Just watched Djokovic's RG presser...

[kevaninho]

Man he looks very quietly confident. I think he has been holding back a little in the Masters events till now, and in his mind he knows he has that extra gear to win RG.

Anyone else get this feeling?

It worries me, as a Nadal fan, when Djokovic is in this mindset. I don't think he minds taking a loss against Nadal , whereas if the result goes the other way, I feel it affects Nadal a lot.
Basically Nadal needed that Rome win, whereas Djokovic looks like hes just brushed it off and in his mind he feels at RG he wont be fighting against fatigue or scheduling if he meets Nadal again.

Im very much looking forward to hopefully seeing them battle it out in the final this year.

 

[StrongRule]

Depends on Nadal's form. He was terrible at the beginning of the clay season, though he improved in Rome. We have to see how he will play this time. When he plays well and has enough confidence then he beats anybody in RG, including Djokovic. But mentality might be a problem. He really choked that second set in Rome final.

 

[Standaa]

Man he looks very quietly confident. I think he has been holding back a little in the Masters events till now, and in his mind he knows he has that extra gear to win RG.

Anyone else get this feeling?

It worries me, as a Nadal fan, when Djokovic is in this mindset. I don't think he minds taking a loss against Nadal , whereas if the result goes the other way, I feel it affects Nadal a lot.
Basically Nadal needed that Rome win, whereas Djokovic looks like hes just brushed it off and in his mind he feels at RG he wont be fighting against fatigue or scheduling if he meets Nadal again.

Im very much looking forward to hopefully seeing them battle it out in the final this year.

Link please ?

 

[r2473]

He took Nadals temperature in Rome and knows he has nothing to worry about.

 

[TheAssassin]

Not surprised, Djokovic had positives to take from Rome despite a couple of one sided sets. And he's got to feel good having won the last three Slams.

RG still depends on Nadal though. He owns the place.

 

[tex123]

Man he looks very quietly confident. I think he has been holding back a little in the Masters events till now, and in his mind he knows he has that extra gear to win RG.

Anyone else get this feeling?

It worries me, as a Nadal fan, when Djokovic is in this mindset. I don't think he minds taking a loss against Nadal , whereas if the result goes the other way, I feel it affects Nadal a lot.
Basically Nadal needed that Rome win, whereas Djokovic looks like hes just brushed it off and in his mind he feels at RG he wont be fighting against fatigue or scheduling if he meets Nadal again.

Im very much looking forward to hopefully seeing them battle it out in the final this year.

Rafa is peaking at the right time. Don't worry. Even if he loses there are plenty of future slams to win.

 

[Deleted member 763024]

Sniffed his vegan vitamins in prep for RG. Why wouldn't he be confident?

 

[True Fanerer]

Depends on Nadal's form. He was terrible at the beginning of the clay season, though he improved in Rome. We have to see how he will play this time. When he plays well and has enough confidence then he beats anybody in RG, including Djokovic. But mentality might be a problem. He really choked that second set in Rome final.

lol

 

[True Fanerer]

Stop worrying.

 

[StrongRule]

lol

What was so funny?

 

[MarcusInKensington]

You’re reading too much in to it. Pepe gave him a shoulder rub and read him a poem just before.

 

[Backspin1183]

He will have a good chance of lifting his second French Open title if Nadal loses before the final or if he meets and beats Thiem in the semi final.

OP, don't rule out Thiem either. He truly believes he is the second best clay court player today, especially at RG. When he plays well without making many errors, he's one of the hardest players to defeat on clay.

 

[True Fanerer]

What was so funny?

You.

 

[TheAssassin]

What was so funny?

You are.

 

[StrongRule]

You.

I wonder what part of my comment makes you write this. You disagree that Nadal is better than Djokovic on clay when he plays well? Or that he choked in Rome?

 

[TheAssassin]

You.

You are.

 

[Sport]

Tennis ability >>>> psychology/confidence.


Djokovic will pay his confidence, losing to the King of clay in the final. If he were intelligent, he would tank against Thiem.

(OK I made a troll comment, don't take this comment too seriously guys.)

 

[OhYes]

Man he looks very quietly confident. I think he has been holding back a little in the Masters events till now, and in his mind he knows he has that extra gear to win RG.

Anyone else get this feeling?

It worries me, as a Nadal fan, when Djokovic is in this mindset. I don't think he minds taking a loss against Nadal , whereas if the result goes the other way, I feel it affects Nadal a lot.
Basically Nadal needed that Rome win, whereas Djokovic looks like hes just brushed it off and in his mind he feels at RG he wont be fighting against fatigue or scheduling if he meets Nadal again.

Im very much looking forward to hopefully seeing them battle it out in the final this year.

Looks like Nadal brushed off Monte Caro, Barcelona and Madrid too. They are adults and they behave as such.

 

[OhYes]

Oh, btw, is there a link to that presser ?

 

[Mainad]

As usual, it will probably come down to how easily they progress through their draws and who has spent more time on court if they both reach the final.

 

[Pistol10]

He's going to destroy every "thing"... Not just "body" .

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Or, he's just practicing on OVERHEAD SMASH .

 

[Steve0904]

I'd be confident if I was him. All he had to do to win the 2nd set against Nadal was keep it close and then Nadal blinked and lost the set. Still think Nadal's the favourite for RG because he's a bit more likely to demolish the field efficiently than Djokovic is, but if both are relatively fresh the final is 50/50 IMO.

 

[StrongRule]

I'd be confident if I was him. All he had to do to win the 2nd set against Nadal was keep it close and then Nadal blinked and lost the set. Still think Nadal's the favourite for RG because he's a bit more likely to demolish the field efficiently than Djokovic is, but if both are relatively fresh the final is 50/50 IMO.

Nadal has mental problems against Djokovic, this is the problem IMO. By pure level of play Nadal is obviously better on this court.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Nadal has mental problems against Djokovic, this is the problem IMO. By pure level of play Nadal is obviously better on this court.

An often repeated mantra that doesn't mean almost anything.

Most "mental" problems are actually problems with the actual game of the opponent.

 

[StrongRule]

An often repeated mantra that doesn't mean almost anything.

Most "mental" problems are actually problems with the actual game of the opponent.

Not really. Djokovic is not the player he was a few years ago.

 

[DSH]

I am surprised that many see ghosts where there are none.
The passing and the course of the matches will determine who arrives in the best way to the final if both arrive at that instance.
What happens before the tournament is just one indicator of multiple factors.

 

[Sport]

I'd be confident if I was him. All he had to do to win the 2nd set against Nadal was keep it close and then Nadal blinked and lost the set. Still think Nadal's the favourite for RG because he's a bit more likely to demolish the field efficiently than Djokovic is, but if both are relatively fresh the final is 50/50 IMO.

If both arrive fresh to the final it won't be 50/50 because Nadal is undoubtedly a better clay player, and he recovered his form in Rome. Nadal favorite, something like 60/40. Even the most optimistic Djokovic fans would way 55/45 or something like that. 50/50 is unrealistic if both reach the final fresh.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Not really. Djokovic is not the player he was a few years ago.

I don't see how you saying that Djokovic is not the same player refutes anything I said.

 

[TheMaestro1990]

Man he looks very quietly confident. I think he has been holding back a little in the Masters events till now, and in his mind he knows he has that extra gear to win RG.

Anyone else get this feeling?

It worries me, as a Nadal fan, when Djokovic is in this mindset. I don't think he minds taking a loss against Nadal , whereas if the result goes the other way, I feel it affects Nadal a lot.
Basically Nadal needed that Rome win, whereas Djokovic looks like hes just brushed it off and in his mind he feels at RG he wont be fighting against fatigue or scheduling if he meets Nadal again.

Im very much looking forward to hopefully seeing them battle it out in the final this year.

Yes, I’ve got the same impression, especially regarding the Rome final. Super important for Nadal to win. Not to Djokovic.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

If both arrive fresh to the final it won't be 50/50 because Nadal is undoubtedly a better clay player, and he recovered his form in Rome. Nadal favorite, something like 60/40. Even the most optimistic Djokovic fans would way 55/45 or something like that. 50/50 is unrealistic if both reach the final fresh.

I'd go with that.

 

[Sport]

Yes, I’ve got the same impression, especially regarding the Rome final. Super important for Nadal to win. Not to Djokovic.

Disagree. It was important for both. Had Jokovic won the Rome final, Nadal would be more insecure, which would benefit Jokovic.

I can accept that it was more important for Nadal though.

 

[Luka888]

Not really. Djokovic is not the player he was a few years ago.

Yeah, really? He is holding 3 last majors. Not good enough for you? Gimme a break.

Anyway, the OP should have posted the link

 

[StrongRule]

Yeah, really? He is holding 3 last majors. Not good enough for you? Gimme a break.

Anyway, the OP should have posted the link

I'm talking about the level of play. Obviously he doesn't have to play like he did before if his strongest opponent in the last two slams combined was Medvedev.

 

[TheMaestro1990]

Disagree. It was important for both. Had Jokovic won the Rome final, Nadal would be more insecure, which would benefit Jokovic.

I can accept that it was more important for Nadal though.

I think Djokovic likes to not having to be the favorite in RG, which he would have been had he won in Rome. He can play with a little less pressure now. And he knows Nadal’s game inside out and he knows he’s a bad match up for him. The Rome loss means nothing for Djokovic.

 

[Deleted member 762343]

I consider him the favorite for RG and I do think he has a very high chance of beating Nadal in the final.

 

[TripleATeam]

If both arrive fresh to the final it won't be 50/50 because Nadal is undoubtedly a better clay player, and he recovered his form in Rome. Nadal favorite, something like 60/40. Even the most optimistic Djokovic fans would way 55/45 or something like that. 50/50 is unrealistic if both reach the final fresh.

60/40 at best. Probably 65/35 Nadal. Clay is Nadal's domain, and he's got a 6-1 H2H against Djokovic at RG. A 2/3 chance sounds right around what it should be at.

 

[kevaninho]

Apologies about not posting a link. I literally seen it on FB earlier and he just looks super confident and motivated.
There is something about when he speaks, that you can sense his confidence. You certainly don't get that impression from Nadal or any other player IMO.
Djokovic KNOWS how good he is, and doesn't worry about losing as much as certain players, who NEED to be winning for confidence.

 

[Sport]

I think Djokovic likes to not having to be the favorite in RG, which he would have been had he won in Rome. He can play with a little less pressure now. And he knows Nadal’s game inside out and he knows he’s a bad match up for him. The Rome loss means nothing for Djokovic.

How can it mean "nothing"? Nadal could have played insecure and bad this RG like in 2015 had he lost to Djokovic in Rome. Now he has recovered his level and confidence and can play similar to 2012, 2013, 2014, etc. Djokovic is not a bad matchup for Nadal at RG by the way, as Nadal leads Djokovic there 6-1.

 

[RF-18]

 

[vex]

Only a madman would feel confident going into Roland Garros against Rafa Nadal.... that said, Djoker is kinda crazy.

Rafa looked amazing in that first set at Rome. If he plays like that he’ll win. Anything less and it’s a toss up with Djokovic

 

[Deleted member 77403]

How can it mean "nothing"? Nadal could have played insecure and bad this RG like in 2015 had he lost to Djokovic in Rome. Now he has recovered his level and confidence and can play similar to 2012, 2013, 2014, etc. Djokovic is not a bad matchup for Nadal at RG by the way, as Nadal leads Djokovic there 6-1.

There is a difference between bad match up and simply being a better player. Djokovic is a bad match up for Nadal, because of the way their games match up, Nadal's strength goes into Djokovic's strength. The reason why Nadal wins at RG is because his movement is greatest on clay, his shots have more bite off the ground, that doesn't mean the bad match up issue isn't there.

When Federer beat Nadal at W 06, he won because he was simply the better player, but the match up still existed, Federer could just deal with it better.

 

[Krish872007]

I do think the Rome title was very important for Nadal to get under his belt as he was able to prove that he's still very much capable of producing the kind of tennis required to win the French despite recent struggles. Confidence/mindset is crucial for him and obviously if he had lost he would be heading into this Slam tournament without any title to his name for the year.

Also super difficult to imagine anyone stopping him before the final. Can't see the threats in his section if he plays at a good level. And then we should consider that he's 11-0 in RG finals and has lost just 2 best of 5 set matches on clay.
Would be a great achievement if Djokovic or someone else were to take him out.

 

[TheMaestro1990]

How can it mean "nothing"? Nadal could have played insecure and bad this RG like in 2015 had he lost to Djokovic in Rome. Now he has recovered his level and confidence and can play similar to 2012, 2013, 2014, etc. Djokovic is not a bad matchup for Nadal at RG by the way, as Nadal leads Djokovic there 6-1.

Because I fully believe Djokovic know where his level is at and he has seen what Nadal's best is at the moment, and I don't think he's particularly afraid. I really don't think the Rome loss is worrisome at all. He has won the last three Grand Slam titles, but yet doesn't have to enter RG as the favorite. Thanks to the Rome title, Nadal holds that position. Djokovic has dominated Nadal the last couple of years and has clearly shown that when he is at his best, he's got the upper hand between the two.

I think Djokovic enters this year's RG in exactly the position he wants to find himself in: he knows his game is good enough to win, yet doesn't have to feel the pressure despite going for his second four slam run in a row, and Nadal isn't at his absolute best or is overly confident. However, I do feel the win was crucial for Nadal. Without it, he'd enter RG with a troublesome mind and we all know what a confidence player he is.

 

[Krish872007]

Since his 2015 loss, Nadal has dropped a grand total of 1 set in his next 16 matches at RG. And that was Schwartzman playing out of his mind for an hour or so.

But ultimately, that's all in the past now. If anyone can do it, Novak can - he seems to be the likeliest man for the job IF he can navigate the pitfalls in his draw.

 

[TheMaestro1990]

Since his 2015 loss, Nadal has dropped a grand total of 1 set in his next 16 matches at RG. And that was Schwartzman playing out of his mind for an hour or so.

But ultimately, that's all in the past now. If anyone can do it, Novak can - he seems to be the likeliest man for the job IF he can navigate the pitfalls in his draw.

Schwartzman was playing the tennis of his life, then the rain came.

 

[StrongRule]

Because I fully believe Djokovic know where his level is at and he has seen what Nadal's best is at the moment, and I don't think he's particularly afraid. I really don't think the Rome loss is worrisome at all. He has won the last three Grand Slam titles, but yet doesn't have to enter RG as the favorite. Thanks to the Rome title, Nadal holds that position. Djokovic has dominated Nadal the last couple of years and has clearly shown that when he is at his best, he's got the upper hand between the two.

I think Djokovic enters this year's RG in exactly the position he wants to find himself in: he knows his game is good enough to win, yet doesn't have to feel the pressure despite going for his second four slam run in a row, and Nadal isn't at his absolute best or is overly confident. However, I do feel the win was crucial for Nadal. Without it, he'd enter RG with a troublesome mind and we all know what a confidence player he is.

Not on clay though. Unless you really believe that in 2015-2016 Nadal was in his prime on clay.

 

[kevaninho]

Because I fully believe Djokovic know where his level is at and he has seen what Nadal's best is at the moment, and I don't think he's particularly afraid. I really don't think the Rome loss is worrisome at all. He has won the last three Grand Slam titles, but yet doesn't have to enter RG as the favorite. Thanks to the Rome title, Nadal holds that position. Djokovic has dominated Nadal the last couple of years and has clearly shown that when he is at his best, he's got the upper hand between the two.

I think Djokovic enters this year's RG in exactly the position he wants to find himself in: he knows his game is good enough to win, yet doesn't have to feel the pressure despite going for his second four slam run in a row, and Nadal isn't at his absolute best or is overly confident. However, I do feel the win was crucial for Nadal. Without it, he'd enter RG with a troublesome mind and we all know what a confidence player he is.

I agree with most of this, but technically Nadal leads 3-2 in their H2H over the last couple years. Its not been dominant at all from Djokovic.
It really should be 4-1 as Nadal threw away Wimbledon. The only dominance was AO this year, no doubts there.

 

[TheMaestro1990]

Not on clay though. Unless you really believe that in 2015-2016 Nadal was in his prime on clay.

When they faced off on clay in 2017, Djokovic was in his slump, so we can't really count that meeting either. Djokovic had a run of 16-17 something sets in a row against Nadal, it tells you something. Nadal's prime wasn't 2015-16 lol.

 

[StrongRule]

When they faced off on clay in 2017, Djokovic was in his slump, so we can't really count that meeting either. Djokovic had a run of 16-17 something sets in a row against Nadal, it tells you something. Nadal's prime wasn't 2015-16 lol.

Djokovic in 2017 still wasn't as bad as Nadal was in 2015. Nadal back then was losing to some very bad players, it would be just funny if prime Djokovic would drop sets to him.

 

[TheMaestro1990]

I agree with most of this, but technically Nadal leads 3-2 in their H2H over the last couple years. Its not been dominant at all from Djokovic.
It really should be 4-1 as Nadal threw away Wimbledon. The only dominance was AO this year, no doubts there.

Well, I was more speaking of his run since 2014 or whenever it began. They only played once against each other in 2017. Both Djokovic and Nadal was at their best at AO and Djokovic ran him over. Djokovic clearly wasn't at his best in Rome, but I agree, in general and RG in particular is a different matter altogether. But I really do think Djokovic's got the mental advantage if they were to meet.