2023 Australian Open QF: [5] Andrey Rublev vs Novak Djokovic [4]

[Rattie]

Nadal has won four RG without a losing a set....Djokovic hasn't even done that once in a slam. How do you think non-Nadal's felt about that?

I’m not arguing that. Doesn’t mean it’s not dull if you aren’t a fan of that player does it.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

I enjoy watching a high level of tennis even if it is one-sided. Novak‘s matches this week have been phenomenal to watch in terms of the skill level he has showed hitting big to small targets near the lines and hitting the ball on the rise early. Similarly, I enjoy watching Rafa show his clay craft at RG and it is not dull for me to watch him play at RG. It is dull for me instead to watch Nadal play on low-bouncing fast indoor courts where he plays poorly and gets upset losses often.

Watching Djokovic this week has been like watching him in the AO finals in 2019/2021 or during the BOAT period in 2015-1H2016 when he was equally dominant. I like his super-aggressive style trying to keep matches short and it is like watching a master class of how to play power baseline tennis.

Oh I agree completely with you. I love Djokovic and Nadal at their best especially on their best surfaces. What I think they meant was the competition is bad here whereas it’s been even worse on clay and RG over an 18 year stretch bar a couple of years or so.

Nadal has had to play against very good Djokovic and Federer and of course soderling (match of his life) but overall it was even more a lock he would win the title compared to anything else. He’s just been way above anyone on clay even more than Djokovic or Federer have been hard courts or grass respectively.

 

[Hitman]

I’m not arguing that. Doesn’t mean it’s not dull if you aren’t a fan of that player does it.

Tell me, how many of those destructive runs of Nadal did you find to be dull? Any?

 

[Hitman]

Exactly right. RG has been the most predictable and dull slam for the best 18 years bar a few odd exceptions. How Rafa fans can call any other slam the most dull or predictable is beyond me, after what’s happened at RG in most years.

The player I don't like is dominating a slam, therefore it is dull.

 

[Rattie]

Tell me, how many of those destructive runs of Nadal did you find to be dull? Any?

Youre missing the point. Just as a non Rafa fan finds him winning RG easily is dull, so Djokovic winning AO easily is dull to a non Novak fan. Simple as really.

 

[TomTennis495]

Rublev laid an egg IMO. needs more variety in his game. He seems to be beaten before he gets on the court with higher ranked players. Med owns him too. WOuldnt help to have more speed and variety on the second serve either.

 

[Hitman]

Youre missing the point. Just as a non Rafa fan finds him winning RG easily is dull, so Djokovic winning AO easily is dull to a non Novak fan. Simple as really.

I know the point very well. When the player you don't like is doing it, it is dull, when it is your fav doing, its great to watch....not specifically talking you here, but this is pretty much it for VAST majority. This same slam would be great for many, if Nadal was doing it instead of Djokovic, and vice versa for those who don't like him.

 

[Rattie]

I know the point very well. When the player you don't like is doing it, it is dull, when it is your fav doing, its great to watch....not specifically talking you here, but this is pretty much it for VAST majority. This same slam would be great for many, if Nadal was doing it instead of Djokovic, and vice versa for those who don't like him.

Right. So, as I said, this is AO is dull as far as I’m concerned. That’s it.

 

[Hitman]

Right. So, as I said, this is AO is dull as far as I’m concerned. That’s it.

Yes, It is.

Better than saying - who wants an uncontested slam with a slam dunk winner.

 

[Keystoner]

I don't think 'dull' is the right word for watching your guy get dominated. That word is reserved for quality of play, how they're winning, not who is winning.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

The player I don't like is dominating a slam, therefore it is dull.

Very good point. I personally love the masterclass tennis both Djokovic and Nadal on all surfaces but especially at their best slams. I think the level of tennis can never be called dull as they both the greatest players to ever play the game and they are a joy to watch.

It is more the level of competition but that is not Djokodal’s fault if they been to good for the field over the years. It is up to someone to step up to their level.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

I don't think 'dull' is the right word for watching your guy get dominated. That word is reserved for quality of play, how they're winning, not who is winning.

No one can call watching someone play at a high level dull. As it’s great to watch flawless tennis or close to it. It is more the competition that’s dull but that’s on the rest of the field to get better.

 

[Keystoner]

No one can call watching someone play at a high level dull. As it’s great to watch flawless tennis or close to it. It is more the competition that’s dull but that’s on the rest of the field to get better.

Agreed.

 

[Hitman]

Very good point. I personally love the masterclass tennis both Djokovic and Nadal on all surfaces but especially at their best slams. I think the level of tennis can never be called dull as they both the greatest players to ever play the game and they are a joy to watch.

It is more the level of competition but that is not Djokodal’s fault if they been to good for the field over the years. It is up to someone to step up to their level.

Exactly. Djokovic has produced some insane winners in the last two matches.

Competition needs to step up, there is a reason why Djokodal are so dominant still.

 

[USMC-615]

The only people who should really be having any problem with Djokovic are the folks in the high dolla stadium seats...show ends too quick and ain't quite gettin' their money's worth.

 

[HFK]

No one can call watching someone play at a high level dull. As it’s great to watch flawless tennis or close to it. It is more the competition that’s dull but that’s on the rest of the field to get better.

RG '20 Final was incredibly dull to me. Particularly after the 1st set bagel. And Nadal was playing at a high level.

 

[socallefty]

No one can call watching someone play at a high level dull. As it’s great to watch flawless tennis or close to it. It is more the competition that’s dull but that’s on the rest of the field to get better.

There are style and aesthetic aspects too on what entertains a fan. Medvedev and Murray play at high levels at their best, but I always had a hard time watching their matches unless I wanted to see their opponent. In contrast, I could pretty much watch any Federer or Djokoivc match and Nadal on slow courts. I like watching Thiem and Wawrinka, but not Zverev or servebots.

 

[Keystoner]

RG '20 Final was incredibly dull to me. Particularly after the 1st set bagel. And Nadal was playing at a high level.

It's the quality of play of *both* players that dictates a 'dull' match.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Exactly. Djokovic has produced some insane winners in the last two matches.

Competition needs to step up, there is a reason why Djokodal are so dominant still.

That’s why we got epics back in Melbourne when wawrinka stepped up to Djokovic level between 2013-2015. Same at RG when Djokovic stepped up to Nadal’s level. Back between 06-09 when Rafa challenged Fed more on grass and hard courts. Then Djokovic and Fed at Wimbledon over years and also Rafa and Novak on clay. Murray as well when he was right in the big 4 mix for many years.

My favourite matches was probably Fed-Djoko at us open as they were so close and epic rallies and points.

Nothing better than when get 2 players playing at their best against each other especially in a slam.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

RG '20 Final was incredibly dull to me. Particularly after the 1st set bagel. And Nadal was playing at a high level.

Fair enough. Even though that was a bad day for Djokovic, me and Djokovic fans I appreciated Nadal’s insane level. He dominated the match from start to finish and Novak just couldn’t live with him. I appreciate high level tennis when I see it but it’s a shame when big finals are one sided. That day Djoko was outplayed the same way Nadal was outplayed in AO 2019 when Novak was lights out.

If your favourite player wins you obviously happy and you will want to win the fastest and more stressful free way but matches obviously are remembered more when 2 players and peaking at same time and it goes 5 sets with an uncertain winner.

 

[sliceroni]

No way. What is the point? Unless you enjoy a bloodbath.
With Fed retired, Nadal about to and Alcaraz injured, Tennis has lost some excitement.It'sbecome very predictable, but at the same time Novak is showing that he indeed is likely the GOAT.

Lol I feel ya. With Fed retired and Nadal out, I’m actually sleeping quite well during this AO. I’ll catch the replay.

 

[Hitman]

That’s why we got epics back in Melbourne when wawrinka stepped up to Djokovic level between 2013-2015. Same at RG when Djokovic stepped up to Nadal’s level. Back between 06-09 when Rafa challenged Fed more on grass and hard courts. Then Djokovic and Fed at Wimbledon over years and also Rafa and Novak on clay. Murray as well when he was right in the big 4 mix for many years.

My favourite matches was probably Fed-Djoko at us open as they were so close and epic rallies and points.

Nothing better than when get 2 players playing at their best against each other especially in a slam.

Exactly. There is good individual performances, which we have seen from Djokovic here, and then there are good competitive matches, which we haven't had much of.

But Murray gave us two classics, and Tsitsipas v Sinner was great. Just my IMO.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Exactly. There is good individual performances, which we have seen from Djokovic here, and then there are good competitive matches, which we haven't had much of.

But Murray gave us two classics, and Tsitsipas v Sinner was great. Just my IMO.

Exactly right. Murray matches will be talked about a long time. He keeps fighting and wins 2 marathon matches spending 11 hours on court. It was memorable especially after everything Murray been through. He gave us great entertainment and yes tsitsipas-sinner was a cracker too. It is not always just the favourites or final matches that are remembered.

 

[insideguy]

I disagree with the premise here. I get bored when anyone dominates a slam, whether its a player I like or not. I get bored when a player I like or dont like dominates a match for gods sake. I enjoyed that match between Shelton and Paul last night 100 times more than some three set trouncing. And that was just a decent four set competitive match.

 

[Hitman]

Exactly right. Murray matches will be talked about a long time. He keeps fighting and wins 2 marathon matches spending 11 hours on court. It was memorable especially after everything Murray been through. He gave us great entertainment and yes tsitsipas-sinner was a cracker too. It is not always just the favourites or final matches that are remembered.

Correct. This AO is not dull considering what Murray did. IMO.

 

[zvelf]

Exactly. There is good individual performances, which we have seen from Djokovic here, and then there are good competitive matches, which we haven't had much of.

I wouldn't say that. I heard a statistic bandied about that this Australian Open is 2 five-set matches short of tying the number of five-set matches ever at the AO (I think 41 is the record). So there have been a lot of competitive matches.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Hola amiga, ¿cómo estás?
El acto teatral del Lobo Serbio ya terminó.
La jugada maestra de Tiley ha salido a la perfección y solo Tsitsipas podría acabar con esta farsa.

querido amigo, no creo que Tsitsipas tenga la capacidad de lastimar a Novak en esta superficie. Realmente no me importa que Novak lo gane, pero todos estos espectáculos y actuaciones falsos son puramente repugnantes.