Rafa & Djoker Final incoming...

[USO]

The whole double career grand slam is a little bit overrated as I’m sure had Nadal won a 2nd AO either in 2012 or 2017 (he came close both times) nobody would have been saying “Nadal is the undisputed GOAT”, especially since he would have still been behind Federer in overall slams back then. So it’s very ironic that all of a sudden Djokovic fans are hyping it up despite him being at #3 in the slam race?

 

[ForehandRF]

Yeah, because Djokovic didn't win enough titles, especially recently.

I would understand if you said it would be better for tennis to see somebody like Thiem, Zverev or Medvedev win. But Djokovic winning anything at this point is not good for tennis.

Of course it would be better if one of the younger guys wins it, but in the case of an encounter between these two, it would be better for tennis if Djokovic wins it.Why ? Because we are talking about RG specifically and one of them has won it 12 times, the other one just one time.See what I mean here ? If I get rid of my biased Fed fan glasses, this is how I see things.

 

[Born_to_slice]

wait, Wawrinka got wiped out by an 18 year old qualifier last week, why are we talking about him?

Because tanking is a thing. Krajinovic wiped out Thiem in Cincy*, on the same courts this one won USO a couple of weeks later.

Murray to beat Wawrinka tho.

 

[Bumbaliceps]

wait, Wawrinka got wiped out by an 18 year old qualifier last week, why are we talking about him?

He played terribly last year a week before Roland Garros, Waw is a different player in slams.

 

[ABCD]

And yet @BeatlesFan seems to think Maestronians would more likely favor Djokovic in the matchup. I think it could really go either way. Not sure which way I'd lean as a Federer fan.

Those hoping that GS record will stay in Federer hands will favor Djokovic while those who think that GS record will be broken anyway will favor Nadal.

 

[Start da Game]

i think it's a fair draw overall........it looks like thiem is ready to defeat anyone........the heavier conditions should suit his game and he proved that he can last for several hours if required.......

 

[Lleytonstation]

Why did I make that....

 

[StrongRule]

Of course it would be better if one of the younger guys wins it, but in the case of an encounter between these two, it would be better for tennis if Djokovic wins it.Why ? Because we are talking about RG specifically and one of them has won it 12 times, the other one just one time.See what I mean here ? If I get rid of my biased Fed fan glasses, this is how I see things.

I don't see how it is good when a player who already won 5 of the last 8 slams (some of them with cakewalk draws) wins another slam with a cakewalk draw. This is not specifically about RG, this is about tennis in general.

 

[Deleted member 748597]

Why did I make that....

The best meme you made so far, lolz.

 

[ForehandRF]

I don't see how it is good when a player who already won 5 of the last 8 slams (some of them with cakewalk draws) wins another slam with a cakewalk draw. This is not specifically about RG, this is about tennis in general.

For tennis in general, the BIG3 have won already too much, so a winner like Thiem would be better.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

IMO Thiem's draw is being hilariously overblown.

Cilic and Opelka at RG? Bahahahaha
Stan and Monfils will almost certainly *not* make it to the R4/QF - if they do, they likely wont be playing nearly to their ceiling
Ruud is a kind of tricky R3, but big deal for a guy who has made back-to-back RG Finals

And then of course you have the same Nadal-Djokovic SF/F he always had, but in the confirmed Nadal-Djokovic order - which is the preferred order for Thiem (obviously better to face Nadal in a SF).

Everyone is sleeping on Thiem, and it's a joke

Spoiler

I can’t see Thiem beating Rafa and Novak back to back though!

 

[weakera]

I can’t see Thiem beating Rafa and Novak back to back though!

I can see it to be honest.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

The whole double career grand slam is a little bit overrated as I’m sure had Nadal won a 2nd AO either in 2012 or 2017 (he came close both times) nobody would have been saying “Nadal is the undisputed GOAT”, especially since he would have still been behind Federer in overall slams back then. So it’s very ironic that all of a sudden Djokovic fans are hyping it up despite him being at #3 in the slam race?

Yes but if he wins this he’ll be on 18. Then djoko has his pet slam next. Therefore he could be on 19 by end of January 2021 and be viewed greater than Rafa and just 1 slam behind fed.

That is why this french open is massive. Plus if they all finish with similar no of slams, the double career slam will be another edge djoko had on his rivals.

 

[TennisManiac]

The good news about the draw is that the two best clay players will reach the final to face each other. The HC specialist Thiem wont beat Djoker this time around.

The even better news?

We get to see Rafa stomp Djoker in the final. Win win for tennis.

Rafa: "Love the effort from you Djoker... but I have to do this... sorry... not sorry."

I got news for ya. Neither one will get to the final.

 

[Lleytonstation]

I got news for ya. Neither one will get to the final.

No, that cant be.

 

[USO]

Yes but if he wins this he’ll be on 18. Then djoko has his pet slam next. Therefore he could be on 19 by end of January 2021 and be viewed greater than Rafa and just 1 slam behind fed.

That is why this french open is massive. Plus if they all finish with similar no of slams, the double career slam will be another edge djoko had on his rivals.

That’s a lot of IF’s. The point is if Djokovic wins the French Open and then stops at 18 career total it doesn’t settle anything. Of course the French Open is massive, but it’s also massive for Nadal as he would get number 20.

 

[Beckerserve]

12-1. (Said in good humour banter)

 

[Beckerserve]

And yet @BeatlesFan seems to think Maestronians would more likely favor Djokovic in the matchup. I think it could really go either way. Not sure which way I'd lean as a Federer fan.

Does it matter? Tour is so bad now Federer definitely has a shot at a few more Majors. Its almost like the 3 of them could start 2021 from scratch lol. If Murray could get fit he probably gets back to no.4 lol. Its that bad at the moment.

 

[weakera]

Does it matter? Tour is so bad now Federer definitely has a shot at a few more Majors. Its almost like the 3 of them could start 2021 from scratch lol. If Murray could get fit he probably gets back to no.4 lol. Its that bad at the moment.

I would love it if maestro won another slam lol. Would be hilarious and epic

 

[Beckerserve]

I would love it if maestro won another slam lol. Would be hilarious and epic

He will win Wimbledon. By far the best grass court player other than Djokovic and Nadal playing well but as those too get older they get slower so more easy for Federer to hit winners by them. Who else is even close to Federer on grass even of he is 40. 22 Majors will be needed for whoever. Minimum

 

[MugOpponent]

He will win Wimbledon. By far the best grass court player other than Djokovic and Nadal playing well but as those too get older they get slower so more easy for Federer to hit winners by them. Who else is even close to Federer on grass even of he is 40. 22 Majors will be needed for whoever. Minimum

If I knew Nadal would end his career +1 grand slam over Federer then I'd totally root for Roger in a hypothetical Wimbledon final provided it wasn't against Rafa.

 

[weakera]

He will win Wimbledon

I want to believe lol but that's a big ask for the old coot

 

[Beckerserve]

I want to believe lol but that's a big ask for the old coot

Federer is Federer. His career is destined to end with a smile. I never write him off. Not with that natural talent. Get hot he still can thrash all players including my Rafa and Djokovic.

 

[irishnadalfan1983]

Yes but if he wins this he’ll be on 18. Then djoko has his pet slam next. Therefore he could be on 19 by end of January 2021 and be viewed greater than Rafa and just 1 slam behind fed.

That is why this french open is massive. Plus if they all finish with similar no of slams, the double career slam will be another edge djoko had on his rivals.

Good to see Nole fans not getting ahead of themselves after the last slam

 

[iopzzza]

Lets hope this match happens, match for the history !!!

 

[King No1e]

The good news about the draw is that the two best clay players will reach the final to face each other. The HC specialist Thiem wont beat Djoker this time around.

The even better news?

We get to see Rafa stomp Djoker in the final. Win win for tennis.

Rafa: "Love the effort from you Djoker... but I have to do this... sorry... not sorry."

Correction: Thiem and Djoker final incoming

 

[Musterrific]

IMO Thiem's draw is being hilariously overblown.

Cilic and Opelka at RG? Bahahahaha
Stan and Monfils will almost certainly *not* make it to the R4/QF - if they do, they likely wont be playing nearly to their ceiling
Ruud is a kind of tricky R3, but big deal for a guy who has made back-to-back RG Finals

And then of course you have the same Nadal-Djokovic SF/F he always had, but in the confirmed Nadal-Djokovic order - which is the preferred order for Thiem (obviously better to face Nadal in a SF).

Everyone is sleeping on Thiem, and it's a joke

Spoiler

You might be on to something. Thiem handled Cilic easily on hard court at the US open just 2 weeks ago. Can't see him having trouble with him on clay. Wawrinka is a shadow of himself, old, in poor form (got bagelled in a drubbing by a teenager last week on his favourite surface) and just lost the coach that got him to the top of the sport. Monfils is a clown and also old. Thiem utterly destroyed him at the AO this year to boot.

Ruud might pose a bit of a challenge seeing how he's a young talent on the rise, in pretty strong form, and a clay court specialist, but honestly, there's nothing about his game that Thiem doesn't do better. If they meet and Ruud zones, I could see him stealing a set, maybe 2, but not the match.

Other than that, Thiem would face the usual Big 3 obstacles that are always there anyway.

 

[PeoplesChamp]

Disagree that Djokovic is the 2nd best clay player and that HC is Thiem's best surface. Moving on, Thiem has a tough draw. Then Nadal next toughest and Djokovic the easiest. RBA could pose some problems for Djokovic but I'm not confident in that since this isn't HC. We have no idea what Medvedev or Tsits will bring. Tsitsipas is probably the stronger of two on clay. I dont trust either right now. Have to see them play some more. Djokovic should come through. I wont guarantee anything for him on clay though. Thiem may not make it to Nadal and even if he does he could be spent by that time. We'll have to see. Zverev and Fognini meh atm. Lot of unknowns really. I'll say 75% chance it's a Djokodal final. Anything can happen though as we saw at the USO. Maybe Thiem gets through these matches easy and has something for Nadal. Scheduling will play a big part this time around with the shorter days in October.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Correction: Thiem and Djoker final incoming

A HC specialist showdown?

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

That’s a lot of IF’s. The point is if Djokovic wins the French Open and then stops at 18 career total it doesn’t settle anything. Of course the French Open is massive, but it’s also massive for Nadal as he would get number 20.

True I agree. It’s all the play for. So much to fight for in the GOAT debate!

 

[King No1e]

A HC specialist showdown?

Tim is not a HC specialist LOL. He's had more success so far but that doesn't mean he's necessarily better. If we go another couple years and his HC accomplishments continue to surpass his clay wins, then maybe.

 

[Deleted member 748597]

Don't let this thread fool you, guys. Lleyton and I shall be rooting for Djoker together.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Yeah, because Djokovic didn't win enough titles, especially recently.

I would understand if you said it would be better for tennis to see somebody like Thiem, Zverev or Medvedev win. But Djokovic winning anything at this point is not good for tennis.

So why do you want Nadal to win again? Nadal has won more titles than Djokovic has.

 

[BeatlesFan]

And yet @BeatlesFan seems to think Maestronians would more likely favor Djokovic in the matchup. I think it could really go either way. Not sure which way I'd lean as a Federer fan.

I'm not trying to speak for all Fed fans. It just seems to me the majority (if not heavy majority) of Fed fans would be forced to root against Rafa (even if they like him) when Rafa is going for 20 slams. But you have two Fed followers here who are rooting for Nadal, so there ya go. Put the shoe on the other foot. If Rafa stalls at 20 slams and Djokovic is playing a slam final and has 19 majors, you'd be rooting for his opponent, almost surely.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Tim is not a HC specialist LOL. He's had more success so far but that doesn't mean he's necessarily better. If we go another couple years and his HC accomplishments continue to surpass his clay wins, then maybe.

If Thiem takes a step backwards on clay (not reaching final, I expect he won't reach Qf) and has already made 2 massive leaps this year on HC, I would argue he is a HC specialist.

 

[Deleted member 748597]

I'm not trying to speak for all Fed fans. It just seems to me the majority (if not heavy majority) of Fed fans would be forced to root against Rafa (even if they like him) when Rafa is going for 20 slams. But you have two Fed followers here who are rooting for Nadal, so there ya go. Put the shoe on the other foot. If Rafa stalls at 20 slams and Djokovic is playing a slam final and has 19 majors, you'd be rooting for his opponent, almost surely.

Many Fed fans are more afraid of Djokovic.

Slams, YECs, weeks at #1, etc.

 

[StrongRule]

So why do you want Nadal to win again? Nadal has won more titles than Djokovic has.

Not recently.

 

[SonnyT]

Many Fed fans are more afraid of Djokovic.

Slams, YECs, weeks at #1, etc.

And their painful memories of Nadal are mostly at least ten years ago! They're pretty fond of their more recent memories of him (cue, '17 AO and '19 Wimb)!

 

[BlueB]

It's an interesting dilemma, psychologically, from a Federer fan perspective.

Better to concede 20 to Nadal to keep Djokovic's chances of reaching 21 less likely, or to keep the dream of holding on to the record alone alive while Djokovic gets closer to 20/21?

If I was a Fed fan (and I do like him more than Nadal), it would be pretty straight forward for me: Djokovic all the way! I'd go for a clear slam leadership, for as long as it can last. Tennis is tricky - you loose 1/2 step and suddenly the competition is beating you. Never mind the potential injuries, but these guys are not getting any younger, you never know, they might stall at 19 and 18...

 

[SonnyT]

bee
If I was a Fed fan (and I do like him more than Nadal), it would be pretty straight forward for me: Djokovic all the way! I'd go for a clear slam leadership, for as long as it can last. Tennis is tricky - you loose 1/2 step and suddenly the competition is beating you. Never mind the potential injuries, but these guys are not getting any younger, you never know, they might stall at 19 and 18...

I agree, this winter Djokovic will do his favorite sports, skiing, and might break his leg and be on the shelf for a while. Anything can happen, and injuries and mid-career crises have hit Djokovic previously!

 

[robthai]

You also said Medvedev would easily beat Thiem yet he got straight setted in dominant fashion. Your credibility is on the line here.

 

[vex]

The good news about the draw is that the two best clay players will reach the final to face each other. The HC specialist Thiem wont beat Djoker this time around.

The even better news?

We get to see Rafa stomp Djoker in the final. Win win for tennis.

Rafa: "Love the effort from you Djoker... but I have to do this... sorry... not sorry."

I’d like for Rafa to win but Djoker could pull off the upset. I’ll just take a good final. Can’t be too greedy in 2020

 

[USO]

I am looking forward to a Nadal vs Humbert final.

 

[King No1e]

If Thiem takes a step backwards on clay (not reaching final, I expect he won't reach Qf) and has already made 2 massive leaps this year on HC, I would argue he is a HC specialist.

You expect Thiem won't reach the QF?
Ok buddy, let's see how that goes...

 

[Meles]

The good news about the draw is that the two best clay players will reach the final to face each other. The HC specialist Thiem wont beat Djoker this time around.

The even better news?

We get to see Rafa stomp Djoker in the final. Win win for tennis.

Rafa: "Love the effort from you Djoker... but I have to do this... sorry... not sorry."

 

[King No1e]

Have you ever seen anything like Thiem in your life?

 

[Lleytonstation]

You expect Thiem won't reach the QF?
Ok buddy, let's see how that goes...

The guy has never won a masters on clay but only HC, what do you expect from the guy? A QF for a HC specialist is good.

 

[Meles]

The guy has never won a masters on clay but only HC, what do you expect from the guy? A QF for a HC specialist is good.

I was surprised how much Tim liked those Babolat balls. Rafa's change of fortune in 2011 saved by Babolat. Tim's relative success at RG partially explained. Diamond Age rumblings as US Open ball maker taking over at RG.