Pressure on Federer

[LegendsofSport]

The pressure is all on Federer. If Nadal loses it doesnt effect his legacy all that much. 14 time GS winner. Already beaten Federer 3 times at this tournament. Already holds a 2:1 win advantage over Federer and dominates virtually all statistics head to head with Roger.

If Roger loses the monkey stays on his back and the elephant stays in the room. For someone likes me who likes both players, I am leaning towards supporting Fed just to get the elephant to leave.

Thoughts?

Dan (LOS)
Fed vs Nadal history: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4tN5hCHizV-kwzPmcLjzXg

 

[AnonymousFan]

I feel like neither was expected to make the final, and also the result of this one final won't diminish either player's achievements.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

You could turn this around, and say the pressure is on Nadal: If Fed wins this, then he will never catch his GS tally.

In reality, I think they don't primarily care about such things, so the pressure is probably on both equally. Although it is true - and Federer admitted as much - that the number of losses against Nadal have affected his mentality, so maybe he does feel more that he has got something to prove.

But in any case, you should definitely support Fed! :clap

 

[El Dude]

I don't agree, Dan. If Roger wins he's still got an awful h2h against Nadal - and there is no way that is going to change. If Rafa wins, all he proves is that he still has the matchup edge over Roger.

The point being: this is a big title for both, but doesn't at all change their historical relationship.

 

[LegendsofSport]

I don't agree, Dan. If Roger wins he's still got an awful h2h against Nadal - and there is no way that is going to change. If Rafa wins, all he proves is that he still has the matchup edge over Roger.

The point being: this is a big title for both, but doesn't at all change their historical relationship.

I tend to disagree. Rafa will always have a better H2H but if Roger goes 18 and beats Rafa in the process, he is the greatest. No doubt. If Rafa gets him again, and its 15 and 24-11, 10-2, then it just leaves in the elephant in the room sitting there unable to get out.

I think the realization either way will come after match point when the talk of 'the greatest' really picks up, and it surely will.

 

[El Dude]

OK, but look at it this way: Even if Rafa wins, Roger has a better overall record and the gap is still significant. It isn't just the two Slam advantage, its five World Tour Finals to Rafa's zero, two more year-end #1s, and over three more years worth of weeks at #1.

The biggest weakness of Rafa's resume is, in my view, his relatively low week count at #1 - he's at 141, with McEnroe (170), Novak (223), Connors (268), Lendl (270), Sampras (286), and Roger (302) all ahead of him, most of them by 2-3 years worth.

The other big gap is the lack of a World Tour Finals title. This is a pretty big omission for a GOAT candidate to have.

Right now I see him about coeval with Novak, and maybe a hair behind Sampras. With another Slam title he'll edge ahead of Novak and maybe also Pete. But for him to be considered the GOAT, I think he needs at least 200+ weeks at #1 and at least one WTF title, plus another Slam or two.

Now if he gets to 20 Slams, I might think differently. But that is highly unlikely.

 

[LegendsofSport]

I think world number 1 is all well and good for people to look at but at the end of the day its about titles and beating your opponent. You dont play world number 1s on a court. You play your opponent. I wouldnt worry about that too much.

As for world tour finals, yes none. It hasnt been his best tournament. Its the place Fed has really dominated him. I think its 4-1 there.

Mine is simplier. If Roger is the best, and he is, and the second best, who is not that far behind, dominates you, then you cant really be the goatest. Federer ahead 5-3 first set!