'Djokovic was tired'

[NBP]

LOL. Nadal won Montreal and Cincinnati in 2013. Federer reached the finals of Canada in 2007, 2010 and in 2014 and then won Cincinnati. FEDERER WAS 33 LAST YEAR AND DID IT. So Novak fans, please, no excuses.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I don't know what he was, but to be fair he wasn't at his best. It happens.

 

[Deleted member 410229]

So i guess novak just isnt that consistent at being his best then.

 

[The_18th_Slam]

I don't know what he was, but to be fair he wasn't at his best. It happens.

Yeah, I think it's safe to say Djokovic wouldn't be losing to Federer these days if he was at his best, unless Federer puts on an exhibition like in Shanghai last year or the Wimbledon semifinal this year. But still, a very impressive win for a 34-year-old against someone who has been as dominant as Djokovic has been this year.

 

[Murrayfan31]

Djokovic was tired though. Fed was fresh. He skipped Montreal. Djokovic played 10 matches in 12 days with multiple 3 set matches.

 

[Sysyphus]

Fred played excellent stuff, and should have (could have, I should rather say) won it even more convincingly. 1/8 on BP's, whereas Novak was 0/0. That says it all really.

Fred was clutch and very solid behind his serve. Novak was a little bit flat today, yes, but it's not like we haven't seen before that Fed can do this to Novak in such conditions.

Novak-fans should be pleased that he owns more or less every other condition in tennis—against everyone

 

[NBP]

Djokovic was tired though. Fed was fresh. He skipped Montreal. Djokovic played 10 matches in 12 days with multiple 3 set matches.

You've literally just missed everything I wrote. It shouldn't be an excuse. After all, the man played back to back 5 setters at the AO in 2012. Again, Federer at the age of 33 did it last year, so it's not that big of a deal...

 

[Murrayfan31]

But Djokovic had a day off. And Nadal was able to do that in AO 2009 as well. Djokovic has not had an easy 2 weeks. I assume he will clean up his game and deny Fed once again of the US Open.

 

[OhYes]

LOL. Nadal won Montreal and Cincinnati in 2013. Federer reached the finals of Canada in 2007, 2010 and in 2014 and then won Cincinnati. FEDERER WAS 33 LAST YEAR AND DID IT. So Novak fans, please, no excuses.

Did you actually saw how Novak was struggling against Goffin and Dolgopolov ? Is that Novak you are used to see ? You should admit to yourself first that this was not the Novak who was sweeping first half of the year, and this is not the first time this is happening (2014).
If you wanna gloat over that kind of Novak, go ahead, but you know there are not much moments left for you to gloat.

 

[The_18th_Slam]

Did you actually saw how Novak was struggling against Goffin and Dolgopolov ? Is that Novak you are used to see ? You should admit to yourself first that this was not the Novak who was sweeping first half of the year, and this is not the first time this is happening (2014).
If you wanna gloat over that kind of Novak, go ahead, but you know there are not much moments left for you to gloat.

Just because Djokovic wasn't at his best doesn't prove he was tired. They're different things.

 

[a10best]

Djokovic was tired though. Fed was fresh. He skipped Montreal. Djokovic played 10 matches in 12 days with multiple 3 set matches.

A sad excuse for a No. 1 player to ever say. He was outplayed plain and simple. He's lost to Federer twice this year and beat him once at Wimby. Neither had an excuse because there wasn't one. USO is a slower surface so that will help Djokovic fans. I'd like to see Djokovic do what Federer is doing at age 34 or Agassi ....be a top 3 player. He will break down similar to how Nadal has.

 

[edberg505]

But Djokovic had a day off. And Nadal was able to do that in AO 2009 as well. Djokovic has not had an easy 2 weeks. I assume he will clean up his game and deny Fed once again of the US Open.

But Federer is a 34 yo weak era mug. Federer should have gotten his clock cleaned!

 

[OhYes]

Just because Djokovic wasn't at his best doesn't prove he was tired. They're different things.

Tired, ill, out of gas, broken, hurt, uninterested, not there, exhausted, weary, bored to death... it doesn't matter what expression you are going to use, Djokovic was not Djokovic for some reason, and Federer is not one of them. In whole tournament that is.

 

[The_18th_Slam]

Tired, ill, out of gas, broken, hurt, uninterested, not there, exhausted, weary, bored to death... it doesn't matter what expression you are going to use, Djokovic was not Djokovic for some reason, and Federer is not one of them. In whole tournament that is.

So if Federer wasn't one of the reasons, I'm presuming you could have beaten Djokovic today, too?

 

[OhYes]

So if Federer wasn't one of the reasons, I'm presuming you could have beaten Djokovic today, too?

Come again ?

 

[The_18th_Slam]

Come again ?

Could you have beaten Djokovic today?

 

[Gazelle]

So who exactly is the 28 year old and who's the 34 year old?

It's pretty pathetic using tiredness excuse against a guy who's six year older and can only leave the rest-home to play the occasional tennis match.

 

[Gazelle]

Tired, ill, out of gas, broken, hurt, uninterested, not there, exhausted, weary, bored to death... it doesn't matter what expression you are going to use, Djokovic was not Djokovic for some reason, and Federer is not one of them. In whole tournament that is.

Bored to death of his own game probably, the way he's been pushing all year.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

SHoko is tired of trying to win every point in exactly the same way. He'd have more fun if he could play some more all court tennis.

 

[OhYes]

Could you have beaten Djokovic today?

I would if I was Murray, RG Stan, Dolgopolov 1 out of 3, Kevin Anderson from Wimby, Feliciano Lopez vs Nadal... I could go on if you like. But that list would come to just one name at peak of his powers if Djokovic was just plain and simple - in normal condition.

 

[The_18th_Slam]

I would if I was Murray, RG Stan, Dolgopolov 1 out of 3, Kevin Anderson from Wimby, Feliciano Lopez vs Nadal... I could go on if you like. But that list would come to just one name at peak of his powers if Djokovic was just plain and simple - in normal condition.

Well, too bad none of them was good enough to make the Cincinnati final, then.

 

[Deleted member 512391]

There is a reason why Djokovic has never won this tournament (he's lost the finals to the players who have a great record against him on a fast hard court) and it's all about conditions - they are way too fast for him. Other players can rob him of time much easier here (flat hitters like Goffin and Dolgopolov have demonstrated that) and he is not allowed to play regular tennis - more often than not he is out of his comfort zone.

This "tired" argument is a complete nonsense.

 

[OhYes]

Bored to death of his own game probably, the way he's been pushing all year.

Called it what you want, but you should be sincere and admit we were not watching some usual stuff which has been usual for quite some time .

 

[Gazelle]

Called it what you want, but you should be sincere and admit we were not watching some usual stuff which has been usual for quite some time .

I watched the usual stuff. Fed vs Djokovic on fast hard courts: 7-1. 6-0 in Cincy sets. The only unusual was the lack of bakery goods today.

 

[The_18th_Slam]

There is a reason why Djokovic has never won this tournament (he's lost the finals to the players who have a great record against him on a fast hard court) and it's all about conditions - they are way too fast for him. Other players can rob him of time much easier here (flat hitters like Goffin and Dolgopolov have demonstrated that) and he is not allowed to play regular tennis - more often than not he is out of his comfort zone.

This "tired" argument is a complete nonsense.

I think it's a little more complex than that. I mean, he has won Dubai.

 

[OhYes]

There is a reason why Djokovic has never won this tournament (he's lost the finals to the players who have a great record against him on a fast hard court) and it's all about conditions - they are way too fast for him. Other players can rob him of time much easier here (flat hitters like Goffin and Dolgopolov have demonstrated that) and he is not allowed to play regular tennis - more often than not he is out of his comfort zone.

This "tired" argument is a complete nonsense.

He was not great in Canada too. And in 2014 also. I dare to predict that his UO campaign will not be AO, FO and Wimby like either.

 

[OhYes]

I watched the usual stuff. Fed vs Djokovic on fast hard courts: 7-1. 6-0 in Cincy sets. The only unusual was the lack of bakery goods today.

 

[Deleted member 512391]

I think it's a little more complex than that. I mean, he has won Dubai.

Dubai is played on a slower court, DecoTurf (Medium, Category III by ITF), while Cincinnati uses the Pro DecoTurf II (Medium-fast, Category IV). Also, the altitude is higher in Cincinnati, so the conditions are relatively faster, which makes the difference, IMO.

 

[Gazelle]

No need to troll. You look buthurt. (adressed at OhYes)

 

[Deleted member 512391]

He was not great in Canada too. And in 2014 also. I dare to predict that his UO campaign will not be AO, FO and Wimby like either.

Yes, I've noticed that as well. Probably his playing style is finally taking its toll - he cannot grind throughout the whole season with the same success. His body can't sustain that pressure. Even in 2011, his best year, he was done after the USO with the score of 6 wins and 4 losses.

But, that's not the reason why he's never won in Cincinnati, IMO.

 

[OhYes]

No need to troll. You look buthurt. (adressed at OhYes)

Of course I look that way, but I don't feel pain, you on the other hand must feel some because you know what I'm talking about.
I give credit to Fed because he has chosen the right tactic and he played an awesome match. Everything was clicking for him. Novak couldn't do more in this state of his.

 

[OhYes]

Yes, I've noticed that as well. Probably his playing still is finally taking its toll - he cannot grind throughout the whole season with the same success. His body can't sustain that pressure. Even in 2011, his best year, he was done after the USO with the score of 6 wins and 4 losses.

But, that's not the reason why he's never won in Cincinnati, IMO.

Cincy is something different. He clearly can't feel very comfortable in it, and it comes after long break. Novak usually does very well AFTER UO, like he needs some time to warm up his engines.

 

[90's Clay]

He was obviously tired. He was slow getting to balls, he had THREE double faults on one freakin service game. He has played a packed schedule this year and has a lot of miles on him this year especially with all these deep runs.

Its no wonder hes tired.

 

[The_18th_Slam]

He was obviously tired. He was slow getting to balls, he had THREE double faults on one freakin service game. He has played a packed schedule this year and has a lot of miles on him this year especially with all these deep runs.

Its no wonder hes tired.

Really?

Fatigue?? Its a damn 3 set match and CLOWNray is 6 years younger.. Why should "fatigue" play an issue exactly? Especially for someone 6 years younger? Sounds like a bunch of EXCUSES to me

If anything the 34 year old should be fatigued not a damn 28 year old

 

[Deleted member 512391]

He was obviously tired. He was slow getting to balls, he had THREE double faults on one freakin service game. He has played a packed schedule this year and has a lot of miles on him this year especially with all these deep runs.

Its no wonder hes tired.

He realized that he has to employ more risking (second) service tactics, because Federer started to return aggressively his second serves like never before. Plus, he couldn't touch Fed's serve, both first and kick-monster second, so he started to fall apart in that game. It's not a tiredness, it was his frustration.

 

[90's Clay]

Really?

Nole has many more miles on his body this year (and overall because hes accomplished so much more and made deeper runs) with a tougher jam-packed schedule than Murray does.

Fed also took a bit of time off so even though hes older he was more refreshed. Nole has played ALOT of tennis

 

[The_18th_Slam]

Nole has many more miles on his body this year (and overall because hes accomplished so much more and made deeper runs) with a tougher jam-packed schedule than Murray does.

Fed also took a bit of time off so even though hes older he was more refreshed. Nole has played ALOT of tennis

Sorry but at the end of the day there is NO REASON for at least 28 year old MUrray to push 34 year old Fed to a final set. Anything less is inexcusable.

 

[tennis_pro]

Thats ok, we dont care, Feds got the title

 

[a10best]

Did you actually saw how Novak was struggling against Goffin and Dolgopolov ? Is that Novak you are used to see ? You should admit to yourself first that this was not the Novak who was sweeping first half of the year, and this is not the first time this is happening (2014).
If you wanna gloat over that kind of Novak, go ahead, but you know there are not much moments left for you to gloat.

He went 3 sets with Dog in Miami !!!. Nobody shouted out an excuse when Roger lost Wimbledon 2014 to Novak. He did have back problems that year but it was not the reason he lost 6-4 in the 5th of Wimbledon. No way, he got beat by a top player, Noval. Serena's year is dominant by the numbers but she struggling with 15+ 3 set matches.
Yeah, like everybody is 100% when they get to a final. No blisters, inflammation in the arm , no tweaks, no pain. What was the excuse against Murray? There was none, UNLESS you find one. He got beat in Canada and today so accept it and congratulate your opponent as a gentleman instead of making excuses. Novak should be happy it was not in a GS and he did easily take out his nemisis, Wawrinka.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Djokovic was tired though. Fed was fresh. He skipped Montreal. Djokovic played 10 matches in 12 days with multiple 3 set matches.

What's Murray's excuse for getting clowned by Federer lately?

 

[scotus]

I don't think Novak gave his best against Andy in Montreal and against Roger in Cincinnati.

I think he might be doing this intentionally. He probably doesn't want to peak too early, who knows?

 

[The_18th_Slam]

I don't think Novak gave his best against Andy in Montreal and against Roger in Cincinnati.

I think he might be doing this intentionally. He probably doesn't want to peak too early, who knows?

That makes no sense whatsoever. Why would anyone tank a final?

 

[90's Clay]

That makes no sense whatsoever. Why would anyone tank a final?

Why kill yourself on a comeback when you got the important tourney in Flushing like a week or so away

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

I don't think Novak gave his best against Andy in Montreal and against Roger in Cincinnati.

I think he might be doing this intentionally. He probably doesn't want to peak too early, who knows?

I believe fatigue being a legitimate reason but not giving his all intentionally? No way. Especially against Murray he was grinding out that match and had chances. Fought to hold serve today and try to get into Roger's service games.

Just the conditions and BO3 setting favor Federer.

Djokovic also one of those guys that looks dead to rights physically sometimes and as matches wear on he gets stronger. He can't show off this as much in BO3

 

[The_18th_Slam]

Why kill yourself on a comeback when you got the important tourney in Flushing like a week or so away

17, man. 17. Federer could lose in the first round at the US Open and he'll still have 17. That's 3 more than Sampras will ever have.

 

[OhYes]

He went 3 sets with Dog in Miami !!!. Nobody shouted out an excuse when Roger lost Wimbledon 2014 was because he had back problems that year and it was the reason he lost 6-4 in the 5th of Wimbledon as an excuse. No way, he got beat by a good player. Serena's year is dominant by numbers but she struggling with 15+ 3 set matches.
Yeah, like everybody is 100% when they get to a final. No blisters, inflammation in the arm , no tweaks, no pain. What was the excuse against Murray? NThere was none, UNLESS you find one. He got beat in Canada and today so accept it and congratulate your opponent as a gentleman instead of making excuses. Novak should be happy it was not in a GS and he did easily take out his nemisis, Wawrinka.

Miami was red hot Dolgopolov. Cincy was Novak lured Dolgopolov into a match. Dolgo did not play like in Miami.
And why is this thread made in the first place if you all feel Novak was ok ?

 

[90's Clay]

I'll give Nole the free pass today especially with the USO right around the corner. Someone said he played like 10 matches in 12 days? Thats a crazy tennis schedule. He should have just took Cincy off

 

[Talker]

He realized that he has to employ more risking (second) service tactics, because Federer started to return aggressively his second serves like never before. Plus, he couldn't touch Fed's serve, both first and kick-monster second, so he started to fall apart in that game. It's not a tiredness, it was his frustration.

Yeah, the tactics Fed was using left Djokovic somewhat unsure how to respond.
He didn't have a clear game plan for it and it just threw him off.

I doubt Nole will worry about it, you can't win them all.
He can go back and make adjustments, he'll be ready for the USO.

 

[The_18th_Slam]

I'll give Nole the free pass today especially with the USO right around the corner. Someone said he played like 10 matches in 12 days? Thats a crazy tennis schedule. He should have just took Cincy off

Federer also played the same amount last year and he won Cincinnati.

 

[xan]

he has been looking shaky whole tournament. i wasnt particularly shocked he lost, especially how much he struggled on pretty much every serve. the second it went to tiebreak i knew he was done for.
oh well, there's always next year.

it was his, what?, 10th straight final or something. hell of a year, no matter how you want to spin it.