NINA PANTIC: Nadal
On their preferred surfaces, Nadal is three Grand Slam titles ahead of Federer—with 11 at Roland Garros to Federer's eight at Wimbledon. He’s also a few years younger. It's the safer choice, especially given how dominant Nadal is on a surface that stretches for a longer part of the season. It's not Federer's fault that the grass season is so short, but it does make the outcome of lawn matches sometimes as unpredictable as the bounces.
ED MCGROGAN: Nadal
“Try my best” as I can, I can’t think of a compelling reason to pick against a player who has won nearly 98 percent of his matches at Roland Garros. But what if the question was this: for your life, would you rather take Federer in a match on clay or Nadal in a match on grass? That’s a tough call. Let me know your thoughts below, but I might go with Federer there, even with two years away from the slow stuff.
ASHLEY NDEBELE: Nadal
I would take Nadal on Chatrier without hesitation because of his remarkable 86-2 win-loss record. In his 13 appearances at Roland Garros, the Spaniard has won 11 titles, making him a sure bet. Federer, on the other hand, has won eight Wimbledon titles in his 19 appearances. Though he is considered the best grass-courter of all time, he hasn’t dominated at the All England Club the way the way Nadal has in Paris.
About Tough Call:
In Tough Call, our TC Live panelists debate the toughest questions in tennis. Is Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal the GOAT? Who would win between 2007 Serena Williams and 2017 Serena Williams? On court coaching - yes or no? Tennis is a competitive, one on one sport. In Tough Call our experts debate - and our viewers decide who wins.
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