2nd most important match in Novak’s career

[McEnborg]

The most important was French Open 2020. And he came up woefully small.

if he wants the “GOAT” title, beating Rafa only one time (in a QF where Nadal was 6th seed) in Paris will not cut it. He’s been outclassed in all of their matches but that one in 2015. And then he lost to Wawrinka. And his win in 2016 was when Rafa retired after 2nd round.

So if Novak comes up small AGAIN, don’t want to hear any excuses from his fans. If wants a shot at “GOAT” status, this win would put him much closer.

 

[Djokinho]

I do not agree.

Two points:

1. is not a final. It is possible to beat Nadal and lose the final, would continue with 18 slams.

2. Nadal could beat Djokovic and by a miracle he lost the final, in the end he wouldn't change anything in the slam race.

It's a great game, but not the most important..

 

[octogon]

So if Novak comes up small AGAIN, don’t want to hear any excuses from his fans.

They are already using an excuse in anticipation of Novak losing.

"Clay Skew"

Same old false idol GOAT excuses the Federinas used.

 

[Aabye5]

The most important was French Open 2020. And he came up woefully small.

if he wants the “GOAT” title, beating Rafa only one time (in a QF where Nadal was 6th seed) in Paris will not cut it. He’s been outclassed in all of their matches but that one in 2015. And then he lost to Wawrinka. And his win in 2016 was when Rafa retired after 2nd round.

So if Novak comes up small AGAIN, don’t want to hear any excuses from his fans. If wants a shot at “GOAT” status, this win would put him much closer.

It's not necessary for him to beat Rafa here. He has a winning head-to-head (at worst it will be even), he has most weeks at world #1, and he is the last player to win all four Grand Slams in succession.

 

[Sport]

So if Novak comes up small AGAIN, don’t want to hear any excuses from his fans.

What about the clay skew excuse? Some use it repeatedly.

 

[NoleFam]

It's the 2nd most important for Nadal not Djokovic. The most important for Rafa would be the final.

 

[maratha_warrior]

The most important was French Open 2020. And he came up woefully small.

if he wants the “GOAT” title, beating Rafa only one time (in a QF where Nadal was 6th seed) in Paris will not cut it. He’s been outclassed in all of their matches but that one in 2015. And then he lost to Wawrinka. And his win in 2016 was when Rafa retired after 2nd round.

So if Novak comes up small AGAIN, don’t want to hear any excuses from his fans. If wants a shot at “GOAT” status, this win would put him much closer.

Lol No .

Djoker already won a slam this year .

RG is bonus ranking points for Djoker , win or lose .

Goat race will actually be decided on how the next 3 slams pans out ( WB USO and AO )

After RG , If Rafa manages to win one of the WB USO AO then he stands a great chance to end up as Outright Goat !

 

[Kralingen]

I don’t know, even if Medvedev in the AO final seemed to be one of the lowest level of any match he’s played it was still vitally important. He loses that, he’s gone a calendar year without a slam at age 33 and is now 3 slams behind the lead with Nadal looking at the FO. That was a true “must win” for his legacy and chance of winning the Slam count.

this is not the same level of “Must Win”, at all really. In fact a Wimby final this year would be a more important match as he could stake a claim to having the all time Wimbledon titles and maintain the World #1.

It is probably the most challenging match he will have to play though and will require his highest level to win. I agree with that.

 

[TheNachoMan]

RG is just a bonus. Pressure is on Nadal

 

[Deleted member 758560]

What about the clay skew excuse? Some use it repeatedly.

what do you think, is such a situation possible that he will be very nervous in that upcoming match, because he has never been in a similar position, which might be as a big psychological barrier, i.e. surpass fed for the first time, so what is the probability (how much in %), in your opinion, that this problem can be relevant in that match?

 

[MadariKatu]

His most important match was the RG final 2016. If he didn't win it, he'd be without any RG...

 

[GabeT]

Brought to you by the same genius that three months before AO21 claimed Novak would not win another slam

[i don’t think Novak will] win another major. Even in his wins this year, he’s never reached the level he was playing at in Australia in 2019.

He appears to have lost a little bit (not much) of his court coverage ability. Mentally, he seems more up and down. He’s 33 1/2 and what has made him so great appears to be in slight decline.
Thiem (whom he barely beat at this year’s Australian), Medvedev (who kicked his butt today and has beaten him 3 times), Zverev, Rublev and Tsitsipas are all coming. They’ve improved and want major championships. They’re all tired of the big three and believe they can beat all of them. None of them fear Novak, or even Rafa (outside of Roland Garros).

if they even have the Australian, I think one of those guys will win and this run of Novak’s will be over. His game does not translate to winning majors in his mid to late 30’s like Fed. He simply doesn’t have a big enough serve, nor the elite racket skills of Fed...who is probably the only player in recent history capable of winning grand slams at 35, 36 and 37.

 

[Djokinho]

I think it's amazing how they ignore the pressure on Nadal.

He is in one of his most obvious chances to win Roland Garros and be the biggest Slam winner in history.

He beat Djokovic in the last games on clay, won in the last final, never lost semi, on the other side will come a Next Gen.

When everything seems so obvious, weird things happen.

 

[Boom-Boom]

What about the clay skew excuse? Some use it repeatedly.

Nadalito is just a clay specialist indeed. In the weakest clay era ever.

 

[McEnborg]

It's not necessary for him to beat Rafa here. He has a winning head-to-head (at worst it will be even), he has most weeks at world #1, and he is the last player to win all four Grand Slams in succession.

He has ONE more win head to head. They’ll be tied if Novak loses. And the last player to win all four in succession? When Rafa was hurt at the French? Give me a break. And Fed won 3 majors in 3 years and got to the French final in 2 of those years, losing to Rafa.

 

[McEnborg]

Nadalito is just a clay specialist indeed. In the weakest clay era ever.

Borg would NEVER beat Rafa on clay and you know it. You sound pretty petty and jealous.

 

[McEnborg]

Brought to you by the same genius that three months before AO21 claimed Novak would not win another slam

Wow Gabe, you have a lot of time on your hands. Glad to see you’re keeping busy. What do you want me to say? Sorry Mr. Gabe genius. I bow to your all knowing tennis knowledge.

 

[GabeT]

Wow Gabe, you have a lot of time on your hands. Glad to see you’re keeping busy. What do you want me to say? Sorry Mr. Gabe genius. I bow to your all knowing tennis knowledge.

Thank you. Was that so difficult?

yes, I am an all knowing sentient tennis AI. I am what would have happened if Skynet was hooked into the Tennis Channel 24/7

 

[Aabye5]

I think it's amazing how they ignore the pressure on Nadal.

He is in one of his most obvious chances to win Roland Garros and be the biggest Slam winner in history.

He beat Djokovic in the last games on clay, won in the last final, never lost semi, on the other side will come a Next Gen.

When everything seems so obvious, weird things happen.

This. Every time you think something will happen one way, we are surprised

He has ONE more win head to head. They’ll be tied if Novak loses. And the last player to win all four in succession? When Rafa was hurt at the French? Give me a break. And Fed won 3 majors in 3 years and got to the French final in 2 of those years, losing to Rafa.

Now, wait. My point is not that Novak is the GOAT, just that he doesn't need THIS match to be named GOAT.

 

[eagletennis]

Nadal has way more pressure. This one was in the books for him before it started. Now after Djokovic grueling QF he knows he has physical advantage also. Novak already won one this year .While he clearly wants this one really bad it's just a bonus.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Pressure is on more Nadal here. Djoko is on house money here. Of course though he feels pressure too because he demands a lot from himself.

Djoko is a potential upset away though from potentially taking over the slam race and GOAT debate. He will throw everything at it on Friday.

I think the winner of this semi will win it. Obviously that’s less sure but I feel whoever wins this will not let it slip in final. Although I think it’s more clear Nadal will definitely not mess it up whereas the next gen Tsitsipas/zverev would have more hope if it’s Djokovic. Still Novak would be favoured too.

 

[itrium84]

The most important was French Open 2020. And he came up woefully small.

if he wants the “GOAT” title, beating Rafa only one time (in a QF where Nadal was 6th seed) in Paris will not cut it. He’s been outclassed in all of their matches but that one in 2015. And then he lost to Wawrinka. And his win in 2016 was when Rafa retired after 2nd round.

So if Novak comes up small AGAIN, don’t want to hear any excuses from his fans. If wants a shot at “GOAT” status, this win would put him much closer.

Nah, we already have RG GOAT, it's Nadal. One more win for Novak can't make him RG GOAT over Rafa.