Just why are Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in denial over the brilliance of Novak Djokovic?

[NoleFam]

Kind of a click bait article. Nadal has never been in denial about anything about his game. He kind of tells it like it is and now I'm sure Uncle Toni is saying something different to him behind the scenes but Nadal doesn't sugarcoat ****. Now as far as Federer, denial may could be used in his case, and I'm not talking about Novak. I'm talking about in general. He is a player who said before the French Open 2008 final that he had found holes in Nadal's game and liked his chances then got drubbed where he won only 4 games. He also called Nadal one-dimensional after getting beaten by him in 2006 Dubai. I don't even know if that's denial or playing mind games and using the media to do it. He would sniff out a threat and downplay them as much as possible and make it seem like he wasn't that impressed, and sometimes I think that was to get in the head of the other players before they really came into their own and started gunning for him. He's always done this so it's not anything relatively new. As far as current Novak, neither Nadal or Federer are in denial about their games or their chances. What does the author expect for them to say? Describe every plan and adjustment they made in the off season? You want to keep that secret because you don't want the opposition to know what you have been working on and to be caught off guard.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Not just them but their fanbases too......

 

[ScentOfDefeat]

2016, hundreds of thousands of matches played at the amateur and professional levels for almost a century in all the sports, and we're still talking about "perfection". This is like the "god of the gaps" argument applied to sports in general and tennis in particular. How surprised will people be when someone who doesn't seem to have a "perfect" game comes along and beats Djokovic (as it's always been)?

 

[Sartorius]

How do we establish that they are in denial?

Why is it that some people think Federer is "more" in denial or vice versa?

What exactly do we expect from them to see that they are not in denial?

I would like these questions answered.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Novak Djokovic*

 

[cc0509]

I give this post a "half like", because I only half agree with it.

What half don't you agree with? It's complete rubbish that Djokovic isn't the main concern of Federer and Nadal these days but can you see a guy like Federer admitting that? He'd never admit it publicly and in all fairness, nor should he.

It's just like when Djokovic was losing slam matches to Nadal again from 2012-2014. Why do you think Djokovic hired Becker? To figure out Nadal of course.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

However, Federer is definitely in denial. That man takes arrogance and delusion to a whole new level.

Guessing there's some delusion in this post? Fed in denial? He's the only one who's constantly made adjustments to his game in an effort to knock the machine off his perch. And he's succeeded more than anybody! Fed has personally denied Djok history on a number of occasions!

 

[cc0509]

How do we establish that they are in denial?

Why is it that some people think Federer is "more" in denial or vice versa?

What exactly do we expect from them to see that they are not in denial?

I would like these questions answered.

Federer isn't in denial! He's just not going to admit publicly that he is making changes such as hiring a new coach to get some new perspective to try and figure out how to beat Djokovic at a slam. I mean it's so obvious that's what Federer is doing, I'm not sure why there's a discussion about it. Djokovic was the only guy who prevented Federer from winning two slams last year. How much more obvious can it get? Do you think Federer is hiring a new coach to try and figure out how to beat Andy Murray/Dimitrov/Berdych or anybody else these days?

 

[BVSlam]

Do people really want Federer to say: "I'm just humbled to have the privilege to be Novak's target practice partner in the final. I will be destroyed, but by such an angelically amazing player that I will enjoy every second of it nevertheless."

Is that really the attitude sportspeople should have? No, of course not. Unless you are a rabid fan of one and a furious hater of another (and among the big 3's fanbases this generally happens), then the combination will lead to such things.

Yes, Rafa has clearly been "fairer" to Novak's game in terms of proclaiming his greatness after, for example, the Doha final. This, however, left him with his, what is it, 5th or 6th (straight sets) loss in a row, being destroyed 6-1 6-2. Murray, another praiser of Djokovic, has done almost as terribly, despite winning one extremely close match to one of the worst versions of 2015 Novak, and doing well to take Novak to 5 sets at RG. Meanwhile, Fed at least beat him in straights 3 times last year and played him fairly competitively in the IW, Wimby and USO finals. I think his attitude is preferable as a player...

 

[90's Clay]

Federer is as stubborn as they come.. He played Nadal the same EXACT way for a decade despite being throughly dominated the entire time.. He surrounded himself with "yes men" for so long he things he can take down giants like Nadal/Djokovic while never changing a thing up in his game or trying a new realistic approach. He thinks he can slug it out with Nadal/Nole from the baseline.

 

[RF-18]

Federer isn't in denial! He's just not going to admit publicly that he is making changes such as hiring a new coach to get some new perspective to try and figure out how to beat Djokovic at a slam. I mean it's so obvious that's what Federer is doing, I'm not sure why there's a discussion about it. Djokovic was the only guy who prevented Federer from winning two slams last year. How much more obvious can it get? Do you think Federer is hiring a new coach to try and figure out how to beat Andy Murray/Dimitrov/Berdych or anybody else these days?

I don't think changing coach was based solely on figuring out Djokovic. Changing Edberg was bound to happen anyway, it was originally planned that they were going to work together for one year, but extended for another season. If Edberg wanted to coach him more, he would have stayed. But he has a family and a life of his own wich he wants to concentrate on, and other personal stuff wich he said before he started coaching Fed.

 

[cc0509]

I don't think changing coach was based solely on figuring out Djokovic. Changing Edberg was bound to happen anyway, it was originally planned that they were going to work together for one year, but extended for another season. If Edberg wanted to coach him more, he would have stayed. But he has a family and a life of his own wich he wants to concentrate on, and other personal stuff wich he said before he started coaching Fed.

Oh please. That's what they are telling people. Do you think if Federer had found a way to beat Djokovic at W and USO 2015 that Edberg would leave? Federer doesn't play a million tournaments and Edberg doesn't have to be at every event, only the biggest ones.

 

[RF-18]

Oh please. That's what they are telling people. Do you think if Federer had found a way to beat Djokovic at W and USO 2015 that Edberg would leave? Federer doesn't play a million tournaments and Edberg doesn't have to be at every event, only the biggest ones.

Really, that is what they are telling people? Lol.

I don't know what would of happened if Federer had won one of the slam matches, I still think though their partnership came to an end, that it was already planned beforehand it would be their last year.

Edberg has been very clear on this, even before he joined Feds team. It's not something he's been telling after.

 

[cc0509]

Really, that is what they are telling people? Lol.

I don't know what would of happened if Federer had won one of the slam matches, I still think though their partnership came to an end, that it was already planned beforehand it would be their last year.

Edberg has been very clear on this, even before he joined Feds team. It's not something he's been telling after.

That's all PR generated mumbo jumbo. You can believe it if you want but I don't. I think if Federer had defeated Djokovic in 1 or 2 of their last 3 slams meetings, Edberg would still be on board. They had a nice partnership which allowed Federer to try out some new things and become a little more aggressive approaching the net more. These tactics worked on everybody except Djokovic at the slams. Now it only makes sense that figuring out how to beat Djokovic at the slams is Federer's main goal at the moment and he's getting older as we speak so he doesn't have time on his side to wait things out if they aren't working. He has to make a quick move and that's what he did by hiring Ljubicic. At least Federer's trying something new unlike Nadal who is waiting for Djokovic's level to come down.

 

[RF-18]

That's all PR generated mumbo jumbo. You can believe it if you want but I don't. I think if Federer had defeated Djokovic in 1 or 2 of their last 3 slams meetings, Edberg would still be on board. They had a nice partnership which allowed Federer to try out some new things and become a little more aggressive approaching the net more. These tactics worked on everybody except Djokovic at the slams. Now it only makes sense that figuring out how to beat Djokovic at the slams is Federer's main goal at the moment and he's getting older as we speak so he doesn't have time on his side to wait things out if they aren't working. He has to make a quick move and that's what he did by hiring Ljubicic. At least Federer's trying something new unlike Nadal who is waiting for Djokovic's level to come down.

What is PR generated mumbo jumbo, tell me, in what way?

Can't you understand that these things, wich you call ''PR'', was BEFORE he even joined feds team? So you ought to understand, it was going to end sooner rather than later.

I don't know what Feds plan is with Ljubicic, lets see. But I don't believe he was unhappy with Edberg cause he couldn't beat one guy and decided to kick him off.

 

[cockneyDjoker]

They're simply both scared and intimidated by this great champion, they know deep down they'll never be as good as him and are jealous of the talent he has.

 

[cc0509]

What is PR generated mumbo jumbo, tell me, in what way?

Can't you understand that these things, wich you call ''PR'', was BEFORE he even joined feds team? So you ought to understand, it was going to end sooner rather than later.

I don't know what Feds plan is with Ljubicic, lets see. But I don't believe he was unhappy with Edberg cause he couldn't beat one guy and decided to kick him off.

Edberg said that before he joined Federer's team because they were testing the waters at that point. But after three slam losses to ONE guy, what else does Edberg have to offer the 34 year old Federer? They have maxed out their partnership and Edberg gave Federer some good tactics which worked on everybody except ONE guy at the slams--Djokovic. Federer isn't young and he can't sit around and wait when things aren't working. He has to move fast. I am sure Federer wasn't unhappy with Edberg but the reality is Edberg's tactics weren't working against Djokovic at the slams. Perhaps nothing will work at the slams vs Djokovic at this point with the age difference, but don't you think as long as Federer is breathing,he has to try?

My opinion is that Edberg and Federer parted ways amicably but I think if Federer beat Djokovic at one or two slams, Edberg would continue to coach Federer. I don't buy the Edberg would have left either way to be with his family crap. Federer isn't going to tell the public that he thinks Edberg helped him with everybody except Djokovic at the slams is he? Edberg is an all time great and Federer has great respect for him so they came up with a PR based mutual admiration society announcement to tell us Edberg was out and Ljubicic was in. That's the way it works.

 

[La Grande]

And enough with this constant crap about diet and fitness regimen, bla bla bla. Seems like people are trying too hard to make us believe that's why Djokovic is having so much success. You don't hear other players talking so much about their diets and fitness training. I wonder why!

Why?

 

[Elektra]

What is PR generated mumbo jumbo, tell me, in what way?

Can't you understand that these things, wich you call ''PR'', was BEFORE he even joined feds team? So you ought to understand, it was going to end sooner rather than later.

I don't know what Feds plan is with Ljubicic, lets see. But I don't believe he was unhappy with Edberg cause he couldn't beat one guy and decided to kick him off.

"He knows my game, he knows the game of all Roger's opponents, and I think that's one of the reasons why Roger has hired him to be with him on the team," from Novak Djokovic.

At this point since Federer can't beat him one on one, he is resorting to underhanded psychological tactics to get in Novak's skin.We all know that part of Novak's rise has been his increased mental strength, so Fed is going to take away the one weapon that made Novak unbeatable last season.

 

[Fedinkum]

Because he is Novack.

 

[smoledman]

Hopefully he goes back to being Novak Chokevic in 2016.

 

[racquetreligion]

because they know he is not brilliant and either they dont know themselves are over the hill
but likely its appearance $$$ to keep tennis from dying with the weak gen of last 5 years

This is Nole against an opponent with awful foot speed yet hits 80% power of F Gonzo

Mayer embarrassed Nole for the early going in each set

Nole would sadly not a chance against yesterdays players he is weak
but strong enough for the weakest era of young girlymen and oldies

 

[Soul_Evisceration]

Fed is only disgracing himself. A man of his caliber should have retired when it was all good and people will remember him as the man. That is ego for you right there. Right now this Novak is a GOAT in the making is going to go for it all and break records.

Nothing is more disgraceful than your shameless disdain and nonsense you write about Federer.

 

[NEW_BORN]

Serbovic plays a robotic brand of tennis that is about as creative as Nadal's 2nd serve to Federer on the ad court. No wonder they are not impressed.

 

[Dolgopolov85]

Well, pray what is so creative about Nadal's game then? I don't believe either of them actually evaluate Nole in that way but if we do compare that aspect, just how is Nadal any less robotic than Nole? Only in the sense of body language, all those fist pumps and what not but neither can really be compared to Fed and his ability to improvise outrageously. It's just not their style; theirs is a more calculated and physical brand of tennis.

 

[smalahove]

Fed is only disgracing himself. A man of his caliber should have retired when it was all good and people will remember him as the man. That is ego for you right there. Right now this Novak is a GOAT in the making is going to go for it all and break records.

Less than a year, Fed owned Nole in Dubai. I mean he pawned him as bad as Nole's been doing to everyone else (including Fed of course) the last couple of years. Nole might be the undisputed king nowadays, but Fed is among a handful of players that actually have a small, but realistic chance of winning against the world no 1.

To admit your opponent is better than you prior to playing him, is a surefire receipt for losing. Just look at the byrdman, who used to be so humble when face with f.inst. Nadal on clay, that he gave himself an unsurmountable disadvantage.

 

[Mainad]

And enough with this constant crap about diet and fitness regimen, bla bla bla. Seems like people are trying too hard to make us believe that's why Djokovic is having so much success. You don't hear other players talking so much about their diets and fitness training. I wonder why!

But a great part of Djokovic's success is down to his incredible fitness. Alone among the top players, he has never suffered from significant injuries or bodily weaknesses and had to fight his way back from them. In the past, he did suffer from allergy problems but once these were correctly diagnosed and treated by Dr. Igor Cetojevic, even these have disappeared. So long as he remains mentally focussed, he can outlast any other player on the tour. His endurance is truly phenomenal.

 

[thomasferrett]

"Tennis is in the midst of the glorious age of Novak" lmao, stopped reading there.

Stay butt-hurt then.

 

[Mainad]

Do people really want Federer to say: "I'm just humbled to have the privilege to be Novak's target practice partner in the final. I will be destroyed, but by such an angelically amazing player that I will enjoy every second of it nevertheless."

Is that really the attitude sportspeople should have? No, of course not. Unless you are a rabid fan of one and a furious hater of another (and among the big 3's fanbases this generally happens), then the combination will lead to such things.

Yes, Rafa has clearly been "fairer" to Novak's game in terms of proclaiming his greatness after, for example, the Doha final. This, however, left him with his, what is it, 5th or 6th (straight sets) loss in a row, being destroyed 6-1 6-2. Murray, another praiser of Djokovic, has done almost as terribly, despite winning one extremely close match to one of the worst versions of 2015 Novak, and doing well to take Novak to 5 sets at RG. Meanwhile, Fed at least beat him in straights 3 times last year and played him fairly competitively in the IW, Wimby and USO finals. I think his attitude is preferable as a player...

Not even close. In the first half of last season, all Murray's matches with Djokovic stretched to multiple sets and he had a win over him in a Masters final where he was playing some of his best tennis (destroying all earlier opponents). It was only towards the end of the season, that his form slumped. By contrast, Nadal hasn't even taken a set off Djokovic since the 2014 RG final, 5 encounters back! His current problems with Djokovic are on a whole different level.

 

[Dolgopolov85]

Yeah....though his indoor slump against Nole was bad (but which may not necessarily reflect how their outdoor matches will go this year).