Nadal An Easier Road At Wimbledon?

Question

Something very glaring has come up.

At this year's Wimbledon, Nadal has faced/will face for three consecutive rounds an opponent coming off 5 set marathon matches.

Mikhail Youzhny in the 4th coming off a match where he faced 2 tiebreaks and one 5-5 scenario.

In the Quarters with Andy Murray.

And in the semifinals, his opponent being the upstart Rainer Schüttler, who if you didn't know has only gone past the 4th Round at a Grand Slam once in his 10 year career, being absent last year at Wimbledon and losing in the 1st in the two years previous at the grass court Slam.

He's also coming off a 5 set match with 4 sets going the distance, two tie breaks and an 8-6 fifth set.

Last year, Nadal got a free pass in the semis where Djokovic retired in the 3rd set with it being 1-1.

Whereas Federer has had to face the relatively experienced on grass Ancic and the lazy but this time elite Safin in the semis.

In comparison, has Nadal had an easier road?

Answer 1

Nadal has had an easier road. But then he'll have to face Federer in the final (assuming Federer wins). Remember in the french open, Federer didn't have to play a top player until he met Nadal in the final? I guess the roles have been reversed now. Last year, Nadal fans complained about how he was on court 7 days in a row. Let's see if he fares any better in the final this year.

*EDIT*

I am just laughing out silently at kaho's answer (below). I don't get why people are making Gulbis to be a great player - just because he gave Nadal a run for his money? So I guess if Federer lost a few sets, that would have made his draw harder? That's stupid reasoning. And what is this about Ancic having mono? Please stop it with the mono. That's not an excuse for anything.

Answer 2

If u say it that waythen yes. But i am so sick of pple complaining about the draw- if u wanna win wimby u shud be able 2 beat anyone they put in front of u, whether its gulbis or hewitt safin or schuttler. its not actually the draws fault if there is upsets.

Edit: the person below me complaing ablout fed playing hbarty... sorry who do u want him 2 play first round?? djokovic?? gulbis is hardly an experianced grand slam player and if nadal ***** beat him then clearly he didnt deserve 2 get past him. u guys know first rounds are supposed 2 be easier... right????

Answer 3

This is a pretty interesting question. I like the way you've done your research. But I am going to take a slightly different approoach here.

In the past few weeks

Federer has met a world numbers 273, 41, 53,27, and 43

Nadal has met world numbers 122, 48, 32, 17 and 11

I wouldn't say Nadal has had it easy. He just played a magnificent game against them. Looking at the above information, it would actually be easy to conclude that Federer has had it easier. But I prefer to say it has been even for the both of them.

Answer 4

I do believe that he has in fact benefited from opponents who were perhaps too worn out to actually put up a fight against him. If Youzhny did not have those tough 5 setters before his match with Nadal, I am sure that he would have beaten Nadal and if Murray had not gone the distance with Gasquet, Murray would have at least put up a fight with Nadal. Watching the Murray match, you could tell that Andy was a step slower in getting to the ball in the rallies.

Answer 5

Yes he had, especially in the semi when he will face Rainer Schuettler who is exhausted after played more than 5 hours in quarter and have less than 24 hours to prepare for semi.

Answer 6

No. He had to play Gulbis! Gulbis is an amazing player. Then he would have had to play Roddick. He also had Youzhny, who isn't that good. And Scuetthler or whatever shouldn't have made it.... he got lucky that Roddick lost to Tipsarevic. Federer played Hrbaty (Yeah, right. What a challenge!!!!)

Answer 7

Federer had an easy draw at the French open,Nadal had to play Djokovic.This year Nadal played against Gulbis,I Watched the Game,Gulbis is not bad at all.Federer played against Ancic,but eberybody Knows that Ancic had Mononucleosis and did not play during a year.Hrbaty was not really a challenge.

Dr D:it is ok if you don't agree with me but it is not a  reason to call me stupid.Am not trying to excuse anything,Ancic did not play a year because he had Mono and nobody really though that he can beat Federer.Gulbis to me is a good player,if you don't like it is your business!!!

Answer 8

Firstly, Federer hasn't played Safin yet, so don't assume anything!

Secondly, I do think that Nadal has had it slightly easier, but if I'm honest, I don't think there's an opponent he's faced this year that he wouldn't still have thrashed, regardless of how many sets they had all played.

He's really upped his game.