They have played more than 5 times I know, but this will be their 5th meeting this year, all in Finals! so this year is really the first year of their 'rivalry'.
Of course, as Roddick said about he and Fed's "rivalry": "Well Im gonna have to actually win a few of these for it to really be a "rivalry""
so this is IT for Federer, if he doesnt defeat Nadal in the finals of Wimbledon, he may never beat him.
Fed was unable to break Rafa's clay court winning streak, now it is time to see if he can prevent Nadal from breaking his record breaking run on Grass.
Grass is easily Federer's best surface, just as Clay is Nadal's, but both are proven players on all surfaces now, so this should be an epic match.
I really think that Fed is gonna win this one though. He is well nigh unstoppable on Grass, and he has owned Wimby the past 4 years.
So I am saying: Federer in 4 sets: 6-4 4-6 7-6 7-6
I hope this turns into the Epic clash that the French final was billed as, because Roland Garros wasnt quite so epic (it certainly was a letdown after their truly epic match at the finals of Rome).
I am also rooting for Federer.
On a side note: I think Henin will avenge her beatdown in Australia and separate herself as THE best Women's Tennis player in the world.
Originally posted by infomastDid you see the interview with Roger in which he was discussing Rafa?
Agree with you on women's final and hope that you're right on men's. But I'm kind of nervous for Fed. It'd be nice if he can win in straight sets to forever rid himself of this hurdle. Any kind of win will be sufficient at this point, though.
He looked positively baffled to me! He mentions how different it is to play against a lefty and Roger didn't seem to have a solid answer when asked what it will take to win. He said he's just going to keep doing what he does best, not because that will work but because he has no idea what to do!
I love watching Federer play and would like to see him continue the grass court streak, but look out for Nadal, I think he's in Roger's head!
I just can't seem to get interested in women's tennis, except for watching the Martina's (Hingis and Navratilova).
Mauresmo is really a guy who had a sex change we all know that, he usually chokes but it was Henin who choked this time. Roger will probably lose to Nadal. His run is finished and Nadal will get credit for more than just being a good Clay court player. If roger wins it doesn't prove anything except he is a better grass pplayer than Nadal which we already know. Goooooo Nadal.
Originally posted by ElleEffSeeeActually I dont think it would be plausible myself. I watch a lot of Tennis and even in long 3 set matches many of the women have a noticeable depreciation in play over the course of the 3rd set. Moonballs become much more common.
I can't understand why women play less sets. Surely it can't be an endurance issue, women have no problems with the same levels of endurance in other sports (e.g. marathon, soccer matches, etc.).
I dont doubt there are many women's players who could play best of 5 set matches, but I think it would really eliminate 90% of the women's field from the getgo.
I think the big difference between tennis and those other sports you mentioned is that in Tennis you not only run around all day, but you are also continually swinging a heavy racket as hard as you can again and again. That takes a LOT of energy, and you can perceive the drop in strength on many women's players groundstrokes in 3rd sets.
It is often the case that a less physically impressive woman will play a great first set and take it off a higher ranked more physical player then their lvl of play will drop and they will lose in the 3rd set 6-1 or something similar, it happens often.
If they played 5 sets, only players like Henin, Mauresmo or Williams would realistically endure.
Even with the Men, the less physically fit almost never make it too far into the 2nd week of a Major.
playing 5 sets every 2 days is just incredibly taxing. It combines all the running with endurance sports, with extreme demand on upper body strength and endurance as you run and swing, runs and swing etc.
You ever watch American Baseball? Often times you will hear the ex-players/announcers talk about the swing and its mechanics etc. They will often say that you only have a certain number of good swings in your body in a day. Rackets arent as heavy as bats and you dont put as much of your body into every hit of a tennis ball, but the theory is the same.
I really believe 5 set women's matches would be painful to watch on average, and it would further favor the more physically impressive than it already does.
I was susprised that Henin lost after winning the first set! Mauresmo seems to be her own personal Nadal. Whips the rest of the field regularly, but cant beat Mauresmo.
Mauresmo is the most mannish WTA player I have seen though!
Does anyone else feel that Tennis is the Chess of sports? One on one with no outside help once the match begins, ingame strategy adjustments, use of different weapons in different scenarios and angles to be played etc.
I really feel they are similar endeavors.
YEAAHHH!!!!
Fed takes him down in 4 sets! I figured Rafa would take a set, thought maybe Fed would wrap it up in 3 after the first set and coming back in the 2nd, tight 3rd set Nadal plays a great tiebreaker.
But the 4th set was all Fed, muscling Nadal around the court with his ridiculous forehand.
Monkey's gotta be off of Fed's back now, finally won another one against Nadal, in the "big game".
As long as Nadal can hold up his end, I have a feeling we will be seeing another 3-4 matches between Fed and Rafa this year.
Firgure they will meet in the finals of one of the Masters Series summer events: Fed holds Cinncy, Rafa has Canada.
Then of course I imagine they will meet in the Finals of the US Open, and again perhaps in either the fall Masters Series events, or most likely in the final of the Masters Cup.
Looks to be an interesting end to the Tennis year!
Bryan Brothers took down the Doubles crown, completing their career doubles Grand Slam.
At least some Americans did well at Wimby this year!
Great job by the Bryans I hadn't heard that one yet. The Fed vrs. Nadal match was interesting. There were a couple times there in the 2nd and third sets where I thought Nadal was going to take over. Way to go Roger. It's too bad Justine couldn't win. After getting over the disappointment of her less than graceful exit from Australia, I still like her game better than any other womans on the tour.
Originally posted by monster truckFederer doesn't need to change his game to beat Nadal on grass. At least not yet. But Nadal proved that he's going to be tough over the years on all surfaces. Might become a great rivalry. Still Fed is a better tennis player and Nadal is unlikely to overcome him as No 1.
Did you see the interview with Roger in which he was discussing Rafa?
He looked positively baffled to me! He mentions how different it is to play against a lefty and Roger didn't seem to have a solid answer when asked what it will take to win. He said he's just going to keep doing what he does best, not because that will work but because he has no i ...[text shortened]... interested in women's tennis, except for watching the Martina's (Hingis and Navratilova).
Originally posted by infomastNadal will never overtake Federer as #1 until Federer starts losing before the Finals.
Federer doesn't need to change his game to beat Nadal on grass. At least not yet. But Nadal proved that he's going to be tough over the years on all surfaces. Might become a great rivalry. Still Fed is a better tennis player and Nadal is unlikely to overcome him as No 1.
17 straight finals I think now? won 12 of them.
Rafa has to establish himself against everyone else now. Fed only loses to Nadal, but Nadal still loses to Blake, Moya etc.
even with the recent swing, Federer is still really far ahead in pts. Nadal could have taken over as the Best player in the world with a win over Fed at Wimby, but he still wouldnt have been #1.
Fed still has a 2000 pt lead! that is sick.
Originally posted by TuranthorRats, you spoiled it for me!
YEAAHHH!!!!
Fed takes him down in 4 sets! I figured Rafa would take a set, thought maybe Fed would wrap it up in 3 after the first set and coming back in the 2nd, tight 3rd set Nadal plays a great tiebreaker.
But the 4th set was all Fed, muscling Nadal around the court with his ridiculous forehand.
Monkey's gotta be off of Fed's back now, finally ...[text shortened]... eting their career doubles Grand Slam.
At least some Americans did well at Wimby this year!
Had the Bryan Bros. final match on tape and had only watched the first 2 sets!
Fascinating how Federer can dominate for 2 sets and have the other 2 be basically even.