So who's the male tennis GOAT?

[Master]

I take it back Nadal is truly the greatest.

I was going to post this after beating Djokovic in an epic contest on clay but waited to see if he would win the whole tournament. Nadal did. At the age 36, with his body falling apart and foot needing injections. He is on 22 grand slam titles 14 of them French, he is truly the greatest tennis player ever.

[X]

I am a big Federer fan, just love watching him play.

Having said that, I am taking absolutely nothing away from Nadal. The man is a BEAST.

To win a Grand Slam event 14 times is utterly astonishing, and I really can’t see anyone ever coming close to matching that. His athleticism and attitude are probably the best of all time.

To then also be versatile enough to win everything else at least once is amazing. Admittedly, they changes the grass and the balls at Wimbledon in a way that suited baseliners like Nadal and Djokovic a bit better is a bit beside the point.

Full respect for Nadal as a tennis player, athlete and human being.

[TitoFan]

I admit I must yield to results on the tennis court... and grudgingly I must admit the following:


Rafa Nadal is the GOAT*

[Mark TKO]

Again I come back to the difficulties of saying who the GOAT is and the arguments for each.

Nadal is suffering now and for me will likely remain on 22 now unless he just comes back for the French next year, whereas Djokovic could potentially add one or two more. The Fed won't get another now.

I did a slam season prediction above based on them all in their prime and taking Djokovic out of that I see prime Fed v prime Nadal in all four finals.

Fed wins Australian
Nadal hammers him in French final (Nadal on clay has to be the greatest domination of an event in sporting history)
Fed wins Wimbledon
The American goes all the way to a deciding tie break, flip a coin, but in their prime I'd fancy Roger that little bit more

So there you go, that's my opinion on the GOAT and I have Roger swaying it.

As said above by X they did change the surfaces and balls at Wimbledon to favour the baseliners. Don't know why they did this as I liked that type of game at Wimbledon in 80s and 90s as it made it a bit different. Roger would have defo won more Wimbledons with this style.


Anyway the debate will go on and on for decades. An era we've been lucky to witness.

[Master]

Nadal is a warrior and just keeps on amazing me. He won yesterday and should have retired but would not give in. He is in the semi final now, against Kyrgios who I also like because he has attitude, so we will see what happens.

[TitoFan]

http://www.espn.com/tennis/bracket?i...pe=1&year=2022


If it comes down to Rafa vs Novak......... I'm rooting for Novak.

[Mark TKO]

Can't root for Djokovic.

I don't think Nadal can beat Djokovic on grass if fully fit so carrying a potential injury that needs to withstand two more hard matches.....

I like Kyrgios bad boy attitude but sadly to carry it off you have to be one of the best and he's never done it results wise. And although I'd rather have Rafa win I think Kyrgios has a better chance of beating Djokovic as he'll be fully fit.

As for that British\ South African bloke he's done well to get here but I see nothing other than Djok in 3 sets. Feel free to prove me wrong.

Perhaps Nadal can sprinkle a bit of clay on the surface discreetly hidden in his pockets (think Andy getting rid of the rocks in the Shawshank rec yard). That could change everything.