Tennis Prose




Nov/11

20

Nadal Says Djokovic Plays Superior Tennis To Federer


Rafael Nadal has seen the tennis genius of Roger Federer up close and persona; over 30 times, including ATP matches and exhibitions. But Nadal believes Djokovic has performed the finest tennis he’s ever witnessed.

“It’s probably the highest level of tennis that I ever saw,” Nadal said in London this week about his arch-rival Djokovic, whom he has lost to in all six finals this year, on three different surfaces.

“But I’m not working every day thinking about Novak. I’m working and thinking about what I need to do to keep improving, to be a better player. That’s what I’ve done all my career and what I want to keep doing. Novak had an unbelievable season. What he did is very difficult to repeat. His level of tennis was very, very high. He beat me and he was playing better than me. That’s why he was able to win almost every match during the season.”

Wonder what Mr. Federer would say about this interesting opinion from his buddy Rafa.

Dan, this will be a fitting sound byte for your book, what do you think?

12 comments

  • Dan Markowitz · November 20, 2011 at 2:58 am

    Yes, Scoop, not surprised to see this comment, though, by Nadal. He was never dominated by Federer the way he has been by Djoko. And in “Rafa,” his book, Nadal seems to have some disdain for Federer, always referring to him by his last name.

    It’s getting interesting to say the least.

  • Martin G · November 20, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    What do you expect him to say after horrible year that he has? He can thank Fed that he has one grand slam.

    Novak beat him every time. He owns him.

    Fed single hand backhand was good match up for Rafa’s game.

    Novak’s game and backhand is too solid for today’s Rafa (slower and injured).

  • Martin G · November 20, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    I would love to see matches with Novak 24, Rafa 22 and Fed 25 years old. That would be something.

    Not gonna happen but I would love to see it.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 20, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    Rafa would have had another great year Martin G however Djokovic emerged unexpectedly to play arguably the highest level of tennis in history. Rafa is #2 in the world, he still had an excellent year.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 20, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    That is interesting to hear that Rafa refers to him as “Federer.” The public image is that they are very close friends. But at press conferences I seem to remember Rafa always refers to him as “Roger” and vice versa. Maybe something is up.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 20, 2011 at 5:12 pm

    Martin did you see the Australian Open 2008 SF and the Montreal 2007 SF between the prime Roger and young Djokovic? Those matches showed that a prime best Djokovic vs. a prime best Federer could go either way and I might even lean to Djokovic to take the overall head to head based on his more solid backhand being the slight difference. Time will tell though if Djokovic can achieve the dominance and longevity of Federer and if he does not Federer will be remembered as the superior player. Gosh, would our old friend Sakhi take offense to this opinion or what?!

  • Thomas Covenant · November 20, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    Have to disagree with you, Dan – I´m pretty sure that “Nadal referring to him by his last name” has more to do with respect than disdain.
    Back on topic, Djokovic beat Nadal at his own game, which is something Federer never could. Djokovic might lack Federer´s flashiness and elegance but I acknowledge that his consistency and sturdiness in his matches against Rafa this year were something entirely out of the ordinary.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 21, 2011 at 12:19 am

    Well said Thomas, Djokovic sort of beat Nadal at his own game, something Roger has tried to do but failed at.

  • Mitch · November 21, 2011 at 1:44 am

    Given how Djokovic pummeled Nadal in the Rome and Madrid finals this year, I think it’s a fair opinion for him to have. Novak made Rafa, arguably the greatest clay court player of all time, look absolutely helpless for parts of the match.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 21, 2011 at 2:23 am

    He sure did Mitch, Djokovic was manhandling Rafa to the point where both of those matches were on the verges of turning into blowouts. But Rafa fought tooth and nail and managed to get back to make them hard fought, competitive defeats.

  • Tom · January 9, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    Scoop, get your facts right. Federer prime was 2004-2007. Im a rafa fan but roger federer is the best in history… Rod laver and other greats has commented so last year. No one will surpass his techniques. Check stats against all players and his countless records which no one will ever break….

  • Scoop Malinowski · January 9, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    I disagree with you Tom, Rafa’s game has always been superior to Federer’s, as proven by the won lost head to head record, Rafa won the first time they ever played in Miami, and has beaten Federer in most of the Slam head to head matches. It’s a good argument given that Fed has won more total majors but the fact that Rafa has dominated Fed head to head speaks volumes. Also, not sure if you can exactly pinpoint Fed’s prime to 2004-2007, I read an interview with Paul Annacone at thetennisspace.com and he suggested Fed also played some of his best tennis last year.

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