He skipped USO, you know. Can't ever imagine Djokovic skipping a slam unless he has a real injury.This is funny. Rafa is a very charismatic guy. I hope this kills all talk about how he never cared about the Slam record all along which I always thought was ridiculous.
To be fair, the debate was always between Fedal since the beginning. They captivated the tennis world back then and even now.Lol. It is interesting how relaxed and comfortable Nadal and Fed are with their careers and their place in tennis history. Probably why they are relaxed on court anymore and don’t’ demonstrate the angst as Djo does.
To be fair, the debate was always between Fedal since the beginning. They captivated the tennis world back then and even now.
It is a surprise that Novak managed to reach where he is. Nobody in the right mind thought he'll win even 7 slams let alone 17. Novak knows this and is dealing with the pressures of actually being in reach of the slam record among many records. That is the 'angst' you are talking about.
Fedal were always in the 'GOAT debate since there early 20s, they are used to it. Plus being close friends helps
Yea look at the head start they had. In January 2011, Federer had a 15 Slam lead and Rafa had an 8 Slam lead. What Djokovic has done, while they were capable of still playing extremely high level (look what Rafa did yesterday), is astonishing.
Djo very well may end up with the stats GOAT, but they will always be framed within the FEDAL era, and I think that really does bother him. And the media/fans will always perpetuate it. I always say he is the third wheel in the Fed/Nadal relationship. And totally agree @Tennis_Freak99 that the shadowing has done well to drive Djo to push past them and that is the angst. But the reality will continue to be he will never stand on his own. As also mentioned, Fed and Nadal accepted they are part of an amazing era with each other, and Djo unfortunately has not been allowed to.
Djo is an amazing player for sure.
It will be interesting to see if the Fedal dynamic is genuine when one possibly moves ahead in the future. It could lead to uncomfortable situations in a lot of places, think of a clingy ex.
.. what? You see a video of a goofy Nadal joking around about the slam race and what comes to your mind is: “I hope this kills all talk about how he never cared about the slam record”.This is funny. Rafa is a very charismatic guy. I hope this kills all talk about how he never cared about the Slam record all along which I always thought was ridiculous.
With all due respect, you have always come off like a Djokovic hater to me so of course this is your point of view. That last line is probably the nicest thing I have ever seen you write about him. The fact is, he has been standing on his own for a long time now and he has his own era. You are in his era. The Fedal era ended a while ago. We may can debate this a bit and say maybe we are in Djokodal era the last couple of years but Djokovic is above the other 2 in the last 10 years and has dominated them in the head to head. So it seems you may be still in 2009.
.. what? You see a video of a goofy Nadal joking around about the slam race and what comes to your mind is: “I hope this kills all talk about how he never cared about the slam record”.
I’m not sure who said that because I think they all care somewhat about the record but in fact this video shows that Nadal isn’t caught up in it and can talk about it in a relaxed way. Basically what @ChaelAZ said
I have always said Djo is an amazing tennis talent. What I don’t like about him has always been the chip on the shoulder and attitude he demonstrates. Even more so his camp and family. I never liked JMac either for exactly the same reason. Or talking about Kygrios.
FEDAL is still the era, but I understand where Djo fans want to insert him more and call it his. That is the crux of it for me. It is, as you mention, just my point of view, exactly as yours is a point of view.
Ok fair enough. I just never got that vibe from you or saw you say anything positive about him or his game.
I don't think anyone thinks that Nadal doesn't care about the record at all (even just a tiny bit). But his goal in tennis is not to simply attain the record and be known as GOAT the way it is for Djokovic.This is funny. Rafa is a very charismatic guy. I hope this kills all talk about how he never cared about the Slam record all along which I always thought was ridiculous.
I don't think anyone thinks that Nadal doesn't care about the record at all (even just a tiny bit). But his goal in tennis is not to simply attain the record and be known as GOAT the way it is for Djokovic.
Yea look at the head start they had. In January 2011, Federer had a 15 Slam lead and Rafa had an 8 Slam lead.
Djokovic won the Australian Open in 2008. No one told him to take a 3-year vacation afterwards.
Ok fair enough. I just never got that vibe from you or saw you say anything positive about him or his game.
This is not the Fedal era. They are not dominating anymore. They haven't dominated since 2017, with Djokovic struggling, and before that it was like 2010 or something.
The last 10 years Djokovic has won 16 Slams, Nadal has won 11 Slams, and Federer has won 4 Slams. He won more Slams than them combined. In that timeframe he is 22-11 against Nadal and 21-10 against Federer. So, you are mistaken in thinking this is not his era.
And when was Nadal era?Djokovic shared an era/decade with Nadal. Between 2010 to 2019, Djokovic won 15 slams, while Nadal won 13 slams (despite missing far more slams than Djokovic through injury). Novak never had an era of his own, as Nadal won so much as well during his best years.
Pretty much this. Most casual tennis fans still view Djokovic as "that other guy" without actually realizing how close he is to Fedal statistically.To be fair, the debate was always between Fedal since the beginning. They captivated the tennis world back then and even now.
It is a surprise that Novak managed to reach where he is. Nobody in the right mind thought he'll win even 7 slams let alone 17. Novak knows this and is dealing with the pressures of actually being in reach of the slam record among many records. That is the 'angst' you are talking about.
Fedal were always in the 'GOAT' debate since there early 20s, they are used to it. Plus being close friends helps
Most casual fans don’t even know what a slam is and couldn‘t tell you who has morePretty much this. Most casual tennis fans still view Djokovic as "that other guy" without actually realizing how close he is to Fedal statistically.
He was supposed to be the player who took turns with Murray and Del Potro vacuuming up any slams that Fedal leaves on the table. It's also worth noting that 10 years ago, you would've expected all of the big 4 to be long gone by 2020.
Well that would be the very casual fan. In my eyes, the casual fans are the ones who will watch majors every once in a while and only majors.Most casual fans don’t even know what a slam is and couldn‘t tell you who has more
They call always fall back on the vacuous 40-15 rejoinder. It's simple for them to remember and repeat.Always the unscrupulous Nole fans...
I play tennis with different groups of people. Adding them all up maybe 60 to 70. I belong to a tennis club. The other day we were playing and I asked who was following the FO. Most did not even know it was on.Well that would be the very casual fan. In my eyes, the casual fans are the ones who will watch majors every once in a while and only majors.
I like how Nadal is still saying "us" lol. He knows he'll beat 20, but he's happy being tied with Fed anyway. Just doesn't want Djokovic getting any closer, clearly.
Both Fed and Nada cared about the slam race. What was different is that they didn’t broadcast it everywhere, which is something that I wish Novak would have done. But I guess he wouldn’t be Novak. But for people to say that Fedal didn’t care is ridiculous. Nadal especially is secure within himself is because he’ll be winning FO for the next few years, and knew it even before Sunday.This is funny. Rafa is a very charismatic guy. I hope this kills all talk about how he never cared about the Slam record all along which I always thought was ridiculous.
Are you happy Rafa won, or preferred Novak to?
Relaxed on the court?Lol. It is interesting how relaxed and comfortable Nadal and Fed are with their careers and their place in tennis history. Probably why they are relaxed on court anymore and don’t’ demonstrate the angst as Djo does.
Are you happy Rafa won, or preferred Novak to?
I preferred Novak to win, but when Rafa puts on a performance like that you can only laugh, shake your head, and applaud. I also said after the match that the forum is probably in better shape thanks to a Nadal win. And especially in the fashion that it happened (straight sets beatdown). Humbled a lot of the extreme Djokovic fans. Nice for a change.
They call always fall back on the vacuous 40-15 rejoinder. It's simple for them to remember and repeat.
these 3 months are going to be one of the quietest in a long time here on TT
this Christmas we'll see Fedal fans holding hands around the tree, singing kumbaya (with masks on of course)
then after the Gioco Open, all hell will break loose again
if Djoker ends up 3rd wheel in the slam race, it's gonna be a very hollow statement
Throatgate ™ will have way more punch than 40-15 at that point
Hilarious post bc it's so true. It's like an exterminator came in here with Raid till the next time Djokovic wins a slam lol
Indeed!these 3 months are going to be one of the quietest in a long time here on TT
this Christmas we'll see Fedal fans holding hands around the tree, singing kumbaya (with masks on of course)
then after the Gioco Open, all hell will break loose again
Djokovic shared an era/decade with Nadal. Between 2010 to 2019, Djokovic won 15 slams, while Nadal won 13 slams (despite missing far more slams than Djokovic through injury). Novak never had an era of his own, as Nadal won so much as well during his best years.
VB royalty will be very upset you found a family album photo to share.
Lol. Like when the Pete/Agassi relationship finally broke at the exhibition. I dunno...maybe FEDAL has that undercurrent, but it doesn’t feel like it.
Ok fair enough. I just never got that vibe from you or saw you say anything positive about him or his game.
This is not the Fedal era. They are not dominating anymore. They haven't dominated since 2017, with Djokovic struggling, and before that it was like 2010 or something.
The last 10 years Djokovic has won 16 Slams, Nadal has won 11 Slams, and Federer has won 4 Slams. He won more Slams than them combined. In that timeframe he is 22-11 against Nadal and 21-10 against Federer. So, you are mistaken in thinking this is not his era.
No one told Sampras either.