The Durable King-Why Nadal's Loss to Ferrer Ends the 'Greater Player' Debate

Who's greater, Roger or Rafa? The argument perpetually rages.

It shouldn't. As Nadal was cut to pieces by David Ferrer Wednesday, so was his claim to Roger's throne for at least another 2-3 years, regardless of what occurs the remainder of the year.

The lesson of Nadal's early exits are thus-when measuring athletic greatness, durability and consistency count. When measured against the Game's Greatest Player, Nadal's superlative accomplishments appear Lilliputian.

DURABILITY COUNTS

45. That is how many consecutive majors Federer has played in. Nadal is at six

In 2003, his breakthrough year, Federer made nine finals and won seven of them.

23. Consecutive major semis. Mext closest-Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors at 10.

8. Career doubles titles, and one doubles gold medal.

237. Consecutive weeks at Number 1.

27. Consecutive major quarterfinals(and counting).

10. Number of consecutive finals.

17. Masters titles.

4. ATP World Tour Finals.

Rafa has won one major in consecutive years. Federer has won each of the other three in consecutive years.

Nadal now has three majors in the same year. Congratulations. If he does it three more times, and we can again re-visit this discussion. Indeed, in what was without a doubt his best year, Rafa won no majors that he had one the previous year.

Even the strongest case for Nadal-his head to head advantage over Federer-upon close scrutiny, merely reveals Roger's startling consistency. Keep in mind that if you take away the clay court wins, Roger has a 5-4 edge on all the other surfaces. Rafa beats Roger in the French because Roger is there, deep in the tournament. In the oter majors, Roger has been there, deep in the tournament, whether Rafa is there or not. It's not Roger's fault Rafa does not consistently make hard court finals; With eight consecutive Australian semis and seven straight at Flushing Meadow, Roger has held up his end of the bargain, and continues to, even pushing 30. That we haven't seen many hadcourt major matchups between the two falls squarely on Rafa's shoulders.

QUALITY LOSSES

Roger never loses to scrubs. Roger can say literally, that if it were not for one man, he could have 22 majors. Nadal cannot. Unlike Roger, Rafa has lost many times in majors to lowly regarded players. Until 2010 Wimbledon year, Roger made 23 consecutive semifinals. That is the span of two presidential elections without losing before the final four. . . .with two additional years tacked on for good measure. Oh, and he has since started a new streak. Nadal's current streak stands at five. Prior to his streak of 10 consecutive finals, Federer was beaten in the semis by Marat Safin and Rafa, respectively, who have 11 majors between them. In his first so-called "down year," 2009, he made all four major finals, won two, completed the career Grand Slam, and lost the other two in five sets.

Roger is far better against the field than Rafa is against Roger, and that has made all the difference.