How did Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic in the 2013 US Open Final?

[atp2015]

Pat Cash, Wimbledon champion and 5 time Grand Slam finalist

This is an interesting question and a difficult one to answer but I'll do my best.

However, I'm not going to talk about obvious stuff like their passion, confidence, talent or fighting ability as we all know they are both incredible at all those things.

Instead I'm going to give you some of my thoughts then I'm going to tell you what Rafael Nadal told me himself after the match.

https://www.quora.com/How-did-Rafael-Nadal-beat-Novak-Djokovic-in-the-2013-US-Open-Final

 

[DreddyTennis45]

Djokovic played like complete trash that's why. Done.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

 

[mike danny]

Djokovic played like complete trash that's why. Done.

This. Sets 1 and 4 from Djokovic were pretty bad. No version of Djokovic, who is playing well on HC, gets destroyed 6-2 and 6-1 by Nadal.

Djokovic played about as well as Roddick in USO 2006 or Agassi in USO 2005.

 

[cc0509]

Nadal played better aggressive tennis and it was great to see him take Djokovic apart on a hc. Satisfying match.

 

[cc0509]

Oh it happened and it was quite pleasurable!

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Oh it happened and it was quite pleasurable!

One of Djokovic's worst ever matches on the biggest stage, glad I didn't watch it live but only after already finding out the result.

 

[MichaelNadal]

By wearing a perfect kit and digging out of a 0-40 hole in epic fashion then breaking serve with one of the sexiest DTL forehands you'll ever see

 

[cc0509]

One of Djokovic's worst ever matches on the biggest stage, glad I didn't watch it live but only after already finding out the result.

Didn't Nadal do the same thing to Djokovic at the USO 2010?

It's ok. Djokovic got some revenge on Nadal in 2011 and in the past couple of years.

 

[MichaelNadal]

And anyone claiming Ultron didn't play well isn't paying attention to the Supreme quality of hitting in this match. Nadal in that form is very hard to beat.

 

[Nadalgaenger]

Nadal was the better HC player in 2013. He deserved to win the USO. The stats speak for themselves.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

And anyone claiming Ultron didn't play well isn't paying attention to the Supreme quality of hitting in this match. Nadal in that form is very hard to beat.

 

[Noelan]

Nadal was the better HC player in 2013. He deserved to win the USO. The stats speak for themselves.

Until Beijing F was 26 0 on HC. Astonishing

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Didn't Nadal do the same thing to Djokovic at the USO 2010?

It's ok. Djokovic got some revenge on Nadal in 2011 and in the past couple of years.

He did, that was a more impressive win. Rafa was on a higher level then as well. Even though he has been crap for most of that year, Novak was pretty solid in that final. Should have given the money that the crowd paid for the tickets back to them for his showing in 2013 though.

 

[Jonas78]

And anyone claiming Ultron didn't play well isn't paying attention to the Supreme quality of hitting in this match. Nadal in that form is very hard to beat.

Who are you trying to convince? . According to Ultronians, Ultron cant lose if he is playing well, so if he lost, he must have played bad

 

[Nadalgaenger]

Until Beijing F was 26 0 on HC. Astonishing

I know, and yet his detractors always imply that this HC success was due to some sinister conspiracy to slow down the courts or in this case, that Djokovic "played like crap." They never appreciate the great accomplishment in a "clay court specialist" not only winning Wimbledon against the grass GOAT, but then turning around and winning the USO twice against the HC co-GOAT.

 

[cc0509]

He did, that was a more impressive win. Rafa was on a higher level then as well. Even though he has been crap for most of that year, Novak was pretty solid in that final. Should have given the money that the crowd paid for the tickets back to them for his showing in 2013 though.

Not on hc. Nadal's 2013 level on hc was much higher.

Seriously, I was thoroughly entertained by that USO 2013 final. Djokovic was poor in parts but played very well in other parts. Nadal just took it from Djokovic on that day with superior and more aggressive play. It's all good as Djokovic has had the upper hand in their rivalry since that 2013 USO.

 

[-NN-]

Nadal is a solid HC player. He's won 3 HC Slams with there being 2 chances a year, so the equivalent of 1.5 RGs for Djokovic and Federer, who are solid CC players. On HC, Nadal has a respectable record and is a capable player. The 2013 final was a good match. Djokovic wasn't able to sustain a high enough level to consistently live with Nadal who was simply in better form. Djokovic's US Open play isn't as peaky as his AO play. The Warriors blew a 3-1 lead.

 

[TheAssassin]

Who are you trying to convince? . According to Ultronians, Ultron cant lose if he is playing well, so if he lost, he must have played bad

Don't Federer and Nadal fans do the same thing whenever Djokovic or someone else beats their guys? He played badly/he is old, he is washed up/he was injured...?

 

[TripleATeam]

Simple:
There are only ever two (and a half) reasons that a player unexpectedly beats another.

1) Player A played better than expected.
2) Player B played worse than expected.
2.5) Some well timed points make Player B have more points, but Player A win more sets.

In this case, Nadal played better than expected and Djokovic played worse. The combination gave Nadal the win.

 

[Noelan]

I know, and yet his detractors always imply that this HC success was due to some sinister conspiracy to slow down the courts. They never appreciate the great accomplishment in a "clay court specialist" not only winning Wimbledon against the grass GOAT, but then turning around and winning the USO twice against the HC co-GOAT.

Still there are some people who are able to appreciate the greatness (despite personal prefers)

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Not on hc. Nadal's 2013 level on hc was much higher.

Seriously, I was thoroughly entertained by that USO 2013 final. Djokovic was poor in parts but played very well in other parts. Nadal just took it from Djokovic on that day with superior and more aggressive play. It's all good as Djokovic has had the upper hand in their rivalry since that 2013 USO.

I meant in those US Open finals alone. Of course in general his 2013 is the best hard court year by far.

Fair enough. I myself have rewatched the 2011 USO final several times. The result obviously suited me and it was full of some awesome brutal rallies even though Nadal wasn't fantastic for the whole match.

 

[K-H]

By wearing a perfect kit and digging out of a 0-40 hole in epic fashion then breaking serve with one of the sexiest DTL forehands you'll ever see

Haha, that description is almost as epic as Nadals win.

 

[cc0509]

I know, and yet his detractors always imply that this HC success was due to some sinister conspiracy to slow down the courts or in this case, that Djokovic "played like crap." They never appreciate the great accomplishment in a "clay court specialist" not only winning Wimbledon against the grass GOAT, but then turning around and winning the USO twice against the HC co-GOAT.

Djokovic is not the HC co-GOAT. Federer is the HC GOAT by himself.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Who are you trying to convince? . According to Ultronians, Ultron cant lose if he is playing well, so if he lost, he must have played bad

Oh the mummy can lose alright, and when Nadal was around he did, every year BUT 2011. It was an exception and not the norm, no matter how much the agent smiths pretend

 

[Nadalgaenger]

I meant in those US Open finals alone. Of course in general his 2013 is the best hard court year by far.

Fair enough. I myself have rewatched the 2011 USO final several times. The result obviously suited me and it was full of some awesome brutal rallies even though Nadal wasn't fantastic for the whole match.

In 2011, Nadal was simply overmatched on HC. He didn't have any of the psychological edge he once enjoyed over Novak (in 2010) and quite the contrary, Novak was supremely confident in that match. Novak knew that beating Nadal on HC would be easy if he had already done so on every other surface that year.

 

[TripleATeam]

Djokovic is not the HC co-GOAT. Federer is the HC GOAT by himself.

Djokovic is number 2. Co-GOAT is close enough. If he wins 2 more HC majors, the positions will flip.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Plus this match has one of my favorite tennis commentary lines ever. "You only need to look around this stadium to know how good THAT was"

 

[cc0509]

I meant in those US Open finals alone. Of course in general his 2013 is the best hard court year by far.

Fair enough. I myself have rewatched the 2011 USO final several times. The result obviously suited me and it was full of some awesome brutal rallies even though Nadal wasn't fantastic for the whole match.

For me Nadal was off in most of that 2011 USO final but fair play to Djokovic for making prime Nadal his pigeon in 2011 on all surfaces.

 

[-NN-]

Nadal needs this to fire if he really wantsta win RG this year.

 

[Charlie]

This. Sets 1 and 4 from Djokovic were pretty bad. No version of Djokovic, who is playing well on HC, gets destroyed 6-2 and 6-1 by Nadal.

Djokovic played about as well as Roddick in USO 2006 or Agassi in USO 2005.

It's always refreshing to see someone with good eyes. I was afraid that the *************'s delusions how Nadal only won in "strong era" while Federer and Djokovic are beneficiaries would spread across the rest of the tennis world.

 

[cc0509]

Djokovic is number 2. Co-GOAT is close enough. If he wins 2 more HC majors, the positions will flip.

If my auntie had balls she'd be my uncle.

For now, Federer is the stand alone HC GOAT and what if HE wins another USO?

 

[Nadalgaenger]

Djokovic is not the HC co-GOAT. Federer is the HC GOAT by himself.

Fair enough. Novak is not too far off Fed. He needs more USO titles obviously.
Novak was very close this time last year but Fed has done a lot this year to separate himself again. I'm assuming that Novak is not finished winning titles on the surface though.

Here's the all-time win percentage:
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/performance-zone/win-loss-index/career/hard/all/

 

[MichaelNadal]

It's always refreshing to see someone with good eyes. I was afraid that the *************'s delusions how Nadal only won in "strong era" while Federer and Djokovic are beneficiaries would spread across the rest of the tennis world.

God forbid Nadal beat Ultron on a hard court, it's bc Ultron left his balls at home
He's redlining for 2 sets but Nadal is just ridiculous.

 

[-NN-]

It's always refreshing to see someone with good eyes. I was afraid that the *************'s delusions how Nadal only won in "strong era" while Federer and Djokovic are beneficiaries would spread across the rest of the tennis world.

Well, look at 2010. Nadal rampaged through a weak and lacklustre year. In 2013 he was destroying top-ten opposition and taking it to prime/peak Novak and beating him, just like Novak did to Rafa in 2011. Look at Federer so far this year. Who has he had to beat?

Nadal at his best at the US Open is a very good player despite the rofl draws but his wins against Novak look more impressive than they are because frankly Novak is overrated at the US Open in terms of his peak play there. Novak is not remotely the faster HC greatest but he is the almighty Lord of the slower HCs. Nadal even at his very best loses to Djokovic there.

 

[Noelan]

ah, the same broken records are showing once again

 

[K-H]

Nadal won that match because he was too good on that day. He was hitting his FHDTL at every oppprtunity especially in that first set and Novak had no answer. Plus only 19UE in a 4 set final is incredible if you ask me.

 

[TripleATeam]

If my auntie had balls she'd be my uncle.

For now, Federer is the stand alone HC GOAT and what if HE wins another USO?

He did distance himself with another AO. Before #18, I would have argued that they were comparable, co-GOATs, but yes, you're right. Fed is the HC GOAT and real GOAT unless Novak wins another slam. Then he's co-HC GOAT and the real GOAT, until Novak wins another HC slam, at which point Fed will only be the GOAT.

 

[cc0509]

He did distance himself with another AO. Before #18, I would have argued that they were comparable, co-GOATs, but yes, you're right. Fed is the HC GOAT and real GOAT unless Novak wins another slam. Then he's co-HC GOAT and the real GOAT, until Novak wins another HC slam, at which point Fed will only be the GOAT.

Djokovic with only two USOs can't be the hc GOAT.

As for Djokovic ever being the real overall GOAT, good luck with that.

 

[duaneeo]

Djokovic played about as well as Roddick in USO 2006 or Agassi in USO 2005.

Don't insult Roddick and Agassi like that. Both played well and actually competed, but facing a peak Federer they were simply outplayed. Djokovic was a joke against Nadal.

 

[-NN-]

Djokovic is number 2. Co-GOAT is close enough. If he wins 2 more HC majors, the positions will flip.

Federer had more HC Slams than Djokovic but I don't think he's the overall better HC player. Both pretty equal I'd say. Federer is better on faster HC and Djokovic is better on slower HC and it's tied in more neutral conditions, probably.

Djokovic peak on faster HC - 9/10 produced quite often
Nadal peak on faster HC - 9/10 but produces it less
Federer peak on faster HC - 10/10 produced often

Djokovic peak on slower HC - 10/10 and produces it often
Nadal peak on slower HC 9/10 but produces it less
Federer peak on slower HC 9/10, produced quite often

The era has seen two of the absolute greatest players on HC ever compete.

If you wanna talk about absolute very rare peaks then feel free to give Federer 11/10 on fast and slow HC. If you don't Fed fans will hunt you down.

 

[metsman]

I know, and yet his detractors always imply that this HC success was due to some sinister conspiracy to slow down the courts or in this case, that Djokovic "played like crap." They never appreciate the great accomplishment in a "clay court specialist" not only winning Wimbledon against the grass GOAT, but then turning around and winning the USO twice against the HC co-GOAT.

Djokovic isn't even a top 5 USO player of all time...Fed, Sampras, Mac, Lendl, Connors above him for sure. Agassi might be too, Edberg/Nadal might have similar peaks although not as many good years. And in 2010/2013 form he really wasn't anything impressive to brag out. Give Nadal credit, especially for beating prime fed twice off clay, but let's not twist words to make it seem like something even more.

 

[Charlie]

God forbid Nadal beat Ultron on a hard court, it's bc Ultron left his balls at home
He's redlining for 2 sets but Nadal is just ridiculous.

Don't get me wrong, Nadal has come up with epic stuff a lot of times including in that final, and part of me is glad he made a great contribution to tennis. But it's bs when someone claims that Fed and especially Novak are winning because of poor opposition while they were supposedly redlining in most/all of their losses, even to clearly inferior players. They have highs and lows too.

Well, look at 2010. Nadal rampaged through a weak and lacklustre year. In 2013 he was destroying top-ten opposition and taking it to prime/peak Novak and beating him, just like Novak did to Rafa in 2011. Look at Federer so far this year. Who has he had to beat?

Four top 10 players at the Australian Open. Not an easy draw in Miami either. IW was an unexpected sleepwalk to the title though.

 

[metsman]

Federer had more HC Slams than Djokovic but I don't think he's the overall better HC player. Both pretty equal I'd say. Federer is better on faster HC and Djokovic is better on slower HC and it's tied in more neutral conditions, probably.

Djokovic peak on faster HC - 9/10 produced quite often
Nadal peak on faster HC - 9/10 but produces it less
Federer peak on faster HC - 10/10 produced often

Djokovic peak on slower HC - 10/10 and produces it often
Nadal peak on slower HC 9/10 but produces it less
Federer peak on slower HC 9/10, produced quite often

The era has seen two of the absolute greatest players on HC ever compete.

If you wanna talk about absolute very rare peaks then feel free to give Federer 11/10 on fast and slow HC. If you don't Fed fans will hunt you down.

did you just find out that Cavs came back from 3-1?

 

[-NN-]

Don't get me wrong, Nadal has come up with epic stuff a lot of times including in that final, and part of me is glad he made a great contribution to tennis. But it's bs when someone claims that Fed and especially Novak are winning because of poor opposition while they were supposedly redlining in most/all of their losses, even to clearly inferior players. They have highs and lows too.

Four top 10 players at the Australian Open. Not an easy draw in Miami either. IW was an unexpected sleepwalk to the title though.

Not easy but his best competition has been Wawrinka and Nadal. He's probably not playing as well as Djokovic did in 2011 and Djokovic had Primedal to deal with...IMO Peakdal. 2010 Nadal more or less showed up in 2011 and got punked. Granted, Federer has had many top-ten matches already this year and he's won every one.

 

[metsman]

Don't get me wrong, Nadal has come up with epic stuff a lot of times including in that final, and part of me is glad he made a great contribution to tennis. But it's bs when someone claims that Fed and especially Novak are winning because of poor opposition while they were supposedly redlining in most/all of their losses, even to clearly inferior players. They have highs and lows too.

Four top 10 players at the Australian Open. Not an easy draw in Miami either. IW was an unexpected sleepwalk to the title though.

Fed's AO draw was way tougher than either of Nadal's USO's. His Miami draw wasn't easy either, although he probably made Berdych look a little better than he was. IW was soft though.

 

[-NN-]

did you just find out that Cavs came back from 3-1?

Haha of course not but caught this image over at reddit and it made me giggle.

 

[metsman]

Not easy but his best competition has been Wawrinka and Nadal. He's probably not playing as well as Djokovic did in 2011 and Djokovic had Primedal to deal with...IMO Peakdal. 2010 Nadal more or less showed up in 2011 and got punked.

Unless you mean just the slow HC swing, Nadal's serve was much worse in 2011 than 2010. Backhand was worse too.

 

[metsman]

Haha of course not but caught this image over at reddit and it made me giggle.

how many more times does LeBron have to do it to be considered GOAT? For me if he beats the Warriors superteam once more and then continues his longevity, he would be GOAT. This year would be ridiculous given the general apathy of his teammates. If he can motivate and carry his squad past the Warriors with healthy co-GOAT he'd definitely be at least co-GOAT.

 

[TripleATeam]

Djokovic with only two USOs can't be the hc GOAT.

As for Djokovic ever being the real overall GOAT, good luck with that.

With 6 AOs vs 2 USO, I'd agree with you. However, measure him up to his finals. 6 AO finals, 7 USO finals. He's made it quite far many times, and deserves recognition for it.

If he won 2 more USO, he'd have 9 USO finals. The most in the Open Era, as well as 4 USO, which puts him at only 1 behind Roger, Pete, and Jimmy.
He'd also have a perfect record in AO finals, at 6-0, with the record for most AO.

At that point, I would say Novak HC GOAT.

Furthermore, even if Novak just makes 1 more USO, but wins another AO, that would also put him above Fed in my book, simply because 10 (7 AO + 3 USO) = 10 (5 AO + 5 USO), but the masters/finals break the tie. However, that view is very much arguable.