RS
Bionic Poster
We might have got for what ifs like for Borg and strangely in some ways sometimes that's rated higher.I agree. He should’ve retired in 2013 since he was clearly finished at age 32
The curse of Novak Djokovic, bad luck, or a weak era of grass?
- Thread starter weakera
- Start date
GabeT
G.O.A.T.
Pretty much. But I guess endless “it’s a weak erA” posting is a good coping mechanism. Now imagine if he reaches 8!
RS
Bionic Poster
I wasn't actually sure were she trained till now but doesn't surprise meNice! Bromley
Unseeded Player
Hall of Fame
They will never forive Novak WB19
It is not that ND ended with 21 majors . Both ND and RN went to 22.
So, while it may be disappointing for them , pretty sure it is not a life and death situation
Born_to_slice
Legend
Just Djokovic being amazing grass player, that's all.
Unseeded Player
Hall of Fame
Of course but that would be perfect last slam run for Fed.
Fed was anyway playing in 2020 and 2021. He was not retiring after Wimb 19
Unseeded Player
Hall of Fame
That was only for sponsorship contracts and media hype.. He was done after WB19
NoleFam
Bionic Poster
Never seen before situation? No it's not. In the year end top 10 in 1997, Sampras was the only player who had ever been to a Wimbledon SF. Sampras also beat nobody at Wimbledon 2000 and then got Rafter in the final, who took until his late 20s to be good on grass. Grass is a specialist surface, and Sampras had weaker years when winning it as well because at that time not many other players were good on it either.
The top 10 for 1997 Wimb included
Ivanosevic, Krajicek, Scud and Becker. Rafter and Henman rounded out top 15
Compare that to stalwarts of today !
NoleFam
Bionic Poster
Becker didn't even end 1997 in the top 50. Ivanisevic, Krajicek, Henman and Scud (who both hadn't been to a Wimbledon SF) all ended the year ranked outside the top 10. Rafter ended the year ranked #2 but had never been to a Wimbledon SF at that time.
Last edited:
I think the point is the quality of field entering Wimbledon .
Third Serve
Talk Tennis Guru
Edit: nvm read the post wrong
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
That doesn't make any sense. We're looking at his opponents performance on a year-to-year basis, it has nothing to do with Djokovic himself.
None of Novak's opponents from any of these last three Wimbledon's have been able to string even back-to-back runs together of winning multiple matches at Wimbledon, except for Sinner now who has had what may be the easiest draw to the SF in Wimbledon history.
Born_to_slice
Legend
So what? They were good enough to reach those stages of the tournament one year. They didn't play him when they weren't good enough next year or whenever. Say, was Nadal worthy opponent in 2018? Obviously yes, because he played great that year, no matter his early losses to various jouneymen year after year before that.
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
The revolving door of grass opponents that Djokovic has been facing at Wimbledon clearly demonstrates the weakness of the grass era. No one is good enough to string together back-to-back even moderately respectable runs. I'm not saying Djokovic wouldn't have probably won anyway, even if some of these guys were consistent enough to be successful at Wimbledon one year to the next. But I am saying that it's hilarious how easy the draws have been. Obviously when Djokovic faced Nadal in 2018, Nadal was a very tough opponent, even if Djokovic needed the help of the roof to win an indoor grass match.
Born_to_slice
Legend
Field is actually deep and more than ever in history, capable of performing well on all surfaces. Only reason why Nadal had a chance 2018 is because he played recovalescent Novak who was a bag of bones at the time. Roof excuse is beyond pathetic but I get it, VB could never except reality without one.
Then how come Roger managed to win 3 slams past 34?I agree. He should’ve retired in 2013 since he was clearly finished at age 32
Hurkacz couldn’t hit a forehand yesterday he was dreadful.
This gen is poor.
The only way to beat Djokovic is to:
1) bulldoze him over (Wawrinka)
2) out push him (Nadal)
3) variety of play (Federer)
Only one player is capable of beating him right now and that is Alcaraz (through 1 and some of 2). He won’t be able to put push him. No one right now.
Calendar slam is close
This gen is poor.
The only way to beat Djokovic is to:
1) bulldoze him over (Wawrinka)
2) out push him (Nadal)
3) variety of play (Federer)
Only one player is capable of beating him right now and that is Alcaraz (through 1 and some of 2). He won’t be able to put push him. No one right now.
Calendar slam is close
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
It could be indication of strong era as well. Field is so strong on grass that anyone can beat anyone. It is just that Djokovic was slightly more experienced and managed to win against all of them so far.
He won two close sets against Hurkacz, same guy that retired Federer in straits (including 6-0) in Wimbledon. But those two sets could easily be won by Hurkacz instead of Djokovic.
Is US Open competition stronger or weaker compared to AO just because US Open had more different winners compared to AO? It is the same field.
SecondToNone
Semi-Pro
This. They know they are never getting 23 ranked Djokovic at major SF.
They cannot forget.
Whenever they see "SW19" zip code, they are reminded of WB19 beating.
Unseeded Player
Hall of Fame
Just at his post match tweet. Might as well drive to Novak's Hotel with an autograph book.
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
Depressing...
Similar threads
- Poll
