Federer/Nadal = Best Rivalry in Sports?

[edinatlanta]

If I could figure out how to post a poll I would do that.

But seriously, is the Nadal/Federer rivalry the greatest rivalry in sports right now?

I follow US and international sports and I can't think of anything this compelling, this routine, or anything that happens at as high of a level as it often does, with as legendary results, and of such quality.

Rafa and Roger are two of probably the 10 greatest tennis players of all time (Roger without doubt, Rafa is certainly on course).

I mean,I just saw the tape delay match and I am in awe.

 

[SField]

Originally Posted by edinatlanta

If I could figure out how to post a poll I would do that.

But seriously, is the Nadal/Federer rivalry the greatest rivalry in sports right now?

I follow US and international sports and I can't think of anything this compelling, this routine, or anything that happens at as high of a level as it often does, with as legendary results, and of such quality.

Rafa and Roger are two of probably the 10 greatest tennis players of all time (Roger without doubt, Rafa is certainly on course).

I mean,I just saw the tape delay match and I am in awe.

No, they are the 1st and 2nd best players of all time. Yes it's probably the greatest rivalry in sports now. Their last two meetings in slam finals have been really amazing. I totally agree with you.

 

[michaeljkrell]

There is no rivalary of any kind in sports that is as good as this.

 

[ghulkhan]

Originally Posted by michaeljkrell

There is no rivalary of any kind in sports that is as good as this.

+1

 

[ArliHawk`]

But it is a rivalry anymore with Nadal getting the best of Federer the last few times they played?

 

[phreak]

But it is a rivalry anymore with Nadal getting the best of Federer the last few times they played?

did you see the matches? those matches are the highest level of competition/skill that we can witness today

 

[MJC8719x]

Not appreciated in America, but India vs Pakistan in cricket is a fierce rivalry too; especially considering world events.

 

[edinatlanta]

Originally Posted by ArliHawk`

But it is a rivalry anymore with Nadal getting the best of Federer the last few times they played?

Yes.

It's not as if Nadal has won in straight sets every time he's defeated Roger. To be honest, either could have won '08 Wimbledon or earlier today.

Federer is just temporarily out of his groove and Nadal is finally finding his sweet spot.

The next few years will be great!

 

[tagutcow]

Originally Posted by ArliHawk`

But it is a rivalry anymore with Nadal getting the best of Federer the last few times they played?

A rivalry for the ages is two great athletes both at the top of their form.

Federer clearly wasn't bringing his best to that last game.

 

[edinatlanta]

Originally Posted by MJC8719x

Not appreciated in America, but India vs Pakistan in cricket is a fierce rivalry too; especially considering world events.

I appreciate it (I lived in Australia for a few years) and yes it's a fierce-as-all-get-out rivalry, but Pakistani cricket hasn't been as good as it can be recently, and I would say the two squads right now are merely decent (with India being "good"). Nothing they've done recently has been anywhere near the caliber of RF/RN of the past few years.

Don't get me wrong I think it is one of the best rivalries in sports overall, but just right now, what could hope to compare to those two titans of tennis.

 

[Slopho]

Originally Posted by michaeljkrell

There is no rivalary of any kind in sports that is as good as this.

Yankees vs. Redsox. Federer and Nadal both respect each other. There has to be some sense of dislike or down right hatred for a "Rivalry" to really mean something.

 

[michaeljkrell]

To me that is what makes this rivalary so refreshing is that they both respect one another so much and they both are great ambassadors of the game.

 

[Spatlese]

Originally Posted by michaeljkrell

To me that is what makes this rivalary so refreshing is that they both respect one another so much and they both are great ambassadors of the game.

Exactly. Both are likeable and respectful of each other and the sport.

 

[Brian278]

They are the best competitively speaking, as they are both all-time greats at their peaks and they regularly meet on the biggest stages.

But rivarlies are better when the two parties represent opposing archetypes, who preferably hate each other (even if they respect their abilities). Yankees/Red Sox, if they meet in the playoffs, is pretty good for this reason. Duke/NC is pretty good for this reason. There's not much pathos to the Federer/Nadal rivalry, it's just two players who respect each other and even seem to like each other. The tennis is phenomenal, but I'd prefer something a little more complex.

 

[sabvinnie]

Ali & Foreman...