Rafa Nadal

[PaulP]

Um, all surfaces are faster than clay! 

I know.

[Thryleon]

I hate Federer.  Seems like a twat, but even Im not going to dispute how good he has been.

There is no point.

Im hoping that one of either Djokovic or Nadal (preferably both) go past him, and to summarise they probably need him to retire to achieve it, which is a testament to how good he has been over the journey.

All that being said, Tennis is a sport that seems to be forgiving (enough) for older players, as quite a few seem to find a way to play into their late thirties, and always have done really.

The fact that he continues being good into his late 30's is something else entirely.

Just for effect, Ill sign off calling Federer a twat.  Never liked him, and if the rumours are true, he has an air of Tiger Woods about him!

[LP]

Reminds me of the debate in golf regarding blade clubs versus cavity backs.

Too much technology goes into all sports now, you are often measuring the player with the deepest pockets rather than the player with the greatest ability. It's the very same debate that has roared in F1 for decades.

Personally, I think such variations should be banned forcing everybody to use the same gear. Sport should be about measuring the abilities of the competitor, not the capability of their supporting staff and scientists.

[madbluboy]

Of course it does, as does tighter stringing. And?

That wasn't my point.

The sheer difference between a 90 and 100 sqi bat is staggering....

Slipped? Hah.

Do you think he used a smaller frame to handicap himself? Sampras used an 85 pro staff, as did madbluboy in his younger days. Nothing beats when you hit the sweet spot off of those raquets but they are unforgiving.

[LP]

Do you think he used a smaller frame to handicap himself? Sampras used an 85 pro staff, as did madbluboy in his younger days. Nothing beats when you hit the sweet spot off of those raquets but they are unforgiving.

MBB, I assume tennis is like golf, the better the player that greater the incentive to use equipment with a smaller sweet spot!

I have an associate who used to practice his long iron golf swing on a concrete floor with 5c piece. The idea was to have the club come down on top of the 5c piece swing after swing after swing. If you get it right the 5c piece just hops up and down on the spot barely moving. Obviously you have to use an old club as the sole of the club is destroyed by continually landing on top of metal. But the 5c piece was roughly the size of a blade club sweet spot, get it right and when you get on course you wouldn't even feel the club making contact with the ball.

[flyboy77]

Do you think he used a smaller frame to handicap himself? Sampras used an 85 pro staff, as did madbluboy in his younger days. Nothing beats when you hit the sweet spot off of those raquets but they are unforgiving.

Not deliberately, but in an era where everyone is (like AFL) fitter, stronger, faster and in a lot of cases bigger, a small gain in power surely helps.

I think Federer thought he could get away with doing what he did - and in 99.8% of cases - he could.

Look at the change now that he has shelved that silly nothing backhand slice floater, especially off return of serve.

Nadal couldn't touch Fed this year.....

[madbluboy]

I think it's more the Joker dropping off than the other two turning back the clock.

[PaulP]

Hey Rog, look behind you.

[townsendcalling]

Makes for an interesting discussion.....

Head to Head. Nadal 23 vs Federer 15 yet Roger is the 'GOAT'??
In fact, such is the dominance of Rafa on clay, The Express hasn't bothered to turn up for the last 2 years!!

[flyboy77]

Makes for an interesting discussion.....

Head to Head. Nadal 23 vs Federer 15 yet Roger is the 'GOAT'??
In fact, such is the dominance of Rafa on clay, The Express hasn't bothered to turn up for the last 2 years!!

Another aspect that has shaped their rivalry has been that of racquet equipment. Nadal has always used a large 100 square inch racquet, however, Federer used a significantly smaller 90 inch racquet in their matches from 2004–2013. This was the size Federer had always played with since a youth, but in an age of increasing power tennis this substantially smaller racquet put him at a disadvantage. During the period in which Nadal enjoyed this advantage in racquet equipment he compiled a 22–10 record. In early 2014 Federer began experimenting with a larger frame and played Nadal in just his second tournament using this larger prototype.[80] Nadal won this match and took his advantage to 23–10. However, since Federer committed to his new 97.5 inch Wilson Prostaff he has flipped their rivalry upside down going an undefeated 5–0 in their matches with equally modern racquet equipment.[81] Many analysts have claimed that Federer's switch to a modern sized racquet and his subsequent dominance, in addition to the vast improvements it has made to his single handed backhand, have proven that he was playing with a handicap for most of their rivalry.

Federer shot himself in the foot imo. His ego wouldn't allow himself to admit for many a year that he couldn't toy with all and sundry....indeed, Nadal toyed with him for a decent stretch.

Anyone who has played tennis at a decent level, knows the power difference between a 90sqi and a 100sqi bat....the latter Rafa has used forever and a day....