mike danny
Bionic Poster
It was a shock loss for those who haven't followed Djokovic this year.
2 years ago it would have been a shock. Not anymore.
Good lord I feel shattered.Where does he go from here.
- Thread starter Raining hopes
- Start date
2 years ago it would have been a shock. Not anymore.
mike danny
Bionic Poster
2011/2015 is never happening for Djokovic ever again. That was Djokovic at his physical best.Oh I don't disagree at all. I'm just saying that there's always a chance that Cecch could've given even 2016 Djokovic a real tussle if Djokovic came in overconfident and Cecch played lights out. But everyone knows Djokovic today is not the same player he used to be. Not that he can't become that same dominant player again but he'll need time. Maybe something like another Davis Cup win or something to rejuvenate him ala 2011.
Since he is 31 now, it us totally unrealistic to expect Djokovic to replicate that level of play. 2012-2014 should be good enough and even that would require a lot of work and changes to his game.
He cost himself with poor play at key moments. Also let downs where he would lose 8 out 10 points.He really should have won it in 4 the other guy was there to knocked off and wouldnt have beaten many guys still left in the tournament
mike danny
Bionic Poster
Neither would have Djokovic. He wasn't beating Thiem or Nadal.
zagor
Bionic Poster
It's not a misconception, his game in its current state would suck on gras. As for his state of mind, it's clearly not good as evidenced by how many mistakes he made in key moments against the Italian yesterday.
HC is and always will be his most natural surface. He did have some results on clay so I'd expect him to go deep in US HC tourneys even with his C game.
Looking at what he said in the press conference the reason he refused to commit to playing on grass was that he wasn't "thinking about tennis." It actually had nothing to do with whether or not he's playing on grass. He was simply being obtuse and will play Wimbledon unless ruled out by injury...or retirement.
zagor
Bionic Poster
Hope you're right, we'll see in a few weeks anyway.
I think that was an off-the-cuff remark with no real thought behind it. Probably just frustrated at the loss. We'll find out soon enough.
thanks for sharing
He just needs to focus there are patches where he loses what feels like every point. This italian played ok but the easy put away forehands he missed where without excuse. Should have won in 4. It reminded me of the Chung match where he also played big points badly and didnt take his chances.
Not just for Novak, but I think it is unfair and unnecessary to force a player to give a press conference after a tough loss.
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
Time for him to move on.
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
You mean 8% ???
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
No way. Not possible. That was 2nd version of monster djokovic till FO ended. (first one was in 2011 till USO)
Not more than your consistency of almost similar kind of posts though....
Could be a computer program written by suresh in python that logs in and posts such messages, LOL
Wow.... @sureshs is the real goat. The programming goat too
Zetty
Hall of Fame
Huh? Wouldn't anyone have said the same thing about Federer in 2013....or Nadal EVERY year post 2011.
TU87
Rookie
No way you can watch Nadal-Djokovic matches on clay from 2011-2014 and say that Djokovic today is the same now as then.
mike danny
Bionic Poster
They still haven't returned to their absolute best.
Zetty
Hall of Fame
True, but Fed's 2017 was statistically as good as his 2007, peak may not be quite possible but something near it might.
mike danny
Bionic Poster
Fed in 2017 had to skip an entire surface to have the great season that he had and it still wasn't anywhere near 2007 in terms of results.
Zetty
Hall of Fame
Wasn't anywhere near? 7/8 finals, had more masters, his conversion rate in the tournaments he chose...was pretty high. The point I'm trying to make is Djoker may not be 2015 insanity but if other top guys can get close, then why doubt that he can do the same thing?
mike danny
Bionic Poster
I said that he will never play at 2011/2015 level again, not that he still can't play at a high level. He can play at a high level, just not his highest.
Zetty
Hall of Fame
I don't get how anybody doubts these robots out here lol, did anyone think Djokovic would re-peak in 2015 and take it to an even higher level? Federer at 35-36 outperformed himself from ages 30-34, to say never in this day and age is just begging to be proven wrong, but whatever.
mike danny
Bionic Poster
So you honestly think Djokovic will return to 2011/2015 level at age 31+ and win 3 slams and lots of masters and maybe even the WTF, all in one season like in 2011/2015?
Bukowski
Professional
I think he will have to adapt his game. I thought he was headed the route of wilander, but seems like hes climbing back.
The athleticism and power are constantly evolving, and he is only going to decline.
I think he will need to improve his transition game and get more pop on the serve
The athleticism and power are constantly evolving, and he is only going to decline.
I think he will need to improve his transition game and get more pop on the serve
Fedforever
Hall of Fame
I agree. There always seems an element of bullying in it. I'm not sure the journos enjoy it much either - they have to do their job but it can't be pleasant.
ghostofMecir
Legend
What about Federer? Is he the only one who doesn’t decline? That’s what Nadal-Djoko fans said about Federer from 2008 to 2016—he was the same but the competition just got better.
titoelcolombiano
Legend
You might be right - I certainly wasn't expecting him to win the title but I also wasn't expecting him to lose to Checc
mike danny
Bionic Poster
Neither was I. It was a gimme QF really.
But then I remembered that this is 2018 Djokovic after all, the guy who can still lose to anyone if playing horrible. So in hindsight, this loss shouldn't be surprising.
Zetty
Hall of Fame
You know before the last 10 years I'd think the same way you are but players that should've long faded haven't. A player like Nadal in particular would've been toast in his last 20s in the 80s/90s, I honestly can't say one way or the other. He didn't look physically off in his loss, he looked off mentally.
ACE of Hearts
Bionic Poster
Federer’s one of a kind but he was losing these matches to a prime djokovic. Like someone mentioned it tells you how special Federer is doing these things past 30.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
I finally saw a good part of the match today..... goodness that tb was intense ! Made me kinda like Ultron
! Made me kinda like Ultron
mike danny
Bionic Poster
You do realize that neither Federer nor Nadal have replicated their best seasons.
Zetty
Hall of Fame
Nadal was in three GS finals, won two of those and two masters, that makes it his best year besides 08, 10, and 13. Hell, he actually performed better at the slams last year than 2013 and was a sliver from 3. And if you look at him again this year, he's only lost two matches for far, he is not far off at all. And statistically 2017 is Federer's best year since 2006 probably in no large part because of his reduced schedule. Hmmm, I wonder what another Lego haired player could do with periodic reduced schedules / breaks like these other two guys now that he's taken care of his injuries
...but I guess I'm splitting hairs here, we're basically in agreement, I was just bothered by the definitive tone that Djokovic wouldn't hit that level again...maybe not that absolute peak, but he won't need it if he picks his spots better and doesn't play 250 matches a year.
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mike danny
Bionic Poster
I agree that Novak can get back to a good level again, but his days of dominating in 2011/2015 style are over. Just like for Fed (2004-2007 style) and Rafa (2008/2010/2013 style).Nadal was in three GS finals, won two of those and two masters, that makes it his best year besides 08, 10, and 13. Hell, he actually performed better at the slams last year than 2013 and was a sliver from 3. And if you look at him again this year, he's only lost two matches for far, he is not far off at all. And statistically 2017 is Federer's best year since 2006 probably in no large part because of his reduced schedule. Hmmm, I wonder what another Lego haired player could do with periodic reduced schedules / breaks like these other two guys now that he's taken care of his injuries
Fedal have been having great years 17-18 with the help of Novak and Murray either not playing, playing injured or below peak form. The rest of the field, with the probable exception of Delpo, are tier 2-3 players or worse. VERY WEAK ERA!Nadal was in three GS finals, won two of those and two masters, that makes it his best year besides 08, 10, and 13. Hell, he actually performed better at the slams last year than 2013 and was a sliver from 3. And if you look at him again this year, he's only lost two matches for far, he is not far off at all. And statistically 2017 is Federer's best year since 2006 probably in no large part because of his reduced schedule. Hmmm, I wonder what another Lego haired player could do with periodic reduced schedules / breaks like these other two guys now that he's taken care of his injuries
GabeT
G.O.A.T.
Another fascinating read of TTW’s increíble predictive powers!
this was right after the RG2018 loss. Remember that? It was only 28 months ago. #22 in the world, everyone thought Novak was mostly done for and several wondered out loud if Novak would even play grass.
the rest, as they say, is history.
this was right after the RG2018 loss. Remember that? It was only 28 months ago. #22 in the world, everyone thought Novak was mostly done for and several wondered out loud if Novak would even play grass.
the rest, as they say, is history.
Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil
Talk Tennis Guru
It didn't.
And neither did this guy.
Right. And if he wins, you kiss Meles' ass, that is the deal.He's got some work (and some cycling down and up) to do!
The summer hc swing would be a better time for him to try and do something if he can correct some major components of his game.
King No1e
G.O.A.T.
Probably Federer, although he never looked as "washed up" for long periods of time as the other 2. Nadal in 2015-16 was a walking corpse and Djokovic in 17-18 looked like he had one foot out the door too.
beast of mallorca
G.O.A.T.
Obviously, Rafa has the most. It's been predicted since 2005