2023 Wimbledon R2: Novak Djokovic vs. Jordan Thompson

Who wins?


  • Total voters
    24
  • Poll closed .
D

Deleted member 765728

Guest
Thompson has a good approach, mixing up the game with nice slices and playing aggressive (S&V) tennis, that's not easy to handle.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
If Novak can't even dominate player like Thompson who got destroyed by Murray few weeks back on grass, how is he going to beat players like Sinner or Alcarez who are on fire
 

Tweener

Semi-Pro
If Novak can't even dominate player like Thompson who got destroyed by Murray few weeks back on grass, how is he going to beat players like Sinner or Alcarez who are on fire
Sinner and Alvarez are not going to SnV every single point like Thompson. This is a highly specialized style that Thompson is employing brilliantly. Notice how as soon as they exchange ground strokes it becomes clear how big of a mismatch this is. But when Thompson gets free points on serve and effectively comes to net, it makes it tricky.
 

Cortana

Legend
If Novak can't even dominate player like Thompson who got destroyed by Murray few weeks back on grass, how is he going to beat players like Sinner or Alcarez who are on fire
He plays the level that‘s needed to win the match. Always the same story.
 

ChrisRF

Legend
I agree with this, but think that the Big 3 have a superior skill set in all aspects to handle any SV onslaught.

They can do it themselves too.
I agree. There is a reason why S&V died. The peak Federer onslaught was superior anyway. His serve plus first forehand combination was just as lethal as S&V after a good serve, but after a mediocre serve he was able to construct the point otherwise, while a S&V player gets passed.

Also while it would certainly be difficult for Djokovic to break someone like Sampras, people often forget that it would likely be even harder the other way around. Not necessarily because of Djokovic's serve (although that is underrated as well), but the S&V volley players including Sampras wouldn't get into rallyes or to the net often enough to do some damage. I would still much rather trust Djokovic to get the one decisive break than the opponent. And in a tiebreak he's also the favourite against anyone. Also don't forget that all those great 90s servers (again including Sampras) made quite a lot of double faults.

It's almost impossible to just serve through 6 games against Djokovic. Respect to Thompson by the way that he did it just now. Who knows, maybe this Thompson actually would have been a great S&V player of the 90s and simply shows that more isn't possible these days.
 

L4S10s

Professional
Sinner and Alvarez are not going to SnV every single point like Thompson. This is a highly specialized style that Thompson is employing brilliantly. Notice how as soon as they exchange ground strokes it becomes clear how big of a mismatch this is. But when Thompson gets free points on serve and effectively comes to net, it makes it tricky.

Alvarez serve not precise enough for this tactic
 

a10best

Legend
For better success, don't play Djokovic from the baseline or get into tiebreakers, your opponent's strengths.
 

TennisFan3

Talk Tennis Guru
I also think that Sampras, with the power around his serve and forehand, great slice and superb net game, would be a nightmare match-up for Novak on grass.

Sampras, in his prime on grass, would be a NIGHTMARE matchup for anyone.
I don't care how many Wimbledon titles Fed and Novak rack up, but Pistol Pete is the grass GOAT.
Sampras on grass in full flow would reduce his opponent to irrelevance.
 
D

Deleted member 765728

Guest
Sampras, in his prime on grass, would be a NIGHTMARE matchup for anyone.
I don't care how many Wimbledon titles Fed and Novak rack up, but Pistol Pete is the grass GOAT.
Sampras on grass in full flow would reduce his opponent to irrelevance.
Yep, hard to compete against someone who doesn't let you play, and Pete was an expert at it, especially on grass.
 
D

Deleted member 765728

Guest
It's a pity he doule-faulted, Novak just too solid in these breakers. Still, he's played quite well and entertaining.
 
D

Deleted member 798069

Guest
Crikey, Novak truly has the worst on-court celebrations in tennis history. Even his little salute looks disgusting.
 

Tweener

Semi-Pro
Thompson has played about as well as one can play against Novak here today. It's just so hard to play a machine like Djokovic where one or two mistakes cost you a set or a match.
 

MeatTornado

Talk Tennis Guru
So in that tiebreak we've got a

-Chopped down on a slice for a comical error
-Double-fault
-Blocked 2nd serve into the net

Not to say Novak isn't genuinely incredible himself in tiebreaks, but I swear the man just has to hit a couple 1st serves and it's over.
 
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