2022 Wimbledon R64: [1] Novak Djokovic vs Thanasi Kokkinakis

[The Green Mile]

What a fun point lol

 

[Nadal_Django]

The Kokk is playing fine, but the Earth's mightiest warrior have been nuclear so far.

 

[Bubcay]

Djokovic playing great. Clean striking, focused... Looking much better than in the first round..

 

[SonicNirvana]

Djokovic breaks. 1-0

 

[ojo rojo]

Lovely bit of grass court tennis there

 

[SonicNirvana]

Djokovic playing great. Clean striking, focused... Looking much better than in the first round..

Ominous form. I’m about to go strong ruling

 

[Mivic]

Novak has actually been enjoyable to watch today. No seriously, he has. Coming to net quite a bit, hitting angled FHs, nice passing shots, throwing in lots of droppers and short slices

If only he played like this all of the time

He used to do so consistently obviously. Although I like seeing Novak continue to play decent tennis and win at this stage, the problem with dominating at the end of your career with a slightly lower level of play that doesn't really resemble your prime form is that that's the way that people then remember you (unlike a guy like Safin for example who had a really brief peak and is remembered as this mythical beast with unmatched level of play at his best). It's really unfortunate that people honestly think of a guy that beat BOAT level players in Fedal many times playing an extremely proactive brand of tennis as some type of pusher. Obviously part of that is intellectual dishonesty from Fedal fans trying to push a narrative but there are people who genuinely believe that also.

 

[NoleFam]

That return was honestly ridiculous.

 

[Krish0608]

Djokovic looking ominous. Has to be said.

 

[Bubcay]

This is top level tennis by Novak... Clinical...

 

[The Green Mile]

Novak has Kokkinakis on a string and has embarrassed him many times with all sorts of shots and points. It's like watching Fed play with some of his opponents at times.

Like it's more humiliating than it needs to be

 

[NoleFam]

Novak has Kokkinakis on a string and has embarrassed him many times with all sorts of shots and points. It's like watching Fed play with some of his opponents at times.

True. You can see why Djokovic has won this thing so many times by watching this match. His game takes on a different dimension on grass.

 

[Kralingen]

He used to do so consistently obviously. Although I like seeing Novak continue to play decent tennis and win at this stage, the problem with dominating at the end of your career with a lower level of play that doesn't really resemble your prime form is that that's the way that people then remember you (unlike a guy like Safin who had a really brief peak and is remembered as this mythical beast with unmatched level of play at his best). It's really unfortunate that people honestly think of a guy that beat BOAT level players in Fedal many times playing an extremely proactive brand of tennis tennis as a pusher.

Totally agreed.

I do think that, aside from some high profile matches where he was not aggressive enough, the idea of Novak as pusher is one of the most obvious tells that the person you're speaking to doesn't really understand tennis. And that's OK, people see what they want to see.

 

[Mivic]

Grassovic is so much more fun to watch than Clayovic these days when he's feeling it. Shame he played so nervous (or whatever the reason was) last year because I really enjoy watching him when he's playing like this. I just hope he keeps it up.

 

[Nadal15thslam]

Totally agreed.

I do think that, aside from some high profile matches where he was not aggressive enough, the idea of Novak as pusher is one of the most obvious tells that the person you're speaking to doesn't really understand tennis. And that's OK, people see what they want to see.

Novak is not a pusher but he wins a lot of points by doing exactly that- pushing. That doesn't mean he can't play more aggressive, he just chooses not to.

 

[Deleted member 765728]

Djokovic is also willing to approach the net and has been quite successful - 23/26 (88%).

 

[Carax]

 

[Nadal_Django]

An utter obliteration of the young Australian.

 

[The Green Mile]

I'm not usually one for early winner predictions, but who seriously beats Novak here? I give Rafa about a 25% chance.

 

[TennisFan3]

Clinical by Novak. Showing why he won 6 Wimbledon titles and is favorite for the 7th.

 

[TennisFan3]

I'm not usually one for early winner predictions, but who seriously beats Novak here? I give Rafa about a 25% chance.

That's pretty generous given Nadal's performances at Wimbledon.
The current Novak is far better than 2018 Wimbledon Novak. The serve is far better for one and so is the net play.

 

[Nadal_Django]

Clinical by Novak. Showing why he won 6 Wimbledon titles and is favorite for the 7th.

He is striking the ball just beautifully, isn't it!?

 

[Nadal15thslam]

Clinical by Novak. Showing why he won 6 Wimbledon titles and is favorite for the 7th.

We know you're his no 1 fan.

 

[Checkmate]

Grassovic is so much more fun to watch than Clayovic these days when he's feeling it. Shame he played so nervous (or whatever the reason was) last year because I really enjoy watching him when he's playing like this. I just hope he keeps it up.

He was done physically for the Wimbledon last year imo. Totally without juice. That's why he was struggling in the majority of the long rallies.

The clay season was very very long for him.

2 250s 3 Masters 1000,Most gruelling Grand Slam since AO 2012

 

[Rattie]

This is top level tennis by Novak... Clinical...

In fairness his opponent is hopeless, so it’s not hard.

 

[TennisFan3]

We know you're his no 1 fan.

Not really. Not at all.

 

[Bubcay]

This is the best match Djokovic has played all year. If he keeps playing like this, nobody can stop him...

 

[duaneeo]

True. You can see why Djokovic has won this thing so many times by watching this match.

We all can definitely see why Djokovic has won this thing so many times.

 

[Bubcay]

In fairness his opponent is hopeless, so it’s not hard.

Yes, but mostly because Djokovic is this good...

 

[NoleFam]

We all can definitely see why Djokovic has won this thing so many times.

I'm not sure you can. Lol

 

[SonicNirvana]

Grassovic is so much more fun to watch than Clayovic these days when he's feeling it. Shame he played so nervous (or whatever the reason was) last year because I really enjoy watching him when he's playing like this. I just hope he keeps it up.

He’s much better than the clay season but he was doing pretty well before QF at RG. Diego maybe had a hand in that given that his form has been very low this year.

 

[Nadal_Django]

Djokovic's movement on this surface is just extraordinary.

 

[Nadal15thslam]

Djokovic's movement on this surface is just extraordinary.

What should we call Federer's movement on this surface if Djokovic's is extraordinary?

 

[TennisFan3]

Does Novak move better on grass than Fed? I know it's crazy to think. Fed is a better grasscourt player vs Novak because of better serve and net play.
However, just from the baseline and movement at the back, I've NEVER seen anyone move like Novak does on grass.
Novak is sauntering out there like it's clay. Even Nadal on grass doesn't move as fluidly.

 

[SonicNirvana]

Going to be 6-1 6-4 6-1

 

[Nadal15thslam]

Does Novak move better on grass than Fed? I know it's crazy to think. Fed is a better grasscourt player vs Novak because of better serve and net play.
However, just from the baseline and movement at the back, I've NEVER seen anyone move like Novak does on grass.
Novak is sauntering out there like it's clay. Even Nadal on grass doesn't move as fluidly.

Federer clearly better.

 

[The Green Mile]

Kecmanovic, Opelka could snatch a set, Carlos is a little bit of an enigma on the grass still and can getter better as the tournament progresses (battle with Otte could be interesting though), and I think it's gonna be either Norrie or Tiafoe in the SF.

 

[SonicNirvana]

Only 1 ace for Djoko today? That’s surprising.

 

[Beerus]

Good stuff from Djokovic. But will he be consistent with this level.

 

[DSH]

Is the Kokk exhausted?

 

[Nadal_Django]

What should we call Federer's movement on this surface if Djokovic's is extraordinary?

Fed's is more gracious, Djokovic's slightly more effective. Overall in the same tier, for sure.

 

[TennisFan3]

Federer clearly better.

Not in my opinion. Fed is MORE offensive, better serve, better net play etc.
However movement from the back laterally and forwards/backwards - Novak is moving better than Fed IMO.
Hell, better than anyone on grass. Even Pete and Borg.
Sure Pete and Fed had bigger weapons than Novak - but pure baseline strength on grass and movement - Novak has to be the best.

 

[duaneeo]

Does Novak move better on grass than Fed? I know it's crazy to think.

Exactly, so take the crazy thought out of your mind.

 

[Deleted member 765728]

Novak is not a pusher but he wins a lot of points by doing exactly that- pushing. That doesn't mean he can't play more aggressive, he just chooses not to.

This is not a bad point imo. He chooses to play conservatively (that has been the case since 2011 anyway) if he doesn't need to be aggressive (it totally depends on the type of opponent he's playing). But he hits with greater depth and with more pace (while being in that pusher mode) than your regular pusher on Tour, and is a great ball-striker whose technique rarely breaks and all that makes him extremely difficult to handle.

 

[Rattie]

Yes, but mostly because Djokovic is this good...

I think I will wait to see him play an opponent with a ranking above 80 something who has a game to offer on grass. In ten years Kokkinakis has rarely got past qualies at any slam and rarely manages an appearance at a Masters, in all of which he loses and only occasionally manages to win a single match. There is a huge gulf between them in terms of ability.

 

[Nadal15thslam]

Not in my opinion. Fed is MORE offensive, better serve, better net play etc.
However movement from the back laterally and forwards/backwards - Novak is moving better than Fed IMO.
Hell, better than anyone on grass. Even Pete and Borg.
Sure Pete and Fed had bigger weapons than Novak - but pure baseline strength on grass and movement - Novak has to be the best.

You're the one who said Djokovic's serve is as good as Sampras, aren't you? Lol

 

[Kralingen]

Does Novak move better on grass than Fed? I know it's crazy to think. Fed is a better grasscourt player vs Novak because of better serve and net play.
However, just from the baseline and movement at the back, I've NEVER seen anyone move like Novak does on grass.
Novak is sauntering out there like it's clay. Even Nadal on grass doesn't move as fluidly.

No.

 

[Nadal_Django]

Not in my opinion. Fed is MORE offensive, better serve, better net play etc.
However movement from the back laterally and forwards/backwards - Novak is moving better than Fed IMO.
Hell, better than anyone on grass. Even Pete and Borg.
Sure Pete and Fed had bigger weapons than Novak - but pure baseline strength on grass and movement - Novak has to be the best.

You're spitting facts today TennisFan3.

 

[Checkmate]

Does Novak move better on grass than Fed? I know it's crazy to think. Fed is a better grasscourt player vs Novak because of better serve and net play.
However, just from the baseline and movement at the back, I've NEVER seen anyone move like Novak does on grass.
Novak is sauntering out there like it's clay. Even Nadal on grass doesn't move as fluidly.

Federer's movement at his peak was feather-light though. And his first step was devastatingly explosive.

 

[DSH]

Kecmanovic, Opelka could snatch a set, Carlos is a little bit of an enigma on the grass still and can getter better as the tournament progresses (battle with Otte could be interesting though), and I think it's gonna be either Norrie or Tiafoe in the SF.

The most complicated draw of all time!