2019 Roland Garros FINAL: Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem

[GabeT]

When did Nole put up a bigger fight in an RG final? Losing in four sets is his best performance. All the rest is minor detail. No one went to the distance with Ned in an RG Final, not even Nole.

Thiem won fair and square. Still think Nole would have played better. But we will never know.

 

[AndyM]

Well joko's taken Nadal to the brinkk in the de facto 2013 final we all knew Ferrer was waiting in the final so that was the de-facto final just like Wimbledon semi-final Nadal vs Djokovic was the de-facto final

 

[Krish872007]

When did Nole put up a bigger fight in an RG final? Losing in four sets is his best performance. All the rest is minor detail. No one went to the distance with Ned in an RG Final, not even Nole.

Closest Nadal was pushed by any one in a RG Final was to 7-5 or 7-6 in the 4th set.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Nadal is just frustrating thiem now.

 

[TripleATeam]

Imagine Nadal winning Wimbledon next month...

No.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

I understand a lot of what you're saying, but this part here has more to do with it being clay IMO. We've seen Nadal lose pretty regularly playing below average on the other surfaces. Delpo at the USO after he was pushed by Khachanov, Basilashvili and Thiem (so a cumulative effort), Cilic at AO 2018, and a host of guys at Wimbledon in every year except 2018.

So this has almost everything to do with the surface and not how weak the tour is IMO (and I agree it's definitely not the strongest).

He still made the final of Ao 2019 without dropping a set though. Thiem and Khachanov couldn’t even beat a depleted Ned at USO so that actually makes me think even less of the tour citing those matches. Delpo lucked into that virtual walkover and still got destroyed by Egg.

Plus, clay is all Ned is going to need to tie and pass Fred it looks like anyway.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Let's not please that makes him 1 away from 20...nope

Embrace it

 

[Azure]

Because it doesn’t translate well. I’m just explaining why it appeared that way last year

There is no doubt in my mind that the big three do need favourable draws to win. Anyway I can only hope as a fan.

 

[augustobt]

How many real winners Nadal produced this set?

Every single one were a low ball bouncing in the middle from Thiem or an idiot UE from Thiem.

 

[VaporDude95]

Imagine Nadal winning Wimbledon next month...

If that happens, it’ll be because of:
- easy draw
- slowed down grass
- hot conditions (which aren’t projected to occur this year)

It’ll be a farce if Nadal wins Wimbledon. Gross

 

[AndyM]

Dominic thiem spray his backhand all over the place

 

[tennis_pro]

Rafa's confidence and net game will translate very well. I agree.

It has translated well in the last 8 years.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Green clay season is only a couple of games away.

 

[veroniquem]

Thiem on fire. Sampras like serving.
Saves 3 BPs.

Match is still open. Thiem to break it seems, as Nadal gets the YIPS.

What drug are you on?

 

[TheIntrovert]

It’s just a joy to watch nadal on this surface

 

[GabeT]

Well joko's taken Nadal to the brinkk in the de facto 2013 final we all knew Ferrer was waiting in the final so that was the de-facto final just like Wimbledon semi-final Nadal vs Djokovic was the de-facto final

Agree with this

 

[NoleFam]

When did Nole put up a bigger fight in an RG final? Losing in four sets is his best performance. All the rest is minor detail. No one went to the distance with Ned in an RG Final, not even Nole.

Last 3 matches at RG between them they are 6-6 in sets. Novak would have undoubtedly put up a better fight.

 

[aman92]

It has translated well in the last 8 years.

It did last year

 

[Ajosin]

Thiem breathing hard, Rafa calm. It's almost like a boxing match with lots of body blows.

 

[DRII]

Djokovic loses one grand slam match in a long time and all of a sudden of the disrespect comes back.

it beats you djokonats trying to hypothetical assume that somehow Djokovic, who couldn't beat Thiem even tho he tried every trick in the book including demanding to delay a match, would somehow be ultra competitive against Nadal today!

tell you that.

 

[Eren]

Closest Nadal was pushed by any one in a RG Final was to 7-5 or 7-6 in the 4th set.

7-5 in the fourth by Puerta in 2005 and 7-5 in the fourth by Djokovic in 2012. 7-6 in the 4th by Federer in 2006 where Fed lost the tie breaker 4-7.

Corrected it, Fed was closest to pushing Ned to 5 at RG in a final. Says it all lol.

 

[Subway Tennis]

Imagine Nadal winning Wimbledon next month...

Don't start getting my hopes up, man

 

[ACE of Hearts]

2 games away from a 12th French open title.

 

[VaporDude95]

There is no doubt in my mind that the big three do need favourable draws to win. Anyway I can only hope as a fan.

Sorry if I came off a bit strong. A few others in here have been crappy.

 

[Steve0904]

I can point to instances in the past where I've just had enough mentally even though I was perfectly fine physically - can call it frustration maybe?

But can you point to instances where you've played 4 days in a row and then had to play Nadal at RG the next day. I'm joking really, but I don't see how this isn't some kind of combination of physical tiredness as well. I can't believe Thiem is 100% physically here.

 

[Nostradamus]

Really nice picture from younger days. Their tennis going strong still. Who would have thought ??

 

[Stanzad]

Sick. Nadal taking so much time to serve. Disgraceful!

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Don't start getting my hopes up, man

Nadal is prone to an upset in the first week. If he gets to the second week he has a chance.

 

[mightyrick]

How many real winners Nadal produced this set?

Every single one were a low ball bouncing in the middle from Thiem or an idiot UE from Thiem.

You mean except for the inside in, inside out, and down the line rockets? Even on the backhand side?

You Fed fanboys are the absolute worst. You guys started the fanboy illness that pervaded Nadal and Djokovic fanboys.

 

[AndyM]

Yes and he's cloudy cool conditions Djokovic would have had a real shot

 

[Bukmeikara]

Last 3 matches at RG between them they are 6-6 in sets. Novak would have undoubtedly put up a better fight.

Nole is in worse shape than those matches

 

[letustennis97]

Congrats Nadal on 12RGs, glad clay season ends

 

[aman92]

Last 3 matches at RG between them they are 6-6 in sets. Novak would have undoubtedly put up a better fight.

Should discount that pathetic 2015 version of Rafa.. Even Thiem would have beaten him in straight sets

 

[VaporDude95]

It did last year

Due to him avoiding big hitters and taking advantage of hot conditions, turining wimbledon into green clay.

Literally nothing to do with Nadal at all.

 

[Rosstour]

Jesus Christ, what a boring story for the 12th time.

 

[NBP]

If that happens, it’ll be because of:
- easy draw
- slowed down grass
- hot conditions (which aren’t projected to occur this year)

It’ll be a farce if Nadal wins Wimbledon. Gross

He was in essance a point away from winning it last year - I entertain all possibilities right now

 

[NoleFam]

Nole is in worse shape than those matches

So is Nadal, bar 2015.

 

[tennis_pro]

It did last year

Do you somehow see the difference between his results at the FO and Wimbledon?

 

[TheIntrovert]

Last 3 matches at RG between them they are 6-6 in sets. Novak would have undoubtedly put up a better fight.

I doubt he would have won a set, so no he wouldn’t have.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Cilic in that 2018 match was really smart with his serve. Other than Fed or maybe Kyrgios I dunno who has served that well against him, but I haven't watched a whole lot of matches.

Kinda surprised we haven't seen more of the wide slice on the deuce side against him honestly.

Muller

 

[aman92]

Due to him avoiding big hitters and taking advantage of hot conditions, turining wimbledon into green clay.

Literally nothing to do with Nadal at all.

Yeah Delpotro isn't a big hitter at all... Do you even comprehend what your are posting before pressing enter?

 

[Eren]

Last 3 matches at RG between them they are 6-6 in sets. Novak would have undoubtedly put up a better fight.

I can only use real-life data of RG finals. Correct me if I am wrong, but Nole lost in both RG finals and won one set in both. Even more so, he double-faulted in both finals when he was down a championship point.

Just for the record, I always root for Djokovic at RG if he is up against Ned (did so in 2012-2015) and even rooted for Nole against Wawrinka while I am a Fed fan. However, one has to be realistic, Nole would have lost in four as well.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

It did last year

Ned can win Wimbledon fed fans just scared of 19.

The usual dark horses of Wimbledon look abysmal as of late like Cilic and I haven’t even heard Kevin Anderson’s name since Laver Cup.

Egg is the favorite with Fed and Ned hoping an inspired serve bot de-eggs the draw

 

[Ajosin]

here's the AO data i was talking about:
http://on-the-t.com/2016/11/26/aoleaderboard-forehand-speed/
http://on-the-t.com/2016/10/22/aoleaderboard-backhand-speed/

forehand: nadal > djoko > fed
backhand: djoko > nadal > fed

who's the pusher again?

someone show me data where nadal is objectively a "pusher" or "moonballer" - i'll wait

Thank you for providing data and elevating the conversation here.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Lol at thiem. Seriously these guys will play till they’re 40!!!!

 

[Bukmeikara]

So is Nadal, bar 2015.

This Nadal was able to take 6-1 6-0 sets against him. Djokovic is more mentally tired than anything

 

[veroniquem]

it beats you djokonats trying to hypothetical assume that somehow Djokovic, who couldn't beat Thiem even tho he tried every trick in the book including demanding to delay a match, would somehow be ultra competitive against Nadal today!

tell you that.

Oh sure, it is such a huge stretch to assume that a 15 slam winner, including RG, a guy who has taken Nadal to 5 there and beaten him in straights last time they met would be more competitive than Mr "have never won anything big on clay" Thiem

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

It’s just a joy to watch nadal on this surface

I’ll admit I was bored most of last two French opens but this one has been good

 

[NoleFam]

I can only use real-life data of RG finals. Correct me if I am wrong, but Nole lost in both RG finals and won one set in both. Even more so, he double-faulted in both finals when he was down a championship point.

Just for the record, I always root for Djokovic at RG if he is up against Ned (did so in 2012-2015) and even rooted for Nole against Wawrinka while I am a Fed fan. However, one has to be realistic, Nole would have lost in four as well.

Whether Novak lost in 4 or not, it would have much closer. Novak has always played Rafa close at RG and it is a different matchup entirely.

 

[-NN-]

Been unimpressed by Thiem. He's not making the shots.

 

[swordtennis]

it beats you djokonats trying to hypothetical assume that somehow Djokovic, who couldn't beat Thiem even tho he tried every trick in the book including demanding to delay a match, would somehow be ultra competitive against Nadal today!

tell you that.

Umm you guys constantly hypothesize everything so we are doing the same. Without the roof Nadal would win everything every where anytime!