Will a Nadal victory be the greatest comeback in tennis history?

[Sport]

It's a natural disadvantage for Federer to have two goats coming after him. I can't see how Shapovalov's age or lack of ability is relevant.

Lol, the salt is strong here.

With regard to your first sentence, it's a natural disadvantage later on his career. Intially it's an advantage, as he has to face them when they are non-prime, or he can reach multiple Slam finals without facing them due tot heir lack of development (see 2003-2007).

And even if it's a disadvantage, the GOAT job is to stop the Next Gen. The chess GOAT Kasparov succesfully stopped the younger Anand (an all-time great) in their world cup matches. The ability to stop the Next Gen is a sine qua non condition to be the GOAT.

 

[zagor]

Fed/Nole fans right now

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Did Fed/Nole make this thread or? Who's fanning the flames here?

And I'm not a Med fan, I respect him as player and like his character but that's it. Nor would I have cheered on the Aussie goverment if they were deporting Nadal if he was in Novak's situation, I don't like authoritarianism.

 

[Krish872007]

I'm pretty sure OP said this Slam is heavily asterisked without the presence of the defending champion and World #1 (who was prevented from competing). So which position is it?
This can hardly be the greatest comeback in history if it is being handed on a platter (according to OP).

 

[Backspin1183]

Did Fed/Nole make this thread or? Who's fanning the flames here?

And I'm not a Med fan, I respect him as player and like his character but that's it. Nor would I have cheered on the Aussie goverment if they were deporting Nadal if he was in Novak's situation, I don't like authoritarianism.

No, OP is a well known Federer hater.
I like Med too and will be happy for him if he wins.

 

[zagor]

No, OP is a well known Federer hater.
I like Med too and will be happy for him if he wins.

I like Med's personality. I wish I enjoyed his game more.

 

[Yugram]

So the younger, the stronger? That's a new one.

Keep in mind that #3 player in the world has NEVER beaten a top10 player in a slam match in his entire career... Embarrassing.

Taste your own medicine. For years Federer fanbase was spreading agenda that there is simply no way Djokovic and Nadal survive past their 20’s because the youth would automatically make their opponents win.

 

[zagor]

I'm pretty sure OP said this Slam is heavily asterisked without the presence of the defending champion and World #1 (who was prevented from competing). So which position is it?
This can hardly be the greatest comeback in history if it is being handed on a platter (according to OP).

He went against his Nadal fanboyism and criticized the government actions and I think he had a point, even if Novak has his share of the blame for the whole situation.

However, now that Nadal is so close to the prize the other side is taking over

 

[junior74]

Lol, the salt is strong here.

With regard to your first sentence, it's a natural disadvantage later on his career. Intially it's an advantage, as he has to face them when they are non-prime, or he can reach multiple Slam finals without facing them due tot heir lack of development (see 2003-2007).

And even if it's a disadvantage, the GOAT job is to stop the Next Gen. The chess GOAT Kasparov succesfully stopped the younger Anand (an all-time great) in their world cup matches. The ability to stop the Next Gen is a sine qua non condition to be the GOAT.

Not really, I was trying to comprehend a relation between having Nadal and Djokovic hunting you down and having Shapovalov "hunting"

 

[Backspin1183]

He went against his Nadal fanboyism and criticized the government actions and I think he had a point, even if Novak has his share of the blame for the whole situation.

However, now that Nadal is so close to the prize the other side is taking over

He changes his tune all the time. The only thing constant with him is his hatred for Federer.

 

[Sport]

Novak is the field.
Removing him makes the slam useless...

lol @ best player in history, his performance outside clay is not goat worthy.

By hypothetically winning the AO 2022, Nadal would become, along with Novak, the only player in Open Era history to achieve a Double Career Grand Slam (winning each Slam title at least twice). Therefore, it logically follows that both his Slam count (21) and his Slam distribution (Double Career Grand Slam) would be noteworthy enough to be deemed the GOAT by all objective tennis observers.

All of his is hypothetical talk, he still has to defeat Medvedev of course... We will see.

 

[gadge]

No fed 2017 was much better. Even Novak at WB18 was a bigger one considering they actually beat Rafa to win their titles and fell way out in the rankings.

 

[Backspin1183]

No fed 2017 was much better. Even Novak at WB18 was a bigger one considering they actually beat Rafa to win their titles and fell way out in the rankings.

Medvedev right now is better on hard court than Nadal on grass since 2011. AO'17 was very special though.

 

[zagor]

Not really, I was trying to comprehend a relation between having Nadal and Djokovic hunting you down and having Shapovalov "hunting"

Yeah having a hunter after you who freezes up every time he has to pull the trigger is somehow not as intimidating.

 

[jga111]

No one is writing Nadal off. My tummy says he'll win. Medvedev will go full rant mode and get DQ'd like his idol

Sorry that was mean’t to say “haven’t” written off nadal. Agree.

For me Sampras winning in 2002 was big as no one expected it.

 

[junior74]

Taste your own medicine. For years Federer fanbase was spreading agenda that there is simply no way Djokovic and Nadal survive past their 20’s because the youth would automatically make their opponents win.

If anything, we have seen that the generations following Nadal/ Djokovic has been unable to do anything. If that's due to Nadal and Djokovic's prowess until 35+ years of age or weak generations, is up to you.

Lendl and Becker are not in doubt. They claim the young players lack winner instinct. But what do they know?

 

[Adam Copeland]

By hypothetically winning the AO 2022, Nadal would become, along with Novak, the only player in Open Era history to achieve a Double Career Grand Slam (winning each Slam title at least twice). Therefore, it logically follows that both his Slam count (21) and his Slam distribution (Double Career Grand Slam) would be noteworthy enough to be deemed the GOAT by all objective tennis observers.

All of his is hypothetical talk, he still has to defeat Medvedev of course... We will see.

Real tennis fans know that Pete Sampras is the actual GOAT.

The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.

 

[aldeayeah]

It would be epic, but not even Nadal's 5th most epic win.

We live in a weak epic era.

 

[Yugram]

Real tennis fans know that Pete Sampras is the actual GOAT.

The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.

Found you footage of what would’ve happened to PETE in Big2 Era:

 

[travlerajm]

Found you footage of what would’ve happened to PETE in Big2 Era:

Pete coming to net a lot there. His volleys look clumsier than I remember.

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

Fed/Nole fans right now

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I love how there is Shapo's pic, but no Shapo fan

 

[Backspin1183]

I love how there is Shapo's pic, but no Shapo fan

This meme fits in every Grand Slam final featuring one of the big 3

 

[MichaelNadal]

It would be mythical af

 

[prosperned]

Of course. He nearly had to have his foot amputated. AMPUTATED. I get emotional every time I think about his thoughts about retirement.

6 months later at 35 years old he’s in the AO final. This only compares to Tiger Woods at the Masters in 2019 if he can pull it off. He’s facing peak Medvedev. A man who straight setted peak Djoko.

 

[Thetouch]

This will be the first time Medvedev is going into a final as a favourite against a Big 3 rival, let's see how handles that pressure.

 

[Yugram]

Of course. He nearly had to have his foot amputated. AMPUTATED. I get emotional every time I think about his thoughts about retirement.

6 months later at 35 years old he’s in the AO final. This only compares to Tiger Woods at the Masters in 2019 if he can pull it off. He’s facing peak Medvedev. A man who straight setted peak Djoko.

I like you. You belong in the Nadal Congregation chat. No spaces available currently, but perhaps I make a new one if he wins AO tomorrow.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I like you. You belong in the Nadal Congregation chat. No spaces available currently, but perhaps I make a new one if he wins AO tomorrow.

What Nadal congregation chat?

 

[Yugram]

What Nadal congregation chat?

Dunno, dunno

 

[maratha_warrior]

This meme fits in every Grand Slam final featuring one of the big 3

Meddy boy can actually have his own fan base in all big 3 fanbases . Lol

 

[Backspin1183]

Meddy boy can actually have his own fan base in all big 3 fanbases . Lol

He does.

I'd be happy for him even if he wins this final.

 

[maratha_warrior]

He does.

I'd be happy for him even if he wins this final.

If he enters court as if he doesn't give a Fcuk abt the person on the other side of net , doesn't give a Fcuk about his aura then Meddy is gonna win this .

He did the same with Djokovic at USO 21 , he can do it .

If he remains focussed and confident ,he can finish this easily in straight sets !

 

[ND-13]

If he enters court as if he doesn't give a Fcuk abt the person on the other side of net , doesn't give a Fcuk about his aura then Meddy is gonna win this .

He did the same with Djokovic at USO 21 , he can do it .

If he remains focussed and confident ,he can finish this easily in straight sets !

i expect Medvedev to freeze, either Nadal wins in 4 or 5 or Med wins in 5 because Nadal is tired

 

[Deleted member 758560]

If he enters court as if he doesn't give a Fcuk abt the person on the other side of net , doesn't give a Fcuk about his aura then Meddy is gonna win this .

He did the same with Djokovic at USO 21 , he can do it .

If he remains focussed and confident ,he can finish this easily in straight sets !

very more like he won;t give a fuc_k about a person as u say, yea..he didn't vs djoko, he didn't vs nadal, so he should be free from those thoughts, as he said in presser recently, he doesn't need to be nervous coz it's not him who trying to break magical number20 lol

 

[Adam Copeland]

Found you footage of what would’ve happened to PETE in Big2 Era:

Sampras is not dumb like Roddick
He was 1000 times greater than Roddick ever was even in his dreams.

Sampras born in 1987 would crush Rafael Nadal and everyone else outside Clay.

Breaking Sampras's serve itself would be as difficult as breaking John Isner's serve.

 

[tudwell]

Always nice to be reminded why I have Spencer Bore on ignore. Gotta quit hitting that “View ignored content” button.

 

[zipplock]

All but confined to a wheelchair, ready to say goodbye to the game, Nadal has dragged his ageing, injury-ravaged body through to the final -on his worst surface- of a tournament that has been horribly cruel and unjust to him over the years.

If he somehow manages to take the crown to become not only the slam leader, but only the fourth man in history to achieve the double career slam, it will be one of the greatest comebacks in tennis history. Perhaps the greatest?

Nope. Participants list was artificially manipulated.

 

[SardinesForDinner]

That was the one where they changed the surface to help Federer and gave him an extra days rest before the final. That AO 2017?

You mean the same way every surface, including grass, has been slowed down the last 20 years. That Rafael Nadal career?

 

[catskillthunder]

Nadal has a punchers chance. Has to keep the points short and conserve energy whenever he can. Med has shown he will not choke in big moments (USO 21) so the jitters will not be there at all. Nadal has to do it max, 4 sets. If it goes 5, I dont see Rafa holding up.

 

[Spencer Gore]

You mean the same way every surface, including grass, has been slowed down the last 20 years. That Rafael Nadal career?

No. I'm talking about a slam surface being deliberately changed to suit one player. Which is an extraordinarily brazen form of corruption, however you look at it.

 

[SardinesForDinner]

No. I'm talking about a slam surface being deliberately changed to suit one player. Which is an extraordinarily brazen form of corruption, however you look at it.

Yeah, obviously they didn’t change it because they wanted a more entertaining and different style of tennis… also, if the change was as big as you suggest, how come Nadal reached the final? He’s not exactly known as some fast court virtuoso. Again, you’re just selectively picking things.

I don’t think anyone in the world except you, octobrina, clayqueen and perhaps sureshs could argue that a potential Nadal win here is bigger than Federer’s at AO17. Even 90sClay realized how big that tournament was!

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

its Nadal. Hes always a better player when he gets 6 months off. So its not like its a great comeback, but like every other year. Nadal is the only player in history who is better when he plays LESS. LOL

 

[Lleytonstation]

All but confined to a wheelchair, ready to say goodbye to the game, Nadal has dragged his ageing, injury-ravaged body through to the final -on his worst surface- of a tournament that has been horribly cruel and unjust to him over the years.

If he somehow manages to take the crown to become not only the slam leader, but only the fourth man in history to achieve the double career slam, it will be one of the greatest comebacks in tennis history. Perhaps the greatest?

Feds was better. This would be number 3 behind Rafa in 17.

 

[Spencer Gore]

Yeah, obviously they didn’t change it because they wanted a more entertaining and different style of tennis… also, if the change was as big as you suggest, how come Nadal reached the final? He’s not exactly known as some fast court virtuoso. Again, you’re just selectively picking things.

I don’t think anyone in the world except you, octobrina, clayqueen and perhaps sureshs could argue that a potential Nadal win here is bigger than Federer’s at AO17. Even 90sClay realized how big that tournament was!

Of course it would be bigger. It's for the slam record and the double career slam.

 

[terribleIVAN]

I agree with OP.

There are a gazillon records at stake for Rafa here.

What is remarkable is this is his worst surface, while it was Roger's preferred one.

And contrary to Roger, it's an injury he's been carrying for 16 straight years.

And he would beat the reigning USO champion who beat the man who won AO 9 times.

God speed, Rafa.

 

[PilotPete]

Nadal beat Shapovalov in the QF, an opponent 13 years than him who just beat the #3 in the world the previous round. Federer beat nobody 13 years younger than him at the AO 2017 from the QF to the F.

Younger is not really an advantage when considering this NExtGen set of pathetic players.

 

[abmk]

Of course. He nearly had to have his foot amputated. AMPUTATED. I get emotional every time I think about his thoughts about retirement.

6 months later at 35 years old he’s in the AO final. This only compares to Tiger Woods at the Masters in 2019 if he can pull it off. He’s facing peak Medvedev. A man who straight setted peak Djoko.

 

[PilotPete]

Not really, I was trying to comprehend a relation between having Nadal and Djokovic hunting you down and having Shapovalov "hunting"

Key point. Guy doesn't recognize the difference between younger players and younger ATGs. Vast chasm between the two especially considering this latest NextGen crop.

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

Found you footage of what would’ve happened to PETE in Big2 Era:

crazy how deadly Rafa was back then. 10000xx better than he is now. That Rafa would win 2 golden Slams in this era

 

[RF-18]

AO 17 way better comeback. Federer actually beat very hard opponents from 3rd round including Nadal in final. Nadal has a legit hard opponent tomorrow though.

 

[Spencer Gore]

I told you it would be the greatest comeback of all time.

 

[prosperned]

This eclipses Tiger Woods masters in 2019. It’s the goat comeback