2019 Rome FINAL: Novak Djokovic (1) vs Rafael Nadal (2)

[AndyM]

Did they push it back now it says it's starting at 4 Rome time instead of three

 

[joekapa]

Rafa is objectively playing better, though not leagues better or anything.

He has not been tested in Rome. Djokovic is in better form considering Delpo match. His only enemy is tiredness.
If this match was to happen tomorrow I would say Djokovic in 2 easy sets.

 

[joekapa]

Please anybody in Rome give us weather updates.

 

[duaneeo]

Djokovic won Madrid and what else?

My post first said "I think Djokovic will beat Nadal", meaning he heads into RG having won Madrid and Rome.

 

[clayqueen]

Rafa needs to play his game and resist trading shots from the baseline with Djokovic. Djoker just waits for the errors from his opponents and they usually oblige. Rafa has not had a long spell to build on his confidence and rhythm with a stop/start schedule with one injury or another. A contest between them has always been 50/50 so I'll wait and see.

At AO 2019, Rafa said he was physically not up to a 5 set match so it was better for him to lose in straight sets and save his body. It was very obvious he was not competitive in that match, he just turned up, basically.

 

[Tenez!]

Please anybody in Rome give us weather updates.

Not in Rome but an acquaintance tells me it rained at noon. Right now it's OK but overcast.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

He played 8 finals in the US Open ...

2007, 2010, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18..

2012 doesn't count

 

[Sorry_to_tell_you_mate]

On Twitter I see people saying Djokovic has met Nadal on clay 23 times and Nadal has met Djokovic on HC 26 times despite there being 2x HC tournaments so they say it's unfair.

If Djokovic were to lose will people bring this up here or give Rafa credit?

Yeah, it's unfair there are twice as many HC tournaments, otherwise Nadal would OWN Djokovic

 

[clayqueen]

I'm not going to be able to watch the match live but, maybe, just as well because I'd be a nervous wreck if it's not going well for Rafa.

 

[TheAssassin]

2007, 2010, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18..

2012 doesn't count

Why?

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Why?

Bcz murygoat out-novaked novak..
Or novak failed to out-murray murray
.

 

[weakera]

He has not been tested in Rome. Djokovic is in better form considering Delpo match. His only enemy is tiredness.
If this match was to happen tomorrow I would say Djokovic in 2 easy sets.

He may lose but he has been playing better in this tournament than in the prior 3. You can't deny that on any level.

 

[StrongRule]

He may lose but he has been playing better in this tournament than in the prior 3. You can't deny that on any level.

His current level would be definitely enough to win Monte Carlo, maybe Barcelona too. (though Thiem played really well in that one, so not sure) He would also be the big favorite to win Rome now if not Del Potro's terrible choke. But I just can't call him the favorite against Djokovic anymore.

 

[aman92]

Sun is shining....Rafa gonna destroy Joe in 2 quick sets

 

[weakera]

His current level would be definitely enough to win Monte Carlo, maybe Barcelona too. (though Thiem played really well in that one, so not sure) He would also be the big favorite to win Rome now if not Del Potro's terrible choke. But I just can't call him the favorite against Djokovic anymore.

There's a case to be made for Novak being the favorite for certain, gun to my head I'd pick Novak today, but a blanket "he can't be the favorite" statement is idiotic. There are so many factors playing into any given match.

 

[StrongRule]

Sun is shining....Rafa gonna destroy Joe in 2 quick sets

Lol, come on. The last time Nadal "destroyed" Djokovic was in MC 2012. Not going to happen.

 

[malbaker86]

Until Rafa beats Novak, i'm picking Novak.

 

[Yugram]

Time to slay.

Vamos!

 

[aman92]

Lol, come on. The last time Nadal "destroyed" Djokovic was in MC 2012. Not going to happen.

Madrid 2017

 

[StrongRule]

Madrid 2017

He didn't destroy him there. Actually he almost choked in the last game after having a double matchpoint on serve. I'm not sure how the match would end had he lost that game.

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

Sun is shining....Rafa gonna destroy Joe in 2 quick sets

No he won't

 

[StrongRule]

There's a case to be made for Novak being the favorite for certain, gun to my head I'd pick Novak today, but a blanket "he can't be the favorite" statement is idiotic. There are so many factors playing into any given match.

Nadal clearly has mental problems against Djokovic. In AO he lost the final before the match even started.

 

[NatF]

Djokovic in 2 or 3. Unless he's tired and in 2016 Rome mode I think he's just got a handle on the match-up these days.

 

[joekapa]

 

[joekapa]

Is it me, or did the crowd roar for Djokovic more in that introduction ?

 

[Krish0608]

It's quite sunny. Advantage Rafa?

 

[PeteD]

Twitch in 2, or Count Drac in 3. Tennis is doomed.

 

[RF-18]

Excite!

 

[Backspin1183]

This is going to be the first full match I'm watching this year. I missed so many matches and tournaments this year due to my hectic schedule.

 

[NoleFam]

Damn it's sunny today. Lol.

 

[AndyM]

Joco wins coin toss will serve first Joker wins the coin toss

 

[TheAssassin]

Kom igjen Novak!

 

[NoleFam]

Is it me, or did the crowd roar for Djokovic more in that introduction ?

Djokovic is really popular in Rome.

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

Is it me, or did the crowd roar for Djokovic more in that introduction ?

Just you

 

[rUDin 21]

Carlos Bernardes umpire.Not good for Rafa..

 

[Harry_Wild]

☀️!

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

Djokovic is really popular in Rome.

He sure is

 

[TheAssassin]

Is it me, or did the crowd roar for Djokovic more in that introduction ?

I told them when I was there last time that this is the guy they should get behind.

 

[imageFAM]

#IdemoNole
Very excited. Good luck Rafa!

 

[AndyM]

Hitman are you with us what do you think of the sun being out

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

Carlos Bernardes umpire.Not good for Rafa..

Yup just adding salt to a wound

 

[Yugram]

Carlos Bernardes umpire.Not good for Rafa..

Lol, there is nothing wrong between them. Rafa even invited Carlos to umpire Challenger in his academy last year.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Either Djokovic or Nadal in either 2 or 3 sets.

You really went out on a limb

 

[chjtennis]

Looks so familiar with these 2 guys in the final.

 

[Tenacity]

I told them when I was there last time that this is the guy they should get behind.

Hey, me too!

 

[Towser83]

If Novak is to win I think he has to do it in straights or maybe he can lose a set if its an absolute blow out. He's had 2 tough matches and got to bed very late so physically he is at a disadvantage if the match goes long.

Nadal has been clinical all week but then again he was at the AO until the final. This is clay though

It's been a good few years since they've both been in reasonable form at the same time (probably 2013/2014) so this will be interesting

 

[AndyM]

I see some clouds on the horizon

 

[fundrazer]

Lol, there is nothing wronh between them. Rafa even invited Carlos to umpire Challenger in his academy last year.

You ever watch The Godfather? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

 

[Your Hero]

Spoiler Alert.........Jan Brady Djokovic wins it 6-3 6-1

 

[joekapa]

Hitman are you with us what do you think of the sun being out

@Hitman is always here, even when he isn't.