Nole fans, which victories are more enjoyable: those against Roger or Rafa?

[airchallenge2]

Recently, Wimbledon, USO and AO made available some of the great matches between Nole, Roger and Rafa. Which ones do you enjoy most reliving them? To me, it's those against Rafa. The tennis level from both players is amazing. I can't say the same thing for the matches against Roger. Maybe because the contrast between their style of play is so big?

 

[Third Serve]

As a die-hard Djokovic fan, I definitely enjoy his wins over Nadal more than his wins over Federer.

Spoiler

 

[Jonesy]

Roger. Rafa is my second favorite player and it pains me a little seeing him lose.

 

[BeatlesFan]

"Over Federer, naturally, he's the most evil, Satanic human being to have ever lived."

Thus speaks the master himself:

 

[airchallenge2]

Roger. Rafa is my second favorite player and it pains me a little seeing him lose.

Same here, I was a Rafa fan before Nole showed up and now he's my second favorite player. However, I do enjoy their clashes better as I find them more competitive.

 

[jm1980]

"Over Federer, naturally, he's the most evil, Satanic human being to have ever lived."

Thus speaks the master himself:

This, but unironically

 

[King No1e]

Depends. The rivalry with Nadal is legendary, but there's nothing quite as satisfying as watching young Nole beating Prime or near-prime Fed at his own game (see: AO08, Montreal 07, USO10). Especially when MP saves are involved.

 

[nov]

Performance wise i love AO2019 final, when Nadal got totally crushed. But WB2019/AO2012 was fun to watch because tension was high.

 

[daggerman]

Nothing pleases me more than watching Novak beat Rafa on clay

 

[Lew II]

Against Nadal because the rivalry is more balanced.

 

[MichaelNadal]

The King of course. They know who the showstopper is

 

[mr tonyz]

As a Fed fan even i know what gets the Djoker fanebase' rocks off. It's the gladiatorial beat-downs of Nadal of course!

Fed is a close second just because he typically holds/held a lot of the records @ the time/s ...

 

[Fedinkum]

If I were a Novak fan, Roger for sure. 40-15 meme inflicts most pain...every time...

 

[merlinpinpin]

Against Nadal because the rivalry is more balanced.

I always knew you were up for a good laugh, Lew.

Oh wait, you're serious.

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/OpulentBrilliantFrilledlizard-mobile.mp4

 

[Druss]

The victories over Nadal are definitely more enjoyable.

 

[beard]

Is this even a question?
Against Federer off course. Watching Federer trying to smile while Novak raising trophie after trophie and talking nice about Federer's greatness is always pleasuring...Fed fans ****iness helps a lot... Novak destruction of Federer's house of cards is just ombelebelebiable...

Nadal on the other hand is a nice guy, really humble guy, real fighter, just likable... I cheer for Novak when he plays Rafa, but sleep like a baby when Rafa beats him...

 

[beard]

I always knew you were up for a good laugh, Lew.

Oh wait, you're serious.

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/OpulentBrilliantFrilledlizard-mobile.mp4

He is seriously serious because he is telling the truth...

 

[Lew II]

.

 

[Hitman]

My enjoyment of Novak's wins are more centered around how he wins and not who he wins against.

There are some Nadal wins that I really like, there are some Federer wins that I really like, but also there are some Murray wins, some Del Potro wins and some Wawrinka wins that I have enjoyed even more than the wins over Federer and Nadal. Can't be about the other player for me, that means that player has way too much control over my emotional senses, not happening. For me the things that make me enjoy Novak wins can come from many things, could be his incredible form that day, could be how he fought mentally, could be how he fought physically, could be how he did some incredible comeback, or how he contained an in form player.

To me it is combination of those things, but cannot truly be about the other guy, has to be about Novak.

 

[Mike Sams]

Nothing pleases me more than watching Novak beat Rafa on clay

He's got no answers for Nadal where it really counts...at the French. Then again Djokovic can't even make it to the final. He's got a Thiem problem now.

 

[RS]

Vs Federer.

 

[CYGS]

Matches against Cow, especially those that made half of Cowtrolls disappear.

 

[beast of mallorca]

Recently, Wimbledon, USO and AO made available some of the great matches between Nole, Roger and Rafa. Which ones do you enjoy most reliving them? To me, it's those against Rafa. The tennis level from both players is amazing. I can't say the same thing for the matches against Roger. Maybe because the contrast between their style of play is so big?

Where's your poll ?

 

[TheAssassin]

Over the years I have probably enjoyed wins against Nadal more. But if the crowd gets crazy involved when Djokovic plays Federer, those wins are even sweeter.

 

[thrust]

If I were a Novak fan, Roger for sure. 40-15 meme inflicts most pain...every time...

That and the two USO semis when Novak seemed destined to lose, fighting a hot Roger and the NY crowd.

 

[maratha_warrior]

As a Federer and Nadal fan , I enjoy Djokovic's wins over Nick Krgious the most

 

[JoshuaPim]

17-20 he's left it too late to catch the GOAT, with that fooling around for a couple years. Silly boy.

 

[Red Rick]

Fedr

 

[beard]

He's got no answers for Nadal where it really counts...at the French. Then again Djokovic can't even make it to the final. He's got a Thiem problem now.

He has one win over Nadal at RG, and that is enough for me. He gave Rafa good fight few times besides that win. He beats Rafa more on clay that anyone else, and that counts too, Rafa don't like losing on clay... Than, there is 2016 where he would get second win, I'm sure...

Bold...
Novak played Rafa at RG 7 times, more than Rafa played Novak at SO his favorite slam... only 2 times...

Novak has nothing to be ashamed with his rivalry to clay goat, he can only be proud...

 

[SonnyT]

He's got no answers for Nadal where it really counts...at the French. Then again Djokovic can't even make it to the final. He's got a Thiem problem now.

And Nadal really has the answer for Djokovic at Laver Arena, and Centre Court!

Djokovic's victories over Nadal were great (11 USO, 12 AO, 18 Wim). But his victories over Federer at CC has a mythical, theatrical quality to it: 2 five setters, whole stadium screaming for a gladiator's demise, 40:15, an actor's smirk at the end...

 

[Third Serve]

He is seriously serious because he is telling the truth...

Statistically, Federer-Djokovic is the closer rivalry. Much less straight-set matches and Fed even leads in overall points won. There have also been periods in which Djokovic accumulated seven-match win streaks against Nadal, which in no way is close. That’s never happened with Federer-Djokovic.

 

[Nole_King]

Ofcourse Roger. What fun is to see him beat someone who he leads 22-10 in last 9 years or so

 

[SonnyT]

Djokovic doesn't have a Thiem, would've beat him at last year's RG if he wanted to. But he knew the final would be an unfair contest, stacked in favor of Nadal. Nadal would have 2 rest days out of last 5, whereas the Djokovic-Thiem winner would have to play 4 days in a row.

As a Djokfan, I'm glad he lost in SF, instead of playing in the final, with all the odds against him. As all they were all against Thiem, and yet he took a set from Nadal.

I remember last year's RG SF, it was on-serve late in the 5th set, Djokovic had a real sitter in the middle court, to either break Thiem or get a break point, but Djokovic somehow pushed his forehand long...

 

[Enceladus]

Bigger happy will make do to me Nole's wins over Nadal than over Fed.

 

[tudwell]

Djokovic doesn't have a Thiem, would've beat him at last year's RG if he wanted to. But he knew the final would be an unfair contest, stacked in favor of Nadal. Nadal would have 2 rest days out of last 5, whereas the Djokovic-Thiem winner would have to play 4 days in a row.

As a Djokfan, I'm glad he lost in SF, instead of playing in the final, with all the odds against him. As all they were all against Thiem, and yet he took a set from Nadal.

I remember last year's RG SF, it was on-serve late in the 5th set, Djokovic had a real sitter in the middle court, to either break Thiem or get a break point, but Djokovic somehow pushed his forehand long...

Yes, all the best champions simply pack up and head home when the cards are stacked against them.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Djokovic doesn't have a Thiem, would've beat him at last year's RG if he wanted to.

New excuse for Djokovic fans every time he loses in slams: "He wouldn't won had he wanted to."

You can't make this stuff up.

 

[daggerman]

He's got no answers for Nadal where it really counts...at the French. Then again Djokovic can't even make it to the final. He's got a Thiem problem now.

I'm not sure he has a Thiem problem at Roland Garros (beyond the extent that Thiem is an excellent player and therefore always a threat). I'd like to see Thiem beat an in-form Novak under normal conditions before I say Novak has a problem. Thiem has yet to do so.

 

[Red Rick]

New excuse for Djokovic fans every time he loses in slams: "He wouldn't won had he wanted to."

You can't make this stuff up.

He woudl've won if Thiem wasn't a better player that day.

 

[TripleATeam]

I prefer seeing Novak beat Nadal because Fed's my second-fave. I'd rather see a Novak-Fed match though because I'm fairly good no matter who wins.

 

[TripleATeam]

Djokovic doesn't have a Thiem, would've beat him at last year's RG if he wanted to. But he knew the final would be an unfair contest, stacked in favor of Nadal. Nadal would have 2 rest days out of last 5, whereas the Djokovic-Thiem winner would have to play 4 days in a row.

As a Djokfan, I'm glad he lost in SF, instead of playing in the final, with all the odds against him. As all they were all against Thiem, and yet he took a set from Nadal.

I remember last year's RG SF, it was on-serve late in the 5th set, Djokovic had a real sitter in the middle court, to either break Thiem or get a break point, but Djokovic somehow pushed his forehand long...

Even at a 10% chance of victory, I'm sure Novak would want to try to win a 2nd RG. Moreover, he'd get over 400 points by winning that match and would have a much easier time ending the year #1. If that was his thought process, then Novak is terminally stupid.

 

[125downthemiddle]

Fedr in general

Cuz I like Nadal too and dislike Fed

But the most special wins were over Nadal because they tend to have these epic gladiatorial battles that feel like they have more gravitas, at least to me*

* Wim 19 is the exception of course, nothing can top that for the drama, evil crowd, and feeling at the end when all was overcome.

 

[Leandro2045]

I always knew you were up for a good laugh, Lew.

Oh wait, you're serious.

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/OpulentBrilliantFrilledlizard-mobile.mp4

Of course he's serious.

Novak has lost 48% of his total matches against Rafa.
Novak has lost 46% of his total matches against Federer.

Novak has lost 60% of his Grand Slam matches against Rafa.
Novak has lost 35% of his Grand Slam matches against Federer.

Numbers are there...

 

[Born_to_slice]

Against Nadal, because it's pummeling since Novak figured him out. Matches against Federer tend to be much harder to watch and mentally tiring..

 

[Third Serve]

Of course he's serious.

Novak has lost 48% of his total matches against Rafa.
Novak has lost 46% of his total matches against Federer.

Novak has lost 60% of his Grand Slam matches against Rafa.
Novak has lost 35% of his Grand Slam matches against Federer.

Numbers are there...

Depends on which numbers you wish to go with. The matches themselves in the Fedovic rivalry tend to be closer than the matches in the Djokodal rivalry.

 

[Beckerserve]

Against Nadal, because it's pummeling since Novak figured him out. Matches against Federer tend to be much harder to watch and mentally tiring..

When has Djokovic figured Nadal out? At Nadal best events FO and USO the h2h is i think 8-3 to Nadal. It is only in Australia and Asia that Nadal seems to struggle with Djokovic.

 

[Born_to_slice]

When has Djokovic figured Nadal out? At Nadal best events FO and USO the h2h is i think 8-3 to Nadal. It is only in Australia and Asia that Nadal seems to struggle with Djokovic.

Last 30 matches Djokovic won 20 or more. Nadal getting cakewalks and favorable scheduling in majors, thus doing better against Novak there makes this vomit inducing stat.

 

[Hitman]

Last 30 matches Djokovic won 20 or more. Nadal getting cakewalks and favorable scheduling in majors, thus doing better against Novak there makes this vomit inducing stat.

Possible the rivalry only really exists on grass now.

 

[ND-13]

Both are great wins, but enjoy wins over Roger a little more.

I see Djokovic-Nadal matches being one sided every time after 2011. There is really not much magic there , except at RG.

Djokovic-Fed matches are epic.. 3 times saves from double MP, one time in a 5th set.. Epic tie breakers.. This whole decade has delivered more and more.

Unlike some who hate on Roger, I am glad that Novak prevailed in most of the close matches. I understand and realize that Fed had the upper hand in BO3 for the most part and his failings have come in BO5. I respect what Roger did at his age against a fellow ATG. Nothing but respect.

 

[SonnyT]

New excuse for Djokovic fans every time he loses in slams: "He wouldn't won had he wanted to."

You can't make this stuff up.

Rafans spew out excuses more than anyone! Remember that evil roof at Wimbledon that somehow caused Nadal to lose! For what reason, nobody could say!

Remember all the knee problems that Nadal supposedly had? Funny that nobody had ever seen Nadal hobble on court, despite all those supposed knee problems!

He was so tired from playing ATP Cup, that was why he lost '20 AO; conveniently forgetting Djokovic spent more court time at ATP Cup than Nadal.

Djokovic's realistic. He knew he would be terminally disadvantaged at the RG final against Nadal last year!

 

[PeoplesChamp]

Is this even a question?
Against Federer off course. Watching Federer trying to smile while Novak raising trophie after trophie and talking nice about Federer's greatness is always pleasuring...Fed fans ****iness helps a lot... Novak destruction of Federer's house of cards is just ombelebelebiable...

Nadal on the other hand is a nice guy, really humble guy, real fighter, just likable... I cheer for Novak when he plays Rafa, but sleep like a baby when Rafa beats him...

And you lose sleep when Federer beats Djokovic.