I grew up with John Mac and Jimmy Conners...but now at age 60 I have seen two of the greatest for a lifetime. Their immense respect for each other is heartwarming. Thanks for another great vid. Your intros and out takes are epic.

This was epic match! Just what Goran ivanisevic said " I've seen roger at his best at wimbledon on the grass, Novak at his best at australia but nothing compares to Rafa at Roland Garros"

Rafa earned the respect of the frenchs (even though France and Spain aren’t “friends”). Now he’s claimed and clapped in every single moment. Now he’s older, everyone wants him to win (as they did with Roger in this match).

Best ever version of roger on clay courts without a shadow of a doubt... His match against novak and the first 3 sets vs rafa in finals were the best ever.. The finals match really deserved a 5th set

Rodger played extremely well. Such a privilege to watch them play for 12-13 years at such a high level.

Always got so hyped seeing the big 4 all in the semi finals.

Scary thing is, Federer at RG 2011 played at a much higher level than he did in 2009. Yet, he couldn't get his hands on La Coupe des Mousquetaires for the 2nd time. This makes me appreciate Rafa so much to pull that comeback in the first set trailing 2-5 to win it 7-5. Hope he does it again this year at RG. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻

This was a turning point in Roger's career. Yes this was Roger's best chance at beating Rafa in the French, but it was also Roger's 5th final here and it would be his last. Afterwards, Roger never made FO finals again. His latter years were all Wimbledon and AO (with one lone USO final).

I guess Federer never believed in winning that match. He played amazing tennis for 3 sets and he was even hesitating celebrating his biggest winners as if he couldn't believe what was happening.Also he got unlucky in various close calls that could easily change the course of that match

As great as Rafa is on clay, Federer had no reason to not win this match. Rafa didn't look his best in that tournament (lost 2 sets to Isner) while Federer had taken out the most in-form player in the world. That semifinal match against Djokovic is very memorable for me as it was the first tennis match I ever watched and the one that made me a fan of Federer. I watched it with a friend and his family (who were rooting for Djokovic).

Incredible to watch this piece from history. Federer attempts multiple 1-2 punches and Rafa hits a ridiculous passing shot each time. WITH EASE.

I will never tire of watching these two play.

Until 5-2 in the first set, Federer played one of the cleanest games of tennis ive ever seen him play , and i watch him since 2003. He had a clear vision of how the rallies must go and considering the overall score, this is the only RG match between the 2 that he could have won, maybe in 4 sets too. But that drop shot at set point was a mistake

that was Federer's best chance to defeat Rafa at the French

Never seen two other competitors love each other so much. If only other professionals could behave this way, it would be so beautiful.

You have added so much to my tennis experience and deep appreciation of Rafa's indominable spirit. Thank you!

Federers biggest weakness has always been his inability - when having the advantage to not always use it Example , his conversion rate on break points is at the lower % when compared with his contemporaries . Change this - and he could have ended his career well ahead of his rivals That aside - his game style was still the best to watch - versatile , often creative and flowing - the world will miss him 👌

I still can't believe isner almost put Rafa out

You mean to tell me that Federer was expected to beat Nadal, although he lost 4 matches already on RG to Rafa? Sorry to say this, but Rafa was living rent free in Roger’s head thanks to the clay. The outcome of the first 2 sets here proves it. Had they not played so many matches on clay at the beginning of their rivalry, Roger might have had a chance against him in this final. The mental edge was so in favour of Rafa at that time.

3:13 I swear, that looks IN to me!

I spite of the heart breaking loss, Roger lightly tapped Rafa. No overt animosity.

It's really tough for anyone to win any tournament especially when you faces consecutively 2 of the big 3

There is only one king in clay #RAFA

Wivo, thanks again. Do you happen to have this full match? Do you know if it’s online anywhere that it can be watched? I LOVE your channel!!! You’re the best! ❤️

Nobody can defeat goat

The guy named Rafa Nadal made the great Roger looked like Robinsoderling .. the guy at Rolandgarros is like Undertaker at WrestleMania... He just can't loose

you have the best intro and closing

incontestablement le meilleur match et la meilleur finale de federer a rolland et prtant ca n a pas suffit en face en finale il est tt bonnement ingerable personne n y est jamais arrivé en ...14 tentatives

Roger should have gone to a bigger size racquet way earlier. The one Roger was using here was only 90sq.inch. He then went up to a frame that was 97sq. inch. It gave him more power on the back hand and allowed him to drive the ball better. That's how he defeated Rafa in the finals of the Australian Open in 2017.

In all fairness after the final Roger looked extremely happy and content. He knew he got the job done after that GOAT ly performance against Novak. And he's so touchy with Rafa at that ceremony it's kinda weird lol.

This guy is good

And he Roger Federer destroyed Nada's dreams in Wimbledon 2006 and Australian open in 2017

Best of 5 RG Rodger knew he'd have to play the same way he beat nole to have the slightest chance in hell

As much as I love Fed, the only reason Federer was able to beat Djokovic the way he did and dominate Nadal for the first 3 sets the way he did here was because 2011 Roland Garros played more like a medium hardcourt than a clay court that year. The balls were blazing fast and the court didn't really slow them down enough to properly resemble a clay court.

The stadium was evenly divided maybe slightly towards Roger. Rafa doesn't have significant amount of haters.

Rafa is just out of the world on clay...

Roger never had a chance against Nadal on clay. A lot of comments that make no sense. The high ball to fed's backhand only got better until 2017. The only player that could handle high balls with ohb was wawrinka. The match was lost before it even started.

Rafa’s head to head in grand slams is what makes him legend

One thing I always noticed in Fed’s matches against Rafa and Novak (he lost) that he almost always started like a rocket but gradually fizzled out as the match grew deeper.

Most of the points were lost when Roger left the baseline and tried to rush the net and got passed or couldn't hit the perfect volley ... even though beating Nadal in baseline rallies at RG is the toughest task Roger should have stayed back and chosen more carefully which ones to finish at the net,...obviously this is easier to say ..however i 'm pointing out here because this was the exact sort of gameplan he employed in AO 17 final...waiting for the right moment to go to the net ... i think he sort of lost it after 5-2 when that drop shot felt wide.. and then when you lose 5 straight games from 5-2 to losing 5-7 i guess Roger was just sort of holding his game in sets 2 and 3 . he was still good enough .... but not as good as the 1st set until 5-2 ...with such a mentality when you have to go toe to toe with Nadal and win set 3 ..i guess it was too much for Roger from set 4 onwards and he got breadsticked..still even if he had won the 1st set it would have been difficult to say whether he would have won overall...because since he did not win 1st set he was at a high level until set 3 because he wanted to win a set and then it became too much... am saying this as a Roger fan..as beating Rafa in RG was one of the most toughest task... In 2006 also he had won the first set and still lost in 4..

The conditions changed in this match which did not help Roger I think. The balls tend to fly through the court better when it is sunnier. I remember a few rain breaks for this match.

where did you get that tune at the end ! It's freaking epic ! Could you please site song or artist name ? Thanks amazing content by the way

I still think to this day that Federer got screwed on that out call on set point on 2-5. I saw white dust blow up in the air above where the ball bounced

Roger is ultimate choker! How the f he lost that first set...

This is definitely the best match from Nadal on clay

Rafa had Feds number right from the start, 10-4 in grand slams is a total domination.

I think Federer is the player that missed the most important occasions ton win Grand Slams

Post 2006, this was the best chance Federer had to beat Rafa at the French Open. I think his backhand was working well too. But his inability to play his best tennis on big points against Rafa/Nole cost him again. The rain delay also helped him to get back in the second set, yet he wasn't able to take advantage. The conditions got heavier after the rain which meant no major top spin for Rafa, still he wasn't able to win even though he was playing well. On one hand it shows how difficult it is to beat Rafa at the French Open. But it also shows how difficult it is to overcome the lack of belief if you have lost always to an opponent on a surface. Just as Federer always had confidence against Roddick, Hewitt. Rafa has that against Federer. Nonetheless, great performance from Roger overall and a great match to see.

Roger played at very high level in this final, without a doubt. Couple big points won here and there and the result could have been very different.

8:02 🔥🔥

🐐👑🥺❤

Rafa is a goat 🔥🔥

There was no belief in Fed body language even when he was up 5-2. Also you’re not gonna win against Rafa on clay by going to the net. Huge mental block for Fed

Fedrer had won first set by 6-2 but lineman error at 5-2 40-15 cost him the set and match

one hand back hand is week against nadal style

Roger is such a choker against Rafa on clay it's amazing to see. Also against Djokovic in grand slams while having 40-15 in match points. That's the only negative thing in his career. Without it he would've been easily the best ever officially. For me he's the best ever anyway no Matter how many titles they'll have. But some people love this stat and he blew it unfortunately...

Roger still had doubts

Federer did not have a chance against Nadal on clay because of his one handed backhand

Fed could have won it in 3 straight sets but Rafa was exceptional 🙌🏻

Con Ñ siempre donde estéis.

We will never know if 2011 Novak could have beaten Nadal that year at the French

please 1080p

Why does this thumbnail make Rafa look like he has a blonde mohawk😂

Changing history with a few centimeters.

El primer set tuvo set point para cerrarlo 63. El segundo jugaron un tiebreak. El tercero lo ganó 75. Faltó poco Roger.

The craziest thing is this was Nadal's sixth French Open trophy. He would win 8 more after this one!!!

How mad is it to think that this is nowhere close to being the worst final loss for Federer?

Although i am a huge Federer fan yet i m of the view that his biggest weakness is: 1 his inability to hit cross court shots 2 :his very low conversion rate of break points n 3 : lack of self confidence at crucial points specially against Djokovic n Nadal otherwise he is a player to be born once in a century. He had everything in his game : class, elegance, beautiful service, his ability to serve aces consistently , footwork , drop shots, over head lobs. You know he could make the game so easy n keep the point short. If he could curtail his above mentioned weaknesses, he could easily 6 more grand slams.

He blew it. He has his chance given that Nadal was nowhere near his best in 2011.

I know this comment is unrelated to this video. Novak has just said, in an interview, he hopes to meet Rafa in a Roland Garros final once again. Apparently, Djokovic has ambitions.

It’s so weird hearing Rafa being booed. He is one of the most respectful/polite players in the circuit.

Incredible turnaround in the first set, Fed missed the drop shot by a few centimetres 3:09, then Rafa won 7 games in a row Here, Rafa had won 4 of the last 5 slams 🔥

Nadal Was so dangerous on clay back in those days

If you watch carefully, Federer by this time had suffered permanent mental damage when facing Nadal at RG. He knew his game couldn't deal with a player like Nadal on this surface. Even a solid game like Djokivic's wouldn't win against Nadal when he's playing well at RG.

Not that it matters now, but I always thought if Fed had just switched to a 2 handed backhand, he would have had a chance against Nadal on Clay.

Nadal is lucky by taking advantage of that rain disrupt during 2nd set. Roger is clearly the better player.

Federer got screwed in that crucial call that was called out

It's really disappointing that Federer lost the final set 6-1. Unlike Djokovic he could not even take Rafa to five sets never mind best him.

Le rafa le meilleur

I don't know if I will watch tennis after novak and nadal retire.

2nd and 3rd for sure

So who's the "15,000 haters" exactly? I guess it all depends which tennis player you prefer then those who prefer and support the other guy are the "hater's" in your world. Not exactly the best way of making friends and influencing people....

Federer completely fell apart, after that drop shot set point. He is rushed and anxious afterwards. 2-5 to 7-5. Djokovic and Nadal simply don't throw away those kinds of leads. It's telling time and time again, when you watch his matches back. Every Time the doubts surfaced, they took hold.

Federer played nowhere near the level he played against djokovic, he got pretty nervous

So Roger retires never having beaten Rafa at RG. RG is a different sort of beast to conquer it seems. Sampras never got one. Edberg. Becker. True giants of tennis. Never got one. Roger got his but not through Rafa. And only once.

First set: What happened? Did Rafa suddenly wake up after seven games? Second set: RF unforced errors and Rafa winners about even. Third set: No comment. Fourth set: Clearly Rafa. (I've seen RF better but,...) Rafa just better that day.

Do the impossible is 👍 right

Still Federer ruled this sport unlike any other!

federer choked, like he did many times

El Miércoles 17 no vemos Futuros Ingenieros de Minas y Energía.

Why you call them "haters"? They were just rooting for Federer, that doesn't mean they are haters, they just have a preference and there is nothing wrong or disrespectful with it. You only think it's bad because they are not rooting for the same player you are rooting for

Prime Federer never came close to taking down Nadal at the French Open but pre-prime Nadal took down prime Federer at Wimbeldon in 2008 + came really close in 2007..

I wonder now many slams Roger would have if Nadal didn’t play tennis

Perdonar Don Rafa Nadal no se Jubiló.Vamos Chatin Vamos Pequeño Aprendiz Vamos siempre nos quedará París.Vamos

Threw it away in the first set

Rafa taking medicals when hes down

Rafa Nadal is like the Real Madrid in the finals...once in finals, they are champions. 14/17 the Real, 22/30 Nadal 👀

It’s clay and Rafa so …

Ya

Fed should win this one, he was better, almost unstoppable, but Rafa is not the king of clay for nothing