Djoke's mental toughness. Is that all it is?

a10best

Hall of Fame
Yes he showed it very well in this match down 4-2 in the 5th, the Murray Semi-final match and against Federer at US Open Semis last year.

Being down 2 sets to 1 to Murray, I knew if Murray let up in the 4th, he would lose it. You just don't give a champion #1 player life. You keep the pedal on.

Being down 2 match points on Federer's serve at US Open he just let it fly, his cross court forehand, and then the pressure built on Federer the next point and he Nole win's the match. These are things to incorporate into your mental game as well as some his choice of shots. Something that Federer used to have against top players in the top moments.

That being said. Congratulations to Novak and his camp. But isn't his girlfriend just an annoying cheerleading &%$*#.

And I agree. He ain't no djoker but he may be a doper. Really, c'mon. He is doping up big time. Maybe he could win tour de france too. Soon enough he'll be Novak Landis or Novak Bonds and lose his Grand Slam titles & have to repay the money. This guy came on the tour tiring out and gasping for air through 3 or 4 set matches to nowadays going back to back 5-setters with no problem. And it is all because of a new fitness program and no gluten. That's BS. We know baseball players, cyclists, football, and some Argentine tennis players did it and were suspended/stripped of titles. I don't understand why his training crew made it so obvious. It will surface.

Nadal, I do not see him as a doper because even when he was 17 he was doing 4 and 5 sets with no problem. All players can get more pop in their serve from changing their mechanics which is not related to stamina. I do see a nice change in Novak's serve which looks natural though. However, the same annoying 10-to-15 second ball bouncing (down from 25 seconds a few yrs ago).

Endurance and stamina is not learned that dramatically, it is enhanced. And surely Nole is getting some performance juice (and it ain't from his annoying girlfriend). Doing an almost 5 hour set with Murray, then close to 6 hours with Nadal 2 days later. No chance. Maybe his bananas are bio-engineered?

Courier mentioned something during a previous post-game match. He said, "You don't breathe through your mouth, you keep it in your nose." Novak tried to ridicule the question knowing that Jim has a clue. Just like big time wall street guys and organized crime, they will try to stay 1 step ahead of the system even though it is illegal until they get caught. Just be like Moulder and believe.

And no, I am not a Nadal fan or Novak fan. Although Yes, it is good tennis. Hell, let em all use PEDs and see who wins then. I give the edge to Federer. This post will probably get ridiculed too.
 
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djokovic2008

Hall of Fame
Yes he showed it very well in the Murray Semi-final match and against Federer at US Open Semis last year.

Being down 2 sets to 1 to Murray, I knew if Murray let up in the 4th, he would lose it. You just don't give a champion #1 player life. You keep the pedal on.

Being down 2 match points on Federer's serve at US Open he just let it fly, his cross court forehand, and then the pressure built on Federer the next point and he Nole win's the match. These are things to incorporate into your mental game as well as some his choice of shots. Something that Federer used to have against top players in the top moments.

That being said. Congratulations to Novak and his camp. But isn't his girlfriend just an annoying cheerleading &%$*#.

And I agree. He ain't no djoker but he may be a doper. Really, c'mon. He is doping up big time. Maybe he could win tour de france too. Soon enough he'll be Novak Landis or Novak Bonds and lose his Grand Slam titles & have to repay the money. This guy came on the tour tiring out and gasping for air through 3 or 4 set matches to nowadays going back to back 5-setters with no problem. And it is all because of a new fitness program and no gluten. That's BS. We know baseball players, cyclists, football, and some Argentine tennis players did it and were suspended/stripped of titles. I don't understand why his training crew made it so obvious. It will surface.

Nadal, I do not see him as a doper because even when he was 17 he was doing 4 and 5 sets with no problem. All players can get more pop in their serve from changing their mechanics which is not related to stamina. I do see a nice change in Novak's serve which looks natural though. However, the same annoying 10-to-15 second ball bouncing (down from 25 seconds a few yrs ago).

Endurance and stamina is not learned that dramatically, it is enhanced. And surely Nole is getting some performance juice (and it ain't from his annoying girlfriend). Doing an almost 5 hour set with Murray, then close to 6 hours with Nadal 2 days later. No chance. Maybe his bananas are bio-engineered?

Courier mentioned something during a previous post-game match. He said, "You don't breathe through your mouth, you keep it in your nose." Novak tried to ridicule the question knowing that Jim has a clue. Just like big time wall street guys and organized crime, they will try to stay 1 step ahead of the system even though it is illegal until they get caught. Just be like Moulder and believe.

And no, I am not a Nadal fan or Novak fan. Although Yes, it is good tennis. Hell, let em all use PEDs and see who wins then. I give the edge to Federer then. This post will probably get ridiculed too.




Please get a clue, this is a tennis forum if you want to talk about drugs got to your local chemist. This thread really does not not deserve an intelligent response.
 

a10best

Hall of Fame
His true "tennis" performance is in question. I never mentioned a chemical and you are obviously someone who cannot be objective by judging your handle/username. Use a better command of English instead of teenager street expressions like "get a clue" and spelling.

Let's get back to what an online forum is. It is a place for discussion. If "you" ,djokovic2008 fan, are not interested in this thread, you simply do not reply and let others do so.
 
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rossi46

Professional
Yeah his girlfriend can be annoying, but that is a BONE of contention which I would kindly give her.

In terms of the doping, you are 100% correct. Something is definitely going on, I don't buy that gluten garbage. How can anyone keep up that level of intensity (11 hours in total) with only a day's rest ???


Anyone who thinks otherwise is either naive, delusional, 10 years of age
Or desparately wants to clean Novak's pipe.
 

FlamEnemY

Hall of Fame
You can bet that if even one of them is doping, then all of them are. There is no middle ground, especially on the top, where everyone has the resources to get some hi-tech "stuff" that probably isn't illegal as of now.
 

djokovic2008

Hall of Fame
His true "tennis" performance is in question. I never mentioned a chemical and you are obviously someone who cannot be objective by judging your handle/username. Use a better command of English instead of teenager street expressions like "get a clue" and spelling.

Let's get back to what an online forum is. It is a place for discussion. If "you" ,djokovic2008 fan, are not interested in this thread, you simply do not reply and let others do so.

Then stop trying to spread nonsense just because you cannot comprehend someone who has increased performance. You have NO FACTUAL evidence therefore I will continue to show distain and lack of respect for your make believe stories.
 

a10best

Hall of Fame
djoke2008, get over it. I guess I will lose some sleep since "you" don't accept it as being a possibility.

It is a sports topic, not only brought up by me, that obviously you have a lot of fear about. People do not need facts when discussing it in a public forum. Will that really ruin the game? It is entertainment. If they all do it to some degree maybe that will help the popularity. These semifinals were great to watch.

I gather you understand why Hingis retired again. I think you will retire from this board if it comes to fruition. why respond to me?

Back it up with "FACTS" that he and/or other top players are not possibly be using PEDs? Djokovic is the only one whose game has risen NOT because of mental toughness but because of his stamina. Sorry, a guy who goes from 3 sets and tired to dominating in extreme heat and humid conditions in 5-setters is not an improvement in gluten & brain power. I've spoken at length with some very high sports science experts (some from P90x) that do have strong doubts with that kind of dramatic turnaround. I have no facts but anybody in a public forum can raise the question.

Is it just your fanatical hope that he is so holy and pure it cannot be. Yeah, I got some fathers from a local church to watch your children one day too.
 
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Towser83

G.O.A.T.
Firstly Novak used to have a lot of 4 or 5 set matches with no problem. At Wimbledon 2007 for instance 20 year old Djokovic had these matches in a row

Delic - 6-3 3-6 6-3 7-6
Kiefer - 7-6 6-7 6-2 7-6 (3h 40 mins)
Hewitt - 7-6 7-6 4-6 7-6 (4h 10 mins)
Baghdatis - 7-6 7-6 6-7 4-6 7-5 (5h 20 mins)

He then went on to win the first set against Nadal before retiring with foot blisters.

At the US Open 2nd round he beat Stepenek 7-6 6-7 7-5 5-7 7-6 (4h 40 mins)and went on to make the final.

He also played the longest masters semi in 2009 Madrid (4 hours for 3 sets) and that year played nearly 100 matches and after retiring in the AO, did not skip any events he was scheduled to play, unlike everyone other top player. He got better at the end of the season, beating Federer to take Basel and Nadal on the way to winning Paris.

Also Nadal in Miami 2005 couldn't last a 5 setter against Federer, but a month or two later he is beating Coria in a final set tiebreak at Rome and outlasting everyone. This is also a guy everyone said would be finsihed by now. This is also a guy that says he never lifts weights... but has been totally ripped from the age of what, 17? younger even? Who the hell has a physique like that in their mid teens without lifting serious amounts of weights? Yet you give him the benefit of the doubt and not Novak... hmmm

By the way, what has breathing through his nose got to do with it? He's always done that, even when he wasn't a superman.

Did you also ever hear of something runners refer to as "the wall"? yes, it's a point in the race where they want to quit, they can't go on with the pain and tiredness they are feeling. However if they have enough willpower, they can battle through it and keep on going and it gets easier. Looking at the times Novak appears tired in the middle of matches these days, I'd say he has improved his mind to battle through the wall and get his second wind. Novak has rarely ever had serious injuries. In my opinion before when he was tired he would let his mind convince him he was finished and he couldn't carry on, instead of sticking it out. In short a lot of his problems were in his head, he was not strong enough mentally to cope with physical discomfort. Now he is.
 
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a10best

Hall of Fame
As I mentioned earlier, I am not Pro-Nadal or Anti-Novak. In fact, I like some things that Novak does within his game a lot better. It's a nicer game than Rafa's for sure. Novak has made some great improvements in his game. It is interesting to see how he and Monfis played for the Wimbledon Jrs titles years ago and how Novak's career has come full circle & blossomed.

And since you have posted facts about Novak's past 5 setters going back 4 to 5 years (and not tiring out) I am now humbled. I just recall many times him retiring and the announcers harping on that fact. The media has hat effect of persuading people with one-sided stories. I appreciate the research. Although, I'd like to get some replies from people who are non-Novak fans, just tennis fans (like me).

I was there at that 05' match in Miami. It is hot and humid as .... there so it is understandable to be gasping. I am not sure how Rome is a month later in early May.


Yeah, Nadal could be as well. So what. If they all do in the end it is still entertaining tennis. The mods can put this thread to rest
 
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Mustard

Bionic Poster
What is undeniable is that Djokovic's stamina levels have gone through the roof since the start of 2011, and it is this that has given him this 7 match winning streak against Nadal. Due to this stamina, Djokovic has rarely been out of position and has been able to dictate the rallies against Nadal with authority. Before 2011, Nadal always had the edge in the intangibles against Djokovic and could outlast him through sheer determination and consistency.
 

djokovic2008

Hall of Fame
djoke2008, get over it. I guess I will lose some sleep since "you" don't accept it as being a possibility.

It is a sports topic, not only brought up by me, that obviously you have a lot of fear about. People do not need facts when discussing it in a public forum. Will that really ruin the game? It is entertainment. If they all do it to some degree maybe that will help the popularity. These semifinals were great to watch.

I gather you understand why Hingis retired again. I think you will retire from this board if it comes to fruition. why respond to me?

Back it up with "FACTS" that he and/or other top players are not possibly be using PEDs? Djokovic is the only one whose game has risen NOT because of mental toughness but because of his stamina. Sorry, a guy who goes from 3 sets and tired to dominating in extreme heat and humid conditions in 5-setters is not an improvement in gluten & brain power. I've spoken at length with some very high sports science experts (some from P90x) that do have strong doubts with that kind of dramatic turnaround. I have no facts but anybody in a public forum can raise the question.

Is it just your fanatical hope that he is so holy and pure it cannot be. Yeah, I got some fathers from a local church to watch your children one day too.



That last sentence was extreme and I could take offence but after seeing some of your posts you obviously have your own synical issues with society. So I guess nadal federer and Murray dope too or is it just djoker lol. I guess the fact that a year and a half ago hiring THOMAS MUSTERS trainer had nothing to do with enhanced stamina and hiring a sports psychologist does not help either.
 

Mustard

Bionic Poster
[/B]

That last sentence was extreme and I could take offence but after seeing some of your posts you obviously have your own synical issues with society. So I guess nadal federer and Murray dope too or is it just djoker lol. I guess the fact that a year and a half ago hiring THOMAS MUSTERS trainer had nothing to do with enhanced stamina and hiring a sports psychologist does not help either.

Gebhard has certainly whipped Novak into shape. He trained the crap out of Thomas back in the 1990s, making him arguably the fittest tennis player of all time.
 

Towser83

G.O.A.T.
As I mentioned earlier, I am not Pro-Nadal or Anti-Novak. In fact, I like some things that Novak does within his game a lot better. It's a nicer game than Rafa's for sure. Novak has made some great improvements in his game. It is interesting to see how he and Monfis played for the Wimbledon Jrs titles years ago and how Novak's career has come full circle & blossomed.

And since you have posted facts about Novak's past 5 setters going back 4 to 5 years (and not tiring out) I am now humbled. I just recall many times him retiring and the announcers harping on that fact. The media has hat effect of persuading people with one-sided stories. I appreciate the research. Although, I'd like to get some replies from people who are non-Novak fans, just tennis fans (like me).

I was there at that 05' match in Miami. It is hot and humid as .... there so it is understandable to be gasping. I am not sure how Rome is a month later in early May.


Yeah, Nadal could be as well. So what. If they all do in the end it is still entertaining tennis. The mods can put this thread to rest

Well thank you for having a look back through the records. I admit it's easy to have this picture of Djokovic as a player unable to last long matches, but there haven't been that many times when he's come apart in a long match really. In fact a lot of his retirements have come in shorter matches, one was even at 6-6 in the first set. The weird thing is that sometimes he's been fine but these sudden losses of stamina or whatever it is have gained a lot of attention so that's stuck with him. I think a huge part is mental, in some ways he may have been a bit of a hypacondriac andjust thought "I'm dying"" at some matches, your mind can have a huge impact on the body - we see this when drug trials use placebos.

I'm not saying Nadal is on anything either, but there have been questions over him too in the past. I said a month or two later as I couldn't really remember how long the gap is, but looking it up it's about 6 weeks.
 

a10best

Hall of Fame
Thanks again Towser. You have a wealth of info.

Djok2008,
Not really. I work with society everyday. My issue is with politicians, ex-wife :) and BS laws being secretly passed.

Back to tennis, yes, you have provided some facts. Thanks.
I remember Muster's reign on clay in the 90s. And as you can see I am not the only who notices an incredible change in Nole's stamina.
I'll let this topic rest as it provides no benefit for me.

BTW, if you have more info or certain drills / techniques that helped Muster [and now Dojokovic], please share. P90x has done wonders but I think any other edge will do us well
 
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