Nadal better not mess this up........

[MichaelNadal]

All this work, his entire career, the ups, the downs, the injuries, the bad losses, etc. Golden chance to get to 20 on his home court. Don't mess it up Rafa, remember who you are! It would be so gross for him to lose this match.

Heart says Nadal, head says Nadal. But Djokovic has a way of ruining plans............... just depends which Rafa shows up. I hope it's confident Rafa and not nervous Rafa. Moya better be giving him the talk. 99-2 at RG.... it speaks for itself. What an awful time it would be to finally end up being 3

 

[Nostradamus]

All this work, his entire career, the ups, the downs, the injuries, the bad losses, etc. Golden chance to get to 20 on his home court. Don't mess it up Rafa, remember who you are! It would be so gross for him to lose this match.

Heart says Nadal, head says Nadal. But Djokovic has a way of ruining plans............... just depends which Rafa shows up. I hope it's confident Rafa and not nervous Rafa. Moya better be giving him the talk.

You should worry about RAFA's serves. novak could take that serve apart and have great day of breaking rafa all day long. Tsitsipas today dug himself out of trouble many time cause he had big Serves into corners. When he missed his serve and put in 2nd serves, he was in big time trouble against novak.

 

[darthrafa]

really worry abt the change of balls this year. slow speed will favor djoker. the third set showed that rafa is not as good as his peak

 

[Azure]

Rafa's own service games will be his undoing I think. I hope he wins but head says Djoko.

 

[vex]

Nadal is my pick.

He’s the king of clay and it’s RG. But it’s not really RG.... He has problems beating Djokovic lets be real. But those problems are narrower on clay where Djoker isn’t as powerful. Djoker has a way of beating himself. Its possible the conditions Sunday really won’t favor Rafa and Djoker will show up fresh and in form and it will just be a 3-4 set Djoker win. But I think it’s more likely that Djoker has some health issue or he ****s the bed with overheads and drop shots. Can’t make those types of mistakes against Rafa on clay and win.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Rafa's own service games will be his undoing I think. I hope he wins but head says Djoko.

Djokovic is certainly breakable though.

 

[California]

I think it is going to be Djoker based on form from the earlier matches. I don't feel that Nadal looked great and unbeatable on clay like in years past. His movement is slower and his confidence and fire doesn't look the same. We will see in a couple days. Novak in 4, and to be clear I am not a fan of his....

 

[MichaelNadal]

I think it is going to be Djoker based on form from the earlier matches. I don't feel that Nadal looked great and unbeatable on clay like in years past. His movement is slower and his confidence and fire doesn't look the same. We will see in a couple days. Novak in 4, and to be clear I am not a fan of his....

If Busta can take him to 4 and Tsitsipas can take him to 5........ Nadal has def slowed down so im not saying you're wrong.

 

[SinneGOAT]

Church may be a thing on Sunday, but I’m a Vamopostale.

 

[California]

If Busta can take him to 4 and Tsitsipas can take him to 5........ Nadal has def slowed down so im not saying you're wrong.

I hear you, I could be 100% wrong. Both are great players anything can happen... just a hunch based on what I have seen. Time will tell.

 

[tusharlovesrafa]

Rafa's own service games will be his undoing I think. I hope he wins but head says Djoko.

Lol, Just wait and watch!

 

[Leandro2045]

I keep seeing the Nadal has "problems beating Djokovic" line again and again and i don't understand if people are being dense on purpose or just ignorant to current events.

Novak Djokovic has not beaten Rafael Nadal in a Clay Court match since May 13, 2016.

That's 1611 days.

During that period of time Djokovic has won 1 French Open to Nadal's 3. Nole has barely won 3 overall clay court tournaments to Nadal's 10...

So please say it right with me one last time "Nadal has a problem beating Djokovic on Hard Courts"

 

[King No1e]

All this work, his entire career, the ups, the downs, the injuries, the bad losses, etc. Golden chance to get to 20 on his home court. Don't mess it up Rafa, remember who you are! It would be so gross for him to lose this match.

Heart says Nadal, head says Nadal. But Djokovic has a way of ruining plans............... just depends which Rafa shows up. I hope it's confident Rafa and not nervous Rafa. Moya better be giving him the talk. 99-2 at RG.... it speaks for itself. What an awful time it would be to finally end up being 3

99-3. Save the day Nole!

 

[King No1e]

I keep seeing the Nadal has "problems beating Djokovic" line again and again and i don't understand if people are being dense on purpose or just ignorant to current events.

Novak Djokovic has not beaten Rafael Nadal in a Clay Court match since May 13, 2016.

That's 1611 days.

During that period of time Djokovic has won 1 French Open to Nadal's 3. Nole has barely won 3 overall clay court tournaments to Nadal's 10...

So please say it right with me one last time "Nadal has a problem beating Djokovic on Hard Courts"

Bookmarking this for future reference. Especially to throw at every doubter if/once 99-3 becomes a reality.

 

[Leandro2045]

Bookmarking this for future reference. Especially to throw at every doubter if/once 99-3 becomes a reality.

Believe me if there's material for future reference are all the guys suggesting Djokovic is the favorite on Sunday.

Practically everyone on this forum is overrating the hell out of Djokovic, just look at all the threads.

I'm actually the only one confident enough to say Nadal is going to win without any problems.

 

[vex]

I keep seeing the Nadal has "problems beating Djokovic" line again and again and i don't understand if people are being dense on purpose or just ignorant to current events.

Novak Djokovic has not beaten Rafael Nadal in a Clay Court match since May 13, 2016.

That's 1611 days.

During that period of time Djokovic has won 1 French Open to Nadal's 3. Nole has barely won 3 overall clay court tournaments to Nadal's 10...

So please say it right with me one last time "Nadal has a problem beating Djokovic on Hard Courts"

Yeah I think everyone knows that. The point is Djokovic is the one guy Rafa doesn’t steamroll. It’s clay so Rafa is the favorite. But you can’t just ignore that fact that Rafa hasn’t beaten Djoker in a BO5 in 6 years, Rafa isn’t in the greatest form atm, and Djoker has beaten Rafa on clay - even at RG.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Believe me if there's material for future reference are all the guys suggesting Djokovic is the favorite on Sunday.

Practically everyone on this forum is overrating the hell out of Djokovic, just look at all the threads.

I'm actually the only one confident enough to say Nadal is going to win without any problems.

I hope so man.

Yeah I think everyone knows that. The point is Djokovic is the one guy Rafa doesn’t steamroll. It’s clay so Rafa is the favorite. But you can’t just ignore that fact that Rafa hasn’t beaten Djoker in a BO5 in 6 years, Rafa isn’t in the greatest form atm, and Djoker has beaten Rafa on clay - even at RG.

Djokovic is fitter at this point in their careers. Even if Rafa is outplaying him (like Wimby 18), Djokovic just has a way of hanging around and not even looking like he's doing much, and somehow still winning.

 

[Jonas78]

Both can win but i agree, both head and heart says Rafa. And i say that as a Fed-fan, well aware that Rafa will get to 20.

I think there will be a lot of BPs, none of them are playing their best tennis. But as we saw in the Tsitsi-match, Djoko is very breakable, and Rafa wont go 0/10. A lot of people say its only because Djoko is so mentally strong, but many of those BPs were definetly on Tsitsipas racket too.

 

[aman92]

I am fairly confident Rafa sees this through... Fingers crossed!

 

[NoleFam]

Both can win but i agree, both head and heart says Rafa. And i say that as a Fed-fan, well aware that Rafa will get to 20.

I think there will be a lot of BPs, none of them are playing their best tennis. But as we saw in the Tsitsi-match, Djoko is very breakable, and Rafa wont go 0/10. A lot of people say its only because Djoko is so mentally strong, but many of those BPs were definetly on Tsitsipas racket too.

It's clay so you're always going to face a lot of break points and there are going to be more breaks. Rafa faced 12 break points against Diego himself, who was nowhere near as sharp and aggressive as Tsitsipas was in the other match.

 

[octogon]

This match is on Rafa's racket. As long as he remembers he is the GOD of clay, and Chartier is his house, he should win.

 

[roysid]

I hear you, I could be 100% wrong. Both are great players anything can happen... just a hunch based on what I have seen. Time will tell.

Agree to it. I have the same hunch.
The key part is.
Novak doesn't get overpowered in rallies while Nadal got many times in his matches

 

[Jonas78]

It's clay so you're always going to face a lot of break points and there are going to be more breaks. Rafa faced 12 break points against Diego himself, who was nowhere near as sharp and aggressive as Tsitsipas was in the other match.

Sure im not putting Nadal as a big fav in this match. But at one point in the Tsitsi match i think it was something like 4/5 BPs converted for Nole and 0/10 for Tsitsi. And then you had two times in a row Tsitsi lost on 40-0 in second set. In the match overall i agree Tsitsi was sharper, but not in the first 2 sets.

 

[TheNachoMan]

Rafa doesn’t deserve to win with this cupcake draw he was gifted

 

[NoleFam]

Sure im not putting Nadal as a big fav in this match. But at one point in the Tsitsi match i think it was something like 4/5 BPs converted for Nole and 0/10 for Tsitsi. And then you had two times in a row Tsitsi lost on 40-0 in second set. In the match overall i agree Tsitsi was sharper, but not in the first 2 sets.

In the end, Djokovic faced 15 break points and Nadal faced 12. Tsits was sharper the entire match, minus the 5th set, unless you were watching Diego from another match.

 

[Jonas78]

In the end, Djokovic faced 15 break points and Nadal faced 12. Tsits was sharper the entire match, minus the 5th set, unless you were watching Diego from another tournament.

As i said Tsitsi was sharper overall, but it was another Tsitsi after those first two sets. He also confirmed he changed tactics after the first two sets. I agree Novak is a mental beast, stepping up in the most important situations, but so is Rafa. 4/5, 0/10 and losing on 40-0 two in a row is horrible.

Both Djoko and Rafa can win. Prior to the AO19 final i agreed with Hitman; Rafa went to the final without losing a set (i think). Still i wasnt impressed, and was pretty sure Novak would win pretty easily. Now its the opposite, although i dont think Rafa will win as easily as Nole did. Its clay, and i dont think Djoko is at his best.

 

[NoleFam]

As i said Tsitsi was sharper overall, but it was another Tsitsi after those first two sets. He also confirmed he changed tactics after the first two sets. I agree Novak is a mental beast, stepping up in the most important situations, but so is Rafa. 4/5, 0/10 and losing on 40-0 two in a row is horrible.

Both Djoko and Rafa can win. Prior to the AO19 final i agreed with Hitman; Rafa went to the final without losing a set (i think). Still i wasnt impressed, and was pretty sure Novak would win pretty easily. Now its the opposite, although i dont think Rafa will win as easily as Nole did. Its clay, and i dont think Djoko is at his best.

It really came down to the break points which is why he came back. He was 0/11 then he went like 4/4. Djokovic was 4/5 and then went 1/11 in set 4. He went 3/6 in set 5. Tsitsipas was there the whole time, right on the edge and you could feel it, which is why I got pretty pissed and nervous once Djokovic didn't close it out because I knew how well he was playing. Both Djokovic and Nadal are mental beasts and it will be hard to find anyone who would disagree really.

I don't know who will win but I do know Djokovic is playing a really high level. Very high. In his Khachanov match and his match today, his game was clicking. He just should have closed it out but still there wasn't much you can do when someone is slamming aces and huge serves down on every big point, and redlining from the baseline. This is the best Djokovic has been on clay since 2016 imo. Not as good as 2016 but better than last year.

 

[Start da Game]

there will be some moments of nervousness and possibly some bad patches of play but i think rafa will claim his 13th roland garros ultimately.........djokovic does not know what to do when nadal's forehand DTL is ON........that shot will define in how many sets rafa will win tomorrow.........if it is slightly off, the match may go to 5 sets but i expect a 4 set victory.......

 

[Jonas78]

It really came down to the break points which is why he came back. He was 0/11 then he went like 4/4. Djokovic was 4/5 and then went 1/11 in set 4. He went 3/6 in set 5. Tsitsipas was there the whole time, right on the edge and you could feel it, which is why I got pretty pissed and nervous once Djokovic didn't close it out because I knew how well he was playing. Both Djokovic and Nadal are mental beasts and it will be hard to find anyone who would disagree really.

I don't know who will win but I do know Djokovic is playing a really high level. Very high. In his Khachanov match and his match today, his game was clicking. He just should have closed it out but still there wasn't much you can do when someone is slamming aces and huge serves down on every big point, and redlining from the baseline. This is best Djokovic has been on clay since 2016 imo. Not as good as 2016 but better than last year.

Pretty much agree, although i probably think he is a little bit further away from 2016 level than you. The biq question is if not-peak is enough against the KOC at FO? I dont think so.

 

[NoleFam]

Pretty much agree, although i probably think he is a little bit further away from 2016 level than you. The biq question is if not-peak is enough against the KOC at FO? I dont think so.

No he's not at peak clay level but really good. He was a monster in 2016 imo. Lol. He will never reach that level again and I have accepted that. KOC is not peak either but he is the favorite. I just want a great match, and of course hope Djokovic wins.

 

[Jonas78]

No he's not at peak clay level but really good. He was a monster in 2016 imo. Lol. He will never reach that level again and I have accepted that. KOC is not peak either but he is the favorite. I just want a great match, and of course hope Djokovic wins.

Im glad he is not at 2016 level anymore. Ill never forget AO2016. Hope for a great match, and i can even watch without being nervous.

 

[Nole14_15NoPressure]

It's Rafa's game to lose. He will have to serve very well and have a monstrous CC BH to destroy's Djoker weak on the run FH. But even Rafa can't keep that up for three straight sets so everything depends on whose level will be higher during important points.

Imo if Djoko wants to have a chance he must go ultron mode from the start and put serious doubts in Rafa's head like he did at AO 2019.

 

[adil1972]

i am not going to watch the final

total waste of time

 

[NoleFam]

Im glad he is not at 2016 level anymore. Ill never forget AO2016. Hope for a great match, and i can even watch without being nervous.

Well I will never forget some of Djokovic's losses to Federer either. Yea I hope it's a good match. If Rafa wins, I will be one of the 1st to congratulate him. If Djokovic wins, I might go crazy for a bit. Lol

 

[MichaelNadal]

Each year Rafa's trophy ceremony gets more epic and emotional hope to see another Sunday.

 

[Deleted member 762343]

No food image this time ?

 

[MichaelNadal]

No food image this time ?

There isn't always one

 

[Sudacafan]

Rafa's own service games will be his undoing I think. I hope he wins but head says Djoko.

If I were in your shoes, I could think that, but never write that...

 

[Sudacafan]

There isn't always one

That’s serious, Mike. What’s going on?

 

[MichaelNadal]

That’s serious, Mike. What’s going on?

Lol really, there isn't always one gotta keep it a litttleeeee bit fresh

 

[Deleted member 762343]

Clearly this isn’t Peak MichaelNadal here.

 

[irishnadalfan1983]

All this work, his entire career, the ups, the downs, the injuries, the bad losses, etc. Golden chance to get to 20 on his home court. Don't mess it up Rafa, remember who you are! It would be so gross for him to lose this match.

Heart says Nadal, head says Nadal. But Djokovic has a way of ruining plans............... just depends which Rafa shows up. I hope it's confident Rafa and not nervous Rafa. Moya better be giving him the talk. 99-2 at RG.... it speaks for itself. What an awful time it would be to finally end up being 3

Does your head really say Rafa? Surprised....

 

[Mike Sams]

You should worry about RAFA's serves. novak could take that serve apart and have great day of breaking rafa all day long. Tsitsipas today dug himself out of trouble many time cause he had big Serves into corners. When he missed his serve and put in 2nd serves, he was in big time trouble against novak.

Djokovic needs to worry about his own serve more than anything. He faced nearly 30 BPs in his last 2 matches against Tsitsipas and Busta, both who aren't on Nadal's level when it comes to ROS or BP conversions. Both Nadal and Djokovic can do damage on each others' serves. Holding serve will be the challenge for both.

 

[Mike Sams]

It's Rafa's game to lose. He will have to serve very well and have a monstrous CC BH to destroy's Djoker weak on the run FH. But even Rafa can't keep that up for three straight sets so everything depends on whose level will be higher during important points.

Imo if Djoko wants to have a chance he must go ultron mode from the start and put serious doubts in Rafa's head like he did at AO 2019.

Their last clay meeting was Rome 2019. The AO match had no bearing on clay. Nadal took Djokovic apart in Rome.

 

[Bud]

This is Nadal's best surface and ND's worst. ND has also been less than 100% during this tournament. If the weather is balmy to warm on Sunday, his odds to reach 20 are very good.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Does your head really say Rafa? Surprised....

Do I expect him to win? That im not sure of.... the first set is crucial. What my head does say is if the real Rafa does show up, he should win yes. The thing is im not sure that's the Rafa we will get at 34.

Hopefully the match goes like this^

 

[kevaninho]

Yeah I think everyone knows that. The point is Djokovic is the one guy Rafa doesn’t steamroll. It’s clay so Rafa is the favorite. But you can’t just ignore that fact that Rafa hasn’t beaten Djoker in a BO5 in 6 years, Rafa isn’t in the greatest form atm, and Djoker has beaten Rafa on clay - even at RG.

You can spin a stat any way you like.
Nadal still has 2 US opens in recent years but he hasn't beaten Djokovic on HC in years.
It doesn't mean Nadal would be favourite if they played in NY , just because he has beaten Djokovic there before... lol

 

[Biggest3]

This will be the Goku vs Cell fight with Goku being Nadal. If Djoker decides to go full power from the start it won't be pretty.

It's quite amazing how Djokovic will end up with the most slams and beating Fedal at their best slams while losing easy slams by being dumb and hitting the linesmen. He would have had 20+ slams ages ago if he wasn't stupid.
Nadal can only hope Djoker clowns himself down but there is a low chance for that. He goes full focus when playing Fedal.

 

[Azure]

If I were in your shoes, I could think that, but never write that...

I don't think you can be in my shoes. I have tiny feet. Besides, I am female.

 

[TennisFan3]

Good post @MichaelNadal . Just comparing:

Novak seems in so much better form: 100% physically. Moving fast as ever. Mentally strong as ever. Technically: Serve (bigger than usual), drop shots, lobs, forehand BIGGER this tournament, and backhand reliable as always. On his A game.

Nadal shows small patches of his A game. But he tires in matches over 2 hours with good opponents. He starts to hit short under pressure. Serve sub-par all tournament.
Backhand is NOT at 100% hard level, forehand is hit and miss,so NOT consistently deep and heavy when he is at his best. Overall Nadal is nowhere near his best form on clay and is moving slower than usual.

On top of all that: The conditions being cool and balls being heavy favor Novak. Nadal's spin won't be jumping up at all. Lastly, Novak always has the mental edge as slams vs Nadal. He finds a way to win even when Nadal is playing better (ex Wimb 2018).

Given all this how can Nadal prevail? Unless he can suddenly play at his best, there is no outcome other than Novak in 4 sets.