Fed: "I have clay game to beat Nadal".. Yeah??

Question

Roger Federer believes he can end Rafael Nadal's dominance at the French Open - despite his defeat to the Spaniard in the final of the Masters Series event in Hamburg.

The world number one suffered his eighth defeat to Nadal in nine clay-court matches on Sunday, going down 7-5 6-7 (3/7) 6-3.

"I think I have a lot of options in my game, and it is up to me to use them," said Federer, 26. "I am again in top physical shape. I will have two days of rest and arrive in Paris on Wednesday to attack the final preparation days at Roland Garros. If all that goes well, I will be ready."
------------------------------------------------------------------

How many times have we heard this? its been what? 4 years now? and every year the same questions, Can Nadal do it all over again? Can Federer finally win the only slam thats missing in his incredible 12 slam collection?
Well despite last wknd's loss and MC and all the other losses at the hands of Rafa, Fed still believes he can win.

Answer 1

It's funny that he refuses to acknowledge that Nadal is one of (if not THE) greatest clay-court players. Especially considering that Nadal always praises Federer as the greatest tennis player in all of his interviews. How do you do a press conference after losing a match without saying anything positive about the person who beat you, but instead talk about yourself.



Personally, I don't see Federer making it to the finals this year. Considering that his game is on somewhat of a downslide, with several strong players improving (Davydenko, Ferrer, Djokovic) I think Federer will fall before the final round.

Answer 2

So Federer says "I can't beat Nadal he is the best clay court player in the world - I'm only playing him because if I don't people will say I'm a wimp. And I've got no guts and I'm a bad sportsman.

My game hasn't improved - in fact I'm playing the worse tennis of my life - I know djokovic is a much much better player than me. I'm only No.1. by default...... I don't know how I dare to mention Nadal in the same breath as myself he is such a superior clay court player"

Would that make you happy now - let's see if he will give a Press Release to that effect. He is such an obliging felllow I'm sure he will.

BTW Haven't you read and heard all th praise he heaps on Nadal - Do you want Federer to curtsey to Nadal when Nadal comes on the court?

Answer 3

He's got a good attitude but I have to agree with the poster above me about that he's got the game to give Nadal a good match but won't be able to dethrone Nadal.



I agree with the other poster who said that they think Nadal will win Wimbledon. I felt that was going to come any time now after having seen the final last year when he took Roger to 5 sets, 5 very amazing sets.



It's the one time I wished I had taped that match so that I could sit and watch it again and again.

Answer 4

Of course he has the game, he was 5-1 up, thats having the game to beat someone but not quite being able 2 pull it off. If he had got smashed in the finals of Monte carlo and Hamburg then I would agree with you, but he didn't, he got fricken close. Of course Fed has the game to beat Rafa, whether he will this year or not remains to be seen. And I disagree with people who say hes on a downslide, hes had an awesome clay court season, hes playing well, and if he had won Hamburg he would have had better results than last year. He didn't, but it was so close its not really important. It'd be a bit rubbish if Fed came out and said 'nah I won't win it, don't think I have the game eh' anyway. I really hope he can do it this year, GO FED!

Answer 5

Federer got what it takes to win over Nadal, hes got the gameplan, the problem is executing that gameplan in the throughout entire match. Nadal is a very good defensive player and forces you to take that extra shot before you win it and it forces Fed to a lot of errors



Also Nadal hits his heavy topspin high into Federers forehand which is difficult for a single hander.



But I believe Roger can do it in the Roland Garros, Go Fed Express

Answer 6

Always having confidence in yourself and believing you can do something or that you'll do it gives the best results.

I think Federer will win Roland Garros this year, maybe, not on Nadal, but he will if not this year then later.

In Hamburg he was up many times, if he could maintain that level, he would have won. You know, he improved from 57 57 in Monte Carlo to 57 76 36, that's a good sign.

Answer 7

Considering they meet in the finals on clay all the time Fed obviously has the game to get there. And then add in that he is the number 1 player in the world I don't think it is unreasonable to say that he has the game to take down rafa.

Answer 8

lol I know its the same old talk from Roger. Each year he says it, he still hasnt been able to take Rafa to a 5 setter at RG, its always been 4 sets. Who knows what will happen, im backing my man Rafa to win the French Open for the 4th time in a row.

Vamos Rafa xxx Good Luck to him for the French!!!

Answer 9

Federer won't even get to the final, watch.



Final most like will be Nadal againt djoko...and Nadal will prevail.

Answer 10

Well can you expect the guy to say he completely sucks and he can never ever win the French title? That's what has gotten Federer to where he is today by believing in himself even though now, especially, nobody believes he's got a chance to beat Nadal on clay and at Roland Garros. There's nothing wrong with having confidence in yourself. GO FED!

Answer 11

The only person on tour so far who ever HAS beaten Nadal is Roger Federer.



He will beat him again. He needs to stay agressive.

Answer 12

lol well u gotta be positive. u cant say u are going to get smashed again! he is just trying to get inside the head of rafa nadal!

Answer 13

I think Nadal will lose to someone else this year and Federer won't have to meet him in the final. However, I think Federer will fail at winning with that opportunity.



Nadal will win Wimby this year though.

Answer 14

When Federer says something like this everybody is like:''He is confident,he can do it!'',but when Djokovic says the same thing then they say:''He is so arrogant''.Both Federer and Djokovic must believe in themselves if they expect to win.There is nothing wrong with that.I am just pointing out that if you say that you can beat someone that doesn't mean that you are arrogant.I am so sick of hearing people say things like that.And yes,Federer can beat Rafa if he plays like in Hamburg or in Monte Carlo.The only problem with Federer is that he doesn't play the crucial points at his best.If he could hold his grip untill the end he could win for sure.

Answer 15

Yeah, he has the clay game alright....but its NOT enough to dethrone Rafa...thats one thing for sure...its history repeating itself again and again....Roger will never win the French as long as Rafa is there.....Vamos Rafa!!!!

Answer 16

i think and i'm hoping nadal will win RG for the 4th time!

Answer 17

Action speaks louder than Words

and in this case far louder

Answer 18

welll he gotta something! what did you expect him to say? he couldn't just say "i give up, i totally suck, i'd never beat rafa"! soo he needs to have a positive attitude, even though by just saying it over and over again...