Is Djokovic More Talented Than Nadal?

I know many people say Djokovic has more talent, has better serve and touch than Nadal, Nadal is just mentally more tough. But I think Nadal is actually more talented because he learnt to play with his unnatural hand. What do you think?

Oh my definition of talent is guys like; Federer, Nalbandian, Murray, Gasquet n such.
 

tahiti

Professional
Djokovic is definitely talented, he has a lovely style, flattens his shots beautifully and paints the lines when his winners are working. I don't think Nadal is more talented because he plays left. I think they have different talents and are as talented as each other but in different areas.
 

amx13

Semi-Pro
Yes!... I think Djokovic is far more talented that Nadal...and yet Nadal is a far better player than Djoko.
 

miyagi

Professional
It's hard to say....but being able to play with you weakest hand must surely take alot of talent and hard work.

Djoko does seem supremely talented though.....

I can't call it!
 

ChanceEncounter

Professional
Nadal: Fights for every point in every match.

Djokovic: Pulls out for a sore throat.

Djokovic is probably more naturally gifted than Nadal. Hasn't worked out that way on the court.
 

Zaragoza

Banned
I know many people say Djokovic has more talent, has better serve and touch than Nadal, Nadal is just mentally more tough. But I think Nadal is actually more talented because he learnt to play with his unnatural hand. What do you think?

Oh my definition of talent is guys like; Federer, Nalbandian, Murray, Gasquet n such.

Outside internet forums, few people would say Djokovic is more talented than Nadal.
 

veroniquem

Bionic Poster
Djokovic is talented but not more than Nadal IMO. The difference in results between the 2 (which is huge) cannot be solely explained by the mental. The only surface where Djokovic's game rivals Nadal's is hard court.
 
Outside internet forums, few people would say Djokovic is more talented than Nadal.

Not internet forums actually I heard quite a few people saying this at my local clubs that Djokovic being far more talented than Nadal yet mentally much weaker. So yeah generally from people around me who have interest in tennis not just internet. So I was wondering why?
 

thalivest

Banned
Defintiely not. Djokovic is one of the most overrated players on TW. Players more "talented" than Djokovic (I didnt say better, I said more talented) at the very least are:

Federer
Nadal
Safin
Nalbandian
Murray
Gulbis
 
Defintiely not. Djokovic is one of the most overrated players on TW. Players more "talented" than Djokovic (I didnt say better, I said more talented) at the very least are:

Federer
Nadal
Safin
Nalbandian
Murray
Gulbis

Murray is no way more talented than Djokovic, Djokovic has a better serve, bigger forehand and an equally good backhand maybe better. Murray has a better net game and better defence (Djokovic still defends pretty well).
 

thalivest

Banned
Murray is no way more talented than Djokovic, Djokovic has a better serve, bigger forehand and an equally good backhand maybe better. Murray has a better net game and better defence (Djokovic still defends pretty well).

I disagree Djokovic has a better serve and as good or better a backhand. Murray has a much better return of serve also. Game wise Djokovic's only edge is the forehand IMO. Anyway I already know reading your posts you dont like Murray and I readily admit I dont like Djokovic, so neither of us are entirely objective in this case probably so lets just agree to disagree.
 

thejoe

Hall of Fame
I disagree Djokovic has a better serve and as good or better a backhand. Murray has a much better return of serve also. Game wise Djokovic's only edge is the forehand IMO. Anyway I already know reading your posts you dont like Murray and I readily admit I dont like Djokovic, so neither of us are entirely objective in this case probably so lets just agree to disagree.

I would disagree with you in the sense that Murray seems to have one of the worst serving percentages in the top 100, and he also has one of the worst second serves, but his serve, when on, is better than Djokovic's, for me anyway.
 

Gemini

Hall of Fame
I think Nadal and Djokovic are equally talented but Nadal's much more athletic. Because Nadal's game is built around one primary aspect and his game plan is nearly the same from match to match, it makes him seem less talented because doesn't show a lot of variety.
 

cknobman

Legend
nadal is more talented than djokovic, has a lot better feel/touch than djokovic.

Where do you come up with the conclusion that Nadal has more feel/touch than Djokovic?

LOL its the other way around. Nadal bashes ball with lots of spin and rarely hits finesse shots. Djokovic has one of the better drop shots on tour and can hit some serious clutch serves painting the lines(far more often than Nadal).
 

CocaCola

Professional
Djokovic has still not improved to his full potential, but he will and yes, I also think that he is more talented than Nadal. By the end of this year he will be better in results too...
 

veroniquem

Bionic Poster
Djokovic has still not improved to his full potential, but he will and yes, I also think that he is more talented than Nadal. By the end of this year he will be better in results too...
You mean he will have won 6 more slams and 9 more masters by the end of this year? Why is it I can't believe you? :)
 
Djokovic has still not improved to his full potential, but he will and yes, I also think that he is more talented than Nadal. By the end of this year he will be better in results too...

On what basis do you think Djoker will have better results than Nadal, come on man I like Djoker but there is nothing to suggest he will have better results than Nadal.
 

thalivest

Banned
Nadal already has atleast (probably more) than double the slams Djokovic will win in his whole career at only 22.
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
you should see his little bro -- the 13 year old one...
I saw him last week in Belgrade hitting on red clay...amazing, but losing it easily like the big brother...
 

bolo

G.O.A.T.
Where do you come up with the conclusion that Nadal has more feel/touch than Djokovic?

LOL its the other way around. Nadal bashes ball with lots of spin and rarely hits finesse shots. Djokovic has one of the better drop shots on tour and can hit some serious clutch serves painting the lines(far more often than Nadal).

I disagree, nadal has far better dropshots than djokovic and he is able to execute them in important situations even against someone of federer's and hewitt's speed. While I think it's a good idea that djokovic uses the drop shot, Djokovic fails more often with the dropshot than nadal.

Nadal is also a better finisher at the net than djokovic at this point, he also creates better angles of his ground strokes, has better passing shots, and can make the ball dip and hit the line like no one else in the game right now. Overall he just has a lot better ball control than djokovic.

I agree that djokovic has a better serve than nadal and can hit some lines. But I wouldn't say that tips the balance in djokovic's favor in the feel/touch department. If you think nadal doesn't hit finesse shots, then djokovic really doesn't hit any finesse shots at all. :)
 

saram

Legend
You can take all the eye-candy talent in this world and throw it in the garbage if you still lose. Sorry, but I'll take Rafa's success over Djokovic's 'talent'.
 
I disagree, nadal has far better dropshots than djokovic and he is able to execute them in important situations even against someone of federer's and hewitt's speed. While I think it's a good idea that djokovic uses the drop shot, Djokovic fails more often with the dropshot than nadal.

I don't agree Nadal has better dropshots than Djokovic, true he execute them well most of the time but that's due to the nature of his game, consistency, which Novak lacks. Djokovic makes his signature backhand dropshots from the baseline which is technically more difficult to execute than Nadal's forehand only inside the service line dropshots.
 

tacou

G.O.A.T.
I don't know what people are talking about when they think talent...
Nadal is #1, Djoko is #3, Nadal has 6 slams Novak has 1, Nadal leads the head 10-4 or something along those lines.

how is Novak more talented? he's not.
 

oneguy21

Banned
Talent alone does not bring one to the top. There is this other element called perseverance that also plays a huge-*** role.
 

Andyk028

Professional
I would say they are close to even, Nadal may have a slight edge with the groundies...I say this because it seems that Djokers groundies have little effect on Federer where with Nadal its a totally different ballgame.
 

veroniquem

Bionic Poster
You can take all the eye-candy talent in this world and throw it in the garbage if you still lose. Sorry, but I'll take Rafa's success over Djokovic's 'talent'.
I agree. Playing the right shot at the right time is an essential part of talent IMO. There is skill, there is style but without efficiency and good tactical sense, those are not very useful in the end.
 

Satch

Hall of Fame
BH Djokovic
FH Rafa
Feel Djokovic
Volleys Djokovic
Serve Djokovic
Stamina Rafa
Movement Rafa
Tactics equal

winner Djokovic
 

julesb

Banned
BH Djokovic
FH Rafa
Feel Djokovic
Volleys Djokovic
Serve Djokovic
Stamina Rafa
Movement Rafa
Tactics equal

winner Djokovic

Djokovic doesnt do anything better than Nadal except the serve. Djokovic better volleys, LOL! Rafa is actually a pretty good volleyer, Djokovic stinks at the net.
 

Satch

Hall of Fame
Djokovic doesnt do anything better than Nadal except the serve. Djokovic better volleys, LOL! Rafa is actually a pretty good volleyer, Djokovic stinks at the net.

haha yeah and Sampras won 12 French opens... Rafa can't volley that's the fact.

@veroniquem, we are talking about pure talent here pure talent doesn't win matches alone, you need a heart and mind of a champion, something Djoker hasn't got yet...
Nalbandian has the best 2HBH in tennis game still he won only 2 MS series 2 years ago, so what? Does that mean that he isn't talented? No.
 

julesb

Banned
haha yeah and Sampras won 12 French opens... Rafa can't volley that's the fact.

If Rafa cant volley than Djokovic cant even spell the word since he stinks at the net, his volley technique is total crap, he makes even Nadal look like a god at the net by comparision.
 

Satch

Hall of Fame
If Rafa cant volley than Djokovic cant even spell the word since he stinks at the net, his volley technique is total crap, he makes even Nadal look like a god at the net by comparision.

i agree that volleys are the worst part of his game, but to tell me that Rafa is good at net, haha what a Joke.

Still Joker and Rafa are very bad at net so it doesn't matter much.
 

VivalaVida

Banned
i agree that volleys are the worst part of his game, but to tell me that Rafa is good at net, haha what a Joke.

Still Joker and Rafa are very bad at net so it doesn't matter much.
I never understood that whole talent debate. I mean if people want to use that argument then they need to come out with a digital talent meter. I mean people always associate federer and gasquet with talent, while they are really talented, I dont think they should be placed above other top players because they 1HBH and have sexy looking groundstrokes.
 

veroniquem

Bionic Poster
haha yeah and Sampras won 12 French opens... Rafa can't volley that's the fact.

@veroniquem, we are talking about pure talent here pure talent doesn't win matches alone, you need a heart and mind of a champion, something Djoker hasn't got yet...
Nalbandian has the best 2HBH in tennis game still he won only 2 MS series 2 years ago, so what? Does that mean that he isn't talented? No.
Pure talent doesn't exist, just my opinion. There's talent, hard work and mental abilities. You can't separate the 3, they're all needed and all play a part in the final result.
Of course Nadal can volley, I guess you haven't watched many of his matches at W to make such a silly statement.
 
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maverick66

Hall of Fame
i agree that volleys are the worst part of his game, but to tell me that Rafa is good at net, haha what a Joke.

Still Joker and Rafa are very bad at net so it doesn't matter much.

nadal volleys very well. his volleys are very underrated because he normally hits the approach shot so well he either wins the point or gets an easy put away.
 

Satch

Hall of Fame
Pure talent doesn't exist, just my opinion. There's talent, hard work and mental abilities. You can't separate the 3, they're all needed and all play a part in the final result.

ok, you can say that the talent is a god-given ability to do something in a certain way no one else can do.

so yes, you can work on that but Fed will never have FH of Rafa or Djoker a BH of Gasquet.

so in that term i like the way Djoker plays the game more, i like him more as a tennis player and creature... if it's easier for you.
 

veroniquem

Bionic Poster
ok, you can say that the talent is a god-given ability to do something in a certain way no one else can do.

so yes, you can work on that but Fed will never have FH of Rafa or Djoker a BH of Gasquet.

so in that term i like the way Djoker plays the game more, i like him more as a tennis player and creature... if it's easier for you.
I like Djokovic too. I don't see Nadal and Djokovic as being mutually exclusive! I hope we'll have a lot of Djoko-Nadal matches in the future as I find the matchup very entertaining. I still think Djokovic has some progress to make to reach Nadal's current level on other surfaces than hard court.
 

doublebreak

Rookie
ok, you can say that the talent is a god-given ability to do something in a certain way no one else can do.

so yes, you can work on that but Fed will never have FH of Rafa or Djoker a BH of Gasquet.

so in that term i like the way Djoker plays the game more, i like him more as a tennis player and creature... if it's easier for you.

You can not be serious. I think you meant Rafa will never have FH of Fed.

I can see the Nadal worshipers jumping on how Nadal owns Fed and blah blah...please save it.

When it comes to forehands, Federer's FH (in his dominant years) is definitely one of the best ground strokes in the history of the game. Nadal is a great player and his FH is very solid but will never come close to Federer's.
 

ChanceEncounter

Professional
winner of what? Not of titles for sure neither of head to heads vs the top 10...

You do realize that talent != results.

If one person has a better natural feel for the game, and it comes easier for them, that person is generally speaking, more talented.

If someone has a better proclivity or aptitude for tennis, we say that person is the more "talented" tennis player. It's much like intelligence. If someone learns more quickly, figures tngs out more easily, and can think on their feet faster, that person is more 'intelligent.' That doesn't mean that he'll have a more successful career and a better job than someone less intelligent.

Pure talent doesn't exist, just my opinion. There's talent, hard work and mental abilities. You can't separate the 3, they're all needed and all play a part in the final result.
Of course Nadal can volley, I guess you haven't watched many of his matches at W to make such a silly statement.

Yes you can. The most talented player in the world would not win a point if he simply stood there on the court and let balls fly past him. That doesn't do a thing to diminish his ability/potential to play tennis. That's just a critique against his effort and mental fortitude.

Could you potentially claim that effort/mental fortitude is part of 'talent'? Sure, if you want to change the parameters of what most people consider 'talent,' yes. But in isolating "tennis talent," we're talking about how inclined a player towards playing quality tennis. Just like how in isolating IQ or intelligence, we're isolating a person's ability to solve new problems (i.e. fluid intelligence).

I like Djokovic too. I don't see Nadal and Djokovic as being mutually exclusive! I hope we'll have a lot of Djoko-Nadal matches in the future as I find the matchup very entertaining. I still think Djokovic has some progress to make to reach Nadal's current level on other surfaces than hard court.

Again, has nothing to do with talent.
 

doublebreak

Rookie
I know many people say Djokovic has more talent, has better serve and touch than Nadal, Nadal is just mentally more tough. But I think Nadal is actually more talented because he learnt to play with his unnatural hand. What do you think?

Oh my definition of talent is guys like; Federer, Nalbandian, Murray, Gasquet n such.

I guess it depends how you define talent. If it's just a set of skills, then you are really talking about who the better player is. I don't think that is what you are looking for. I would say you mean talent as innate abilities that of course with hard work translate into well developed skills. The innate part is basically the initial potential of being great at something, in this case tennis.

Provided we are looking for the kind of talent already mentioned I would say that I don't quite know, I would have to say Nadal. It's one of those subjective things that you just feel when you are witnessing the work of a genius and I don't get that feeling with either one. Nadal strikes me as a very talented athlete who happens to play tennis, I think he would have excelled at practically any sport. Djokovic is a very solid player with a lot of ambition, but I don't see him as having some kind of god given gift.

Players that have given me the sensation of great talent (not necessarily great results) at some point are: Agassi, Federer, Safin and Rios. Of course some more frequently than others, but it's just a feeling that you've witnessed something really special. I've never felt that while watching Nadal and Djokovic play, except great admiration for Nadal determination and tenacity. I'm just not sure that qualifies as a talent, I think it is more of a decision to commit to something you want with all you've got.
 
People underestimate how talented Nadal is because he plays such a physical brand of tennis. His ball control is outstanding. He plays a one dimensional game only when such a strategy is effective against his opponent.
 

ChanceEncounter

Professional
People underestimate how talented Nadal is because he plays such a physical brand of tennis. His ball control is outstanding. He plays a one dimensional game only when such a strategy is effective against his opponent.
I don't think anyone said that Nadal isn't talented. He's clearly very talented. At the same time, he would not be an elite player if he had the mental game of Djokovic and the same propensity to quit whenever the going gets tough.

Players that have given me the sensation of great talent (not necessarily great results) at some point are: Agassi, Federer, Safin and Rios. Of course some more frequently than others, but it's just a feeling that you've witnessed something really special. I've never felt that while watching Nadal and Djokovic play, except great admiration for Nadal determination and tenacity. I'm just not sure that qualifies as a talent, I think it is more of a decision to commit to something you want with all you've got.

In my opinion, Safin is one of the most 'talented' players on tour. As I said, I define talent as a natural endowment of aptitude towards a certain field. Safin certainly had that. In this case, being a freak athlete certainly does help Nadal's case.

That said, just how much of a freak athlete is Nadal? I bet if you took all of the players on Tour and told them to run a 100m dash, I doubt Nadal would win the race.
 

Clay lover

Legend
I don't think anyone said that Nadal isn't talented. He's clearly very talented. At the same time, he would not be an elite player if he had the mental game of Djokovic and the same propensity to quit whenever the going gets tough.



In my opinion, Safin is one of the most 'talented' players on tour. As I said, I define talent as a natural endowment of aptitude towards a certain field. Safin certainly had that. In this case, being a freak athlete certainly does help Nadal's case.

That said, just how much of a freak athlete is Nadal? I bet if you took all of the players on Tour and told them to run a 100m dash, I doubt Nadal would win the race.

Raw speed is not the only measure of athleticism. Good reflexes are very important too and I think Nadal has tons of it.
 

pricey_aus

Semi-Pro
gaaahh...
ive had this convo so many times.
i believe that Nadal is the least talented in the top 10.
BUT
he's work ethic and commitment is better than anybody ever, which combined with his talent, makes him the best player in the world.
 
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