Do you find Nadal vs Djokovic a boring matchup?

Do you find Nadal vs Djokovic a boring matchup?

  • Yes it is boring

    Votes: 23 34.8%
  • It's ok/not bad

    Votes: 17 25.8%
  • It's decent/quite enjoyable

    Votes: 10 15.2%
  • What are you talking about, it's unbelievable/amazing

    Votes: 16 24.2%

  • Total voters
    66

gold soundz

Professional
Personally I think it is. Don't get me wrong, I think they are amazing athletes and tennis players, but I just find it boring to watch two players just slugging the ball back and forth with lots of spin from the baseline. It doesn't even look like the ball is going that fast. It just seems like the play isn't attacking enough to be enjoyable for me. And even when they do occasionally hit winners, it's not like they're fast, entertaining winners. Even the Aus Open final seemed boring to me. I am a Nadal fan, but honestly, the FO final was so boring I nearly didn't bother watching all of it.

I enjoy watching these players when they play certain other players, particularly players with a different style, but not when they play each other.

What do you think?
 

FedererDropShot

Hall of Fame
I find it a decent match-up. It can be intense when one of them makes a comeback.

The Federer vs Djokovic match-up is probs more interesting especially on hardcourts.

Djokovic vs Murray is also another hardcourt match-up that can be interesting.
 

Bud

Bionic Poster
At least the Fed fans stick around when he is losing not like you ::wink:

Oh, touche' :rolleyes:

So, I should stick around here and create a bunch of Djokovic hate threads because he's beating Nadal .. like you *******s do when Nadal knocks down federer? :confused: No, thanks. I enjoy interacting with other excited Nadal fans when he wins.

BTW, you're the second person who appears to keep tabs on me in this forum. Kinda creepy :shock:
 
Last edited:

namelessone

Legend
Tbh I find all of these top matchups a little boring by now since we have seen the big 4 in so many matches together that I feel I know the patterns in use by heart.

Fed-Nadal - 28 times.
Fed-Djoko - 26 times.
Fed-Murray - 15 times.
Nadal-Murray - 18 times.
Nadal-Djoko - 33 times.
Djoko-Murray -13 times.
 

Nadalgaenger

G.O.A.T.
There is nothing boring about it! I guess you should start watching golf or something, because if you find Djoker/Nadal matches boring you must not like tennis.
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Oh, touche' :rolleyes:

So, I should stick around here and create a bunch of Djokovic hate threads because he's beating Nadal .. like you *******s do when Nadal knocks down federer? :confused: No, thanks. I enjoy interacting with other excited Nadal fans when he wins.

BTW, you're the second person who appears to keep tabs on me in this forum. Kinda creepy :shock:

tumblr_m0qu30McQm1qf4jwo.gif


You came to the right place.
 

westside

Hall of Fame
I'll be honest, I'm not huge fan of this match up. Maybe due to growing up watching fast courts, but there is nothing appealing to me about two defensive players waiting for errors.

Hated that French Open final.
 

mistik

Hall of Fame
It isnt boring but it isnt as enjoyable as fedal match up.Fed and Rafa have completely different styles which makes their match ups more interesting to watch.
 
The ball doesn't look like its going fast when Nadal plays Federer either. It is so difficult to attack Nadal's shots, very difficult to flatten them out.
 

frinton

Professional
I find the head game more interesting (if there is some intensity there, AO12 was good in that sense, FO12 not) than the actual tennis that is going on between them.
Overall I think the top3-dominance of the past years is at the same time amazing, but also a bit boring... Not many surprises happening at the GS lately...
 

LetsGoRoddick

Professional
It's the marquee match these days and it always has some great tennis. It's probably my favorite matchup, now that Roddick is on the downside.
 
I find the head game more interesting (if there is some intensity there, AO12 was good in that sense, FO12 not) than the actual tennis that is going on between them.
Overall I think the top3-dominance of the past years is at the same time amazing, but also a bit boring... Not many surprises happening at the GS lately...

Especially boring for people who don't have an interest in Nadal. He's been in 8 of the last 9 slam finals (and won 5 of those 8 ).
 

merlinpinpin

Hall of Fame
There is nothing boring about it! I guess you should start watching golf or something, because if you find Djoker/Nadal matches boring you must not like tennis.

Actually, have you thought about the fact that maybe some people find their matches boring because they *do* like tennis? ;)
 

rb__11

Rookie
i don't know if you agree but for me the only thing that in this particular match was boring was the lack of variation. there were only 2 s&v and both were from djokovic, i don't recall seing a lot of drop shots and the players rarely went to the net...
 

0d1n

Hall of Fame
Personally I think it is. Don't get me wrong, I think they are amazing athletes and tennis players, but I just find it boring to watch two players just slugging the ball back and forth with lots of spin from the baseline. It doesn't even look like the ball is going that fast. It just seems like the play isn't attacking enough to be enjoyable for me. And even when they do occasionally hit winners, it's not like they're fast, entertaining winners. Even the Aus Open final seemed boring to me. I am a Nadal fan, but honestly, the FO final was so boring I nearly didn't bother watching all of it.

I enjoy watching these players when they play certain other players, particularly players with a different style, but not when they play each other.

What do you think?

Well, your definition of fast is different from mine. I don't think you have seen either of them play live if you don't think they hit the ball "fast" or "hard".
 

pvaudio

Legend
Actually, have you thought about the fact that maybe some people find their matches boring because they *do* like tennis? ;)
This is exactly why I don't like watching them. I don't like watching Nadal in the first place because he's stupidly boring, but Djokocan come up with some "oh ****!" moments.When he's playing Fed these days, it's usually good since there's so much drama riding on it each time.
 

gold soundz

Professional
Well, your definition of fast is different from mine. I don't think you have seen either of them play live if you don't think they hit the ball "fast" or "hard".

Maybe I should clarify. I'm sure the weight of their shots was quite strong meaning loaded with spin, but their winners are just not fast enough to be enjoyable to watch...and when you are watching two players playing against each other like this, then it is boring for me. Their regular rally shots don't seem fast. Some attacking players who attack with big and fast shots include Federer, Tsonga, Berdych, Del Potro, Soderling and I'm sure theres quite a few more. I can get some video evidence if you feel it's necessary.
 
Last edited:

Magnus

Legend
Yes. Nadal's game doesn't appeal to me and Djoko's game is too defensive this year against Nadal. There are many long rallies that have nothing on them but short loopy shots to the middle of the court.
 

macca1983

New User
Great thread!

Even though a massive Nadal fan I don't enjoy the matches at all really!Initally I thought last year it was because he was losing so much but I still don't enjoy them.

Something about Fed/Nadal gets me going far more and I prefer the actual match too.
 

crazyups

Professional
Hard for me to think this matchup as boring when it has the two best players in it and two of the best of all time.
 

kishnabe

Talk Tennis Guru
It is boring at times....I was sleeping through the 3rd set of the 2012 Aussie final. The only time I felt awake was when Novak came back from 2-4 down in the fifth set.

The joy and hope that Djokovic will win.
Just like the FO final....I was bored of the first and second set, Took some time off and went to the computer. When Novak started winning the third it was fun. Woke up the next day and enjoyed the fourth set.

Pity that the Federer Djokovic Semifinal at the French was so dissapointing compared to the hype!
 

TheTruth

G.O.A.T.
Nope. I love the fact that they're so good that they have to probe each other to get an advantage. Not a fan of wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am tennis.
 

clayman2000

Hall of Fame
When these two play, we see the tennis ball pushed to places I previously thought impossible. This is not even a joke.

I also like not knowing who will win the match
 

TheTruth

G.O.A.T.
When these two play, we see the tennis ball pushed to places I previously thought impossible. This is not even a joke.

I also like not knowing who will win the match

I agree. Even though I know Nadal can lose (and this always been the case), it's just sitting on the edge of your seat drama. Breaks don't mean much when they play because they both can turn it around in an instant.

And also, when I go to tournaments I want my money's worth. I would be incensed if the match was over in little more than an hour. I want the drama and suspense.
 

galain

Hall of Fame
I'm the biggest Fed fan you're likely to find and I don't really care much for the games of either Nadal or Djokovic. Apart from Nadal's crazy spin, I don't honestly see a huge amount difference between what they do and what almost everyone else is doing - they're just doing it better.

Having said that, the US Open and the Oz Open finals were 2 of the most exciting tennis matches I've seen in recent times. I thought it was fantastic and very entertaining. The french was a bit flat, but when they're both on it can be really good stuff to watch.
 

0d1n

Hall of Fame
Maybe I should clarify. I'm sure the weight of their shots was quite strong meaning loaded with spin, but their winners are just not fast enough to be enjoyable to watch...and when you are watching two players playing against each other like this, then it is boring for me. Their regular rally shots don't seem fast. Some attacking players who attack with big and fast shots include Federer, Tsonga, Berdych, Del Potro, Soderling and I'm sure theres quite a few more. I can get some video evidence if you feel it's necessary.

I don't need video evidence to know how hard those guys are hitting. With one exception (Soderling) I've seen all of the ones you mentioned playing live from a few meters away.
I can tell you Nadal (forehand mostly) and Djokovic hit just as hard as Tsonga for example when talking about groundstrokes, and perhaps on average over the course of a match they hit harder. He just hits flatter...with a more "direct" trajectory...and "let's it fly" more often...playing the low percentage shot. I do love his style...but it is what it is.
Yes...Berdych and Del Potro hit like monsters (probably Soderling as well, haven't seen him live), but again, it's mostly due to the fact they are physically bigger, and (more importantly) hit the ball flatter.
I don't need a winner to go 100 miles / hour to think it is spectacular.
Drop shots...and regular rally crosscourt shots which turn up to be winners are just as spectacular to me, because I try to look at the subtleties of the game.
A "regular" rally shot being a winner is very interesting to me due to what happened BEFORE that rally shot...the point construction, the movement and maneuvering out of position of the other guy...etc.
The only guy who's really "sneaky special" when compared to Djoko/Nadal (well...compared with anybody else really) in your list is Federer, because he doesn't SEEM to hit the ball like a Del Potro or Berdych...he doesn't SEEM to make any effort moving, and yet he's there for every ball, and you suddenly find yourself out of position and out of time when playing against him even though he didn't seem to really crack it in a "let it fly" manner.
It's weird and awe inspiring to watch him play because it is so evident you're in the presence of greatness.
 

0d1n

Hall of Fame
I'm the biggest Fed fan you're likely to find and I don't really care much for the games of either Nadal or Djokovic. Apart from Nadal's crazy spin, I don't honestly see a huge amount difference between what they do and what almost everyone else is doing - they're just doing it better.

Having said that, the US Open and the Oz Open finals were 2 of the most exciting tennis matches I've seen in recent times. I thought it was fantastic and very entertaining. The french was a bit flat, but when they're both on it can be really good stuff to watch.

Strongly agree !
 

jones101

Hall of Fame
The tennis isnt boring but the pace at which they both play takes some excitment out of it.

Still the defense and rallies are awesome to watch.

I like the Nadal/Murray HC matchup, as its the only time Murray plays consistently aggressive.
 
I agree. Even though I know Nadal can lose (and this always been the case), it's just sitting on the edge of your seat drama. Breaks don't mean much when they play because they both can turn it around in an instant.

And also, when I go to tournaments I want my money's worth. I would be incensed if the match was over in little more than an hour. I want the drama and suspense.

This is why I voted for the last option..Exceptional/Enthralling or whatever it was.

It's growing stale for me to see the same two players in every final (and I think we'll see it again at Wimby), but their matches rarely lack drama. Even at the FO, when Rafa was steamrolling, Djoker came back and made it interesting. Had it not been for the rain delay, who knows how that ends up...

Obviously the 2011 USO and 2012 AO matches speak for themselves.

I'm ready for some new blood at the top (have been for a while), but when these two meet, the matches deliver.
 

MDCCLXXVI

Rookie
This is a dark time to be a pro tennis player outside the Top 3 (or 4).

Virtually zero chance at winning a major in the last 5 years and probably in the next 3-4 if Djoko/Murray step up as Nadal fades.

Theres a glass ceiling they cannot penetrate in the quarters of each major. Occasionally a Tsonga or Delporto break through but those are exceptions.

I enjoy matchups.

Yes I enjoy Djoko-Nadal matchups, almost as much as I enjoyed Nadal-Federer NON-CLAY matchups of 2005-2008. Those were fairly even, and Fed got pounded on the clay so those HC/grass ones were grudge matches. Made it fun to watch.

I kind of like the high percentage play of Nadal/Djoko, as I have more time to get into the match and it becomes a head game rather than shotmaking game. I never liked 40-0 tennis, points over in 3-4 shots. IMO the longer the rallies, the better... brings out the strategy/tactics more than just tee'ing up on every high ball in the middle of the court.

And if you don't think there is visible ongoing strategy/tactic shifts in a Djo/Nad match then I don't know what to tell you.
 

MDCCLXXVI

Rookie
One good thing about these matchups, is they rarely fail to deliver in drama.

When non Top 4 players get deep in a major, its common to see either:

a) They fold and the match is unexciting and bleak.

b) They paint lines for 2 hours, Soderling-style. unexciting and bleak.
 

Polaris

Hall of Fame
Boring compared to what?

Compared to the rest of the tour: No, it is not boring at all. Nearly everyone plays the same way.

Compared to watching players with a different style, such as Raonic, Dolgopolov, Tsonga: Maybe, it is kinda boring.

Compared to watching Federer: Yes, it is quite boring. Sometimes, I feel as if I'd rather watch Federer practicing against a wall than Nadal and Djokovic playing their brand of tennis.
 

DRII

G.O.A.T.
Tbh I find all of these top matchups a little boring by now since we have seen the big 4 in so many matches together that I feel I know the patterns in use by heart.

Fed-Nadal - 28 times.
Fed-Djoko - 26 times.
Fed-Murray - 15 times.
Nadal-Murray - 18 times.
Nadal-Djoko - 33 times.
Djoko-Murray -13 times.

Do you also realize that Nadal is the only one that has a winning record against the other 3?

Kinda telling huh?
 

DRII

G.O.A.T.
Hard for me to think this matchup as boring when it has the two best players in it and two of the best of all time.

Because they are so close to each other and play similarly, sometimes the matchup can get monotonous...

When they’re both playing well it can be quite good. Like USO 2010 or Indian Wells or Miami 2011...
 

dascud

New User
Personally I think it is. Don't get me wrong, I think they are amazing athletes and tennis players, but I just find it boring to watch two players just slugging the ball back and forth with lots of spin from the baseline. It doesn't even look like the ball is going that fast. It just seems like the play isn't attacking enough to be enjoyable for me. And even when they do occasionally hit winners, it's not like they're fast, entertaining winners. Even the Aus Open final seemed boring to me. I am a Nadal fan, but honestly, the FO final was so boring I nearly didn't bother watching all of it.

I enjoy watching these players when they play certain other players, particularly players with a different style, but not when they play each other.

What do you think?

Yes, it is really boring to see breathtaking defence and amazing transitions from defence to offence by both players. Both these guys (along with Fed of course) can control the flight of the ball and use the geometry of the court like no one on tour but yea really boring to watch them.
I rather watch Raonic vs Isner as I hear they can crank serves close to 150MPH and after all tennis is all about hitting winners at max speed.

Methinks you are in the wrong sport and should probably watch F1 or Nascar or whatever else floats your boat.
 

Lambo

Banned
I dont know if it is boring. Predictable maybe.

Lets face it. There will not be a more beautiful game than Feds to watch in the near future at least. YOu will just get these baseline dummies banging away like robots.

Slugfests. But if the racqs and strings keep on improving and the courts and tennis balls slowing down this will be the future unless you get another supreme talent such as fed.
 

Lambo

Banned
Del potro seems quite a talent. If not for his injuries he would have been number 1 for quite some time. Mentality to win a slam. And the power game to demolish opponents and literally blast them off the court. Not death by a thousand topspins!
 
Top