Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal: What Does the 14-8 Head-to-Head Record Mean?

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at Internationaled.org

Published: January 14, 2011

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14-8. This is no doubt the figure that pops into any conversation on the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, because it is the only constant in what has come to be a heated and highly bigoted debate on the GOAT. Often, Rafael Nadal's claims, brought newfound credibility by his completing the career slam this year, are now upheld above Federer's; that he should lead 14-8 in their rivalry must surely mean that he's the better player. But just how valid is this notion?

First, a basic and stunning fact, most probably widely known: Nadal leads 14-8 in their overall rivalry, but in fact a stunning 10-2 on clay. Were we to remove their matches on clay, then, one would find that Federer actually leads Nadal on matches played on every other surface, at 6-4. Considering that most of the year is played on other surfaces than clay, this is not an insignificant stat (despite any insinuation of an apologetic purpose).

Indeed, of these 10 matches played on hard court or grass, one finds that three of Nadal's victories—the 2006 Dubai final (2-6 6-4 6-4), the 2008 Wimbledon final (6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7) and 2009 Australian Open final (7-5 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-2)—were highly contested affairs, indeed matches which the Federer of, perhaps, 2006-07, might have won. One cannot emphasise enough the debilitating effects of the clay season of 2008, where Federer squandered big leads at Monte Carlo and Hamburg to lose to Nadal. Indeed Federer was two points from winning Wimbledon in 2008, and two points from a 2-1 sets lead at the Australian Open final, which should have secured him victory there.

Of course, similar things can be said about some of Federer's victories—notably, the Wimbledon final of 2007 (7-6 4-6 7-6 2-6 6-2), and the Miami final in 2005 (2-6 6-7 7-6 6-3 6-1). In the former Nadal came very close in the fifth set to breaking Federer's serve, and in the latter was within two points in the third set tiebreak to winn...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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