Quick Takeaways from Novak-Rafa Olympics showdown

RaulRamirez

Legend
I don't want to overanalyze this match, but in top-of-my-head order, here are some thoughts about today's Olympics (second round) matchup of these greats, who are my favorite players of the last 20 years and arguably, the two best of the OE.

1. I won't speculate if this will, in fact, be their last meeting. I hope they have at least one more -- and with both in good form.
2. The match gave me mixed feelings in a few different ways, mostly: I was happy to see them share the court, but in Round 2? (As there was no guarantee that both could have made it to, say, the medal round, I guess I'll take it.
3. While a Rafa win would've knotted them at 30 head-to-head wins apiece, I don't know that this was a big legacy match.
4. Having said that, it was a big step for Novak making a last go at a gold medal. Towards that end, except for that stretch when his play dropped off and Rafa came on, he looked to be moving well and hitting cleanly, with purpose. It remains to be seen if he can pull this off, but I wouldn't count him out. I don't make many predictions (and they're not great when I do), but I will pick him to go to the final.
5. Likewise, I won't count Rafa from yet another comeback, although with each year, the odds get longer, even for him. How much of his (relatively) slower movement is due to an injury which he could rebound from rather than all the wear and tear and chronic injuries that don't augur well? I'd love to see him and Carlos win the doubles, and then, it's his call how much more to put into an absolutely extraordinary career.
 
You can't see Alcaraz as some sort of Nadal-substitute to excuse Nadal's losses.
Oh dear. You just havent been paying attention to history. Alcaraz is basically Luke SkyWalker and Nadal is Obi One and Novak is Darth Vader. Novak cannot win this GOAT debate. Rafa is now more powerful than ever as he now guides Alcaraz to defeat Novak Vadervic. Can you not see the similarities. Alcaraz looks a bit like Djokovic, the hairstyles are the same. W've seen the movie before in space, its just playing out on the tennis courts now.
 

Bubcay

Legend
From the horses mouth:

 

darthrafa

Hall of Fame
djoker tried too hard, wishing to bagel him on rafa's playground
u can spot his hitting after the chance had gone
it presents the best chance for rafa breaking twice
in fact, if djoker made him run, the last set would finish at 6-1 easily
silly goat
 

Matrix968

Semi-Pro
I was looking forward since long time ago to see another competitive match between two biggest giants of the game, but, even as a huge Novak's fan, I was a bit disappointed, despite the result...

This may be their final encounter, based on what I saw today, and in all honesty, I feel sad, just knowing that the biggest rivalry in the open era has come to an end.

I have huge respect for Rafa and despite him playing my fave I hoped he'll check out with a bang, at least show some of that fire, the fighting spirit I saw many times before which either made me mad or sad, whenever he was beating Novak.

As a summary from a real tennis fan I just wanna say, Rafa, you'll be missed dearly great warrior, and your fighting spirit should inspire future generations. You were one of a kind...
 

NeutralFan

G.O.A.T.
Well OP problem with Nadal's game is his serve is back , gs inconsistent but his biggest problem is his movement to his FH and even forward movement is somewhat gone. I don't see him getting his movement back . He was moving relatively well against Fritz in Wimbledon but when he came back at USO his movement was gone and that day I said Rafa is done winning big thing and that's what happened.
 

jm1980

Talk Tennis Guru
Oh dear. You just havent been paying attention to history. Alcaraz is basically Luke SkyWalker and Nadal is Obi One and Novak is Darth Vader. Novak cannot win this GOAT debate. Rafa is now more powerful than ever as he now guides Alcaraz to defeat Novak Vadervic. Can you not see the similarities. Alcaraz looks a bit like Djokovic, the hairstyles are the same. W've seen the movie before in space, its just playing out on the tennis courts now.
But Obi-wan and Vader used to be friends
 

MeatTornado

Talk Tennis Guru
Alcaraz is basically Luke SkyWalker and Nadal is Obi One and Novak is Darth Vader. Novak cannot win this GOAT debate. Rafa is now more powerful than ever as he now guides Alcaraz to defeat Novak Vadervic.
Remember, the drop shot will be with you always, no?
 

Arak

Legend
I’m not a Djokovic fan, and was rooting for Nadal yesterday, but I’m convinced that Djokovic gave him a game at 5-0 out of respect. He did the same at 4-0 in the second set, he took his foot off the gas pedal but that turned out to be a mistake as he couldn’t get back to his rhythm and Nadal saw an opportunity and for three consecutive games he gave his everything and levelled at 4-4. But then you all saw how old Nadal couldn’t keep his level for long and got tired. I don’t think Nadal is physically competitive anymore. Not in singles anyway.
 
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