His semi against Roger showcased his skills. He choked in that 5th game on the down the line shot in 2012 in the 5 th set when he was up a break against Novak in that epic AO final. One of the very few times anyone can say that. The longest in atp history. Just one of countless records he holds or shares. Too many to enumerate.
2014 and 2017 were his two best chances to win the double career grand slam here at AO. But I think 2014 is more heartbreaking since he was in such great momentum...number 1 seed, beats Fed in semis, and he was coming from a monster 2013 hardcourt campaign (USO, Indian Wells, Canada, Cincy). That back injury couldn't have come at a worse time.
In 2014 Stan wasn't losing that final. Pulverised Nadal in the first set when he wasn't injured. Rafas best opportunity was in 2012. 5-2 up in the 5th. An exhausted Novak down the other end coming off a 5hr semi. He choked that match plain and simple. During the trophy presentation u could see it on his face. He fucked up and he knew it. Losing the last 5 games against an exhausted opponent.
This was the last time we saw a prime Nadal on a hardcourt. This Nadal had beaten Djoker in New York in 2013 & was moving & hitting the ball beautifully! I wonder if that squash shot he hit led to his back going out against Stan? Either way a bad back after this match cost him against Stan in the 2014 final & he has never seriously looked like beating the Djoker on a hardcourt again, or played well enough to beat an inspired & improved Roger on this surface again. All of his hardcourt slam wins came against other players such as Kevin Anderson, + Daniel Medvedev in 5 sets in New York & his epic come from behind victory in Melbourne also in 5. Rafa could have won 4/5 slams in Melbourne if it were not for injuries & perhaps some tentative play against the Djoker & Roger at critical phases in 2012 & 2017. To me this version of Nadal will always be in the GOAT conversation.
Pour cette année 2023, on verra bien. Certainement sa dernière année. Il a fait quand même plus de 25 finales en grand chelem. Le plus grand pour moi. Il peut encore gagné quelques tournois mais avec ses blessures...
What a crock He was never going to win more, if anything he never should of won 2022 Novak missing and Wimbledon 2008 federer injured and psychologically nadal had him...playing in darkness If anything they slowed the courts down and this guy was an ambassador for it He was never winning a slam on faster courts
He had back spasms. Wawrinka even apologized for having to play Rafa not at his best. Until then Nadal was 12-0 without losing a set against Wawrinka. Sums it up pretty accurately.
I don't see this shot in the Nadal compilations and that stuff, and it could pretty well be. The problem is there are SO much impossible points like this, it's normal to miss many of them.
@@talhakapadia2253 Federer should have destroyed in the winners department and Barely prevailed😂😂😂. If we count what it was going to come, we would be even more disappointed about Federer performance since Nadal was destroyed by wawrinka
this match is one of the examples of what RAFA can do when he's fit n confident! # never compare about who is fucking best ever, better enjoy the highest quality of tennis # fans should learn to respect other players #for all roger RAFA nole fans # all of them are greatest ever --look at quality they bring in tennis when they're at their best #
Unfortunately he wasn't fit. He had a blister in his left hand which he described unbearable to play with. Suddenly the blister disappeared vs Federer and reappeared while he was facing Stan along with several other back and knee issues
@@dhananjayvenkatesh3361 lol described perfectly! same blister saved Rafa from losing 2011 FO against Fed as Rafa was able to successfully stop Fed's momentum by taking a time-out lol
I think the most impressive thing about Nadal is his ability and fitness to grind out every point. You can bet he will work so hard for every individual point. The way in which he can grind out long rallies and tennis matches and wear down his opponent is a tribute to his phenomenal level of fitness. Not to mention the amount of power and spin and accuracy he places with that looping left forehand of his, truly incredible.
8:23 is the reason for me Nadal is the ultimate best thing a tennis player has produced in his prime. Surely he's not the most consistent of all time or the most dominant apart from clay, but he's up there with the best and surely the best in his prime. The speed, the passing shots, the ability to always counter the game of his opponents, even on grass is out of the world.
@@SHVideografie It sure was. Federer fans want everyone to believe that Nadal's forehand to Federer's backhand is the primary reason that Nadal has beaten Him 23 times.but this match contradicts that.
He's the best !LOL hands down..! Winning one RG is an achievement ..winning it 12 times is unreal. RG is hardest of all grand slams. And he's won slams on all surfaces, although he's a clay courter.
Rafa at his best is unplayable. His harsh lefty spin, aggressive attitude and stamina makes him my favourite of the big 3. He'll end up with more majors than fed too!
I loved the strategic play by Nadal in 8:40. He deliberately kept slowing down the pace of the ball, looking to sight enough empty court to hit an easy winner. And Federer played into his hand. I also think Federer is not strong mentally, he made so many unforced errors in the third set as he knew by that time the match was beyond his grasp. He had already given up by the start of third set.
I don't know if it is a case of mental toughness. Nadal had a better game at the time than Fed. If Fed didn't take any chances, he would lose. The weaker player tends to be the more aggressive.
@@NN-zf7np I agree but I would shade that statement. See how Nadal struggled mentally after shifting for a more aggresive play style. His lost against Tsitsipas at the AO after being 2 set up against a one hander knowing that nadal crush this kind of player is a example of that. What you said is actually right but to me, it's more also relevant to check the playstyle. Federer seems weak mentally compared to Navak or Rafa but to me it is mostly due to the playstyle. You can say the same about Alcaraz. He managed to beat Novak at wimbledon but he has to be 100% focus and confident to play his game while a Medvedev, Zverev, Sinner or Djokovic takes less risk.
@iBearD14 my statement was in relation to their respective games at that time. Fed was coming off one of the worst years in his career and Nadal was coming on one of his better ones. Fed had just changed his racket and had not quite mastered it. Nadal had the clear edge for this match. Fed probably had only a 25% chance to win this particular match.
This match with the australian semi 2012 between them is clearly the beast nadal mod ! That was peak nadal agaisnt a very very good fed ! I am a fed fan and i tell you that the level of play here as well in the 2012 semis is insame ! That is the scariest perfomance from rafa over peak roger in slam on hard ! One of my favorite matches to see ! 2012 2014 and 2015 are some very good year where we had peak Federer ! The thing is Nadal in 2012 and 2014 was peak also as well as novak since 2011 that is why thez are the best matches !
Nadal broke Fed's will in this one. Nadal is the John Wick of Tennis -- great player. As a Fed fan, I can clearly see Fed's weakness... And Nadal took to it like a dog to a bone. Almost not fair. I'm glad Fed and Nadal, as well as Novak are still around. They make tennis interesting and exciting.
Nadal 2014 A.O. This was his year. In the final, his back prevented him more than Stan. It affected him, it was his dream. Nadal seeks to be the only player in the open era to win at least two grand slam in the big four, a magnificent record. From my point of view, would make Nadal the most complete. Federer and Djokovic could do it by winning the French Open once more time.
It was so written. Stan beat Djoko, Rafa takes his 14th in front of Sampras and shows his ability to win all the GS twice. I'm sad his unluck continues
This is the exact same point to use against butthurt Djoker fans. Nadal's roadblock to the double slam were his injuries which is a natural thing, Djoker's was a certain beast named Nadal. Unfortunately Djoker got to it before Rafa.
When Nadal’s backhand is keeping up with Federer’s forehand in rallies, the Swiss is in major trouble. This is one of Nadal’s best ever matches in hard court.
Ehh to be fair though I don’t think Federer’s forehand after 2012 was the same. When he switched racquets his forehand changed and it wasn’t the same. So any day nadal was hitting his backhand good it was ggs.
Nobody say like this. You are telling it by yourself. You are thinking like this. The whole sports world consider RN is all time great in the history. Make sure you read what other greats are saying. Even RF's fan also admits RN is all time great along with RF. It is better not to devalue to each other by irreverent comparison
@@aleksamilosevic8792 That's because the English speaking countries (except Australia, at times) are too enamored by Federer's game even though he has struggled massively against both Rafa and Novak. It's almost as though Federer spiritually represents both US and Britain now because they do not have their own players to compete anymore. American tennis commentary, except for McEnroe, is pure shit. None of them know how to cover a tennis match and they do it with the ignorance that would fit a baseball game.
11:20 Federer was going to slam the ball but then say that he might hit the ball boy so he hestitated and stopped. I give him props for that even though I am a Nadal fan
So we give people props for not slamming a ball directly at a kid huh? Btw I get what you mean. But think about this: If he slammed the ball at the kid, everyone would go crazy and call him reckless for doing it. He didn't do it and showed restrain, and some people "praise" him for it. That's like saying I'm a good person for not running over a pedestrian who was jay walking even if I was late for work and they were wrong crossing the street irresponsibly and unlawfully. Again I'm not saying roger is an asshole. He seems like a good guy. I'm actually a huge fan of his. But we have to remember that these guys are also human. Let's not call them saints for doing something we'd expect from any other person in the situation.
dor ryoku i think its the Federer effect. If someone low ranked do this nobody would even notice. And if we point this out people might call us ‘oversensitive’.
One of the most stupid comment ever. Even a hardcore villain will do that when playing in front of crowd. I am not saying Fed is a criminal lol. I am just saying this comment was to so stupid
Nadal's passing shots were incredible in this match, to be honest, some of Federer's approach shots were really lousy and Nadal picked him off easily! Anything less than a perfect approach shot to the net is gonna get passed when he's in this kinda mood!
Rafa was always unlucky on rod laver arena.In 2014 he lost because of injury.and in 2012 and 2017 he was one break up in deciding sets of both finals.but still he lost.
@@menon_ji4984 Because he was talking about unlucky.Also djokovic missing a easy FH does not mean he shouldev had lost in 4.You can then argue nadal shouldev had won in 5 because he missed a easy BHDTL
@@aleksamilosevic8792 He was just nearing the match point so it was unlucky for Djoko. I can say same thing about Nadal too that he miss an even easier backhand. Stop crying. Also in 2014 he was injured only after second set and stan was already winning by that time
@@menon_ji4984 Obviously you lie or are blind or are unable to remember what happened in 2014 AO final. Since the warm up Rafa felt a serious injury in his back. In fact, before starting the match Rafa talked to his technical team (there are several videos although people like you deny it) warning he couldn't play in a competitive way. Uncle Toni suggested Rafa to abandon in order to prevent more damage but Rafa refused saying that was a grand slam final and he would try to resist the pain.
It's very hard to beat Nadal when you take the ball early, hit hard and deep into his forehand, and serve well, but it damn near impossible to beat him if you defend and let him dictate important points , Federer learned this the hard way in this match.
RandomGuy285 I don't think Federer changed anything to be honest, it's actually here that he actually tried something different (defending) but ended up losing badly, the Australian Open 2017 wasn't much different from the way he played Nadal in the past, only his body doesn't hold up anymore like it did in the past, so he plays extra aggressive tennis.
Ok Mr. Analyst... first of all Fed did not "destroy" Rafa... he barely won it in the 5th set... if Fed played so incredibly well, why did the AO17 finals go to a 5th set and why was he a break down? and more importantly why did the match only turn around when he started hitting blind winners, going for broke?!! Fed is playing well, agreed... but it is also because Rafa's forehand is not as lethal as before giving Fed the luxury to hit through the ball.. and don't start with Indian Wells and Miami, Fed has always played well against Rafa in best of 3... to put this into perspective, H2H is 23-14 because Fed also got to play that many 3 setters against Rafa. You have to accept that their Grand Slam H2H is very skewed in Rafa's favor.
Jack Gates First of all, hold your horses dude this isn't a Federer vs Nadal conversation at all. Secondly, I love how Federer suddenly became a different player in 2017, even as Nadal fan I admit that their comeback is largely dependent on the downfall of Murray and especially Djokovic. Federer didn't "destroy everyone in 2017" he won three tournaments and skipped the whole clay season to avoid his usual loses on the surface against Nadal and the other players, I don't see how winning the Australian Open playing three five set matches one of them against Nadal in the final is considered "destroying", if anything he barely won the tournament, and should've lost in Miami against Kyrgios. Also Nadal could have won 5 masters and 3 slams in 2011 if it wasn't for Djokovic, Federer could have won 11 straight grand slams (from 2005 Roland garros to 2008 Australian Open) if it wasn't for Nadal, Nadal could have had "the best seasons" in 2012 and 2014 if he didn't get injured, ifs and buts don't matter in tennis. And honestly speaking, although Nadal did have a great start to the season, I think he's playing and moving much better now since Madrid, infact I think the only reason he played the Miami final was because of an easy draw, he didn't even meet one top 10 player on his way to the final. Trying to make Nadal play great when he doesn't is an absurd way to make Federer look superior, the only really good tournament he played before the clay season was the Australian Open.
the point at 14:01 is one of the best terrifying winners ever from that type of position.that is the reason why nobody should serve and volley Rafa.though I guarantee now in 2018 fed will win that point easily as Rafa cannot run like that anymore and also Rafa has lost his consistency in his forehand.
Rafael was relentless that day.... Probably the best versión i have seen from him at Australian Open along with 2012... Ironically he Lost both finals. But best level those two years 2012 and 2014... Moving quickly , serving good, killing with forehand and sharp with backhand.. when he plays this good pm fast courts he can Even top Djokovic or Roger
Rafa's best level at the Australian Open has to be either 2009 or 2012. He was great in 2014 but he never played a legendary match like 2009 semis or final or the 2012 final.
@@mysticnomad89 True, he was fantastic in that match, and he had to be because Berdych was playing a very high level himself. In the 4th set Rafa was firing off many winners as well.
After Federer lost this match, the head2head was Nadal 23 Federer 10 Since this match, Federer is 5-0 against Nadal, quite remarkably. Federer played Nadal 4 times in 2017 and in those four matches, he won all of them. Aus open, Indian Wells, Miami and Shanghai.
Head to Head doesn't count.thats what Federer fans always say which is true cause Nadal ended the year at #1 in 2017 so Nadal was the better player that year
It is obvious to see how Roger was afraid to Nadal at that time, he was playing knowing that he didn't really want to win. It's definitely another Roger between 2017 and 2019, he had much more will !
Absolutely yes. People don't understand that in 2017 Nadal lost 60% of his Defensive skills (Speed & Endurance). This is the only reason he lost in 2017 against Federer. Neo backhand or not, Roger is just inferior to Nadal in every sense.
The difference in Federer’s BH quality here vs 2017 is immense. In fact, his low confidence makes him go for the run around FH more and in the process gives Rafa the additional time.
Looking at this match again, it is clear that Nadal has lost a lot more to Fed because he's stopped hitting high looping but powerful shots to Fed's backhand, and not just because Fed's backhand has improved.
Yep and he stopped doing it to Novak on hardcourt too. Nadal playing more of a traditional hardcourt game over the years IE closer to the baseline, hitting less loopy shots may have helped him at times, but it was a terrible strategy against Roger and Novak. You aren't beating either of those players on hardcourt with a style that plays right in their hands. Nadal playing more of a clay style on hardcourt wasn't likely to give him the edge against Djokovic, but it gave him the best chance to win. He might win 35% or 40% of those matches against Novak playing the "old" way compared to 0% its been for a decade now. playing more traditional hardcourt tennis. With Roger, the racket change really helped him at least hit clean balls on the backhand vs Nadal's crazy topspin.
Last two Rafa wins in GS vs Federer both in straight sets. On two surfaces in different conditions and one of them in day session, the other one in night. 10-3 overall h2h on GS. 6-0 on his terms on clay, 4-3 still outside clay for him too.
@@harshavardhan7237 If they met he wouldve beaten him. Heck even Wimbledon 07 was five setter, Nadal being 21. Federer wasn't good enough to meet him at hard court slam in 2010,13,19.
NLLeFa you do know that Rafa hasn’t beaten fed on hard court since 2014 . How will you assume he will beat fed if they met on hard court in 2019 . 2013 I agree he would have lost and Rafa took advantage of injured fed and he has like 4-0 or something that year . when it comes to 2010 fed won aus open and rest of year he was bad , but he did beat Rafa at year end finals
same as nadal kryptonite is djokovic , and djokovic kryptonite is andy murray , and andy murray kryptonite is federer , weeeellll im just talking shit dont take it serious , i just miss the big 4
@@taylorpack2839 Nadal is Djoker kryptonite at Roland Garros and US Open and Djoker is Rafa's kryptonite in AO and Wimbledon. And Rafa is Roger's kryptonite in AO and Roland Garros while Federer is Rafa's kryptonite at Wimbledon. And Wawrinka is Djoker's kryptonite in grand slam whenever Stan loses the first set
@@theobecquet8477 Nadal is not Djokovic kryptonite in the US Open. He barely leads 2-1 and one of them was peak Nadal vs pre-prime Djokovic. They're 1-1 when both in their prime years.
Las victorias de Nadal sobre Federer tienen un gran mérito teniendo en cuenta que en sus enfrentamientos el público siempre está a favor de Federer,y esto nadie lo puede negar.Con lo cual cada victoria de Nadal es la victoria de uno contra todos,es bestial lo que ha logrado Rafa teniendo siempre un público no digo hostil pero casi.
I cant believe how many times Federer let Nadal win. Its just incredible how he put his head down to Nadal's noise, which was powerful but not as he wanted to show it was. Djokovic never bought his stories, Nadal had to suffer so many defeats to him and struggle to get his victories. I am a little bit relieved that Federer finally got free from this chain and put behind his traumas to win five consecutive matchs. Racquet must be an issue, but maybe not the most important of them.
Excuses. You gotta watch these videos to see how great Rafa was back in the days, using all corners of the court, running towards every single ball, returning deep and stuff. Federer couldn't do it. As simple as that. Today on other hand Nadal is slower, not as confident, his forehand doesn't work as good and you can beat him if you are agressive enough, even on clay as Thiem has showed. As for Djokovic, Nadal still led their h2h rivalry till Doha 2016. They played too many times in 2015 and 2016 in Rafa's worst form compared to Novak's best. If they played more times in 2017, h2h would've look different and btw it's still 25:26 which is pretty even if you ask me. Just look at the 8:05 rally. There's nothing Federer can do there. In 2018, Nadal can't repeat that however. That's the difference between them then and now. Nadal is slower. Then also look the 8:19 rally. Again nothing Federer could do. Nothing.
@@NLLeFa Disagree. Nadal was moving well in 2017 and also in Wimbledon 2019. Federer learnt to take the ball early and hit it deep against Nadal, particularly on the backhand side. It's hard to do because of all that topspin, but he did it. Of course there's little Fed or anyone can do when on a string against Rafa. He's running like a hare here because he's way back a lot of the time and it's spectacular but it's not a winning formula. In 2017 he played in such a manner as to avoid all that running and it worked. He used his improved ability to hit on the rise to stay on the baseline which prevented Nadal from pushing him around. It looked less impressive to the untrained eye, but it was smarter tennis. About 8:19 - Makeable volley for Federer. He got caught off guard by Nadal's great get.
Apart from their serves Federer and Djokovic won less points than Nadal. It's a fact. Nadal is the best returner and majority of his points are earned by high level of tennis.
And to this day this is the last time in a slam other than Roland Garros that nadal has beaten Federer in a slam, and same against djokovic (2013 US Open Final) he just can’t beat those two anymore and it does my head in.
yes. once nadal got treatment for his injury he bagelled stan 6-0. but then the pain came back and he lost the final set i think 6-4. stan should not have won the AO.
absolutely not ,stan bad beaten nole in the "match of the year" and was playing like the no 1 seed would have beaten any player in the history that day let alone nadal
one of the more demoralizing losses for a Fedfan. in other losses to Djokovic and Nadal in majors you could say at least he fought them well and just came up short, but to get beaten badly by Rafa for the third time on a court that theoretically Federer should have the edge especially when he appeared to be coming in good form was tough to watch
Pre-2017, it's almost cruel what Rafa brings to his matches against Federer. Roger can give him poland sized empty court on his forehand side, and still Rafa refuses to hit down the line, he just kept peppering Roger's backhand, each stroke with even more acute angle, even more spin.
@@safwan6077 He got injured at the start of second set. And for someone who is a master of 5 sets match you speak muck that he pretended after losing a set? In the SF he had battered Federer.
@@TheKakarot_itachi He pretended to be injured after Wawrinka broke his serve in the 2nd set. He tried to slow down Wawrinka with his faking injury tactics and it worked because he won the 3rd set.
I like watching these old clips of Roger just to see how drastic he had to reinvent his game in order to stay on top, I mean the guy just won his 20th slam which is truly amazing, he really is the epitome of athleticism, masterful tactics and successful strategic game change unlike his fearsome nemesis in this video who still thinks every court is made of clay
NLLeFa ok i'll explain it to you in kindergarten mode, Rafa employs the same strategy and style on surfaces as if all were claycourts .....did you get my point or should I try infancy mode?
Well that's more due to his dumb team. Federer changed like 5000 coaches during his career to make sure he keeps improving on all surfaces and against every player. Nadal on other hand plays the same on all type of surfaces and against every player. Same tactics whether he's 23 or 31.
yip you're right about that but in all honesty it is much easier for Roger to transform and improve his game because he's just more fluent and naturally gifted than Rafa
Wouldn't really bet on that. When Rafa was 100% healthy and motivated, the level of tennis he showed was out of this world. Maybe Federer doesn't have to give his 100% to win agianst like 90% of the players, unlike Nadal. That's true.
during this time frame, everytime federer played nadal, he caved in, he melted.... it's almost like federer new his chances of winning were slim.... he never showed mental toughness against nadal....
And people are saying if this man would've lost either way to Stan in the Finals. Healthy Rafa would of eaten him alive. Too bad after his back went out here, he was basically gone for the next 2 years
No he wasn't..? He was healthy and played at an insane level at Roland Garros. Too bad about the injury in the final though, but his lack of success in 2015 and 2016 was not because of his injury.
@@MrPatrickbuit You know he missed halg of the year in 2014. He started struggling with his back at the AO Final and carried it all year, he had issues even in the RG Final. And after all those injuries and huge time off, he couldn't find his same game in 2015-16, where he had bad form and wasn't training well... and then the injuries again in 2016. Let's face it, Djokovic fans can talk all they want but if Rafa's body didn't give out in late 2014 to 2016 Novak wouldn't have a Career Slam or 4 in a row. That's just facts.
you're wrong on so many levels that I don't even know where to begin correcting you. I will still say 2 things, though.... 1) when these 2 play is NOT magic because Rafa is the only good player on the court 2) Rafa is NOT a tactician by any stretch of imagination. On the contrary, as much as I hate to admit (cause I dislike Federer) the Swiss is the tactician while the Spaniard is the hard worker. Rafa's hits are always dull, but so incredibly powerful, efficient and well placed. FedEx, on the other hand, is the tactician because he's got a variety of hits with the forehand and backhand, and comes often to the net, something that Rafa doesn't do... well, didn't do until recently anyway. So anyway, if you want to see magic between the absolute best tennis players in the entire history of tennis watch ANY game between Rafa and Nole. They are truly the true legends of tennis, not this Swiss no-name
Bla bla you clearly know nothing about tennis . Federer has ZERO tactical ability. He had to be taught it by coaches like Edberg after 15 years of beatings. Rafa is well known to be the best tactician. Listen to commentators, his mind is his biggest asset probably as well as his forehand. Do you know what tactics is? You’re a fake fan.
@@yussepig6629 tactics differs from one activity to another, even in sports... and it seems that also differs from one person to another, as well. For me Federer is more technical and tactical than Rafa will ever be, and that comes from a passionate Federer hater, so I know what I'm talking about and I don't give a shit about what the commentators say. They are humans just like me, and they can be wrong as easily.
Sorry you’re clueless and it’s obvious you are a Federer fan so don’t be fake please. Federer goes on instinct NOT tactics. That’s why Nadal out-thought him for so man years. Finally his new coach taught him how to beat Rafa sometimes by using tactics. Federe was clueless for so many years. Nadal is like a chess player , always thinking ahead.
Whoever would've thought that Fed, who's already older than Rafa, would be the stronger player in a rematch 3 years later. Their last two meetings at AO couldn't have been more different.
@@skmalaujitra9580 but if you have an average serve Wimbledon is the hardest slam to win.why do u think Novak defeated Nadal at 2018 Wimbledon? Novak was serving much better.18 aces I think.
@@jeffreykaufmann4625 yes ..if nadal heve ace serve like federer he already have 25 grand slam ..im happy for him..hope he can win again at hard court n grass
Wimbledon is a boring serving exhibition, even Goran Ivanisevic could win it. You need every shot in the book as well as big fitness to win at Roland Garros. Rafa is the real GOAT, not a weak era champ beating nobodies like federer.
I think people confuse best athlete with best tennis player. Nadal and Djokovic are unquestionably the greatest athletes of the open era, but Federer is the best tennis player of the three. In terms of tennis skill, it goes Federer>Djokovic>Nadal. Simply put, Djokovic and especially Nadal, are much more reliant on athleticism and strength than Federer. Take away that from each player and I am sure we all know who would easily prevail. It is clear that tennis since the mid 2,000's has been geared to favor players that are very athletic and have exceptional baseline games. These slow conditions favored Djokovic, Nadal and Murray. Is it any coincidence the same players-Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, Federer-consistently made slam quarters, semis and finals the past decade and a half? Nadal may own Federer on clay, but did anybody expect something different? Conditions favored baseline kings like Nadal. Even as Federer lost, people could easily see Federer was a much better tennis player. In regards to the Olympics, I would rank it about the same level as a master 1,000. It definitely matters, but opportunities come every 4 years and a bit of luck plays into it. Which players aren't injured, which choose to play, current form, etc play a huge role. It is a nice thing to have on your resume, but is not a must to determine the goat. In contrast, the WTF's is the 2nd most important tour in the game of tennis and one of the most difficult to win. To even participate, a player has to achieve good results in a 10 month span. Each match features the best players on the tour. Federer has 6, Djokovic 5 and Nadal 0. That is a glaring hole in the Spaniards resume and he at least needs one to be put in the goat conversation.
If you tally highlights of the most memorable, outrageous, impossible mind blowing shots it’s Nadal hands down. If Federer was the best tennis player why could he never defeat Nadal in Paris. Plenty of chances none even close. The best tennis player is the one with the most, best records. Sorry, Rafa and Novak have superior records over Roger in Grand Slams and Masters 1000’s. Nadal is also the only one with Olympic gold in singles and doubles. If your argument was valid the winner of the decathlon would be the best.
@@damohanson5393 I would contest the mindblowing shots thing. Federer's shotmaking is the best period. The angles at which Roger has hit some of his shots is literally inhuman at times. His precision and finesse is something no other player has matched. Nadal and Djokovic have done extraordinary shots due to their athleticism not their tennis talent typically.
@@JacenSolo0 shotmaking there’s an argument but Nadal has hit shots that defy description. Look at all the TH-cam videos that pertain only to shots that blow the broadcasters away. I’m talking shots that not only looked impossible to get to but then produce a winner that’s , as I said, mind blowing. I’m not debating who’s better but for highlight reels Nadal takes the cake.
'Even as Federer lost,... he's still better' 🤣🤣 Whatever excuses you're gonna make, Fed is 3rd, he won the least GS, least masters, negative h2h, only completed career slam once
@NamTran-xc2ip *Second. Federer has 6 WTF's to Nadals 0, 100+ weeks at number 1 and was clearly the better all-surface player. I suggest you watch Goatkovic's video on Federer being better than Nadal. He backs it up with really good facts and data.
A lot of things rafa did in this match, he can't do to the current fed. Fed was just getting used to the new rackethead size and the addition of the ljubed backhand helped tremedously. Now roger enjoys those bh to fh exchanges.
Rashed what? Humiliating? It’s not like Federer lost to some qualifier and such. How exactly is he too weak? Fans like you pay far too much attention to the head to head instead of enjoying the competition. It’s not like Federer got blown away by Nadal in this match. You can’t even appreciate how close he made this match? Seriously, what do you appreciate? Probably not competition.
This match reminds me of the RG 2019 semi final match between them. I thought both players played extraordinarily, but in the end Nadal just grinded Federer down.
Actually this match is the worst match played by Federer ranks alongside Kevin Anderson (W 2018) also Maric Cilic (US 2014). In this phase Federer was all serve and volley, in fact the whole year, he did not make good setup shots to make a good volley, the whole 2014 season was like that. RG 2019 there is no comparison, it were conditions made for Nadal the wind and all and Federer coming after a long break...
@@bharatpenumutchu6487 ''Conditins made for Nadal'' You think he wanted to play in thunder? These kind of comments make me wonder how stupid can people be sometimes in order to defend a certain.
@@NLLeFa take a chill pill !!!! I love Federer and almost like Nadal and Novak the same.....You should understand the perspective and context. In my opinion Nadal is much better on faster courts than Federer is on clay....Is there any comparison between Federer and Nadal on Rolland Garros...i mean even if you add Bjorg+ Novak + Federer achievement on Rolland Garros it would still not add up Nadal's achievement on Rolland Garros....I think even if there was an AI Robot only to play at Rolland Garros even it cannot beat Nadal...:). Coming to the point...this match in 2014 was Federer worst performance no point did he look like beating Nadal...a lot of unforced errors... and bad decisions with serve and volleys..In 2019 it was understandable there were slower conditions and it was not his worst....already it was conducive to Nadal. In 2011 finals Federer gave Nadal a good run for his money for 3 sets....so Federer can play better than what he did it had to be the conditions....but not Federer's worst match...Again Take a chill pill.. there was no need for ad hominem ...
Rakesh Ramesh Well Federer’s game doesn’t rely on speed as much as Nadal’s. Take away Nadal’s speed on the court and you’ve got a guy that can’t beat Djokovic or Federer off clay.
Create the ultimate tennis player: forehand and talent Federer, Serve and netplay Sampras, endurance and strength Nadal, mental Strength and back hand Djokovic, crowd favorite Agassi
2014 was a combination of young and old nadal. Hustle of a boy matched with experience of a veteran.
Yousaf Almani-CR7 he was only 28 back then
Time flies
@@kevj745 yepp
Brilliantly put
His semi against Roger showcased his skills. He choked in that 5th game on the down the line shot in 2012 in the 5 th set when he was up a break against Novak in that epic AO final. One of the very few times anyone can say that. The longest in atp history. Just one of countless records he holds or shares. Too many to enumerate.
6:19 beautifully hidden drop shot.
2014 and 2017 were his two best chances to win the double career grand slam here at AO. But I think 2014 is more heartbreaking since he was in such great momentum...number 1 seed, beats Fed in semis, and he was coming from a monster 2013 hardcourt campaign (USO, Indian Wells, Canada, Cincy). That back injury couldn't have come at a worse time.
As a Fed fan I wanted to cry watching the trophy presentation!
In 2014 Stan wasn't losing that final. Pulverised Nadal in the first set when he wasn't injured.
Rafas best opportunity was in 2012. 5-2 up in the 5th. An exhausted Novak down the other end coming off a 5hr semi.
He choked that match plain and simple. During the trophy presentation u could see it on his face. He fucked up and he knew it.
Losing the last 5 games against an exhausted opponent.
@@paultizzard2864 it wasn’t 5-2
He was up a break , 4-2. Big difference
@@jeansioufi9046 still lost 5 of the last 6 games of the match.
@@paultizzard2864 facts also missed an easy backhand at 30-15 4-2 in the 5th set
This was the last time we saw a prime Nadal on a hardcourt. This Nadal had beaten Djoker in New York in 2013 & was moving & hitting the ball beautifully! I wonder if that squash shot he hit led to his back going out against Stan? Either way a bad back after this match cost him against Stan in the 2014 final & he has never seriously looked like beating the Djoker on a hardcourt again, or played well enough to beat an inspired & improved Roger on this surface again. All of his hardcourt slam wins came against other players such as Kevin Anderson, + Daniel Medvedev in 5 sets in New York & his epic come from behind victory in Melbourne also in 5. Rafa could have won 4/5 slams in Melbourne if it were not for injuries & perhaps some tentative play against the Djoker & Roger at critical phases in 2012 & 2017. To me this version of Nadal will always be in the GOAT conversation.
Pour cette année 2023, on verra bien. Certainement sa dernière année. Il a fait quand même plus de 25 finales en grand chelem. Le plus grand pour moi. Il peut encore gagné quelques tournois mais avec ses blessures...
you miss OA 22
What a crock
He was never going to win more, if anything he never should of won 2022 Novak missing and Wimbledon 2008 federer injured and psychologically nadal had him...playing in darkness
If anything they slowed the courts down and this guy was an ambassador for it
He was never winning a slam on faster courts
He had back spasms. Wawrinka even apologized for having to play Rafa not at his best. Until then Nadal was 12-0 without losing a set against Wawrinka. Sums it up pretty accurately.
@@damohanson5393 he was sad nadal got injured during the match....
Rafa's outfit is 🔥🔥
And Rafa’s performance in this match: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
GODAMNIT nike is as unconsistent in outfits for rafa as Zverev is in tennis
200th like
This outfit was the best in 2014
Nadal in phenomenadal mode.
That's how you have to play when you are a # 1 ranking. No less no more, just perfect. Thank Mr. Nadal for being such a titan !!
08:25 he ate his heart, his soul and took his life too
Marek stfu
Marek yep. Lol
I don't see this shot in the Nadal compilations and that stuff, and it could pretty well be. The problem is there are SO much impossible points like this, it's normal to miss many of them.
What a Get!
This Nadal is still in that best hardcourt form from 2013. Unfortunately he got injured in final.
Even before injury he was almost murdered by stan
@@menon_ji4984 Hahaha no way
@@sergior4able He was... He got injured in mid of second set and stan already started murdering him
@@menon_ji4984 He was 12-0 against Stan before that final. lol
@@Romans8-9 He's talking about the match itself. Wawrinka was dominant in the first set
Massive amount of winners from Nadal, this os an absolute demolition
Still less than Roger tho, lesser ufe is how he won
@@talhakapadia2253 Federer should have destroyed in the winners department and Barely prevailed😂😂😂. If we count what it was going to come, we would be even more disappointed about Federer performance since Nadal was destroyed by wawrinka
@@Luchon20082010 well in both cases, the better player on the day prevailed, tho against wawrinka nadal did have back issues if i remember correctly
@@Luchon20082010 yeah quite honestly seeing the way federer played, I’m surprised the score wasn’t all 3s accords the board.
@@Luchon20082010 nadal was injured against waw ,dumb.
Thanks for the quality upload. Much appreciated.
this match is one of the examples of what RAFA can do when he's fit n confident! #
never compare about who is fucking best ever, better enjoy the highest quality of tennis #
fans should learn to respect other players #for all roger RAFA nole fans #
all of them are greatest ever --look at quality they bring in tennis when they're at their best #
Unfortunately he wasn't fit. He had a blister in his left hand which he described unbearable to play with. Suddenly the blister disappeared vs Federer and reappeared while he was facing Stan along with several other back and knee issues
@@dhananjayvenkatesh3361 lol described perfectly! same blister saved Rafa from losing 2011 FO against Fed as Rafa was able to successfully stop Fed's momentum by taking a time-out lol
@@tattwa1 lol u both are just toxic federer fans. I dont care who is the best, all of the big 3 are amazing, so y dont u both just enjoy it?
fuck you
@@tattwa1 What about fed at AO2017... FED FANS R simply pathetic
I think the most impressive thing about Nadal is his ability and fitness to grind out every point. You can bet he will work so hard for every individual point. The way in which he can grind out long rallies and tennis matches and wear down his opponent is a tribute to his phenomenal level of fitness. Not to mention the amount of power and spin and accuracy he places with that looping left forehand of his, truly incredible.
Yep... "Phenomenal".
The goat vs the goat 😨
Novak vs Novak
Absolutely brutal hitting from Rafa, and virtually impenetrable defense. Maybe his best match against Federer?
2008 French open final
Prime Nadal>Old Nadal
He was 27 Years old that time in Australian open
@@kikaa1884 yes this was the best version of Rafa
@@patcisz34742010 USO Nadal, 2013 hardcourt Nadal and 2008, 2010 and 2012 clay Nadal would like a word with you.
8:23 is the reason for me Nadal is the ultimate best thing a tennis player has produced in his prime. Surely he's not the most consistent of all time or the most dominant apart from clay, but he's up there with the best and surely the best in his prime. The speed, the passing shots, the ability to always counter the game of his opponents, even on grass is out of the world.
That shot was sick indeed.
@@SHVideografie It sure was. Federer fans want everyone to believe that Nadal's forehand to Federer's backhand is the primary reason that Nadal has beaten Him 23 times.but this match contradicts that.
@@jeffreykaufmann4625 It's the primary reason, not the only one. Other reason is that Nadal is a great defender and reads Federer's game really well.
He's the best !LOL hands down..! Winning one RG is an achievement ..winning it 12 times is unreal. RG is hardest of all grand slams. And he's won slams on all surfaces, although he's a clay courter.
He sure is the most consistent player (when he is fit and healty), if one disregards injuries and its consequences as inconsistency overall.
Just passing through on my journey to watch every Federer match.
That point at 8:20 is absolutely outrageous. Roger played well enough to beat about 98% of the tour this match, but Nadal was on another level
That get ranks with any ever in tennis history. How many times has he hit shots not thought possible.
8:26 that explains what Rafa can do at his best and that why there wont be any player like him. Crazy Get !!
one of the most underrated matches! and stunning shoes!
Rafa at his best is unplayable. His harsh lefty spin, aggressive attitude and stamina makes him my favourite of the big 3. He'll end up with more majors than fed too!
you called it.
@@Sbudre when I posted the comment they both had 20 majors, and fed was semi retired. So it wasn't too tough to call
Here to say congratulations 👏. You were right 🙌.
Djokovic would have beat this Nadal in the final.
I loved the strategic play by Nadal in 8:40. He deliberately kept slowing down the pace of the ball, looking to sight enough empty court to hit an easy winner. And Federer played into his hand. I also think Federer is not strong mentally, he made so many unforced errors in the third set as he knew by that time the match was beyond his grasp. He had already given up by the start of third set.
Have to agree. Federer's mental fortitude is not in the same league as Rafa's or Djoko's.
What a beautiful observation!
I don't know if it is a case of mental toughness. Nadal had a better game at the time than Fed. If Fed didn't take any chances, he would lose. The weaker player tends to be the more aggressive.
@@NN-zf7np I agree but I would shade that statement. See how Nadal struggled mentally after shifting for a more aggresive play style. His lost against Tsitsipas at the AO after being 2 set up against a one hander knowing that nadal crush this kind of player is a example of that. What you said is actually right but to me, it's more also relevant to check the playstyle. Federer seems weak mentally compared to Navak or Rafa but to me it is mostly due to the playstyle. You can say the same about Alcaraz. He managed to beat Novak at wimbledon but he has to be 100% focus and confident to play his game while a Medvedev, Zverev, Sinner or Djokovic takes less risk.
@iBearD14 my statement was in relation to their respective games at that time. Fed was coming off one of the worst years in his career and Nadal was coming on one of his better ones. Fed had just changed his racket and had not quite mastered it. Nadal had the clear edge for this match. Fed probably had only a 25% chance to win this particular match.
This match with the australian semi 2012 between them is clearly the beast nadal mod ! That was peak nadal agaisnt a very very good fed ! I am a fed fan and i tell you that the level of play here as well in the 2012 semis is insame ! That is the scariest perfomance from rafa over peak roger in slam on hard ! One of my favorite matches to see ! 2012 2014 and 2015 are some very good year where we had peak Federer ! The thing is Nadal in 2012 and 2014 was peak also as well as novak since 2011 that is why thez are the best matches !
Thank you for this video!
Nadal broke Fed's will in this one. Nadal is the John Wick of Tennis -- great player. As a Fed fan, I can clearly see Fed's weakness... And Nadal took to it like a dog to a bone. Almost not fair. I'm glad Fed and Nadal, as well as Novak are still around. They make tennis interesting and exciting.
fuck u
@@harryy000 oh god fedtard alert
and those forehand to forehand exchanges? Rafa blasted his forehand away in this one
you can compete against steroides...
Nadal 2014 A.O. This was his year. In the final, his back prevented him more than Stan. It affected him, it was his dream. Nadal seeks to be the only player in the open era to win at least two grand slam in the big four, a magnificent record. From my point of view, would make Nadal the most complete. Federer and Djokovic could do it by winning the French Open once more time.
It was so written. Stan beat Djoko, Rafa takes his 14th in front of Sampras and shows his ability to win all the GS twice. I'm sad his unluck continues
@juneaug Lok remember dt federer is also incomplete coz he cant even beat rafa once at rolland garros...
Djokovic has done it in 2021
He was having a hard time against a great player at his peak. That can be disrespectful to Wawrinka
This is the exact same point to use against butthurt Djoker fans. Nadal's roadblock to the double slam were his injuries which is a natural thing, Djoker's was a certain beast named Nadal. Unfortunately Djoker got to it before Rafa.
When Nadal’s backhand is keeping up with Federer’s forehand in rallies, the Swiss is in major trouble. This is one of Nadal’s best ever matches in hard court.
Ehh to be fair though I don’t think Federer’s forehand after 2012 was the same. When he switched racquets his forehand changed and it wasn’t the same. So any day nadal was hitting his backhand good it was ggs.
Rafa beat Fed at AO 12 as well though.
@@taxationistheft7047 Nadal still beat Federer in 4 sets in 2012 so not much of a difference
@@patcisz3474 But that much was way closer.
At 8.25 seconds if Federer had made that shot it's described as genius but when Nadal does it it's attributed to his physicality.
Nobody say like this. You are telling it by yourself. You are thinking like this. The whole sports world consider RN is all time great in the history. Make sure you read what other greats are saying. Even RF's fan also admits RN is all time great along with RF. It is better not to devalue to each other by irreverent comparison
@@nawshercse98 Except commentators always say AMAIZING,UNBELIVABLE,INSANE!!! when fedderer does it.When nadal/djoko do it: ah ok.
@@nawshercse98 not true. Federer fans all say that the only thing rafa does is hit to Federer's backhand.
@@aleksamilosevic8792 That's because the English speaking countries (except Australia, at times) are too enamored by Federer's game even though he has struggled massively against both Rafa and Novak. It's almost as though Federer spiritually represents both US and Britain now because they do not have their own players to compete anymore. American tennis commentary, except for McEnroe, is pure shit. None of them know how to cover a tennis match and they do it with the ignorance that would fit a baseball game.
Swaroop Kodur bruh we love all three who players stop acting like you know us.
Rafa played an unbelievable match
11:20 Federer was going to slam the ball but then say that he might hit the ball boy so he hestitated and stopped. I give him props for that even though I am a Nadal fan
So we give people props for not slamming a ball directly at a kid huh?
Btw I get what you mean. But think about this: If he slammed the ball at the kid, everyone would go crazy and call him reckless for doing it. He didn't do it and showed restrain, and some people "praise" him for it. That's like saying I'm a good person for not running over a pedestrian who was jay walking even if I was late for work and they were wrong crossing the street irresponsibly and unlawfully.
Again I'm not saying roger is an asshole. He seems like a good guy. I'm actually a huge fan of his. But we have to remember that these guys are also human. Let's not call them saints for doing something we'd expect from any other person in the situation.
dor ryoku i think its the Federer effect. If someone low ranked do this nobody would even notice. And if we point this out people might call us ‘oversensitive’.
It's not really that commendable- if he had hit the ball boy he would have been disqualified
That's just common decency what are you on about...
One of the most stupid comment ever.
Even a hardcore villain will do that when playing in front of crowd.
I am not saying Fed is a criminal lol.
I am just saying this comment was to so stupid
Nadal's passing shots were incredible in this match, to be honest, some of Federer's approach shots were really lousy and Nadal picked him off easily! Anything less than a perfect approach shot to the net is gonna get passed when he's in this kinda mood!
14:05 WTF
His signature save lol
Phenomenadal
Nadal's passing shots are the best in history. Period.
Rafa was always unlucky on rod laver arena.In 2014 he lost because of injury.and in 2012 and 2017 he was one break up in deciding sets of both finals.but still he lost.
Lucky in 2012 as he should have lost in 4th set itself. Why did you didn't mention the raping he got in 2019.
@@menon_ji4984 Because he was talking about unlucky.Also djokovic missing a easy FH does not mean he shouldev had lost in 4.You can then argue nadal shouldev had won in 5 because he missed a easy BHDTL
@@aleksamilosevic8792 He was just nearing the match point so it was unlucky for Djoko. I can say same thing about Nadal too that he miss an even easier backhand. Stop crying. Also in 2014 he was injured only after second set and stan was already winning by that time
@@menon_ji4984 He wasnt injured just during second set.Even in the first point of the match,you can see his movement is bad.
@@menon_ji4984 Obviously you lie or are blind or are unable to remember what happened in 2014 AO final. Since the warm up Rafa felt a serious injury in his back. In fact, before starting the match Rafa talked to his technical team (there are several videos although people like you deny it) warning he couldn't play in a competitive way. Uncle Toni suggested Rafa to abandon in order to prevent more damage but Rafa refused saying that was a grand slam final and he would try to resist the pain.
It's very hard to beat Nadal when you take the ball early, hit hard and deep into his forehand, and serve well, but it damn near impossible to beat him if you defend and let him dictate important points , Federer learned this the hard way in this match.
Gherbi Hicham I
A lesson Fed should've learned long before this match. Kinda frustrating that he waited until he was 35 to finally switch up his tactics.
RandomGuy285 I don't think Federer changed anything to be honest, it's actually here that he actually tried something different (defending) but ended up losing badly, the Australian Open 2017 wasn't much different from the way he played Nadal in the past, only his body doesn't hold up anymore like it did in the past, so he plays extra aggressive tennis.
Ok Mr. Analyst... first of all Fed did not "destroy" Rafa... he barely won it in the 5th set... if Fed played so incredibly well, why did the AO17 finals go to a 5th set and why was he a break down? and more importantly why did the match only turn around when he started hitting blind winners, going for broke?!! Fed is playing well, agreed... but it is also because Rafa's forehand is not as lethal as before giving Fed the luxury to hit through the ball.. and don't start with Indian Wells and Miami, Fed has always played well against Rafa in best of 3... to put this into perspective, H2H is 23-14 because Fed also got to play that many 3 setters against Rafa. You have to accept that their Grand Slam H2H is very skewed in Rafa's favor.
Jack Gates First of all, hold your horses dude this isn't a Federer vs Nadal conversation at all.
Secondly, I love how Federer suddenly became a different player in 2017, even as Nadal fan I admit that their comeback is largely dependent on the downfall of Murray and especially Djokovic.
Federer didn't "destroy everyone in 2017" he won three tournaments and skipped the whole clay season to avoid his usual loses on the surface against Nadal and the other players, I don't see how winning the Australian Open playing three five set matches one of them against Nadal in the final is considered "destroying", if anything he barely won the tournament, and should've lost in Miami against Kyrgios.
Also Nadal could have won 5 masters and 3 slams in 2011 if it wasn't for Djokovic, Federer could have won 11 straight grand slams (from 2005 Roland garros to 2008 Australian Open) if it wasn't for Nadal, Nadal could have had "the best seasons" in 2012 and 2014 if he didn't get injured, ifs and buts don't matter in tennis.
And honestly speaking, although Nadal did have a great start to the season, I think he's playing and moving much better now since Madrid, infact I think the only reason he played the Miami final was because of an easy draw, he didn't even meet one top 10 player on his way to the final. Trying to make Nadal play great when he doesn't is an absurd way to make Federer look superior, the only really good tournament he played before the clay season was the Australian Open.
Rafa really deserved this one..to strong..
Nadal was so strong at AO2014. It's sad he got injured in the final
I mean to be fair, Nadal really should have lost to Dimitrov, so it evens out imo.
Rafa at its peak is unplayble
These were the days when it didn't matter how good you were offensively against Nadal because his passing shots and defense were just insanely good
Lol sure because he has defended his aus titles multiple times 😂😂
Simplemente Roger no era el mismo. Jugar contra robots no es fácil.
@@Rodia8637Nadal beat prime Federer in both the 2008 wimbledon final and 2009 AO final what is your pathetic excuse for that?
the point at 14:01 is one of the best terrifying winners ever from that type of position.that is the reason why nobody should serve and volley Rafa.though I guarantee now in 2018 fed will win that point easily as Rafa cannot run like that anymore and also Rafa has lost his consistency in his forehand.
Yeah that's y Rafa is doing serve and volley frequently these days
Rafael was relentless that day.... Probably the best versión i have seen from him at Australian Open along with 2012... Ironically he Lost both finals. But best level those two years 2012 and 2014... Moving quickly , serving good, killing with forehand and sharp with backhand.. when he plays this good pm fast courts he can Even top Djokovic or Roger
His back gave in, in the next match against Wawrinka.
Rafa's best level at the Australian Open has to be either 2009 or 2012. He was great in 2014 but he never played a legendary match like 2009 semis or final or the 2012 final.
@@ashleythomas4112 2012 quarter final against berdych was also equally high level
@@mysticnomad89 True, he was fantastic in that match, and he had to be because Berdych was playing a very high level himself. In the 4th set Rafa was firing off many winners as well.
@@mysticnomad89 Djokovic forever
After Federer lost this match, the head2head was Nadal 23 Federer 10
Since this match, Federer is 5-0 against Nadal, quite remarkably. Federer played Nadal 4 times in 2017 and in those four matches, he won all of them. Aus open, Indian Wells, Miami and Shanghai.
23-15 is still horrible
Head to Head doesn't count.thats what Federer fans always say which is true cause Nadal ended the year at #1 in 2017 so Nadal was the better player that year
@@masanchoquelargo Fairly respectable, really. At 16-24 he's won 40% of their matches.
08:25...what a save!
Masterful win on hardcourt. Rafa game transcends surfaces..
Before that match H2H was 22:10 for Nadal..
It is obvious to see how Roger was afraid to Nadal at that time, he was playing knowing that he didn't really want to win. It's definitely another Roger between 2017 and 2019, he had much more will !
lower back injury in this tournament forced Nadal to go slamless for 3 years between 2014 and 2017 French Open.
He did gut it out and collected the french trophy after the loss to Wawrinka.
This is the best of Rafa... I feel his service return has not been very good in last few years... But this is something else...
I don't think Federer here was so different from 2017 AO. But Nadal was much younger, moving faster, and kept shots in better here.
Absolutely yes. People don't understand that in 2017 Nadal lost 60% of his Defensive skills (Speed & Endurance). This is the only reason he lost in 2017 against Federer. Neo backhand or not, Roger is just inferior to Nadal in every sense.
Fed's cross court flat backhand was much stronger in 2017. That made the difference.
Good performance by Rafa, hardly any mistakes. This court is slow as balls. Slower than blue clay. They should've kept the green 2007 AO.
Who is here after Rafa's historic AO22 ?
ME bro!!!
Who can believe NAdal got his much awaited win in 2022 and to top that, 21GS and GOAT of Grand slams
Whenever they face each other i dont know which one i should support. Both are great sportmens
The difference in Federer’s BH quality here vs 2017 is immense. In fact, his low confidence makes him go for the run around FH more and in the process gives Rafa the additional time.
It's such a pity that Nadal later was hampered by a back injury in the final. Otherwise he would have won the title.
Yeah, of course. Before the injury Stan owned him 6:3 1*:0
@@carlleaburnhe actually tweaked his back during warm-up
Nonsense, Wawrinka beating Djokovic was proof that he would have beaten Rafa with or without the injury.
@@tolendoi123 lol it doesn't work like that. There's a thing called matchups dumbass.
@@tolendoi123exactly. Wawrinka was just the better player in that final.
Looking at this match again, it is clear that Nadal has lost a lot more to Fed because he's stopped hitting high looping but powerful shots to Fed's backhand, and not just because Fed's backhand has improved.
Yep and he stopped doing it to Novak on hardcourt too. Nadal playing more of a traditional hardcourt game over the years IE closer to the baseline, hitting less loopy shots may have helped him at times, but it was a terrible strategy against Roger and Novak. You aren't beating either of those players on hardcourt with a style that plays right in their hands. Nadal playing more of a clay style on hardcourt wasn't likely to give him the edge against Djokovic, but it gave him the best chance to win. He might win 35% or 40% of those matches against Novak playing the "old" way compared to 0% its been for a decade now. playing more traditional hardcourt tennis. With Roger, the racket change really helped him at least hit clean balls on the backhand vs Nadal's crazy topspin.
wow this match is final worthy. What an incredible level. I sleep on this match a lot but its legendary
Last two Rafa wins in GS vs Federer both in straight sets. On two surfaces in different conditions and one of them in day session, the other one in night. 10-3 overall h2h on GS. 6-0 on his terms on clay, 4-3 still outside clay for him too.
FOR ME RAFA GOAT ..BUT FEDERER HAVE CLASS SO I CALL HIM ALSO GOAT
It’s 4-4 now , 6 clay matches vs 3 grass matches is not roger fault
Rafa was not good enough to meet fed on hard court slams from 2004-2008 , he was not good enough to meet fed at Wimbledon from 2012-18 .
@@harshavardhan7237 If they met he wouldve beaten him. Heck even Wimbledon 07 was five setter, Nadal being 21. Federer wasn't good enough to meet him at hard court slam in 2010,13,19.
NLLeFa you do know that Rafa hasn’t beaten fed on hard court since 2014 . How will you assume he will beat fed if they met on hard court in 2019 . 2013 I agree he would have lost and Rafa took advantage of injured fed and he has like 4-0 or something that year . when it comes to 2010 fed won aus open and rest of year he was bad , but he did beat Rafa at year end finals
If u wanna see who is Federer's kryptonite.....watch this video.....nadal at his best is a joke!!! Unbeatable!!!
same as nadal kryptonite is djokovic , and djokovic kryptonite is andy murray , and andy murray kryptonite is federer , weeeellll im just talking shit dont take it serious , i just miss the big 4
Nadal and djokovic are eachothers kryptonite
@@taylorpack2839 Nadal is Djoker kryptonite at Roland Garros and US Open and Djoker is Rafa's kryptonite in AO and Wimbledon. And Rafa is Roger's kryptonite in AO and Roland Garros while Federer is Rafa's kryptonite at Wimbledon. And Wawrinka is Djoker's kryptonite in grand slam whenever Stan loses the first set
Was*, just as this was the last time Nadal beat Federer outside of clay.
@@theobecquet8477 Nadal is not Djokovic kryptonite in the US Open. He barely leads 2-1 and one of them was peak Nadal vs pre-prime Djokovic. They're 1-1 when both in their prime years.
Its weird they never met at the US-open
Nadal at the end clap for Federer. That is my Nadal❤. Proud to be ur biggest fan NADAL. Forever❤.
Las victorias de Nadal sobre Federer tienen un gran mérito teniendo en cuenta que en sus enfrentamientos el público siempre está a favor de Federer,y esto nadie lo puede negar.Con lo cual cada victoria de Nadal es la victoria de uno contra todos,es bestial lo que ha logrado Rafa teniendo siempre un público no digo hostil pero casi.
I cant believe how many times Federer let Nadal win. Its just incredible how he put his head down to Nadal's noise, which was powerful but not as he wanted to show it was. Djokovic never bought his stories, Nadal had to suffer so many defeats to him and struggle to get his victories. I am a little bit relieved that Federer finally got free from this chain and put behind his traumas to win five consecutive matchs. Racquet must be an issue, but maybe not the most important of them.
Excuses. You gotta watch these videos to see how great Rafa was back in the days, using all corners of the court, running towards every single ball, returning deep and stuff. Federer couldn't do it. As simple as that. Today on other hand Nadal is slower, not as confident, his forehand doesn't work as good and you can beat him if you are agressive enough, even on clay as Thiem has showed.
As for Djokovic, Nadal still led their h2h rivalry till Doha 2016. They played too many times in 2015 and 2016 in Rafa's worst form compared to Novak's best. If they played more times in 2017, h2h would've look different and btw it's still 25:26 which is pretty even if you ask me.
Just look at the 8:05 rally. There's nothing Federer can do there. In 2018, Nadal can't repeat that however. That's the difference between them then and now. Nadal is slower. Then also look the 8:19 rally. Again nothing Federer could do. Nothing.
@@NLLeFa Well, 2 years later Nadal is a monster once more... and Thiem beat in yeah, but atm, no chance at all @RG.
Federer developed the same mental block against Djokovic lol
Nadal and djokovic are intent merchants,cant best them easily,but federer has its own place in the game and his legacy is secured
@@NLLeFa Disagree. Nadal was moving well in 2017 and also in Wimbledon 2019. Federer learnt to take the ball early and hit it deep against Nadal, particularly on the backhand side. It's hard to do because of all that topspin, but he did it. Of course there's little Fed or anyone can do when on a string against Rafa. He's running like a hare here because he's way back a lot of the time and it's spectacular but it's not a winning formula. In 2017 he played in such a manner as to avoid all that running and it worked. He used his improved ability to hit on the rise to stay on the baseline which prevented Nadal from pushing him around. It looked less impressive to the untrained eye, but it was smarter tennis. About 8:19 - Makeable volley for Federer. He got caught off guard by Nadal's great get.
Unacceptable for Federer fans but Nadal is the true genius and a better player than Federer and Djokovic.
On clay yes . On grass and hard courts Fed is still a bit better than Nadal .
Gr8 1 sorry bud but Fed has beaten Nadal on clay twice , just not at the French.
Gr8 1 being 6 years younger doesn’t hurt either for Nadal.
Federer leads on hard court (11-9), grass (3-1), and indoor hard court (5-1). Nadal leads on clay (14-2) and outdoor hard court (8-6). .
Apart from their serves Federer and Djokovic won less points than Nadal. It's a fact. Nadal is the best returner and majority of his points are earned by high level of tennis.
IMO Nadal's best ever hardcourt match
And to this day this is the last time in a slam other than Roland Garros that nadal has beaten Federer in a slam, and same against djokovic (2013 US Open Final) he just can’t beat those two anymore and it does my head in.
He has become tentative ,defensive especially against Federer and ends up making lot more UEs than he used to.
roland garros 2014 vs djokovic
Take nothing away from Stan, but a healthy Nadal would have won that AO.
yes. once nadal got treatment for his injury he bagelled stan 6-0. but then the pain came back and he lost the final set i think 6-4. stan should not have won the AO.
He was best player in world by quite a distance in 2013 and carried it on into 2014.
for sure
absolutely not ,stan bad beaten nole in the "match of the year" and was playing like the no 1 seed would have beaten any player in the history that day let alone nadal
I agree
one of the more demoralizing losses for a Fedfan. in other losses to Djokovic and Nadal in majors you could say at least he fought them well and just came up short, but to get beaten badly by Rafa for the third time on a court that theoretically Federer should have the edge especially when he appeared to be coming in good form was tough to watch
So incredible!!
Pre-2017, it's almost cruel what Rafa brings to his matches against Federer. Roger can give him poland sized empty court on his forehand side, and still Rafa refuses to hit down the line, he just kept peppering Roger's backhand, each stroke with even more acute angle, even more spin.
This Nadal would put anyone to the sword.
Except stan 2 days later
Not Djokovic.
Nadal's backhand was brilliant in this match.
They aRe both Legends and True Champion
Fantastic tennis
probably Nadal's best hard court performance ever
Sad that he got injured in the final.
Pretended to be injured when he realised that Wawrinka had entered the "Stanimal" mode.. here you go fixed it for you
@@safwan6077 He got injured at the start of second set. And for someone who is a master of 5 sets match you speak muck that he pretended after losing a set? In the SF he had battered Federer.
@@TheKakarot_itachi He pretended to be injured after Wawrinka broke his serve in the 2nd set. He tried to slow down Wawrinka with his faking injury tactics and it worked because he won the 3rd set.
@@safwan6077 HE BEAT THE BRAKE OF STAN WAWARINKA AT ROLAND GAROS WHEAN HE HEALTY HE UNBETABLE KID
@@skmalaujitra9580 lol
Bravo Rafa 👏🎾❤️
I like watching these old clips of Roger just to see how drastic he had to reinvent his game in order to stay on top, I mean the guy just won his 20th slam which is truly amazing, he really is the epitome of athleticism, masterful tactics and successful strategic game change unlike his fearsome nemesis in this video who still thinks every court is made of clay
''unlike his fearsome nemesis in this video who still thinks every court is made of clay''
What do you mean?
NLLeFa ok i'll explain it to you in kindergarten mode, Rafa employs the same strategy and style on surfaces as if all were claycourts .....did you get my point or should I try infancy mode?
Well that's more due to his dumb team. Federer changed like 5000 coaches during his career to make sure he keeps improving on all surfaces and against every player. Nadal on other hand plays the same on all type of surfaces and against every player. Same tactics whether he's 23 or 31.
yip you're right about that but in all honesty it is much easier for Roger to transform and improve his game because he's just more fluent and naturally gifted than Rafa
Wouldn't really bet on that. When Rafa was 100% healthy and motivated, the level of tennis he showed was out of this world. Maybe Federer doesn't have to give his 100% to win agianst like 90% of the players, unlike Nadal. That's true.
I'll never know how Nadal forced an error from his position at 8:23
8:20 brilliant
One of the greatest matches ever
no
during this time frame, everytime federer played nadal, he caved in, he melted.... it's almost like federer new his chances of winning were slim.... he never showed mental toughness against nadal....
And people are saying if this man would've lost either way to Stan in the Finals. Healthy Rafa would of eaten him alive. Too bad after his back went out here, he was basically gone for the next 2 years
No he wasn't..? He was healthy and played at an insane level at Roland Garros. Too bad about the injury in the final though, but his lack of success in 2015 and 2016 was not because of his injury.
@@MrPatrickbuit You know he missed halg of the year in 2014. He started struggling with his back at the AO Final and carried it all year, he had issues even in the RG Final. And after all those injuries and huge time off, he couldn't find his same game in 2015-16, where he had bad form and wasn't training well... and then the injuries again in 2016. Let's face it, Djokovic fans can talk all they want but if Rafa's body didn't give out in late 2014 to 2016 Novak wouldn't have a Career Slam or 4 in a row. That's just facts.
@@ismetcehic5581 2015 and 2016 he played plenty when healthy. He just had a bad year.
@@ismetcehic5581 But yeah 2014 was a shame. He should have won the Australian Open that year imo.
@@ismetcehic5581 These sound like excuses. The saying in sports is "the scoreboard don't lie".
When these two play its magic. But Rafa was always the superior adaptive tactician whereas Federer goes off intuition so doesn’t always have a plan B.
you're wrong on so many levels that I don't even know where to begin correcting you. I will still say 2 things, though....
1) when these 2 play is NOT magic because Rafa is the only good player on the court
2) Rafa is NOT a tactician by any stretch of imagination. On the contrary, as much as I hate to admit (cause I dislike Federer) the Swiss is the tactician while the Spaniard is the hard worker. Rafa's hits are always dull, but so incredibly powerful, efficient and well placed. FedEx, on the other hand, is the tactician because he's got a variety of hits with the forehand and backhand, and comes often to the net, something that Rafa doesn't do... well, didn't do until recently anyway.
So anyway, if you want to see magic between the absolute best tennis players in the entire history of tennis watch ANY game between Rafa and Nole. They are truly the true legends of tennis, not this Swiss no-name
Bla bla you clearly know nothing about tennis . Federer has ZERO tactical ability. He had to be taught it by coaches like Edberg after 15 years of beatings.
Rafa is well known to be the best tactician. Listen to commentators, his mind is his biggest asset probably as well as his forehand. Do you know what tactics is?
You’re a fake fan.
@@yussepig6629 tactics differs from one activity to another, even in sports... and it seems that also differs from one person to another, as well. For me Federer is more technical and tactical than Rafa will ever be, and that comes from a passionate Federer hater, so I know what I'm talking about and I don't give a shit about what the commentators say. They are humans just like me, and they can be wrong as easily.
Sorry you’re clueless and it’s obvious you are a Federer fan so don’t be fake please.
Federer goes on instinct NOT tactics. That’s why Nadal out-thought him for so man years. Finally his new coach taught him how to beat Rafa sometimes by using tactics. Federe was clueless for so many years. Nadal is like a chess player , always thinking ahead.
@@yussepig6629 nice try, but you're dumb.just like your federer who can't beat Rafa with all his tactics LOL
Whoever would've thought that Fed, who's already older than Rafa, would be the stronger player in a rematch 3 years later. Their last two meetings at AO couldn't have been more different.
Hi You make THE best Videos of Tennis Maybe You Can Upload Federer VS Murray Dubai 2012
18 Grand Slams for Rafa alreay
19
@@HIMYMTR 20;)
@@HIMYMTR
21 Now and counting
The more French Opens Nadal wins the less impressive Federer's 8 Wimbledon becomes
YES COZ CLAY IS THE HARDEST TO WIN ...EVEN U HAVE GOOD SERVE ADVANTAGE
@@skmalaujitra9580 but if you have an average serve Wimbledon is the hardest slam to win.why do u think Novak defeated Nadal at 2018 Wimbledon? Novak was serving much better.18 aces I think.
@@jeffreykaufmann4625 yes ..if nadal heve ace serve like federer he already have 25 grand slam ..im happy for him..hope he can win again at hard court n grass
Wimbledon is a boring serving exhibition, even Goran Ivanisevic could win it.
You need every shot in the book as well as big fitness to win at Roland Garros. Rafa is the real GOAT, not a weak era champ beating nobodies like federer.
8 Wimbledon titles will always be impressive and special!
8:25 what the hell. ridiculous shot
When i see this match im so damn thankfull for ao17 ❤
I think people confuse best athlete with best tennis player. Nadal and Djokovic are unquestionably the greatest athletes of the open era, but Federer is the best tennis player of the three. In terms of tennis skill, it goes Federer>Djokovic>Nadal. Simply put, Djokovic and especially Nadal, are much more reliant on athleticism and strength than Federer. Take away that from each player and I am sure we all know who would easily prevail. It is clear that tennis since the mid 2,000's has been geared to favor players that are very athletic and have exceptional baseline games. These slow conditions favored Djokovic, Nadal and Murray. Is it any coincidence the same players-Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, Federer-consistently made slam quarters, semis and finals the past decade and a half? Nadal may own Federer on clay, but did anybody expect something different? Conditions favored baseline kings like Nadal. Even as Federer lost, people could easily see Federer was a much better tennis player. In regards to the Olympics, I would rank it about the same level as a master 1,000. It definitely matters, but opportunities come every 4 years and a bit of luck plays into it. Which players aren't injured, which choose to play, current form, etc play a huge role. It is a nice thing to have on your resume, but is not a must to determine the goat. In contrast, the WTF's is the 2nd most important tour in the game of tennis and one of the most difficult to win. To even participate, a player has to achieve good results in a 10 month span. Each match features the best players on the tour. Federer has 6, Djokovic 5 and Nadal 0. That is a glaring hole in the Spaniards resume and he at least needs one to be put in the goat conversation.
If you tally highlights of the most memorable, outrageous, impossible mind blowing shots it’s Nadal hands down. If Federer was the best tennis player why could he never defeat Nadal in Paris. Plenty of chances none even close. The best tennis player is the one with the most, best records. Sorry, Rafa and Novak have superior records over Roger in Grand Slams and Masters 1000’s. Nadal is also the only one with Olympic gold in singles and doubles. If your argument was valid the winner of the decathlon would be the best.
@@damohanson5393 I would contest the mindblowing shots thing. Federer's shotmaking is the best period. The angles at which Roger has hit some of his shots is literally inhuman at times. His precision and finesse is something no other player has matched. Nadal and Djokovic have done extraordinary shots due to their athleticism not their tennis talent typically.
@@JacenSolo0 shotmaking there’s an argument but Nadal has hit shots that defy description. Look at all the TH-cam videos that pertain only to shots that blow the broadcasters away. I’m talking shots that not only looked impossible to get to but then produce a winner that’s , as I said, mind blowing. I’m not debating who’s better but for highlight reels Nadal takes the cake.
'Even as Federer lost,... he's still better' 🤣🤣
Whatever excuses you're gonna make, Fed is 3rd, he won the least GS, least masters, negative h2h, only completed career slam once
@NamTran-xc2ip *Second. Federer has 6 WTF's to Nadals 0, 100+ weeks at number 1 and was clearly the better all-surface player. I suggest you watch Goatkovic's video on Federer being better than Nadal. He backs it up with really good facts and data.
Federer played ok, but ok will not cut it against this Nadal
Cuando tenes el dia tenes el día.....
A lot of things rafa did in this match, he can't do to the current fed. Fed was just getting used to the new rackethead size and the addition of the ljubed backhand helped tremedously. Now roger enjoys those bh to fh exchanges.
As a Federer fan it is painful to watch series of humiliation at Nadal’s hand! Fed is too weak against Nadal.
Federer beat Nadal five times in a row after this match....
He is not weak against Nadal anymore..
@@nishantchoudhary199 he meant to say that ...
Rashed what? Humiliating? It’s not like Federer lost to some qualifier and such. How exactly is he too weak? Fans like you pay far too much attention to the head to head instead of enjoying the competition. It’s not like Federer got blown away by Nadal in this match. You can’t even appreciate how close he made this match? Seriously, what do you appreciate? Probably not competition.
@@JiraiyaSama86 i guess you are right! They both are GOAT..
This match reminds me of the RG 2019 semi final match between them. I thought both players played extraordinarily, but in the end Nadal just grinded Federer down.
Actually this match is the worst match played by Federer ranks alongside Kevin Anderson (W 2018) also Maric Cilic (US 2014). In this phase Federer was all serve and volley, in fact the whole year, he did not make good setup shots to make a good volley, the whole 2014 season was like that. RG 2019 there is no comparison, it were conditions made for Nadal the wind and all and Federer coming after a long break...
@@bharatpenumutchu6487 ''Conditins made for Nadal'' You think he wanted to play in thunder? These kind of comments make me wonder how stupid can people be sometimes in order to defend a certain.
@@NLLeFa take a chill pill !!!! I love Federer and almost like Nadal and Novak the same.....You should understand the perspective and context. In my opinion Nadal is much better on faster courts than Federer is on clay....Is there any comparison between Federer and Nadal on Rolland Garros...i mean even if you add Bjorg+ Novak + Federer achievement on Rolland Garros it would still not add up Nadal's achievement on Rolland Garros....I think even if there was an AI Robot only to play at Rolland Garros even it cannot beat Nadal...:). Coming to the point...this match in 2014 was Federer worst performance no point did he look like beating Nadal...a lot of unforced errors... and bad decisions with serve and volleys..In 2019 it was understandable there were slower conditions and it was not his worst....already it was conducive to Nadal. In 2011 finals Federer gave Nadal a good run for his money for 3 sets....so Federer can play better than what he did it had to be the conditions....but not Federer's worst match...Again Take a chill pill.. there was no need for ad hominem ...
BOTH PLAYERS ARE STAMINA FULL, PRACTICE FULL, TECHNICA FULL, POWERFUL AND STRONG FULL ...
BUT WINER IS WONDERFUL........
Después del 2009 Roger no fue el mismo. Padre de familia y mayor por 6 años sobre esos chicos ya era difícil.
Nadal has lost his speed that is why Fed beats him these days
Really? As you say that, you do realize that the Roger Federer in question is 5 years older than Nadal, right?
@@rakeshramesh4585 roger may be older but Rafa peaked very early has played many many games ,with chronic foot injury
@And Siq The truth...
@And Siq This Rafa beats 2017 Federer 10/10 matches on outdoor hardcourt.
Rakesh Ramesh Well Federer’s game doesn’t rely on speed as much as Nadal’s. Take away Nadal’s speed on the court and you’ve got a guy that can’t beat Djokovic or Federer off clay.
Rafa speed and forheand was way better compare to 2017 Final
Create the ultimate tennis player: forehand and talent Federer, Serve and netplay Sampras, endurance and strength Nadal, mental Strength and back hand Djokovic, crowd favorite Agassi
When fed grunts I can’t help but feel he’s doing in a taunting way lol