Ivanisevic: Nadal has no chance vs Djokovic

[TennisFan3]

Hello StrongRule

I'm quoting an article.
Come'on man. How are you comparing me with Strongrule.
This is unfair.

 

[TennisFan3]

Wow some pretty strong words and belief from Goran. It’s almost as if he’s his coach

Those are very strong words. Ivanisevic is not saying it lightly.
He has to know this would be public.

Does he know something that we don't? What if he is right?

 

[TennisFan3]

It's not just Goran - other experts are also favoring Novak:

https://www.essentiallysports.com/j...concerns-at-french-open-2020-atp-tennis-news/

Former world number 1 John McEnroe believes that the cold condition is ideal for Djokovic to prevail over Nadal.

More importantly to me is not that he had a stiff neck but that he got through it, he’s going for a Slam and if he goes and plays Rafa in the final, which is what most people think will happen, these conditions are absolutely perfect for him to play Rafa”, he stated.

 

[Beckerserve]

It's not just Goran - other experts are also favoring Novak:

https://www.essentiallysports.com/j...concerns-at-french-open-2020-atp-tennis-news/

Former world number 1 John McEnroe believes that the cold condition is ideal for Djokovic to prevail over Nadal.

More importantly to me is not that he had a stiff neck but that he got through it, he’s going for a Slam and if he goes and plays Rafa in the final, which is what most people think will happen, these conditions are absolutely perfect for him to play Rafa”, he stated.

This is all a bit weird. It is as if people are trying to take the pressure off Nadal and put it on Djokovic. Its like Uncle Toni has paid McEnroe what to say.
Rafa always proves the critics wrong and pundits know that. One wonders if they are desperate to see Nadal and Federer stay ahead of Djokovic.
If i am Rafa coach all these comments going for Djokovic will be pinned up in Rafas locker.

 

[TennisFan3]

This is all a bit weird. It is as if people are trying to take the pressure off Nadal and put it on Djokovic. Its like Uncle Toni has paid McEnroe what to say.
Rafa always proves the critics wrong and pundits know that. One wonders if they are desperate to see Nadal and Federer stay ahead of Djokovic.
If i am Rafa coach all these comments going for Djokovic will be pinned up in Rafas locker.

It's not just about motivation. It's about game as well and the conditions.
The fact might be that given the slow, cold conditions and Nadal's form - it might be hard for him to beat Djokovic.
After all their prior RG matches have been close when Nadal was in his prime and the conditions were hot and favorable to Rafa. This time is probably different completely.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

“Everything is the same as always, but it is not the same”

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.

 

[Beckerserve]

I want to know who Federer fans are cheering for if it's a Nadal/Djokovic final.
Have they warmed up to Nadal finally and don't mind if he ties Federer in the Slam count?
Or are they pinning all their hopes on Djokovic now to stop Nadal from tying Federer?
Also, I still put Nadal as the favourite. A French Open final takes a whole different level of mental strength. First set will be crucial for Djokovic.

There was a poll and most went for Nadal. I think the logic is better to share the slam count then lose it altogether. Djokovic if he is within 2 is too close for comfort. Nadal looks spent so this surely his last shot at a slam

 

[Born_to_slice]

No doubt. I think this is Djokovic's best chance yet with Nadal still being the favourite, but Djokovic has too be 100% obviously. He can't come out and just donate the first set like against PCB.

But I also think/hope Novak will be fine and that he'll beat Tsits with not too much effort because I want to see a Djokodal final. Well being a Fed fan I wouldn't pass on Diego vs Tsits truthfully, but since I know the percentage chances of that are in the negatives, I want Djokodal.

Anyway, his injury didn't seem serious.

Agreed, mostly.

I don't think that Novak "donated" 1st set tho. IMO, it was the best he could manage before warming up enough to play through injury. That will be even more of a handicap against stronger players.

I really hope you're right about injury but I think it will only get worse while he's still in the tournament. Neck injury is nasty for playing tennis, serving especially but it will certainly heal with a couple of weeks of rest and therapy.

 

[CiscoPC600]

Can we have someone who actually speaks Serbian do a translation?

As a native Spanish speaker, I can tell you google translator is absolute trash--it's very likely worse for Serbian. Unless you know, the tone and context of what he said don't actually matter for the purposes of this board.

 

[irishnadalfan1983]

I wonder did he really say that...Was it taken out of context some how...

 

[Nadal>>>>>Federer]

incoming triple bagel in the final

 

[Beckerserve]

It's not just about motivation. It's about game as well and the conditions.
The fact might be that given the slow, cold conditions and Nadal's form - it might be hard for him to beat Djokovic.
After all their prior RG matches have been close when Nadal was in his prime and the conditions were hot and favorable to Rafa. This time is probably different completely.

Way Sinner played i think Nadal confidence will be sky high. Sinner was playing really good stuff and hitting huge. Nobody else bar Tsitispas on FH and serve will hit Rafa off court like Sinner did.
Funnily enough i think given how laboured Nadal is the slow conditions help him. Not sure he would cope against Djokovic big shots on a quicker court.

 

[I Am Finnish]

I'm quoting an article.
Come'on man. How are you comparing me with Strongrule.
This is unfair.

I was talking about Ivanisevic

 

[Beckerserve]

Agreed, mostly.

I don't think that Novak "donated" 1st set tho. IMO, it was the best he could manage before warming up enough to play through injury. That will be even more of a handicap against stronger players.

I really hope you're right about injury but I think it will only get worse while he's still in the tournament. Neck injury is nasty for playing tennis, serving especially but it will certainly heal with a couple of weeks of rest and therapy.

I have a neck problem in C4 region. Get pain into left arm. They never heal but are manageable.

 

[WildRevolver]

Goran is @StrongRule confirmed

Have to admit, this crossed my mind.

 

[mike danny]

Doesn't matter. He's wrong anyway. Nadal "has a chance" on PC against absolutely everyone no matter what month RG is played in.

But I suspect this is just a coaches move for mind game purposes. Same as how Toni and Rafa always underplay their chances.

Goran just played right into Nadal's mentality though. Nadal wants to feel like the underdog.

Not very smart from Goran.

 

[Beckerserve]

Wonder if Goran said this before Thiem went out.

 

[catskillthunder]

Way Sinner played i think Nadal confidence will be sky high. Sinner was playing really good stuff and hitting huge. Nobody else bar Tsitispas on FH and serve will hit Rafa off court like Sinner did.
Funnily enough i think given how laboured Nadal is the slow conditions help him. Not sure he would cope against Djokovic big shots on a quicker court.

I really think the current conditions help both Diego and Sefanos immensely. I'll say it again, dont get too far ahead of ourselves with thinking its an automatic Djokovic-Nadal final.

 

[I Am Finnish]

If Novak beats Rafa 6-1 6-3 6-0 in the final then I will formally apologise to @StrongRule

So do I

 

[Beckerserve]

Goran just played right into Nadal's mentality though. Nadal wants to feel like the underdog.

Not very smart from Goran.

Nadal is loving it. Nobody talking about no.20 but how conditions are rubbish for him.

 

[Leandro2045]

Someone should tell Ivanisevic there's a reason Novak Djokovic has barely won 1 single French Open title in 15 editions.

This is like proclaiming Rafa as the favourite in a Djokodal final at the Australian Open.

If they indeed meet they will be playing at Philippe Chatrier in a Best of 5 match. That's the only relevant issue here.

 

[catskillthunder]

If Novak beats Rafa 6-1 6-3 6-0 in the final then I will formally apologise to @StrongRule

IF Nadal ever lost to anyone 1-3-0 at the FO, I would pack my bags and never watch again.

 

[Beckerserve]

I really think the current conditions help both Diego and Sefanos immensely. I'll say it again, dont get too far ahead of ourselves with thinking its an automatic Djokovic-Nadal final.

I agree. I make Tsitsipas fav for the event if he does not bottle it. Diego i would have backed to beat Nadal but for the Thiem match which mentally will have been draining.
But you are spot on. Cold weather is a nightmare as one gets older. Recovery time takes longer. And its harder to warm up. This is a golden opportunity for tsitsipas. At 22 in these conditions he has a huge advantage if he can keep it together.

 

[Jaitock1991]

Doesn't matter. He's wrong anyway. Nadal "has a chance" on PC against absolutely everyone no matter what month RG is played in.

But I suspect this is just a coaches move for mind game purposes. Same as how Toni and Rafa always underplay their chances.

Absolutely. Quite comical that a guy that has(and still does) dominated a tournament in a way that has hardly been seen at any time in sporting history regardless of sport can be considered to have "no chance" at beating a certain player in said tournament. Until Rafa is beaten here, he is still THE NUMBER ONE GUY TO BEAT BY FAR. Period.

Goran is either completely clueless about tennis which I find very unlikely given his past as a top, top player and now coach. Or, much more likely as you say; he's doing the job that being a coach requires him to do by playing mind games.

 

[RF-18]

Wut. Djokovic needs to win tomorrow first before he even thinks of Nadal. Weird comments publicly from a coach. Not sure this is reliable or true.

 

[Born_to_slice]

Can we have someone who actually speaks Serbian do a translation?

As a native Spanish speaker, I can tell you google translator is absolute trash--it's very likely worse for Serbian. Unless you know, the tone and context of what he said don't actually matter for the purposes of this board.

It's a decent translation. Spanish is much more difficult for machine translator than our language.

 

[TennisFan3]

It's a decent translation. Spanish is much more difficult for machine translator than our language.

Thank you for confirming.

 

[Beckerserve]

Wut. Djokovic needs to win tomorrow first before he even thinks of Nadal. Weird comments publicly from a coach. Not sure this is reliable or true.

Unless djokovic is close to having to withdraw due to neck injury which would mean Goran is setting up a narrative if Rafa won the event that he got lucky due to Novak injury.

 

[Zebrev]

Nadal is not great at beating Novak in the last 5 years, so he has a point.

 

[Beckerserve]

Nadal is not great at beating Novak in the last 5 years, so he has a point.

When did Novak last beat Nadal on clay?

 

[catskillthunder]

Nadal is not great at beating Novak in the last 5 years, so he has a point.

I do think Nadal is over that mental block and will be ready if they both advance. Im hoping that it happens, but still a lot can happen. Injury, Stefanos & Diego are lurking waiting to take them out!

 

[octogon]

Nadal is loving it. Nobody talking about no.20 but how conditions are rubbish for him.

Good point. There is weirdly less pressure on Rafa this year, because of all the talk about the conditions not being helpful to him. That may ultimately end up helping him. The pressure of tying Federer isn't the main point of conversation.

 

[Beckerserve]

Good point. There is weirdly less pressure on Rafa this year, because of all the talk about the conditions not being helpful to him. That may ultimately end up helping him. The pressure of tying Federer isn't the main point of conversation.

Hardly being mentioned. More talk about a DCGS. Perfect for Nadal.

 

[Born_to_slice]

Thank you for confirming.

Note that Ivanisevic gave interview to Serbian news portal in Serbian language. I doubt that he would use such strong words if he was speaking for any international media.

 

[catskillthunder]

Good point. There is weirdly less pressure on Rafa this year, because of all the talk about the conditions not being helpful to him. That may ultimately end up helping him. The pressure of tying Federer isn't the main point of conversation.

I dont like the built in excuse to ease the pressure. While it is known that these conditions dont favor Nadal, he still has go out there and do his best to preform at an expected high level on his favorite surface. Meanwhile......rain and a high of 57 on Sunday in Paris.....

 

[The Blond Blur]

 

[RF-18]

When did Novak last beat Nadal on clay?

1-0 h2h at Phillippe Chatrier since 2015.

 

[Beckerserve]

1-0 h2h at Phillippe Chatrier since 2015.

So 2011 no longer the reference point.

 

[WildRevolver]

So 2011 no longer the reference point.

If that's the case..."Nadal is undefeated against Djokovic at Ashe since 2013!"

 

[myth]

https://www.b92.net/sport/rolandgarros2020/vesti.php?nav_id=1744207

Using Google Translate: Ivanisevic says.

"We are watching Nadal and everything is the same as always, but it is not the same.
These are perfect conditions for Novak, but not for Nadal. Nadal will always beat the ones he needs to beat.
I am counting on Novak - Nadal final in which, in my opinion, Nadal has no chance in such conditions, on this kind of clay court and with Novak who has already entered his head.
I went a little too far, but I think Novak is the number one favorite of Roland Garros ", said Ivanišević

If he's not injured, Novak will win.....but Tsitsipas will be dangerous.

 

[Beckerserve]

If that's the case..."Nadal is undefeated against Djokovic at Ashe since 2013!"

That is always a trigger point lol.

 

[tsurismo5]

These balkans.

 

[Born_to_slice]

I have a neck problem in C4 region. Get pain into left arm. They never heal but are manageable.

Rec tennis is not comparable to what pros do. Intensity alone is worlds apart.

 

[Beckerserve]

Rec tennis is not comparable to what pros do. Intensity alone is worlds apart.

As is their treatment regimes. He will be fine.

 

[Leandro2045]

If that's the case..."Nadal is undefeated against Djokovic at Ashe since 2013!"

It's even worse for them when you consider that Rafa at least won the same amount of US Opens as Novak since 2013.

But since that 2015 French Open QF Nadal has triple the amount of Roland Garros as Djokovic.

 

[Legend of Borg]

why would you do that Goran?

don't poke the bull

let your guy go through his draw in peace, let him win his semis then let's talk about who's got a chance and who doesn't

he's still got a tough semi against Stef, lots of tennis to play

 

[irishnadalfan1983]

Wut. Djokovic needs to win tomorrow first before he even thinks of Nadal. Weird comments publicly from a coach. Not sure this is reliable or true.

Pretty much what I said...Not sure they are reliable...His first language is not English...

 

[TennisFan3]

why would you do that Goran?

don't poke the bull

let your guy go through his draw in peace, let him win his semis then let's talk about who's got a chance and who doesn't

he's still got a tough semi against Stef, lots of tennis to play

I think Goran realizes the reality. That in these conditions, Novak is impossible to beat.

Goran also talks about Novak's mental edge over Nadal: Nadal has no chance in such conditions, on this kind of clay court and with Novak who has already entered his head."

 

[Slowtwitcher]

Pretty much what I said...Not sure they are reliable...His first language is not English...

Comments were made in his native language.

 

[Legend of Borg]

I think Goran realizes the reality. That in these conditions, Novak is impossible to beat.

Goran also talks about Novak's mental edge over Nadal: Nadal has no chance in such conditions, on this kind of clay court and with Novak who has already entered his head."

Rafa LOVES this trash talk

it feeds into his underdog mentality and will help him play with less pressure

mental edge? this ain't Rod Laver arena amigos, this is Rafa's own private court

anyways, until I see Novak lifting the coupe des mousquetaires on Sunday, he's not the favorite in any way or form, wet conditions or not