2020 Roland Garros SF: [5]Stefanos 'The Philosopher' Tsitsipas vs [1]Novak 'The Tournament Director' Djokovic

Who makes the final


  • Total voters
    138

fundrazer

G.O.A.T.
Medvedev has a BRAIN, mental strength and stamina. All of which Titspas lacked. For ex, Medvedev would have NEVER choked a million breakpoints in first 2 sets. And never lose serve TWICE after being 40-0 up.
As for Zverev, he is in a different league. IF he solves his serve issues, and he will soon, he is the ONLY one who could challenge Novak. He is a genetic freak and if he's ON - then no one can play against him,
Did you forget about his loss to Nadal at WTF?
 

WhiskeyEE

G.O.A.T.
Missed all the fun after the 3rd. Thought for sure Djokovic had won in straights. Going 5 with Tsitsipas does not bode well for the Serb. Nadal will crush him.

Tsitsipas was pretty much unplayable for the 2nd half of the 3rd and the 4th. And became a mental giant out of nowhere on break points.

Novak really only squandered one of the ones he missed in the 4th set.
 

TennisFan3

Talk Tennis Guru
Lack of results doesn't necessarily prove lack of hardwork.
Well Djokovic said in the Eurosport Interview: I was fitter than Stefanos.
Physical fitness is a product of hard work you do. And clearly Stefanos was LACKING.
An 11 year older player is fitter than a younger player. Djokovic said he felt far stronger and fitter.
 

Steve0904

Talk Tennis Guru
The course of history weighs heavily, and Nadal has recent results on his side vs Djokovic on clay too. I think Nadal is a very clear favourite. Djokovic winning wouldn't be a shock as such, but a very pleasant surprise.

I think we're all curious about the psychology of this match. AO 2019 is still quite fresh in the memory, but this is clay.

Re: The psychology of the match, I think it's obvious that Nadal is the favourite now, and I don't much buy the mental narrative that Novak is in Nadal's head on every surface. I do not think for a second that that is true on clay. Clay is Nadal's playground and always has been. Back in 11-12 for instance, Djokovic took the mental edge over Nadal forcefully, but then Nadal very forcefully took it back on his pet surface. So there's history there.

The only thing I wonder is whether Nadal actually gets legitimately nervous at the thought of tying Federer. But in order for it to bear serious fruit Djokovic has to put scoreboard pressure on Nadal, and early. Not like what Diego did by leaving it too late. We'll see I guess. I'm pretty fascinated by it all.
 
Tsitsipas was pretty much unplayable for the 2nd half of the 3rd and the 4th. And became a mental giant out of nowhere on break points.

Novak really only squandered one of the ones he missed in the 4th set.
So Tsitsipas actually played well and didn't choke. That's good to know. I'm guessing Djokovic found another gear in the 5th?
 

catskillthunder

Professional
Well Djokovic said in the Eurosport Interview: I was fitter than Stefanos.
Physical fitness is a product of hard work you do. And clearly Stefanos was LACKING.
An 11 year older player is fitter than a younger player. Djokovic said he felt far stronger and fitter.

I understand that when comparing people to the likes of Nadal and this version of Novak, its like comparing a Ferrari to a Yugo, but at 22 and not a lot of mileage on the tires, he should be able to play best of 9 sets.
 
D

Deleted member 629564

Guest
(in the middle of 3rd set)


Tsitsipas:
- Oh, no, no, no! Nobody would win this match with so many breakpoints wasted!
Shr8KUN.png



Djokovic:
- Hold my beer, young guy.
aULj691.png
 

WhiskeyEE

G.O.A.T.
So Tsitsipas actually played well and didn't choke. That's good to know. I'm guessing Djokovic found another gear in the 5th?

Yeah it was pretty bizarre. A complete 180 on break points from the 1st 2.5 sets. In the 5th Novak finally got a break and then Tsitsi appeared to have some adrenaline dump or something.
 

-NN-

G.O.A.T.
Re: The psychology of the match, I think it's obvious that Nadal is the favourite now, and I don't much buy the mental narrative that Novak is in Nadal's head on every surface. I do not think for a second that that is true on clay. Clay is Nadal's playground and always has been. Back in 11-12 for instance, Djokovic took the mental edge over Nadal forcefully, but then Nadal very forcefully took it back on his pet surface. So there's history there.

The only thing I wonder is whether Nadal actually gets legitimately nervous at the thought of tying Federer. We'll see I guess. I'm pretty fascinated by it all.

Interesting x-factor which I'd actually forgotten about.


Yeh - I agree with your general sentiment and it's backed up by examples, as you say.


I guess in the end it's rather basic between the two. If the match is on clay bet on Nadal and heavily, and if it's on hard court and grass bet on Djokovic heavily. But Nadal's superiority on clay is so obscene that it's difficult to steal wins against the odds, whereas Nadal actually has significant success against Djokovic on HC in the Slams. Nadal's clay buffer is wider than Djokovic's HC buffer.
 

joekapa

Legend
Re: The psychology of the match, I think it's obvious that Nadal is the favourite now, and I don't much buy the mental narrative that Novak is in Nadal's head on every surface. I do not think for a second that that is true on clay. Clay is Nadal's playground and always has been. Back in 11-12 for instance, Djokovic took the mental edge over Nadal forcefully, but then Nadal very forcefully took it back on his pet surface. So there's history there.

The only thing I wonder is whether Nadal actually gets legitimately nervous at the thought of tying Federer. But in order for it to bear serious fruit Djokovic has to put scoreboard pressure on Nadal, and early. Not like what Diego did by leaving it too late. We'll see I guess. I'm pretty fascinated by it all.
The Earth's Mightiest Warrior sees blood when Raga is across the net. He will leave everything out there for sure.
 

reef58

Semi-Pro
For heaven's sake. He is 22 years old. He was gassed compared to a guy who is 11 years older.
you ever see this from Fed/Nadal/Djokovic when they were younger?

Yes, and many times it doesn't get to 5 because most don't think it is not worth the battle. I challenge you to go out and do anything above your limit for hours at a world class limit. You can't do it and no one else can either. Novak did not have to play above his limit. He wore the youngster down. He knew he would not be able to sustain that level. It is not possible. You also have to add in the mental fatigue, which is real, being down match point and extending the match another couple of hours against the best player in the world. It take intense focus because you have so little room for error. Novak had two sets in the bank. It is easy sitting at your keyboard go give it a shot. Go try to run a sub 4 minute mile, or a 2 hour marathon see if you are fresh. Novak is simply better and Tsit had to play at 100% to stay in contact. Novak could play at 95 minus a couple of key moments.
 
Yeah it was pretty bizarre. A complete 180 on break points from the 1st 2.5 sets. In the 5th Novak finally got a break and then Tsitsi appeared to have some adrenaline dump or something.
Sounds like Djokovic was beatable for him. Tsitsipas is getting closer. I was frustrated with the match after Tsits blew all those 40-0 leads and god knows how many BP's.
 

Krish0608

G.O.A.T.
Medvedev has a BRAIN, mental strength and stamina. All of which Titspas lacked. For ex, Medvedev would have NEVER choked a million breakpoints in first 2 sets. And never lose serve TWICE after being 40-0 up.
As for Zverev, he is in a different league. IF he solves his serve issues, and he will soon, he is the ONLY one who could challenge Novak. He is a genetic freak and if he's ON - then no one can play against him,
His H2H with Tsitsipas is 1-5
 

Krish0608

G.O.A.T.
Well Djokovic said in the Eurosport Interview: I was fitter than Stefanos.
Physical fitness is a product of hard work you do. And clearly Stefanos was LACKING.
An 11 year older player is fitter than a younger player. Djokovic said he felt far stronger and fitter.
Yeah. He was outplaying Djokovic for a better part of 2.5 sets and he was "lacking". You have a heavy dislike and bias against him that stops you from acknowledging the talent and the amazing fight he put up. Instead you wanna talk up a mental midget like Zverev who is just an entitled brat.
 
Medvedev has a BRAIN, mental strength and stamina. All of which Titspas lacked. For ex, Medvedev would have NEVER choked a million breakpoints in first 2 sets. And never lose serve TWICE after being 40-0 up.
As for Zverev, he is in a different league. IF he solves his serve issues, and he will soon, he is the ONLY one who could challenge Novak. He is a genetic freak and if he's ON - then no one can play against him,
Honesty I am curious why you keep saying Zverev is a Genetic freak, makes me quite worried from him
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Well Djokovic said in the Eurosport Interview: I was fitter than Stefanos.
Physical fitness is a product of hard work you do. And clearly Stefanos was LACKING.
An 11 year older player is fitter than a younger player. Djokovic said he felt far stronger and fitter.

These guys are battle hardened. You have to think of all the matches where Djokovic has been in that position, along with how many he has won, and see how hard he works off the court as well to stay in shape to do that time and time again. Plus he is not your average 33 year old and playing like a guy in his late 20s. Tsits doesn't know as much about that life yet but he will get there. That guy has a lot of talent and potential.
 

TennisFan3

Talk Tennis Guru
Yeah. He was outplaying Djokovic for a better part of 2.5 sets and he was "lacking". You have a heavy dislike and bias against him that stops you from acknowledging the talent and the amazing fight he put up. Instead you wanna talk up a mental midget like Zverev who is just an entitled brat.
I admire Titspas' effort. He came up short. But he should have been more decisive in the beginning.
How is Zverev an "entitled brat". See this:

 

Mike Sams

G.O.A.T.
Well, what is Tsisi's excuse? He is in his 20s!
Tsitsi changed his approach after losing the first 2 sets. But it was too late. He played so hard and with so much fire along with showing a lot of resilience and mental strength to fight off so many BPs that it did him in finally.
 

TennisFan3

Talk Tennis Guru
These guys are battle hardened. You have to think of all the matches where Djokovic has been in that position, along with how many he has won, and see how hard he works off the court as well to stay in shape to do that time and time again. Plus he is not your average 33 year old and playing like a guy in his late 20s. Tsits doesn't know as much about that life yet but he will get there. That guy has a lot of talent and potential.
Good post. If you're a great player you do take your first opportunity.
Fed beat Sampras on grass when he was so young. Nadal beat Fed when he was so young.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Good post. If you're a great player you do take your first opportunity.
Fed beat Sampras on grass when he was so young. Nadal beat Fed when he was so young.

Well Tsits did beat Federer at AO, pushed Wawrinka to 5 last year and Djokovic this year at RG. He has shown enough that I believe he has what it takes to win these in the near future.
 

Pheasant

Legend
I wouldn't worry one bit about Djoker being gassed for the final after a 5 setter. Djoker is in better shape than anybody I've ever seen at his age. He plays like he's 27. He's surreal. He's Cyborgovic in my book. Some of his gets today were absurd. He's still lightning-quick. He can still grind youngsters to pulp. His endurance and speed are insane; almost unbelievable for his age.

His fountain of youth is why I think that Djoker will end up breaking all of the big records when it's all said and done. Unfortunately, he's just that damn good. I hope that I am wrong. But the writing appears to be on the wall.

Let's see what Sunday brings. This will truly be a very exciting match. Nadal will have TONS of pressure on him, like none that he's ever seen. We might see Nadal crack under the pressure. He's playing for #20. That's huge, folks.
 

TennisFan3

Talk Tennis Guru
Well Tsits did beat Federer at AO, pushed Wawrinka to 5 last year and Djokovic this year at RG. He has shown enough that I believe he has what it takes to win these in the near future.
Look I'm not playing a devil's advocate but Titspas has a POOR 5 set record. It's like 2 career wins and 7 losses. He lost to Coric of all the people.
Mental strength is something that cannot be taught. You either have it or you do not.
 

TennisFan3

Talk Tennis Guru
I wouldn't worry one bit about Djoker being gassed for the final after a 5 setter. Djoker is in better shape than anybody I've ever seen at his age. He plays like he's 27. He's surreal. He's Cyborgovic in my book. Some of his gets today were absurd. He's still lightning-quick. He can still grind youngsters to pulp. His endurance and speed are insane; almost unbelievable for his age.
I just don't understand how Novak is so fast. I mean Fed slowed down after 30. Much slower after 33. Nadal is a pale shadow of what he used to be.
But Novak is as fast as ever. He was so fast and fit today, it was unbelievable.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Look I'm not playing a devil's advocate but Titspas has a POOR 5 set record. It's like 2 career wins and 7 losses. He lost to Coric of all the people.
Mental strength is something that cannot be taught. You either have it or you do not.

He's 1-4 but at least he's not in Medvedev's boat where he is 0-6 and most of those were against players he should have beaten.

Edit: he's 2-4
 

TennisFan3

Talk Tennis Guru
I don't know what's wrong with these youngsters physique. They all seem to be too tired way too soon. Even Thiem now in RG in his prime years should feel hungry and full of energy but nothing spend after the UsOpen EVEN with 3 weeks full rest.
And now Tsitsipas. 22 years old and just looks spent. This despite having straight set matches since round 2.
 

mike danny

Bionic Poster
He was just given a stark lesson and insight into his level of fitness. I hope he's pissed off with himself and responds accordingly.
But I don't get it. He lasted against Stan for over 5 hours last year. Why is he worse in that department this year?
 

mike danny

Bionic Poster
Well Tsits did beat Federer at AO, pushed Wawrinka to 5 last year and Djokovic this year at RG. He has shown enough that I believe he has what it takes to win these in the near future.
This match is certainly more significant for Tsits than beating 37-38erer.
 

Krish0608

G.O.A.T.
But I don't get it. He lasted against Stan for over 5 hours last year. Why is he worse in that department this year?
He just revealed in the presser that he had been carrying a niggle since Rome. And that towards the end of this match, the injury became bad. That explains him unable to move his legs towards the end of that 5th set. He looked more than just "tired" to me.
 

Krish0608

G.O.A.T.
Tsitsipas: "Unfortunately towards the end of the match an injury that I had during my match in Rome came back. It was difficult to close the match in a fighting way, in a fighting spirit".
 
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