Is it safe to say Tsonga played Spoil sport for Nadal?

[Tennis_Monk]

.....again?

I mean Tsonga played superbly at the Australian Open a few years ago to defeat Nadal.

This time Tsonga defeated Federer at Wimby. Roger is probably the select few capable of taking on Novak and mentally doesnt have the same block as Nadal does against Novak.

Ofcourse it is purely "speculative" but i feel that Roger could have defeated Djoker and it could have been FO 2011 all over at Wimby.

Thoughts ??

 

[pc1]

.....again?

I mean Tsonga played superbly at the Australian Open a few years ago to defeat Nadal.

This time Tsonga defeated Federer at Wimby. Roger is probably the select few capable of taking on Novak and mentally doesnt have the same block as Nadal does against Novak.

Ofcourse it is purely "speculative" but i feel that Roger could have defeated Djoker and it could have been FO 2011 all over at Wimby.

Thoughts ??

Not sure about that considering the Djokovic has still won three out of four against Federer this year but it is possible. I would still think Djokovic would have defeated Federer in the Wimbledon semis.

 

[DeShaun]

I doubt Roger would have defeated Novak. At the French, Novak was dealing with the additional pressure of knowing that if he were to win the French (or merely make the finals, I forget which) he would have taken over the number 1 ranking, regardless of whom he faced (Rafa) in the finals. Roger was the last obstacle between Novak and the number 1 ranking. I believe that distinction inspired Roger's play in the semis in Paris. Frankly, I do not believe Jo W.T. played spoiler at Wimbledon. I do believe, however, that Roger not only played spoiler at the French, but also saved Rafa from a beat down which I and many think Novak would have dealt him there.

 

[TMF]

But before the qtr final, Novak would rather face Tsonga than the 6 time champions in the semi. There's a psychological advantage facing Tsonga. But I agree, Fed is not the same player and Nole would more likely to win.

 

[brownsfan456]

I can't say that I'm a huge fan of Djokovic, but in all fairness Djokovic has been playing at a very high level and his loss to Federer is hard to analyze. We shall have to wait to watch them play each other in a major event. Is it possible that Djokovic just played at a higher level than Nadal? That's why I think he won, not because of some mental block.

 

[Fate Archer]

Yeah, I think if Novak had to face Federer in the semis at Wimby things would not necessarily end up as they did at the French Open. I think Novak would be all for vengeance on Federer's home turf, specially after Fed spoiled his party at the French.

But oh well, who would have stopped him? Nadal? :lol:

 

[Ray Mercer]

Federer would have had a decent chance. The match between the two at RG was easily the best match of the year. Federer played awesome and so did Djokovic. It was super close with tons of winners and great points. In all honesty it could have easily been a 4 set win for Djokovic.

 

[Sentinel]

Judging by the fact that my astute and objective Nadal fan friends were praying for a Fedal final, we can concur safely that Roger would have blown through Novak again.

However, this time Roger would have taken Nadal out in a tight 4 setter.

 

[abmk]

I doubt Roger would have defeated Novak. At the French, Novak was dealing with the additional pressure of knowing that if he were to win the French (or merely make the finals, I forget which) he would have taken over the number 1 ranking, regardless of whom he faced (Rafa) in the finals. Roger was the last obstacle between Novak and the number 1 ranking. I believe that distinction inspired Roger's play in the semis in Paris. Frankly, I do not believe Jo W.T. played spoiler at Wimbledon. I do believe, however, that Roger not only played spoiler at the French, but also saved Rafa from a beat down which I and many think Novak would have dealt him there.

Djoker had the reach the finals in Paris to get to #1. It was the EXACT same here at wimby ( djoker had to reach the finals @ wimbledon to get to #1 ) . This logic is a fail

 

[GOAT BAAH!!!]

I wouldn't say spoil sport but it changed the scope of the final days in a major way. Djoker breezed through that match while a battle with Fred on grass would've been much closer.It's also funny how everyone complained about Rafa's supposed cake walk draws in 2010 but no one is getting into Novak about facing Tomic instead of a top ten-er in the quarters or Jo willie instead of Fred in the semi's. Djoker is far and away the player in form and with momentum this year and I know he has no control over who he faces but last year when Rafa was the man to beat all you heard then was "this wimbledon deserves an asterick cause Berdych did the dirty work" or "Nadal was lucky Djoker took out Federer" etc.

 

[Magnus]

I think Fed would have won. Djokovic wasn't so impressive in his SF match, and Fed looked better at the even up until that wierd QF where he gave up a 2-0 sets lead. To me, Fed ALWAYS has the ability to beat Novak, unlike with Nadal where its over before it even begins.

 

[Mick]

imo, right now only federer has the weapons to beat djokovic. but federer would have to play very well to do that. if he doesn't then he would lose.

 

[TennisFan3]

It's hard to say. Despite the fact that Djokovic thrashed Nadal in then final, he wasn't playing unbelievable grass court tennis by any means. I still think he has some weaknesses on the grass and plays on it like he does on hardcourts.

A good grasscourter could have beaten him. So Fed would've had chances, provided he served well.

And I think Fed would have beaten the Nadal who showed up in the finals. Just about the worst GS final performance by Nadal.

This one will be a huge big blow for the Spaniard. If he manages to recover from this and beat Novak again in a GS final, he would be a very brave man..

 

[mellowyellow]

I don't think after the 5 setter, should Fed have pulled it out, he would have had anything left for Djoko. Remember too, that JWT had a 5-2 edge over Djoko going into this semi. Its not like he was superconfident going in like "I own this guy". JWT was as good of a grasscourter to make it that far, finalist in the lead up and semis in the Wimby, who played better grass this year other than Murray?

 

[Sentinel]

Tsonga brought some excitement into WO. Otherwise it would have been the same four boring players in the semis.

 

[RF_fan]

It's hard to say. Despite the fact that Djokovic thrashed Nadal in then final, he wasn't playing unbelievable grass court tennis by any means. I still think he has some weaknesses on the grass and plays on it like he does on hardcourts.

A good grasscourter could have beaten him. So Fed would've had chances, provided he served well.

And I think Fed would have beaten the Nadal who showed up in the finals. Just about the worst GS final performance by Nadal.

This one will be a huge big blow for the Spaniard. If he manages to recover from this and beat Novak again in a GS final, he would be a very brave man..

I agree. It's hard to say who would win on any given day but Fed would have a better chance against Djokovic. Considering he beat him at the French, lost in 3 sets @ IW and AO SF was very close. Besides Fed plays better on grass than on clay.

 

[Tony48]

Ofcourse it is purely "speculative" but i feel that Roger could have defeated Djoker and it could have been FO 2011 all over at Wimby.

You're right: Fed gets to the finals and gets his quarterly beatdown.

 

[zagor]

It's hard to say. Despite the fact that Djokovic thrashed Nadal in then final, he wasn't playing unbelievable grass court tennis by any means. I still think he has some weaknesses on the grass and plays on it like he does on hardcourts.

A good grasscourter could have beaten him. So Fed would've had chances, provided he served well.

And I think Fed would have beaten the Nadal who showed up in the finals. Just about the worst GS final performance by Nadal.

This one will be a huge big blow for the Spaniard. If he manages to recover from this and beat Novak again in a GS final, he would be a very brave man..

I sincerely doubt that, maybe 25 year old Fed would have a decent shot but not this Fed.

First of all he would not be breaking serve the way Rafa was serving in the 1st set so we would have likely seen a tiebreak, the majority of tiebreaks they played in the last 3 years were won by Nadal so you have to give him the huge edge there.

Once he would have won the first Nadal would have swinged more freely and Fed would start to remember their 2008 Wimbledon final and would tighten up which will result in one shaky service in which Nadal would break.

After that Fed not having anything to lose would have started going for the fences and would have won the 3d set. Afterwards Nadal would right the ship and win in 4, the end, Nadal would have been proclaimed the GOAT and the greatest warrior ever.


Fed is not capable of handling Nadal's game the way this version of Novak can which doesn't mean Novak is better than Fed, styles make fights.

 

[Sentinel]

You're right: Fed gets to the finals and gets his quarterly beatdown.

Had Fed beaten Tsonga and Neo, Muzzer would have drawn inspiration from that and demolished Nadal.

Wot u tink ?

 

[DeShaun]

Djoker had the reach the finals in Paris to get to #1. It was the EXACT same here at wimby ( djoker had to reach the finals @ wimbledon to get to #1 ) . This logic is a fail

Which logic is this?

 

[Biscuitmcgriddleson]

I sincerely doubt that, maybe 25 year old Fed would have a decent shot but not this Fed.

First of all he would not be breaking serve the way Rafa was serving in the 1st set so we would have likely seen a tiebreak, the majority of tiebreaks they played in the last 3 years were won by Nadal so you have to give him the huge edge there.

Once he would have won the first Nadal would have swinged more freely and Fed would start to remember their 2008 Wimbledon final and would tighten up which will result in one shaky service in which Nadal would break.

After that Fed not having anything to lose would have started going for the fences and would have won the 3d set. Afterwards Nadal would right the ship and win in 4, the end, Nadal would have been proclaimed the GOAT and the greatest warrior ever.


Fed is not capable of handling Nadal's game the way this version of Novak can which doesn't mean Novak is better than Fed, styles make fights.

No doubt in my mind that 25 year old Fed would have beaten 25 year old Nadal. Federer's movement at 25 is better than Nadal's at 25 on all surfaces.

 

[abmk]

Which logic is this?

This

Roger was the last obstacle between Novak and the number 1 ranking. I believe that distinction inspired Roger's play in the semis in Paris.

Fed was the last obstacle at wimbledon in the exact same way as well

 

[Russeljones]

Djokovic wasn't so hot at that stage of the tournament while Federer played a near flawless match vs an inspired Tsonga. it's hard to believe Federer wouldn't have fancied his chances vs Djokovic in the semi-final.

 

[stingstang]

Feds win over djoker at FO is a bit overrated- the french crowd and pressure of the streak got to him as much a feds game. He pushed a bit, made UE's on big point and choked it. Definitely not a certainty fed would win at W, at least 50-50 chance.

 

[Pinkskunk]

I dont understand why people still want to see Fed-Nadal match even they have watched it many times in the past? people just dont want to move forward and explore new talent and new faces. Same old Nadal-Fed is tiring and boring and the outcome is almost always predictable.

 

[NadalAgassi]

Federer is no longer a good enough player to beat someone like Novak how he is playing now 2 slams in a row. Plus while Federer was playing alot better than last years Wimbledon it was still mostly serve and push from him. His ground game on grass has gone down the drain. So I would say no to the thread title. Novak would have still beaten Federer in the semis.

 

[fruitytennis1]

Novak wasn't amazing on grass. It was just that his competition-Nadal didn't really show up. I think if Fed came up against Djoke he would've won it.

 

[DjokovicForTheWin]

Maybe Federer tanked against Tsonga after the FO debacle. After all, when was the last time he lost in a slam being up two sets to none? Suspicious no?

 

[jackson vile]

Maybe Federer tanked against Tsonga after the FO debacle. After all, when was the last time he lost in a slam being up two sets to none? Suspicious no?

You are funny. Really if anything this is a shot in the foot to Federer and really decreases his chances of winning another slam. With the new rankings Federer's chances of being in Nadal's half of the draw make it almost a sure thing.

As a result if Federer meets Nadal before the final his chances are even worse for him.

 

[aphex]

Maybe Federer tanked against Tsonga after the FO debacle. After all, when was the last time he lost in a slam being up two sets to none? Suspicious no?

I agree...if he lost to Djokovic at Wimbledon, people would start getting REALLY suspicious...

Tsonga is far more believable.

 

[Russeljones]

You are funny. Really if anything this is a shot in the foot to Federer and really decreases his chances of winning another slam. With the new rankings Federer's chances of being in Nadal's half of the draw make it almost a sure thing.

As a result if Federer meets Nadal before the final his chances are even worse for him.

Fed vs Nadal on hard courts should be more open than ever, so how exactly are his chances worse?

 

[Beacon Hill]

Federer is no longer a good enough player to beat someone like Novak how he is playing now 2 slams in a row. Plus while Federer was playing alot better than last years Wimbledon it was still mostly serve and push from him. His ground game on grass has gone down the drain. So I would say no to the thread title. Novak would have still beaten Federer in the semis.

Couldn't agree more. There is no way Federer could beat Djokovic in a major. He hasn't done that in a long, long time. I can't even remember the last time he even came close to doing that.

 

[Andres]

Couldn't agree more. There is no way Federer could beat Djokovic in a major. He hasn't done that in a long, long time. I can't even remember the last time he even came close to doing that.

Hehe. Epic.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

to some extent, yes, but Roger would have had serious chances with both Djokovic and Nadal on grass on a good day

 

[pc1]

Yeah, I think if Novak had to face Federer in the semis at Wimby things would not necessarily end up as they did at the French Open. I think Novak would be all for vengeance on Federer's home turf, specially after Fed spoiled his party at the French.

But oh well, who would have stopped him? Nadal? :lol:

And that's the problem I have with Federer in the semi. He would have had a decent chance (I think he would have lost to Djokovic most likely but he could win) against Djokovic and if he won he probably would have face Nadal in the final. And I'm sorry I can't enjoy this matchup of Nadal and Federer anymore. It's the same rerun over and over again and the match may be close for a while but eventually the heavy topspin groundstrokes of Nadal will prevail.

That's why I prefer Nadal and Federer on the same side of the draw so the final will be a change of pace and at least I would feel the other finalist, whether it's Murray, Tsonga, del Potro or Djokovic would stand a chance against Nadal.