Can Nadal catch Federer?

[Moralspain]

BTW i voted "maybe", but just because i think it's really difficult to keep this same level during many years, that being said if he plays...let's say 4 more years? (28 years old), doesn't play the Davis Cup ever again, and makes a good tournament schedule then he could get an average of 2 slams per year reaching the 17 titles, not improbable

I know there're many factors that might influence...like injuries again, the arrival of a new king of tennis, his motivation for the game, a full recovered Del Po winning everything....

Another important thing to think about is how is gonna play Federer in the years to come??, and if he's gonna be able to add more slams.

[Samael]

No chance. Nadal will retire in one week due to fishing accident.

[djarvik]

My problem with this poll is that I still think Fed is good for 2-3 slams more. His new goal is 20. AND, now that Rafa is catching up - I think his motivation is back.

Granted he is not young anymore, but he is good for 1 slam a year. Over next 4 or so.

Rafa is hit his peak (or very close to it) I think.....if he is injury free, 2011 will be even bigger for him.

[Chederer]

i voted maybe as well....as long as he stays healthy he should be able to get 16 or more slams....you can pretty much count him in for RG at least 3 definite more times and with him dominating Wimbledon like he did is amazing...i really respect this guy now...i have never seen anyone improve that dramatically on his weaknesses....that goes to show you he is "the hardest worker" in tennis ever and strongly motivated....you look at the serve...purely amazing

[Saarbrigga]

Maybe he can catch Federer s GS record, but if you ask me he s now very close to catch him as a player.

Example:
Most Formula 1 people (experts, ingeneurs, former riders etc.) still believe Senna was the greatest ever.
He won just 3 World Championships, while Schumacher won 7.

It would be so great for Spain to have someone who would get the new leading candidate for being the greatest ever in a sport.

Remember the great Miguel Indurain.
He was voted in Spain as sportsman of the century, but he was not the greatest cyclist of all time.
1) Merckx
2) Hinault
3) Armstrong
4) Anquetil
5) Coppi
6) Indurain
Cycling hall of Fame: http://www.cyclinghalloffame.com/riders/alltime25.asp

Nadal could overtake Indurain and become the greatest Tennisplayer that ever lived.

[Cro Morgan]

For Nadal to catch Federer, his game will have to continue to evolve. No way he can play as he did yesterday when he's 28/29.

[Moralspain]

Maybe he can catch Federer s GS record, but if you ask me he s now very close to catch him as a player.

Example:
Most Formula 1 people (experts, ingeneurs, former riders etc.) still believe Senna was the greatest ever.
He won just 3 World Championships, while Schumacher won 7.

It would be so great for Spain to have someone who would get the new leading candidate for being the greatest ever in a sport.

Remember the great Miguel Indurain.
He was voted in Spain as sportsman of the century, but he was not the greatest cyclist of all time.
1) Merckx
2) Hinault
3) Armstrong
4) Anquetil
5) Coppi
6) Indurain
Cycling hall of Fame: http://www.cyclinghalloffame.com/riders/alltime25.asp

Nadal could overtake Indurain and become the greatest Tennisplayer that ever lived.

believe or not my favorite cyclist has been Jan Ullrich

[Coolhand Texas]

My problem with this poll is that I still think Fed is good for 2-3 slams more. His new goal is 20. AND, now that Rafa is catching up - I think his motivation is back.

Granted he is not young anymore, but he is good for 1 slam a year. Over next 4 or so.

Rafa is hit his peak (or very close to it) I think.....if he is injury free, 2011 will be even bigger for him.

2011 be even bigger, are you calling for him to win all 4 majors? that would be the only way for it to get even bigger

[Moralspain]

For Nadal to catch Federer, his game will have to continue to evolve. No way he can play as he did yesterday when he's 28/29.

the point is he might not win again in NY, he made a great effort to get there at his 100%, he didn't play the Godó (his tennis club tournament). Nadal can add titles by winning more RG and Wimbledon tourneys, and maybe 1 more AO or 1 more US Open.
In my opinion, he should try to win the Masters next year, one of the few tournaments he has never won, the problem is that is almost impossible to get there with "fuel" for him.
Watching Rafa and his 9 GS i realize how great has been Roger Federer (16), amazing, really.

[Moralspain]

My problem with this poll is that I still think Fed is good for 2-3 slams more. His new goal is 20. AND, now that Rafa is catching up - I think his motivation is back.

Granted he is not young anymore, but he is good for 1 slam a year. Over next 4 or so.

Rafa is hit his peak (or very close to it) I think.....if he is injury free, 2011 will be even bigger for him.

2011 be even bigger, are you calling for him to win all 4 majors? that would be the only way for it to get even bigger

the thing is that Nadal is not "alone", Mr Federer, Murray, Djokovic, Del Potro... are there too, i mean Rafa can't beat these guys if he's not at his 120%, and he can't be at his 100% during all the season, just impossible. As Cro said he should evolve to achieve that.

[djarvik]

My problem with this poll is that I still think Fed is good for 2-3 slams more. His new goal is 20. AND, now that Rafa is catching up - I think his motivation is back.

Granted he is not young anymore, but he is good for 1 slam a year. Over next 4 or so.

Rafa is hit his peak (or very close to it) I think.....if he is injury free, 2011 will be even bigger for him.

2011 be even bigger, are you calling for him to win all 4 majors? that would be the only way for it to get even bigger

Yes.

[djarvik]

My problem with this poll is that I still think Fed is good for 2-3 slams more. His new goal is 20. AND, now that Rafa is catching up - I think his motivation is back.

Granted he is not young anymore, but he is good for 1 slam a year. Over next 4 or so.

Rafa is hit his peak (or very close to it) I think.....if he is injury free, 2011 will be even bigger for him.

2011 be even bigger, are you calling for him to win all 4 majors? that would be the only way for it to get even bigger

the thing is that Nadal is not "alone", Mr Federer, Murray, Djokovic, Del Potro... are there too, i mean Rafa can't beat these guys if he's not at his 120%, and he can't be at his 100% during all the season, just impossible. As Cro said he should evolve to achieve that.

He already shown us that he can evolve better then anyone in the running right now: Federer trying - but cant change his game, Del Potro may never be the same....missing a year to injury DOES matter, Murray trying but can't change enough either, Djokovic will now ALWAYS have a mental problem against Nadal on the big stage.

Rafa 4 slams in 2011.

[fedfan]

For sure it is achievable but staying fit will be a big question mark as will he progress of guys like Del Potro. Think of how long it has been since Federer was seriously injured! Roland Garros is still a banker but on quicker surfaces he is not as far ahead as he is on clay so things should be more competitive. I also agree Federer is still very much in the picture when it comes to the majors

[Chederer]

Nadal is injury prone

2004---stress fracture in foot(missed a lot of clay matches)
2005---foot injury could not play year end Masters Cup
2006---shoulder injury pulled out of tournament(still played Wimbledon)
2007---knee injury in Wimbledon final
2008---knee tendinitis could not play year end Masters Cup
2009---knee tendinitis in both knees(missed grass season including Wimbledon and did not appear until Rogers Cup)
2010---knee troubles early in year at Australian Open(withdrew from match)

[Saarbrigga]

believe or not my favorite cyclist has been Jan Ullrich

Cool!
Yes, Jan is a very gentul guy, and he was a great talent. Unfortunately he was unable to make the best of it - contrary to Armstrong.
BTW: Jan is sick at the moment. He suffers from burnout syndrom. I guess it wasn t published in Spain, right?

Do you like your countryman Contador?