Fed almost looked as if he didnt want to be there..he was lousy..was sad to see him so nonchalant.

Worst is he didnt show much fighting qualities..and I thought people put their sweat and blood on the line during Davis cup..atleast I have seen Rafa, Djoko, Delpo (though he lost both matches in final), Ferrer etc do it

Oops, what a difference 4 years makes. But that was then and this is now.
sanju, tend to disagree, think it was Wawa who let the side down. He was p. poor.
Wish I could see the grin on Ricky's face, especially after Isner's win...;)

Didn't Federer say before the tie he was wary about getting injured? (seem to remember him in a Video on Eurosport.uk) He certainly didn't put up much of a fight...

no deuce I disagree..Stan..Fish match was a 5 setter thriller..

Feds match got wrapped in 4 sets

Fish is ranked far higher than Isner too..

Isnt Fed far better on clay than Stan? Dont people talk of him as second best clay courter of his generation after Rafa?

Whohas been world No 1? Who is the holder of 16 slams?Who is expected to hold the baton and lead the way? Was it not Feds loss that put the curtains on? Look at Mardys tweet ' he openly said biggest credit is to Isner for wat he did yesterday'. How can Fed not show the fighting spirit..its okay if he was out of form..he was so lethargic on court and didnt even put a fight in front of his countrymen..very disappointing

sanju, meant in doubles, didn't see other matches.

I think Roger and Stan knew they were in trouble after the US won the second set. Mardy and Mike were on fire, and I think it's a shame that many are fingerpointing at Stan for the loss, when in fact Roger was far than impressive and should take a share of the credit.

Fed didn't look sharp this DC tie. In this doubles match alone, he was making so many errors, he appeared a bit slow out there. Needs time to get used to clay? After all he had to switch surface for this week, from hard to clay, and come next week, switch back to hard surfaces again. His game is still better on hard than on clay. Let's see whether he's good enough to win at Rotterdam next week, on his best indoor hard court.

Luckystar - Dont you have anything else to do in your day-to-day routin? Dont think I read everything you write, I can still see how many posts your write, there is also NNY same as you, I must say Nadline far better than you both, just do something else, it is not worth it just spending so much time writing something that does not matter at all in the end. May be you have done everything you could already, I am sorry if it is so, then I think you are about 80 years old.

I know one must deice on his/her own what do with his/her time but too much is too much, I know you sense it.

thats enough out of you, vmm

You guess right vmm, I'm a retiree but not in the eighties. I opt for early retirement in my forties and that was a few years back, that's why I can afford watching tennis matches almost day and night, and that's why I can afford to comment on matches and sometimes on players. I just plan my finance properly and now am living on my investment income.

FYI, I comment more on Rafa and his matches more than any other players. I think I have the right here to post my comments and need not seek your approval.

Thanks Ricky.

vmm, FYI just in case you ask, I live in the Asian time zone, in Singapore, so I can afford to do my stuff during the day here, get ready by 5pm my time(abt 10 or 11am European time) and start watching tennis matches, especially those on European soil. For the American ones which are about 12 to 16 hours behind my time, I simply sleep early and wakes up early morning and watch them. The AO and Asian ones turn out not so good a timing for me, as I've to spend my days watching the matches, and have to do some recordings if I have other things to do during the days. Now with Internet or whatever online transactions one need not even get out of one's home and still can get things done. Would that be enough to satisfy your curiosity?

Wow! I come on here to discuss tennis and what do I see! Nice going, vmm!

What I cannot understand, is why age has come into how and why I post here. I don't get it.

Well, I am not going anywhere, despite the insults from vmm, who presumes to know me. However, I am not about to explain why I post and how or when.

Oh and thanks, Ricky.

To get back to tennis, I have to say that Isner really played some outstanding tennis against Fed. I am really impressed with the quality of his groundstrokes. He really is much more than just a big guy with a serve now.

I did hear Justin Gimelstob on the tennis channel, say that whoever laid down this clay court surface should be sued. He also said that Mardy Fish checked it out and told him that he felt very confident about playing on this surface.

Fed didn't seem to be that comfortable in his match with Isner. His shots didn't have the penetration that you normally see from him. When all is said and done, all credit goes to Isner for playing quality tennis and staying mentally tough to get the win.

I didn't see the doubles match, just the end when the Americans won. Congratulations USA team on winning in just three matches! Well done!

Maya, according to "Tenniswharehouse" Fed felt the same! Tut, tut Fed., OK for me to say it but not you...;)
Doesn't and shouldn't matter if you're nine or ninety nine, the internet is the gr8 equaliser.

vmm obviously doesn't like what we have to say. Frankly vmm, you must be guilty of spending a lot of time on here reading our posts. Maybe you are jealous that we seem to have plenty of leisure time.

@ sanju
'Isnt Fed far better on clay than Stan? Dont people talk of him as second best clay courter of his generation after Rafa?'

This match against isner doesen't mean dat he is not the second best clay courter
just by one match u can't say dat he is not the second best

vmm would you like me to send you my daily itenerary for your approval?

fedexpress..You misconstrued my statement..I didnt say he is not the second best clay courter after Rafa..I said given that he is and is regarded as second best after Rafa..he should have stepped up and won it which he didnt as he was way too lethargic on court and hardly dsplayed any fighting spirit.

Big congrats to team USA - enjoyed the doubles but have to admit that Fed did not seem to be trying very hard. However, the doubles team of Mardy & Bryan brother played great - they deserved the win. Wish I could have seen the 2 singles matches.

Lucky you luckystar. I used to live in Singapore when I was in my teens as my dad was in the army. I loved it. You enjoy your early retirement and your tennis - some are obviously not impressed by Fed's performance so you and NNY are getting the backlash. Not to worry it's their problem.

Any ideas as to where I could see the Isner v Fed match?

Thanks schatz. I'll certainly enjoy my retirement and my tennis watching, especially when Rafa is playing. I've no idea where you can watch a replay of that Fed/Isner match, maybe Ricky or the others can help?

schatz, the USO/Switzerland replay is shown on Brit Eurosport immediately after GB v Slovakia which starts at 12.45 GMT. For Fed v Isner and Wawa v Fish you can get it on DVD from TennisDVDWorld for £9.50 ea including postage.

Mardy Fish called it before the tie started. He said the new indoor clay court was terrible, very slow with lots of bad bounces and that he thought it would be impossible to break Isner's serve on such a court. I'm wondering if Rog and Stan even practiced doubles? They didn't really expect to play dubs since they thought the singles would go well for them. Roger got such a bad bounce in the last doubles game that he even whiffed on one shot!

In the USA Tennis Channel is showing lots of replays of the tie this week.

For Switzerland to actually have a shot at a DC cup Fed would have to play every tie and maybe every rubber. That would be a HUGE commitment. (I know Berdych does that - kudos to him.) Rog and Stan performed heroically in Australia to stay in the world group so I'm not questioning their DC motivation.

Grats to the USA for sure! Huge win for them. But they had an equally big loss last year vs Spain in Texas.

nadline 10:48 AM "vmm would you like me to send you my daily itenerary for your approval?"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. post of the year.

^^^Glad to oblige, Ricky. :)

It's 5-0 to the USA against Switzerland.

Roger blames Stan for the whitewash:

"I played well enough in doubles, but Stan not so much,? the AP quoted Federer as saying in French. "Stan didn?t have his best match in singles. It?s a shame, because of that defeat we weren?t able to put the U.S. under pressure."

The Swiss journalist Svenja Mastroberardino, who was also on site, reported that Federer said in Swiss German, "Stan didn't play well and I had two close matches..."

He is such a bad loser.

Nadline, that's a bit out of context. If you watched Fish/Waw, it was obvious that both of them were playing well below their best, making multiple unforced errors, shanking shots, etc. The Fed/Isner match was actually quite amazing; Roger didn't play a bad match, but credit to John, he was just too good. That is all that Roger was implying, he wasn't laying the blame of Switzerland's defeat on Stan.

Oh please! Why making excuses for Fed's stupid remarks? It was obvious what he meant and he did mean what he said. It's just that it's NEVER his fault, it's always someone else, or the other guy was lucky... Rarely does he say the opponent played better. Rather, it's him who played bad. Please. Really a sore loser.

Danica, I have very recent Fed quotes to rebut your bitter assertion: This is after the AO loss to Rafa.
"I thought Rafa played well from start to finish, really. At the end was a bit better. It was a tough match physically as well, but, you know, only beginning of the season.
"You know, works as well at the highest of levels. Yeah, we also kind of, you know, play well against each other. I always think he plays a bit better against me than against other players, but that?s good for him."

Enough said.
I don?t think it was that bad. I?m always gonna miss forehands because I have to go after the ball. If I just put it into play he?ll smack it. So it?s pretty simple. I have to keep him driving it, and obviously at times I clipped the tape a bit too often.

And I don't understand people who say Roger's a sore loser. People who know far better than you, far better than me, really, seem to almost always vote for him for the Sportsmanship Award. Gotta be a reason, don't you think?

Once again, it's always Roger's comments that are taken out of context. No other player suffers from this problem. Give us a break!!

It's pretty well accepted by fair tennis fans that Roger has always been a bad loser and Nadline it right, it's always someone or something else's fault (the darkness, the sore back, he couldn't move properly, or "Rafa only wins when I'm not playing my best" blah blah...) and never his fault. Extra-extra large ego!!

I put Roger's quotes up to precisely silence arguments like yours, jean. Evidently, I failed.

Danyalrasool, I am not taking anything out of context, you can go and read the whole thing yoursel on link provided.

You are also being selective because Roger always eventually finds excuses. After losing to Rafa at the 2009 Australian Open, he said ?the better player does not necessarily win a five-set match, with the last set being all about momentum."

He generally sounds gracious soon after the match but later on he can't help himslef but come up with excuses.

Stan is guilty... not me! I am perfect!!!...
Maybe three years ago... I wrote here that when Fed goes... it will be drama queen with lot of scandals and crying and all kind of theatre ...
I always thought that he is LOAT... ( luckiest of all time)...
Born in good time... or weak era :)
Bulling and pushing his opponents with quick serving...
Fake product of perfect marketing ... ( Congrats Mirka! )
Pathetic looser... but this?
Even for such lousy character as his... this is too much... so openly he is washing his hands and throwing guiltiness on Stan...
And this guy has few Sportsmanship Awards... LOL... How did he got it...I wonder??
Maybe one day Mirka will explain...
And every time...EVERY TIME... when gossip queen EXfed talks his usual garbage...
here they are... the believers ! ... like Rasool... they will explain to us what EXfed wanted to say...
.......
I can hardly wait continuing of this season... with Exfed main role in Mexican soap opera.... LOL::::

Danya, Roger has a certain, well deserved, respect for Rafa. Rafa is the only player who has such a great H2H against Rog, and yet, he still can't praise him - he can go only so far as to say that "he played well... was a bit better...". C'mon. He lost to many a player in recent years but his ego wouldn't allow him to acknowledge the quality of the opponent when it's due. Poor Stan is literally bullied by his attitude. What he said is really not nice and fair even if true.

As for Sportsmanship Award, I am puzzled, it's true. Someone who tosses water bottles so the poor kids on court have to pick them, or who screams "shut up!" to his opponent's box, or who never encourages his opponent to challenge a call, who doesn't know how to say anything nice about his peers after a loss... such a player, however his game good and beautiful might be, is not deserving of such praise.

Sportsmanship Award...??
I am puzzled too... I have never saw some list of candidates... who is voting and when..? Players are voting ??... What... they catch them in locker room??
I am convinced... in dark room... few corporative big heads are choosing who will be best for incomes and profit ??

http://tennis-buzz.com/who-deserves-the-2011-stefan-edberg-sportsmansh ip-award/
..............
...and he is still in competition for 2011 ???... with Nole, Rafa and Quereshi LOOOOL

Roger is not always gracious even when he wins. After winning the doubles at the Beijing Olympics, he said that he was the one who "had to carry Stan" to the win. Goodness me. I used to think he was only sore when he lost, but after that comment, I expect anything from this guy's mouth!

Oh wait... he won sportsmanship awards therefore he's perfect!

If only he had the grace to match his achievements, he would have a lot more fans!!

zare, Federer is not only in competition, he has won it again for 2011.

http://www.tennisplanet.me/blog/2012/01/stefan-edberg-sportsm anship-award-federer-won-it-seven-freaking-times-edberg-at-5-rafter-at -4-what-d.html

ROOOOFL!!!
Thanks Nadline... So who else???
There is only one asskisser on ATP tour...
Maybe they ought to change the name of award... Corporative Ass Licker Award...
Something is really rotten and sick in ATP and ITF...

The comment from Roger was in real bad and poor tast howmuch ever you may want to defend it, I was shocked readng it..wonder what Sta felt hearing and reading it

So... if we take a look at start of season... it looks like...
One humiliating defeat fron Novak...one more from Rafa...
One runaway from tournament with fake injury ( or fear of Rafa )...
Than one GS defeat... guess who, Rafa...normaly...
One complet catastrophy...two matches down in DC...WITH ALL ADVANTAGES... choice of court, domestic crawd...
Hell...he has already earned 2012 Sportsmanship Award, probably :)
Let us see excuses after Roterdam...LOL!

do we have confirmation, video evidence, of Federer's quotes?

if that IS what he said, it's terrible

Ricky there's a link to the story here:
http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/7565208/us-sweeps-switzerl and-davis-cup

Well done Fed... Shall we see a continue of this loosing streak... 3:0
...and Stan the Man was siting near him... My God!

Thanks for the link, deuce. Apologies to the Fedfans here, but those comments are just....bizarre, even for Roger, who does say strange stuff from time to time, often when baited by the press though. Could Roger have been joking?

zare, Lol, suddenly had a mental image of Fed blaming Stan for EVERY match he now loses, regardless of whether Stan's in the same continent, leave alone same press conference.....
Sorry Fed fans, just love the way the maestro plays, always have, but off the court, nah :(

Is this the end of the doubles partnership, in which case they won't be defending their olympic doubles title.

Nadline - Stan and Roger will defend at the olympics, and it will give Roger great confidence to know should they lose his whipping boy will be on hand.

Anyone who retires in their 40's is my hero!!!

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j6AjcYzc4A7bPcdHTPY egRbDfelQ?docId=CNG.510194bfea5fecf8c5f7e5ecd8ee7d8c.611

re: Federer's post Davis Cup comments. jmk

....and here we go again...LOL...
Mr Arrogant has arrived in Rotterdam... Maybe it's jet-lags or jet-head... but he want to be No1 again...
............................................................

"I think I do [still] have the pressures of a World No. 1," said Federer. "That never really changes with all the success I?ve had. I have the same attention; there?s just different stories written. I?ve had a wonderful career so far. The fire is the same, basically. It?s just in terms of having a family now and not being World No. 1.

"But I take so much joy out of playing this sport and travelling the world still. I do care mostly about trying to win tournaments. That?s what?s important. That?s how I could get back to World No. 1 potentially. I have to get back to winning ways again after losing the last two, and I hope I can start doing that on Wednesday."
......................................................... ...............
Ahem, ahem...last two???... Rogy, Rogy...you've been baaaaad boy:)) ....look at me ...concentrate... one... two...??? ... and what??? THREE!...
Yeas, that's a good boy... three defeats, Rogy... three... Now go and watch yourself in mirror... I know you like it...
............................................................... ....................................

So if he wants to be No1 again... he has to start wining the tournaments again... WOOOW... like always... WORDS IF WISDOM...
He is becoming a real clown, slowly but steadily... unbelievable :))

Roger is ALWAYS "misquoted". It's getting to be a bit of a joke now. Perhaps it would be wise for some to accept that Mr. Perfect isn't quite so perfect and is prone to foot in mouth disease. A swiss journalist on twitter confirmed Federer was being less than gracious about the defeat and yet people continue to cry that he's been taken out of context. AGAIN. C'mon.

zare,

You are killing me with your comments here! Too funny! What about what Fed said after his loss at the 2010 USO to Nole in the semis? Remember? He said that Nole's great return to save match point was "a lucky shot".

There is a patterns of comments from Fed after he loses. Remember the 2008 Wimbledon when he blamed the dark? Like Rafa was playing in the light? It's always something with him. But after the 2009 AO, all Fed could do was break down in tears because even he knew that there were no excuses after that one.

Sorry, I meant to say the 2011 USO!

When Murray beat Federer at Cincy in 2006, Federer sid he was playing so badly that he got bored. After the AO final in 2009 when Rafa beat him, he said the best player doesn't always win a 5 setter, becaus it's all down to momentum.

Oh nadline, thanx for that one re Andy. Priceless. I just burst out laughing! I do think sometimes Fed keeps most snidey comments just for Andy.

Happy for fed that he is still good and not fell for PED.

So definitely favorite for Edberg Sportsmanship.... award.

Success and failures are part of the same cycle.

Zare and others even if you bark you cannot delete his 16 GS titles.
Lets accept this and move on.

Happy for fed that he is still good and not fell for PED.
sabs , 2/14/12 10:05 AM

Same goes for Rafa.

Sabs...be a good dogy, take a bone...here...here... I got one with Fed's photo and go chase your tail... So much about barking.
ALL STATEMENTS quotted here are facts!
.............................................................. ..........
And his famous 16... after so much favorising, draw fixing, schedule fixing, judge decisions in his favour ( before hawkeye )... pleasant matches in sunset breeze... And all that in middle of one weak era of tennis... poots the big question mark on his carrier.
But don't worry... we will see in a few years... Agassi's book was a joke... When Mr Arogant write his book ( megalomaniac as he, he will surely ) THAT will be the joy to read.

Who's trying to delete his 16 slams? Having 16 slams doesn't give one the right to behave like an imbecile!! A lot of other sporting champions don't behave like that.

Now go fetch the papers for your idol so he can read about his great self!

Rafa haters take note:

Updated: February 13, 2012, 17:40 ET
Nadal: "It is impossible to cheat"


MADRID - The Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal said today that it is "impossible to cheat" and that doping has little meaning in sports like tennis, soccer, or accuracy.

Speaking to television channel Antena 3 Spanish player said, in relation to the puppets of the French Canal Plus which implied that Spanish athletes achieve their excellent results thanks to doping in Spain have been given more propaganda what should be.

Nadal
Getty ImagesLa controversy between Spain and France continues to talk

"The French treat me great, but when I go into court encourage me less, I understand Spanish because we have spent many years in the Tour and win Roland Garros," said the player, adding: "I've been three or four drug tests in So far this year, it is impossible to cheat. "

Nadal was publicly via Twitter, which coincidentally had to undergo a drugs test on Saturday at 8:30 am.

"You have to be located every day of the year, say where you are and have a quiet time for them. My schedule is 8 to 9 and is presented at 8:30 pm. Your desire then is to go as soon as possible and try continue with your normal day. It is unpleasant to touch you come home at 8:30 in the morning, but is what we are subjected athletes. Make sure you have checks and the sport is clean, "said player.

On the parodies of the puppet said, "They're a tad obsessed with the issue of doping in France. In Spain we have given them more publicity than it should. The first 'sketch' they did is passable, but after the thing was becoming great. I saw it in my home on the couch and I think the following parody is already passed. are just a few puppets, but they can influence the perception of many people on Spanish sport. They have done in bad faith. "

"I have not seen anywhere doping. All I know is I can not take. I played the final (Roland Garros), 2005 against (Argentine) Mariano Puerta, who later tested positive, but I've never seen doping "said the player.

Nadal justified the successes of Spanish sport and based on these principles: "The effort, the desire to excel and work are vital"

The Spanish tennis player, number two in the ATP, who said he would love to be the champion of Spain in the 2012 London Olympics, admitted he is happy with the general treatment will occur in France.

"They treat me great, but obviously this is where I'm more comfortable. I feel very loved by the French people, then when I go into court unless encourage me elsewhere, although I understand why the Spanish took many years Tour and winning at Roland Garros. We are in the neighboring country and that is what they have, "he reiterated.

Zare,

You mean stories like: Why Nole had to hide his snacks during AO2012?

http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2012/02/14/laffaire-federer-lost-in-t ranslation/

by Stephanie Myles, a very good tennis reporter who is presumably competently bilingual.
(I think Federer haters will enjoy the article.)

Stefan Edberg sportsmanship award is in the bag

jmk - Stephanie Myles is NOT a good tennis reporter. She is literally out of her mind.

Wooooaaah... Arghhh.... Now you got me... sabs...
What can I do else than leave this site and commit rithual suicide...
...and... you know... he did it two times O_O ...
OK... I will tell'ya... He snacked two hyperbaric chambers. Happy?
.....................
There are more than 30 posts above...filled with facts... and THIS is your argument? Logic???
...and since we are making fun with logic...
1 last time when they have played....Isner won over fed in four hours.
2 last time Isner needed almost 12 hour to win over Mahut
--------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
So tommorow.... Fed and Mahut match?
Don't be surprised ...

come on people, give Roger a break here!

?It was a tough weekend for us. I did have a day to sort of recover on Sunday and just weather the press because it was taken completely the wrong way, me blaming Stan. I would never do that and it was just an unfortunate weekend.

There were many different circumstances leading to our defeat. First and foremost, I think the Americans played really well.?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/othersports/tennis/roge r-federer-says-he-did-not-blame-swiss-teammate-wawrinka-for-davis-cup- loss/2012/02/13/gIQA0vc4BR_story.html

"I did have a day to sort of recover on Sunday"...and to write on blackboard 100 times..."I will never accuse my mate for a loss!"
Now this is public relations Fed... nice and clean... doing some damage control...
That does not change facts.
@jmk... nice link... Very educational.

At least everyone can now see Roger's true colours, except his fans with their rose tinted glasses.

hey jmk, zare since you like the writings of Stephanie Myles that much then read this. you know..educate yourselves :D

"Marathon matches like Nadal-Djokovic are bad for tennis"

Read more:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Stephanie+Myles+Marathon+ matches+like+Nadal+Djokovic+tennis/6110840/story.html

^^^^ my point exactly

Stephanie Myles says:
"You could make the argument that Roger Federer, arguably the most talented tennis player to come along in a generation, could never match that physical level ? even at his peak."

I am watching the 2011 RG final at the moment. Reading the above and seeing Roger shanking balls all over the place with Rafa continuously passing him with his sublime DTL forehands made me chuckle.

Roger is the most talented tennis player, my foot.

nadline, yours is precisely the kind of sporting attitude the tennis world can do without. Sad to see such bigotry.

It occurs to me that some people need to be more careful with the words they use or understand their meaning.

Please see the definition of this word below -

"a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance."

This is a word that should not be used in the context of a discussion about tennis players. Let's respect each other and not make it worse by goading people and inflaming.

back to tennis please, DR and NNY

I'm sorry Ricky, but really? I can accept someone making a case for Rafa being a better player than Roger (a feeble case, but one nonetheless), but disregarding facts is arrogant. The sportsmanship award was given to Roger; Rafa was an alternate candidate. Roger won multiple times, so he was believed to have portrayed BETTER sportsmanship than Rafa, and this was official recognition of it. Rafa is a true gentleman, but to scoff at well-respected opinions like that of Roger being the GOAT or most talented player, even by legends like Sampras, Laver and Connors (not to mention Nadal himself), to name a few, by simply saying "my foot" is a sad sight to behold. People presume, in their arrogance, that the opinions of legends and other respected analysts are simply to be countered by a disrespectful expression of mockery. It's a shame, really.

Opinions are just that, opinions. Just because Sampras or Laver think Federer is the greatest ever doesn't mean everyone else has to share those views. You can even scoff at those views if one so wishes. And you can find such scoffing offensive if you so wish but it doesn't mean one cannot scoff. Suggesting someone is a bigot however, especially when it comes to TENNIS is a bit much.

OK... Danyal...if " my foot" piss you of so much, let me rephrase it...
Complete, ultimat, shameless FAKE!
Luckily his carrier goes down two years allready and we won't have to stand him for long.
There is hope for World Tennis.

Nadline - many thanks for the info re replay of Isner/Fed match. Would have thanked you sooner but have been unable to use computer for a few days. I think Isner played great aggressive tennis and the win was well deserved - I don't feel it was a close match at all.

Zare - you do make laugh - just what I needed after being poorly with the flu.

Stefan Edberg sportsmanship award. It is my understanding that the ATP puts forward the players who can be voted for. I think the first time Rafa won it was the first time that his name had been put forward. So, it is not as though every player can vote for who they want to but are given a list of 4 (?) to chose from. That does not seem very fair to me. How can they justify putting Fed in the mix every year?

DayalRosol - sure, anyone can make a legitimate argument that Nadal is better than Federer.

DR, you are being arrogant by thinking that everyone SHOULD think Federer is the GOAT. However much I think Rafa is a great player and however many times he beats the player who is supposed to be the most talented in his generation, I would never call Nadal the GOAT. Federer hardly has any clay titles, that alone shoots down the GOAT title. So many changes that have taken place over the years regarding equipment used, surfaces played on, qualification to play tournaments (as regards pros and amateurs prior to 1968) that no one can be the GOAT. Who knows how many GS Laver would have won had he not been banned from competing in most tournaments after he turned pro.

Yes I do chuckle how Federer can be the most talented player of his generation when he plays such mediocre tennis at times. I admit that Rafa is not always at his best, but no one is claiming that he is the GOAT.

Lastly, I never see you complain when an innocent player's character is damaged continuously even though he is guilty of nothing; principally by Fedfans.

One player who isn't voting for Fed...

"A lot of the times I've beaten him he has said negative things about my game so it doesn't really bother me that much," Murray said

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jun/16/andy-murray-wimble don-roger-federer

I don't think anyone disputes the artistic beauty of Fed's play which was able to produce so many GS titles during one of tennis' weakest eras namely 2002-2007 as evidenced by Agassi winning the AO just short of his 33rd birthday and Sampras winning the UO at 31 both in the twilight of their careers and both having gone two years prior without success when tennis was more competitive.

However, his off court behaviour after losing is very much up for debate! His behaviour was always exemplary from 2003-2007 because he rarely lost! For me the GOAT for on and off court performance/results/behaviour included would be Sampras and Rafa. For on court only IMO, it is still Fed (to date, subject to change when Rafa is 30 or retired).

...meant to add "... which is why they are/were my two favourite players. With Federer, I do love to watch him play, he was and continues to play simply amazing, especially when the match is competitive. The man floats on the court, makes it look effortless and barely sweats in the process like no other player in history."

Rafa is the most watchable player of his generation and it's nerves that's got him against Nole recently. All that will change in time to come.

mos watchable? it's all opinion.

Kma... don't disgrace Novak with comments like this...

KMA, you and Stephanie Myles should hook up for a good cry, no?

Thomas Johansson 2002 AO champion? Hmmm, upon further review, let's expand the "Weak" era to 2001-2007.

KMA??? Where did he go? (I hope he's ok) Comment disappeared, Ricky? Awesome.

Ricky, pretty much all of this is just opinion, no? ;)

Nole beating nadal

will change.....will change.........will change.....will change.....will change.....will change.....will change.....???
lol.

Zare..you don't have any authority for my comment about novak..so mind your business.

Of course it's all opinion that's why it's foolish to get offended if people don't share your view about how you perceive a player. I don't expect fans of other players to agree with me beause if they did they would be fans of Rafa.

Ricky Dimon..

which rule was violated in my deleted post ??

C'mon KMA, if Ricky tells you, he will have to delete his own post!

Seems like a lot (not all) of Fed fans are more easily offended than most (not all) Rafa fans. As for Nole fans, don't get me started. BTW, Nole has set a new tennis standard on the court. Fun time to be a tennis fan.

Roger played in Rotterdam today and not a sausage from anyone about the match. Where are his fans? Or do they exist just to bash Rafa.

I agree that opinions from Laver, Sampras or any other tennis great are not the last word when it comes to this GOAT business. I have expressed my opinion and belief that there can never be a GOAT. I think that a player can be the greatest of his time or generation, but that's it.

Also, comments regarding the beauty or appeal or quality of any player's game is by necessity subjective. We all have a right to say whose game is most pleasing, most aesthetic, most graceful, etc.

Oh and yes, a credible argument can be made that Rafa is better than Fed. However, as nadline said so well, Rafa's fans have not anointed him the GOAT. Rafa's superiority on clay in unquestioned and Fed's record is not even close. Now that Rafa has won the career grand slam, has double digit slam wins, has been number one twice, has won the channel slam twice, winning slams on all surfaces, we can certainly attest to his greatness.

Rafa's superior h2h against Fed is the one thing that I think is a very strong indicator of his greatness. Does any other player have this kind of h2h advantage over Fed? Fed fans love to dismiss it, because they cannot refute it.

I also support nadline's comment about not being offended if others don't share your opinion of a player. I don't require that anyone agree with my feelings about Rafa. I just want the opportunity to state what I think.