He who takes the title takes the crown ... ?

[mightyjeditribble]

What is the significance of Sunday's title match for the ever-popular "GOAT" debate?

I guess it would be too strong to say that whoever wins the match should be considered the greatest - Nadal will still be two slams behind Fed. But with him in this form and RG coming up, things could become very interesting in the matter of #GS won ...

On the other hand, if Roger can pull off a win, it ought to essentially cement his status as GOAT. It seems unlikely that Rafa could win another 4 GS titles to at least tie the record then, and a win against his younger rival at this stage in Roger's career would also go some way to negate the head-to-head considerations. IIRC, they are currently 2-2 in non-clay GS finals, and 10-9 to Nadal in matches outside of clay.

What do you all think?

 

[Puppet Master]

Pretty much this. If Roger can win, who knows what might also happen in Wimbo/USO. Scary what he has the potential to do at his age.
However, if Rafa wins, RG is on the cards as well for him. Very exciting times are ahead, I feel like it's 2008 again.

 

[El Dude]

No. Just, no . This match will not determine the GOAT. There are just too many other factors.

 

[the AntiPusher]

All the match will mean for Rafa if he wins is #15 and a double career slam..nothing more..IMO..however this is your thread and I won't post anything to contradict your hypothesis

 

[mightyjeditribble]

All the match will mean for Rafa if he wins is #15 and a double career slam..nothing more..IMO..however this is your thread and I won't post anything to contradict your hypothesis

I agree with you - just thought it made for a catchy title.

 

[mrzz]

Rationally I agree with El Dude, but if Federer wins it will be hard to think otherwise.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

"Non-clay GS head to head with Nadal"

That is a very important statistic for Federer's case in the GOAT debate also for even saying that he has had a good rivalry with Nadal. If Federer can prove at this stage that he still can beat Nadal at a slam even if only outside clay it will be amazing. It will be after 9 years and a half. It will have a big significance to their rivalry at this stage because it will finally suggest that Federer is no slouch against Nadal.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

An excerpt from one of the articles, I thought its pretty big:

"But both men have disproved the notion the combination of ageing bodies and physical problems would prevent them from challenging again for major honours."

 

[LegendsofSport]

I think it will be a huge factor in determining the GOAT. If Fed gets 18 and beats Nadal, he is definitely the GOAT. But if Nadal wins and goes to 15 and 10-2 over Fed in GS tennis, then the argument for Nadal is huge. I think the match is possibly the biggest in tennis history! What players!

More on the history between the two at my youtube site Legends of Sport!

Dan

 

[Front242]

Nadal could win 20 and I still wouldn't consider him the GOAT.

 

[isabelle]

No. Just, no . This match will not determine the GOAT. There are just too many other factors.

I hope Nole and Murray won't lose early during the whole season....that's one factor which explain this AO's final, when N°1 and N°2 are in top form, no Manacor"s bull, no Mr Vavrinec has a chance (see 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
Istomin and Zverev aren't responsable of this mess, Nole and Andy are
injuries are a factor too; it's only the beginning of the season, nobody knows who''l be injured and when. Manacor's bull hasn't played Masters for ages because of injuries
another factor is Delpo : when'll he be back and will he be able to have good results ? if so he could make some waves in GS, hope so I like him and I miss him