Novak Djokovic is still a mental machine

Fabresque · Aug 17, 2018

*************, kindly go away, Novak Djokovic is still the best big game player we have in the game.

How many times did he look dead and buried against Dimitrov and Raonic, only for him to storm back and win both in three sets? The answer is a lot of times. He is the best big game player on tour and there is nothing you can do about it.

Want more proof? The Third set TB vs Rafa in the 2018 Wimbledon semifinal. He’s still a machine, and always will be.

Apun94 · Aug 17, 2018

His game is still not there, but he's got his mental strength back especially after WImbledon. He still needs more matches under his belt, to regain top form, but mentally he can really dig deep and is certainly showing the hunger and desire not to give up. Reminds me a lot of Nadal in the AO and USO last year. Really had to fight through some tough tough matches to regain top form, but never really quit and dug in

rushhr · Aug 17, 2018

nowadays, besides an in-form rafa, his competition is either too old or too green behind the ears to blast even an out-of-form djokovic off the court. not a fan of his playing style, but just like at wimby, we could see novak start racking up titles just by being steady, limber and mentally strong

Sport · Aug 17, 2018

And Raonic is an ace machine. 22 aces, and it didn't count those balls which Novak touched but couldn't return properly.

By the way, it was ridiculous to see how many missiles could Djokovic return. Raonic was serving bombs at 140 mph, yet Djokovic somehow returned many of those. Is Djokovic even human? What an insane returner.

BeatlesFan · Aug 17, 2018

Fabresque said:
How many times did he look dead and buried against Dimitrov and Raonic, only for him to storm back and win both in three sets? .

Why is he being taken to three sets by players like Chokitrov or Giraffe Boy? 2011 or 2015 Nole steamrolls these wastrels in about 75 minutes, even with 500 ball bounces between each serve.

RF-18 · Aug 17, 2018

BeatlesFan said:
Why is he being taken to three sets by players like Chokitrov or Giraffe Boy? 2011 or 2015 Nole steamrolls these wastrels in about 75 minutes, even with 500 ball bounces between each serve.

Uhm I don't think it is that easy to just say 15 or 11 nole steamroles them. He didn't steamroll every match those years so tough matches can happen.

Raonic and Dimitrov are really good players who played very good.

Antonio Puente · Aug 17, 2018

*************, kindly go away, Novak Djokovic is still the best big game player we have in the game.

Djoker is a great player, yes, but the best big game player he never was. As late as summer of 2014, Djoker had a losing record in slam finals(Fed,Nadal, Sampras and Borg never had a losing record in slam finals).

From RG 2012 to RG 2014, Djoker went 1-5 in slam finals. Only one other all-time great has any such comparable streak.

Best big game player? Not exactly. Murray and Stan have the trophies to prove otherwise.

West Coast Ace · Aug 17, 2018

BeatlesFan said:
Why is he being taken to three sets by players like Chokitrov or Giraffe Boy? 2011 or 2015 Nole steamrolls these wastrels in about 75 minutes, even with 500 ball bounces between each serve.

Agree. Assuming the OP is an ND fan with selective memory. He’s still working to regain his form and when he starts missing has looked like he’s about to lose his mind. 2011 RG SF v Fed he was on a 40+ match winning streak, lost the 1st, and basically quit (did come back to make it moderately interesting) - and plenty of others.

TheAssassin · Aug 17, 2018

West Coast Ace said:
Agree. Assuming the OP is an ND fan with selective memory. He’s still working to regain his form and when he starts missing has looked like he’s about to lose his mind. 2011 RG SF v Fed he was on a 40+ match winning streak, lost the 1st, and basically quit (did come back to make it moderately interesting) - and plenty of others.

He served to take the match into a deciding set and a new day. He has looked disinterested on occasions but that match is definitely not one of them.

AlexanderTheGreat08 · Aug 17, 2018

Best big game player , 13-9 in major finals while Nadal 17-7 and Federer 20-10 , Of course you’re forgetting Novak against Cecchinato at the RG or against Cilic at Queens or against Tsitsipas about a week ago(Bobby shmurda)

Fabresque · Aug 17, 2018

West Coast Ace said:
Agree. Assuming the OP is an ND fan with selective memory. He’s still working to regain his form and when he starts missing has looked like he’s about to lose his mind. 2011 RG SF v Fed he was on a 40+ match winning streak, lost the 1st, and basically quit (did come back to make it moderately interesting) - and plenty of others.

Lol wtf are you talking about. You’re acting as if 2011 and 2015 Nole was indestructible. His game may not be there but his mental game is still up there.

Fabresque · Aug 17, 2018

AlexanderTheGreat08 said:
Best big game player , 13-9 in major finals while Nadal 17-7 and Federer 20-10 , Of course you’re forgetting Novak against Cecchinato at the RG or against Cilic at Queens or against Tsitsipas a week ago(Bobby shmurda)

You have an irrelevant footballer as your profile pic, you have no right to speak.

And what about Raonic and Dimitrov this week? Nadal at Wimbledon? He’s still the man for the big occasion and

AlexanderTheGreat08 · Aug 17, 2018

Fabresque said:
You have an irrelevant footballer as your profile pic, you have no right to speak.

And what about Raonic and Dimitrov this week? Nadal at Wimbledon? He’s still the man for the big occasion and

Griezmann had a better season than your boy , He won the World Cup

Need to focus on the negative too

Towser83 · Aug 17, 2018

I still think over the course of a career, Nadal is a bit better mentally. But at certain points in his Career, Novak's mental strength has been some of the best I have ever seen

Deleted member 77403 · Aug 17, 2018

IMO, Nadal is the best big match player since Sampras.

NBP · Aug 17, 2018

Nadal is the best big match player of all time perhaps. Right now? It is certainly not someone with only 1 big tournament win in 2 years. Give me a break with the knee-jerking...

NoleFam · Aug 17, 2018

OP, Nadal is the best big match player of this generation and Djokovic is probably second. Djokovic is a beast mentally though and especially in adverse situations and deciding sets.

Fabresque · Aug 17, 2018

AlexanderTheGreat08 said:
Griezmann had a better season than your boy , He won the World Cup

Need to focus on the negative too

Lol griezmann got carried and he dived in the final. Modric>Griezmann sorry.

Yes, of course. But even if you don’t think he’s the best big game player, he’s surely up there, no? I

NoleFam · Aug 17, 2018

Sport said:
And Raonic is an ace machine. 22 aces, and it didn't count those balls which Novak touched but couldn't return properly.

By the way, it was ridiculous to see how many missiles could Djokovic return. Raonic was serving bombs at 140 mph, yet Djokovic somehow returned many of those. Is Djokovic even human? What an insane returner.

We don't have the same favorite player and we disagree on quite a bit of things but one thing I like about you is that you give props where they are due. Admirable trait that is.

Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil · Aug 17, 2018

He is up there among the best but not #1.

Deleted member 77403 · Aug 17, 2018

NoleFam said:
We don't have the same favorite player and we disagree on quite a bit of things but one thing I like about you is that you give props where they are due. Admirable trait that is.

@Sport is just living up to his name...he is being a sport.

NoleFam · Aug 17, 2018

Hitman said:
@Sport is just living up to his name...he is being a sport.

Yes he's being a good sport there.

AlexanderTheGreat08 · Aug 17, 2018

Fabresque said:
Lol griezmann got carried and he dived in the final. Modric>Griezmann sorry.

Yes, of course. But even if you don’t think he’s the best big game player, he’s surely up there, no? I

Contributed to 7 goals in 7 games at the WC and he got “carried” , You know one time against PSG in the firts leg Modric dived I will always remember that Madrid got a freekick too bad they don’t have someone as good as Grizi , Griezmann > Modric

Yes it’s Novak Djokovic

True Fanerer · Aug 17, 2018

Racket smashing is his secret weapon.

Djokovic2011 · Aug 17, 2018

True Fanerer said:
Racket smashing is his secret weapon.

Other players should do it more often.

Mack-2 · Aug 17, 2018

Sport said:
And Raonic is an ace machine. 22 aces, and it didn't count those balls which Novak touched but couldn't return properly.

By the way, it was ridiculous to see how many missiles could Djokovic return. Raonic was serving bombs at 140 mph, yet Djokovic somehow returned many of those. Is Djokovic even human? What an insane returner.

It’s the depth he was getting on those returns too. Absolutely insane.

jm1980 · Aug 17, 2018

True Fanerer said:
Racket smashing is his secret weapon.

I'd much rather see him smashing racquets than being apathetic

True Fanerer · Aug 17, 2018

Djokovic2011 said:
Other players should do it more often.

jm1980 said:
I'd much rather see him smashing racquets than being apathetic

He uses anger about as well as any player I've ever seen. Some guys are out of it once they get angry. Not the case with Djokovic.

West Coast Ace · Aug 17, 2018

Fabresque said:
Lol wtf are you talking about. You’re acting as if 2011 and 2015 Nole was indestructible. His game may not be there but his mental game is still up there.

He was on a 40+ match win streak, playing on Fed’s worst surface. Got smoked; threw a tantrum in the 2nd set.

I respect Djokovic’s game; but the premise that he’s a ‘mental machine’ is laughable. He tries too hard to be loved and when his game goes a little off or the crowd starts pulling for his opponent he’s been know to lose it.

Deleted member 716271 · Aug 17, 2018

Nadal edges him a bit but when Djokovic zones he's got this super saiyan mental strength that is unparalleled. It is more unpredictable which Novak you are going to get mentally though. Nadal is more calm and focused by temperament so probably a little more solid overall mentally (although his mental legend has taken a slight hit in more recent years). I find Djokovic's highs and lows mentally more compelling (in my biased opinion).

Nadal remains the most mentally tough player though for me in tennis history. Sampras and Connors are also up there.

Towser83 · Aug 17, 2018

125downthemiddle said:
Nadal edges him a bit but when Djokovic zones he's got this super saiyan mental strength that is unparalleled. It is more unpredictable which Novak you are going to get mentally though. Nadal is more calm and focused by temperament so probably a little more solid overall mentally (although his mental legend has taken a slight hit in more recent years). I find Djokovic's highs and lows mentally more compelling (in my biased opinion).

Nadal remains the most mentally tough player though for me in tennis history. Sampras and Connors are also up there.

Agree with that

abmk · Aug 17, 2018

West Coast Ace said:
Agree. Assuming the OP is an ND fan with selective memory. He’s still working to regain his form and when he starts missing has looked like he’s about to lose his mind. 2011 RG SF v Fed he was on a 40+ match winning streak, lost the 1st, and basically quit (did come back to make it moderately interesting) - and plenty of others.

djoko only went down in level in the 2nd set.
won the 3rd set convincingly and was serving for the 4th set before fed broke back with a great return game.
not sure what you are on about .

zep · Aug 17, 2018

Nadal is no longer the mental giant he once was. Right now (from 2015) Djokovic is better than Nadal, before 2015 Nadal was better.

aman92 · Aug 17, 2018

Didn't he lose to Cappuccino in the QF at RG?

Forehand_Slice · Aug 17, 2018

Djokovic is 48 - 6 against Cilic, Nishikori, Raonic, Dimitrov and Goffin combined.
Cilic isn't really lost gen,but he like the others played their best tennis in a time where ND was still playing a high level. Less so for Goffin who's a late bloomer.

Djokovic mentally owns them and it shows.

Enceladus · Aug 17, 2018

Antonio Puente said:
Djoker is a great player, yes, but the best big game player he never was. As late as summer of 2014, Djoker had a losing record in slam finals(Fed,Nadal, Sampras and Borg never had a losing record in slam finals).

From RG 2012 to RG 2014, Djoker went 1-5 in slam finals. Only one other all-time great has any such comparable streak.

Best big game player? Not exactly. Murray and Stan have the trophies to prove otherwise.

That's why I claim that Wimbledon 2014 is the most important title of Djokovic's career. Wimbledon 2014 title corrected Djoker's psyche, weakened by bitter losses in the GS tournaments 2012-14.

Sport · Aug 17, 2018

zep said:
Nadal is no longer the mental giant he once was. Right now (from 2015) Djokovic is better than Nadal, before 2015 Nadal was better.

Personally, I think they are tied, or maybe Nadal has a bit of advantage. Probably they are about equal overall, but the only difference is what @125downthemiddle commented: Djokovic has high and lows, and occasionally Nole can lose the focus just a few minutes. But he quickly recovers.

At Wimbledon 2018, Djokovic resisted the insane mental pressure that Nadal put on him the whole match. And please, don't start with the simplistic argument that "Nadal choked" just because he lost. He didn't. He was playing on indoor grass against one of the best grass players of all time, and still had his chances. It was a hell of match for both players, that could have gone either way.

zep · Aug 18, 2018

Sport said:
Personally, I think they are tied, or maybe Nadal has a bit of advantage. Probably they are about equal overall, but the only difference is what @125downthemiddle commented: Djokovic has high and lows, and occasionally Nole can lose the focus just a few minutes. But he quickly recovers.

At Wimbledon 2018, Djokovic resisted the insane mental pressure that Nadal put on him the whole match. And please, don't start with the simplistic argument that "Nadal choked" just because he lost. He didn't. He was playing on indoor grass against one of the best grass players of all time, and still had his chances. It was a hell of match for both players, that could have gone either way.

I never said Nadal choked, where did you get that from? But Djokovic was better than him even in that match on big points, not by much but it was enough to edge him over. I have no doubt that from 2015 onward Djokovic has been mentally stronger than Nadal. Of course Nadal had 2 bad years but even if we consider 2017-18, I don't think Nadal is mentally as strong as he was till 2014. He is still above most players though, only Djokovic is ahead of him.

3lite · Aug 18, 2018

Hitman said:
IMO, Nadal is the best big match player since Sampras.

The player with the biggest balls was already determined when Djokovic took Federer's soul at the US Open in 2011.

Sport · Aug 18, 2018

zep said:
I never said Nadal choked, where did you get that from? But Djokovic was better than him even in that match on big points, not by much but it was enough to edge him over. I have no doubt that from 2015 onward Djokovic has been mentally stronger than Nadal. Of course Nadal had 2 bad years but even if we consider 2017-18, I don't think Nadal is mentally as strong as he was till 2014. He is still above most players though, only Djokovic is ahead of him.

I respectfully disagree, since I don't see why a player who has won 3 Grand Slams in the last 2 years is "meantally weaker" than a player that has won 1 Grand Slam in the last 2 years.

In my opinion, they are about equal in mental's strength.

RF-18 · Aug 18, 2018

Djokovic can be a an indestructable mental machine at times but sometimes he can crumble. He has lost too many important matches for his talent.

Peak mentality = Djokovic certainly up there with Nadal
More reliable on a day to day basis - Nadal or federer

Thing about Nadals mental game is that he almost never loses focus. If he does something bad, he resets and fights for the next point. He never thinks about what has happened. His intensity is always high and his mind is set on the next point. Thats why if I had to choose I'd choose to have Nadals head. Imagine always being able to have your feelings in check and not let anything out for your opponent. Federer is quite good at this aswell.

People forget also that if you have these tantrums on court it fuels your opponent aswell. It gives him more confidence to see you not only struggle with the match but also with your feelings. It's a dream for the opponent to see you throw tantrums.

Steve0904 · Aug 18, 2018

Novak is still great mentally, but I don't think these matches tell us anything new. If anything they highlight his relative "struggles" in Cincinnati first and foremost. The fact that he's losing all these sets to players that really aren't that good compared to him is not great IMO. It just shows he's not where he used to be game wise.

That said, he can still win the tournament because that's what the Big 3 do. They stick around long enough to give themselves an opportunity even when they're playing badly. And if they stick around long enough they start to play better.

Red Rick · Aug 18, 2018

People here confusing mental toughness with ability again, however much it suits their agenda.

Red Rick · Aug 18, 2018

Also

For the love of Fog

Can we please

Just stop

To pretend

that mental toughness is static?

OhYes · Aug 18, 2018

https://twitter.com/CincyTennis/status/1030615575712550914

West Coast Ace · Aug 18, 2018

abmk said:
....what you are on about .

Pompous Brit Alert!

I’ll try to explain 1 last time: for all his incredible gifts (RoS, BH, defense, endurance, flexibility) mental strength isn’t one of them. He threw a tantrum because he lost a set and the fans were rooting for Fed. A mentally strong player on a 40 match win streak! would have struggled it off and moved on. He sulked, lost the 2nd and the match was pretty much over. He made it mildly interesting (another view is Fed’s level dropped a little).

abmk · Aug 18, 2018

West Coast Ace said:
Pompous Brit Alert!

I’ll try to explain 1 last time: for all his incredible gifts (RoS, BH, defense, endurance, flexibility) mental strength isn’t one of them. He threw a tantrum because he lost a set and the fans were rooting for Fed. A mentally strong player on a 40 match win streak! would have struggled it off and moved on. He sulked, lost the 2nd and the match was pretty much over. He made it mildly interesting (another view is Fed’s level dropped a little).

I'm not a Brit.
Secondly, his level dipped after a great 1st set, which wasn't totally unexpected.
Match wasn't over even after 2 sets. He nearly took it to a 5th set.

And in their next slam meeting, he actually came from 2 sets to love down and saved MPs to win.

Airspun · Sep 1, 2023

Will still win tonight super easy barely an inconvenience

xFedal · Sep 1, 2023

NOT ANYMORE!!! New mental machine is now Carlos Alcaraz.

Airspun · Sep 1, 2023

xFedal said:
NOT ANYMORE!!! New mental machine is now Carlos Alcaraz.

wrong. Djoker just won after losing first 2 sets super easy

Novak Djokovic is still a mental machine

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