Who would have had the best shot at beating Nadal today?

Which of the following would have had the best chance against Nadal?

  • Peak Soderling

    Votes: 9 12.0%

  • Peak Federer

    Votes: 8 10.7%

  • Peak Djokovic

    Votes: 58 77.3%
  • Total voters
    75
Nadalgaenger

Nadalgaenger

G.O.A.T.
For the record, I don't believe anyone who has ever lifted a racket could have stopped Nadal today. Just unbelievable what he has done.

Still, who would have had the best chance at knocking him off?

I've left Borg out because I don't feel like opening another battle of the eras argument. Also, Borg clearly beats these other three in clay greatness (peak level harder to ascertain obviously given primitive racket technology)
 
Djokovic might have taken one set today. This is the best I've seen Rafa on clay in a long time. Peak fed never had a chance anyways. Soderling? I won't even go there because the fed fans will jump down my throat.
 
Don't even know what Peak Soderling is tbh, he only existed for 2 matches

I guess the best versions of the other 2 may have grabbed the opening set - Rafa was slow out of the blocks. Novak may have taken 2. Don't think they would have beaten him.
 
Who was it that said "what happens when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force? That is Rafa Nadal today" or something like that.
 
I voted Djokovic. Though he basically missed his chances every year he played Nadal. I don't count 2015.
Was 2013 Nadal as good as this year's version? Surely not on clay, right statisticians?
 
Peak Djokovic IMO. I think the Nadal we saw today would've beaten Soderling of 2009 and prime/peak Federer in 4 sets like he usually did.
 
Soderling and Federer would have gotten beaten. We saw what Nadal did to Soderling in 2010 in dry, sunny conditions so I don't think he has a chance. Your only hope is peak Djokovic and even then that is not a guarantee. Maybe after Djokovic had his RG title and was still at his peak he could bring the performance needed today and be more relaxed. But no guarantee he would win.
 
wile-e-coyote-optimism.png
 
Nadalgaenger said:
I voted Djokovic. Though he basically missed his chances every year he played Nadal. I don't count 2015.
Was 2013 Nadal as good as this year's version? Surely not on clay, right statisticians?
Click to expand...

Rafa is better now IMO. His serve is so much better. He is mixing it up very well. Weapons everywhere. He is moving incredible too.
 
I'd say the Novak from his best days would have pushed the match into a 5th set. But then you would always favor Rafa in that situation.
 
Djokovic

Just as good on clay as Federer without having big match-up issues. Would still lose, but he would be the toughest opponent.
 
For me I've always thought Djokovic was the only one who knew how to trouble Nadal. 2009 and 2015 I never look at because that wasn't Rafa in his best shape. 2013 Djokovic was the only one who truly pushed Nadal to the limit. That's the only player in that particular year I would look at when trying to beat Nadal at RG. No one else.
 
Djokovic2011 said:
It was specifically stated in the OP why Bjorn Borg shouldn't be included Phoenix.
Click to expand...

I don't care.

Or if I'm being pedantic, and following the "no players from former eras" rule, then the poll should have had a "no one" option - because none of the three options provided would have had any chance of beating Nadal today.

:cool:
 
GabeT said:
Always felt that Nole was the only consistent threat in clay Nadal has faced in his career.
Click to expand...
One of only two men to beat him in 104 BO5 matches on clay. And we all knew going into 2015 Rafa was playing so poorly and Djoker so good he was going to lose that match.
 
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