He was but not now. Nole is not as physically strong now and can be outgrinded by Nadal and others. No coincidence Nole actually looks far better now on grass and faster low bouncing hard courts like Sydney.
How does that work then? Nadal creams guys who beat Federer yet he somehow should worry about meeting Federer? Ok......lol
Ehhmmm yeah? Federer and Djokovic have absolute shredded Nadal in the last 6 years outside of clay and there were tournaments where Nadal looked in insane form against the field only to lose to one of these guys like a pigeon that he is.
Monfils is the world #10 and he's 0-16 against Djokovic.
Nadal needs to hit flat and with power. Even Murray adjusted his FH against Djokovic that one night at AO2012 and pushed Djokovic harder on the AO surface than he ever did before or after.
Nadal has all the tools. But then again, so did Federer. Djokovic seems to just have the answers when he needs them! 40-15...
My weekend was awesome this time due to activities like kitle flying and all. Sadly it ended and it's back to Monday for me again. Though its the kite festival on 14th and 15th of January again. And guess what, I've had the kite manufacturers fabricate big3 kites for me (☆▽☆)(◠‿・)—☆Hi PetTheGatorer.
But they won't, apart from some rational fansNadal fans, I think maybe now you should respect Grandpa Federer's efforts and performance a little more from that World Tour Finals SF match against Djokovic that helped Nadal to grab the #1 ranking. Just a thought...
Certainly not for nadal.
If not the worst, your point is taken.
Dude is seemingly always hitting big, heavy forehands against Nadal these days, combined with that signature depth, it's gonna be hard to counter...
Contrary to what others say, I DO think that Fed still has a solid chance against Djokovic on hardcourts / at the AO. Fed's worst enemy when facing his two biggest rivals is not who is across the net, it is himself. Never once in his matches against Djokovic have I seen him get truly outplayed. The guy just needs to let the talent flow in the most critical moments, instead of get tight by dwelling on the ghosts of semifinals and finals past. He did that with Rafa in 2017... here's hoping that 2020 will have a similar script as that wonderful year, only with Djokovic reading Nadal's lines this time around
No, but I wouldn't dispatage him if I were you. He knows how to beat Djokovic, it's jyst that 38 is a b!tch.
Funny how the tides have changed
Look,first of all Novak has beaten Nadal in 3 straight sets in RG.So the bucket list is already ticket..it's over.Nothing is in it there for him.Yes that just one Roland Garos must be bothering him but to defeat Nadal in PC on RG is already done..
This is true. I noticed this too. He sees Rafa(or Fed) across the net and his groundtrokes are much harder and has much more pace and depth. It's amazing how many gears Novak seems to have. Even in the 2nd set when it seemed close, it always felt like Novak could always move up a gear and just snuff it out. Which is what he did. While Rafa's level was maxed out in the 2nd, it seemed like Novak was hardly breaking a sweat, despite the set being so close. He seemed in complete control as he has against Rafa on HC for the past many, many years.Pray that Djokovic doesn't raise his average ground-stroke speed by like 5-7 mph which sets the tone for the match
He isn't trying different tactics for years now. It is totally sad to see the short balls, the slicing (where is his backhand?) and more. Djokovic's serve looks greater than ever when he faces Nadal. Djokovic's backhand down the line (which used to be a great shot in the past, but now it's really declined) suddenly again looks great when he faces Nadal. Why? Well, Nadal hitting so short to Djokovic's backhand and like asks him to hit down the line. Other opponents don't let him do that.
But not as much trouble as Nadal off clay.
I think Djokovic has something like 9-2 in the Slam H2H against Federer in the 10s. At least Nadal has somewhat respectable record in this regard in the last decade.
I think Djokovic has something like 9-2 in the Slam H2H against Federer in the 10s. At least Nadal has somewhat respectable record in this regard in the last decade.
That is the part where clay is the smaller part of the tour (and tennis), and (the reminder of) that clearly hurts some feelings.
It is enormous, but not compared to respectively the volume or prestige of other surfaces. I hope that you are OK with that.
Nadal is the one chickening? Really? He reached Djokovic 7 times in 2015-2016 when he was at his worst form, and also reached him 3 times in 2014 when he was close to his worst form. Now, how many times did Djokovic reach him in 2017 when he was the one out of form? Right, just once. Every time he was losing just before he had to face Nadal. And I really think RG 2017 match against Thiem was a tank.
I like how when I brought proof about you not wanting Djokovic to face Nadal in 2017-early 2018 you just ran away. You only "want" them to meet when it is a sure win for Djokovic.
Just watch Djokovic Medvedev games and then the Nadal Medvedev ones, for instance.It is the difference between an ATG and a crop which quality is still not there (nor it is clear whether it will ever be).
Other obvious reason is Djokovic's return game which puts Nadal immediately in disadvantage most of the time.
Even your favourite rambled about dreaming to win Wimbledon, so LOL for the proof that you barely can come to terms with the implications from the clay being what it is.
Yeah, you writing "good that Nadal doesn't get a win" (exactly in these words!) is bad proof.
Yeah, you writing "good that Nadal doesn't get a win" (exactly in these words!) is bad proof.
So you're implying that Nadal wasn't tired, huh? He also played doubles and singles in just a few days... And of course, it was indoor. The Australian Open court is way different. I mean, Djokovic is still the favorite, but it's not like this match would somehow affect them
