ATP 250 Athens F: Lorenzo Musetti v Novak Djokovic

[Centrius]

No you do that wanting him to retire or only supporting him when it suits. I said this match was not over even when musetti was better early on.

What do you mean? I said he should play Turin.

 

[Aabye5]

Congrats to the old man, keeping himself in the mix with his 101st title (and for putting my fave into the final 8).

 

[Rosstour]

What a ****ing joke. Just came out of a 2hr tournament match to see Lorenzo gave him another match. And now Novak will be talking big, like he just beat Federer again. **** this

 

[Rosstour]

I'm certain Djokovic isn't playing Turin, both Musetti and FAA will be in.

He looks to be going in all the way here, win or lose.

Why won’t he play Turin? He can ruin Musetti’s season just by entering the tournament.

 

[Genie Of the Bank]

Novak will be targeting 104 tiles mark next year + if Carlos and Janik slip for one major he could catch the elusive 25th white whale slam .

 

[tudwell]

Why won’t he play Turin? He can ruin Musetti’s season just by entering the tournament.

I don’t know why he wouldn’t play Turin. One match win nets him almost as many points as he won here in Athens. And he’s basically guaranteed to win against Fritz lol. Really I could see him going 3-0 in his group.

 

[roysid]

Why won’t he play Turin? He can ruin Musetti’s season just by entering the tournament.

He won't play Turin because he literally has no chance there. Plus atp finals are no longer his priority

 

[Hitman]

Why won’t he play Turin? He can ruin Musetti’s season just by entering the tournament.

Did you see how physically spent he was? He has zero chance in Turin.

 

[Zardoz7/12]

I think Djokovic should rest up and give Musetti a shot and I think he will.

If Athens was played last week and Djokovic had a week to recover then fine but his body surely can't rebound after a marathon match to then face other world class players in the tour finals? He'll be a pinata.

 

[Rosstour]

Did you see how physically spent he was? He has zero chance in Turin.

I’ve seen that movie before. “Oh he looks done” ya right.

 

[Rosstour]

He won't play Turin because he literally has no chance there. Plus atp finals are no longer his priority

Listen to his statements. He’s mad that people are saying the game has evolved. He’s gonna show them.

 

[Hitman]

I’ve seen that movie before. “Oh he looks done” ya right.

Djokovic had pulled out of Turin. Musetti is in!

 

[Mainad]

Djokovic wins his 101st ATP singles title, 2nd this season 14th at 250 level and 1st in his adopted country of Greece.

Musetti loses his 6th ATP singles final and 3rd this season. He is now 2-6 in ATP singles finals played.

 

[Rosstour]

Djokovic wins his 101st ATP singles title, 2nd this season 14th at 250 level and 1st in his adopted country of Greece.

Musetti loses his 6th ATP singles final and 3rd this season. He is now 2-6 in ATP singles finals played.

I think he has finally lost me with this match. I’m not sure I can be a fan anymore

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Djokovic had pulled out of Turin. Musetti is in!

Is there a reputable source for this?

 

[Rosstour]

Is there a reputable source for this?

No, there isn’t. He’s gonna play

 

[ScentOfDefeat]

Novak will be targeting 104 tiles mark next year + if Carlos and Janik slip for one major he could catch the elusive 25th white whale slam .

Don't think he has the stamina for that, Sinner/Alcaraz or not.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

No, there isn’t. He’s gonna play

Is there a reputable source for *that*? ;P

 

[Hitman]

No, there isn’t. He’s gonna play

Dude, its confirmed by Novak, he is NOT playing.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Dude, its confirmed by Novak, he is NOT playing.

I just wonder what the source is. All the sites I see reporting it are dubious and none has a source.

Some places are sharing a supposed Instagram post, but I can't see anything like it on Djokovic's Instagram or Twitter page.

So, is there a more reliable source? Did you watch a press conference where Djokovic said it? I can easily believe it, but currently the ATP is not reporting it afaict.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

I just wonder what the source is. All the sites I see reporting it are dubious and none has a source.

Some places are sharing a supposed Instagram post, but I can't see anything like it on Djokovic's Instagram or Twitter page.

So, is there a more reliable source? Did you watch a press conference where Djokovic said it? I can easily believe it, but currently the ATP is not reporting it afaict.

Got it now

Lorenzo Musetti to compete in Nitto ATP Finals following Novak Djokovic's withdrawal | ATP Tour | Tennis

Lorenzo Musetti will compete in the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time following Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal due to a shoulder injury. Musetti will replace Djokovic in the Jimmy Connors Group as a direct acceptance. Alexander Bublik is now the first alternate.

www.atptour.com

 

[Hitman]

I just wonder what the source is. All the sites I see reporting it are dubious and none has a source.

Some places are sharing a supposed Instagram post, but I can't see anything like it on Djokovic's Instagram or Twitter page.

So, is there a more reliable source? Did you watch a press conference where Djokovic said it? I can easily believe it, but currently the ATP is not reporting it afaict.

The ATP site is saying it

Lorenzo Musetti to compete in Nitto ATP Finals following Novak Djokovic's withdrawal | ATP Tour | Tennis

Lorenzo Musetti will compete in the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time following Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal due to a shoulder injury. Musetti will replace Djokovic in the Jimmy Connors Group as a direct acceptance. Alexander Bublik is now the first alternate.

www.atptour.com

 

[Genie Of the Bank]

Don't think he has the stamina for that, Sinner/Alcaraz or not.

Probably a 10% chance , but if someone can pull it over it is Novak.

 

[YellowFedBetter]

Congrats to the GOAT and his awesome fanbase on #101! Appreciate it while you can, you never know when it might be the last one.

It took a lot from him. Musetti was simultaneously at his most boorish, and his best tennis-wise this week.

 

[YellowFedBetter]

Also, why is everyone calling Novak “Egg” now?

 

[jm1972]

Even at the end of Djokovic's career, Musetti will go down as one of his greatest pigeons. Truly remarkable.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

This year has shown Djokovic the blueprint. Try vulture 250 events and hang around in slams hoping for some miracle to happen 1 more time!

 

[YellowFedBetter]

This year has shown Djokovic the blueprint. Try vulture 250 events and hang around in slams hoping for some miracle to happen 1 more time!

If Daniil can’t get one this is certainly my next wish!

 

[Kafel69]

damn, Djok celebrated like he won a slam lmao good on him, tho. at damn near 40 to still be whooping a&& in top-10 is next level.

p.s. what crappy balls did they play in the final with? had zero bounce and was skidding every once in a while. was hard to watch the highlights. unless it was just the camera angle.

 

[Djokovic2011]

What a match! Just finished watching the full highlights and oh boy that was some high quality tennis being played out there - I still can't get over that point Djokovic won to break in the 2nd set. To top it all off he does another legendary shirt ripping and who can blame him after that performance. I mean what more can us Djokovic fans ask for lol.

A 20th indoor title and more importantly a record 72nd HC title, finally placing him as the outright leader ahead of Federer. So proud to be a fan of such an incredible champion.

 

[YellowFedBetter]

damn, Djok celebrated like he won a slam lmao good on him, tho. at damn near 40 to still be whooping a&& in top-10 is next level.

p.s. what crappy balls did they play in the final with? had zero bounce and was skidding every once in a while. was hard to watch the highlights. unless it was just the camera angle.

It’s been that way with most balls for 3 years now.

 

[BernetExpress]

Nothing to see here. Novak wins. Proceeds to drop out of Turin and moose gets in.

Definitely prearranged

 

[bluetrain4]

Musetti so close to earning a YEC spot. Interesting that FAA refused a wild card which, if he won one or two rounds, would ensure the last spot even if Musetti won the tourney.

 

[Hitman]

Musetti so close to earning a YEC spot. Interesting that FAA refused a wild card which, if he won one or two rounds, would ensure the last spot even if Musetti won the tourney.

Musetti is in, Djokovic has pulled out.

 

[EddieChang]

djokovic would want to help the tournament, no? if he announces before the final musetti might even withdraw

Guess that’s what happened

 

[roysid]

Musetti so close to earning a YEC spot. Interesting that FAA refused a wild card which, if he won one or two rounds, would ensure the last spot even if Musetti won the tourney.

FAA sort of knew djokovic wont play
He kept himself fresh

 

[RSJfan]

Djokovic defying the odds once again. What a player.

Who did the oddsmakers have as fav? Egg owns this pigeon. He was 8 -1 before the match. Egg could roll out of his future retirement in a wheelchair and beat Musetti.

 

[Succession]

I think he has finally lost me with this match. I’m not sure I can be a fan anymore

I think next year might be a different story, Moose, I feel he mentally got much more stable this year and I hope he continues to stay on this path

 

[Nostradamus]

Who won ? and is novak playing turin?

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

I think he has finally lost me with this match. I’m not sure I can be a fan anymore

Oh c’mon dude. Musetti was brilliant. Don’t give up on him.

 

[Rosstour]

Oh c’mon dude. Musetti was brilliant. Don’t give up on him.

This felt like one of those soul-taking moments like Shapo AO22 or TPas AO21. Got the GOAT on the ropes and pooped in the pants

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

This felt like one of those soul-taking moments like Shapo AO22 or TPas AO21. Got the GOAT on the ropes and pooped in the pants

At least he fought all the way to the death and didn’t give up like a lot of players did in past. He can be proud and he gets g even better on hard court now.

 

[Hitman]

This felt like one of those soul-taking moments like Shapo AO22 or TPas AO21. Got the GOAT on the ropes and pooped in the pants

Musetti fought his heart out.

 

[Mainad]

Oh c’mon dude. Musetti was brilliant. Don’t give up on him.

Not brilliant enough to get over the line against an ageing, injury-prone Djokovic. H2H is now 1-9 against him. He is good at taking early leads but he just can't hang onto them.

 

[Carax]

Who did the oddsmakers have as fav? Egg owns this pigeon. He was 8 -1 before the match. Egg could roll out of his future retirement in a wheelchair and beat Musetti.

Setting aside his dominance over Musetti, Djokovic hasn't been in great form for a while. He wasn't playing great in Shanghai and was having a hard time in Athens. He's also 38 years old. Regardless of what the bookies were saying, I don't think it was expected for him to win the title.

 

[RSJfan]

Setting aside his dominance over Musetti, Djokovic hasn't been in great form for a while. He wasn't playing great in Shanghai and was having a hard time in Athens. He's also 38 years old. Regardless of what the bookies were saying, I don't think it was expected for him to win the title.

Egg has been stinking up the court for years. Embarrassing.

 

[intrepidish]

This felt like one of those soul-taking moments like Shapo AO22 or TPas AO21. Got the GOAT on the ropes and pooped in the pants

Is there a reason you didn't mention Musetti's own terrifyingly awful losses at RG against Novak? I think those were the soul-taking moments and they are still what I think of when I start to entertain more serious thoughts about Musetti.

 

[Rosstour]

Not brilliant enough to get over the line against an ageing, injury-prone Djokovic. H2H is now 0-9 against him. He is good at taking early leads but he just can't hang onto them.

I mostly agree but the H2H is 1-9, Musetti got him in 3 at Monte Carlo in 2023. So it can be done

Is there a reason you didn't mention Musetti's own terrifyingly awful losses at RG against Novak? I think those were the soul-taking moments and they are still what I think of when I start to entertain more serious thoughts about Musetti.

I think in this case it’s less about one match and more about Djoko being the obstacle Musetti needs to clear in order to achieve his potential. Beating Sinner and Alcaraz isn’t it, those guys are who they are. Musetti will never be the favorite against them, but he should be the favorite against Djoko and winning these matches.

Remember Federer couldn’t become Fed until he figured out Nalbandian. This is similar to me, if Musetti figures Djoko out, then he’s safely the Third Man, the Murray to the Big 3.

But if he can’t get past the gatekeeper then he won’t even be meeting Alcaraz and Sinner. Zverev is also a gatekeeper to Musetti, but less so than Djoko

 

[DSH]

Novak will be targeting 104 tiles mark next year + if Carlos and Janik slip for one major he could catch the elusive 25th white whale slam .

Djokovic will decline even further next season.
Sinner and Alcaraz will no longer be the only ones standing in his way in the GS tournaments.
Other players of lower rank than them may be able to beat the 39-year-old Serbian.

 

[Mainad]

I mostly agree but the H2H is 1-9, Musetti got him in 3 at Monte Carlo in 2023. So it can be done



I think in this case it’s less about one match and more about Djoko being the obstacle Musetti needs to clear in order to achieve his potential. Beating Sinner and Alcaraz isn’t it, those guys are who they are. Musetti will never be the favorite against them, but he should be the favorite against Djoko and winning these matches.

Remember Federer couldn’t become Fed until he figured out Nalbandian. This is similar to me, if Musetti figures Djoko out, then he’s safely the Third Man, the Murray to the Big 3.

But if he can’t get past the gatekeeper then he won’t even be meeting Alcaraz and Sinner. Zverev is also a gatekeeper to Musetti, but less so than Djoko

Sorry, meant to say 1-9 but it came out wrong. Still think he's a bit of a basket case against Djokovic though.