Novak:"The wolf is still hungry, he wants the dessert in Paris" - Can he do it?

Is Djokovic going to win the upcoming French Open?


  • Total voters
    53

jm1980

Talk Tennis Guru
Ideally I'd like to see Nadal beat Federer in the semi and lose to Djokovic in the final

Then maybe we'll stop hearing about how Federer could also beat a "heavily declined" Nadal if given the chance
 

metsman

G.O.A.T.
Ideally I'd like to see Nadal beat Federer in the semi and lose to Djokovic in the final

Then maybe we'll stop hearing about how Federer could also beat a "heavily declined" Nadal if given the chance
So heavily declined 34.75 year old Federer loses to heavily declined Nadal on the surface that peak Nadal was beating peak Fed anyways and that tells us that prime/peak Federer couldn't whup heavily declined Nadal?

Your posts crack me up man...every damn time!
 

duaneeo

Legend
Djokovic's one loss against 'Fedal' in 2011 was at Roland Garros.

Djokovic double-faulted on match point in the 2012 final of Roland Garros.

Djokovic seemed on the verge of victory after going up a break in the 5th set, but ran into the net and eventually lost the game/match in the 2013 semis of Roland Garros.

Djokovic was prime to win in 2014, facing a Nadal who lost to Ferrer at Monte Carlo, Almagro at Barcelona, and who Nole had beaten at Rome. But he lost (with another double-fault on match point) in the final of Roland Garros.

Djokovic finally beat nemesis Nadal in 2015, but lost to Wawrinka with a lackluster performance in the final of Roland Garros.

In 2016, along with the pressure of being the clear favorite to win the elusive Roland Garros title (a pressure he hasn't handled all that well), there will be the added pressure of winning the 'Djokovic Slam'. Can he do it? Of course. Will he do it? Unlikely.
 

Diehard

Semi-Pro
Novak Djokovic said after winning the Australian Open that he is very hungry to triumph at Roland Garros.
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Still hungry for more titles despite all the recent success - 2016 AO champion Novak Djokovic
The best player in the world defeated Andy Murray in the AO final 3-0 (6-1, 7-5, 7-6(3)) in a bit less than three hours of play.
During the press conference he used a sentence that says that it is harder for a wolf to remain at the top of the mountain than climbing it.
In that way he compared himself and other players who are chasing him, saying that the wolf is still hungry for success.
"I heard a very good metaphor - it is a lot easier for the wolf who is running uphill to reach the top of the mountain. It is not easier, but he is hungrier than the wolf who is at the top", said Djokovic and then explained it further.
"You can look from different aspects. I believe that every week the boys are fighting to become the world number 1. They are hungry to become the best in the world and I know that. I cannot allow myself to relax and enjoy. I mean, I can, of course I want that and I will enjoy, but not more than a few days. After that I will think how to continue to play well at every next tournament. That is my reminder for everything that is needed for me to stay at the top. I think that you have to work twice as much when you reach this point".
How much is the wolf hungry for the title in Paris then?
"Very hungry, but the wolf must eat many different meals to reach Paris. Paris is a dessert".
After convincing triumphs against his biggest rivals, Djokovic lifted the AO trophy for a 6th time and is yet to lose a final in the Rod Laver Arena.
"It is a special tournament for me, that is why I kissed the court. I am in love with the Rod Laver Arena for a few years already and I hope it will last for a long time".
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There is nothing like Plexicushion down under - 6 triumphs in as many finals there
Novak won his 11th Major title and also tied Roy Emerson who was the only tennis player to win AO six times. In front of Djokovic now only stand already mentioned Emerson with 12, Nadal and Sampras with 14, and Federer with 17 Grand Slams.
With this win, the Serbian also now has the equal number of hard court titles as Andre Agassi - 46. Only Federer remains in front with 60.
"Every Grand Slam title is special in its own way. This one is important because I managed to tie Roy Emerson with six titles at the Australian Open. I am really honored to be mentioned alongside legends of this sport like Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver and that I won the same number of Grand Slams as them. I cannot lie and say I didn't think about it. I went on the court and knew that I have a chance to write history. That was a big motivation for me and an imperative to play the best I can. I tried not to think too much about it, but it was my encouragement, positive support and goal".
Many were interested in knowing what is the recipe for constant success in the last few seasons.
"I cannot choose one segment and say that it is the secret of success, though I know people would want to know something and me to explain it to them. However, that is not easy because if we were talking about one or two things, many would do the same. It is obvious that it is many years of dedication, hard work and sacrifice. It is not just about trainings, it is not just about what you must do as a tennis player, it is also about the way of life. I am trying to dedicate a big part of my time, energy and thoughts to make myself the best possible person and best player I can be".
Djokovic said many times throughout his career that peace in his private life means a lot on the court.
"I realized something a few years ago that you cannot separate professional and private life. You are the same person. So all feelings who are maybe trapped inside you, the ones that burst in private life, all the problems you face... All of that must come to the surface, you have to find a solution. You have to directly face all your private problems in order to completely use the potential you have. At the end of the day, especially in these matches that are decided by a couple of points, when you are challenged by every aspect of yourself, if there is something under the surface, it will come out and be against you. That will be your biggest enemy. I am speaking only for myself because we are all different. This is not a formula for everybody's success, I am just saying something that helped me to understand how to become better and improve", concluded Djokovic.

Nah they are lions that have already climbed higher mountains and are now tired from all those battles.
after watching todays match im not sure. He was very tight at times and was going way behind the baseline as he did against Wawrinka in FO. He now has the added burden of the circus that will be following for the holding all 4 Majors. I think it comes down to Nadal. If Nadal gets some form, gets his aura back by wining a couple of tournaments then i think Djokovic will have a problem as Nadal obviously if feeling good is likely to want to silence his critics at his pet slam. A wounded wolf is very dangerous
 

Cortana

Legend

Really good press conference. To quote someone from the comment section:

More than just a conference. Novak shared some of the profound philosophies that keep him in a perfect harmony with karma, his body, his mind, the surrounding, resulting in a rich family life and tennis perfection made to look easy. Not everyone knows is that, beyond his daily rigorous and various training, he also does yoga and meditation to achieve this balanced state of mind, reflect on the present moment and remained properly focused on the future goals. I'm sure that this inner spiritual serenity is the key ingredient that takes him that much further.
 
Really good press conference. To quote someone from the comment section:

More than just a conference. Novak shared some of the profound philosophies that keep him in a perfect harmony with karma, his body, his mind, the surrounding, resulting in a rich family life and tennis perfection made to look easy. Not everyone knows is that, beyond his daily rigorous and various training, he also does yoga and meditation to achieve this balanced state of mind, reflect on the present moment and remained properly focused on the future goals. I'm sure that this inner spiritual serenity is the key ingredient that takes him that much further.
Translation: he filled the ears of the journalists and reporters present with ear-**** for about 30 minutes.
 
Djokovic said this after the match:
I don’t want to allow myself to be in that frame of mind. If I do, the person becomes too arrogant and thinks that he’s a higher being or better than everybody else. You can get a big slap from karma very soon. I don’t want that.”

I'd say Serena, Roger and Rafa - especially Rafa, are getting big slaps from karma right now. Novak's time will come, because as you all know, all things eventually, but inevitably, come to an end.
 

uscwang

Hall of Fame
Do you guys remember in 2014 RG final presentation, Rafa said something like that he believes Novak will eventually win the trophy.
It was interesting to hear Novak saying that he believes that Murray will have many more opportunities to fight for the AO trophy.
 
E

Emperor of Belgrade

Guest
This year is a perfect opportunity for him. He is at the peak of his powers. I don't want to make this sound like any jinxing since many were confident in previous years too, but this one is probably his biggest chance. Not to mention the potential hold of all 4 Slams that would probably launch him into the GOAT debate.
 
D

Deleted member 716271

Guest
Djokovic's one loss against 'Fedal' in 2011 was at Roland Garros.

Djokovic double-faulted on match point in the 2012 final of Roland Garros.

Djokovic seemed on the verge of victory after going up a break in the 5th set, but ran into the net and eventually lost the game/match in the 2013 semis of Roland Garros.

Djokovic was prime to win in 2014, facing a Nadal who lost to Ferrer at Monte Carlo, Almagro at Barcelona, and who Nole had beaten at Rome. But he lost (with another double-fault on match point) in the final of Roland Garros.

Djokovic finally beat nemesis Nadal in 2015, but lost to Wawrinka with a lackluster performance in the final of Roland Garros.

In 2016, along with the pressure of being the clear favorite to win the elusive Roland Garros title (a pressure he hasn't handled all that well), there will be the added pressure of winning the 'Djokovic Slam'. Can he do it? Of course. Will he do it? Unlikely.

I sense you're not a Novak fan, Duane. Am I wrong?
 

ordinaryboy

New User
Novak will NEVER win French open. RAFA and Stan will see to that. Pete never won French, Lendl never won wimby. only GOAT can win all 4 and there is ONLY ONE King Federer.
pete was like bambi on ice, djoker's been to 3 finals already. just so happens he played the greatest clay courter of all time, and an inspired wawrinka.He will it at least once!
 
D

Deleted member 716271

Guest
Whether I am or not isn't the point. Regardless of how dominant Djokovic is or has been, or how invincible he seems or has seemed, he's been unable to win Roland Garros, and I don't think he will in 2016.

I'm just curious
 

PeterHo

Hall of Fame
The other wolves are actually cute labradors who are happy to follow the wolf and pick up any leftovers.
 

Sentinel

Bionic Poster
Nadal lost to Djokovic at FO by the way. How many times has Federer beaten Nadal at FO?
Nole had to wait for Nadal to get into semi-retirement to beat him. One can look at this many ways.

The only person to stop Fed from winning FO was Nadal, who is considered by most if not all to be the greatest clay courter ever.
However, in Nole's case, it was not just Nadal, but also Fed who stopped him in 2011 which is one of Nole's great seasons. Again, in 2015, he was stopped by Stan and 2015 is again Nole's great season.
Stan is not even a clay court legend. Three people have stopped Nole from winning RG in Nole's prime.

So don't go about crapping on Federer's clay record so easily. (Yes, I grant that in 2011, Nole did beat up Nadal badly, and Nadal was in his prime. Nole has a great clay resume, but his win over Nadal last year hardly counts, sorry, just my opinion).
 

Mr.Lob

G.O.A.T.
Come on dude, you are much more handsome than him. I love Novak, but he looks a bit like a hedgehog (not saying he is ugly, just I cant help but thinking of that and it is funny, just like Nadal reminds me of a Caprera). You are definitely 1 of the top 3 hottest guys I have ever seen (and I am straight, dont worry, not hitting on you, haha). Your cuteness compensates for his greatness in his field, so you would be a perfect pair.

You must be joking?
 

Mr.Lob

G.O.A.T.
Well forgive me for having doubts about him winning a tournament he failed to win yet. Stan is a mystery, Rafa is always dangerous on clay, while Murray has also improved on that surface.

Rafa is not always dangerous on clay... not anymore. Throw him in with 4 or 5 other guys that could win. A contender. Not the favorite.
 

veroniquem

Bionic Poster
RG has been such a curse for Novak. I'd rather assume he won't and be pleasantly surprised if he does ;)
And he's gonna have double the pressure this year because of the possibility of the Nole slam. But ultimately, it's just that he's not as comfortable on clay as he is on hard. That is not all mental, that has to do with his playing style.
Still, very proud of him last year for winning 2 masters + making RG final
The only players who have made 3 big clay finals and won at least 2 in the same season are:
Nastase in 1973 (won all 3)
Wilander in 1987 (won M-C, Rome, final at RG)
Muster in 1995 (won all 3)
Kuerten in 2000 (won Hamburg and RG, final in Rome)
Kuerten in 2001 (won M-C, RG, final in Rome)
Nadal 2005 to 2014 :)))

All RG winners ;)
 
Novak will win FO this time.If he loses this time, he can't win it ever.He must skip Dubai and Rome to stay uninjured.Last year, wawrinka was lucky to beat djokovic who had to play three days in a row.Even in quarter finals, wawrinka beat federer who had to play three days in a row.Believe things won't happen again and djokovic will win it.
 
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O

OhYes

Guest
Djokovic's one loss against 'Fedal' in 2011 was at Roland Garros.

Djokovic double-faulted on match point in the 2012 final of Roland Garros.

Djokovic seemed on the verge of victory after going up a break in the 5th set, but ran into the net and eventually lost the game/match in the 2013 semis of Roland Garros.

Djokovic was prime to win in 2014, facing a Nadal who lost to Ferrer at Monte Carlo, Almagro at Barcelona, and who Nole had beaten at Rome. But he lost (with another double-fault on match point) in the final of Roland Garros.

Djokovic finally beat nemesis Nadal in 2015, but lost to Wawrinka with a lackluster performance in the final of Roland Garros.

In 2016, along with the pressure of being the clear favorite to win the elusive Roland Garros title (a pressure he hasn't handled all that well), there will be the added pressure of winning the 'Djokovic Slam'. Can he do it? Of course. Will he do it? Unlikely.

You are correct, but.... don't you think whoever gets to final to face Djokovic would also be under great pressure ?
I already see it - player who enters that final will be touted as new slam winner because Djokovic "always chokes there", or would be considered as "tennis savior". Or what if it's Federer who enters the final - he will feel sick just by entering Philippe Chatrier.
 

CYGS

Legend
Ideally I'd like to see Nadal beat Federer in the semi and lose to Djokovic in the final

Then maybe we'll stop hearing about how Federer could also beat a "heavily declined" Nadal if given the chance
I hope Fedal meet in the QF and then Nadwarinka in the SF. In the final Nadal beaten by Djokovic.
 

hendrasdr

Rookie
Hope novak wins FO this year, but somehow i get this feeling that if he wins fo, he will lose wimbledon. Just a feeling anyway
 
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