Djokovic answers question on who is better between Roger and Rafa

[pj80]

 

[MichaelNadal]

He better slay

#GOATovic #Truthovic

 

[Jonesy]

Rafa was the answer, but the grass in that match was terrible. They should have made more matches like that.

 

[NAS]

As usual great interview

 

[NAS]

He better slay

#GOATovic #Truthovic

Rafa was fantastic in that match

 

[The Blond Blur]

 

[Kralingen]

“The more discussion there is around the Big 3, the GOAT discussion, etc. the better”

Surely this quote should mean we need to stop having GOAT debates just to spite Novak, yes?

 

[pj80]

“The more discussion there is around the Big 3, the GOAT discussion, etc. the better”

Surely this quote should mean we need to stop having GOAT debates just to spite Novak, yes?

good luck with that

 

[SinneGOAT]

He better slay

#GOATovic #Truthovic

I never understood that match. It’s obvious who ever is on clay has the advantage. They are hitting onto the grass court, with the grass being low bounce, fast, and not great for spin, while the ball that comes off of the grass side is much slower once it hits the clay. Though cool concept.

 

[GabeT]

So the journalists who follow this as their job tell Novak that this tournament is mostly about what he is going after (#21 and CYGS) yet TTW tells me no one cares about what Novak does

 

[JustMy2Cents]

I thought he'll faffle and skirt around the issue with inane generalities like 'both are awesome'.
but good for him, he came out with a definitive answer and with his reasoning behind it too!!
Bravo!

and the quip about 'neutral surface'.... ice/water was really funny

 

[MichaelNadal]

Rafa was fantastic in that match

It was truly epic af. Tennis needs stuff like this now.

I never understood that match. It’s obvious who ever is on clay has the advantage. They are hitting onto the grass court, with the grass being low bounce, fast, and not great for spin, while the ball that comes off of the grass side is much slower once it hits the clay. Though cool concept.

Did they not switch back and forth? Lol

 

[JustMy2Cents]

Did have a feeling that Djoko gets along better with Rafa than Roger.
In 2011, he said to Rafa, 'for me you are the greatest ever'

 

[JustMy2Cents]

It was truly epic af. Tennis needs stuff like this now.



Did they not switch back and forth? Lol

they changed their shoes at every switch... that was a horror
Full match here:

 

[MichaelNadal]

they changed their shoes at every switch... that was a horror Full match here:

I was only 21

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

'GOAT discussions are good for the sport' : Egg 2021

 

[Spencer Gore]

So the answer was Rafa. Djokovic is definitely a student of the game.

 

[Tennisfan339]

'GOAT discussions are good for the sport' : Egg 2021

That photo looks doctored.

 

[MichaelNadal]

That photo looks doctored.

I wish it wasn't

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I never understood that match. It’s obvious who ever is on clay has the advantage. They are hitting onto the grass court, with the grass being low bounce, fast, and not great for spin, while the ball that comes off of the grass side is much slower once it hits the clay. Though cool concept.

They each played on both sides and Rafa won

 

[Raul_SJ]

and the quip about 'neutral surface'.... ice/water was really funny

Our Djoker is very witty... Still not clear what the clueless reporter meant by a "neutral surface".

 

[SteffiGoat]

Novak > Rafa > Roger

 

[PilotPete]

I wonder why he started laughing after saying the winner of that special match is better.

 

[socallefty]

Why does Novak have to bring up some exhibition match to state that he thinks Rafa is better? If he thinks Rafa is better, just say it without going through contortions to justify it. He should have said that he is better than both of them and does it matter who is #2 or #3 behind him? He should have also asked what in hell is a neutral surface.

 

[Oceans II]

I think Nole and Rafa both deep down know that each other are better than Federer from observing past comments, body language, etc. They obviously keep it pc and respectful for the media.

 

[Spencer Gore]

Novak > Rafa > Roger

Is the correct answer.

 

[Spencer Gore]

Greatest of the 21st Century

1. Stretch Armstrong
2. The Balding Bull
3. The Mayor of Shanksville

 

[Raul_SJ]

He better slay

#GOATovic #Truthovic

Clever idea but not really interested in watching that half clay half grass court match. Too weird. Real tennis must be played on a single surface

 

[Raul_SJ]

I think Nole and Rafa both deep down know that each other are better than Federer from observing past comments, body language, etc. They obviously keep it pc and respectful for the media.

Even the egomaniacal Fed also deep down must know they are both better than him. He can't be that delusional.

 

[victorcruz]

Clever idea but not really interested in watching that half clay half grass court match. Too weird. Real tennis must be played on a single surface

You must be fun at parties.

It was an exho... but they both went all out. We should respect their showmanship and ability to entertain even when nothing is at stake.

 

[Raul_SJ]

It was an exho... but they both went all out.

Too gimmicky.
The fact that Djoker does not even know who won that match says it all. Match proved nothing.

 

[Spencer Gore]

Even the egomaniacal Fed also deep down must know they are both better than him. He can't be that delusional.

I think constantly losing to both of them at the slams probably gave him a clue.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Rafa hit heights neither of the other big 3 could dream of.

 

[Hitman]

Rafa hit heights neither of the other big 3 could dream of.

Like most weeks at number two?

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Like most weeks at number two?

Like 13 titles at one slam.
Beating Federer in 3 of 4 slam finals in Federer's prime.

 

[Hitman]

Like 13 titles at one slam.
Beating Federer in 3 of 4 slam finals in Federer's prime.

How about a double career slam? How about all masters titles twice? How about at least five titles at three different slams?

You make it sound like only Nadal has records the others don't, there are records they have that Nadal doesn't either. That is why they are considered equals, it all balances out in the end as it stands.

Djokovic beat Nadal three slam finals in a row during Nadal's prime also in case you forgot.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

How about a double career slam? How about all masters titles twice? How about at least five titles at three different slams?

You make it sound like only Nadal has records the others don't, there are records they have that Nadal doesn't either. That is why they are considered equals, it all balances out in the end as it stands.

Djokovic beat Nadal three slam finals in a row during Nadal's prime also in case you forgot.

I did not forget. But beating 2011 Rafa is not quite the same as beating Federer 2008/9.

Also, of course Djokovic achieved those feats in his weak as era.

 

[Hitman]

I did not forget. But beating 2011 Rafa is not quite the same as beating Federer 2008/9.

Also, of course Djokovic achieved those feats in his weak as era.

That is your opinion. The records will show three slam wins in a row by Djokovic over Nadal.

I mean you are obviously excusing the fact that Federer had a bad back in the AO 2009 event that impacted his serving, I mean, if you are excusing that, then I think we can give a little to Nadal losing the AO 2012 in six hours when he looked just fine and it was Djokovic who was coming in with less day rest and having gone 5 hours with Murray.

Your opinion of what is weak era or not does not show in the records, it shows numbers, wins, loss, titles.

How many of the 13 slams won by Nadal were in these weak era periods? But yeah, lets give him the 13 slams, despite the fact he won them against the same field.

 

[Azure]

Rafa hit heights neither of the other big 3 could dream of.

My personal opinion too. I mean the level of playing I have seen - not the titles, records or streaks. Peak Rafa on clay is the best thing I have seen in tennis.

 

[RaulRamirez]

I wonder why he started laughing after saying the winner of that special match is better.

Because he knows that you can't distill entire careers down to a single match - especially an exhibition/novelty match.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

That is your opinion. The records will show three slam wins in a row by Djokovic over Nadal.

I mean you are obviously excusing the fact that Federer had a bad back in the AO 2009 event that impacted his serving, I mean, if you are excusing that, then I think we can give a little to Nadal losing the AO 2012 in six hours when he looked just fine and it was Djokovic who was coming in with less day rest and having gone 5 hours with Murray.

Your opinion of what is weak era or not does not show in the records, it shows numbers, wins, loss, titles.

How many of the 13 slams won by Nadal were in these weak era periods? But yeah, lets give him the 13 slams, despite the fact he won them against the same field.

Not quite the same field. He had to beat Federer at his peak for a few of them.

 

[Hitman]

Not quite the same field. He had to beat Federer at his peak for a few of them.

Lets clear this up for you.

You said 13 RG titles....Now tell me, did he win ALL 13 RG titles by going through peak Fed, or maybe, just maybe he inflated his numbers in the same way you are accusing Djokovic of inflating his numbers and records.

Please drop the double standards, they all have inflated their numbers over the course of their careers by exposing periods of weaker compeition. Nadal had his 2010 season also. Just pointing to Djokovic being the only one who should have his records questioned is brutally unfair when the others did the same thing.

 

[Rudiiii]

That is your opinion. The records will show three slam wins in a row by Djokovic over Nadal.

I mean you are obviously excusing the fact that Federer had a bad back in the AO 2009 event that impacted his serving, I mean, if you are excusing that, then I think we can give a little to Nadal losing the AO 2012 in six hours when he looked just fine and it was Djokovic who was coming in with less day rest and having gone 5 hours with Murray.

Your opinion of what is weak era or not does not show in the records, it shows numbers, wins, loss, titles.

How many of the 13 slams won by Nadal were in these weak era periods? But yeah, lets give him the 13 slams, despite the fact he won them against the same field.

@Devtennis01 is akwardly biased againts Djokovic, you can tell from his recent comments during RG, Wimbly and USO, wasn't on this site before so not sure if he became hater after Djokovic came closer to equalling slam tally. And he must comment on every post about Djoker, if he doesn't know what to say, he just writes "ok"

 

[Deleted member 771911]

@Devtennis01 is akwardly biased againts Djokovic, you can tell from his recent comments during RG, Wimbly and USO, wasn't on this site before so not sure if he became hater after Djokovic equalled slam tally. And he must comment on every post about Djoker, if he doesn't know what to say, he just writes "ok"

Ok

 

[Hitman]

@Devtennis01 is akwardly biased againts Djokovic, you can tell from his recent comments during RG, Wimbly and USO, wasn't on this site before so not sure if he became hater after Djokovic came closer to equalling slam tally. And he must comment on every post about Djoker, if he doesn't know what to say, he just writes "ok"

I know he is not exactly pro Djokovic, but he is a reasonable poster overall.

 

[Rudiiii]

I am exposed!

Literally this, dude you are probably one of those who pay ticket just to boo Djokovic, argues the most in Goat disquasions, and then says chill whatever idc about that stuff

 

[Rudiiii]

I know he is not exactly pro Djokovic, but he is a reasonable poster overall.

Yes, I agree about that, he is much more knowledgeable in tennis then me, 21 yo guy, but if you attack Nadal, he goes nuts

 

[The Fedfather]

I bet Federer would be better on ice, but water goes to Rafa

Octobrina, if you see this, It's a joke. And capybaras are adorable, actually.

Really though, we know opinions will be different, and Djokovic previously said that Nadal was his greateat rival. I'd note, however, that when Novak basically said Rafa was better, it was in a joking manner. Highlighted by how quickly his demeanor changed when the journalist wanted him to elaborate "How?", as Novak understood that his answer is being taken seriously.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Too gimmicky.
The fact that Djoker does not even know who won that match says it all. Match proved nothing.

He knows

 

[Sunny014]

Federer's ABSOLUTE peak ended in 2007 and in 2007 Fed's age was same as Nadal's in 2012 and we all know that 2013 onwards Nadal declined a lot.

Anyway, only Safin and Nadal (on clay) have defeated the absolute peak federer.

Nadal has beaten Prime Federer at AO, FO and W.
Federer has beaten Prime Rafa at AO, W ..... never faced at USO but Fed would have beaten him in 2011 and also after 2016 if they played at USO, but they never did.