Why players choke too much against Nadal?

Because he is better at tennis than they are.

that is the core of why these guys choke to the Big 3 over and over again. The big 3’s shots don’t break down, their serves are more accurate, their returning is cleaner, and their anticipation and movement is better.

So, when you know this, your confidence in your own shots starts to wane. Nadal makes you doubt yourself with this powerful FH and ability to flip points.

Add to this, Nadal takes his sweet time (full 30 seconds between every big point) which just adds to the extreme mental strain and tension a player feels.

Taking time between points (like Djokodal do) always favors the better and more consistent player.
 
Because he's the best vs The Field. He's the best at directing his frustrations outwards, at the other player in withering fashion.

Rafa beats you before you even hit the first ball. When you play him in a match, unless you establish your own presence right away...you're playing his little mental games. Working on his schedule, watching his every move. And if you don't...he gonna get very angry, no?
 
To the extent this is true non troll answers would be the left handedness and aggressiveness of his energy when he gets rolling. High level tennis is so mentally demanding only little things can be needed to get someone off their game.
 
Backspin1183 said:
Then who's the GOAT if not him? Laver?
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It's subjective since everyone has his/her own criteria to rank each legend in ATG. I chose the criteria being use by tennis coaches, historians, journalists that was developed 10 years ago. The list is fair, balance and covers the entire player's career achievements. My GOAT is Steffi Graf and Roger Federer base on the following criteria:

* Number of Major Titles won
* Overall performance at Grand Slam Events
* Player Ranking
* Performance at ATP/WTA events
* Performance(Win/loss record) at Davis & Fed Cup events
* Records held or broken(i.e. Consecutive winning streaks)
* Intangibles(Overall contribution to tennis)
 
TMF said:
It's subjective since everyone has his/her own criteria to rank each legend in ATG. I chose the criteria being use by tennis coaches, historians, journalists that was developed 10 years ago. The list is fair, balance and covers the entire player's career achievements. My GOAT is Steffi Graf and Roger Federer base on the following criteria:

* Number of Major Titles won
* Overall performance at Grand Slam Events
* Player Ranking
* Performance at ATP/WTA events
* Performance(Win/loss record) at Davis & Fed Cup events
* Records held or broken(i.e. Consecutive winning streaks)
* Intangibles(Overall contribution to tennis)
Click to expand...

Steffi Graf is understandable but isn't Roger Federer behind Nadal in number of Major titles won which is the #1 criteria for GOAT? :unsure:

And what if Novak also ties the Grand Slam record? Wouldn't he then also have a claim over it?
 
Backspin1183 said:
Steffi Graf is understandable but isn't Roger Federer behind Nadal in number of Major titles won which is the #1 criteria for GOAT? :unsure:

And what if Novak also ties the Grand Slam record? Wouldn't he then also have a claim over it?
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You are basing on slam count alone is the be-all and end-all in GOAT, then Court(24) > Serena(23) > Graf(22), Nadal(21) > Fed/Nole(20).

Sorry but there are a lot more to tennis achievements than just slam titles. You need to look at the whole picture.
 
Last edited:
Most slam: Nadal
Most ATP masters: Djokovic
OG: Only Nadal
Highest win percentage: Nadal/Djokovic

Roger can't be goat then.
Goat of grass court maybe, but it is breakable.
 
Pablo1989 said:
Because he's the GOAT.
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Slay bestie ;)

224a9447ecb5f062e2a0d0002872f84611a3d2f8.gifv
 
I'll ignore the GOAT wars drivel and answer the OP question:

- Because he never beats himself.
- Because he's great at making points longer and giving the opponent the chance to make an error.
- Because he has an uncanny ability to raise his level when he smells weakness.
 
JaxTeller said:
It's unreal tbh.. Nadal has made his career out of opponent's choke,
Click to expand...

no, he really has not.

In fact, no one has won his slams with greater margin of victory and less sets won than Nadal.


This revisionist history is absolute crap.

Roddick was up a break on Fed in the 3rd set 2004 WB F
Agassi had BP's to serve for the 3rd set 2004 USO QF
Kiefer served for the 4th set 2005 WB and threw in 3 UE's
Davydenko had 6 SP's for a 2-1 set lead at 2006 AO and made 4 UE's
Roddick had 4 BP's to go up a break 3rd set 2006 USO, netted his favorite shot in the world
Gonzalez had 2 SP's for a 1-0 set lead 2007 AO, another FH UE.
Djokovic had 5 SP's to take a set lead 2007 USO, 4 UE's.

Wanna hear some real blunders?

Acasuso had SP for the first 3 sets of the 2009 FO match, served for the 3rd set twice....
Haas missing a smash to give away the 3rd set from 2-0 up.
Del Po DF'ing the decisive 5th set break.
Roddick 4 SP's for a 2-0 set lead 2009 WB, bricks volley.
Andreev had 3 SP's for a 2-1 set lead 2010 AO, 3 identical FH UE's.
Davydenko up 6-2 3-1 BP for double break, nets a forecourt sitter off a Federer shank. Completely implodes.
Djokovic BP to serve for a 2-1 set lead at 2012 WB, misses return.
Murray 2 BPs to serve for a 2-0 set lead, UE.
Wawrinka BP for a 5th set lead at 2017 AO, UE.
Nadal GP for a 4-2 lead, UE.
Cilic gazilion GP's on return and serve to start 5th set at 2018 AO, UE every time.

All, washed over or forgotten....

if some of these things had happened to Nadal or Djokovic, the heads of Federer fans would explode.

The fact is, Federer hasn't let a slam go by without being in need of a gift.
 
Forgive Me Father said:
no, he really has not.

In fact, no one has won his slams with greater margin of victory and less sets won than Nadal.


This revisionist history is absolute crap.

Roddick was up a break on Fed in the 3rd set 2004 WB F
Agassi had BP's to serve for the 3rd set 2004 USO QF
Kiefer served for the 4th set 2005 WB and threw in 3 UE's
Davydenko had 6 SP's for a 2-1 set lead at 2006 AO and made 4 UE's
Roddick had 4 BP's to go up a break 3rd set 2006 USO, netted his favorite shot in the world
Gonzalez had 2 SP's for a 1-0 set lead 2007 AO, another FH UE.
Djokovic had 5 SP's to take a set lead 2007 USO, 4 UE's.

Wanna hear some real blunders?

Acasuso had SP for the first 3 sets of the 2009 FO match, served for the 3rd set twice....
Haas missing a smash to give away the 3rd set from 2-0 up.
Del Po DF'ing the decisive 5th set break.
Roddick 4 SP's for a 2-0 set lead 2009 WB, bricks volley.
Andreev had 3 SP's for a 2-1 set lead 2010 AO, 3 identical FH UE's.
Davydenko up 6-2 3-1 BP for double break, nets a forecourt sitter off a Federer shank. Completely implodes.
Djokovic BP to serve for a 2-1 set lead at 2012 WB, misses return.
Murray 2 BPs to serve for a 2-0 set lead, UE.
Wawrinka BP for a 5th set lead at 2017 AO, UE.
Nadal GP for a 4-2 lead, UE.
Cilic gazilion GP's on return and serve to start 5th set at 2018 AO, UE every time.

All, washed over or forgotten....

if some of these things had happened to Nadal or Djokovic, the heads of Federer fans would explode.

The fact is, Federer hasn't let a slam go by without being in need of a gift.
Click to expand...

That was religious experience era !
 
Kralingen said:
...
Add to this, Nadal takes his sweet time (full 30 seconds between every big point) which just adds to the extreme mental strain and tension a player feels...
Click to expand...

You created yet another fake story about Rafa! You are ignoring the fact that the ATP Tour uses the serve clock (since the summer of 2018). It's impossible for a player to "take" more time between the points than the serve clock allows without being punished by the chair umpire.

The chair umpire operates the serve clock, he/she gives a player 25 seconds to start the next point. The 25-second countdown begins, when the umpire triggers the serve clock and players have to monitor the time on the serve clock. The umpire will give a player a time violation warning (or the player loses his 1st serve or a point), if the player hasn't started his service motion prior to the expiration of 25 seconds.
 
octobrina10 said:
You created yet another fake story about Rafa! You are ignoring the fact that the ATP Tour uses the serve clock (since the summer of 2018). It's impossible for a player to "take" more time between the points than the serve clock allows without being punished by the chair umpire.

The chair umpire operates the serve clock, he/she gives a player 25 seconds to start the next point. The 25-second countdown begins, when the umpire triggers the serve clock and players have to monitor the time on the serve clock. The umpire will give a player a time violation warning (or the player loses his 1st serve or a point), if the player hasn't started his service motion prior to the expiration of 25 seconds.
Click to expand...
You absolutely slayed that Fed worshipper and his agenda.
 
Forgive Me Father said:
no, he really has not.

In fact, no one has won his slams with greater margin of victory and less sets won than Nadal.


This revisionist history is absolute crap.

Roddick was up a break on Fed in the 3rd set 2004 WB F
Agassi had BP's to serve for the 3rd set 2004 USO QF
Kiefer served for the 4th set 2005 WB and threw in 3 UE's
Davydenko had 6 SP's for a 2-1 set lead at 2006 AO and made 4 UE's
Roddick had 4 BP's to go up a break 3rd set 2006 USO, netted his favorite shot in the world
Gonzalez had 2 SP's for a 1-0 set lead 2007 AO, another FH UE.
Djokovic had 5 SP's to take a set lead 2007 USO, 4 UE's.

Wanna hear some real blunders?

Acasuso had SP for the first 3 sets of the 2009 FO match, served for the 3rd set twice....
Haas missing a smash to give away the 3rd set from 2-0 up.
Del Po DF'ing the decisive 5th set break.
Roddick 4 SP's for a 2-0 set lead 2009 WB, bricks volley.
Andreev had 3 SP's for a 2-1 set lead 2010 AO, 3 identical FH UE's.
Davydenko up 6-2 3-1 BP for double break, nets a forecourt sitter off a Federer shank. Completely implodes.
Djokovic BP to serve for a 2-1 set lead at 2012 WB, misses return.
Murray 2 BPs to serve for a 2-0 set lead, UE.
Wawrinka BP for a 5th set lead at 2017 AO, UE.
Nadal GP for a 4-2 lead, UE.
Cilic gazilion GP's on return and serve to start 5th set at 2018 AO, UE every time.

All, washed over or forgotten....

if some of these things had happened to Nadal or Djokovic, the heads of Federer fans would explode.

The fact is, Federer hasn't let a slam go by without being in need of a gift.
Click to expand...

I mean Nadal doesn't just "collect chokes" passively, which is impossible and not what's happening, but some of these are funny, like the Kiefer one - might as well remember Andujar losing a set to Nadal from 5-1 40-0 or something. Those don't matter, not like Federer/Nadal/whoever were losing anyway.

Honestly, while this is an annoying choke because Korda is supposed to be a promising youngster not some generic mug, the real issue is that Oldal's heavily declined tennis is still more than enough when he's in half-decent form, which is ridiculous but there we are.
 
octobrina10 said:
You created yet another fake story about Rafa! You are ignoring the fact that the ATP Tour uses the serve clock (since the summer of 2018). It's impossible for a player to "take" more time between the points than the serve clock allows without being punished by the chair umpire.

The chair umpire operates the serve clock, he/she gives a player 25 seconds to start the next point. The 25-second countdown begins, when the umpire triggers the serve clock and players have to monitor the time on the serve clock. The umpire will give a player a time violation warning (or the player loses his 1st serve or a point), if the player hasn't started his service motion prior to the expiration of 25 seconds.
Click to expand...
You have serious issues, Octobrina. Anyone with eyes can see that Rafa uses the full service clock on big points such as BP or deuce (whether it’s 25 seconds now, or the aforementioned 30 seconds before).

My entire post was complimentary to Rafa and you decide to say I was cheating readers?

Your obsession is unhealthy.
 
octobrina10 said:
You created yet another fake story about Rafa! You are ignoring the fact that the ATP Tour uses the serve clock (since the summer of 2018). It's impossible for a player to "take" more time between the points than the serve clock allows without being punished by the chair umpire.

The chair umpire operates the serve clock, he/she gives a player 25 seconds to start the next point. The 25-second countdown begins, when the umpire triggers the serve clock and players have to monitor the time on the serve clock. The umpire will give a player a time violation warning (or the player loses his 1st serve or a point), if the player hasn't started his service motion prior to the expiration of 25 seconds.
Click to expand...
I think what he/she is trying to tell is even if Nadal is ready to serve earlier, he mostly takes all the time till the serve clock goes to zero which is perfectly fine and within the rules while also it gives opponents too much time to overthink and complicate matters. I dont think it is true but this what he/she was trying to tell.
 
JaxTeller said:
It's unreal tbh.. Nadal has made his career out of opponent's choke,
Click to expand...
The thing with Nadal (and Djokovic) is they now have an aura of being more dangerous when they are down in a match. So if you're a Nexgen, you arguably feel more pressure when you're up a set or two against them, than at 0-0 at the start of the match. It's ridiculous, but that's the way psychology works.
 
zuluzazu said:
I think what he/she is trying to tell is even if Nadal is ready to serve earlier, he mostly takes all the time till the serve clock goes to zero which is perfectly fine and within the rules while also it gives opponents too much time to overthink and complicate matters. I dont think it is true but this what he/she was trying to tell.
Click to expand...
No, he said: "Nadal takes his sweet time (full 30 seconds between every big point)," but the truth is that he can't "take" more than 25 seconds allowed by the serve clock.
 
JaxTeller said:
Fed and Novak have better racquet skills, Nadal has better luck..I'm afraid
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Do you watch tennis? I understand why someone might think Fed has better racquet skills, but Nadal has far better skills and is much more versatile than Djokovic. Poor Novak is not as good as Nadal at the net and shots like his overheads are pathetic. Nadal has the better skills by a big margin than Djokovic.
 
Kralingen said:
You have serious issues, Octobrina. Anyone with eyes can see that Rafa uses the full service clock on big points such as BP or deuce (whether it’s 25 seconds now, or the aforementioned 30 seconds before).

My entire post was complimentary to Rafa and you decide to say I was cheating readers?

Your obsession is unhealthy.
Click to expand...
If you made a mistake, then correct "full 30 seconds" to "full 25 seconds" in your post I quoted. The time limit between points has always been 25 seconds since the implementing the serve clock (in the summer of 2018).
 
Genious at Work said:
Do you watch tennis? I understand why someone might think Fed has better racquet skills, but Nadal has far better skills and is much more versatile than Djokovic. Poor Novak is not as good as Nadal at the net and shots like his overheads are pathetic. Nadal has the better skills by a big margin than Djokovic.
Click to expand...
Djokovic has a clear better forecourt game than nadal.. better in drop shot redirection, better in Volleyes (yes, Novak is better, Have you ever seen Nadal putting away volleyes below his waist,? It's just that he has a safer approach)..And ofc..Novak is a cleaner ballstriker,plus better depthBotter,..Etc etc..
 
JaxTeller said:
Djokovic has a clear better forecourt game than nadal.. better in drop shot redirection, better in Volleyes (yes, Novak is better, Have you ever seen Nadal putting away volleyes below his waist,? It's just that he has a safer approach)..And ofc..Novak is a cleaner ballstriker,plus better depthBotter,..Etc etc..
Click to expand...
Nadal's technique is way better and he has far more variety than Djokovic, he plays with better angles, has a better drop shot, passing shot, smash, and his volleys are better. Yes, Nadal picks low volleys with ease, he does it all the time. What Djokovic has is his otherworldly consistence from the baseline.
 
OP - Yep, Nadal never plays better to beat opponents who have a lead on him. They just give it to him. lol.
As Chow would say on Hangover, ***** pleez.
 
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