Djokovic Fans: do you want him to go to Olympics or focus on the USO?

[T007]

Fair enough.....just that going all out for a possible CYGS seems definitely more important.

Ok I would say he has more chances to win olympics then at the USO. Specially when most of the top players are skipping it.

If he skips olympics and Loses in USO ...then he may regret this decision may be for the rest of his career.

So its all about making Key decisions and making it prove right with results.

 

[Shu-Pak]

I would 100000% want him in the Olympics. Lot's of players pulling out. The field is weaker. Good opportunity for Nole here.

Also, judging by his reaction when he got beat by Del Potro in Rio 2016, I think he wants the Gold BADLY! You can see how much it meant to him and his country.

 

[Sorry_to_tell_you_mate]

Okay you're officially very very stupid. Sorry to tell you mate!

I see you just run out of arguments.

 

[Sorry_to_tell_you_mate]

The 2020 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXII Olympiad.

Olympiad - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

A modern Olympiad refers to a four-year period beginning January 1 of the year the Olympic Summer Games are normally held. The first modern Olympiad began January 1, 1896, the second January 1, 1900, and so on (the 32nd began January 1, 2020: see the Olympic Charter

It doesn't matter what year the actual Summer games are held ... they are still referred to as being the games of a specific Olympiad. (And there is only ONE Summer games held during each Olympiad!)

So on that basis, any player who wins the Olympic Gold in Tennis can achieve the Golden Slam by winning the Grand Slam in any of the years of the Olympiad in which they achieved the Gold Medal And if you believe that, you probably believe Rios is the GOAT.

Seriously though, a Golden Slam (also known as a Golden Grand Slam), is defined as winning all four Major Titles and the Olympic Gold Medal IN THE SAME CALENDAR YEAR! There is no condition stipulating that the Olympic Games must be conducted in an exact four year cycle, just that only one Summer games is conducted during each Olympiad.

So, in a hypothetical scenario in which 5 or more slams are played in the same calendar year (because they got canceled the year before), any player could complete the calendar grand slam just by winning 4 out of 5 or 6 slams. Sure, great logic!

 

[myth]

I would rest and focus on the USO.

 

[coupergear]

First, for Nadal clay is his safe area. He has always used it to build. So when he loses at RG it's a bad sign.

I always start with stats because they alert us to facts. One place to start is games, because it's all about winning games. Rafa has about an 85% average for winning serve on clay. So you want to check that figure, but also check points vs breaks. Like in 2009 he was at 85% with 66% of points but 64% of breaks saved. That's not too much worse than average, because that figure generally runs around 1% lower for saving.

2010 that went to 91%, absolutely ridiculously high for clay. Why? 69% of points, high, but 77% of breaks saved, which is almost impossible. 57% of points for the year on clay. That's impossible to beat.

This year he only won 81% of his service games. But 39% of his return games. 54% of points, horribly low for him.

Last year he won 59% of points, which is just so high it's stupid.

When he has to work so hard to win serve, doesn't that point to a huge extra level of energy to hold? And doesn't that rob him of energy to break? I know people keep talking about movement, but he's a better tactical player now. All the aging players are. They know how to win. So either he has the yips, and it's just in his head, or he has lost form (which could be corrected) or he is compensating for an injury. I think it's the latter. We don't know till later because he and his team will not reveal what is going on unless he chooses not to play, which may happen.

I don't know, I think Rafa is probably the least tactical of the big 3, and stlll brute forces his way through matches, relying on his massive FH and supreme court coverage. He doggedly runs down all balls, hustles and works like no other. With things like his super deep return position, he's reluctant to adapt. He also seems unwilling to do any major tweaks to his service motion. For the most part, I agree, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. For many years people said he couldn't sustain his hard charging game, he proved them wrong. I think though, we're finally seeing a dropoff, coming back from Covid--not trim and not moving as well.

To me, the return game dropoff is the biggest indicator. He still stands far back, preferring to just get the ball back in play neutrally, relying on his wheels and big hitting to work the point into his favor against the serve. Now he is struggling there--it's clear he can't have that big space cushion, and expect that he can cover the whole court as in the past and generate as many break opportunities. Also, just eye test, but seems like he gives up on far more balls now than in past--it's like instinctively his body knows it won't get him there, so he'll put on the brakes early.

 

[RF-18]

his chances for CYGS will increase if he skips Olympics. All that energy and especially mental energy will be concentrated on USO. What Djokovic is doing this year will catch up to him in the end, he will hit a brick wall at some point. He needs to be selective.

 

[Ducky Lucky]

Go for Olympics, it is his to lose. Skip one of the Masters and withdraw from the other if it gets too much.

 

[Pandaman]

My final prediction: he will go to Olympics. this has USO '20 vibes to it. Wasn't sure if he was going to go bc of restrictions and no fans, but ultimately made the trip. He'd be 37 next time and the landscape will look a lot different. I wouldnt be surprised if he loses though.

 

[Pandaman]

Ok I would say he has more chances to win olympics then at the USO. Specially when most of the top players are skipping it.

If he skips olympics and Loses in USO ...then he may regret this decision may be for the rest of his career.

So its all about making Key decisions and making it prove right with results.

Why do you think that? He had tough roads and circumstances in AO and FO and came out on top. USO probably will be his hardest draw yet. You got Thiem dropping out of the top 4 and Berry moving up to #8 as two dangerous QF opponents, and Nadal in danger of dropping to #4.

 

[daddy]

He's so dominant that realistically he han bring home the olympics, the USO and the WTF. I'd do everything and concentrate on making this 2021 season a definite game changer in the ATG race as Thiem in a non contender ( only younger player with a slam ), Roger & Rafa are here, there and about and timing is perfect ( a full month between the games and the USO ).

 

[tsp_207]

I see you just run out of arguments.

And I see you just ran out of rebuttals. Couldn't even be bothered to defend your ludicrous position. An event played in 2021 counts towards your record in 2021. You're an idiot if you don't accept that.

 

[T007]

Why do you think that? He had tough roads and circumstances in AO and FO and came out on top. USO probably will be his hardest draw yet. You got Thiem dropping out of the top 4 and Berry moving up to #8 as two dangerous QF opponents, and Nadal in danger of dropping to #4.

I have a gut feeling that thiem will pull out...His Injury is more serious then it seems. A week ago he said he is not sure of his participation.

 

[Karma Tennis]

So, in a hypothetical scenario in which 5 or more slams are played in the same calendar year (because they got canceled the year before), any player could complete the calendar grand slam just by winning 4 out of 5 or 6 slams.

It's not the same thing ... and you know it!

One Summer Olympic games is scheduled for each Olympiad - not four!

In your hypothetical scenario, if 5 or more Major Titles were played in the same calendar year ... regardless of the reason ... the GRAND SLAM is achieved if a player wins one of each of the four i sthe same calendar year. (IE If you have 2 x AO, 2xRG, 2xWimbledon, 2xUSO in the same calendar year and one player wins all 8 Titles, they have achieved the GRAND SLAM. If two players each win an AO, RG, Wimby and USO then two players achieved the GRAND SLAM. I will let you decide what happens in one player wins all 8 Titles in the same year as to whether they have achieved one GRAND SLAM or two GRAND SLAMS. Personally, I would say two GRAND SLAMS but YMMV)

Either way I don't think your hypothetical relevant to our discussion regarding the Golden Slam because of the "Olympiad" angle. If a Summer games cannot be held in it's given Olympiad, it will either be cancelled completely or it will replace the Summer games already scheduled for the next Olympiad. If it is cancelled completely, then there is no opportunity to achieve a Golden SLAM in that particular Olympiad because it never existed ... or it passed without a Summer games being conducted. Remember, an "Olympiad" simply represents a four year period!

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Unless the Bosnian pyramids are guaranteed to help him play great in 2024, play Tokyo.

 

[sredna42]

Invading Japan is a trap.
USO 100%

 

[RunDatGame]

If there is no crowd allowed, skip Olympics for sure.

 

[vladap]

should skip both and concentrate on La decima...the risk of 3-1 bud is huge IMO

 

[Sorry_to_tell_you_mate]

It's not the same thing ... and you know it!

One Summer Olympic games is scheduled for each Olympiad - not four!

In your hypothetical scenario, if 5 or more Major Titles were played in the same calendar year ... regardless of the reason ... the GRAND SLAM is achieved if a player wins one of each of the four i sthe same calendar year. (IE If you have 2 x AO, 2xRG, 2xWimbledon, 2xUSO in the same calendar year and one player wins all 8 Titles, they have achieved the GRAND SLAM. If two players each win an AO, RG, Wimby and USO then two players achieved the GRAND SLAM. I will let you decide what happens in one player wins all 8 Titles in the same year as to whether they have achieved one GRAND SLAM or two GRAND SLAMS. Personally, I would say two GRAND SLAMS but YMMV)

Either way I don't think your hypothetical relevant to our discussion regarding the Golden Slam because of the "Olympiad" angle. If a Summer games cannot be held in it's given Olympiad, it will either be cancelled completely or it will replace the Summer games already scheduled for the next Olympiad. If it is cancelled completely, then there is no opportunity to achieve a Golden SLAM in that particular Olympiad because it never existed ... or it passed without a Summer games being conducted. Remember, an "Olympiad" simply represents a four year period!

I don't agree, it's easier to win 4 out of 8 GS than 4 out of 4. it wouldn't be fair to Laver, who won 4 out of 4.
Nice try, though.

 

[Sorry_to_tell_you_mate]

And I see you just ran out of rebuttals. Couldn't even be bothered to defend your ludicrous position. An event played in 2021 counts towards your record in 2021. You're an idiot if you don't accept that.

You are a doughnut and a pelican.

 

[EzekielTennis]

I said this in the other thread, but Djokovic should definitely skip the Olympics. The U.S. Open is more important. Plus, I personally would not be comfortable with this Delta variant. I'm hoping all athletes are able to stay safe.

 

[tsp_207]

You are a doughnut and a pelican.

At least use good insults and I might have an ounce of respect for you.

 

[Ivan Lendl]

He should skip the Olympics because CYGS is much more important now. He shouldn't risk injury or exhaustion while he's entering the crucial part of what could be the historic season.

 

[Karma Tennis]

I don't agree, it's easier to win 4 out of 8 GS than 4 out of 4. it wouldn't be fair to Laver, who won 4 out of 4.

So you think competing over the course of one calendar year in 8 Tournaments (7 x Best of 5 matches) is easier than competing in 4 Tournaments (7 x Best of 5 matches) ?

 

[ibbi]

Chances are if he doesn’t play Olympics he likely plays both 1000s? I don’t know what his schedule says right now. The number 1 mark against the Olympics would be the amount of travel it would add to the schedule, otherwise you just say you prioritize it over the 1000s as your warm up event.

It’s not like he is going to go into New York not playing any tennis, he’s surely going to play somewhere, so why not there? He wants that title, he’s wanted it for a long time, and likely this is his last shot at it.

 

[EzekielTennis]

Chances are if he doesn’t play Olympics he likely plays both 1000s?

I highly doubt Novak will play Indian Wells. That would mean either staying in the U.S. for another month or traveling back to Europe and then back to the U.S. within a month. Seems like a lot. I think he would prefer to rest.

 

[EzekielTennis]

his chances for CYGS will increase if he skips Olympics. All that energy and especially mental energy will be concentrated on USO. What Djokovic is doing this year will catch up to him in the end, he will hit a brick wall at some point. He needs to be selective.

All athletes are required to be in Tokyo five days prior to the start of the their event. Tennis starts on July 24, so we should know in the next few days if he will compete at the Olympics

 

[NAS]

I don't agree, it's easier to win 4 out of 8 GS than 4 out of 4. it wouldn't be fair to Laver, who won 4 out of 4.
Nice try, though.

It is just how defination is defined, last year let say Nole won all three but it was still would not have been called GS , and itf clarified this, that winning all three slam slam will not be called grand slam( even if the year has only three slam).
Unless new rules are made that you have to win all slam that year, till then winning four( out of five ) will do the trick( assuming a year having five slam)

 

[Sorry_to_tell_you_mate]

So you think competing over the course of one calendar year in 8 Tournaments (7 x Best of 5 matches) is easier than competing in 4 Tournaments (7 x Best of 5 matches) ?

Of course, more chances to win as long as they are held several weeks apart.

 

[Pandaman]

My final prediction: he will go to Olympics. this has USO '20 vibes to it. Wasn't sure if he was going to go bc of restrictions and no fans, but ultimately made the trip. He'd be 37 next time and the landscape will look a lot different. I wouldnt be surprised if he loses though.

I AM THE REAL NOSTRADAMUS, @Nostradamus

 

[ChaelAZ]

He needs to go for a medal, or the next time around won't be as favorable. He needs that and may have more opportunities for titles anyway.

 

[Karma Tennis]

Of course, more chances to win as long as they are held several weeks apart.

You qualified your answer. Why would they be held several weeks apart? There is an entire Annual Tennis Tour to consider. (Would not be practical to hold two Australian Opens several weeks apart because of the travel distances involved. In that case, many players would probably only participate in one of them, so you would get a split field.)

The Top Players have clearly demonstrated that the Major Tournaments are very taxing both physically and mentally in the modern game. Very unlikely that a single player would schedule to play all 8 Majors. They might play both of their favoured Tournaments (eg. Novak - AO, Rafa - RG, Roger and Novak - Wimby, Novak and Rafa - USO). Unlikely all of them would play all 8. They struggle to play all 4 let alone 8.

Younger players might be able to survive all 8 Tournaments but it would be a huge ask for any younger player to win four on the four different surfaces.

And remember, the Major Tournaments are two week duration not including training lead-in. So 8 Tournaments is nearly 24 weeks of commitement. That is a huge deal.

 

[uscwang]

So he is going? Based on the video he sent to the birthday boy in Japan.

Well, he and his team should know what's best for him. Who would have thought Belgrade II was the key for his RG success?