Novak Djokovic - his big clay titles
- Thread starter Hitman
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MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
Find someone who loves you as much as Hitman loves threads about BIG titles
Hitman
Bionic Poster
nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
King of clay has won 10 Rome titles. And Djokovic himself has won 6 of them.
While the prince of clay the fake princes Ferrer and Thiem won zero. I really despise those who called these two the prince of clay. After Rafa, its Djokovic on clay and no one else.
While the prince of clay the fake princes Ferrer and Thiem won zero. I really despise those who called these two the prince of clay. After Rafa, its Djokovic on clay and no one else.
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
Wouldn't you be even more insulted if they referred to Djokovic as a "prince" behind Nadal?
nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
I guess not. After king , there is prince right. Or should we call Djokovic the kingslayer? I used to call him in 2013/14 when GoT series was on lol
InsuranceMan
Hall of Fame
Lauren_Girl'
Hall of Fame
What were your favorite runs?
Mine were Rome 2011 and RG 2021. They were all special but if I have to pick 2...
Rome 2011 had 3 unforgettable matches.
The 2nd set of his QF against Söderling... I think he only lost 3 or 4 points and made 0 UE. Maybe the most flawless set of his career.
The SF was maybe my favorite Djokovic/Murray ever (even better than Shanghaï 2012)... 3h15 of masterclass.
And the final... I think more than 99% predicted Nadal would pick up the pieces and destroy him because he finished the Semifinal so late. We know Nadal can underperform in Madrid because of the altitude but beating him again in Rome, after such a long, late Semifinal, that was huge. He lost many Rome finals in similar circumstances (long and late SF)... 2016, 2019, 2021. Beating prime Nadal 6-4 6-4 in a Rome final under these circumstances may be one of the biggest achievements ever.
RG 2021 was huge for so many reasons. Too many to list but some of them are:
First to complete the Double career Slam
20-20-19 instead of 21-20-18 (THE Slam that made the difference in the Slam race IMO)
2 come backs from 2 sets to 0, including 1 in the final.
First ever to beat Nadal twice in RG...
3rd set of the semifinal (1h30) one of the best tennis sets ever according to so many specialists... That drop shot on the set point changed the history of the sport forever.
First ever to complete the Belgrade2-RG double (joking here...
)
RG2016 (NCYGS) and RG2023 (TCGS, taking the lead of the Slam Race) were just as important in terms of historical significance, but he didn't beat Nadal so 2021 remains my favorite one for that reason.
Mine were Rome 2011 and RG 2021. They were all special but if I have to pick 2...
Rome 2011 had 3 unforgettable matches.
The 2nd set of his QF against Söderling... I think he only lost 3 or 4 points and made 0 UE. Maybe the most flawless set of his career.
The SF was maybe my favorite Djokovic/Murray ever (even better than Shanghaï 2012)... 3h15 of masterclass.
And the final... I think more than 99% predicted Nadal would pick up the pieces and destroy him because he finished the Semifinal so late. We know Nadal can underperform in Madrid because of the altitude but beating him again in Rome, after such a long, late Semifinal, that was huge. He lost many Rome finals in similar circumstances (long and late SF)... 2016, 2019, 2021. Beating prime Nadal 6-4 6-4 in a Rome final under these circumstances may be one of the biggest achievements ever.
RG 2021 was huge for so many reasons. Too many to list but some of them are:
First to complete the Double career Slam
20-20-19 instead of 21-20-18 (THE Slam that made the difference in the Slam race IMO)
2 come backs from 2 sets to 0, including 1 in the final.
First ever to beat Nadal twice in RG...
3rd set of the semifinal (1h30) one of the best tennis sets ever according to so many specialists... That drop shot on the set point changed the history of the sport forever.
First ever to complete the Belgrade2-RG double (joking here...
)RG2016 (NCYGS) and RG2023 (TCGS, taking the lead of the Slam Race) were just as important in terms of historical significance, but he didn't beat Nadal so 2021 remains my favorite one for that reason.
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
Prince is supposed to be someone noticeably younger though. A prince is the son of the king. Kingslayer is more appropriate (although not accurate on clay, since it usually just pissed Nadal off and he'd come back even stronger).
Hitman
Bionic Poster
What were your favorite runs?
Mine were Rome 2011 and RG 2021. They were all special but if I have to pick 2...
Rome 2011 had 3 unforgettable matches.
The 2nd set of his QF against Söderling... I think he only lost 3 or 4 points and made 0 UE. Maybe the most flawless set of his career.
The SF was maybe my favorite Djokovic/Murray ever (even better than Shanghaï 2012)... 3h15 of masterclass.
And the final... I think more than 99% predicted Nadal would pick up the pieces and destroy him because he finished the Semifinal so late. We know Nadal can underperform in Madrid because of the altitude but beating him again in Rome, after such a long, late Semifinal, that was huge. He lost many Rome finals in similar circumstances (long and late SF)... 2016, 2019, 2021. Beating prime Nadal 6-4 6-4 in a Rome final under these circumstances may be one of the biggest achievements ever.
RG 2021 was huge for so many reasons. Too many to list but some of them are:
First to complete the Double career Slam
20-20-19 instead of 21-20-18 (THE Slam that made the difference in the Slam race IMO)
2 come backs from 2 sets to 0, including 1 in the final.
First ever to beat Nadal twice in RG...
3rd set of the semifinal (1h30) one of the best tennis sets ever according to so many specialists... That drop shot on the set point changed the history of the sport forever.
First ever to complete the Belgrade2-RG double (joking here...
RG2016 (NCYGS) and RG2023 (TCGS, taking the lead of the Slam Race) were just as important in terms of historical significance, but he didn't beat Nadal so 2021 remains my favorite one for that reason.
That's a good list. Rome 2011 and RG 2021 have to be either close to or be at the top of the list.
RG 2023 is special in the sense that he made ZERO UEs throughout all the tie breaks he played, that is a remarkable achievement. MC 2013 was a great run also, his level in the final was exceptional.
But I have to give RG 2016 appreciation here also, the performance against an inform Thiem in the semis was probably the highest level he has played on a clay court from start to finish. It was a joke at times.
nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
You are right. I never understood it when they called Ferrer prince of clay though. Even Nishikori has won at least Barcelona. Did Ferrer ever win?
StrongRule
Talk Tennis Guru
He had some unreal luck on clay during his career. Some of the weakest draws ever in 2016 and 2023, and RG becoming DO which gifted him more titles there...
jackson vile
G.O.A.T.
InsuranceMan
Hall of Fame
Lmao it’s not serious mate I obviously understood his expression of speech. Was just poking at the word ordering there, he obviously doesn’t mean he legitimately despises people who called Thiem the prince of clay in 2017.
It’s cute of you to stand in for him though
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
I never heard anyone call Ferrer the prince of clay, so I can't answer that.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
RS
Bionic Poster
I was worried for Nadal then against Djokovic tbf and that sounds weird to say.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
A really impressive clay resume from Novak. This is what made Novak end up on top in the end.
Hitman
Bionic Poster
Yes, it basically allowed him to have the GOAT resume. His clay career alone is legendary now.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
Agreed. The RG21 for me was the most important match in the GOAT race. That was the moment Nadal lost his buffer of 3 slam difference over Djokovic. It felt after that he’d end up with more albeit the 2022 vaccine mandates complicated matters for a while.
Hitman
Bionic Poster
I would have to agree. Djokovic's clutch dropshot while being set point down in the third is the stuff of legends. Had he messed it up, he loses the set and likely the match, and history would be looking a lot different.
Juice4080
Semi-Pro
The 2021 RG SF is the match that settled the slam race IMO. If Djoker don't win that match they're probably tied right now in the slam race and i don't believe either one of them will ever win a slam again. Joker was soundly beaten the year before and was coming off a tight lose in Rome so Nadal had all the momentum. The match started as a repeat of 2020. Once Djoker was able to weather the storm you knew you were watching history being made. The 3rd set was legendary stuff not just for quality but you got the feeling both knew what was on the line that day. I mean Macron bypassed the curfew mandate for a tennis match. That right there says it all. Also the last tournament all 3 of the big 3 played.
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AO 23 already surpassed that. Tired Del potro >>> challenger level BH Tsitsipas + Tommy Paul.
Neptune
Hall of Fame
A Fed hater disguised as a Fed fan, sad for Fed.
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
StrongRule
Talk Tennis Guru
RG was never played in 2021. Or in any year after 2019.
nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
I am glad that Djokovic has his legacy on clay apart from just being THAT GUY who beat Nadal once. Unlike his HATER Panatta.
3 Roland titles, its no fluke.
7 RG finals.
12 RG semis, the round at which Pete Sampras MAXXED OUT.
Record breaking of RG QF.
Won all the clay masters many times with record number of Rome finals and 6 titles in Rome.
This guy is legit clay great. No excuses.
3 Roland titles, its no fluke.
7 RG finals.
12 RG semis, the round at which Pete Sampras MAXXED OUT.
Record breaking of RG QF.
Won all the clay masters many times with record number of Rome finals and 6 titles in Rome.
This guy is legit clay great. No excuses.
Neptune
Hall of Fame
Despite the organizers' attempts to eliminate him as early as possible every single year.
Open Era Top 10 Ranking at Roland Garros
Open Era until 2023 of couse ATP ranking is all about points, so the ranking is solely based on career ATP points (adjusted to current point system): each win earn points, a slam final win worth 800 points, SF win worth 480, etc. (Only calculate R128-F matches, a R128 loss worth 10 points, I...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
D
Deleted member 806402
Guest
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nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
It doesn't matter at this late stage in his career. He has won 3 RG 11 clay mastersDespite the organizers' attempts to eliminate him as early as possible every single year.
Open Era Top 10 Ranking at Roland Garros
Open Era until 2023 of couse ATP ranking is all about points, so the ranking is solely based on career ATP points (adjusted to current point system): each win earn points, a slam final win worth 800 points, SF win worth 480, etc. (Only calculate R128-F matches, a R128 loss worth 10 points, I...
and soon he will win his first Olympics Gold Medal on clay. Watchout. Won't be denied.
What?
djokovic the conqueror
Professional
Really nice pictures Hitman. Djokovic is truly great on every surface.
My favorite bo3 wins were Rome in 2011 and MC in 2013. In both of those matches, Djokovic had a big disadvantage and he found a way to beat Nadal in straight sets in both finals. In the Rome 2011 semifinal, he won a long and grueling match against Murray and in MC 2013, he had an ankle injury but he pulled through and got the W.
My favorite bo5 win is definitely the RG 2021 semifinal. It proved once and for all that Djokovic's win against Nadal at RG in 2015 was no fluke. So many Nadal fans thought Djokovic's would never get another win against Nadal at RG, yet Djokovic proved them all wrong. I really want Djokovic to get a third win against Nadal at Roland Garros, hopefully this time in the final.
Being able to beat your rivals at their pet slam multiple times shows dominance. Nadal being unable to get a single win against Djokovic at the AO and Federer only being able to get one win against a pre-prime teenage Djokovic shows that Djokovic is truly the best at his pet slam. Federer losing to Djokovic multiple times at Wimbledon and once to Nadal in his prime years is a big stain on his Wimbledon resume.
My favorite bo3 wins were Rome in 2011 and MC in 2013. In both of those matches, Djokovic had a big disadvantage and he found a way to beat Nadal in straight sets in both finals. In the Rome 2011 semifinal, he won a long and grueling match against Murray and in MC 2013, he had an ankle injury but he pulled through and got the W.
My favorite bo5 win is definitely the RG 2021 semifinal. It proved once and for all that Djokovic's win against Nadal at RG in 2015 was no fluke. So many Nadal fans thought Djokovic's would never get another win against Nadal at RG, yet Djokovic proved them all wrong. I really want Djokovic to get a third win against Nadal at Roland Garros, hopefully this time in the final.
Being able to beat your rivals at their pet slam multiple times shows dominance. Nadal being unable to get a single win against Djokovic at the AO and Federer only being able to get one win against a pre-prime teenage Djokovic shows that Djokovic is truly the best at his pet slam. Federer losing to Djokovic multiple times at Wimbledon and once to Nadal in his prime years is a big stain on his Wimbledon resume.
djokovic the conqueror
Professional
Exactly! RG 2021 is one of the greatest matches on clay and was a very important win for Djokovic. Instead of Nadal fans accepting that Djokovic won fair and square, they continue making up the lie that Nadal's foot was injured and that's why Nadal lost.
Djokovic beat Nadal at his own game and showed Nadal that his win against him in 2015 was no fluke.
Phenomenal
Hall of Fame
If RG 2015 was no fluke then all wins against Nadal are great wins. Djokovic was favourite coming into the match against a guy who won last 5 RG, 9/10. They met QF. And it is justified by the final thanks to Wawrinka.
Wouldn't say the same had they faced RG 2016.
He is great at Rome. Also well done to him, one of his best wins against Nadal is 2011 Rome.
nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
Definitely. That match had the eye of the tiger playing at the entrance of players.
Soon it might be between alcaraz and rune/sinner.
Phenomenal
Hall of Fame
Alcaraz - Sinner looks very promising as they can win against each other anywhere. Alcaraz is not any world beater on clay not yet atleast. Sinner can win against Alcaraz on clay. Alcaraz can win on fast outdoor hard courts, USO and so on.
nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
Yes it would be impossible for alcaraz to reach Nadal level on clay or even close to it. But I think he is far ahead of the rest as of today.
Phenomenal
Hall of Fame
I don't believe that. He didn't do anything almost on clay at MC and Rome, not much at RG too. Will see this year though ofc he has the potential.
Field is weak maybe thats why it can be seen like that. Would be funny if grass becomes his best and clay to worst surface for him.
GrandSlam24
Semi-Pro
Let's assume, as I do, that all the analyses and theories correspond to reality.
What exactly is the message behind them and how can we benefit from them in our own everyday lives?
Who benefits from this knowledge?
What exactly is the message behind them and how can we benefit from them in our own everyday lives?
Who benefits from this knowledge?
GrandSlam24
Semi-Pro
Novak is the No. 2 on clay in the Open Era due to his successes. Even ahead of Borg!
Borg is the clear 3rd because of his 6 Paris titles.
Borg is the clear 3rd because of his 6 Paris titles.
Razer
G.O.A.T.
Borg was the alpha of his era on Clay while Novak was/is the Beta on Clay in his era (Nadal is the clay alpha in his era).
This is only clay specific but facts are facts, so you boys trying to market Djokovic ahead of Borg won't work.
messiahrobins
Legend
Do not remember Ferrer being called the prince of clay. But when you say after Rafa on clay it is Djokovic, i think Kuerten Borg may have a word or two about that and Vilas as well as Federer.
Phenomenal
Hall of Fame
Hahaha sure he is ahead of Borg.
messiahrobins
Legend
Can you elaborate on this more as i am a bit confused. Borg won double the amount of French Opens than Djokovic and i dont think Rome Monte Carlo etc were that big in his day. Madrid didnt even exist!!
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