‘I Saw the Real Rafa in Australia’ – Bjorn Borg Compares Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open Victory to 2021 French Open Loss

[The_Order]

Let's not even go there! Borg took on all comers with literally a stick & strings strung to the feel of a glass pane! Rafa has had the benefits of "the times" with superior training, tech improvements of rackets & strings, w/ homogenous courts! It'll continue to be with most people and a brain to know Borg is huge and will continue to be so because of his diverse winning from the slowest of clay in Paris to the slickness of choppy grass within a week at Wimbledon! That will set him apart from all players now and into the foreseeable future due to the greedy Big 3 who $ucked up most of the major events for the better part of 20 years! It'll be impossible for their feats to be surpassed in anyone's lifetime today! Nadal can vulture all the FO's he wants, having just 2 split Wimbledon Chps. on grass, even his Channel Slam of 2010 can't compare to Borg's who took FO & Wimbledon 3 straight years alone surpassing Rafa for the time! Some may consider that delusional, but I saw Borg thru that period where he became great by mastering all surfaces quickly while Nadal still needs warmups! Bjorn did so much in those 8 years while Nadal's still toiling the fields trying to catch up after 15+! Borg still has more YEC's and Wimbledons which would be a great career alone!

Yes Borg is huge and what he did cannot be compared to modern tennis given the vast differences in many variables...

I'm not one to go into goat debates for this reason...

But you're missing my point... in terms of pure titles won, if Borg is angry with Djokovic for surpassing him at Wimbledon, why wouldn't he be even more furious with Nadal for surpassing his RG titles by a lot more than what Novak did to him at Wimbledon??

 

[SonicNirvana]

These are not excuses. You can't deny that Nadal is being robbed. He dominated RG for years, and suddenly the organizers decided to change the conditions completely. Now it's a totally different tournament, the conditions are bad for Nadal and almost perfect for Djokovic. I think Nadal feels more comfortable on hardcourt right now than on this "clay". This is annoying that Nadal was robbed at his favorite slam. He could win a few more of them before he retires, but thanks to the organizers he is done winning there.

this argument is out the window after 2020 RG man. Rafa completely dominated under the roof.

 

[Backspin1183]

Yes Borg is huge and what he did cannot be compared to modern tennis given the vast differences in many variables...

I'm not one to go into goat debates for this reason...

But you're missing my point... in terms of pure titles won, if Borg is angry with Djokovic for surpassing him at Wimbledon, why wouldn't he be even more furious with Nadal for surpassing his RG titles by a lot more than what Novak did to him at Wimbledon??

Maybe because he considers Rafa to be a greater clay court player than him but just doesn't see Djokovic as good on grass as he (Borg) was.

Or that has nothing to do with his observation of Rafa moving better in Australia than at RG last year.

 

[The_Order]

Maybe because he considers Rafa to be a greater clay court player than him but just doesn't see Djokovic as good on grass as he (Borg) was.

Or that has nothing to do with his observation of Rafa moving better in Australia than at RG last year.

Exactly. This is unfortunately the level of logic we have to deal with when it comes to Djesus fans..

 

[DSH]

In a recent interview, 11-time Grand Slam champion, Bjorn Borg talked about Rafael Nadal’s impressive showing at the Australian Open. However, he also pointed out the fact that Rafa didn’t look at his best at the Roland Garros last year. According to him, Rafa didn’t move the way he usually moves.

“I watched most of the matches from Australia at home in Stockholm. The best news for Nadal is that he has regained his mobility from before. When I watched him last year at Roland Garros, he didn’t move like that and that could be one of the reasons why he lost to Djokovic. What I don’t know is whether he was injured. I saw the real Rafa in Australia,” Borg said (Google Translate).

‘I Saw the Real Rafa in Australia’ - Bjorn Borg Compares Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open Victory to 2021 French Open Loss

11-time Grand Slam winner Bjorn Borg talked about the Australian Open performance of Rafael Nadal, as he picked him to win the French Open as well.

www.essentiallysports.com

...



Ahh. But I'm sure the armchair experts on TTW see the sport better than Bjorn. Right?

It is obvious that Nadal played at most 70% of his chances not only in the semi-finals but throughout the tournament.
His lowest level in Paris since 2015, which was even more appalling.
If the Spaniard does not have any physical ailments or plays too many matches prior to the French Open, he should arrive there fit to win his fourteenth Musketeers Cup and, therefore, his twenty-second Major title of his tennis career.

 

[NeutralFan]

It is obvious that Nadal played at most 70% of his chances not only in the semi-finals but throughout the tournament.
His lowest level in Paris since 2015, which was even more appalling.
If the Spaniard does not have any physical ailments or plays too many matches prior to the French Open, he should arrive there fit to win his fourteenth Musketeers Cup and therefore, his twenty-second Major title of his tennis career.

Nadal was awful last year, his bh was pure garbage , so was his movement.

 

[DSH]

Nadal was awful last year, his bh was pure garbage , so was his movement.

And his serve, Oh My!

 

[mwym]

Nadal was moving 'better' in AO22 because none of the balls coming across the net were coming from Djokovic.

Without Djokovic playing tennis - Nadal would have won AO19 or RG21. Federer would have won WC15 or WC19. It is all obvious to a 10 year old child with average IQ. But Djokovic is a mental terror for adults at mental age of kids and causes them to 'escape' into imagination. Just like kids. Kids are not small adults. Kids are mentally underdeveloped small adults.

One can always have delusion instead of accepting objective reality and 'believe' Djokovic does not exist. That is why Djokovic is mental terror - he simply causes a lot of delusion in minds of otherwise mentally healthy people.

A mental terror just by entering the country. That is why he was prevented in AO22 as a terrorist. Simple.

'Real' Rafa beats all and gets injured mentally when Djokovic defeats him.

 

[Fiero425]

Nadal was awful last year, his bh was pure garbage , so was his movement.

He wasn't that great early in the Australian Open! He was lucky the early rounds had such nobodies and also-rans who couldn't keep the ball in play! Rafa was being made to hit a lot of backhand slices and was very defensive but got away with it!

 

[DSH]

Nadal was moving 'better' in AO22 because none of the balls coming across the net were coming from Djokovic.

Without Djokovic playing tennis - Nadal would have won AO19 or RG21. Federer would have won WC15 or WC19. It is all obvious to a 10 year old child with average IQ. But Djokovic is a mental terror for adults at mental age of kids and causes them to 'escape' into imagination. Just like kids. Kids are not small adults. Kids are mentally underdeveloped small adults.

One can always have delusion instead of accepting objective reality and 'believe' Djokovic does not exist. That is why Djokovic is mental terror - he simply causes a lot of delusion in minds of otherwise mentally healthy people.

A mental terror just by entering the country.

He also instills terror in the ballkids, in the lineswoman, in the stands and even Vajda got fed up with him for his "terrifying" decision not to get vaccinated.

 

[mwym]

He also instills terror in the ballkids, in the lineswoman, in the stands and even Vajda got fed up with him for his "terrifying" decision not to get vaccinated.

Every brain in every animal has one and only one function - to generate fear. Only human brain can think instead and act calmly.

 

[NeutralFan]

He wasn't that great early in the Australian Open! He was lucky the early rounds had such nobodies and also-rans who couldn't keep the ball in play! Rafa was being made to hit a lot of backhand slices and was very defensive but got away with it!

Defensive ?? okay !

 

[Fiero425]

Every brain in every animal has one and only one function - to generate fear. Only human brain can think instead and act calmly.

Well, some can and some can't! Many are just idiots and benefit from being more like animals running on fear!

 

[Phoenix*]

Regained mobility, also known as not getting spanked by Djokovic.

 

[Bumbaliceps]

Looks like he is skipping Monte Carlo. His clay court season is starting in Barcelona.

Where do you get that idea ?

 

[Gary Duane]

There never are. Anyone who looks for excuses are doing so just to keep these debates active. Rafa was beaten by a better player on that day. Thats all.

Joker was better THAT DAY. That doesn't make him a better clay player. That's absurd. Nadal was around 10 points down on service games won at less than 81%. His peak was 91% in his best year. So let's go back the the year Joker served the worst, shall we? Then let's look how well he did that year. For instance 2010 and 2017.

To say that the other player was "better" on a day when the other guy was obviously physically compromised is pure crap.

 

[InsideOut900]

Nadal was awful last year, his bh was pure garbage , so was his movement.

He was playing at 2008 level against Sinner and Schwartzman according to some. Why the backpedalling now?

 

[NeutralFan]

He was playing at 2008 level against Sinner and Schwartzman according to some. Why the backpedalling now?

True but I'll believe it only if Nadal himself confirm it like Fed did it in 2015

 

[adil1972]

RR = Real Rafa
FF = Federer Fan
DD = Dumb Djokovic
MM = Mighty Murray
SSS = Stan Stainless Steel

tennis jokes anyone

 

[Mike Sams]

Yet why wouldn't you? Djokovic has nothing to lose. That's the best time to face Nadal for Novak.

Nadal losing to Djokovic at RG this year would mean Nadal's AO win deserves an asterix. But I'm still putting Nadal as the favourite for RG. Although that could change once we see Djokovic's form going in. Also interested to see if Thiem will be playing as he's getting ready for his return.

 

[helterskelter]

I wonder how long it took him to eat that bagel. It is pretty huge.

Nah he looked pretty real in RG2020

 

[RF-18]

He would have been this player Borg is referring to if Novak wasn't in his way.

The real thing is Nadal lost and was fighting like his life depended on it that night except in the 4th set when he realized Djokovic was just too strong that night. After the re-break from Novak in the 4th set he absolutely destroyed Nadal mentally. It is all a result of Novak being on the other side of the net.

 

[mike danny]

He was playing at 2008 level against Sinner and Schwartzman according to some. Why the backpedalling now?

How can Djoker beat a Rafa who doesn't miss?

 

[weakera]

He would have been this player Borg is referring to if Novak wasn't in his way.

The real thing is Nadal lost and was fighting like his life depended on it that night except in the 4th set when he realized Djokovic was just too strong that night. After the re-break from Novak in the 4th set he absolutely destroyed Nadal mentally. It is all a result of Novak being on the other side of the net.

Novak being on the other side of the net in Nadal's final clay match of the season explains Nadal posting his career worst numbers on clay ever in 2021 by far?

Fascinating

 

[Thriller]

In some ways, Borg is still the greatest. 11 majors at age 25, only playing 3 majors per year.

Only playing 3 majors per year so really no excuse for burning out at the age of 25. 11 slams was his lot. He wouldn't have won any more if he continued. He knew this so he stopped.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

I am trying to distract myself from that, along with my job, my relationship, and my family, by sh-tposting on talk tennis warehouse.

Escape to the cuntry.

 

[RF-18]

Novak being on the other side of the net in Nadal's final clay match of the season explains Nadal posting his career worst numbers on clay ever in 2021 by far?

Fascinating

You do what you need to do bro.

 

[weakera]

You do what you need to do bro.

The ability of the mind to live in denial from painful thoughts will never cease to amaze me

As if every conceivable metric and piece of data wasn't enough, as if Nadal missing six months and undergoing a foot procedure wasn't enough, ********* now think Bjorn Borg doesn't know what he's looking at on a tennis court.

It's just amazing that people need so badly to believe that Djokovic faced a fit Nadal. That's how much Djokovic's reputation means to their self worth

 

[TheNachoMan]

The ability of the mind to live in denial from painful thoughts will never cease to amaze me

As if every conceivable metric and piece of data wasn't enough, as if Nadal missing six months and undergoing a foot procedure wasn't enough, ********* now think Bjorn Borg doesn't know what he's looking at on a tennis court.

It's just amazing that people need so badly to believe that Djokovic faced a fit Nadal. That's how much Djokovic's reputation means to their self worth

Nadal lost last year, get over it bud.

 

[weakera]

Nadal lost last year, get over it bud.

You talking to me or Bjorn?

 

[Azure]

Joker was better THAT DAY. That doesn't make him a better clay player. That's absurd. Nadal was around 10 points down on service games won at less than 81%. His peak was 91% in his best year. So let's go back the the year Joker served the worst, shall we? Then let's look how well he did that year. For instance 2010 and 2017.

To say that the other player was "better" on a day when the other guy was obviously physically compromised is pure crap.

If you read my post carefully thats what I say. He was better that day. I don’t see the point of your technical nitpicking which doesn’t interest me.

 

[Deleted member 788697]

So Borg thinks like I do, what else is new?

 

[RF-18]

The ability of the mind to live in denial from painful thoughts will never cease to amaze me

As if every conceivable metric and piece of data wasn't enough, as if Nadal missing six months and undergoing a foot procedure wasn't enough, ********* now think Bjorn Borg doesn't know what he's looking at on a tennis court.

It's just amazing that people need so badly to believe that Djokovic faced a fit Nadal. That's how much Djokovic's reputation means to their self worth

You seem to be in denial as you can't cope with the fair loss and spamming threads all to try and divert from what happened on 11th june. Nadal was very fit and played high intensity for 4 hours against an in inform Djokovic. To try and say he wasn't fit is just an pathetic excuse.

 

[weakera]

Nadal was very fit

 

[weakera]

So Borg thinks like I do, what else is new?

"Bjorn Borg Has Eyes" is what the headline could read

 

[The_Order]

He was playing at 2008 level against Sinner and Schwartzman according to some. Why the backpedalling now?

Which some? Point them out.

 

[weakera]

Which some? Point them out.

He's talking about me lol, because I said Nadal was unplayable for the last set against Schwartzman - which he was, as Schwartzman won only 5 points in the set as Nadal just went for every shot.

And he's throwing in the Sinner thing to try to beef up what is already a lie, as I was fretting about Nadal's form and worried about Sinner entering that match and afterwards.

 

[AgassiSuperSlam11]

Let's not even go there! Borg took on all comers with literally a stick & strings strung to the feel of a glass pane! Rafa has had the benefits of "the times" with superior training, tech improvements of rackets & strings, w/ homogenous courts! It'll continue to be with most people and a brain to know Borg is huge and will continue to be so because of his diverse winning from the slowest of clay in Paris to the slickness of choppy grass within a week at Wimbledon! That will set him apart from all players now and into the foreseeable future due to the greedy Big 3 who $ucked up most of the major events for the better part of 20 years! It'll be impossible for their feats to be surpassed in anyone's lifetime today! Nadal can vulture all the FO's he wants, having just 2 split Wimbledon Chps. on grass, even his Channel Slam of 2010 can't compare to Borg's who took FO & Wimbledon 3 straight years alone surpassing Rafa for the time! Some may consider that delusional, but I saw Borg thru that period where he became great by mastering all surfaces quickly while Nadal still needs warmups! Bjorn did so much in those 8 years while Nadal's still toiling the fields trying to catch up after 15+! Borg still has more YEC's and Wimbledons which would be a great career alone!

I rate Borg Top 5 ATG, but he had three issues that plague his greatness. The first he had difficulty in assimilating to night matches which hurt him in the US Open. He couldn't acclimate to the different bounce and see as well. Borg was 0-3 in HC slam finals and even lost in Green Clay (Har-Tru) to Connors in a different Final. The issue of longevity also can be raised. I wish Borg defended his FO Title in 1982. He retired at 25 and we won't know how many more slams he would've won? His GS total can't be compared to modern players as he rarely played in the Australian Open. It appears that after Mcenroe beat him in 3 straight slams he didn't want to play again. By retiring his H2H with Mcenroe stood at 7-7 (Mcenroe 3-1 in Slams).

 

[DMTNA]

Nah he looked pretty real in RG2020

Nice picture.

 

[The Big Foe fan]

I actually want Djokovic to face Nadal again at the FO. Bring it on babyyy.

It'd be hilarious to see Djokovic outduel Nadal at his own game 2 years in a row lol.
Forehand topspin to the backhand no!

 

[The Big Foe fan]

If however the miracle happens again, no excuses this time.

That particular fanbase and their favourite player are experts at finding and/or inventing injuries for practically every loss.

 

[Rattie]

It'd be hilarious to see Djokovic outduel Nadal at his own game 2 years in a row lol.
Forehand topspin to the backhand no!

Why hilarious?

 

[borg number one]

Bjorn is upset that Novak surpassed him at Wimbledon

Borg won five in a row at Wimbledon, had a 41 match win streak and won his first Wimbledon without losing a set. Borg is a Wimbledon legend. How has he surpassed him with one more title given many more attempts ? Also that was on the faster old grass where the net rushers had a big advantage. It was much tougher to win there then. They only had 16 seeds as well, not 32.

 

[clayqueen]

Yet why wouldn't you? Djokovic has nothing to lose. That's the best time to face Nadal for Novak.

Djesus has a lot to lose. He’ll want to prove that he can beat a fit Rafa at RG.

 

[Azure]

That particular fanbase and their favourite player are experts at finding and/or inventing injuries for practically every loss.

Please don’t paint everyone with the same brush. I am very clear in my standpoint on this. You could be a better player and be outplayed because of a multitude of reasons, mental and physical health reasons included. If you step on the court you are out there to play. Injuries, niggles, personal issues - all of us face one or all of these in some form or the other doing our jobs.

 

[marc45]

well yeah, he had a hurt foot...is Bjorn avoiding the news and watching the matches on mute?

 

[Mustard]

Only playing 3 majors per year so really no excuse for burning out at the age of 25. 11 slams was his lot. He wouldn't have won any more if he continued. He knew this so he stopped.

Borg played loads of matches. His official match win loss records by year were:

1971: 0-1
1972: 12-13
1973: 51-24
1974: 94-24
1975: 89-19
1976: 59-12
1977: 78-7
1978: 79-7
1979: 84-6
1980: 70-6
1981: 35-6
1982: 2-1
1983: 1-1
1984: 0-1
1991: 0-1
1992: 0-8
1993: 0-3

 

[Mike Sams]

He would have been this player Borg is referring to if Novak wasn't in his way.

The real thing is Nadal lost and was fighting like his life depended on it that night except in the 4th set when he realized Djokovic was just too strong that night. After the re-break from Novak in the 4th set he absolutely destroyed Nadal mentally. It is all a result of Novak being on the other side of the net.

Would be crazy if they meet again at RG this year and Djokovic beats him again. Would Nadal still claim it's a foot problem? Or would it be an age excuse this time?

 

[borg number one]

Borg played loads of matches. His official match win loss records by year were:

1971: 0-1
1972: 12-13
1973: 51-24
1974: 94-24
1975: 89-19
1976: 59-12
1977: 78-7
1978: 79-7
1979: 84-6
1980: 70-6
1981: 35-6
1982: 2-1
1983: 1-1
1984: 0-1
1991: 0-1
1992: 0-8
1993: 0-3

Yes plus a very heavy unofficial schedule on top of that. As did Connors and others. The Tour was brought all over the globe with big money unofficial events during that time. Borg played a ton that is correct.

Borg/Connors/McEnroe/Lendl - Unofficial matches

The late 70s-early 80s when the fab four of Borg, Connors, McEnroe and Lendl were battling it out against each other was my favourite time in tennis. Of course they all played each other numerous times in unsanctioned events, often with huge prize money at stake and in front of packed crowds...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[Mustard]

Yes plus a very heavy unofficial schedule on top of that. As did Connors and others. The Tour was brought all over the globe with big money unofficial events during that time. Borg played a ton that is correct.

Borg/Connors/McEnroe/Lendl - Unofficial matches

The late 70s-early 80s when the fab four of Borg, Connors, McEnroe and Lendl were battling it out against each other was my favourite time in tennis. Of course they all played each other numerous times in unsanctioned events, often with huge prize money at stake and in front of packed crowds...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

Yes, and easy to understand why Borg might burn out and want a reduced schedule. Connors never did, because he loved competing all the time. Connors would still be out there today if it wasn't for the physical factor declining with age.