2018 - Slam of the year

Best Slam in 2018?


  • Total voters
    74

TheAssassin

Legend
Now that the main events are over, let's hear which one do you rate the most.

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Leaving Cincinnati out of the poll as it wouldn't be fair to the other four tournaments.
 

ak24alive

Legend
Wimbledon was easily the best slam this year.
Matchups were classic and yes I include Isner Anderson too.
Climate was much better than AO and USO.
It was the furthest the Big 3 went together the whole year. Fed was better at Wimby than at USO. Same goes with Nadal. Novak's rising was gold.
Women's tennis wasn't so hot at Wimby. FO and AO were better for the ladies. But for the men Wimbledon takes the cake in 2018.
 

KINGROGER

G.O.A.T.
I think USO had more good matches overall but Wimbledon SF seals it for me.

USO could be even better if they’d speed up the surface to 2005-2009 levels.
 

NatF

Bionic Poster
Wimbledon.

USO had some great matches from Rafa but both finalists basically sleepwalked into the final.
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Would've been the US Open if not for the straight set final.

Wimbledon>>>US Open>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>AO>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>FO
 
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Deleted member 77403

Guest
They just disappeared. It's tough knowing your guy is injured though so yea I guess they need a little time.

He also lost two very tough slams, in which he worked very hard, and his big rival come back from the dead and took them both, and denied him one directly in process. Not easy for some, but some are still around.
 

ibbi

G.O.A.T.
None of them were very good. I guess Wimbledon is probably the best even with the damp squib of a final, and that Anderson-Isner match fouling the whole thing up. Anderson-Federer drama combined with Anderson-Monfils, Nadal-Del Potro, Nadal-Djokovic, and some of the key performances like from Nishikori against a game Kyrgios, were incredible.
 

BGod

G.O.A.T.
Wimbledon by a lot. You really rate Slams by quarters onwards. And of those 7 matches, 4 went the distance and 2 were tight four setters. Sucks the Final was meh but everything leading up was solid. AO in 2nd place.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
He also lost two very tough slams, in which he worked very hard, and his big rival come back from the dead and took them both, and denied him one directly in process. Not easy for some, but some are still around.

Yea true. It's crazy how quickly things can change in tennis but that's the nature of the game. Without the Djokovic resurgence Nadal would have taken Wimbledon and Del Potro most likely would have won his 2nd USO.
 
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Deleted member 77403

Guest
Yea true. It's crazy how quickly things can change in tennis but that's the nature of the game. Without the Djokovic resurgence Nadal would have taken Wimbledon and Del Potro most likely would have won his 2nd USO.

Djokovic changed the landscape with his dramatic return at Wimbledon
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Djokovic changed the landscape with his dramatic return at Wimbledon

And the world of tennis is better for it. :) Wimbledon was epic man and it was great to have him back playing at the top of his game. I guess USO would have reached that level if they had more epic matches but I did like De Minaur/Cilic and Thiem/Nadal. Both of those were great but Djokovic was having none of that and won his last 5 matches in straight sets.
 

Pantera

Banned
US Open. Something about the atmosphere (women’s final apart as that was sickening) and that massive eye sore stadium that just gets the juices flowing.

Maybe because it heralds start of NFL season as well.
 

Pantera

Banned
And the world of tennis is better for it. :) Wimbledon was epic man and it was great to have him back playing at the top of his game. I guess USO would have reached that level if they had more epic matches but I did like De Minaur/Cilic and Thiem/Nadal. Both of those were great but Djokovic was having none of that and won his last 5 matches in straight sets.
Thiem Nadal was epic. Macho stuff at its alpha Male best. There was one rally where they dispensed with tactics and just stood there and slugged Forehands at each other as hard as they could. Like two boxers stood there slugging it out. It just sort of suited that stadium and the whole kind of New York vibe.
 
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Deleted member 77403

Guest
And the world of tennis is better for it. :) Wimbledon was epic man and it was great to have him back playing at the top of his game. I guess USO would have reached that level if they had more epic matches but I did like De Minaur/Cilic and Thiem/Nadal. Both of those were great but Djokovic was having none of that and won his last 5 matches in straight sets.

Djokovic these past few months has reminded me of Godzilla, - he who restores balance to nature - Djokovic has brought much needed balance back to the tour these past few months. I think tennis is very thankful for his return, and for bringing it to the slams this summer.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Thiem Nadal was epic. Macho stuff at its alpha Male best. There was one rally where they dispensed with tactics and just stood there and slugged Forehands at each other as hard as they could. Like two boxers stood there slugging it out. It just sort of suited that stadium and the whole kind of New York vibe.

It was a pure slugfest and I do enjoy those from time to time. There was one point where Thiem just crushed 4 huge forehands in a row at Nadal and he just absorbing them and sending them back. It was quite a point. I was also amazed at Nadal's defense to offense in that match but it killed his knee for the rest of the tournament. I would definitely put that match and Djokovic/Nadal at Wimbledon the top 2 matches of the year.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Djokovic these past few months has reminded me of Godzilla, - he who restores balance to nature - Djokovic has brought much needed balance back to the tour these past few months. I think tennis is very thankful for his return, and for bringing it to the slams this summer.

giphy.gif
:D

I actually see Djokovic as the one true equalizer. Without Djokovic, Federer and Nadal would have made a mockery out of the field for at least 15 years now and both would have over 20+ Slams. Federer would be at 25+ and Nadal would be at 20+. This is not even an exaggeration but a clear fact. It was Djokovic who was able to keep their dominance in check when no one else could.
 

Pantera

Banned
Djokovic these past few months has reminded me of Godzilla, - he who restores balance to nature - Djokovic has brought much needed balance back to the tour these past few months. I think tennis is very thankful for his return, and for bringing it to the slams this summer.
Did you not like Nadal and Federer winning 6 majors in a row? Technically that was very balanced as it was 3 each.

Even as a Nadal fan I’m please to see Nole back. A charming educated gentleman who is part of a once in a lifetime trio of sportspeople elevating a sport to new levels. Long may it continue although I fear Roger and Rafa maybe done. Rafas face after thiem match just looked so drained. I know it was almost 5hrs but he just looked different to how I’ve ever seen him after a brutal match.

Roger is 37 and I think his reflexes are not what they were...his return game a shadow now. Novak looks almost as good as he used to be and I think he will be last man standing. Murray won’t be coming back and Delpo I think is still hamstrung with his BH that he can’t improve due to the wrist
 
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Deleted member 77403

Guest
giphy.gif
:D

I actually see Djokovic as the one true equalizer. Without Djokovic, Federer and Nadal would have made a mockery out of the field for at least 15 years now and both would have over 20+ Slams. Federer would be at 25+ and Nadal would be at 20+. This is not even an exaggeration but a clear fact. It was Djokovic who was able to keep their dominance in check when no one else could.

That is why I call him the Godzilla of tennis, the one who restores the balance. ;)
 
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Deleted member 77403

Guest
Did you not like Nadal and Federer winning 6 majors in a row? Technically that was very balanced as it was 3 each.

Even as a Nadal fan I’m please to see Nole back. A charming educated gentleman who is part of a once in a lifetime trio of sportspeople elevating a sport to new levels. Long may it continue although I fear Roger and Rafa maybe done. Rafas face after thiem match just looked so drained. I know it was almost 5hrs but he just looked different to how I’ve ever seen him after a brutal match.

Roger is 37 and I think his reflexes are not what they were...his return game a shadow now. Novak looks almost as good as he used to be and I think he will be last man standing. Murray won’t be coming back and Delpo I think is still hamstrung with his BH that he can’t improve due to the wrist

It was awesome to see, no doubt. Both Federer and Nadal did amazing things, but we need someone who can stand up to them, and that is the role Djokovic played in all of this.
 

Pantera

Banned
It was a pure slugfest and I do enjoy those from time to time. There was one point where Thiem just crushed 4 huge forehands in a row at Nadal and he just absorbing them and sending them back. It was quite a point. I was also amazed at Nadal's defense to offense in that match but it killed his knee for the rest of the tournament. I would definitely put that match and Djokovic/Nadal at Wimbledon the top 2 matches of the year.
Yep Rafa was never going much further even after two days off. Rumours were circulating he could barely walk for next two days.

Agree with your match choice I’d add also Nadal v Delpo at Wimbledon as they were diving all over the place and Delpo v Federer in Indian Wells was brilliant. Also Novak v Delpo in the final at US Open was excellent. Maybe straight sets but it was over 3 hours of top quality tennis with two titans. I really enjoyed it.
 

Pantera

Banned
It was awesome to see, no doubt. Both Federer and Nadal did amazing things, but we need someone who can stand up to them, and that is the role Djokovic played in all of this.
But for wrist injury Delpo would have added even more balance. That guy is a legend. I’d love him to win Wimbledon. Be like when Ivanisevic won I’d bet whole locker room would want him to win!
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Yep Rafa was never going much further even after two days off. Rumours were circulating he could barely walk for next two days.

Agree with your match choice I’d add also Nadal v Delpo at Wimbledon as they were diving all over the place and Delpo v Federer in Indian Wells was brilliant. Also Novak v Delpo in the final at US Open was excellent. Maybe straight sets but it was over 3 hours of top quality tennis with two titans. I really enjoyed it.

I can imagine so because his knew was already questionable in the tournament. Nadal is the ultimate fighter though and you have to beat because he won't give it to you, even when he is not quite 100%.

Nadal/Delpo was good and I probably would place that second. I missed Federer/Del Potro at IW but I need to download and watch it. Yea I thought the USO final was really good and intense at times and closer than the scoreline showed. Del Potro cracked at times under pressure and made forehand errors at key moments but I think that relentless barrage of defense to offense from Djokovic really started getting to him.

I watched the match again yesterday and I could see it in peace and not be so nervous. It was clear watching it again that Djokovic learned from that 2016 USO final because when he had opportunities to get to the net, he didn't hesitate and really was aggressive and kept the pressure on Del Potro.
 
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Deleted member 77403

Guest
But for wrist injury Delpo would have added even more balance. That guy is a legend. I’d love him to win Wimbledon. Be like when Ivanisevic won I’d bet whole locker room would want him to win!

I love the big guy, but when I speak of balance, I am speaking among the ATG. Del Potro isn't going to match Fedal slam for slam the way Djokovic can. Del Potro winning Wimbledon would be special though, I cannot disagree with you on that one.
 

Pantera

Banned
I can imagine so because his knew was already questionable in the tournament. Nadal is the ultimate fighter though and you have to beat because he won't give it to you, even when he is not quite 100%.

Nadal/Delpo was good and I probably would place that second. I missed Federer/Del Potro at IW but I need to download and watch it. Yea I thought the USO final was really good and intense at times and closer than the scoreline showed. Del Potro cracked at times under pressure and made forehand errors at key moments but I think that relentless barrage of defense to offense from Djokovic really started getting to him.

I watched the match again yesterday and I could see it in peace and not be so nervous. It was clear watching it again that Djokovic learned from that 2016 USO final because when he had opportunities to get to the net, he didn't hesitate and really was aggressive and kept the pressure on Del Potro.
Well I’ve noticed some key new plays in Novak’s playbook and I think Rafa should take note and perhaps look at adjusting his game a bit to shorten points.

1. Novak is serving mainly slice 2nd served often way over 100 mph. Making his 2nd serve hard to attack.

2. His FH seems to be now hit with a lot more spin...has slight similarity to Thiem. Resultis leas errors off that wing in big moments which used to be an Achilles heel for him

3. Much more forays to the net. His volleys now look a lot more solid as does the overhead.

The above 3 points I believe are moving him towards being the complete player.

From a Rafa fan view point I feel Rafa needs to work on his 1st serve to get more cheap points. It is hard enough but his location is not in the corners enough and I think it’s easy to read where he is going. In the Us Open every service game he had had long rallies...it takes its toll. I also feel he now needs to stand further in returning serve. He can do it as in 2010 he was returning on the baseline and that was GOAT level performances he put in back then at US Open. He also needs to cut down his clay season as it is taking a lot out of him. I would drop Monte Carlo from his schedule and maybe Rome. He cant drop Barcelona as it’s his stadium and obviously he won’t drop Madrid given he looks like he will be President of Real Madrid.

I really thought Djokovic was a joy to watch. Can he do a Calendar Slam?
 
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