Will Federer's pedigree be enough against Nadal?

Question

If Federer is going to beat Nadal ,should they meet in the Wimbledon finals, he had better pull off something more than his name.If he continues to play wild backhand shots and many unforced errors he stands no chance against Nadal!! For him to beat NADAL(and not any other player) he must cut down on unforced errors,he should be ready for long rallies as there are NO EASY POINTS WITH NADAL( his serves which give him easy points can fail him and he will be in real trouble).I am a supporter of both players and no blind fanatic.So i base my arguements on realism not sentiments.The way Nadal is playing now is as if he grew up on grass.He is pretty aggressive and fast,drop shots are no use against him and he has perfected his forehand down the line shots.His serves are a big threat now unlike before.I mean,one has to be a d**n Fed fanatic to say he has not seen the obvious improvements in Nadal's game.Now my question is: What are the matching improvements in Fed's?

Answer 1

There is a lot of merit in what you're saying, but to put things in perspective, the 11-6 head to head comprises 9-1 on clay, and 5-2 elsewhere. So Federer has more or less owned Nadal outside of clay. There is just that match in Miami 2004, and Dubai 2006 (which Federer should have won).

But as you said, Federer's game has been way off all year. And yes Nadal has made tremendous strides on grass. It'll be interesting. Last year, I think Federer underestimated Nadal, but still did well to pull it off. I don't think he will underestimate him this year. Last year, we saw Nadal at his best on grass vs Federer not at his best. So if Federer's game is off on Sunday, Nadal has a chance. However, if Federer's game is on, Nadal has no chance. That's the reality on any surface that's not clay.

My original prediction was that Nadal would win.

Later, I predicted that if Spain won Euro 2008, Nadal would lose in the final.

My preference is to see Federer win.

Let's see what happens.

Answer 2

Nadal is a good player and  will be lucky to play final on grass. If Federer is healthy and in mind everything will be OK.

Answer 3

Well, federer has been playing really well this time in wimbledon. HIs game on grass is nearly flawless with his strong forehand and backhand.  Plus, federer moves more elegantly on grass than on clay.  Sure he lost in straight sets to nadal in roland garros, but he hasn't had any hard matches 2 play, unlike in roland garros.

Federer doesn't need 2 improve his game on grass cuz its already one of the best of this slow grass court era.  All federer needs to do is keep healthy and play consistently.  Also, if he was to play against nadal in the final (which is now likely), federer would need to start getting used to longer rallies that nadal would produce. The way that he would have to that is by either keeping up with nadal and playing really defensively at the baseline, or trying to play serve (chip) and volley (not a preferable thing to do, but an experimental thing 4 federer=/)

Answer 4

Nadal has certainly improved his game... and he keeps getting better! Fed is having a bad year, as you said unforced errors are always in his play!!! Fed knows though how to play at grass and this is smth that will help him against Nadal (if they meet at finals)... But Nadal is now improved at grass and despite his recent injury he crushes his opponents so far!!!!

I'm a Nadal fan so I want him to beat Fed... If now was last year's wimbledon I would say that Nadal probably won't beat Fed...This year... everything is possible...

I don't know what is going to happen but we 're gonna see a good final and Nadal has more than some people imagine chances to win wimbledon this year!

Answer 5

yup

Answer 6

I think, you're reasons are perfectly plausible. Now let me ask you a question of course with statistics- don't worry, no blind fanatics here- How could a player with twelve grand slams over the last 231 weeks at solid no.1 ranking be put for BRUTAL CRITISISM SLAUGHTER after losing one just one French final, for which everyone knows is not his best surface? MOREOVER Nadal has already dropped TWO sets and Federer NONE! ANYONE WHO HAS ACTUALLY FOLLOWED THE GAME OF TENNIS AND HAS SUFFICIENT KNOWLEDGE knows that this Federer does not WASTE HIS ENERGY into first-round matches, insteads SAVES IT FOR THE FINALS because his best isn't always needed to WIN MATCHES. FEDERER CAN NEARLY ALWAYS PRODUCE WINNERS WHEN NEEDED AT FINALS AND ESPECIALLY ON GRASS, THIS IS WHY HE'S WON 12 COMPARED TO SOMETHING OF FOUR FROM NADAL. I think this contemplation and hesistation TARGETED AT Federer is blink judgement, don't you think?

Federer does not need to improve in order to maintain his winning record on grass against Nadal.