Djokovic Should Have Played Madrid

duaneeo · Nov 23, 2015

Great stats by Djokovic this year.

But he should have played Madrid. The possibility of him making the final is 99% (well, 98.5%), and considering he would have faced Murray or Nadal, the probability of him actually winning the title is even greater.

That would have meant 9 for 9 in Masters finals, 7 Masters titles, the only player to make the finals of the 4 slams, the 9 Masters, and the WTF in a season, the only player along with Nadal to win the clay Masters Triple Crown, the only player to sweep the spring hard, clay, and fall Masters in a season, the only player to win 8 Masters tournaments at least twice, and tied with Nadal for most Masters titles won.

Some Nole fans say they're glad he skipped Madrid because of the "rude" crowd. But isn't the best way to silence a rude crowd is by showing up and winning the title?

BVSlam · Nov 23, 2015

Yeah, he really missed out. Could have had a historical season, but blew it with this decision. 2015, the year of missed record opportunities for Djokovic.

Djokovic2011 · Nov 23, 2015

There's nothing to say he would've performed as well as he did throughout the rest of the clay season had he competed.
I think he made the right decision.

OhYes · Nov 23, 2015

duaneeo said:
Great stats by Djokovic this year.

But he should have played Madrid. The possibility of him making the final is 99% (well, 98.5%), and considering he would have faced Murray or Nadal, the probability of him actually winning the title is even greater.

That would have meant 9 for 9 in Masters finals, 7 Masters titles, the only player to make the finals of the 4 slams, the 9 Masters, and the WTF in a season, the only player along with Nadal to win the clay Masters Triple Crown, the only player to sweep the spring hard, clay, and fall Masters in a season, the only player to win 8 Masters tournaments at least twice, and tied with Nadal for most Masters titles won.

Some Nole fans say they're glad he skipped Madrid because of the "rude" crowd. But isn't the best way to silence a rude crowd is by showing up and winning the title?

No he didn't. Spanish crowd was considered to be too hostile for him at that moment. Funny how everyone supported Serena for her skipping Indian Wells for 14 years, and Nole just can't have such privilege.
We Nole fans don't need Madrid. He won it already. And we don't need such records you've mentioned since Nole already has sufficient number of them.

Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil · Nov 23, 2015

He won Madrid once, made the crowd pissed, crowd made him pissed, not returning there ever again. Federer was spot on:"We need a clown for this circus"
Btw, about silencing the crowd, Djokovic already did that this year, in NYC.

Djokodal Fan · Nov 23, 2015

The clown of a crowd never deserve to see him there ever again. Well deserved 2nd grade clay tournament nowadays. no wonder Fed and Djoker decided to skip it!

Slice'n'dice · Nov 23, 2015

Djokodal Fan said:
The clown of a crowd never deserve to see him there ever again. Well deserved 2nd grade clay tournament nowadays. no wonder Fed and Djoker decided to skip it!

Not Federer. Not this year at least, knocked out by everyone's favourite Australian no less.

Elessar · Nov 23, 2015

I think he made a good decision to not show up in Madrid. He wanted to remain fresh for RG, and while that didn't help him against Stanimal, it wasn't due to a lack of energy. Moreover, the Madrid crowd doesn't like him because of Rafa, and his lowest moment, that I can remember, came in a match against Dimitrov a few years ago. The crowd was obnoxious toward Djokovic, and while he had every right to be mad at the crowd, he really messed up by spouting obscenities. It really was beneath him to be so vulgar towards the crowd. In Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian culture swears are really "juicy" and they look even worse to someone who is not familiar with the culture, and thinks that Murray's F-bombs are bad.
So, part of the reason he didn't show up was to save up energy. But the other part had to do with him not wanting to play in front of a very hostile crowd, where a reprisal of Dimitrov match meltdown was possible.

StannisTheMannis · Nov 23, 2015

Yea man. Skipping Madrid was the one thing that kept this from being a good season. Such a shame.

FlamEnemY · Nov 23, 2015

Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil said:
He won Madrid once, made the crowd pissed, crowd made him pissed, not returning there ever again. Federer was spot on:"We need a clown for this circus"

Wow what

Is Federer's comment directed toward the Djokovic-Crowd thing or generally toward the crowd? Seems like I've missed out on a few things.

Deleted member 716271 · Nov 23, 2015

Madrid ....lol

Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil · Nov 23, 2015

FlamEnemY said:
Wow what Is Federer's comment directed toward the Djokovic-Crowd thing or generally toward the crowd? Seems like I've missed out on a few things.

Toward the whole event I think.
Check out on youtube, he said it this year during his match vs Kyrgios.

duaneeo · Nov 23, 2015

StannisTheMannis said:
Yea man. Skipping Madrid was the one thing that kept this from being a good season. Such a shame.

What part of "great stats by Djokovic this year" did you miss?

It was an awesome season, but just like winning RG would have made it even more awesome, so would have winning Madrid.

NBP · Nov 23, 2015

Nope. He got good rest and played a great Rome & Roland Garros.

Nachiket Nolefam · Nov 23, 2015

Skipping Madrid was best decision. Slams > Masters. While he didn't win RG, he beat Nadal, reached another final.
You have to put yourself in those positions, again and again, and someday, you will have shot at winning.

duaneeo · Nov 23, 2015

OhYes said:
Funny how everyone supported Serena for her skipping Indian Wells for 14 years, and Nole just can't have such privilege.

What does Serena have to do with this? And, Serena and Venus made it perfectly clear why they skipped IW for those many years. I've heard Nole fans say that he skipped Madrid due to the crowd, but has Nole or anyone in his camp ever say this? If so, provide a link.

Anyway, Serena winning more IW titles wouldn't have resulted in the type of records Djokovic would have made with a Madrid win.

user · Nov 23, 2015

No. IMO starting 2012 and that blue clay travesty, Madrid replaced MC as the non-mandatory M1000 tournament. He's already won it once, he doesn't need Madrid, Madrid needs him. I remember few months back Santana announcing everybody will be there, including Djokovic, good for the tournament, but we all knew it ain't gonna happen, they'll never see him again. I was happy to see Murray taking the title, he was rock solid.
Djokovic's 6 titles and 2 finals out of 8 is huge, and not likely to be overshadowed anytime soon. I bet next year he will be skipping not just Madrid, but another one, probably Canada, and you know what, it won't matter to him, he's won so much over the years, that couple of skipped M1000 ain't really something to be upset about.

OhYes · Nov 23, 2015

duaneeo said:
What does Serena have to do with this? And, Serena and Venus made it perfectly clear why they skipped IW for those many years. I've heard Nole fans say that he skipped Madrid due to the crowd, but has Nole or anyone in his camp ever say this? If so, provide a link.
Anyway, Serena winning more IW titles wouldn't have resulted in the type of records Djokovic would have made with a Madrid win.

Ok, you are playing stupid or.... ?

What has Serena to do with this ? It's the same case, for instance. Crowd was awful to Serena and Novak, they skipped that particular tournament.
Does Nole or anybody from his camp need to say something that is obvious ? Serena can afford to say she is skipping IW because of crowd. Novak still can't. He was diplomatic, yet everyone knows what is the case. Maybe he is in good relations with Ion Tiriac so he wants to keep things down.

If Nole fans don't care about Madrid and records, why do you care ?

duaneeo · Nov 23, 2015

OhYes said:
Ok, you are playing stupid or.... ?
What has Serena to do with this ? It's the same case, for instance. Crowd was awful to Serena and Novak, they skipped that particular tournament.

Again, provide some links where Djokovic said he skipped Madrid because of the crowd.

OhYes · Nov 23, 2015

mattosgrant · Nov 23, 2015

Naw, too much risk for his RP prospects doing that. Nadal and Djokovic's 2009 was arguably ruined in Madrid.

duaneeo · Nov 23, 2015

OhYes said:
no.

Translation: "I can't. Saying he skipped Madrid for the same reasons Serena skipped Indian Wells is pure conjecture on my part."

Djokodal Fan · Nov 23, 2015

Slice'n'dice said:
Not Federer. Not this year at least, knocked out by everyone's favourite Australian no less.

Oops sorry, forgot about it!

user · Nov 23, 2015

duaneeo said:
Translation: "I can't. Saying he skipped Madrid for the same reasons Serena skipped Indian Wells is pure conjecture on my part."

Why don't you please explain to all the real reason behind his decision to skip Madrid in 2014, 2015 and most probably every year after that as long as he plays tennis. I would really like to know.

NoleFam · Nov 23, 2015

He needed to skip Madrid because he needed the rest before Rome and Roland Garros. I know some people think he is a machine but he is human and gets tired like everyone else. He was clearly tired and agitated at Monte Carlo. That was the best decision he made this year and I hope he does the same next year.

jm1980 · Nov 23, 2015

Yep, skipping Madrid was absolutely the right choice.

The Madrid crowd doesn't deserve Nole anyways.

Doflamingo · Nov 23, 2015

Novak is allowed to skip 1 Masters tournament since he has 600 match wins. Other criteria that would allow him to do so would be 31 years of age or 12 years of a Tennis career. If he met all the criteria then he can skip ALL the Masters tournaments.

So since he's only allowed to skip 1, it makes sense he would skip Madrid because it doesn't really do anything for him, he's got Monte Carlo before and Rome after which is enough to get clay practice in. Madrid is just like a middle tournament. Plus he excells at Rome more than any other clay Masters. It's actually a good thing he schedules these things, if you've been given the choice legally to skip a Master then you might aswell for schedule reasons.

duaneeo · Nov 23, 2015

user said:
Why don't you please explain to all the real reason behind his decision to skip Madrid in 2014, 2015 and most probably every year after that as long as he plays tennis. I would really like to know.

The "real" reason? Are you saying that you don't believe Djokovic claims that he skipped Madrid to be better prepared for Roland Garros? Regardless as to the reason, I think he passed up a great opportunity to add to his legacy even more.

Funny, but many of you Nole fans always whine about the horrible treatment he receives from the fans at basically every tournament he plays. The angry Indian Wells crowd. The despicable Wimbledon crowd. The one-sided Cincinnati crowd. The horrible US Open crowd. The awful WTFs crowd. But I guess you think the Madrid crowd is the worst of the worst...so much so that he should forever skip the tournament.

Nachiket Nolefam · Nov 23, 2015

Madrid crowd is worst in masters 1000. You can't skip slams. You must be stupid to skips slams.

Novak may never play Madrid again. Good.

CYGS · Nov 23, 2015

No.Why does Djokovic need to take advice from a hater?

user · Nov 23, 2015

duaneeo said:
The "real" reason? Are you saying that you don't believe Djokovic claims that he skipped Madrid to be better prepared for Roland Garros? Regardless as to the reason, I think he passed up a great opportunity to add to his legacy even more.

Funny, but many of you Nole fans always whine about the horrible treatment he receives from the fans at basically every tournament he plays. The angry Indian Wells crowd. The despicable Wimbledon crowd. The one-sided Cincinnati crowd. The horrible US Open crowd. The awful WTFs crowd. But I guess you think the Madrid crowd is the worst of the worst...so much so that he should forever skip the tournament.

Maybe one of the reasons, but not the most important one. I believe 2013 made his decision to skip it much easier. At this point of his career one more Madrid would mean a lot to his legacy? You're a funny guy. What's next, one more Basel title is vital for his career?

Wimbledon crowd wasn't so bad, there were many Djokovic fans there. It doesn't really matter if the crowd is one-sided, it's the New York crowd that has crossed the line between a behaviour of common spectators and a horde of Neanderthals. But, I was so pleased to see them flee from AA in record breaking time after the final point.

Nachiket Nolefam · Nov 23, 2015

You guys are not understanding what OP is trying to say. He is saying something similar to this.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-a-disservice-by-skipping-2015-madrid-masters

Had Djokovic entered Madrid, he would be sudden favorite. And at that moment, he was unbeatable so he would have entered RG winning 6/6 top tournaments and he was favorite at RG as well. So he could have STREAMROLLED first half of ATP.

Djokovic entered 8 masters and reached finals of 8/8. He also won 6/8. In hypothetical situation of him entering and winning Madrid, he could have gone 9/9 and 7/9 in masters. That would have been BEYOND BELIEF (although 2015 season is already unbelievable).

But that's why I said, Slams > Masters. Djokovic thought he would be better prepared for RG if he skips 1 tournament and he did streamroll Rome (after some hiccups) and almost won RG. Tiredness was not the issue (at least to great extent, although he did play 3 days in a row in the end) for him in the end. So that's what he can do. He tried his best in final, he went with best tactic possible, he prepared well as best as he could and gave his best. It wasn't enough apparently but he literally couldn't do anything more.

Deleted member 369227 · Nov 24, 2015

duaneeo said:
Funny, but many of you Nole fans always whine about the horrible treatment he receives from the fans at basically every tournament he plays. The angry Indian Wells crowd. The despicable Wimbledon crowd. The one-sided Cincinnati crowd. The horrible US Open crowd. The awful WTFs crowd. But I guess you think the Madrid crowd is the worst of the worst...so much so that he should forever skip the tournament.

It's far from true that he has horrible treatment at basically every tournament, he has a fair share of fans in most of the world, except the United States (where Federer has a status of demi-God) and Madrid, for obvious reasons.

One sided crowd is not a problem. The problem are Neanderthals who scream and openly distract Djokovic during service motion/ball toss, shout loudly and call the balls out instead of linesmen, scream in ecstasy on his double-faults etc. You can see that behavior exclusively in Madrid and NY.

Wimbledon and French Open crowd are also pretty much in favor of Federer (or Nadal), but they are civilized and respect elementary tennis etiquette.

ArcspacE · Nov 24, 2015

Djokodal Fan said:
The clown of a crowd never deserve to see him there ever again

This x100

Despicable

user · Nov 24, 2015

Nachiket Nolefam said:
Had Djokovic entered Madrid, he would be sudden favorite. And at that moment, he was unbeatable so he would have entered RG winning 6/6 top tournaments and he was favorite at RG as well. So he could have STREAMROLLED first half of ATP.

Djokovic entered 8 masters and reached finals of 8/8. He also won 6/8. In hypothetical situation of him entering and winning Madrid, he could have gone 9/9 and 7/9 in masters. That would have been BEYOND BELIEF (although 2015 season is already unbelievable).

But that's why I said, Slams > Masters. Djokovic thought he would be better prepared for RG if he skips 1 tournament and he did streamroll Rome (after some hiccups) and almost won RG. Tiredness was not the issue (at least to great extent, although he did play 3 days in a row in the end) for him in the end. So that's what he can do. He tried his best in final, he went with best tactic possible, he prepared well as best as he could and gave his best. It wasn't enough apparently but he literally couldn't do anything more.

There's no guarantee he would win it. It could have hindered him in many ways. And at this level 5 more matches are a big difference, maybe he would come out flat at Wimbledon, or the second part of the season. A drop in form was obvious already in Montreal and Cincinnati. I would change literally nothing in his scheduling.

Nachiket Nolefam · Nov 24, 2015

user said:
There's no guarantee he would win it. It could have hindered him in many ways. And at this level 5 more matches are a big difference, maybe he would come out flat at Wimbledon, or the second part of the season. A drop in form was obvious already in Montreal and Cincinnati. I would change literally nothing in his scheduling.

My point exactly. Just saying OP is stating Madrid to add his legacy in 2015 season not career wise.

user · Nov 24, 2015

Nachiket Nolefam said:
My point exactly. Just saying OP is stating Madrid to add his legacy in 2015 season not career wise.

It's based on his assumption that Djokovic would win it, and nothing alse changes. We don't know that. Playing Madrid wouldn't add to his 2015 legacy, winning it would, but only IF he also wins Rome, Wimbledon, USO, Shanghai, Paris, WTF,... Butterfly effect anyone?

HewittAlwaysDisappoints · Nov 24, 2015

Doflamingo said:
Novak is allowed to skip 1 Masters tournament since he has 600 match wins. Other criteria that would allow him to do so would be 31 years of age or 12 years of a Tennis career. If he met all the criteria then he can skip ALL the Masters tournaments.

So since he's only allowed to skip 1, it makes sense he would skip Madrid because it doesn't really do anything for him, he's got Monte Carlo before and Rome after which is enough to get clay practice in. Madrid is just like a middle tournament. Plus he excells at Rome more than any other clay Masters. It's actually a good thing he schedules these things, if you've been given the choice legally to skip a Master then you might aswell for schedule reasons.

What a bizarre rule. Shouldn't players want to play tournaments, rather than the ATP forcing them? And why does being old and experienced exempt you from a Masters...

duaneeo · Nov 24, 2015

Nachiket Nolefam said:
Djokovic entered 8 masters and reached finals of 8/8. He also won 6/8. In hypothetical situation of him entering and winning Madrid, he could have gone 9/9 and 7/9 in masters. That would have been BEYOND BELIEF (although 2015 season is already unbelievable).

THANK you! But typical of some of his fans, my comment was taken as a dig against Djokovic and they came out swinging (ouch...NOT!).

Nole had an exceptional season. Still, imagine the thought of a player making the final of all four slams, all nine Masters, and the WTFs. Even if he hadn't won the Madrid title (which I think he would have), it still would have made his season that much more remarkable and one talked about, well, forever.

user said:
At this point of his career one more Madrid would mean a lot to his legacy? You're a funny guy. What's next, one more Basel title is vital for his career?

You need to take a reading comprehension class.

Nachiket Nolefam · Nov 24, 2015

duaneeo said:
THANK you! But typical of some of his fans, my comment was taken as a dig against Djokovic and they came out swinging (ouch...NOT!).

Nole had an exceptional season. Still, imagine the thought of a player making the final of all four slams, all nine Masters, and the WTFs. Even if he hadn't won the Madrid title (which I think he would have), it still would have made his season that much more remarkable and one talked about, well, forever.

You need to take a reading comprehension class.

Yes but Domino effect. We will never know if he had played Madrid, how rest of the season would look.

BeatlesFan · Nov 24, 2015

OhYes said:
We Nole fans don't need Madrid. He won it already. And we don't need such records you've mentioned since Nole already has sufficient number of them.

Remember this in early June if and when Djoker doesn't bag RG. Just repeat this same sentiment, albeit updated: "We Nole fans don't need the French Open...And we don't need such records you've mentioned since Nole already has sufficient number of them."

It's so easy being arrogant and over confident when you're on top. Watch the 'tude on the way down the ladder. It's unavoidable and happens to them all...

VexlanderPrime · Nov 24, 2015

duaneeo said:
Great stats by Djokovic this year.

But he should have played Madrid. The possibility of him making the final is 99% (well, 98.5%), and considering he would have faced Murray or Nadal, the probability of him actually winning the title is even greater.

That would have meant 9 for 9 in Masters finals, 7 Masters titles, the only player to make the finals of the 4 slams, the 9 Masters, and the WTF in a season, the only player along with Nadal to win the clay Masters Triple Crown, the only player to sweep the spring hard, clay, and fall Masters in a season, the only player to win 8 Masters tournaments at least twice, and tied with Nadal for most Masters titles won.

Some Nole fans say they're glad he skipped Madrid because of the "rude" crowd. But isn't the best way to silence a rude crowd is by showing up and winning the title?

I disagree. He needed rest at that point in the year. He was legit burnt out and needed to get refocused for RG and Wimby

Gazelle · Nov 24, 2015

Djokovic skipped Madrid to be fit for RG...hmm, in hindsight should have skipped Monte Carlo too.

OhYes · Nov 25, 2015

BeatlesFan said:
Remember this in early June if and when Djoker doesn't bag RG. Just repeat this same sentiment, albeit updated: "We Nole fans don't need the French Open...And we don't need such records you've mentioned since Nole already has sufficient number of them."
It's so easy being arrogant and over confident when you're on top. Watch the 'tude on the way down the ladder. It's unavoidable and happens to them all...

Hm, so what exactly is the problem with what I've said ?

If he doesn't bag RG, he doesn't. I ain't gonna cry about it although I would love him to take it. Madrid on the other hand - he has already won. So, he doesn't need participation in most distasteful Master tournament of all, in front of most repulsive crowd ever. Madrid already said what Madrid has to say to Djokovic and Djokovic responded. Case closed.

"It is so easy to be arrogant when you are on top." Because we say Novak doesn't need Madrid ? How arrogant

It's called charity my dear.

Over confident we are and we should be, and let me say something about that to your insulted ego - we know, that however we behave and whatever we do, there is nothing which will stop you to act like jerks after Nole loses his momentum. How do we know that ? Well we've been small and insignificant already, so we know how others behaved to us just because we believed.
Now you want us to be quiet and polite.

Ok, here you go:

Djokovic Should Have Played Madrid

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