Posted on 07/13/2023 12:29:09 PM PDT by nickcarraway
How can you have at #1 Federer, a modern player with all the technological advantages you cite, and leave out Djokovic and Nadal?
Today’s tennis players, like their compatriots in other major sports, are superior physically—-bigger, stronger, faster, and better conditioned. Tennis has become a true international sport, which has made it more competitive.
Big Bill Tilden was 6’2”. He played in long pants.
Can you explain a little more how you came up with that list?
Federer and Nadal became fan favorites as they became more dominant, and they had some epic matches against one another. Djokovic is getting similar reactions from the the fans as he establishes new records and surpasses Federer and Nadal.
When all is said and done, Djokovic will be the GOAT. And as much as I hate to say it, Lebron has surpassed Michael as the GOAT in basketball.
Nadal is a clay court specialist. Most of his major wins are at the French Open.
Djokovic
Federer
Borg
Sampras
Laver
I love that you are a fan of Djokovic, he is a great champion for sure. Yes, he is resurgent and will surpass Federer and Nadal, BUT that is only because Federer is retired and Nadal is uncertain of a comeback……….GAME, SET, MATCH.!!! Have a great day.
Isn't that what breaking records and greatness are all about? Longevity and consistency? Both Federer and Djokovic share the same number of years, 16, between when they won their first and last grand slams. For Nadal it is 18 years. Remarkable. Only Ken Rosewall had a larger span, 20 years.
Djokovic has already passed both of them in Grand Slam victories. He is tied with Federer for the most grand slam finals (46) and will pass him if he gets into the current Wimbledon final. Nadal has 38.
We have been privileged to watch the three greatest players of all time compete against one another in their prime. I doubt we will ever see such dominance again for a very long time, if ever.
Borg had 11 titles, 6 French and 5 Wimbledon. He never won the Australian Open or the US Open. How is that superior to Nadal?
Pete Sampras had 14 titles, 2 Australian, 7 Wimbledon, and 5 US Opens. He never won a French Open. Clearly, Nadal has demonstrated his mastery of all surfaces winning at least 2 each of them.
Rod Laver had 11 titles, 3 Australian, 2 French, 4 Wimbledon, and 2 US Opens. And given the rules at the time of professionals playing in these events, Laver could have won more. I would include Laver in my top five.
Top Five:
Djokovic
Federer
Nadal
Laver
Emerson
You win!
I believe Nadal is a cheat (doper) and a player who also pushes the limits when it comes to so-called injuries and other in-match manufactured issues. Drama queen.
Many of his non-clay court major wins are suspect, due to opponents being absent because of injury or other “factors”.
Outside of my top five, I would bet on McEnroe, Lendl, Connors, Edberg, Cash, Wilander, Courier, etc. against Nadal on a non-clay surface any day of the week.
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