Djokovic is winning the French.

[ForehandCross]

And he might beat Nadal again if need arises.

I haven't been following the forum but it seems it's relatively under the radar that Djokovic who had been playing like a low top 100 player up until Belgrade has almost found his usual level .

This guy is a robot. And he is a pissed at the world kind of robot at present. He probably feels like the most wronged man on the planet right now and with Novak that's when he is at his most dangerous.

And the main reason I am saying that he will win the French is because Nadal's speed is finally gone to the point that he has to be way more aggressive.

And Djokovic proved in 2021 that he can topple a Nadal who has to rely on aggression more.

Alcaraz is ending the season as top 5 or even top 3 but he will fail at the French, even if he doesn't and meets Djokovic, Djokovic will scratch past him. Their match was way too close to be any comfort to Alcaraz.

 

[ForehandCross]

Prediction : Novak will win both the French and Wimbledon again. Medvedev will defend USO.
But from 2023 Big 3 and big 2 will be finally done and gone .

 

[Lleytonstation]

Tiny Carlos not winning any slams in 22? Blasphemy.

 

[ojo rojo]

Tiny Carlos not winning any slams in 22? Blasphemy.

 

[The Blond Blur]

And he might beat Nadal again if need arises.

I haven't been following the forum but it seems it's relatively under the radar that Djokovic who had been playing like a low top 100 player up until Belgrade has almost found his usual level .

This guy is a robot. And he is a pissed at the world kind of robot at present. He probably feels like the most wronged man on the planet right now and with Novak that's when he is at his most dangerous.

And the main reason I am saying that he will win the French is because Nadal's speed is finally gone to the point that he has to be way more aggressive.

And Djokovic proved in 2021 that he can topple a Nadal who has to rely on aggression more.

Alcaraz is ending the season as top 5 or even top 3 but he will fail at the French, even if he doesn't and meets Djokovic, Djokovic will scratch past him. Their match was way too close to be any comfort to Alcaraz.

RAFA was actually really passive in the SF last year. A big reason he lost last year is because his BH lacked depth and pace. In the 2020 F he was cracking it, especially CC. When he tried to go big last year he was dumping most of them into the net.

 

[dapchai]

RAFA was actually really passive in the SF last year. A big reason he lost last year is because his BH lacked depth and pace. In the 2020 F he was cracking it, especially CC. When he tried to go big last year he was dumping most of them into the net.

His BH and serve were a big problem of him throughout last year's clay season. Even FH didn't look great either.

 

[ForehandCross]

RAFA was actually really passive in the SF last year. A big reason he lost last year is because his BH lacked depth and pace. In the 2020 F he was cracking it, especially CC. When he tried to go big last year he was dumping most of them into the net.

I distinctly remember Rafael trying to do what he did in 2020 and that was to blitzkrieg Novak by sheer force. 2020 was a lightning in a bottle moment.

Nadal tried to do it in 2021 and succeeded in frst set but as soon as Djokovic steadied the ship, the cracks began to show. Nadal can no longer grind that easily with Djokovic and when I was thinking of aggression I was thinking of FH, which really didn't work for Nadal and in fact became a target for Djokovic's own BH.

 

[Adv. Edberg]

Djoko will definitely win FO/W. But I think he’s got a good shot at USO again. He’ll be much fresher coming into the American swing this year.

 

[ForehandCross]

Tiny Carlos not winning any slams in 22? Blasphemy.

He is the future,the passing of the torch kind of happened this tourney. 2023 onwards is his.

But I think Nadal and Djokovic will take him at French and he isn't winning Wimbledon. In USO the field is deeper and while he might have a chance, someone like Medvedev or Djokovic or even Nadal makes more sense.

 

[weakera]

USO is ideal for Medvedev's game. Will be a very tough out for anyone there.

 

[ForehandCross]

I must add that this thread assumes that Djokovic doesn't do some Amor Y INSANITY before French and WB. Because he literally has been acting insane all through the year. I would have said that it's as if certain Swiss and Spanish folks have done some black magic on him, but Novak's nutty all by himself.

 

[weakera]

I distinctly remember Rafael trying to do what he did in 2020 and that was to blitzkrieg Novak by sheer force. 2020 was a lightning in a bottle moment.

Nadal tried to do it in 2021 and succeeded in frst set but as soon as Djokovic steadied the ship, the cracks began to show. Nadal can no longer grind that easily with Djokovic and when I was thinking of aggression I was thinking of FH, which really didn't work for Nadal and in fact became a target for Djokovic's own BH.

You really can't pretend 2021 means anything in regards to Nadal's clay game unless you're expecting his foot to destroy his game and knock him out for 6 months again.

 

[ForehandCross]

You really can't pretend 2021 means anything in regards to Nadal's clay game unless you're expecting his foot to destroy his game and knock him out for 6 months again.

But he has been struggling with his injuries throughout the year again if I am right. Even in Australia there were serious doubts about his fitness throughout the tournament. I know it wasn't clay but Med dropped the ball big time, Novak and Carlos and even Stef won't.

 

[weakera]

But he has been struggling with his injuries throughout the year again if I am right. Even in Australia there were serious doubts about his fitness throughout the tournament. I know it wasn't clay but Med dropped the ball big time, Novak and Carlos and even Stef won't.

Rafa took the ball. When he found his range Medvedev had nothing to hurt him with. Agreed that Rafa's body may not hold up at fo, but if it does he's got it.

 

[wangs78]

Djokovic made a lot of unusual errors in his match against Alcaraz. He is past his prime and while he is still a top contender and probably THE top contender for Wimby, it’s not a lock. It’s going to be a very interesting couple of months.

 

[The Blond Blur]

I distinctly remember Rafael trying to do what he did in 2020 and that was to blitzkrieg Novak by sheer force. 2020 was a lightning in a bottle moment.

Nadal tried to do it in 2021 and succeeded in frst set but as soon as Djokovic steadied the ship, the cracks began to show. Nadal can no longer grind that easily with Djokovic and when I was thinking of aggression I was thinking of FH, which really didn't work for Nadal and in fact became a target for Djokovic's own BH.

You’re gonna need to watch it again then, lol. Joker kept hitting short angled CC FH to RAFA’s BH to push him off the court.

Had RAFA been able to replicate what he did in the 2020 F on the BH side then Joker’s strategy wouldn’t have been nearly as effective. RAFA wore out as the match went on, which was why he was so much moar aggressive in 2020. He won a vast majority of the points that were 1-3 and 4-6 shots long that year.

 

[ibbi]

I don't think Nadal needs his speed as much as he needs the sun. If he avoids the Djoko-half, he'll be very happy. If he doesn't, he'll be praying to the lord that Alcaraz goes all the way to the semis because he's the only one box-office enough right now to have a chance going on in primetime over Djokovic and Nadal... Unless some Frenchmen somehow flukes their way there.

But yes, I'd make Djokovic favourite right now too.

 

[Sport]

And the main reason I am saying that he will win the French is because Nadal's speed is finally gone to the point that he has to be way more aggressive.

Yeah, because Djokovic hasn't lost any speed, right? Alcaraz made him look like a zombie. At first, Novak didn't even try to reach his drop shots, but when he finally tried, he could retrieve nothing.

Also, Nasal was far more aggressive in the RG 2020 final than in the RG 2021 SF, and he essily dispatched Novak in 3.

As for the Alcaraz -Djokovic match being close, a key factor was Novak servebotting the adverse break points he faced. In Madrid it is easier to hit aces than in RG, so a fortiori Carlitos will break Novak more easily in Paris. Also, the Nadal-Alcaraz match was also close as well (except the first set). And Nadal won his set far more convincingly than Novak. Nadal won a set 6-1 while Novak won it with the tie-break. Alcaraz' foot was always fine (yes, even in that second set), as proven by how he defeated Nadal, Djokovic and Zverev to win the title.

 

[Sport]

I don't think Nadal needs his speed as much as he needs the sun. If he avoids the Djoko-half, he'll be very happy. If he doesn't, he'll be praying to the lord that Alcaraz goes all the way to the semis because he's the only one box-office enough right now to have a chance going on in primetime over Djokovic and Nadal... Unless some Frenchmen somehow flukes their way there.

But yes, I'd make Djokovic favourite right now too.

Nope. Nadal is always the favorite at RG. 13 RG speak for themselves, including having won 4 out of the last 5 RG editions. Novak has never defended a a RG title in his entire career, so he is not the first favorite. I would even place Alcaraz as the second favorite, with Novak being a close third favorite.

 

[Federev]

I could see Novak winning the next 3 slems.

i could see Nadal winning the next 3 slems. (He won the last slem and is still recovering)

i could see them splitting the next 4.

i could see none of this happening.

i can’t really see very well.

 

[ibbi]

Nope. Nadal is always the favorite at RG. 13 RG speak for themselves, including having won 4 out of the last 5 RG editions. Novak has never defended a a RG title in his entire career, so he is not the first favorite. I would even place Alcaraz as the second favorite, with Novak being a close third favorite.

Roland Garros is not what Roland Garros was. He's 1 out of 2 at the tournament with night matches.

 

[ojo rojo]

Yeah, because Djokovic hasn't lost any speed, right? Alcaraz made him look like a zombie. At first, Novak didn't even try to reach his drop shots, but when he finally tried, he could retrieve nothing.

Also, Nasal was far more aggressive in the RG 2020 final than in the RG 2021 SF, and he essily dispatched Novak in 3.

As for the Alcaraz -Djokovic match being close, a key factor was Novak servebotting the adverse break points he faced. In Madrid it is easier to hit aces than in RG, so a fortiori Carlitos will break Novak more easily in Paris. Also, the Nadal-Alcaraz match was also close as well (except the first set). And Nadal won his set far more convincingly than Novak. Nadal won a set 6-1 while Novak won it with the tie-break. Alcaraz' foot was always fine (yes, even in that second set), as proven by how he defeated Nadal, Djokovic and Zverev to win the title.

Carlos, for me, is the first player to blatantly highlight the explosive youthfulness that has faded from both Rafa and Novak's games, simply due to age. It's an exciting, and for many, a bittersweet moment in tennis. However, I still reckon that Djokodal will be very hard to beat at the next few slams. Their speed has dwindled but their mental stamina over 5 sets, for now, is still unrivalled

 

[Jokervich]

And he might beat Nadal again if need arises.

I haven't been following the forum but it seems it's relatively under the radar that Djokovic who had been playing like a low top 100 player up until Belgrade has almost found his usual level .

This guy is a robot. And he is a pissed at the world kind of robot at present. He probably feels like the most wronged man on the planet right now and with Novak that's when he is at his most dangerous.

And the main reason I am saying that he will win the French is because Nadal's speed is finally gone to the point that he has to be way more aggressive.

And Djokovic proved in 2021 that he can topple a Nadal who has to rely on aggression more.

Alcaraz is ending the season as top 5 or even top 3 but he will fail at the French, even if he doesn't and meets Djokovic, Djokovic will scratch past him. Their match was way too close to be any comfort to Alcaraz.

Totally agree. Even when he was playing his B- or C game, Alcaraz barely scraped over the line when he's in the form of his life.

 

[GabeT]

I could see Novak winning the next 3 slems.

i could see Nadal winning the next 3 slems. (He won the last slem and is still recovering)

i could see them splitting the next 4.

i could see none of this happening.

i can’t really see very well.

 

[DSH]

Two words to the thread creator:
Wishful thinking!

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Congratulations.

 

[GabeT]

Can we start celebrating?

 

[DSH]

He is the future,the passing of the torch kind of happened this tourney. 2023 onwards is his.

But I think Nadal and Djokovic will take him at French and he isn't winning Wimbledon. In USO the field is deeper and while he might have a chance, someone like Medvedev or Djokovic or even Nadal makes more sense.

Nadal has one more US Open title than Djokovic, I must remind you.

 

[TheNachoMan]

I hope you’re right, but I ain’t buying it. Draw will be important.

Would be nice to avoid Nadal, Alcaraz, and maybe Zverev. He needs Rublev, Ruud, and Hurkacz. Mug central, baby.

 

[DSH]

You’re gonna need to watch it again then, lol. Joker kept hitting short angled CC FH to RAFA’s BH to push him off the court.

Had RAFA been able to replicate what he did in the 2020 F on the BH side then Joker’s strategy wouldn’t have been nearly as effective. RAFA wore out as the match went on, which was why he was so much moar aggressive in 2020. He won a vast majority of the points that were 1-3 and 4-6 shots long that year.

There was a lot of talk about Djokovic's strategy but little about Nadal's very poor level, not only in that match (with his 55 unforced errors and 8 double faults) but throughout the tournament.
Basically, it was the second worst version of the Spaniard in his entire career in his favorite tournament.
The 2015 edition of the French Open in which Nadal participated takes first place in this questionable ranking.

 

[The_Order]

Ajde! Idemo! Let's go 2022!!

 

[Gt86]

RAFA was actually really passive in the SF last year. A big reason he lost last year is because his BH lacked depth and pace. In the 2020 F he was cracking it, especially CC. When he tried to go big last year he was dumping most of them into the net.

Tends to happen with a broken foot as you cannot put pressure on the left foot when hitting the BH as a right hander. Problem is I think the issue has flared up again. His BH was terrible in Madrid.

 

[Gt86]

Nope. Nadal is always the favorite at RG. 13 RG speak for themselves, including having won 4 out of the last 5 RG editions. Novak has never defended a a RG title in his entire career, so he is not the first favorite. I would even place Alcaraz as the second favorite, with Novak being a close third favorite.

Bookies agree. I have Alcaraz a slight favourite as I'm not sure about Rafas foot.

 

[vex]

And he might beat Nadal again if need arises.

I haven't been following the forum but it seems it's relatively under the radar that Djokovic who had been playing like a low top 100 player up until Belgrade has almost found his usual level .

This guy is a robot. And he is a pissed at the world kind of robot at present. He probably feels like the most wronged man on the planet right now and with Novak that's when he is at his most dangerous.

And the main reason I am saying that he will win the French is because Nadal's speed is finally gone to the point that he has to be way more aggressive.

And Djokovic proved in 2021 that he can topple a Nadal who has to rely on aggression more.

Alcaraz is ending the season as top 5 or even top 3 but he will fail at the French, even if he doesn't and meets Djokovic, Djokovic will scratch past him. Their match was way too close to be any comfort to Alcaraz.

Highly doubt. I don’t trust him to keep it together over 7 BO5 matches considering how he’s played the last 12 months. He hasn’t looked truly great since RG’21 for gawdsake

 

[Bpob28]

I truly believe that this year RG champion is the player who is gonna have the easiest draw between Nadal, Djokovic, Tsitsipas and Alcaraz. They can all do it, even though bit reserved about Alcaraz since we haven’t since much of him in Bo5, but the draw is gonna be crucial here

 

[AgassiSuperSlam11]

Will be very interested in the RG draw and where Alcaraz is put in the QF. I think he should be put in the QF against Medvedev (if he returns) or Zverev. If he is put in the same QF against Novak or Nadal then it appears biased since they all were put in the same half in Madrid. Also important to note that Nadal is defending 1000 points in Rome and if things don't go well he can go down to #5 in world can even face Novak in the QF (this happened in 2015 when he lost to Joker as #6 seed).

 

[Backspin1183]

He's been pissed since Australia.

 

[TennisManiac]

Prediction : Novak will win both the French and Wimbledon again. Medvedev will defend USO.
But from 2023 Big 3 and big 2 will be finally done and gone .

Stop smoking meth dude.

 

[Federev]

Novak was in every final of every single slam in both 2020 and 2021 - unless he was disqualified from them.

Him not being allowed to play - rightly or not - has been the only way to keep him from winning most of them - and at least making the finals of ALL OF THEM the last 2 plus years.

So what has suddenly changed??

My money is on Novak making every final for at least the next year - and winning most of them.

As a Fed fan, I wish it wasn’t true, but unless Alacaraz is truly better than even his most ardent supporters think, past is prologue right now.

This is still a weak era - Fed benefited from it too a few years ago - and Djokovic still has no credible challengers at slams off clay… maybe Med. But I feel like that was a bit flukey.

That’s what I think anyway.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Even at 35, I still favor Novak over Carlos at RG. BO5 is a totally different animal and Djokovic barely lost to Carlos yesterday. In any case, Djoker and Nadal are still the favorites. A lot will depend on the draw with Carlos. He could get Djoker in the semis and Rafa in the final. That's a tall order.

 

[Federev]

Even at 35, I still favor Novak over Carlos at RG. BO5 is a totally different animal and Djokovic barely lost to Carlos yesterday. In any case, Djoker and Nadal are That's a tall order.

A tall order for a Tiny Carlos™

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Djokovic is whinning in the French.

FTFY.

Nadal all the way..
Vamos #22

 

[ForehandCross]

Can we start celebrating?

Yes.

 

[duaneeo]

Djokovic wins consecutive Roland Garros titles?

Not.

 

[RaulRamirez]

I could see Novak winning the next 3 slems.

i could see Nadal winning the next 3 slems. (He won the last slem and is still recovering)

i could see them splitting the next 4.

i could see none of this happening.

i can’t really see very well.

You need to capitalize financially on this gift.

 

[Wander]

I must add that this thread assumes that Djokovic doesn't do some Amor Y INSANITY before French and WB. Because he literally has been acting insane all through the year. I would have said that it's as if certain Swiss and Spanish folks have done some black magic on him, but Novak's nutty all by himself.

Nice caveat to have:
"It will go as I predict unless this crazy person does something crazy."

 

[Beacon Hill]

Rafa took the ball. When he found his range Medvedev had nothing to hurt him with. Agreed that Rafa's body may not hold up at fo, but if it does he's got it.

Rafa had given up hope. Then Med's brain went away. Choke not great comeback.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Rafa had given up hope. Then Med's brain went away. Choke not great comeback.

 

[T007]

Yeah, because Djokovic hasn't lost any speed, right? Alcaraz made him look like a zombie. At first, Novak didn't even try to reach his drop shots, but when he finally tried, he could retrieve nothing.

Also, Nasal was far more aggressive in the RG 2020 final than in the RG 2021 SF, and he essily dispatched Novak in 3.

As for the Alcaraz -Djokovic match being close, a key factor was Novak servebotting the adverse break points he faced. In Madrid it is easier to hit aces than in RG, so a fortiori Carlitos will break Novak more easily in Paris. Also, the Nadal-Alcaraz match was also close as well (except the first set). And Nadal won his set far more convincingly than Novak. Nadal won a set 6-1 while Novak won it with the tie-break. Alcaraz' foot was always fine (yes, even in that second set), as proven by how he defeated Nadal, Djokovic and Zverev to win the title.

Nadal alcaraz match was never close..each set was won in a one sided manner

 

[GabeT]

Two words to the thread creator:
Wishful thinking!

The best kind of thinking!