ESPN - June 2007

ESPN Chat With Todd Martin, Greg Garber, Bonnie DeSimone

Paul (Philadelphia): Greg, is it too early to consider the possibility that Nadal could end up as one of the 5 or 10 best players ever? The way I see it, he could end up with around 7 or 8 French Opens and probably 4 or 5 wins at the other three slams (especially after Federer retires)... what do you think?

GREG GARBER: Paul: An intriguing thought -- just the reason we chat. Projecting ahead to the day Federer steps away -- the key to this proposition -- nadal should be a threat at the other three Slams, certainly Australia and the US Open. If Federer plays until he's 30 and destroys Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam titles, Nadal might get a few majors beyond the French.

Amit (Chicago): Has Nadal's game on grass improved enough to seriously challenge Federer's bid to win five straight? The Wimbledon final last year wasn't exactly tight...

GREG GARBER: Amit: he's clearly a better, stronger player than he was a year ago. I'd say yes.

Paul (Pontiac, Illinois): I know it's early, yet, but if Federer wins Wimbledon and continues to dominate on grass, do you think he can have a streak rivaling, possibly surpassing Nadal's? Also, how many legends in the discussion of being the "all time greatest" actually consider Federer being potentially the best?

TODD MARTIN: Paul: I assume you mean Nadal's streak on clay. Yes, it is possible, but it has to carry over several more years than Nadal's streak over the last couple years.

Mo (Washington, DC): I am an avid squash player and avid tennis fan. Do you think someone like Federer, Nadal or even say, Mario Ancic (assuming none of them already play squash) pick up a squash racquet, practice for a few months and dominate professionally, given their fitness, mental toughness and athleticism?

TODD MARTIN: No. The most important attribute of all athletes, especially racket sport athletes, is their respective skill. Fed and Nadal would get good fast, but probably not at a professional level.

Joe (Alhambra, CA): hi, todd! after this year french open, it looks like federer has run out of ideas on beating nadal on clay. it seems that if federer really wins the french open during his prime, he has to go through nadal one way or the other. but, in my opinion, i think nadal will be stumbling through the draw next year at the french, as a handful of the other players will try to figure out on how to beat him, this is especially true for djokovic.......i think french will be the one missing link on federer resume. do you agree?

TODD MARTIN: Joe: There is never an end to the way you can approach matchups. I lost 17 of my first 19 matches against Sampras (impressive, I know), but won 2 out of my last 3. The biggest thing I learned was to believe just a bit more in myself and let it happen...one way or another.

Bill (San Antonio): Will it require nothing short of an injury to Nadal or Federer for Andy Roddick to have a legitimate shot at winning Wimbledon?

TODD MARTIN: Bill: Hardly. I would rate Nadal as the third favorite for the title. Federer is head and shoulders ahead of the rest and Roddick is great on grass.

Cody (Lewisville, Tx): Todd, how much could fatigue come into affect with the small amount of rest Nadal has had since the Masters Series at Hamberg? Do you see that hindering his performance, maybe even leading to an early exit this year?

TODD MARTIN: He is still young and goes full speed all the time. He had enough time to still play great at French. I would expect him to be ready here.

Shan(Chicago): If you were federer's coach what will you tell him on how to beat Nadal at roland garros?

TODD MARTIN: Shan: Probably what every other coach would, he has to play very aggressive, making his way to net often and accepting making errors.

michelle, new york: how far can rafa go this year? he looked impressive against Fish...

TODD MARTIN: Michelle: He can do very well. He was awfully strong today. That being said, there are those who can cause him troubles on the grass.

Tarun (NYC): who do you think is more dominant? Nadal on clay or Roger on Grass?

TODD MARTIN: Tarum: Which do I like more? Hot Dogs or Cheeseburgers?? Personally, it is a minute distinction, but Nadal on clay is probably a bit more dominant. It is the native surface of most of the top 100 players.

Cormac Ryan (Dallas, TX): Everybody's talking about Federer and Roddick in one semi, which is hard to dispute. If Nadal loses before then, who might we see in the other men's semifinals?

TODD MARTIN: Cormac: I still like the way Lleyton Hewitt plays on the grass. But, without Nadal, there is lots that can happen on the bottom half.

Bob (paris): Todd, Federer mentioned after the French final that Nadal is the 'only' guy he needs to gameplan for. Do you think that might be a reason why his level of play seems to drop against Nadal, meaning he thinks too much against Nadal instead of letting his instincts take over. Another question, does it frustrate you as much as me to see guys at wimbledon sit back on short balls instead of coming to the net? thanks Todd.

TODD MARTIN: Bob: Federer doesn't overthink in my opinion. It is more a commentary on how talented and in control of his game he is. The staying back frustrates me when it is a bad decision, but often times it is too easy to hit passing shots to come in as frequently as in decades past.

Shan(Chicago): Also do you think Nadal is better on grass now than last year based on what you have seen so far.

GREG GARBER: Shan: See yesterday's story. Nadal is MUCH better on grass than he was. At 21, he's going to get better, too.

Mo (Washington, DC): Who do you think is the men's player with the greatest mental toughness? Do the best players use their last error as motivation or try to forget that error occured?

TODD MARTIN: Not surprisingly, Federer and Nadal are the two best. I think that a player should focus first on rectifying errors, but do their best to erase past errors from memory.

Andrew (Ann Arbour): Good Evening Todd, I wanted to know why is it that some guys are so much tougher than others mentally. For instance, Nadal and Connors (in his day) always believed they are going to win no matter the situation. Where does that come from?

TODD MARTIN: Andrew: Some might say desire is the ticket. All these guys have desire, but the best mentally have a commitment to the process and embrace the competition, even when it doesn't go their way.

Miguel Seabra, Lisbon, Portugal: Hey, Todd -- I was the press officer at the Estoril Open when you were a finalist there in 1999 -- and your neighbour in the street you are staying in here in Wimbledon. I'd like to know if you still stand by what you said then in POrtugal -- that clay is your favourite surface. And another question: if your life was on the line on a tennis match on any surface, who would you want to play it for you -- Rafa or Roger?

TODD MARTIN: Miguel: Hello neighbor. Clay will always be my favorite. It is also the greatest challenge for me, but as my wife gets sick of hearing, I love challenges.

If forced to decide I would make a surface request first and decide the player playing for my life second. They are both amazing. Federer is obviously the best, especially against anyone other than Nadal.

Chad (St. Gallen): Todd, who are your favorite current players to watch as a fan and who were your idols growning up?

TODD MARTIN: Chad: I really enjoy watching Fed and Nadal, but others are Santoro, Nalbandian, Youzhny, and Djokovic.