Tennis: Wimbledon 2022
- Thread starter Tuggy
- Start date
The mental hold the top guys have over the rest of the field in the big moments time and time again is utterly remarkable. It's like watching 3 Michael Jordans in one generation.
John Price
Bet
- Sep 19, 2008
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Vamos Rafa
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Scandale du Jour
JordanStaal#1Fan
Rafa is such a warrior. I hope he can win this tournament.
Djokovic will probably beat him in straight sets, but still...
Djokovic will probably beat him in straight sets, but still...
Rafa is pure class too. So easy to pull for him
Foppberg
Registered User
Eh, I wouldn't go that far. If it ends up with Novak at 23 and Rafa stays at 22, there's no way you can say Djokovic is the GOAT. It'll be a debate that goes on for a long time.
Not at the moment, though. Grand Slam titles are the primary currency and he needs two more, I figure, as he gets the benefit of a doubt in a tie.
In the public imagination, though, I think Rafa and Roger will be seen as the true legendary figures for some time.
MsMeow
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- Nov 4, 2005
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Big boooos when Kyrgios is mentioned to Rafa. This is going to be a really one sided match as far as fan support goes.
Nadal On Clay
Djokovic > Nadal > Federer
- Oct 11, 2017
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The GOAT debate is between Djokovic and Nadal. Federer is a clear 3rd and I don’t expect him to gain any ground from here on out.
weems
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- Jul 3, 2008
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This just simply comes down to stamina with Novak and Rafa.
These guys can keep an elite level into hour 4 and beyond while almost everyone else is just toast at that point.
Props to Fritz for playing a very good match and tournament. Both him and Sinner showed me alot in these two matchs even tho they ended in defeat.
These guys can keep an elite level into hour 4 and beyond while almost everyone else is just toast at that point.
Props to Fritz for playing a very good match and tournament. Both him and Sinner showed me alot in these two matchs even tho they ended in defeat.
Foppberg
Registered User
It would be the most Nick Kyrgios thing ever to win Wimbledon, and then not come close to that level ever again.
Or just retire and play when he feels like it.
Or just retire and play when he feels like it.
I am not exposed
Registered User
Very curious to see what kind of physical shape Nadal will be in for the SF.
Fritz should have won this match.
Fritz should have won this match.
I am not exposed
Registered User
The GOAT debate is stupid. Not just in tennis, but in all sports. As is the word GOAT. Can't believe I typed that awful acronym twice.
I think that's based on off the court stuff as well and how much they're beloved. If we're talking strictly on court, Djokovic has a strong argument to be the best of the 3. Hell, he was pushing Federer to the brink in U.S. Opens when Federer was at his absolute peak and Djokovic was 20-21 and barely scratching the surface of what he would become, a Djokovic that was poorly conditioned at the time.
The thing is, he's not nearly done yet either as opposed to Nadal whose career is running on fumes and Federer who is done winning slams so he might have another 5-8 slam titles left in him which could well make him the undisputed best ever.
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Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
The whole idea that Nadal or Federer should be considered better because of perception is stupid. Look at the resumes at the end of their careers. That’s what matters. It doesn’t matter who had more fans, a more likable style, or who any person believes is more noble. All that stuff shouldn’t matter for the debate of who was the best.
JackSlater
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- Apr 27, 2010
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I enjoy watching old man Nadal play tennis. It defies reason that he can still win with how he looks moving around, and yet he does.
The tennis "GOAT" debate is tedious when people fixate on grand slam results alone. It's a solid enough way to compare players in the 21st century, where they all focus on that, but it fails as the be all end all for comparisons across history. Greats used to skip the Australian Open regularly and for quite a while the world's best players weren't allowed to play in the grand slams because of the stupid ban on professional players. No one ever considered Roy Emerson the "GOAT" when he held the record for most grand slams for over three decades, but that changed when the media started talking up Sampras taking the record in 2000.
The tennis "GOAT" debate is tedious when people fixate on grand slam results alone. It's a solid enough way to compare players in the 21st century, where they all focus on that, but it fails as the be all end all for comparisons across history. Greats used to skip the Australian Open regularly and for quite a while the world's best players weren't allowed to play in the grand slams because of the stupid ban on professional players. No one ever considered Roy Emerson the "GOAT" when he held the record for most grand slams for over three decades, but that changed when the media started talking up Sampras taking the record in 2000.
Foppberg
Registered User
Ugh. I really hope Rafa will be healthy enough to play against Kygrios, he doesn't sound very optimistic though.
I doubt this debate ends any time soon. I am currently in the Nadal camp, but that could change if Nole catches up to Rafa. That being said, in terms of greatness, I think all three have an excellent case. To me "best" is quantifiable, but "greatness" is more subjective and allows for considerations other than the coldly statistical. I mean what does one make of Rafa's fighting spirit, his relentless willingness to never quit, no matter the limits of what mere mortals might do. Or the impact that Roger had on the sport and his many accomplishments that have made him the people's choice because of their gratitude for what he has given them and the impact he has had on the game itself. Yes, these are "intangibles" but greatness can embrace intangibles much more easily than "best" is capable of doing. On that level, to me they are each the greatest ever in their own way.
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JianYang
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- Sep 29, 2017
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Depends on his recovery, but it looks like he got his injury in a real tough area. He might not even get to the final.
Beau Knows
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I don't know that that's a super compelling argument. Federer did that same thing in the other direction, pushing Djokovic to the brink at Wimbledon at 37.
