posted May 19, 2008

He doesn't have the stamina though. Djokovic certainly has the game to challenge Rafa on clay, but Rafa will do to him, what he usually does to all other players, Federer included: physically grind them into the ground!

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posted May 19, 2008

Scottleexx,

I disagree with your views on Federer being able to win the French by beating Nadal, I'm a big Fed fan and have tried to remain optimistic of his chances, though so far in their battles on clay this year i have seen little to inspire me to believe he will beat Nadal.

Yes he has had chances and consistently blown them. Now if you were in his shoes what would you be thinking when holding double break leads in Monte Carlo and Hamburg and losing both sets. His confidence will be shattered by this, and Nadal's even stronger. Fed can try and bluff it all he likes, saying after Hamburg, "Hopefully it will be a different story in Paris", yes i feel it will be with Federer falling before the final.

He just does not have the self belief, you can even go back to 2006, the start of their clay court rivalry. Fed had match points in Rome, failed to convert, lost the match, Easily took the first set at the French, then sadly faded away again.

Now can anyone see Nadal dropping 3 sets on clay?

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posted May 20, 2008

Steelpro3, i don't agree. I don't think Fed's brain works like that, yes he'll be disappointed but if his confidence is shattered how has he managed to make 2 finals in a row on clay and be ahead in both. You don't play like that if your confidence is shattered. I also don't believe he's bluffing by what he says. He just moves on to the next match. If he maintains that form he will make the final, Nadal is the only player to have that effect on him. I see no reason at all why he won't have a very good run at RG.

Yes i can see Nadal dropping 3 sets on clay, he has before, not very often granted, but he has.

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posted May 20, 2008

Tennisdoubledee, when did Nadal drop 3 sets on clay? In Hamburg, it was best of 3 sets and he lost 2. In 2003, at the age of 16, lost to Coria in 2 sets? Oh yes, and Andreev, over 2 straight sets back in 2005. I have found no games where Nadal has lost 3 sets on clay. I personally never say never, but it's a very big ask for Federer to win 3 sets off Nadal, which has been proved time and time again.

Some comments/fans seem to relying on luck for Federer on the day in order for him to win RG, but really his game and mentality should do the winning.

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posted May 20, 2008

Honestly, I have no idea how Federer fans can still have hopes for him winning on clay. He may even lose his Wimbledon crown this year as Rafa is getting closer every year. Federer just seems to be on a downward path this year, perhaps it is just to blame on his illness rather than his skill. We have all seen him do amazing things on court but Nadal is only 21 and to think about what he's achieved in his career so far is probably nothing compared to what he will still do, all the records he'll break. He's an incredible player and not just on clay.

Also, I have to say that the commentary on Sunday was ridiculously biased. The commentators really hate Nadal, they're so patronising when they talk about his shots and it only makes Nadal fans root harder for their guy. The commentary should be objective.

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posted May 20, 2008

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posted May 20, 2008

I think Fed can beat Nadal on Clay. He just seems to get a mental block when ever he has a chance. In patches at both Monte Carlo and Hamburg he dominated the match, 4-0, 5-1, 5-2. Then he just seemed to self destruct almost. For people to say he will never win Roland Garros is going a bit far. The only reason he has not won it 'twice' is Nadal who is a barrier I see Fed getting past at least once at the French Open what with all the pressure Nadal put's on his body every year through the Clay court season it would suprise me if he does himself an injury which could affect him at Roland Garros. Any opinions?

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posted May 20, 2008

Meant to say 'would not suprise me'.

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posted May 21, 2008

My big question is:

If Nadal improves his Grass Court Game, will he end up being the greatest ever tennis player in history???

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posted May 21, 2008

Nadal will never be the greatest tennis player ever. Federer has all ready earnt that title with the dominance he has shown in the last 4-5 years. Nadal will certainly be remembered as probbaly the sports greatest Clay court ever but I do not think he has the game to be as dominant on hard or grass courts, not with Federer and Djokovic around. It has to be said that Fed would have one French Open at least if it were not for Nadal. I do not think the sport will see such a dominate player like Fed again.

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