Nadalgaenger
G.O.A.T.
Simple question: As of July 2020, is Rafael Nadal best positioned to end his career as slam king?
Will Nadal be Slam King?
- Thread starter Nadalgaenger
- Start date
JaoSousa
Hall of Fame
Basically, yes. With no serious threat to him other than Djokovic(and maybe Theim), Nadal looks like he can easily rack up 3 or 4 more slams. He has fared the best against the next generation players, and Federer is going to be close to 40 the next time they play.
Fedforever
Hall of Fame
He may be but the problem for Nadal and Djokovic is - when do they stop?
I don't see it much discussed but unless either of them is stopped by injury where is the point where either of them has a "safe" record? Presumably it's not much joy for Nadal to stop after he gets 21 and then see it equalled or beaten by Novak.
It wasn't really picked up but here the three players are asked about stopping and Novak says "it feels like none of us stop or we all have to stop"
Last edited:
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Why such a modest prediction? Someone on another thread just this morning said he will be winning RG when he's 45.
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
Why such a modest prediction? Someone on another thread just this morning said he will be winning RG when he's 45.
I mean...why not?
alexio
G.O.A.T.
djokovic the king?
Zebrev
Hall of Fame
I don't see where the fans see this?
He is 34 years old, and hasn't won at two of the four slams in over a decade. So immediately we can eliminate Australia and Wimby from enquiries. Then you consider that Nadals toughest opponent in his last two US open victories was a gassed out Delpo. For Rafa to win in New York he would have to avoid both Roger and Novak for the third time in four years, plus possibly Thiem who is playing better on hard courts now. That just leaves the French, where obviously Rafa is the most dominant player in history. But if tennis is canceled for 2020 he will be 35 by RG 2021. Standing on 19 slams to Rogers 20, he'll need 2 more titles Opens to be "the slam king". So that means he'll have won the French Open 5 times in a row starting in 2017 at the age of 30. Even for Rafa that seems crazy. He would be 107 - 2. But say he does win RG 2021 and 2022 back to back, theres still the possibility that Roger bags another Wimby before he retires. The tour may be catching him up on hardcourts, but not grass. Roger still routines opponents 15 years his junoir, and he straight up clowns on the next gen with his variety. Consider this, Rogers record from 2015 - 2019 on grass is BETTER than 2010 - 2014. His level is actually higher, he has fewer imbarassing loses. So he is definitely still in the frame, at least for a couple seasons. Say Roger bags another Wimby title - what then. Does Rafa go and bag French Open 2023 as well, six years running, 37 years of age. Would he retire 114 - 2? TBH, I think Rafa is done at 3 of the 4 slams. Medvedev was a nobody in june of 2019, the fact he pushed Rafa to 5 gruelling sets in a US Open final proves that the tour is catching up. Now imagine in 2021, when the younger guys are stronger and more mature, and Rafa is that little bit weaker and can't run around quite as often. Its fine margins. I reckon he has another RG in him, and perhaps a loss in semifinal/final after that. Federer should get one more from somewhere with a little bit of luck, and Novak I predict will go a bit MIA, and return to pick up another couple slams in 2022.
He is 34 years old, and hasn't won at two of the four slams in over a decade. So immediately we can eliminate Australia and Wimby from enquiries. Then you consider that Nadals toughest opponent in his last two US open victories was a gassed out Delpo. For Rafa to win in New York he would have to avoid both Roger and Novak for the third time in four years, plus possibly Thiem who is playing better on hard courts now. That just leaves the French, where obviously Rafa is the most dominant player in history. But if tennis is canceled for 2020 he will be 35 by RG 2021. Standing on 19 slams to Rogers 20, he'll need 2 more titles Opens to be "the slam king". So that means he'll have won the French Open 5 times in a row starting in 2017 at the age of 30. Even for Rafa that seems crazy. He would be 107 - 2. But say he does win RG 2021 and 2022 back to back, theres still the possibility that Roger bags another Wimby before he retires. The tour may be catching him up on hardcourts, but not grass. Roger still routines opponents 15 years his junoir, and he straight up clowns on the next gen with his variety. Consider this, Rogers record from 2015 - 2019 on grass is BETTER than 2010 - 2014. His level is actually higher, he has fewer imbarassing loses. So he is definitely still in the frame, at least for a couple seasons. Say Roger bags another Wimby title - what then. Does Rafa go and bag French Open 2023 as well, six years running, 37 years of age. Would he retire 114 - 2? TBH, I think Rafa is done at 3 of the 4 slams. Medvedev was a nobody in june of 2019, the fact he pushed Rafa to 5 gruelling sets in a US Open final proves that the tour is catching up. Now imagine in 2021, when the younger guys are stronger and more mature, and Rafa is that little bit weaker and can't run around quite as often. Its fine margins. I reckon he has another RG in him, and perhaps a loss in semifinal/final after that. Federer should get one more from somewhere with a little bit of luck, and Novak I predict will go a bit MIA, and return to pick up another couple slams in 2022.
vive le beau jeu !
Talk Tennis Guru
what do you mean?... are you imlying armstrong was juicing?!
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
Nadal at 34 has much better posibilities than someone who is pushing 40, with two knee surgeries and who has not won a Major in 3 years.
Your entire post does not make sense again!
Born_to_slice
Legend
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
Slam king with 1 AO, 2 Wimbledons and a couple of Berrettini Opens.
and 0 WTFs to top it off
and 0 WTFs to top it off
fundrazer
G.O.A.T.
How this garbage went on for so many seasons I'll never understand.
Born_to_slice
Legend
It has some moments but yes, pretty bad overall.
The Blond Blur
G.O.A.T.
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
The guy is so delusional.
I wonder why he has a photo of Zverev when his only obsession is the Swiss player and his infinite chances of success even though he is much older than his two classic rivals.
The Blond Blur
G.O.A.T.
Right, if you dislike a player (in this case RAFA) that's fine, but there wasn't an iota of objectivity in that poast. Somehow Ol' Rog at the age of 40 and after 3 knee surgeries is not only going to win Wimby again, but he has a better chance to do so than RAFA does at RGThe guy is so delusional.
I wonder why he has a photo of Zverev when his only obsession is the Swiss player and his infinite chances of success even though he is much older than his two classic rivals.
Not to mention at line of how the Mad Lad Bullsheet Russian was some nobody. The dude was the hottest player coming into the USO last year. He made the finals of Washington and Montreal, won Cincy (beat Joker coming back from a set down to boot) and pushed RAFA to 5 in the USO F. He then went on to win St. Petersburg and Shanghai.
OldschoolKIaus
Hall of Fame
7 majors ... almost as good as Connors
Eren
Professional
The guy is so delusional.
I wonder why he has a photo of Zverev when his only obsession is the Swiss player and his infinite chances of success even though he is much older than his two classic rivals.
Oh this is nothing. There are a lot of so called Nadal fans who defend Djokovic like their life depends on it.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
@Zebrev -- there's way too much sensibility in this post. You can't argue facts or logic with people so insane they actually think Nadal will win 30 majors (or anyone else for that matter). It's not fandom, it's vicariously living through their idol and that precludes logic or wisdom. Nadal is utterly irrelevant at half of the slams: Wimbledon and the AO. He hasn't won either in a decade. But "he'll win RG until 2040...."
Back in 1988, many tennis fans assumed Lendl would end up with 12-14 majors. Nobody foresaw the emergence of Sampras. And the Nadal/Djokovic fans assume the lost gen will always be lost. At least the Fed fans admit he'll almost surely end up with 20 slams and that'll be it.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
It seemed SO impossible at one point. Crazy that he's poised to do it.
No
He's just implying they both had their big wins in France
Do you think there could be more?
D
Deleted member 768841
Guest
I think Nadal drinks too many protein shakes, especially during the 2000’s.No
He's just implying they both had their big wins in France
I think Fed and Novak may end up with more FO.....and Nadal with as many GS as WTF. (Joke)
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
I know, crazy, right? Now we are here with 19. It’s so NUTS!! I never ever saw this coming being this close.
That he is saying 25... he is aiming for the overall record. Men’s record is not enough. Rafa w this never giving up OCD type... maybe....
But I can’t believe it will happen. I didn’t think he would even reach 14. So don’t ask me, I won’t make any predictions. Many things can happen, specially in terms of injuries.
Yugram
Legend
This poor madman predicted Federer to win AO 2020 and return to #1 spot after he won Basel.The guy is so delusional.
I wonder why he has a photo of Zverev when his only obsession is the Swiss player and his infinite chances of success even though he is much older than his two classic rivals.
Yugram
Legend
Well, you said it’s delusional to think that Nadal will reach 18 Slams back in 2017. He’s currently on 19 and is undisputed favorite at RG this Fall.
And btw the guy who thinks that Nadal will touch the epic number 30 is a Federer fan. If he is indeed vicariously living through someone, it’s Federer.
Sephiroth
Hall of Fame
Fed fans been thinking Nadal would retire in 2007 and never win anything, lo and behold just 1 slam behind from the so called "most talented player evah"
They always doubt Nadal then get slapped up
Federev
Legend
Maybe not end. Novak looks good to possibly pass.
But I think it’s a lock he’ll surpass Federer.
The Safinator
Rookie
Maybe for a year or so, but then he falls, just like Roger.
Bender
G.O.A.T.
If this happens, I will have to accept the preposterous--that the greatest Nadal troll of all time, @nadal_slam_king has been vindicated
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Third Serve
Talk Tennis Guru
Had to check out who that was and frankly I’m not disappointed at all.
Bender
G.O.A.T.
Phoenix1983
G.O.A.T.
The ayes have it.
RF-18
Talk Tennis Guru
Yes, I'd say so. Federer does not seem to be reliable winning slams and Djokovic is still a bit far behind. As of now I'd say Nadal is the favourite.
Nadal_King
Hall of Fame
You always have hated and underestimated nadal, such people only said nadal will not slams in 2015/16, will not win a hardcourt title let alone a grand slam and these claims were squashed to death.So I won't be surprised uf it happens again.
Crazy Finn
Hall of Fame
Hmmm.... He may not have won those slams for a decade. However, at the AO - we he is supposedly terrible, he's been in 2 Quarterfinals and 2 Finals in the last 4 tourneys. At Wimbledon, he was in the semis the last two tourneys. I'm not sure what that is but it's not utterly irrelevant.
Well, this is true. These guys will continue to be dominant until they're not and/or someone else comes along that is a force. Hasn't happened yet, but it could at some point. When that point is.... who knows.
Frankly, all of this is equally true of Novak. He's all of 11 months younger.
vex
Legend
Probably?
There are so many factors:
- Health. He absolutely must find a way to stay healthy for the next 2-3 years. Thats asking alot. He limped to the finish in USO'15. If thats how things are going to be, he's in trouble.
- Young Guns. These guys are mostly just cannon fodder to Rafa. Huge advantage for him.
- Djoker. The young guns trouble Djoker more than they do Rafa. Djoker has Rafa's number off clay and there is no sign of that changing. Its just a bad match up at this point. Rafa needs the Young Guns to bounce Novak from some USO / Wimbys so he can clean up. If they don't upset Djoker, he may close the gap.
- Federer: lol
There are so many factors:
- Health. He absolutely must find a way to stay healthy for the next 2-3 years. Thats asking alot. He limped to the finish in USO'15. If thats how things are going to be, he's in trouble.
- Young Guns. These guys are mostly just cannon fodder to Rafa. Huge advantage for him.
- Djoker. The young guns trouble Djoker more than they do Rafa. Djoker has Rafa's number off clay and there is no sign of that changing. Its just a bad match up at this point. Rafa needs the Young Guns to bounce Novak from some USO / Wimbys so he can clean up. If they don't upset Djoker, he may close the gap.
- Federer: lol
Ray Mercer
Hall of Fame
Djokovic is in the best physical shape health wise and has the most complete game to win In the modern era. Nadal is depending solely on the French Open. Djokovic is the favourite at 3 slams and is still third favourite at the French. If Thiem can take down Nadal at the upcoming French I think that may be the end for Nadal.
Crazy Finn
Hall of Fame
You do realize Rafa's the defending champ at the USO and has won 2 of the last 3. Not sure why Novak would be the favorite if both are playing, it's never been a great slam for him despite being on HC.
It's possible that Nadal won't win the next French Open. However, even if he slips a bit - he'd probably only slide from "best clay court player ever" to "solid high level contender" at the FO and maybe win it 1 once in 3 years. I can definitely see Rafa competing and contending at the FO until he's Fed's current age.
Ray Mercer
Hall of Fame
Not a fan of Djokovic but he’s been unlucky in terms of injuries at the US Open. If he’s healthy I will take him all day over Nadal in New York. Nadal has benefited hugely from broken draws at the US Open. Djokovic almost always wipes the floor with Nadal on hardcourt.
Nadal is dominant at the French but I believe a small slip from Nadal due to age is bound to be coming and this will allow Thiem to take over.
Similar threads
