his peak was faster than Djokovic (simply not true). I said earlier already that some guys here are mixing up speed and footwork (where Fed indeed is the best, no question). If we talk about Murray and Nole it is a toss up ... on the other hand, one good shot, or speed, or movement will not win you slams.... nowadays you have to be a complete player and strong at all aspects of the game.

 

[The-Champ]

Not even close. Hewitt is faster than Nadal.

However, you have to do something with ball once you get there. Nadal is much stronger than Hewitt and could do more with the ball on the run. So Nadal would be harder hit winners against.

Not even close? You make it sound as if Nadal is slow as Karlovic. I hope you don't base your assessment of Nadal speed from the last 3 years. He used to be so much faster than that.

Here's what Agassi has to say about Nadal's speed:

Q. Can you compare him to other players in terms of his quickness?

ANDRE AGASSI: You know, there's so many different ways to assess speed. You got guys that are tremendously fast, but they only use their speed defensively, then you really don't care about how fast they are because they're only going to have to run more. You got other guys that can use their speed offensively, but if you get them on the defense they can't hurt you on the stretch, so you can take a point over early and they can be fast but never turn a point around. Nadal has the ability to run as fast as the best of 'em, but on the stretch actually hurt you. You know, he can transition those points into offense. That makes you sort of walk on egg shells. He draws out errors that I think normally you wouldn't make against any other player, which is a credit to the way he plays the game.

http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=39

 

[roberttennis54]

Rob, your post makes some sense. If we talk about raw speed, yes Monfils is probably the fastest guy on the tour. However, I respectfully disagree that Fed at his peak was faster than Djokovic (simply not true). I said earlier already that some guys here are mixing up speed and footwork (where Fed indeed is the best, no question). If we talk about Murray and Nole it is a toss up ... on the other hand, one good shot, or speed, or movement will not win you slams.... nowadays you have to be a complete player and strong at all aspects of the game.

We are going to have to disagree. Like I said before Federer does not run full out every point due to conserving energy and maybe injury protection. If you want to see how fast Federer is, you need to really watch him against Nadal or Hewitt. Then look at a break point. The deuce point against Nadal in the 06 final, 4th set 5-4 down is a good example.

When they get to the ball Djokovic's flexibility and Nadal's strength may allow them to do more with the ball. However, when they are being run from one side to another, I cannot pick between Nadal and Federer and put Djokovic behind them.

Not even close? You make it sound as if Nadal is slow as Karlovic. I hope you don't base your assessment of Nadal speed from the last 3 years. He used to be so much faster than that.

Here's what Agassi has to say about Nadal's speed:

I have to ask how does this quote imply that Nadal is faster than Hewitt? If anything it implies the opposite and supports what I was saying. He never says Nadal is the fastest, but just up there with the best, which he is. As I said he prior, points out Nadal has the ability to hurt you from impossible positions. So even, though say Blake or Davydenko got there first, Nadal being a fraction later will do a hell of a lot more with the ball making him dangerous.

 

[The-Champ]

I have to ask how does this quote imply that Nadal is faster than Hewitt? If anything it implies the opposite and supports what I was saying. He never says Nadal is the fastest, but just up there with the best, which he is. As I said he prior, points out Nadal has the ability to hurt you from impossible positions. So even, though say Blake or Davydenko got there first, Nadal being a fraction later will do a hell of a lot more with the ball making him dangerous.

I never said the quote would prove Nadal was faster but it shows that Nadal is just as fast as the fastest. You on the other hand said, Nadal is not even close to Hewitt as if he was Lindsay Davenport.

 

[Start da Game]

you guys should watch again nadal's 2007 and 2008 videos for blinding speed.......as for the poll it's djokovic quite easily.......

 

[roberttennis54]

Here is highlights of the Wimbledon final 06. Take note that Federer cannot hit off balance like Nadal or Djokovic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23d2hcPd4tc&feature=related

Saying Nadal was not close to Hewitt was an exaggeration on my part. Nadal is up there, but I think Hewitt and Coria are faster.

Here is another example. Look at the set point he faces. He puts his full effort to get to the ball and he is getting their in time to make full swings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLvgMOvgOWw

Here is another example against Gonzalez. Look at the point from 3.24. Notice that it is 6-5 40-40.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m_8WWFu9hQ