Popyrin says he did not play his best against Djokovic
- Thread starter clayqueen
- Start date
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
He's not wrong.
58% first serve percentage and a whopping 50 unforced errors in 4 sets.
He's played a lot better matches, especially in Canada.
Aussie has better, still a brilliant win but!
58% first serve percentage and a whopping 50 unforced errors in 4 sets.
He's played a lot better matches, especially in Canada.
Aussie has better, still a brilliant win but!
messiahrobins
Hall of Fame
What did Djokovic say?
Ive seen in the last 12 months a definite less warmth towards Djokovic from his fellow pros as there used to be. Thats pretty provocoative by Popryn
messiahrobins
Hall of Fame
I am surprised by such a provocative statement, especially from a guy who has previously been a huge fan of Novak. Didnt Ruud recently say Nadal was GOAT (unless it was a doctored clip on X). Just for whatever reason in the past few months there seems to be less deference to Djokovic suddenly. I dont think there were many congratulatory messages when he won the Olympics either, which surprised me a bit.
Not sure if its related to the PTPA tour of his idea maybe?
StefanosRespecter
Rookie
Not surprised. Sinner would beat Popyrin 6-2, 6-4, 6-2, if not worse.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
How is this provocative? He didn't downplay Novak, he even respected him by saying he's come back from 2 sets to love down many times.
Popyrin spoke the truth, it wasn't his best. In what world is hitting 50 unforced errors in 4 sets and serving at 58% first serve percentage "his best"?
Turning Pro
Hall of Fame
His first steps to greatness.
After he wins next Sunday, only 24 more to go and the rest.....
After he wins next Sunday, only 24 more to go and the rest.....
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messiahrobins
Hall of Fame
I take it you have not played sport at a competitive level. There certain things when you win you do not say, no matter how true they may be. Saying 'i didnt play well..' which infers '..but i still won haha' is something you just dont say as the victor.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Just like when you lose a match you don't say you played an awful match, serving the worst you ever have and you just own the loss as Novak did? Oh... wait....
Novak direct quote:
ghostofMecir
Legend
I love his attitude, demeanor, and game (not boring like the games of 99% of players). Hope he keeps on rising.
ghostofMecir
Legend
There’s zero evidence from any of your inane posts that you have ever held a racket or played any sport in your entire life.
SpinWizard
Semi-Pro
Well to be honest Popyrin's attitude is much better compared to some mugs who always say "It's a dream come true to play against Novak", "I am happy to play in the R4, QF etc.", "I will enjoy every single moment with Novak on the court."
You have to believe in yourself, be bold and have confidence about your own game.
By the way, this kind of attitude sounds similar to young Novak. I like Popyrin. He gained my respect.
messiahrobins
Hall of Fame
He lost..its not rubbing anything in is it.
messiahrobins
Hall of Fame
Djokovic said " It was the worst tennis he has ever played".
inflation_era
Semi-Pro
Give the guy a break. He just convincingly beat the guy who circumstantially achieved the most in tennis, that's impressive.
clayqueen
Talk Tennis Guru
Alexei is just stating the fact.
Neither man disrespected the other but instead were honest from what I can see.
Technology Ruined Tennis
Hall of Fame
Fan base with the Earth's Mightiest victim complex.
a10best
Legend
That is not the worst tennis Novak has ever played, not the 2nd or 3rd worst. I have seen at least 5 matches where he played worst.
We all saw Wimbledon where he played badly too but that was because he was out matched. Same in AO 24' against Sinner.
Now Novak is using Serena-type post-match hyperbolic excuses when he loses. That is such a pathetic comment and I was gaining more respect for him.
You can always say 'It was not my day. I could have played better. I just could not get things done correctly' or something like that. Instead he chose to go for the extreme ' I played the worst tennis ever'.
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
Gotta understand, these guys have been the best player they know for basically their entire lives. They aren't just gonna give up that swagger when they hit the big time bc there are better players out there
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
YOU don't
But if you're a Djoko fan or a member of his team, the only thing Popyrin should be allowed to say is "just a lucky result for me, off day for him"...anything else than that feels disrespectful and offensive to Novak
a10best
Legend
ND knows some of his worst matches he played ever were 2 or 3 losses at RG to Nadal and this last Wimby where he got destroyed. Winning OG was a good win but he could have easily lost that if Carlos converted 1 of those 6 break-points at 4-4. 3 of those break-points Carlos could have won but he chose to be high-risk highlight Carlos.
I am a Djoko fan
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
You must be one of the reasonable ones then
Racquet_smash
Semi-Pro
Didn't he have almost 60 UEs in 4 sets? That's quite bad.
mental midget
Hall of Fame
what's he doing different lately? haven't caught any of his matches recently. i remember seeing him about 3, maybe 4 years ago and he looked really promising. then kinda quiet for a while, not sure if that was injuries or what. seems to have found something here lately.
It's common for players to say they weren't happy with how they played after winning. It's more common when losing, but still not uncommon after winning.
The big thing I noticed was better composure. There were plenty of unforced errors as a couple of posters have noted, but not usually on big points.
Bartelby
Bionic Poster
There were significantly fewer unforced errors in the first two sets, so he probably played his best then.
Lleytonstation
Talk Tennis Guru
I can't stand how these pros talk in PR, just tell us what you really feel.
... But Not like that
... But Not like that
Eventually we'll reach the point in the dialogue at which it becomes the worst match ever played by each player.
Yes and Popyrin showed that confidence and belief throughout the match.
The ROAR after he broke Djokovic for a 3-2 lead in the 4th showed that. He played Djokovic like a violin during that point and finished it off with a blistering forehand and that ROAR that was heard all over New York.
duaneeo
Legend
But he still trails Federer and is tied with Nadal in US Open titles.
Back into your cave, weirdo
mtommer
Hall of Fame
The world where Djokovic "would never" lose to some like Popyrin. I mean, haven't you seen all those hypothetical threads that logically reason out who would win against whom based on blah, blah, blah?
Bride of Alcaraz
Rookie
Djokovic at 2024 AO = “I was, in a way, shocked with my level, you know, in a bad way. There was not much I was doing right in the first two sets. I guess this is one of the worst Grand Slam matches I've ever played. At least that I remember."
I wonder when Djokovic will realize, this is the norm for him.
Other than the Olympics, in 2024.... TITLELESS!
I wonder when Djokovic will realize, this is the norm for him.
Other than the Olympics, in 2024.... TITLELESS!
TheLeadMaster
Rookie
What did Djokovic say?
Clearly AD has never played competitive sports.
Popyrin is not going to think he played his best ever against a sub par GOAT.
Djokovic mentioned his serve in particular as being bad. That's because he's the only one involved in most of the bad stuff. When you DF, that's on you. The other guy isn't even involved.
Popyrin is not going to think he played his best ever against a sub par GOAT.
Djokovic mentioned his serve in particular as being bad. That's because he's the only one involved in most of the bad stuff. When you DF, that's on you. The other guy isn't even involved.
