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Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of the year?

20K views 122 replies 65 participants last post by  Matt01 
#1 · (Edited)
I might as well open a new thread about this. It seems like 2017 will revive one of the most epic rivalries of all time. With Murray and Djokovic struggeling, it could very well be that Federer and Nadal are going to end up on the two top spots at the end of 2017. Like in the old times :)

Federer right now has the upper hand. He already won one Slam and one Masters. Furthermore, he beat Nadal already two times. But as things stand right now, I consider it likely that Nadal will win the FO and at least one masters on clay.

So who will win more titles at the end of 2017? And who will have a higher ranking? Discuss!
 
#3 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

Nadal won't win a major anymore. AO was a fluke. The pressure in RG is too huge, that's why he fails

And as for the thread, Nadal gonna be close to Fed in the race in the clay season, but afterwards it's Federer again with the upper hand.
 
#7 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

Nadal won't win a major anymore. AO was a fluke. The pressure in RG is too huge, that's why he fails

And as for the thread, Nadal gonna be close to Fed in the race in the clay season, but afterwards it's Federer again with the upper hand.
:spit: He won it 9 times with 71-2 record and 4-time streak and 5-time streak. He won 2011 F first set coming back from 2-5 and won against Isner in an epic 5 setter, won against Djokovic in the fifth setter coming back from 2-4 down, arguably his best RG match under immense pressure. What do you mean he fails?
 
#5 ·
I'll go with Rafa. Just get a feeling he's gonna sustain this level. Just a gut feeling
Every other post I read recently is:"I have a feeling." I have a feeling this guy is gonna win, I have a feeling if this guy wins he will lose the next match...... So many feelings. Is this a fortune telling forum?
 
#14 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

The fact that this question is even asked should tell you how much RAFA has declined. This matchup was as NID as it could get across ALL surfaces and conditions (except indoors) when RAFA was in his prime years.
 
#30 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

The fact that this question is even asked should tell you how much RAFA has declined. This matchup was as NID as it could get across ALL surfaces and conditions (except indoors) when RAFA was in his prime years.
1. Federer has a winning record on grass in Rafa's "prime" and he actually bagelled Rafa... speaking of bagels :haha::haha: Kohlscreiber!

2. Many of the matches between these two ATG's were very close, it was a tricky match-up for Federer but hardly NID.

3. You Nadaltards seem to forget that Federer has also declined, just look at his forehand on the run. Plus Nadal has 5 years on Fed.

4. I believe you may want to update your signature ;)
 
#21 ·
Incorrigible Rafatards are incorrigible
You make a mistake saying he fails under pressure at RG(yet to happen) and when Nadal fans, neutrals and even A Federer fan(Steelfin) rebutt you with logic and stats, Rafatards are incorrigible. Well done. Enjoy your time here.
 
#16 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

It can happen but the fact is that neither Djokovic nor Murray have brought their A-game yet. Murray did cruise to victory in Dubai and will be hungry for more, that's for sure. Djokovic doesn't seem too comfortable away from the spotlight either.

Roland Garros is still a few months away and many things can happen.
 
#17 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

Vulturedull got a solid opportunity to finish the year top-3 or even higher because of every single tournament he always participates never ever feeling fatigued and his lucky laughable draws, and so many mud all around as always he still benefits from. That's why we need Djokovic and Murray at block the faster the better cause the old man can't stay a young one all the time :smoke:
 
#20 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

First of all both need to stay injury free.

And then it will be interessting to see who will have the upper hand at the end of the season. At the moment Roger is in front with a GS and a Master. If he wins Miami it should be Roger with the higher year end ranking. But if Nadal wins Miami and with the clayseason upcoming it will be a close call.
 
#23 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

After winning 2014 FO, Rafa himself said in his victory speech that it would be his last grand slam and he may not win any more. He only knew whats going on. So I doubt he is going to win any more slams including RG. He has declined a lot and only his playing style to be blamed for it. Roger also declined but he was still able to make finals/semis at majors since winning 2012 Wimbledon. I had the same opinions about Fed, but I believe he can win few more after the way he has been playing since the beginning of this year and winning AO. Go Fed!
 
#25 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

in terms of rankings, let's see if Fed is really making a push for #1. i.e. if he actually plays more than like 3 clay events. If he's within 1000 points of Nadal after RG, I think it's fair to say he'll finish ahead barring injury. Anything less than 2500 is doable.
 
#26 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

Nadal's improvement has been quite shocking to me. Last year he looked dead and everyone was saying his intensely physical style had finally caught it up with him, which seemed like a logical argument. Yet against Sock, and others, it looked like the old Rafa and all those fierce battles of the past don't seem to be relevant. And yet I trust Fed will continue to play with complete freedom and ultimately superior quality will win out.
 
#27 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

Tough one. Honestly I would expect Nadal to have a strong clay swing, winning at least 1 Masters and at least SF or Final of RG. He should be ahead of Federer in the race after RG, but not by a lot. I think Federer will close that during the grass and will probably be about even, so it's what they do on North American HC that will be important and if their bodies hold up. Hopefully it does and we see them both at WTF. They were a huge miss last year.

Also I'm not a Nadal fan but any poster that thinks he "fails" at RG shouldn't be taken very seriously at all.
 
#28 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

tough call. It'll be interesting to see if they can continue at this level. Nadal has looked pretty decent in Miami and made it further than expected. Health will also be a big question, can they both stay healthy? Nadal gets injured out of nowhere and can lead to months away whereas Federer's back could flare up, he may also play a limited schedule. Nadal seems to be playing everything so more opportunities for points.
 
#33 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

Both play excellent tennis at the moment. Both are at the age where their form can collapse at any moment and remain shit till the end of the season. So impossible to predict, really.
 
#37 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

Damn.. FedererTheOne is so fuckin annoying.

I don't think any of them will continue at this great level. I do think Rafa is going to have a great Clay season with RG included.
I also think Federer can win Wimbledon in June.

If I have to bet... Im going with Federer; but my opinion can change if Rafa wins Miami. That would be a great confidence-booster.

I pick Federer because I see sone tournaments he can go really deep, and considering he won 2 big ones, those points would help him a lot. Halle, Wimbledon, Cincy, Basel.
4000 points there, if he gets 2500-3000 there. That's big.
 
#39 ·
Damn.. FedererTheOne is so fuckin annoying.

I don't think any of them will continue at this great level. I do think Rafa is going to have a great Clay season with RG included.
I also think Federer can win Wimbledon in June.

If I have to bet... Im going with Federer; but my opinion can change if Rafa wins Miami. That would be a great confidence-booster.

I pick Federer because I see sone tournaments he can go really deep, and considering he won 2 big ones, those points would help him a lot. Halle, Wimbledon, Cincy, Basel.
4000 points there, if he gets 2500-3000 there. That's big.
Since 2004, with the exception of 2010 when Nadal was at his most absolute peak, the only years when Nadal finished ahead of Fed were when Fed sustained injury or illness: 2008, 2013, 2016.

If both are healthy throughout the years, I have to give it to Federer.
Why?
Federer is a much more rounded player (ie. More talented) who can go deep in a lot more tournaments than Nadal.

So, here's hoping both are injury and illness-free all year long.
 
#40 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

All I want to see is a lot more matches between healthy Federer and healthy Nadal in ALL tourneys post-RG.

I want them to play each other in Halle, Wimbledon (early round if possible), Cincy, USO, Shanghai, Paris, Basel, WTF.
 
#42 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

Too early to tell but Rafa might sweep the clay season if Nole is still slumping (I am not expecting it but still). Let's talk again after RG.

However, you can't expect Murray and Nole to be out of this race, they'll come back strong. Fed and Rafa might very well fight for #3/4 spots.
 
#44 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

Obviously to hard to predict now... all speculation at this point. If one is lucky enough to predict results for these two this year - then that is exactly what they are 'lucky'!

Too many variables involved at this point in their careers! Nadal does have a great chance to win Miami for the first time, then have a strong clay season and RG - no reason to believe he will not (injuries etc. aside). Even if he does diminish, as most years, post clay this would give him a big advantage/ lead over Fed.

Fed's continued form is dependant on his fitness and mentality which he has to manage astutely. A small injury, fatigue (both mental or physical) other distractions etc., could invariably drop his level just enough to slow his results. On the other hand he could manage his clay schedule well and pick up a few points and have a strong run a W and win it, then anything is possible.

At this point I have no way of knowing, just have a 'gut feeling' that Nadal still has a run in him (clay season).
 
#45 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

As expected, Nadal won Monte Carlo. With Murray, Djokovic and Wawrinka failing again, it's even more likely that the number 1 spot will be decided between Federer and Nadal.

Current standing in the race:

1. Federer: 4045
2. Nadal: 3235

I think it's save to say that Nadal will surpass Federer during the clay season. The question is: how many points will he be ahead?

It would be no suprise given Nadals current form if he wins Rome and Roland Garros. It could very well be that Nadal could go into the grass season with a 2000+ points lead. But since the spaniard usually performs very poor in the second half of the season, we could be in for a hitchcock final. Settle up, guys, it's going to be awesome!

 
#53 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

As expected, Nadal won Monte Carlo. With Murray, Djokovic and Wawrinka failing again, it's even more likely that the number 1 spot will be decided between Federer and Nadal.

Current standing in the race:

1. Federer: 4045
2. Nadal: 3235

I think it's save to say that Nadal will surpass Federer during the clay season. The question is: how many points will he be ahead?

It would be no suprise given Nadals current form if he wins Rome and Roland Garros. It could very well be that Nadal could go into the grass season with a 2000+ points lead. But since the spaniard usually performs very poor in the second half of the season, we could be in for a hitchcock final. Settle up, guys, it's going to be awesome!

Nadal seems unstoppable on clay. He is closing the gap to Federer:

1. Federer: 4045
2. Nadal: 3735


It's very likely Nadal is going to surpass Federer in Madrid. He could extend his lead in Rome. Since Federer most likely plays Roland Garros, too, i expect the lead of Nadal after the Slam to be +- 2000 points. Federer can easily close that gap, since I expect him to perform better in Wimbledon, at the US Open and the WTF than Nadal.
 
#46 ·
Re: Federer vs. Nadal - who will have the upper hand at the end of 2017?

The only way Rafa ends the year as #1 is if Djok and Murray continue their slump the whole clay court season but regain form right after RG and stop Federer from winning anything above 500 level.
 
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