Why does Nadal struggle so much with journeymen on grass?

[titoelcolombiano]

Since 2004:

AO - Nad missed the meeting 04, 06, 07, 10, 18; Fed 19; both 05, 08, 11, 13 (probably), 15, 16.

RG - Nad missed 09, Fed missed 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18; both 04, 15, 16.

Wim - Nad missed 04, 05, 09, 12, 14, 15, 17; Fed missed 10, 11; both missed 13, 16 (probably), 18.

USO - Nad missed 04-09, 15; Fed missed 10, 11, 13, 17; both missed 12, 14, 16, 18.

Missed meetings:

AO 5-1 Nad
RG 6-1 Fed
Wim 7-2 Nad
USO 7-4 Nad

Ombillible!
Tallying this up + actual h2h, they are right even. Only now the nadal is edging ahead of ancient boneserer on consistency, some achievement.

AO: Fed has gone deeper than Rafa 6 - 5
Rafa was absent in 06 but yes I missed 2004 so we'll say that it is 5 plus the direct loss to Fed in 2017 - 6
Fed lost earlier than Rafa twice; in 2015 and 2019 plus the three direct losses to Rafa - 5

RG: Rafa has gone deeper than Fed 10 - 1
Rafa went deeper in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 plus the six (lol) direct wins over Fed
Fed went deeper in 2009... that is all

WIM: Fed went deeper than Rafa 9 - 4 (not great for the grass GOAT)
Rafa went deeper in 2010, 2011, 2018 plus his direct win in 2008 - 4
Fed went deeper in 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and the two direct wins over Rafa - 9

USO: Fed went deeper that Rafa 7 - 5
Rafa went deeper in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018
Fed went deeper in 2004 - 2009, 2015

It is pretty even as you point out and certainly not as one-sided as is assumed on here. But let's be clear we can't give old man Fed ranked three in the world a pass but happily include an 18 YO Rafa's results.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

AO: Fed has gone deeper than Rafa 6 - 5
Rafa was absent in 06 but yes I missed 2004 so we'll say that it is 5 plus the direct loss to Fed in 2017 - 6
Fed lost earlier than Rafa twice; in 2015 and 2019 plus the three direct losses to Rafa - 5

RG: Rafa has gone deeper than Fed 10 - 1
Rafa went deeper in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 plus the six (lol) direct wins over Fed
Fed went deeper in 2009... that is all

WIM: Fed went deeper than Rafa 9 - 4 (not great for the grass GOAT)
Rafa went deeper in 2010, 2011, 2018 plus his direct win in 2008 - 4
Fed went deeper in 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and the two direct wins over Rafa - 9

USO: Fed went deeper that Rafa 7 - 5
Rafa went deeper in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018
Fed went deeper in 2004 - 2009, 2015

It is pretty even as you point out and certainly not as one-sided as is assumed on here. But let's be clear we can't give old man Fed ranked three in the world a pass but happily include an 18 YO Rafa's results.

18 year old ATGs have been generally more successful than 37 year old ATGs In the Open era (between Rosewall and Federer only Connors played at 37+), so if we count Fed's 2018+, Nadal's 2004 counts also.

It's convenient for the ********* that luck of the draw had him go further in USO 11 and AO 15 while not playing better at all, too.

 

[heninfan99]

Rafa has made FIVE Wimbledon Finals crushing many journeymen along the way

 

[Ray Mercer]

Rafa has made FIVE Wimbledon Finals crushing many journeymen along the way

Yes but the last one was almost a decade ago and he’s only 33 years old now. Since then he’s lost to a lot of guys many would classify as journeymen. Brown x 2, Darcis, Rosol and Muller.

 

[heninfan99]

Yes but the last one was almost a decade ago and he’s only 33 years old now. Since then he’s lost to a lot of guys many would classify as journeymen. Brown x 2, Darcis, Rosol and Muller.

Rafa made the semis in 2018 losing 5 sets to Djokovic. He's a serious threat and crushed journeyman Vesely in process.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

18 year old ATGs have been generally more successful than 37 year old ATGs In the Open era (between Rosewall and Federer only Connors played at 37+), so if we count Fed's 2018+, Nadal's 2004 counts also.

It's convenient for the ********* that luck of the draw had him go further in USO 11 and AO 15 while not playing better at all, too.

Which 18YO ATG's are currently playing?