Djokovic has his plan set clear for tomorrow

Mike Sams

G.O.A.T.
The words Nole and aggressive don't belong in the same sentence. Guy has always been a defensive retriever. It would be awesome if he reinvented himself and came out ripping winners, though.
Remember Djokovic vs Federer AO 2016?
 

Mike Sams

G.O.A.T.
This is the wrong plan

If Delpo couldn't punch through Nadal's defenses, seems unlikely that Djokovic could
Aggression doesn't mean trying to bludgeon the opponent and smash through their defenses. You're confused it seems. Besides, there is no real comparison style wise between Djokovic and Del Potro. It's an entirely different matchup that Nadal is facing.
 

BringBackWood

Professional
The Djokovic DTL BH is always key in this matchup. Nadal's high ball usually means he hits it better than against other opponents, but he often seems scared to hit that shot. Nadal can go DTL with his forehand with ease nowadays so Nole has to use that shot and not tentatively.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
Djokovic-Nadal h2h 2014-2016 roflmao
Rafa had major issues in those years. When Rafa had no issues in 2013 their h2h was 4:2 to Rafa and Rafa ended the year as #1. Would you judge Djokovic on his slump period between 2016-2018?

2014
Rafael Nadal to have stem cell treatment on injured back, says doctor..............


Rafael Nadal withdraws from 2014 U.S. Open with right wrist injury ...

Nadal plays through pain barrier despite appendicitis - CNN

US Open 2014: Rafael Nadal's wrist injury hits preparations for ...

Nadal calls time on 2014, to skip tournaments in Paris and London
October 26, 2014 17:25 IST

2015
Rafael Nadal admits nerves and loss of confidence after Miami defeat
• Nadal: I am still playing with too much nerves for a lot of moments


2016
Rafael Nadal ends season early to recover from persistent wrist injury
 
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Badabing888

Hall of Fame
Del Po really should have broken back in the 5th set v Rafa. Those two forehands he had at break point were blown by him. I notice that that match was same length as when Djokovic beat Del Po back in 2013 semi ie both around 4 and 3/4 hours. So let’s see how much puff Rafa has after such a physically and mentally draining match to then back it up against an ATG. As Novak didn’t have quite the same intensity v Murray in the final.

Rafa is a physical beast, but still I would be surprised if the Del Po match didn’t have some effect on him.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
Del Po really should have broken back in the 5th set v Rafa. Those two forehands he had at break point were blown by him. I notice that that match was same length as when Djokovic beat Del Po back in 2013 semi ie both around 4 and 3/4 hours. So let’s see how much puff Rafa has after such a physically and mentally draining match to then back it up against an ATG. As Novak didn’t have quite the same intensity v Murray in the final.

Rafa is a physical beast, but still I would be surprised if the Del Po match didn’t have some effect on him.

Delpo puts up a good fight nearly everytime (even though admittedly I certainly didn't expect him to this time around) but usually lacks a bit of that extra mental toughness to actually win these type of matches. The only time he held his nerve completely was 2009 USO.

Delpo match did took a lot from Novak in 2013 (granted, Murray might have won anyway, he was in great form and matches-up well against Novak on grass) but Nadal was always much better at recovering from tough matches than Novak (or anyone in this era really), you'd have to go back to Borg to find someone who's Nadal physical equal in that regard. I expect him to move like a gazelle today against Novak.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
Usually when players openly state they have a plan, they get punched in the face.

You're confusing him with Thiem. He didn't really say he has a plan (the title is a bit misleading) just that he he has played him a lot so he know what he needs to do and that he has to loosen up his hand (be aggressive) because Nadal always makes you hit the extra shot.
 
D

Deleted member 77403

Guest
Rafa had major issues in those years. When Rafa had no issues in 2013 their h2h was 4:2 to Rafa and Rafa ended the year as #1. Would you judge Djokovic on his slump period between 2016-2018?

2014
Rafael Nadal to have stem cell treatment on injured back, says doctor..............


Rafael Nadal withdraws from 2014 U.S. Open with right wrist injury ...

Nadal plays through pain barrier despite appendicitis - CNN

US Open 2014: Rafael Nadal's wrist injury hits preparations for ...

Nadal calls time on 2014, to skip tournaments in Paris and London
October 26, 2014 17:25 IST

2015
Rafael Nadal admits nerves and loss of confidence after Miami defeat
• Nadal: I am still playing with too much nerves for a lot of moments


2016
Rafael Nadal ends season early to recover from persistent wrist injury

H2H was 3-3 in 2013, not 4-2....
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Rafa had major issues in those years. When Rafa had no issues in 2013 their h2h was 4:2 to Rafa and Rafa ended the year as #1. Would you judge Djokovic on his slump period between 2016-2018?

2014
Rafael Nadal to have stem cell treatment on injured back, says doctor..............


Rafael Nadal withdraws from 2014 U.S. Open with right wrist injury ...

Nadal plays through pain barrier despite appendicitis - CNN

US Open 2014: Rafael Nadal's wrist injury hits preparations for ...

Nadal calls time on 2014, to skip tournaments in Paris and London
October 26, 2014 17:25 IST

2015
Rafael Nadal admits nerves and loss of confidence after Miami defeat
• Nadal: I am still playing with too much nerves for a lot of moments


2016
Rafael Nadal ends season early to recover from persistent wrist injury
Load of excuses. This isn't just a bad patch, it was complete ownage for 3 full years.
 

kevaninho

Hall of Fame
Im sure Djokovic had a plan in Rome also. It really just depends where his game is at whether he can execute or not.
When they are both top of their game, Djokovic is favourite on anything but clay IMO, but I don't think hes at his best right now, whereas Nadal has actually looked better here than he did in RG in my opinion ( as crazy as that sounds ).
What I mean by that, is that he wasn't as mind blowing at RG as 2017, but his grass form is way up on last year ( even though he was good last year too ).
I think confidence matters more to Nadal, and with the recent wins over Novak ( albeit a less than perfect Novak ), he will be feeling very confident.
Djokovic has to shake Nadal early, and make him doubt himself. If Nadal gets ahead, I feel its only going to go one way.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
They should have put Isner/Anderson on court 1 and Nadal/Djokovic on CC both starting at 1 pm. What if the 5th set go to 68:70?
 
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