2022 Wimbledon R128: [1] Novak Djokovic vs Soonwoo Kwon

[Aussie Darcy]

#1 seed Djokovic overcomes a hiccup to defeat Kwon 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4.

Nowhere near his best form.

He faces the winner of Kokkinakis/Majchrzak in the 2R.

 

[TennisFan3]

The US isn't dropping the vaxx rules and Novak just before the tournament conceded he won't be at the US Open and his deportation from Australia means he isn't allowed entry for 3 years so that's all question mark. You're basing this on the assumption Novak wins Wimbledon and also has a shot at USO and AO. Nadal has been written off constantly and yet he's the reigning champ of the last 2 slams while Novak hasn't won one in a year and is down a set to a nobody right now. Even if he does win this, he's out of the next slam guaranteed, possibly out of the Aus Open and then let's not act like he'd be the favourite at RG considering Nadal's track record and how that match went at this years tournament.

Good post. How do we know, Novak's AO deportation for 3 years? The govt that banned him is not even in power. And it might be easier for Novak to get exemption in AO than in the UsOpen.
One fact: Tennis and AO is way bigger in Australia, than it is in the US. Meaning there are many sports in the US, and they care more about their football/baseball and basketball. Very few people give a flying fig about Tennis and Novak's entry is UNLIKELY to become a national issue as it did in the AO.
Obviously, everything in the US works on money. And there are travel lobbies, tourism sector, Airlines etc who are working with the govt to relax vaccination rules as it hurts business. So it's unlikely to remain like this for a long time. Meaning - the vaccination entry requirements will be removed.

I see - Novak being able to play UsOpen/AO or BOTH. If what you are saying actually pans out and Novak only plays 2 slams in a year for the next 3 years - then yeah he is not the favorite for the slam race.
But if Novak plays these HC tournaments, he comes back as the favorite. And let's not forget about Nadal. Can the Spaniard win another slam? He will be 37 in RG next year - that is OLD even for the Clay GOAT.
Obviously if Nadal wins another slam - the race is OVER.

 

[vamos22]

decent regroup from Novak to easily win in the end… he’s just so boring though. There’s barely any shotmaking, just bunts the ball back deep and waits for error.

 

[clayqueen]

Djokovic has the advantage over Nadal at 3/4 slams.

Which planet are you on?

 

[The Green Mile]

Novak makes it through in four sets, solid contested match, a lot of room for improvement obviously. Hats off to Kwon, played great for majority of the match.

 

[RF-18]

Djole closes it out with his 15th ace of the day

 

[Aussie Darcy]

@Aussie Darcy looks like you’ll have to wait a little longer to see Novak lose.

Perfectly fine by me. Seeing him struggle is absolute beauty enough. All because of his dumb vaxx choice. We know this is the last we'll be seeing of him at large tournaments for a number of months. Won't be at Cincy or Montreal/Toronto, not at the US Open. Who knows when next?

 

[UnderratedSlam]

Djokofans, enjoying the breast milk?

Novak breastfeeding his fans is as generous as it gets.

 

[junior74]

Novak through. Nice effort by Kwon!

 

[Terenigma]

Djokovic playing well below his best, still cruises the last 2 sets and most of his big rivals in his side of the draw looking like going out R1.

 

[RF-18]

Aussie Darcy in ruins btw!

Haha!

 

[Deleted member 629564]

KWON KLOST

 

[SonicNirvana]

Decent showing by Kwon, good to see for these types of players.

 

[Beulah Jesus]

Not based on cases and hospitalization. Both are STEADILY declining. Also the death count is going down. States are removing all mask mandates, even the blue ones.

Numbers are increasing again...I dont know where you get your numbers. You are right about death counts due to better treatments etc.

 

[Bubcay]

Congratulations Novak. All you needed was a very average game today. Kwon was playing well, and most importantly, hasn't choked. A very good effort..

 

[UnderratedSlam]

Which planet are you on?

Planet Realism.

It's very far from Planet Wishful Disneying, in fact a trillion light-years away.

 

[SonicNirvana]

hubie breaks as well 6-5

 

[NeutralFan]

Which planet are you on?

Eastern Europe.

 

[NoleFam]

Kwon played well today. Much to be proud of and deserves a round of applause. Came out and played well, and made the defending champ sweat.

 

[Krish872007]

To the H8rs:

 

[TheNachoMan]

Which planet are you on?

Nadal hasn’t beat Djokovic on grass since 2008 and HC since 2013

 

[Nadal15thslam]

sorry had to do it

Nadal non clay slams-8
Agassi total number of slams-8

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Good post. How do we know, Novak's AO deportation for 3 years? The govt that banned him is not even in power. And it might be easier for Novak to get exemption in AO than in the UsOpen.
One fact: Tennis and AO is way bigger in Australia, than it is in the US. Meaning there are many sports in the US, and they care more about their football/baseball and basketball. Very few people give a flying fig about Tennis and Novak's entry is UNLIKELY to become a national issue as it did in the AO.
Obviously, everything in the US works on money. And there are travel lobbies, tourism sector, Airlines etc who are working with the govt to relax vaccination rules as it hurts business. So it's unlikely to remain like this for a long time. Meaning - the vaccination entry requirements will be removed.

I see - Novak being able to play UsOpen/AO or BOTH. If what you are saying actually pans out and Novak only plays 2 slams in a year for the next 3 years - then yeah he is not the favorite for the slam race.
But if Novak plays these HC tournaments, he comes back as the favorite. And let's not forget about Nadal. Can the Spaniard win another slam? He will be 37 in RG next year - that is OLD even for the Clay GOAT.

That was the ruling when your Visa gets overturned. The decision can be changed and probably will be but my point is, it's uncertain. The govt here which lost the election did get some big popularity from booting Novak so I don't know what the new govt will say on the matter. I don't see Novak playing the US Open in my frank opinion but do see him back here in Aus. The fact Novak even admitted before Wimbledon that he doesn't expect to play USO makes me feel sure and the govt isn't changing the rules for entry for the unvaxxed. I doubt it'll change by August.

 

[NoleFam]

To the H8rs:

Hahaha. Until the next match I guess.

 

[TennisFan3]

Numbers are increasing again...I dont know where you get your numbers. You are right about death counts due to better treatments etc.

I meant the hospitalization and deaths. Those are the metrics that Fauci/CDC director etc emphasize. And most state Governors are basing policy based on that.
I do live in a red state, but there is ZERO covid precautions. No one wears a mask ( I do indoors though).

 

[Nadal15thslam]

Nadal hasn’t beat Djokovic on grass since 2008 and HC since 2013

The world doesn't revolve around Djokovic. Who cares? He won against others

 

[ghostofMecir]

Damn shame Kwon is short and height is wasted on people like Philosopher and ChainZ and a bunch of minimal racket talent players. Kwon has some incredible strokes.

As for Djoko, he’s not going to lose here unless maybe to Rafito playing with numbed footsies.

 

[TheNachoMan]

He is in real trouble. Will likely still reach the final, but Alcaraz and especially Nadal will tear him apart from the ground like this.

He needs 70% serving to win Wimbledon. Don't think he will get it.

Alcaraz. lol
He ain’t making it to the QF

 

[clayqueen]

The world doesn't revolve around Djokovic. Who cares? He won against others

What happened in 2013?

 

[vamos22]

Nadal hasn’t beat Djokovic on grass since 2008 and HC since 2013

Most HC matches on dead indoor low bounce court , 0 since 2013 on north american hard courts where Nadal has dominated in the 10s decade with 4/8 titles won > 3 and 2>1 h2h at USO.
Grass they are 2-2 overall, Nadal leads 2-1 in outdoor grass matches.

 

[NoleFam]

That was the ruling when your Visa gets overturned. The decision can be changed and probably will be but my point is, it's uncertain. The govt here which lost the election did get some big popularity from booting Novak so I don't know what the new govt will say on the matter. I don't see Novak playing the US Open in my frank opinion but do see him back here in Aus. The fact Novak even admitted before Wimbledon that he doesn't expect to play USO makes me feel sure and the govt isn't changing the rules for entry for the unvaxxed. I doubt it'll change by August.

Couldn't have gotten that much popularity if they got shellacked in the election. Lmao.

 

[Kralingen]

Alcaraz. lol
He ain’t making it to the QF

He’s just played an amazing few games vs Struff to take the second set.

i mean surely he is better than Kwon right?

 

[Beulah Jesus]

I meant the hospitalization and deaths. Those are the metrics that Fauci/CDC director etc emphasize. And most state Governors are basing policy based on that.
I do live in a red state, but there is ZERO covid precautions. No one wears a mask ( I do indoors though).

Well I live in a red state and work in healthcare. Hospitalizations are going up....not as high as last year but they are.

 

[Bubcay]

Novak is the only player in history to have 80 match wins in all four grand slams. One more for the history books..

 

[TheNachoMan]

He’s just played an amazing few games vs Struff to take the second set.

i mean surely he is better than Kwon right?

He lost to Tiafoe of all people. He ain’t doing anything meaningful here. Enough of the Tiny Carlos Koolaid, bud.

 

[NoleFam]

80 matches won at all 4 Slams. Only man or woman to do it. Just confirmed in the on court interview.

 

[pj80]

He’s just played an amazing few games vs Struff to take the second set.

i mean surely he is better than Kwon right?

Kwon did well this year...beat Rune in Australia and lost to Shapo in 5, even Rafa needed 5 to beat SHapo

 

[TheNachoMan]

Novak is the only player in history to have 80 match wins in all four grand slams. One more for the history books..

King of variety

 

[I Am Finnish]

Who is his next opponent?

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

Rotten tennis for djokovic to start the tournament. He Better get his crap together fast because he can only play 2 slams now. This Wimbledon title is a must if he wants a chance at the slam record. This isn’t a slam where he can afford to be on cruise control

 

[clayqueen]

Novak is the only player in history to have 80 match wins in all four grand slams. One more for the history books..

And he's still trailing Rafa in slams won.

 

[TheNachoMan]

Who is his next opponent?

Kokk or some random player

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Couldn't have gotten that much popularity if they got shellacked in the election. Lmao.

I mean if you want me to DM you and give you a play by play breakdown of how our election went down in terms of the sexism and racism and rorts of the LNP party who were in government vs the new party, I can. But during the Aus Open, my lord they were winning points on dealing with that entitled tennis player who lied to gain entry into our nation. And that's just fact.

 

[TennisFan3]

That was the ruling when your Visa gets overturned. The decision can be changed and probably will be but my point is, it's uncertain. The govt here which lost the election did get some big popularity from booting Novak so I don't know what the new govt will say on the matter. I don't see Novak playing the US Open in my frank opinion but do see him back here in Aus. The fact Novak even admitted before Wimbledon that he doesn't expect to play USO makes me feel sure and the govt isn't changing the rules for entry for the unvaxxed. I doubt it'll change by August.

True. Let's see how the UsOpen pans out.
I think 3 other big factors for the slam race:

• Can Nadal win another slam? If Nadal gets to 23, Novak's job is all the more harder. He might NOT win the slam race then even if plays UsOpen/AO.
• What about Alcaraz? Will he be a factor in 2023/2024? Novak counts on himself for longevity and expects to play LONGER than Nadal and win more slams. But if Alcaraz starts to GOAT, Novak's chances go down.
• Will Novak win Wimbledon 2022? Seems like a powder puff draw and slam dunk. But if Novak does NOT win Wimbledon 2022, the race is over, especially if Nadal wins it.

All in all, this is a critical time for Novak. But if he wins Wimbledon 2022, Nadal doesn't win a slam this year, and Alcaraz underperforms (as expected) - Novak will feel good about his slam race chances.

 

[Blahovic]

Kwon played some great tennis, that was a fun match.

 

[pj80]

see? the CC crowd loves the cool Dj....

 

[TheNachoMan]

And he's still trailing Rafa in slams won.

Rafa wasn’t mentioned in that post

 

[beast of mallorca]

Not based on cases and hospitalization. Both are STEADILY declining. Also the death count is going down. States are removing all mask mandates, even the blue ones.

That's fake news. I have families and friends that work in the hospitals. Said their cases are growing backn up again, and are even back into wearing N-95 masks. We're here in Cali

And if we are up, there's no way the government is changing their rules.

 

[fundrazer]

Laura Robson giving some post match commentary on the match. Shame what happened to her tennis career.

Still looking good though.

 

[NoleFam]

I mean if you want me to DM you and give you a play by play breakdown of how our election went down in terms of the sexism and racism and rorts of the LNP party who were in government vs the new party, I can. But during the Aus Open, my lord they were winning points on dealing with that entitled tennis player who lied to gain entry into our nation. And that's just fact.

No I'm good but thanks.