Best Djokovic versus Federer hard court match?

[Amen786]

Or you have some other candidates?

 

[Amen786]

And to all those self proclaimed "tennis experts" and theorists of "tennis today is evolved and is better than before" or "Djokovic plays better ever" or "player ABC plays better than before"...

Try convincing any rational person that today's tennis is better than that of this video.

 

[Kralingen]

that's probably my favorite one. It's really the only viable choice. RG 2011 BOAT though.

Fed fans might say Shanghai 2014 or Cincy 2012 and I can't blame them lol, those were probably the two most enjoyable ones. Djokovic fans might say AO '08 or 16, or '09 Basel lol.

Personally...I enjoy USO 2007 a lot. it's not the best. Just one of the more interesting matches there is, a young-ish but still high level Djokovic playing aggressively against a Federer who most agree was in the last year of his true peak. Additionally AO 2011 and AO 2008 also fit the bill, high quality 3 setters. AO '11 is a really underrated match actually. Quality in that one is quite good.

USO 2010/2015 are overrated. The match quality was pretty poor overall.

ATP finals 2012 was cool, IW 2014 and Canada ‘07 are cool as well in Bo3 format. Shanghai 2014 is worth a watch too, brutal stuff from Federer.

 

[BGod]

With everything considered, it's really hard to argue against this match. I mean in all seriousness, both players' physical strength, the quality of play and the score line. Obvious negative would be Federer abject choking with the 4th set just not being as good as the others.

For their Bo3 meetings the following are all top tier:
2018 Paris
2014 IW
2007 Canada
2007 Dubai

 

[Hitman]

Yes, this would have to be their definitive epic match on hard court. The shotmaking at times was absurd.

 

[Amen786]

With everything considered, it's really hard to argue against this match. I mean in all seriousness, both players' physical strength, the quality of play and the score line. Obvious negative would be Federer abject choking with the 4th set just not being as good as the others.

For their Bo3 meetings the following are all top tier:
2018 Paris
2014 IW
2007 Canada
2007 Dubai

2018 paris was really very low quality from both

 

[BGod]

2018 paris was really very low quality from both

How exactly so? I've watched the match twice, once live and then replay without ads. I mean you're saying "really very low quality" and I just don't see it.

 

[Hitman]

2018 paris was really very low quality from both

No. It was far better than their Cincy 2018 final. Of course not their best match, but not the pits either.

 

[Amen786]

No. It was far better than their Cincy 2018 final. Of course not their best match, but not the pits either.

Bettter in than Cincinnati for sure, but both players were good only for patches, serve only to be fair.
Federer wasn't hitting with full power, nole was also compromised in some ways and not converted any break chances whatsoever

 

[MeatTornado]

Canada 07 & 10 are usually the first two that come to mind when I hear this.

 

[Breakpointerer]

Apart from that, Canada 07,10 are good, WTF 2012 was cool. AO11 was a straight setter but a high quality match regardless. IW 2014 and Shanghai 2014 are both ones I'm fond of.

 

[RS]

Nah it was Federer in his 7th best USO.

 

[Kralingen]

Nah it was Federer in his 7th best USO.

Glad to have you back lol

 

[UnforcedTerror]

2018 paris was really very low quality from both

Lol what!! It was one of their best. A classic.

 

[Amen786]

Nah it was Federer in his 7th best USO.

And still managed to have match points over the Djokovic in his best us open.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I'm actually going to pick a match where Djokovic won, and it was that moment I thought, "wow, he's gonna be a really good player!" I thought he might win 3-6 majors (great prognostication). He beat peak Fed who was playing exceptionally well in Canada in 2007 - extremely high quality match from both guys:

 

[Amen786]

I'm actually going to pick a match where Djokovic won, and it was that moment I thought, "wow, he's gonna be a really good player!" I thought he might win 3-6 majors (great prognostication). He beat peak Fed who was playing exceptionally well in Canada in 2007 - extremely high quality match from both guys:

High quality what the hell?
Federer made about 50 unforced errors in this match.

 

[Third Serve]

Canada Masters 2007 and 2010 should be up there as well.

Basel 2009 and 2010 are also good shouts.

 

[mike danny]

Canada Masters 2007 and 2010 should be up there as well.

Basel 2009 and 2010 are also good shouts.

At that time I wasn't surprised but after everything that's happened since, I'm genuinely surprised Fed pulled off that close win at 2010 Canada. That was probably the last time he won a BO3 match vs Djokovic when the score was that tight.

 

[gjm127]

I feel USO 2010 should be up there as well without the 20+ Fed forehand shanks in the 5th. Otherwise, clearly Canada 2007.

 

[N01E]

USO 2015 was probably fun to watch if you weren't big 3 fan with fedr playing like a madman, rushing to the net, trying to take the ball as early as possible to avoid getting pushed back and Novak constantly having to pass under pressure.
USO 2011 is probably my favourite, but in BO3 it would have to go to this one:

 

[-NN-]

You made a good choice.

 

[King No1e]

2010 was more drama but 2011 had the better quality.

 

[Pheasant]

My favorite Oldererer vs Oldovic match is the 2019 WTF round robin match. For a wheel chair match, this was entertaining.

 

[Djokodal Fan]

Those FH to FH exchanges that fed and Novak had were top class hard hitting tennis. That's some brutal shot making at its best. Federer was friggin genius and Novak stayed so strong . That was definitely epic match.

It's not the longest match, but definitely heart pounding. If anyone says Djokovic plays better than 2011, they are simply blind. What a spell binding experience it was to watch it live.

 

[-NN-]

I have always said this match was insane. Vicious shotmaking at a tremendous pace.

 

[Pheasant]

2011 USO semi is untouchable. It's their GOAT match, even though my guy lost

 

[ForehandRF]

Or you have some other candidates?

This Fed on this particular match should be higher regarded when it comes to his pure level.It's remarcable that Fed at that point could hold on so well vs peak Djokovic and that on a slower USO than usual and with an 'obsolete' racket.Such a shame he didn't crossed the finish line

 

[aman92]

Yes even watching it live you knew it was historic as it unfolded, the ending just confirmed it. One of the few non Nadal matches I have watched multiple times

 

[socallefty]

I’m partial to the 2014/2015 Indian Wells finals because I was in the stadium with my jaw dropping at the quality of shot-making and movement from both players playing from close to or within the baseline. It was like looking watching a video game version of tennis because they were both blasting the ball while taking it early on the rise and I don‘t know how they had time to run to the ball and play defense.

 

[BeatlesFan]

High quality what the hell?
Federer made about 50 unforced errors in this match.

Fed hit 45 winners to 41 UE's. He always has more UE's than his opponent because he's much more aggressive and goes for more. In contrast, Djoker hit 22 winners to 21 UE's because he played more cautiously. Fed also made an astounding 78% on his first serves.

I don't know what you're complaining about, I just watched the entire match again on DVD. It was extremely high quality from both and this was peak Fed and baby Djokovic. Stats back that up:

http://www.tennisabstract.com/charting/20070812-M-Canada_Masters-F-Novak_Djokovic-Roger_Federer.html

 

[Rosstour]

Given that this is TTW we can immediately disqualify any match Federer actually won.

 

[Jaitock1991]

Or you have some other candidates?

But the average height of the top 10 is higher today bro. So of course tennis is better.

 

[zvelf]

I'm actually going to pick a match where Djokovic won, and it was that moment I thought, "wow, he's gonna be a really good player!" I thought he might win 3-6 majors (great prognostication). He beat peak Fed who was playing exceptionally well in Canada in 2007 - extremely high quality match from both guys:

This is an excellent choice. I can't say it's better than the 2011 USO semi, but easily among their best matches. To reach that Montreal final, Djokovic had to beat Nadal in the semis and Roddick in the quarters.

 

[Amen786]

At that time I wasn't surprised but after everything that's happened since, I'm genuinely surprised Fed pulled off that close win at 2010 Canada. That was probably the last time he won a BO3 match vs Djokovic when the score was that tight.

2014 Dubai?
I watched that one live as a kid (okay, teen)

 

[Amen786]

I feel USO 2010 should be up there as well without the 20+ Fed forehand shanks in the 5th. Otherwise, clearly Canada 2007.

How do one remove shanks?

 

[Amen786]

Those FH to FH exchanges that fed and Novak had were top class hard hitting tennis. That's some brutal shot making at its best. Federer was friggin genius and Novak stayed so strong . That was definitely epic match.

It's not the longest match, but definitely heart pounding. If anyone says Djokovic plays better than 2011, they are simply blind. What a spell binding experience it was to watch it live.

Yes.
Leave aside the zoned 2011 Novak, even 2011 federer would simply destroy the today's field to pieces, especially youngsters.
The quality, the willingness to go for shots, the touch, the skills, anticipation wowwww

 

[Amen786]

2011 USO semi is untouchable. It's their GOAT match, even though my guy lost

Well, our guy has lost atleast 5 most important matches of his carrier from double match points.
Australia open 2005

Rome masters 2006

Usa open 2011

Wimbledon 2019

Indian wells 2018

Inshallah I wish he didn't have this brain malfunctioning issues when having the finish line in sight on historical moments.....

 

[Amen786]

Fed hit 45 winners to 41 UE's. He always has more UE's than his opponent because he's much more aggressive and goes for more. In contrast, Djoker hit 22 winners to 21 UE's because he played more cautiously. Fed also made an astounding 78% on his first serves.

I don't know what you're complaining about, I just watched the entire match again on DVD. It was extremely high quality from both and this was peak Fed and baby Djokovic. Stats back that up:

http://www.tennisabstract.com/charting/20070812-M-Canada_Masters-F-Novak_Djokovic-Roger_Federer.html

I always thought that Djokovic played a lot more aggressively when it mattered the most in the Canadian masters shield final.
And yes while i agree federer makes errors more because he take risks more, he was usually not this tight in errors versus winners ratio & certainly not in terms of closing out sets when he was in his prime in finals.(Australia 2005, atp finals 2005 & Usa 2009 only exceptions in terms of big finale)

 

[Djokodal Fan]

Yes.
Leave aside the zoned 2011 Novak, even 2011 federer would simply destroy the today's field to pieces, especially youngsters.
The quality, the willingness to go for shots, the touch, the skills, anticipation wowwww

I agree 2011 Fed would destroy meddy like he is no entity. Probably would be a straight set beatdown. Imagine the plight of others

 

[Third Serve]

I’m partial to the 2014/2015 Indian Wells finals because I was in the stadium with my jaw dropping at the quality of shot-making and movement from both players playing from close to or within the baseline. It was like looking watching a video game version of tennis because they were both blasting the ball while taking it early on the rise and I don‘t know how they had time to run to the ball and play defense.

ok yeah those are good mentions. I can't remember the 2015 one as much so I often get it mixed up with 2014, but I do think 2014 might have been the better one between the two.

 

[socallefty]

ok yeah those are good mentions. I can't remember the 2015 one as much so I often get it mixed up with 2014, but I do think 2014 might have been the better one between the two.

Federer was competitive till the end in 2014 with the third set being close. In 2015, Federer was competitive for two sets, but Djokovic was in BOAT form, went to a higher unachievable gear in the third set and Federer couldn’t stay with him after that. So, 2014 was better in terms of being competitive, but the 2015 final will be the match I remember as seeing the highest level of tennis live I’ve ever seen in more than 25 years of going to ATP tournaments. Djokovic pretty much did that to all his opponents for a 18 month period where no one could stay with him till the end except for a couple of losses like Wawa at RG and Fed in Cincinnati.

 

[Kralingen]

Dubai 2007 was also pretty cool, especially the 2nd set. I somehow found the full match on youtube awhile back.

Definitely think that was the turning point in Djokovic's career in hindsight. from boy to man, essentially. He wasn't ready at AO 07 but faced Fed again a few weeks later and took a high quality 2nd set from him. If I could pinpoint one match to say when Djokovic became a Slam contending level player it would be that one. Went on to IW finals and wins Miami in the next month, and as they say the rest is history.

I really like peak/prime fed vs. young Djokovic matches tbh. the dynamics are very interesting and I'm well aware of how mid-10s Djokovic played an aging Fed so they feel fresher and unique to watch.

I just wish the video quality was better.

 

[T007]

Well, our guy has lost atleast 5 most important matches of his carrier from double match points.
Australia open 2005

Rome masters 2006

Usa open 2011

Wimbledon 2019

Indian wells 2018

Inshallah I wish he didn't have this brain malfunctioning issues when having the finish line in sight on historical moments.....

You forgot the 2009 USO Final and 2016 wimbledon SFs

 

[Amen786]

You forgot the 2009 USO Final and 2016 wimbledon SFs

No match points but Certainly winnable matches

 

[Sudacafan]

Try convincing any rational person that today's tennis is better than that of this video.

That’s so easy. We should try convincing irrational persons.