Is this the most pressure anyone has faced?

[Deleted member 716271]

Heading into a final? I can't remember a higher pressure final for 1 player.

Federer certainly had pressure to win RG 09 once Nadal was defeated, but I don't remember this sort of pressure heading into RG 09 final. He didn't have the history of disappointment at RG ND had ( he certainly had some, but no one thought he was cursed or anything), and he wasn't going for 4 in a row etc. I think he was a very heavy favorite over Soderling as well. Rafa at Wimbledon 08 clearly really wanted it, and at time it seemed almost too intense (the pressure of the match), but I still didn't sense that level of weight of expectation that Novak has now.

What I think separates this from other similar situations, is how close Novak has been at RG, his history of disappointment mixed with his clay success elsewhere, and the "cursed" talk. It will be fascinating to see how Novak handles it. I've been impressed with him lately, he seems to be feeding off of it, rather than being overwhelmed by it.

What I think helps ND here is that AM is not the most mentally strong player, and will likely be feeling heavy pressure himself. Another slam loss to ND would really beat him down, not to mention he has a rare and special opportunity here himself.

Ultimately, I think we've seen a new side to Novak in the last year, with how he handled his loss here a year ago and went on to win Wimbledon and especially US against heavily partisan crowds over Roger. In the past, he would have folded in at least 1 of those. I think he has a reached a level of maturity as an athlete and as a person where he will be able to feed off that pressure and win the elusive trophy, becoming the 1st man in the Open Era to hold all 4 slams at once.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Oh please. Everything is right on script. You guys are WAY more nervous than Novak.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Oh please. Everything is right on script. You guys are WAY more nervous than Novak.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Ivanisevic at Wimbledon and Murray at Wimbledon.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Unless you think Djokovic is shaking in his boots right now, please have a seat he couldn't have asked for a better French Open.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Unless you think Djokovic is shaking in his boots right now, please have a seat he couldn't have asked for a better French Open.

He's shaking in his adidas size 11.5 tennis shoes

 

[MichaelNadal]

He's shaking in his adidas size 11.5 tennis shoes

He's probably watching porn while Jelena sleeps.
Seriously though, come on lol, we both know he has this on lock and key. Is it an incredible feat? (holding all four slams) ABSOLUTELY, and I'm not trying to take away from that, but has it been suspenseful? Not at all.

 

[OhYes]

The more it lingers tougher it gets. Novak should think of Federer taking it in 2009 and Murray at Wimbledon 2013, not about previous attempt and certainly not about Lendl.

 

[junior74]

Sound like you feel the pressure, @125downthemiddle

I think Djokovic is as cool as a cucumber. And has every reason to.
He knows there is no easier path to a slam final, it´s been like an ATP 500.

I think he is relieved it´s not Stan. That would have built real pressure.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

He's probably watching porn while Jelena sleeps.
Seriously though, come on lol, we both know he has this on lock and key. Is it an incredible feat? (holding all four slams) ABSOLUTELY, and I'm not trying to take away from that, but has it been suspenseful? Not at all.

Well, part of the suspense has just been his repeated failure there and coming so close. Also, I'm glad he has Murray in the final, but he's still hardly a pushover. It's not like he's playing Ferrer in the final or something.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Sound like you feel the pressure, @125downthemiddle

I think Djokovic is as cool as a cucumber. And has every reason to.
He knows there is no easier path to a slam final, it´s been like an ATP 500.

I think he is relieved it´s not Stan. That would have built real pressure.

Of course, I feel pressure. I would rather he doesn't. Why do you think Stan would be a harder opponent, because he beat him last year?

 

[junior74]

Of course, I feel pressure. I would rather he doesn't. Why do you think Stan would be a harder opponent, because he beat him last year?

Absolutely. He was torn apart in that match.

He knows he is better than Murray on clay.

 

[MichaelNadal]

If it was peakdal in the final going against Murray, I'd be walking around in a robe, doing the Ric Flair WOOOO and having chicken and waffles for breakfast lol. You guys being nervous is so cute. He's got it, relax

 

[LETitBE]

Sound like you feel the pressure, @125downthemiddle

I think Djokovic is as cool as a cucumber. And has every reason to.
He knows there is no easier path to a slam final, it´s been like an ATP 500.

I think he is relieved it´s not Stan. That would have built real pressure.

thats the problem for Novak....he's played no one and will come up against a Muzzard with Teeth,sharp ones!

 

[junior74]

thats the problem for Novak....he's played no one and will come up against a Muzzard with Teeth,sharp ones!

Difference, as opposed to a match against Stan, is that it is in his own hands. Murray won´t/ can´t hit through him like that. Novak knows if his defence holds, he wins.

Easy as that.

His defence was tested against Berdych and Thiem, and it held with bells on. Very solid!

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Difference, as opposed to a match against Stan, is that it is in his own hands. Murray won´t/ can´t hit through him like that. Novak knows if his defence holds, he wins.

Easy as that.

His defence was tested against Berdych and Thiem, and it held with bells on. Very solid!

I agree that's the biggest downside of Murray on clay, particularly his forehand. He just can't hit thru a slow, clay court. Which, judging by the weather, it appears it will be.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Difference, as opposed to a match against Stan, is that it is in his own hands. Murray won´t/ can´t hit through him like that. Novak knows if his defence holds, he wins.

Easy as that.

His defence was tested against Berdych and Thiem, and it held with bells on. Very solid!

Murray will be cursing himself out with his mouth 5 inches open by the 5th game.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Wow, just saw incredible stat. ND's 18th final in last 23 slams!

 

[LETitBE]

Difference, as opposed to a match against Stan, is that it is in his own hands. Murray won´t/ can´t hit through him like that. Novak knows if his defence holds, he wins.

Easy as that.

His defence was tested against Berdych and Thiem, and it held with bells on. Very solid!

and how is Novak going to hit through MUrray?

 

[nolefam_2024]

and how is Novak going to hit through MUrray?

Superior forehand and backhand.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

and how is Novak going to hit through MUrray?

I think he has more powerful groundstrokes, also Murray's hits with less spin and lower over the net, so less margin of error in long rallies.

 

[LETitBE]

Superior forehand and backhand.

like Stan you mean?

 

[nolefam_2024]

like Stan you mean?

Yes.

 

[Booger]

lol Murray is his personal pigeon. Very little pressure, especially considering all he does is play defense. This will go down as the easiest grand slam in history.

 

[junior74]

and how is Novak going to hit through MUrray?

He doesn´t have to. Murray will miss first.

 

[junior74]

Murray will be cursing himself out with his mouth 5 inches open by the 5th game.

Murray´s only chance is if Novak´s racquet actually hits someone this time.

 

[mandy01]

If it was peakdal in the final going against Murray, I'd be walking around in a robe, doing the Ric Flair WOOOO and having chicken and waffles for breakfast lol. You guys being nervous is so cute. He's got it, relax

You have questionable tastes in a lot of things.

 

[Legendkillar]

Not so sure. When Roger won in 09, I think it could be argued that his greatest rival wasn't in the picture and it was expected he couldn't lose.

For Djokovic now, Murray can be considered as his main rival. I think if anything the pressure was more intense last year.

 

[MichaelNadal]

You have questionable tastes in a lot of things.

You know you would Mandy

 

[mandy01]

^Ewww savoury waffles.

 

[Jaitock1991]

Unless Murray delivers the best match of his life, Djokovic pretty much has this match on his racquet. And he knows this. I think that ought to lift some of the pressure of. If it was Stan on the other side, things would have been different.

Regardless, I'd say Fed has been through worse, and still prevailed. Remember in 09 he was not only playing for his first RG, but also to tie Pete.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

You know you would Mandy

I love fried chicken, and I love waffles. Together? I don't think so

 

[MichaelNadal]

I love fried chicken, and I love waffles. Together? I don't think so

Try a chicken mcgriddle first

#BabySteps

 

[Tardigrade]

He's probably watching porn while Jelena sleeps.
Seriously though, come on lol, we both know he has this on lock and key. Is it an incredible feat? (holding all four slams) ABSOLUTELY, and I'm not trying to take away from that, but has it been suspenseful? Not at all.

Forgive him, he must have forgotten how 'suspenseful' Federer's victories in 04 and 06 were. And Nadal's FO 2008? He was certainly pushed to the limits in that one..

 

[mistik]

This tournament couldnt have been any easier for Novak this year and you guys still talk about pressure.

 

[Tardigrade]

and how is Novak going to hit through MUrray?

He has the better first and second serve, a more aggressive return, and is usually the one controlling things from the baseline. Djokovic also moves 10x better than Murray on clay and has much better defense; Djokovic can beat Murray in five or six different ways, with the option of just tiring Murray out if he needs to.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Forgive him, he must have forgotten how 'suspenseful' Federer's victories in 04 and 06 were. And Nadal's FO 2008? He was certainly pushed to the limits in that one..

Keep rolling those eyes baby, bc no one was making threads about the unbelievable pressure they must be facing

He has the better first and second serve, a more aggressive return, and is usually the one controlling things from the baseline. Djokovic also moves 10x better than Murray on clay and has much better defense; Djokovic can beat Murray in five or six different ways, with the option of just tiring Murray out if he needs to.

Ba-dum-tish!

 

[Wilhelm]

If the weather keeps being nasty, Nole is in for a Scottish treat. Murray always surprises me how well he handles cold, wet and windy conditions.

 

[disgruntledamsel]

If the weather keeps being nasty, Nole is in for a Scottish treat. Murray always surprises me how well he handles cold, wet and windy conditions.

Isn't that the truth! Novak's pretty inflexible when it comes to weather.

 

[batz]

I'm not going bother watching the final now - I thought it was a sporting event but it turns out there's a script and people know what's going to happen...

 

[batz]

If the weather keeps being nasty, Nole is in for a Scottish treat. Murray always surprises me how well he handles cold, wet and windy conditions.

It surprises you that a Scot plays well in the cold and wind? You've never been to Scotland, have you mate. Cold and wind is our default weather.

 

[RF-18]

I'm not going bother watching the final now - I thought it was a sporting event but it turns out there's a script and people know what's going to happen...

Tell that to the american kid above who knows how everything will unfold.

He's probably watching porn while Jelena sleeps.
Seriously though, come on lol, we both know he has this on lock and key. Is it an incredible feat? (holding all four slams) ABSOLUTELY, and I'm not trying to take away from that, but has it been suspenseful? Not at all.

You are shameless. Pathetic

 

[disgruntledamsel]

Even Serena has stated that her biggest enemy is wind.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

It surprises you that a Scot plays well in the cold and wind? You've never been to Scotland, have you mate. Cold and wind is our default weather.

to be fair, Murray grew up honing his fast reflexes on the indoor courts of Scotland, before moving to Spain

His clay game has taken awhile to take shape, but it is rather impressive now. The one major disavantage he has vs. someone like Novak is the flatter, less powerful groundstrokes, really makes it harder for him to penetrate the court, which can be a decider considering both have world class defense.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Tell that to the american kid above who knows how everything will unfold.



You are shameless. Pathetic

Lol if you liked me, something would be seriously wrong. You always remind me I'm on the right side

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

I partially agree with the suspense part that MichaelNadal said. It would have been more epic if he won the NCYGS back in 2012, not because of that era strength crap, but because in pretty much every Slam he had great highlights (W - several 4 setters, becoming #1, beating Rafa for the first time in a Slam; USO - the comeback from 0-2 down vs Federer and saving those match points, great final; AO - two epic back to back 5 setters vs Murray and Rafa; RG - another comeback from 0-2 vs Seppi, saving 4 match points vs Tsonga, starting that little good run against Rafa in the final...). In this run he hasn't had stuff like that. For sure, we remember the comeback vs Anderson, demolition of Fed at Wimbledon and AO, fighting the crowd at USO, that horror show vs Simon, but that isn't much compared to what was happening 4 years ago.

Having said this, I still think the pressure is huge. Holding all 4 hasn't happened since Laver, and Djokovic is trying to complete that at a Slam where he hasn't triumphed yet and has had some very painful losses. The draw was very kind on him this time, and Murray is IMO less difficult than Wawrinka and Nadal, so this is an excellent chance to end the long wait.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I partially agree with the suspense part that MichaelNadal said. It would have been more epic if he won the NCYGS back in 2012, not because of that era strength crap, but because in pretty much every Slam he had great highlights (W - several 4 setters, becoming #1, beating Rafa for the first time in a Slam; USO - the comeback from 0-2 down vs Federer and saving those match points, great final; AO - two epic back to back 5 setters vs Murray and Rafa; RG - another comeback from 0-2 vs Seppi, saving 4 match points vs Tsonga, starting that little good run against Rafa in the final...). In this run he hasn't had stuff like that. For sure, we remember the comeback vs Anderson, demolition of Fed at Wimbledon and AO, fighting the crowd at USO, that horror show vs Simon, but that isn't much compared to what was happening 4 years ago.

Having said this, I still think the pressure is huge. Holding all 4 hasn't happened since Laver, and Djokovic is trying to complete that at a Slam where he hasn't triumphed yet and has had some very painful losses. The draw was very kind on him this time, and Murray is IMO less difficult than Wawrinka and Nadal, so this is an excellent chance to end the long wait.

Excellent post, thanks for understanding what I'm saying as a Novak fan. If only RF could understand I do respect Djokovic, and can't deny he is a GREAT player.... but I would just like some suspense with my chicken and waffles. Intense battles and suspense are what make tennis exciting for me. Obviously a slam is a slam, and he's gone through enough denial at RG to deserve this.

 

[RF-18]

Excellent post, thanks for understanding what I'm saying as a Novak fan. If only RF could understand I do respect Djokovic, and can't deny he is a GREAT player.... but I would just like some suspense with my chicken and waffles. Intense battles and suspense are what make tennis exciting for me. Obviously a slam is a slam, and he's gone through enough denial at RG to deserve this.

I have seen the propaganda you've been leading in the forums towards Djokovic. You have done everything in your power to discredit him. If your really believe weak eras exist, then don't target the player that is just better than his peers. It is not his problem for being too good. Haven't Djokovic already proven by his level of play that he is an ATG, all quality he has? But we all really know the reason for your tears, it is because Novak is putting Nadals great career in the shadow - both who have played in the same generation.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I have seen the propaganda you've been leading in the forums towards Djokovic. You have done everything in your power to discredit him. If your really believe weak eras exist, then don't target the player that is just better than his peers. It is not his problem for being too good. Haven't Djokovic already proven by his level of play that he is an ATG, all quality he has? But we all really know the reason for your tears, it is because Novak is putting Nadals great career in the shadow - both who have played in the same generation.

You can continue to not get me at all, conveniently miss every time I say something good about the man, and be aggressive just bc you don't like me, totally ok with me everyone with sense can understand.

 

[Wilhelm]

It surprises you that a Scot plays well in the cold and wind? You've never been to Scotland, have you mate. Cold and wind is our default weather.

Well, it surprises me how much of a difference the weather makes. IMO, Murray would not have beaten Stan on a hot day.