[Kowchi]

I'm not going to re hash the whole history, but Wimbledon 2008 is was, the GOAT match between two GOATs. It was the famous changing of the guard as Nadal established himself as a new threat to the tennis world, the clay champion proved he could do more than win on clay and that he was here to deny Federer from becoming a 30 slam champion.

Federer always believed and was told he was the greatest and was destined to win it all. And he definitely believed that up until barely losing as the sun was setting. You could see a look on his face for the first time in the trophy ceremony, doubt.

We know the history after that, 6 months later Nadal had Federer literally crying and it took almost 9 years later before Federer could truly conquer his greatest foe.

But Wimbledon 2008 felt to me like the straw that broke the camel's back.

Of course there were some techincal limitations with high moon ball to Federer's backhand, but 2017 he proved there was a way to win...

Here is my question to MTF, do you think the rivalry would have changed at all if Federer had won Wimbledon 2008 or would the outcome still be the same?

 

[Hamdam]

in 2008, Federer had bigger threat than Nadal: mono. if not for the mono in 2008, Federer would ruled the tennis years to come. Federer is the unluckiest player ever.

 

[Kowchi]

in 2008, Federer had bigger threat than Nadal: mono. if not for the mono in 2008, Federer would ruled the tennis years to come. Federer is the unluckiest player ever.

What about AO 2009?

 

[Budadiii]

The first slam loss off clay to Nadal and first loss at Wimbledon in 6 years, was the "straw that broke the camel's back" ?

That saying is intended for an event which is equal or pales to an ongoing series of previous events, but simply happens to be "the straw" which breaks it.

It doesn't apply in this instance at all.

 

[Budadiii]

What about AO 2009?

Turn your sarcasm detector on

 

[Pantera2]

in 2008, Federer had bigger threat than Nadal: mono. if not for the mono in 2008, Federer would ruled the tennis years to come. Federer is the unluckiest player ever.

Except for the fact he never had mono as if he had he wouldnt be able to get out of bed let alone play tennis at even club level.

2008 was the year it was clear he was the 3rd wheel. Smashed by Djokovic at AO humiliated by Nadal at FO and schooled by Nadal at W.

Had federer made use of all the rain delays disturbing Nadals rhythm and won W he would be closer to top 2 in GOAT debate. That loss and his 0-3 v Djokovic at his pet slam cements his legacy as 3rd of his era.

 

[Bakano]

Bitch please

 

[oshobiintro]

The crazy thing is those 3 40-15s

 

[BauerAlmeida]

Rome 2006 would have changed the rivalry. A Bo5 win in his worst surface against Nadal's best when he was virtually unbeatable on it would have been a huge boost. He wouldn't have wasted all those BP in 2007 or gone AWOL after the first set in 2006 (speaking about their RG encounters). Wimbledon obviously didn't help, but Nadal was the favorite, he had destroyed him at Roland Garros (which was expected, but not with that scoreline) and Federer was losing to players like Roddick, Stepanek, baby Murray and Fish which was unimaginable until very recently

 

[Kowchi]

Rome 2006 would have changed the rivalry. A Bo5 win in his worst surface against Nadal's best when he was virtually unbeatable on it would have been a huge boost. He wouldn't have wasted all those BP in 2007 or gone AWOL after the first set in 2006 (speaking about their RG encounters). Wimbledon obviously didn't help, but Nadal was the favorite, he had destroyed him at Roland Garros (which was expected, but not with that scoreline) and Federer was losing to players like Roddick, Stepanek, baby Murray and Fish which was unimaginable until very recently

I think Wimbledon was the nail in the coffin. After that he was a broken man, there was still hope on Grass his favorite surface.