2021 Rome masters final :- (1) Djokovic [SRB] v/s (2) Nadal [ESP]

[TheFifthSet]

Nadal in 2.


As an aside, you guys are doing yourselves a disservice by arguing with this person. They are either an extremely elaborate and dedicated troll or simply not equipped to be following tennis in any capacity.


Seeing as we have years of debates and thousands of posts with zero concessions, I think it’s quite clearly the former. If not, I still don’t see how the 1001st time will be the charm and not an abject waste of time.

 

[Biotic]

One of Djokovic or Nadal (or both) present at the Rome finals since 2005. Hoping for a great match tomorrow.

Serious?

 

[mike danny]

Oh yeah, when Nadal loses, you will ALWAYS find an excuse. But when he wins, it is always unfair. Like you complained about Rome 2019 (where Djokovic didn't play 2 matches on the same day, he just played night sessions), but didn't say a word about Schwartzman being in the same position in Rome 2020.

Federer being 5 years older is irrelevant. He was fully rested in AO 2017, had more rest, and his 5 set matches were not nearly as physical. Nadal who showed up in the semifinal would have probably beaten Federer. (even though Federer fans will never admit it)

Why should we admit this considering that Nadal has lost every non-clay match against Fed starting with Basel 2015? He had trouble beating Dimitrov, but he would have beaten Fed who is a much better player than Dimitrov? LOL.

Give me a break, dude. Saying Nadal was tired against a 5 year older opponent who had also played 2 five setters is hilarious AF. He was up 3-1 in the 5th but suddenly at that exact moment he was tired LOL.

Nadal had as much rest after the Delpo match at 2018 Wimb and was still able to push Djokovic to 10-8 in the 5th, but of course, no peep about that.

And again, playing 2 tough matches in 1 day and having less than 24 hours to rest is in no way equivalent to playing one long match and then having an entire day of rest.

You're just a full blown troll at this point. Give it a rest.

 

[Sport]

He played 5 hours in one day against a very in-form opponent, and the match ended late at night. A day of rest was for sure not enough. Funny enough, while Federer fans ignore that, they somehow make an excuse for Djokovic in RG 2020. (even though his match against Tsitsipas was not even comparable to the brutal Nadal-Dimitrov match in AO 2017. Leave alone the fact that he didn't have any tough matches before that)

Nadal has big mental problems against Djokovic, so he might easily find a way to choke this match away. Mentality matters a lot in tennis.

Oh yeah, when Nadal loses, you will ALWAYS find an excuse. But when he wins, it is always unfair. Like you complained about Rome 2019 (where Djokovic didn't play 2 matches on the same day, he just played night sessions), but didn't say a word about Schwartzman being in the same position in Rome 2020.

Federer being 5 years older is irrelevant. He was fully rested in AO 2017, had more rest, and his 5 set matches were not nearly as physical. Nadal who showed up in the semifinal would have probably beaten Federer. (even though Federer fans will never admit it)

Brilliant analyses. Thank you for exposing the double standard of some (not all) fans.

 

[Biotic]

Brilliant analysis.

 

[I Am Finnish]

2009 Nadal


2011 Djokovic


2012 Nadal


2014 Djokovic


2019 Nadal


2021 ?

 

[Kralingen]

One of Djokovic or Nadal (or both) present at the Rome finals since 2005. Hoping for a great match tomorrow.

That is an entire career for most players... incredible statistic.

For reference: Andre Agassi was a semifinalist in the 2005 Italian Open. Reilly Opelka, who is 27 years younger than Agassi, was a semifinalist in 2021.

Ridiculous period of dominance.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Nadal 6-3, 6-0.

 

[StrongRule]

Why should we admit this considering that Nadal has lost every non-clay match against Fed starting with Basel 2015? He had trouble beating Dimitrov, but he would have beaten Fed who is a much better player than Dimitrov? LOL.

Give me a break, dude. Saying Nadal was tired against a 5 year older opponent who had also played 2 five setters is hilarious AF. He was up 3-1 in the 5th but suddenly he was tired LOL.

Had as much rest after the Delpo match at 2018 Wimb and was still able to push Djokovic to 10-8 in the 5th, but of course, no peep about that.

And again, playing 2 tough matches in 1 day and having less than 24 hours to rest is in no way equivalent to playing one long match and then having a day of rest.

You're just a full blown troll at this point. Give it a rest.

Because he played MUCH better in the semifinal? His game was off in the final and yet he was close to winning it. Yes, if he was more rested he would have probably won.

You, Nadal haters, are really something else. So according to your logic Nadal should NEVER get any excuses, but his opponents ALWAYS should get them. Nadal is also 7 years older than Thiem, but didn't you cry a river about Thiem having less rest in RG 2019? So stop with these age excuses, as you clearly have double standards about them.

I guess your next step will be saying that Nadal was also not tired in USO 2018 semifinal against Del Potro.

 

[mike danny]

Brilliant analyses. Thank you for exposing the double standards of some (not all) fans.

Wimb 2018, dude. Enough said.

 

[StrongRule]

Wimb 2018, dude. Enough said.

Rome 2011, USO 2011, AO 2012, AO 2013...Where was the tiredness from Djokovic after very long matches? But oh wait, when he loses to Nadal (like in USO 2010/2013) then you always use the excuse that he was somehow tired.

 

[K-H]

Why should we admit this considering that Nadal has lost every non-clay match against Fed starting with Basel 2015? He had trouble beating Dimitrov, but he would have beaten Fed who is a much better player than Dimitrov? LOL.

Give me a break, dude. Saying Nadal was tired against a 5 year older opponent who had also played 2 five setters is hilarious AF. He was up 3-1 in the 5th but suddenly at that exact moment he was tired LOL.

Nadal had as much rest after the Delpo match at 2018 Wimb and was still able to push Djokovic to 10-8 in the 5th, but of course, no peep about that.

And again, playing 2 tough matches in 1 day and having less than 24 hours to rest is in no way equivalent to playing one long match and then having an entire day of rest.

You're just a full blown troll at this point. Give it a rest.

I dont know how he trolls as much as he does.
It's funny at the start, just seems sad right now.
Literally spends all his time trying to prove to everyone he's serious.
Can't stand the account anymore lol

 

[mike danny]

Because he played MUCH better in the semifinal? His game was off in the final and yet he was close to winning it. Yes, if he was more rested he would have probably won.

You, Nadal haters, are really something else. So according to your logic Nadal should NEVER get any excuses, but his opponents ALWAYS should get them. Nadal is also 7 years older than Thiem, but didn't you cry a river about Thiem having less rest in RG 2019? So stop with these age excuses, as you clearly have double standards about them.

I guess your next step will be saying that Nadal was also not tired in USO 2018 semifinal against Del Potro.

Nah, dude, I've just had enough of your BS. Now Federer needed luck to beat Nadal all of a sudden LOL. You're just butthurt that Fed has finally turned the rivalry with Nadal around and now you're trying to attribute everything to luck like you do with Djokovic. Face it, dude, Nadal is 0-6 off clay against 34+ year old Fed.

How do you know he played better in the semifinal when his opponent was Dimitrov LOL?

I guess you didn't bother arguing with my Wimb 2018 point, how surprising.

You're just a joke at this point. Djokovic playing 5 hours today in total and having less than 24 hours of rest still makes him the favorite over Nadal? LMAO.

 

[Hitman]

Nadal 6-3, 6-0.

This actually could happen as much as I don't want it to.

 

[StrongRule]

I dont know how he trolls as much as he does.
It's funny at the start, just seems sad right now.
Literally spends all his time trying to prove to everyone he's serious.
Can't stand the account anymore lol

So you ("Nadal fan") agree that Nadal should never get any excuses while his opponents should always get them? In their imaginary world Schwartzman and Del Potro were very weak opponents in RG 2018, but suddenly very strong ones in Rome 2019. Tsitsipas was very weak in Rome 2019 but suddenly very strong in RG 2020 and Rome 2021...And so on.

 

[mike danny]

Rome 2011, USO 2011, AO 2012, AO 2013...Where was the tiredness from Djokovic after very long matches? But oh wait, when he loses to Nadal (like in USO 2010/2013) then you always use the excuse that he was somehow tired.

I never said he was tired in those.

Let it go dude. The Rome organizers are just scumbags and screwed Djokovic over gifting Nadal the title on a silver platter which he didn't need anyway LOL. And this one is a fact, unlike your Djokovic Open BS.

 

[Incognito]

Djokovic doesn't look tired at all.

Exactly, Djokovic has 10 times Nadal’s endurance.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

This actually could happen as much as I don't want it to.

I want to see a competitive final. I am hoping Nole wins in three just for the surprise factor. But it won't happen.

 

[mike danny]

I dont know how he trolls as much as he does.
It's funny at the start, just seems sad right now.
Literally spends all his time trying to prove to everyone he's serious.
Can't stand the account anymore lol

He's grown irksome at this point. Djokovic had to play 2 tough matches today and somehow he's still the lucky one.

 

[K-H]

So you ("Nadal fan") agree that Nadal should never get any excuses while his opponents should always get them? In their imaginary world Schwartzman and Del Potro were very weak opponents in RG 2018, but suddenly very strong ones in Rome 2019. Tsitsipas was very weak in Rome 2019 but suddenly very strong in RG 2020 and Rome 2021...And so on.

I didn't even read your comment.
I just meant it generally. I've read enough of your posts to know you're a troll

 

[StrongRule]

Nah, dude, I've just had enough of your BS. Now Federer needed luck to beat Nadal all of a sudden LOL. You're just butthurt that Fed has finally turned the rivalry with Nadal around and now you're trying to attribute everything to luck like you do with Djokovic. Face it, dude, Nadal is 0-6 off clay against 34+ year old Fed.

How do you know he played better in the semifinal when his opponent was Dimitrov LOL?

I guess you didn't bother arguing with my Wimb 2018 point, how surprising.

You're just a joke at this point. Djokovic playing 5 hours today in total and having less than 24 hours of rest still makes him the favorite over Nadal? LMAO.

Nadal played one long match before the semifinal, not few of them like in AO 2017. Also, the semifinal was played for 2 days. I also like how you totally ignore the same thing: how Djokovic was not tired in AO 2012 but suddenly very tired in USO 2013?

 

[Hitman]

I want to see a competitive final. I am hoping Nole wins in three just for the surprise factor. But it won't happen.

I am hoping that Nadal doesn't give too much of a beatdown personally. If Djokovic gets out of there even with a score like 6-3, 6-2, I'd take it.

I don't think outside of the first few games it will be competitive. What I predict is that Djokovic is going to being over hitting at the start, because he will want to try to win as many points as possible without expending too much energy, Nadal will work the point over, take the UEs from Djokovic and test those legs. Eventually Novak slips, Rafa gets the break and accelerates from there.

 

[StrongRule]

I never said he was tired in those.

Let it go dude. The Rome organizers are just scumbags and screwed Djokovic over gifting Nadal the title on a silver platter which he didn't need anyway LOL. And this one is a fact, unlike your Djokovic Open BS.

First you say Djokovic is done on clay. Now you say he is the best on clay and only loses because he is unlucky with the schedule. Many double standards. Totally ignored me mentioning Madrid 2009 as well.

I would have liked the final to be moved to Monday by the way, it would be fair. But it would not make you stop complaining about it. Even if the final is played a week from now you will keep saying Djokovic is tired. (even though Nadal also played a lot)

 

[GabeT]

Serious?

Why not?

 

[Biotic]

Why not?

You obviously missed 2019 final. And now the setting is even worse and Djokovic is 2 years older.

 

[Hitman]

You obviously missed 2019 final. And now the setting is even worse and Djokovic is 2 years older.

Yes, and back then he actually held a better mental edge over Nadal and still got crushed in the final.

 

[GabeT]

You obviously missed 2019 final. And now the setting is even worse and Djokovic is 2 years older.

So? No one doubts Nadal is the favorite. But why wouldn’t I hope for a good match. And Nadal is 2 years older as well.

 

[Biotic]

So? No one doubts Nadal is the favorite. But why wouldn’t I hope for a good match. And Nadal is 2 years older as well.

Ok

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Nadal is surprisingly only a 2:1 betting favourite.

That says more about Nadal's recent poor form than anything.

Nadal -225
Novak +175

 

[StrongRule]

Yes, and back then he actually held a better mental edge over Nadal and still got crushed in the final.

He didn't get crushed, he actually won a set.

 

[Hitman]

He didn't get crushed, he actually won a set.

Still lost two sets 0 and 1.

 

[StrongRule]

Still lost two sets 0 and 1.

Yet we only heard how the second set proves Djokovic is the better player and only lost because he was tired. I wonder how he again got bageled in RG 2020 then. (with a closed roof as well!)

 

[Hitman]

Yet we only heard how the second set proves Djokovic is the better player and only lost because he was tired. I wonder how he again got bageled in RG 2020 then. (with a closed roof as well!)

Ask yourself a question....the absolute best ever version of Nadal at RG 2008 FAILED to even breadstick a much younger Djokovic, so explain to me how a 2019 Nadal is now all of a sudden bagelling Djokovic on clay, maybe just maybe because Djokovic isn't the force he was on clay anymore? A good player sure, but not what he was.

 

[bjsnider]

Based on what I've been seeing, unless he has a great serving day, Nadal is in a lot of trouble. Djokovic broke the best hold game on clay, Tsitsipas, at will.

 

[StrongRule]

Ask yourself a question....the absolute best ever version of Nadal at RG 2008 FAILED to even breadstick a much younger Djokovic, so explain to me how a 2019 Nadal is now all of a sudden bagelling Djokovic on clay, maybe just maybe because Djokovic isn't the force he was on clay anymore? A good player sure, but not what he was.

So I don't get it after all...He is not the same player, or he is the best on clay who is just always unlucky with the schedule? Have to choose.

This time it would be fair to play the final on Monday, I agree. But in general, Djokovic gets way too many excuses. @mike danny totally ignores it when same things happen to Nadal for example. He wouldn't say a word if Nadal was the one who had to play 2 matches today.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Ask yourself a question....the absolute best ever version of Nadal at RG 2008 FAILED to even breadstick a much younger Djokovic, so explain to me how a 2019 Nadal is now all of a sudden bagelling Djokovic on clay, maybe just maybe because Djokovic isn't the force he was on clay anymore? A good player sure, but not what he was.

Part of it is the matchup too. Novak's best play against Nadal on clay used to be the backhand up the line --> Nadal runs around to hit a forehand --> sharp angled winner to Nadal's forehand side.

Nadal doesn't really run around his backhand anymore so that play isn't as strong.

But yeah I agree that the bigger part is just his athletic decline. The progress he made with other parts of his game doesn't pay dividends on clay and he struggles to dictate rallies.

 

[K-H]

Don't think this will be an easy rafa victory like everyone thinks.

Rafa goes in favourite, more rest.

But when Novak is this much of an underdog, he usually delivers

 

[Hitman]

So I don't get it after all...He is not the same player, or he is the best on clay who is just always unlucky with the schedule? Have to choose.

This time it would be fair to play the final on Monday, I agree. But in general, Djokovic gets way too many excuses. @mike danny totally ignores it when same things happen to Nadal for example. He wouldn't say a word if Nadal was the one who had to play 2 matches today.

Everyones knows under balanced fair conditions, Nadal is the superior player on clay, that much is unquestionable really. What compounds the issue is that he doesn't really need anything extra going his way, not his fault, of course, but trying to beat him with all things being considered even is close to impossible on the best of days....now what hope do you have when you have tired legs or mental fatigue? You're already dead.

 

[Hitman]

Part of it is the matchup too. Novak's best play against Nadal on clay used to be the backhand up the line --> Nadal runs around to hit a forehand --> sharp angled winner to Nadal's forehand side.

Nadal doesn't really run around his backhand anymore so that play isn't as strong.

But yeah I agree that the bigger part is just his athletic decline. The progress he made with other parts of his game doesn't pay dividends on clay and he struggles to dictate rallies.

At the end of the day, it is what it is, and of the two the more superior clay courter was going to hold his position a little while longer relatively speaking here.

 

[TennisFan3]

I am hoping that Nadal doesn't give too much of a beatdown personally. If Djokovic gets out of there even with a score like 6-3, 6-2, I'd take it.

I don't think outside of the first few games it will be competitive. What I predict is that Djokovic is going to being over hitting at the start, because he will want to try to win as many points as possible without expending too much energy, Nadal will work the point over, take the UEs from Djokovic and test those legs. Eventually Novak slips, Rafa gets the break and accelerates from there.

Very simplistic assessment. Nadal is NOT serving well and he hasn't faced anyone with the ROS excellence of Novak at any point this clay season.
So the more likely scenario is that Novak would get the early break. Nadal's hope would be to extend the rallies and hope Novak makes more UFEs.

 

[TennisFan3]

Can't even begin to imagine the salt on this forum if Nadal draws Medvedev's half at RG lol

He will be in Novak's half and will likely have Zverev/Titspas too.

 

[TheFifthSet]

I dont know how he trolls as much as he does.
It's funny at the start, just seems sad right now.
Literally spends all his time trying to prove to everyone he's serious.
Can't stand the account anymore lol

Yeah I think the optimal strategy is just to ignore the guy — it’s clear as day by this point that he’s trolling, without pause, and people are responding with paragraphs each time.

 

[TennisFan3]

@ozmo_sasa
·Novak: Rafa and I had a little laugh in the locker room after I won against Tsitsipas, like "the old guys are not giving up". I saw that he said that we are old, but I disagree, we are showing that we still have the energy (smiling).

Is this real?

 

[Martin J]

Can't even begin to imagine the salt on this forum if Nadal draws Medvedev's half at RG lol

To begin with, That guy should never be #2 seed at RG. People criticized the Wimbledon seeding formula a lot, but it's the only solution for the natural surfaces imo as there are less and less players with the skillsets required for grass and clay. Introducing such formulas for both RG and Wimbledon would avoid these scenarios where you have a player who never won a single match on a surface (at the major) being #2 seed.

 

[StrongRule]

To begin with, That guy should never be #2 seed at RG. People criticized the Wimbledon seeding formula a lot, but it's the only solution for the natural surfaces imo as there are less and less players with the skillsets required for grass and clay. Introducing such formulas for both RG and Wimbledon would avoid these scenarios where you have a player who never won a single match on a surface being #2 seed.

Using this logic Djokovic also shouldn't be #1 seed at RG. But of course this part is being ignored, as always.

 

[Martin J]

Using this logic Djokovic also shouldn't be #1 seed at RG. But of course this part is being ignored, as always.

Well it's hard for me to be objective as I am his biggest fan. Don't be so sharp.

 

[Topspin_80]

The match is supposed to play at 5pm local time, so it will be a night session. Difficult time for Nadal ahead.

Sunset in Rome tomorrow will be at 20:24, hardly a night session.

It's this wishful thinking?

Djokovic is a floater.

 

[veroniquem]

I feel bad for the ticket holders tomorrow.
Part of me would also want Novak to withdraw at the last minute just to stick it to the Rome organizers.
They are really begging for it.

 

[StrongRule]

What everyone ignore is that Nadal has big mental problems against Djokovic. Mentality matters a lot in tennis. So even if Djokovic is tired, Nadal might simply gift him the match.

 

[I Am Finnish]

What everyone ignore is that Nadal has big mental problems against Djokovic. Mentality matters a lot in tennis.

Did you watched the RG final?