I think it's the best of all time because they're two of the best tennis players of all time! I think either of them could consistently beat anybody who's ever player the game.

The matches are always thrilling and fantastic. They are incredibly exciting to watch. Their talent is limitless, and the matches remind me of the Borg matches vs the various opponents he had. Federer reminds me of Borg in the respect that he plays with such extraordinary grace and focus, but what happened today is that Nadal played better. He is one of a kind and has a long tennis career ahead of him, if his knees hold out. But don't count Roger out - he will tie and then surpass Pete Sampras' record. He is too good.

I know we should just get over it - but we have a hard time watching Nadal anymore. He picks his butt before every serve and it gets outrageously old and too much.

Nadal - if your shorts don't fit - get new ones (you are on tv after all). If it's just a nervous tick - can you work on it so we can watch you play?

It is a great rivalry, and BOTH players are two of the all time greats. There is a clique of tennis pundits and fans who seem unwilling to give Nadal the recognition he deserves for his great mental toughness and smarts out there. The coverage is all about Federer's quest to tie or beat Sampras Grand Slam total, and Nadal is treated like some interloper in the way of Federer's greatness. If Federer is the "all time best player", what does that make Nadal, who has beaten him three straight times when they have met in Grand Slam finals? Nadal is pretty darn good too.

ROGER, GET USED TO IT

I wonder what Federer was whining about.  He must have assumed that he owned the hard courts.  In a way, his crying undermines Nadal's victory. and that was uncalled for.   Federer was soundly beaten especially in that final set. (6-2).

This guy,(Federer) had stayed in number one for so long that he now thinks no one else could claim the top spot, big mistake.  Roger boy, wipe out your tears and get ready for another definite disappointment at Roland Garros  soon.  One guy sticking to number one spot for too long like Federer did a while ago easily means that ATP is a wiesel community, that doesnt do Tennis much credibility.

Can anyone say Pete Sampras ? I imagine he felt the same when beaten by Roger but like a true champion, whining was not part of the equation. Mr. Federer, get used to game!

I felt uncomfortable watching Federer sobbing. At one point, I thought Nadel was going to cry FOR Federer. I remember Federer once called Nadel a "grinder", which is not a pretty term.

I wonder why Nadal and Serena have such gigantic muscles! Serena looks like she could be a defensive tackle for the Steelers. Nadal looks like he could press 5000 pounds. No other tennis greats have such bulging muscles - it doesn't seem normal.

Yay!!! I watched the entire match. I thought that it was pretty funny that the commentators favored Federer just because of Nadal's five set match against Verdasco, but it was Federer who seemed to give up. I am not a fan of Federer, but I have to admit that before the fifth set, he played well. He had some... issues serving and with his groundstrokes at first, but overall he did well. Nadal had some AMAZING shots, as usual. :) I always enjoy watching Nadal because he rarely gives up on a shot. He hits winners off of some shots that should have been winners for Federer. :) I have to say that I enjoy watching a close match, like the Nadal vs. Federer Final because there is some... excitement in the game. (I hated watching Serena demolish Safina....) Nadal is quickly becoming one of the greatest tennis players of all time. And I look forward to watching more of his matches. :)

I think I know why Federer was crying All this talking about each other respect one another is very good but at the end of the day the rules are simple Federer wanted to have this 14th and he couldn"t do it Now he has to wait

I love them both!

In boxing, they say that styles make fights. This is true for this rivalry between Nadal and Federer, and why Federer will always struggle against Nadal. Federer does not handle Nadal's heavy spin on his shots very well, and Nadal knows how to exploit Federer's backhand. I don't know why people are getting on Federer for crying...The man is passionate about winning and is emotional, big deal (remember, he also cried two years aho when he won the title and Rod Laver gave him the trophy). I don't see anyone getting on NBA players or NFL players after they have just lost the big game and crying on the sidelnes. It happens..Federer haters are just using that to trash him

Nadal is clearly #1 right now, and will go down as one of the greatest players ever. Federer will also...

Nadal is only 22, wow !!! many many more chances at achieving that 14 grand slam tiltles mark. Let us do the math. Federer is 27, which means 5 years older. multiply that by 4 grand slam events every year and you get 20 grand slam possibilities before Nadal turns 27. Even if Federer makes 14, maybe 15 grand slam titles, how long will it take Nadal to erase those records anyway? I see Nadal going close to 20 or more before he retires possibly in his 30's if he remains healthy.

Thanks for that brilliant number crunching and cogent analysis, victor Palin, but did you consider the possibility that someone will come along and derail Rafa's victory train before he can amass all those slam titles? He is great, but it remains to be seen how long he can stay on top!

Thanks for your observation, Duke. My answer to your question lies in the final sentence of my post, and I repeat, "I see Nadal going close to 20 or more before he retires possibly in his 30's IF he remains healthy". Of course someone else could rise and derail all these arguments, yes that's a possibility. But for now, we are debating on Roger and Rafael.