Does FO 2011 Indicate how Djokovic and Federer will match up in their primes on clay?

[Poisoned Slice]

It takes effort to make it look that effortless

A certain Johan Cruyff quote has been on my mind lately. Just replace football with tennis.

''Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is.''

 

[T007]

H2H is 4-4 on clay but we have to look at the context.

Monaco 2006 was one of Djokovic's first M1000. He was a rookie, ranked #67.
Monaco 2008 was a walkover.
Monaco 2014 Djokovic had a wrist injury and tanked the match.

Djokovic won FO 2012, Rome 2012, Rome 2015 and Rome 2009 fair and square.
He straight-setted Nadal in every single clay events, Monaco Madrid Rome and RG.
The only time Federer straight-setted Nadal on clay was after the 4h10 match in the Semifinal of Madrid in 2009. He could thank Djokovic for that.

FO 2011 was a great match but that's all it was... One match. Overall, Djokovic is just a better clay player. Federer never winning Monaco or Rome is a glaring hole.

Silly excuses. Fed beat djoker fair and square in 2014. Even Federer was injured at the end of 2nd set in 2012 SF while serving for the set.

Federer faced prime Nadal on Monte Carlo and Rome in his best years. Djokovic faced an old bruised Nadal on clay when he won.

 

[Phenomenal]

I think it depends on the surface. Nobody is an idiot and want to play Nadal in sunny dry conditions in a BO5 on clay. Lol. On grass, you probably do.

But same on HC too(similiar to clay). Don't know about grass.

 

[nolefam_2024]

7-3 in ten matches for one player, whoever that is, is just fanboy talk..

It's either 5-5 or at max 6-4 for one player..
They are very close on clay.

How many clay titles does one hander fed have.

 

[fedfan24]

On aggregate djokovic has been better at rome, and better at rg in his 30s. Fed looked superior at Monte Carlo. H2h reflects this.

Prime for prime, I favour peak 05-07 fed in normal clay conditions because of the huge FH and his prime defence. Very close match up.

Rg 6>4 fed
Monte Carlo 6>4 fed
Rome 7>3 djokovic (with the caveat 06 rome final from fed may be the higher level there)
Hamburg 8>2 fed
Madrid 6>4 fed


Close to even, where as slow hc djokovic has big edge and so does fed on any grass or medium-fast hc

 

[pj80]

Djokovic was never better than in 2011, incredible streak, got taken down by the old guy.

 

[RS]

A certain Johan Cruyff quote has been on my mind lately. Just replace football with tennis.

''Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is.''

No wonder he was such a good coach and a player. Vision for the game unmatched.

Xavi doing amazing too.

 

[WeekendTennisHack]

As long as I know you're affected, it's a win.