What Matches Will Be Most Memorable From This Golden Era?

What matches will be most memorable from this era. I have chosen three that to me stand out above the rest. All are slam finals and all feature two multi slam winning champions. In all three matches the stakes were high with more to play for than a single grand slam trophy.

2008 Wimbledon Final.

This was the third year that the final was between Federer and Nadal. Federer had won the previous two years. In 2006 Nadal was perhaps a surprise finalist but in 2007 he was a genuine contender and at times in the fourth and fifth set looked like the likely winner. Nadal has often said that the 2007 final is one of his toughest losses. Nadal in the run up to Wimbledon had demolished Federer in the 2008 FO final (of course he had also beaten Federer on the way to claiming the three previous FO titles). Federer who owned Wimbledon at the time had a lot to prove. So did Nadal as there was still so much talk that he could never win off clay?

I'm sure most are familiar with the match itself. The quality was high from the start and the score tells some of the story. A straight sets win turning into what looked for a time like one of the greatest come backs in a slam final... only for Nadal to twist the score round to a win at the end. Because of the high stakes the match must have been an emotional roller coaster for the players as it was for the audience. It's not surprising it has gained the reputation as the "best match ever".

What I remember from its ending. Nadal standing on the roof (how did he get there?) with Fireworks (camera flashes) in the background. It looked like the tennis world had changed...

2009 Australian Open.

This match carried all the baggage from Nadal and Federer's previous meetings at RG and Wimbledon. Especially the 2008 Wimbledon. It was their first meeting in a hard court slam. Federer was a heavy pundit favourite. Nadal still wasn't seen as a big threat off clay despite his Wimbledon title and many doubted he would ever win a hard court slam. Also Nadal had just played a gruelling semi lasting over five hours and Federer was not only the fresher but he was Federer... After losing to Nadal at Wimbledon he had re-grouped and won the US Open the same year.

As far as quality goes I remember this match as being superior to the 2008 Wimbledon match. It was perhaps less emotional and more businesslike. When I get a chance it is a match I would like to watch again.

What I remember from its ending. Nadal looking like he'd done something wrong and Federer crying. It looked like something bad had happened...

2012 French Open.

This is so recent I'm sure everyone is still familiar with the build up. Djokovic had beaten Nadal in 7 straight finals including the last three slams. Nadal had lost everything he was backed into a clay corner. If he lost he would have surrendered "everything" to one player. If Djokovic won he would hold four slams. A "Djokovic slam". Talk was that in terms of achievement this would surpass anything that Nadal and Federer had achieved. If Nadal won he would hold 7 FO titles something that was unprecedented... but he had more to lose

Both Nadal and Djokovic didn't play their best in this final but perhaps the emotion and drama made up for it. Djokovic's remarkable recovery after going down two sets and a break in dreadful and deteriorating conditions. Also an overnight break that must have been very difficult for both players.

What I remember most from its ending. Eurosport switching quickly back to a rain soddon Queens. Everything had returned to normal. Did that match really happen?

All three of these matches featured Nadal and all three featured Nadal winning. But what I hadn't realized until now was that after winning these three historic matches Nadal hasn't taken much momentum from them. Instead after each he has suffered burn out or injury. After Wimbledon he played a poor US Open and then if I remember rightly took most of the rest of the year off. Missing the Davis Cup final and the WTF. After the AO he lost at the FO and withdrew from Wimbledon. After the FO this year he has lost at Wimbledon, missed the Olympics and two masters and the US Open so far... The loses in these matches in contrast haven't done so badly. Federer won the US Open after the Wimbledon loss and the precious FO and Wimbledon after the AO loss. So far Djokovic hasn't done too well but this could all change with a US Open win.

These are my favourites. Are there any that are more memorable and defining of this era?

djokovic's 6 wins over nadal in 2011

Djokovic v Nadal, 2012 AO Final. Perhaps the last time we really see both players in the same final at their peak.

LuvSports

That is an interesting choice for a Federer fan.

The Special Juan

Don't you think they were at their peak at the FO? The 2012 AO final was dramatic I agree but I don't think it had as much resting on it as this years FO.

As you said yourself in the article (about the FO) "Both Nadal and Djokovic didn't play their best in this final". I thought in the AO they were really going at it, it's probably the best final I've seen live as I was unlucky enough to be very ill on the day of the 2008 Wimbledon final. The AO final didn't have as much resting on it as the FO of course but it's one match that I will always remember as some of the tennis on show was just incredible.

The Special Juan

Shame you missed the 2008 Wimbledon final. You should try and watch it sometime although of course not the same on replay. The 2012 AO final was great but not great enough to make my list.

I agree with W08 and AO09. I would also say:

Fed v Djoko 2011 USO Semi Final. Many won't view it as a classic because there was so little of the players playing well at the same time. But for the drama of the narrative, it was hard to beat.

The USO 11 and AO12 Djoko v Nadal finals. Some of those rallies could only have existed in a match between these two players.

just pulling ya chain hawkeye.

djoko vs feds french open 2011. just wow.

Matches that will always stick in my mind:
Wimbledon 08 Final - Explanation is unnecessary
Australian Open 09 Final - From what I remember the first four sets were phenomenal before Fed tired but I always have felt Fed really let this one slip.
USO 2011 Fed vs Novak 2011 SF - Never has the phrase "emotional rollercoaster" been more appropriate. The fifth set was the most dramatic I have ever seen as Djokovic displayed new levels of mental strength.
AO 2012 F - Djokovic was not at his absolute best but the physical and mental reserve shown by him were unbelievable in the most brutal match I have ever witnessed.

the semi was more brutal than the final?

There is no Golden Era. It's been put in your head by the ramping media.

LuvSports!

Ha ha! I think I guessed that... I do agree with your assessment of the Federer Djokovic FO semi. "Wow just wow" I watched it with a friend who is not really into tennis and they thought the same. I also liked the final that year despite it being generally underrated.

Also "enjoyed" if that is the word the Federer Djokovic US semi final and the 2010 US Open final and not just because Nadal won... One of the best slam matches in terms of quality between the two players.

But the three matches I chose IMO stood out not just because of drama or quality. They all came within a context that was larger than a single tournament. The winner won more than a trophy and loser lost more than a final. This sort of match to me sums up what is memorable about this era and why IMO it is "golden" despite lack of depth in the playing field

bogbrush

I don't need the media to tell me what is golden and what isn't. Those three matches were "golden" by my judgement. Of course you don't have to agree.

Any era is golden with federer in it!!!

I have to say though that the federer safin match of aussie open 05 was incredible.
the ballstriking and the unbelievable level from start to finish was the best i have seen.

But that's out of the golden era right?

Apologies LS, the final was definitely the most brutal - swiftly amended.

dont be sorry bru 2bh the semi was pretty brutal as well eh!

I would put 2011 US open final up there. In particular the third set. Novak playing unbelievable, but Nadal showing incredible spirit and persistence to fight back from behind several times to take it in a tie break.

The effort that went into that set emptied Rafa's fuel tank and Novak win the fourth easily, but I think that third set is maybe the most I've ever enjoyed tennis as a neutral. Novak was painting the lines and yet Rafa was somehow getting balls back. People may question the aesthetics of Rafa's style of play, but you can't say the man isn't an unbelievable warrior.

Aside from that the 2008 Wimbledon final and last two Novak v Federer matches stand out as great matches for me.

LuvSports! wrote:Any era is golden with federer in it!!!

But even the biggest Federer fan would have to admit he needs someone capable of doing a little bit more than hitting the ball back? He needs a challenge, a rival someone capable of forcing him to come up with his best. Without Nadal Federer might not look quite so golden.

2011 French Open Federer vs Djokovic is my maybe my favourite match, there was electricity

No, if Nadal hadn't been around then Federer would probably have around 25 slams. There would be some who would say that he had faced no real competition but it would be hard to argue with the weight of history. He would look even more "golden".

From a neutral perspective it is fantastic that Nadal and subsequently Djokovic and Murray came along as it has allowed us to see Federer play at his very best. Rather than cruising through matches as he was able to do in the mid 00s without even having to think about tactics/strategy, he has been forced to adapt his game and play the phenomenal tennis which he has produced in the last couple of years.

Anyway, on topic, best 5 matches I've seen:

Nadal-Federer Oz 09
Nadal-Murray WTF
Federer-Djokovic US 11
Nadal-Soderling FO 09
Federer-Del Potro FO 09

hawkeye wrote:

LuvSports! wrote:Any era is golden with federer in it!!!

But even the biggest Federer fan would have to admit he needs someone capable of doing a little bit more than hitting the ball back? He needs a challenge, a rival someone capable of forcing him to come up with his best. Without Nadal Federer might not look quite so golden.

Nonsense.

If you want to watch sublime tennis played as if by the Gods, watch the AO semi final of 2007. Untouchable virtuosity

The Masters RR 2011 v Nadal was a reasonable facsimile. Not as good, but you'd get the idea.

bogbrush wrote:

hawkeye wrote:

LuvSports! wrote:Any era is golden with federer in it!!!

But even the biggest Federer fan would have to admit he needs someone capable of doing a little bit more than hitting the ball back? He needs a challenge, a rival someone capable of forcing him to come up with his best. Without Nadal Federer might not look quite so golden.

Nonsense.

If you want to watch sublime tennis played as if by the Gods, watch the AO semi final of 2007. Untouchable virtuosity

The Masters RR 2011 v Nadal was a reasonable facsimile. Not as good, but you'd get the idea.

I have to admit I was unfamiliar with those particular matches so I had to look them up.

The 2007 AO semi Federer beat Roddick 6-4, 6-0, 6-2. It's an interesting viewpoint to see the Federer Roddick rivaly defining an era. I'm curious to know what made this particular match stand out? Federer leads the H2H 21-3 so it's not like it was a one off win. They also played in many finals including 4 slams so why not one of them? The 2009 Wimbledon final perhaps where Federer won 16-14 in the final set?

And a round robin 6-3 6-0 WTF crushing of Nadal? You choose that as a most memorable match. Interesting.

I'm not questioning your choices as of course beauty or memorable matches are in the eye of the beholder... but I do find them surprising to say the least. I suppose you really don't like it when Federer is playing someone who hits the ball back.

What made the match stand out was that Federer played tennis sublime even by his standards. It was as if the ball was under his command. I don't think I've ever seen him reach that level since, save perhaps for a few games or a set here or there.

I can watch big scraps any time, they come by often. I can even watch really long matches that are brutal on the body if I want. But if I want to be inspired as if by a great piece of music or art, I'd choose to watch tennis that makes me wonder. This match did that. It was simply on another level from the slugfests you seem to like.

Oh, and this current period isn't that special. There's a guy aged 31 past his best heading it up, if you hadn't noticed, homogenous conditions to neuter the specialists, and a conference being held to address the lack of competition. All that glitters....

bogbrush

I can understand what you mean about about seeing an athlete at the top of his game in total command. Federer can really make the game look beautiful. I'm always fascinated by still photographs of him. So many exist and only rarely does he look off balance or awkward. He always looks the picture of composure and balance. I don't know if you ever saw Evonne Goolagong play but she is the only player I can think of who could match Federer for floaty elegant style. I enjoy watching other sports too to see such elegance (gymnastics, ice skating and even ballet)

But what I enjoy about tennis is that you get to see all this (if you are lucky) combined with competition. It's one thing to be able to perform well but it takes things to a whole different leval of interest to see how players can produce their best against someone else of equal ability. That's why I enjoy watching Federer play Nadal. IMO he's the only player that can match him (I also think his style is beautiful to watch but I doubt I can convince you of that...)When those two players play at their best it's a sort of dance off.

I take exception to being accused of liking to watch "slugfests". Nothing could be further from the truth. Slugfests can take many forms including lack of variety baseline ball bashing or the Sampras style serving fests. Both I find boring.

I also agree about the lack of competition today as I have said before. Anything special or golden is confined to the top three. This US Open is looking particularly weak with Nadal not present. If Federer even at 31 plays his sparkly best there is no one to challenge him. This is no fun for me because I like to watch a competition. Maybe that's why I wrote this nostalgic piece...

I was at the WTF when Rafa got demolished by Fed. It was terrific stuff from Rog but Rafa wasn't really in it so it probably doesn't stand out as a great match, although you could say instead it was a match in which Fed played great. Slight difference
I would certainly pick out the 08 Wimbledon and 09 AO finals as some of the most dramatic matches of the recent era. Didn't see much of the A0 12 final but whatever might be said about baseline bashing it must have been a phenomenal physical feat by both players (ditto the USO 2011 final).
What about the Rome final a few years back when Fed had two MPs and it went to a long five-setter? Anyone see that and would like to comment?

Best matches in recent years in my opinion:

Fed vs Nadal Wimbledon 08
Djokovic vs Fed US Open 2011
Djokovic vs Fed US open 2010
Nadal vs Djokovic AUS final 2012
Del Potro vs Fed US Open 09
Fed vs Nadal Aus open 2009
Murray vs Djokovic Aus Open 2012
Nadal vs Murray (World tour finals semi in 2010 ?? I think, tiebreak in deciding set)
Tsonga vs Djokovic French Open 2012

The 2010 Nadal v Murray WTF semi was, indeed, a terrific match. Doubt whether Murray has ever played so well and lost.
Although the Tsonga-Djoko French semi this year provided great drama, Tsonga was really awful in the first set and dispirited at the end.

What about a more recent match in the Del Potro/Federer match from the Olympics. I watched the whole match, it was so up and down, especially with the huge twist an hour from the end. How often does Federer get broken serving for the match? It nearly happened again but Federer managed to win it on deuce.

Hawkeye, the AO 2007 semifinal? Goodness me! That was a match that was scarcely believable. A match report mentioned that whatever Federer touched seemed to turn to gold. And tell you what, that wasn't hyperbole 'coz that's how the match felt. Never have I been so thrilled by a tennis match as that.

Is the 2008 Wimbledon final even the best match between Federer and Nadal? Surely, a case can be made for the 2006 Rome final!?

Tennisanorak wrote:Is the 2008 Wimbledon final even the best match between Federer and Nadal? Surely, a case can be made for the 2006 Rome final!?

Indeed, far more dramatic, with the match won from mp down.

Yes, BB. Not to mention that considering a predominantly baseline slugfest (How many times did either come to the net?) on grass to be the best ever match on any surface, let alone on grass, is strange!

It was a tremendous match, of course, but whenever people call it the greatest match of all time, I just find myself wondering about quite a few other epic tennis encounters.

Tennisanorak wrote:It was a tremendous match, of course, but whenever people call it the greatest match of all time, I just find myself wondering about quite a few other epic tennis encounters.

I find myself wondering how much tennis they watch.

I'm surprised that not much significance is placed on the the stakes involved when assessing memorable matches that define the era. Matches involving great stroke play or dramatic scorelines are relatively common so a rr match or a beat down on a player that couldn't really be viewed as a threat wouldn't make my list. Shot play and drama were factors in my choice of three matches but what made them really stand out is how rather than stand alone matches... or even stand alone slam finals they were seen as having a significance beyond that. I tried to explain this for each match in the article.

In this context the 2006 Rome final is right up there. Unfortunately I didn't see the match at the time. Sadly I still thought most of the mens tour was still a sort of serving target practice. But I have seen it since and it was exceptional in terms of shot play, drama and significance above and beyond a single match. Both Federer and Nadal had a lot to prove. Nadal had just a single RG at the time and that could have been written off as a fluke as could Federer's loss to Nadal in that RG. It was also played over 5 sets. Would still stick with my original picks but this is a very close outsider.

slashermcguirk wrote:Best matches in recent years in my opinion:

Fed vs Nadal Wimbledon 08
Djokovic vs Fed US Open 2011
Djokovic vs Fed US open 2010
Nadal vs Djokovic AUS final 2012
Del Potro vs Fed US Open 09
Fed vs Nadal Aus open 2009
Murray vs Djokovic Aus Open 2012
Nadal vs Murray (World tour finals semi in 2010 ?? I think, tiebreak in deciding set)
Tsonga vs Djokovic French Open 2012

This is a good list

strangely, i didnt actually think French open 2011 Fed vs Djoko was that great. Yes, there was a huge amount on the line and Federer played one of his best ever matches in my opinion. I felt however that Novak was way below his best in the first 2 sets. It only really became a spectacle in sets 3 and 4 when novak woke up.

Tsonga vs Fed in Wimbledon 2011 was a good match too but I felt it was down to one player playing well in each set rather than both of them.

We really have been blessed with a plethora of extraordinarily good matches in this era of consistent greatness at the top.

Fed v. Nadal 08 and 07 wimby, Roddick v. Fed in 09, Djoko v. Nadal in 2012, Djoko v. Fed USO 2010 and 2011.

I strongly agree with your first two choices - that was phenomenal quality, the AO was just as good as the famous WImbledon classic, or even better, for 4 of the 5 sets.. I was at your third one but it wasn't really a top classic, drizzly rain throughout and an anticlimactic Monday return, and Nadal was actually heavily favoured as the tournament progressed, and although you mention 7 in a row, Nadal had actually won 1 or 2 before RG.

Apart from your first 2 which for me stand alone, from the last couple of years I would go with US Open final 2011 maybe if you want a Nadal-Djokovic match.

I watched the Mcenroe-Borg famous Wimbledon 5-set final from 1980 or therabouts, that year, and it was very good, on a par perhaps with the Federer-Nadal one, I don't like the talk of greatest match of "all time" since it dismisses many matches one hasn't seen, include those that came before we were even born of which no TV records exist.

Well I disagree Henman Bill if anything outside of a few fed fans who prefer a certain style of play I think most commentators and fans found the Novak and Nadal final at the AO and the Murray semi as well as being truely spectacular tennis. I like baseline play and point construction, players that play both defense and offense and I think that is what I saw.