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Nadal himself is on track to end the rivalry (by destroying what little cartilage is left in his knees) himself with the way he plays.

Federer is relaxed and composed only because he doesn't see Nadal across the net! I see no evidence that Federer is playing better than before - on the contrary, he seems unable to find that extra gear he used to have, cant break serve when he needs to.. but no, Nadal will never win the US Open, his game is too passive for that surface (just as Borg's was before him)

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 01:34 AM ET  07.12 by ashkor

Federer is relaxed and composed only because he doesn't see Nadal across the net! I see no evidence that Federer is playing better than before - on the contrary, he seems unable to find that extra gear he used to have, cant break serve when he needs to.. but no, Nadal will never win the US Open, his game is too passive for that surface (just as Borg's was before him)

I'm always amused to see people somehow justifies Rafa not showing up on the other side of the net as Roger's fault.

Sure, Roger is relaxed, because the immortal Rafa is not taking care of himself, and has trouble showing up on the other side of the net. Same way Andy (Roddick) is relaxed because he's seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, that the top two players are both "mortal", and can be beaten.

Tennis Pro: I certainly hope this is not the end of my what I consdier to be the best rivalry the Men's game has ever known. Rafa's knees certain have been suspect and they seem to be getting wose. Yet I am not sure that Kitdvs has any evidence that there is "little cartilage" left in those knees. At this point I am willing to accept tendonitis and not much more. (Unless he has a blackmarket MRI or something). So we will have to wait and see but if tendonitis is all he has and if he is able to heal, I think only a fool would count him out of winning the US Open. He is only 23 and continues to improve on this surface.

Ashkor on the other hand seems to have been doing something other than watching tennis lately. While I concede Federer's break point conversion is a bit sketchy I believe this will dissipate now that there really is NO more pressure on Federer. I also think his serve is the very definition of that extra gear you believe is missing. His serve had all but abandoned him much of the past year and a 1/2, then suddenly in Madrid (with Nadal in the draw as well as across the net) it reappeared - but even better. I don't think in the years he was number one he ever hit a serve 135, but the did at Wimbledon. More aces, more unreturned serves and a higher 1 serve percentage. Sounds like her found the extra gear to win his 1st French , regain his Wimbeldon title and his number one ranking.

Finally, if Nadal

Ignore the "Finally, if Nadal" it was rogue typing.

Federer is playing under much less pressure now that he has 1) Won French, 2) Completed Career GS, 3) Regained Wimbledon, 4) Back at #1, 5) beat Sampras record of GS wins!
He will play his best tennis in the years to come, no pressure, no stress. Just pure legendary game.

roger keeps saying he is motivated enough and the arrival of a child is a seperate issue...I am wondering though...I was reading Johnny Macs book again (you cannot be serious) and how kids effected his career and such...I mean, the guy has the record, has the career slam and is about to have a baby...It can either motivate him more to play or it can totally make him loose his edge...We will see...Rafa , on the other hand, will be hungry as ever...

I've always sayed that Nadal didnt look natural and with the type of knee problems he's having looks like I might have been right.

Too early to tell. Nadal may have burned out his knees early due to the power game he plays. If he is not 100%, that would be tennis' loss. Also Federer and Nadal need each other to define their greatness.

I agree that this is the best rivalry in tennis. It has significantly contributed to defining Nadal's greatness. Although Federer was already a great champion long before Nadal's rise to stardom, this has since been diminished by Nadal's superior record (12-7). Federer more than anyone else must be rooting for Nadal's full recovery as only the opportunity to win against him can establish Federer as the greatest all time player

I really don't like to get into bickering back and forth but it is frustrating that people cite the Federer/Nadal win loss record as some sort of evidence that Nadal is better. Nadal is better on clay no doubt (9-2). But their head to head record on all other surfaces is 5-4 advantage to Federer (and that includes 2 five set losses during what could be called his slump beofre that it was 5-2).

Also, tennis is a full year sport. I point this out because it is interesting to note that Federer and Nadal have only met twice after Wimbledon - at the Master cups '06 and '07 - both won by Federer. This is because late season Nadal hasn't been able make it to the finals of tournaments, last year's summer season an exception. (2006 No final after Wimbledon -July, 2007 1 final after Stuttgart-July, 2008 no final after the Olympics-August)

You have to play whoever is across the net and in tournaments favoring Roger, later season fast courts, Nadal is often out before the final. Federer no opportunity to play him. Nadal can't seem to make a whole and complete season. Of the 20 times they have played: 11 times have been on clay; 9 times have been on all other surfaces combined.

I love Nadal and Federer both and watch their matches with alacrity, but lets get the context accurate.

The only way this rivalry ends is if Nadal's injury seriously damages his on-court performance. The only thing lacking in Federer's career resume is a a decent record H2H against Nadal. No doubt his biggest motivation will be to beat Rafa so expect his best tennis when they play. Although Federer has achieved almost everything, Nadal is the one thing preventing him from being the undisputed GOAT.

Barring an early end to Nadal's career, there rivalry is far from over.

i don't think this is the end....there's more comin' i bet u :)

it's annoying to watch everytime nadal beats federer he cries like a kid :(

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 06:42 AM ET  07.23 by kaonbisong

it's annoying to watch everytime nadal beats federer he cries like a kid :(

It's also annoying when people speak without having anything to back it up.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 01:34 AM ET  07.12 by ashkor

Federer is relaxed and composed only because he doesn't see Nadal across the net! I see no evidence that Federer is playing better than before - on the contrary, he seems unable to find that extra gear he used to have, cant break serve when he needs to.. but no, Nadal will never win the US Open, his game is too passive for that surface (just as Borg's was before him)

Roger is moving so much better this year than last. Perhaps the recuperation from mono was sapping his strength. But now, he can return to doing what he has done so well before, going from defense to offense.

From afar where most of us sit, it would appear that two elements will interrupt the F-N rivalry: Nadal injuries and/or Federer age. As to the former, we have no way of knowing whether they will become chronic. As for the latter, extreme as it may have been, Federer's valiant collapse in front of delPo may have been a sign of wear and tear combined with facing an extraordinary talent with an ample supply of heart, eight years younger. As talented as Murray, Roddick and Djokovic are, they remind me of the ad "Charlie, we don't want tunas with good taste, we want tunas that taste good" in this discussion.

Roger-Rafa games were awesome!! Full credit to both players. They both played 7 grand slams head-head, 5 slams Rafa won and 2 slams won by Federer. Rafa sure has edge over Roger. Roger is also great. Rafa sure should come back normal - He really brought in tons of interest to tennis, a nice guy, wonderful, classy and a decent chap. I really hope and wish him luck in staying healthy.
I would like to watch Rafa-Roger final again!!

Nadal will be back. People need to recognise that he is not 100% back to form yet. Del Potro beat him...so what? Del Potro beat Federer too. Year 2010 will tell us what ATP top 5 is really like, and whether Andy Murray was overblown.

This rivalry can only continue if both Roger & Rafa can once again rise above the other guys in in order to set up these finals. At present they are challenged like never before. I am somewhat doubtful.