This was pre prime nadal (2004-2007). Prime Federer could only take a set off him on clay only

FR is the absolute king, but not facing Nadal on clay ! anyone that things FR is not on the top of his game, watch his defence at 2:56. it is just that what Nadal is doing - on this slippery surface - is completely overwhelming . serve and volley players are at a severe disadvantage on clay because they have to change direction quickly approaching the net and the clay obstructs this ability.

Nadal😊one and only

These highlights understate the frustration of Federer fans. He played so well but somehow no on break points. Missed 14 break points

Alcaraz, Sinner, or anyone of the current players will never ever give us this kind of matches, this is the pinnacle of tennis guys, this is it.

Such a great winner! 🤩

The score board at the bottom is just a bad design and rather confusing

Im so glad that was my childhood growing up. I reall think about it and there is no one right now who play at that level. People say carlos and sinner. Nah, that level cannot be found. Fedal in their prime cannot be touched

Crazy that it took another 13 years for Nadal to win his second AO

Federer inside out forehand uh

lol end of the easy ride for Roger even the claycourt bully owned him at AO

This was the next-to-last match they played as the Big Two, followed by Wimbledon in July. By the end of the summer, Djokovic had become the clear #3 and a major threat to their dominance. But from mid-2005 to mid-2007, they were alone at the top. Only one could beat the other.

MAN! Early 2000's sports were something else. best football players best NBA players. best tennis players. ı think 80's generation is the last great generation of humanity

Novak 🐐

Only Alcaraz can beat this Nadal in straight set

Federer actually played super well here. He was matching Nadal in the 1st 2 sets. This Federer would beat any clay court specialist in any era, except this version of Nadal. Probably if Federer played like this, post 2010, he would win maybe 2-3 FOs.

In 2007, Roger Federer was young, confident, Moving like feather across court, hitting lightening fast Back hand and hitting deep Forehand. In spite of all qualities, Federer was loosing 80% points on lengthy exchange of Rallies. Nadal was able to control the Rally with bouncing Top spin Federer was getting plenty of opportunity to approach the Net to cut short the Rallies. That would have increased the winning percentage of points compared long Rallies. Federer was literally playing into Nadal's hand by allowing him to play long Rallies. Nadal was good at playing Passing shot. However, Federer could have approached Net When Nadal was serving, Later on Nadal dented Federer's hope in Hard court also.

Best 4-setter of all time. Better quality than 95% of 5-set finals

El drogas

I miss these days of tennis.

Probably the best I’ve ever seen Federer play Nadal at RG and yet it still wasn’t enough. The following year was a total massacre. No one does that to Federer on any surface except Nadal. 6-1 6-3 6-0. People mention Federer having mono that year but by the time RG and especially Wimbledon happened he was already over that according to him and his team. Nadal was just on a mission this year and especially 2008

Crazy how Nadal didn't win a non-clay slam until wimbledon 2008. Federer & co. were very very good

Match shows how important it is to slide on hardcourts. Many shots would have been winners by RF but Rafa was sliding in the last second to reset the point. Amazing!!!

Federer had the best onehanded backhand ever. It was almost as good as a forehand. Crazy.

This match can cure your depression..

so sad to see them so young, now they are both old and bald and impossible to walk from so many injuries, one wonders: was it really worth it?

if this nadal would have stayed healthy no telling how many more slams he wins

Federer should’ve had a 98sq inch racket back in these times, he was trying to beat nadal on clay with a 90sq inch one hand back hand

Estamos en una época de transición del tenis Federer retirado, Nadal a punto y Djokovic en vigencia pero los partidos memorables se fueron. Me queda la nostalgia

Watching this i can see how much better Federer's improved backhand was since 2017. He is a little faster here but too bad we was so damn stubborn and didn't get with the times and use a modern racket with a huge sweet spot like everyone else at the expense of a tiny bit of forehand peak power. He was basically dominant against Nadal after that and identical to Novak despite being much older.

Rafa court coverage foot speed and counter-defense is insane here..

The first 30 seconds of introduction-does anyone know the background music with the trumpets playing?

Two monsters of this current time !

Feds BH does nothing to Nadal on clay

Just handcuff Roger to the BH all the day long. Wash rinse repeat.

Nadal GOAT ❤

In 2017 they met again in AO open final 😊

In 2017 they met again in AO open final 😊

1/17 on break points

Difference between this Roger and 2017 was his backhand.

And they say Alcaraz is better than this

2024, I'm comparing 21 years old alcaraz to 21 years old nadal on clay. Nadal is really the king on clay. But its seems like Alcaraz has the ability to reach the big 3's records on grand slams. 3 surfaces grand slams at 21 years old is something else.

24:08 its even better

Not a word in French every time he won, this man is full of arrogance

Federer played a hell of a match to even make this competitive. He was flying around and making a concerted effort to hit through his backhand instead of slicing it, knowing that slicing against Rafa on clay is a death wish. Nontheless, Nadal peppered Fed’s backhand throughout the duration of the match, and had success doing it. With his style of play with the looping forehand to the opponent’s backhand (especially a 1 hander) combined with his speed, durability, and stamina, it seems like he would be impossible to beat on this surface. And, he virtually was. No weaknesses at all, and even when he is down in the point, he is never out, hitting winners from ridiculous positions that nobody else can. Not to mention his pure effort and hustle, he never ever gives up on point until the ball has bounced twice. Must be so damn frustrating, and exhausting, to play against. Looking at Federer’s level of play, he would have beaten probably everyone else in tennis history (aside from maybe Djokovic) with his level in this match. But not with Nadal on the other set of the net. Absolute machine.

This was the game that truly made Roger nervous. You can immediately see the defeat that Nadal put on him the year before in RG shell shocked him. I’m sure on the way to the finals Federer was probably praying Nadal wouldn’t make it. Anyone but him.

Nadal was ridiculously good on clay. I mean, ridiculously. He's playing one of the greatest of all time and making him look like an average tennis player.

11:30 isn’t the blonde girl ostapenko???

One person put it this way. "They took one set from Nadal in the French Open final. That proves they are clay specialists." They don't have to win. Just take one set and you will receive the same glory as the champions of another era.

23:58 that forehand slice is the sickest shot I've ever seen! Can't believe he still lost the point!