As everyone sane knows the greatest players of their generations are Serena Williams and Roger Federer. As everyone sane also knows neither are the greatest players of their generation on clay, that being Rafael Nadal and Justine Henin. One interesting question though is which is further ahead on clay, Nadal ahead of Federer or Henin ahead of Serena. Breaking it down:
Federer has won 14% of his matches vs Nadal on clay. Serena has won 20% of her matches with Justine Henin on clay. However Justine had nearly all her matches with Serena on clay in 2002-early 2003 when Serena was at her all time peak and Justine was not even a slam champion yet, and Justine still reached that percentage. Nadal and Federer both had many matches outside the others prime on clay, and with the same result, Nadal winning nearly everyone.
Federer has 1 French Open to Nadal's 6. Serena has 1 French Open to Henin's 4. The bigger gap there is Federer vs Nadal.
Federer is considered clearly the 2nd best clay courter of his generation. Serena is arguably but not clearly the 2nd best clay courter of her generation. Both clay court eras are weak overall.
Nadal is the GOAT on clay to most, and Henin is not considered the female GOAT on clay by most, although in the top 5 by most people, and top 3 by some. Federer though is overall a greater clay courter amongst the men than Serena amongst the women.
So which has the bigger gap on clay. Henin over Serena, or Nadal over Federer
Federer has won 14% of his matches vs Nadal on clay. Serena has won 20% of her matches with Justine Henin on clay. However Justine had nearly all her matches with Serena on clay in 2002-early 2003 when Serena was at her all time peak and Justine was not even a slam champion yet, and Justine still reached that percentage. Nadal and Federer both had many matches outside the others prime on clay, and with the same result, Nadal winning nearly everyone.
Federer has 1 French Open to Nadal's 6. Serena has 1 French Open to Henin's 4. The bigger gap there is Federer vs Nadal.
Federer is considered clearly the 2nd best clay courter of his generation. Serena is arguably but not clearly the 2nd best clay courter of her generation. Both clay court eras are weak overall.
Nadal is the GOAT on clay to most, and Henin is not considered the female GOAT on clay by most, although in the top 5 by most people, and top 3 by some. Federer though is overall a greater clay courter amongst the men than Serena amongst the women.
So which has the bigger gap on clay. Henin over Serena, or Nadal over Federer