Love Rafa: But winning AO22 will be a let down for ALL

[Lleytonstation]

I am rooting for Rafa to win it. But, it wont feel right nor will it feel as good as it should.

A massive let down it will be if at 20 all, the record is broken by Rafa, while Djoker and Fed are not present while holding 15 of the last 18 and winning the last 7. Djoker the three time defending champ.

Just not a good look. Ill take it, but its a let down for sure.

I get Fed is done and not present because of ability/health and Djoker is not here based on decisions he made. But that does not change the fact that it simply is not how we all wanted to see this play out.

The good news is both Rafa and Djoker will have plenty of opportunities to make sure this one slam isnt the difference.

... but...

P.S. Weakest era ever confirmed.

 

[TheNachoMan]

It’s not RAFA’s fault but it will feel like a hollow victory without the three time defending champion even playing. Novak had to beat the best to win RG.

 

[Lleytonstation]

It’s not RAFA’s fault but it will feel like a hollow victory without the three time defending champion even playing. Novak had to beat the best to win RG.

Yeah, but hopefully it doesnt end up as the decider. At the end of the day this will just slide into the numbers.

 

[Deleted member 748597]

 

[TheNachoMan]

We all know who the real champ is.

https://imgur.com/a/QbPJjbw

@MichaelNadal

 

[Backspin1183]

It would feel hollow like the Slams Djokovic and Federer won without Nadal around.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Is that Pancho holding the dishes he won from Abitha?

 

[Deleted member 748597]

It would feel hollow like the Slams Djokovic and Federer won without Nadal around.

Fake Nadal fan created this thread.

 

[Lleytonstation]

It would feel hollow like the Slams Djokovic and Federer won without Nadal around.

We are talking about two people out. Rafa loss to the guy Fed beat at RG09. Not the same at all.

 

[PilotPete]

Look at Nadal's form in his last couple of matches, he would have essentially 0 chance against Djokovic if he were playing.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Fake Nadal fan created this thread.

Now that I think about it... 21 will feel pretty good. Getting at AO... the cherry on top.

 

[Backspin1183]

We are talking about two people out. Rafa loss to the guy Fed beat at RG09. Not the same at all.

Who said anything about RG 2009!

 

[Lleytonstation]

Look at Nadal's form in his last couple of matches, he would have essentially 0 chance against Djokovic if he were playing.

Really it is a win win for me. Rafa wins and the weakest era confirmed.

 

[dapchai]

We all know who the real champ is.

https://imgur.com/a/QbPJjbw

@MichaelNadal

Too bad Zhong Xina is still eating bing chilling...

 

[Lleytonstation]

Who said anything about RG 2009!

Uhhh, nobody. Uhhh look away.

 

[TheNachoMan]

Who said anything about RG 2009!

A lot of Ned devotees undermine Fed’s RG win because he didn’t beat Rafa

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Boss is the boss is the boss.

 

[Wooly]

We can´t tie the Big3 together ... and they also won´t retire exactly together, so there will be more slams with not all 3 present ... if its Covid, Health whatsoever ... Slam remains Slam. I even doubt that Federer ever will make a "real" comeback ... its a small wonder Nadal gets into the final after 6 months of absence ... and with Djocovic we really don´t know what the Covid Pandemic will bring next ... so just continue with the Tennis and appreciate there are many other fantastic players to watch !!

 

[PilotPete]

Really it is a win win for me. Rafa wins and the weakest era confirmed.

Weakest era has already long been confirmed. But you saw how Nadal got in the 3rd sets of both Shapo and Berretini. Djokovic would never allowed him back in not withstanding the fact that Djokovic would never be down two sets in the first place. My guess is it would be a worse slaughter than 2019.

 

[Backspin1183]

A lot of Ned devotees undermine Fed’s RG win because he didn’t beat Rafa

I don't. Wimbledon 2009 title on the other hand...

 

[Lleytonstation]

I don't. Wimbledon 2009 title on the other hand...

Djoker was there and Murray was there. The 2nd and third best grass players in the past 20 years. Roddick was a much better opponent than Olive Garden Host or Raonic.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

A slam sandwich is still a slam sandwich. Even if we leave out the lettuce, pickle and tomato.

 

[fishpiefriday]

Nadal (or Medvedev) won't care at all if he lifts the trophy.

 

[Genious at Work]

I am rooting for Rafa to win it. But, it wont feel right nor will it feel as good as it should.

A massive let down it will be if at 20 all, the record is broken by Rafa, while Djoker and Fed are not present while holding 15 of the last 18 and winning the last 7. Djoker the three time defending champ.

Just not a good look. Ill take it, but its a let down for sure.

I get Fed is done and not present because of ability/health and Djoker is not here based on decisions he made. But that does not change the fact that it simply is not how we all wanted to see this play out.

The good news is both Rafa and Djoker will have plenty of opportunities to make sure this one slam isnt the difference.

... but...

P.S. Weakest era ever confirmed.

Have Djokovic or Federer ever beaten Nadal in a FO final?

 

[Kozzy]

Djoker didn't feel bad when he won without Rafa and Fed - don't see why Rafa should feel bad for doing the same, especially when Djokovic screwed himself out of a chance to play.

 

[Lleytonstation]

A slam sandwich is still a slam sandwich. Even if we leave out the lettuce, pickle and tomato.

Too easy.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Have Djokovic or Federer ever beaten Nadal in a FO final?

What does a final have anything to do with it?

 

[Backspin1183]

Djoker was there and Murray was there. The 2nd and third best grass players in the past 20 years. Roddick was a much better opponent than Olive Garden Host or Raonic.

But without the defending champion it doesn't feel like a real Slam.

 

[InsideOut900]

Have Djokovic or Federer ever beaten Nadal in a FO final?

Have Fedal ever beaten Djokovic in the SF or F of AO?

 

[Lleytonstation]

But without the defending champion it doesn't feel like a real Slam.

A little bit, but you have the last TWO defending champs not here.

 

[Genious at Work]

What does a final have anything to do with it?

Because Nadal, unless in the lowest of forms, as in 2015, is invincible in Roland Garros. And invincible Nadal not only reaches the FO final, but also wins it.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Too easy.

The Buster! brought my sandwich back

 

[Lleytonstation]

Because Nadal, unless in the lowest of forms, as in 2015, is invincible in Roland Garros. And invincible Nadal not only reaches the FO final, but also wins it.

I get what you are saying. But he was in the draw.

 

[Amritia]

Nadal won't win it anyway.

But this thread isn't right imo- Nadal would have to beat Med who just beat Djokovic in USO final.

Also- did you post a similar thread after Wimbledon where Djokovic historically equalled his rivals? Federer his main grass rival was clearly crocked. Djokovic had the same run in to the title as Nadal did to the final here (much easier as no Medvedev).

 

[Visionary]

I am rooting for Rafa to win it. But, it wont feel right nor will it feel as good as it should.

I am rooting for your rooting but not for your survey. Those polls in the Aussie land may have been a part of the decision that extremely dangerous Novak does not play there. I also think that the Aussie PM should get the Oscar for playing his role so well.

 

[catskillthunder]

I am rooting for Rafa to win it. But, it wont feel right nor will it feel as good as it should.

A massive let down it will be if at 20 all, the record is broken by Rafa, while Djoker and Fed are not present while holding 15 of the last 18 and winning the last 7. Djoker the three time defending champ.

Just not a good look. Ill take it, but its a let down for sure.

I get Fed is done and not present because of ability/health and Djoker is not here based on decisions he made. But that does not change the fact that it simply is not how we all wanted to see this play out.

The good news is both Rafa and Djoker will have plenty of opportunities to make sure this one slam isnt the difference.

... but...

P.S. Weakest era ever confirmed.

I definitely understand your point. However how many major titles did Novak or Roger win while Nadal was absent with injury? I'm not asking you to do the research, just a generalizing.

 

[Lleytonstation]

I definitely understand your point. However how many major titles did Novak or Roger win while Nadal was absent with injury? I'm not asking you to do the research, just a generalizing.

One big three missing vs 2. Not just two either, the two best ever at this slam and also the most recently successful.

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

Ehh.. Looking at Nole's form since May of 2021, there is no guarantee he would have won the AO regardless. I mean lets be real. Nole's form was suspect all through Wimbledon to years end. Hell the last great match I saw from djokovic was essentially against Anderson at an early round at Wimbledon.

 

[Tiki-Taka]

It feels weird not having Novak at the tournament to say the least. But after all the previous heartbreaks here, Rafa winning the Australian Open again would be anything but hollow.

 

[xFedal]

Nadal won't win it anyway.

But this thread isn't right imo- Nadal would have to beat Med who just beat Djokovic in USO final.

Also- did you post a similar thread after Wimbledon where Djokovic historically equalled his rivals? Federer his main grass rival was clearly crocked. Djokovic had the same run in to the title as Nadal did to the final here (much easier as no Medvedev).

AO21 and FO21 draws are more impressive than this, however this win by Rafa at ao22 draw will be more impressive than Novaks Wimby21 .

 

[zagor]

It's definitely a lesser tourney without Novak in it and I don't agree with the circumstances that got him banned here. It's a weird situation and Nadal benefited the most (and I didn't like his or Bernandes' nonsense against Shapo) but if Med plays well in the final he'll probably have to earn it so it is what it is.

 

[Kralingen]

Ehh.. Looking at Nole's form since May of 2021, there is no guarantee he would have won the AO regardless. I mean lets be real. Nole's form was suspect all through Wimbledon to years end. Hell the last great match I saw from djokovic was essentially against Anderson at an early round at Wimbledon.

He would have certainly beaten the Nadal that showed up last night though, quite handily I would imagine.

 

[Lleytonstation]

It feels weird not having Novak at the tournament to say the least. But after all the previous heartbreaks here, Rafa winning the Australian Open again would be anything but hollow.

Hollow no, but for the tennis community in general, a let down. It just isnt how we wanted it to play out. I guess real life isnt a movie. Shame.

 

[Genious at Work]

I get what you are saying. But he was in the draw.

So was Djokovic before he disqualified, wasn't he?

 

[catskillthunder]

One big three missing vs 2. Not just two either, the two best ever at this slam and also the most recently successful.

Oh I 100% agree with you. Without 1 of big 3, let alone 2 it does feel a little asterisk'ish. But, he's still gotta beat Med who took out Novak in his quest to 21. It's like Med is the gatekeeper for 21.

 

[Lleytonstation]

So was Djokovic before he disqualified, wasn't he?

haha This is true. He even played on RLA.

 

[zagor]

I don't. Wimbledon 2009 title on the other hand...

Nadal is neither a guarantee to reach Wimbledon final nor beat Fed there (he's 1-3 there against Fed to use Nadal fan logic).

Novak won 3 AOs in a row and hasn't lot a set (let alone a match) on HCs against Nadal in years.

 

[junior74]

Diamond Age trampled under injured foot?

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

It would feel hollow like the Slams Djokovic and Federer won without Nadal around.

At RG and USO (somewhat) absolutely yes

 

[Genious at Work]

Nadal is neither a guarantee to reach Wimbledon final nor beat Fed there (he's 1-3 there against Fed to use Nadal fan logic).

Novak won 3 AOs in a row and hasn't lot a set (let alone a match) on HCs against Nadal in years.

Novak keeps dodging Nadal at the USO, to be fair. No wonder he has fewer USO titles than Nadal.