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I was going over the Djokovic – Nadal story for 2011, and even though these are just my thoughts, and not facts, I would like to share with all of you. You may agree or not.
2010 ends and Nadal is the number one, he has it all. Sure he lost the WTF to a red hot Federer, but considering what he achieved, if he had to let one go for now, that would probably be it. Nadal feels good about his game, and knows he is going into the AO with a chance for Rafa Slam, and history with it. Djokovic is not on his mind at this point, since he beat him convincingly at USO and the WTF, maybe a possible Federer resurgence is. But nothing new, it has always been the Fedal show.
Djokovic takes the defeats as best he can and heads to the DC final. His chance to end his year on high, and do something historic for his country, for his people and for himself. The moment inspires him, his teammates are with him, and he wins his two matches to help Serbia win the Davis Cup. A special moment in his professional career, and but also personally, since it was such a historic moment. A positve high, and new found inspiration ends Djokovic’s season. The bridesmaid at so many big events in past years, gets to taste a monumental win. Djokovic is not in Nadal’s mind.
AO comes around, and all focus is on the Rafa slam, and a potential showdown with a now resurgent Federer who won Doha. Rafa comes in with little rest over the offseason, determined to win, however he comes in not feeling his best. Rafa goes out…Djokovic annouces his potential for 2011 after dethroning the defending AO champion in a quality three set match. And then wins the title by crushing Murray. Nadal notices from a distance, but has his own leg issues to take care of.
Djokovic heads to Dubai, brimming with confidence, having secured his first DC win and following it up with a second AO. Using his momentum and much more stern mental ability resulting from those wins, he beats Federer again for the title. All of sudden, Djokovic’s winning streak becomes the talk of 2011. Rafa nursing his injury notices the current form of Novak, but knows that their path’s have yet to cross.
Indian Wells, Rafa is back! Navigating his way through the draw, he is determined to make his mark on the 2011 season, which at that point had been all about Djokovic. They meet in the final, and this is the moment for Nadal to show his greatness, as the man that halted the run of the man of the moment. That alone inspires Nadal to come out swinging, to tell Djokovic that when it comes to the big matches, he just can’t beat Nadal.That Nadal is stil the best. Nadal’s agression at the start being a mental reminder to Djokovic who had yet to beat Nadal in meaningful match. Djokovic takes the assault, but does not fold, returning shots back with interest. All of sudden, he looked very comfortable, all those wins, and confidence helped him fight off the intimidation of the number one. Rafa cannot keep his form with his serving, and for the first time, it is Rafa who blinks. Novak steam rolls him in the final set, with deadly groundstrokes. Novak wins, and declares Nadal as the GOAT. Nadal, who owns three of the four slams, the best in the world, was brushed aisde in the final set…and Novak calls him the GOAT. An immediate reversal of what Rafa had been doing and saying about Roger in the past. Rafa quickly diminishes it as stupid. His annoyance that he lost, spurs him for payback in Miami.
Miami. The question about when the streak will be broken becomes the topic, and how much tennis can Djokovic play. Nadal would know of the questionable fitness issues of his new challenger, and deep down thinking that surely it can’t last…but also hoping that Rafa himself ends it, so order is restored at the top. Nadal needed this win. They meet for the second time in a blockbuster match, in which Nadal tried to mark his authority and bully Nole from the start, but Noles increased fitness and stamina allowed him to stay with Nadal, and return every ball back with interest. Nadal must have thought why Djokovic is not getting tired,how can he keep going. I get ahead, but he just keeps coming back at me, nothing like the way we used to play before. Why can’t I beat him. They play a tie break and Nole rises to the occasion, taking the win from Rafa. This one stung Nadal, and it stung him hard. He threw everything at Novak, and could not find a way through, and it was he who was bent over sucking in air, while Djokovic stood waiting for the next point. The streak gets bigger at his expensive for a second straight final. Novak is now in Nadal’s head, because not only is Novak being consistent against the field and winning, he is also beating him in finals that he has never done before.
I can hang with Nadal on clay…
The words of Novak Djokovic heading into the clay season, blatantly declaring – I am coming for you on your turf. You better get ready, because I am not afraid of you.
Monte Carlo, Rafa is still the king of clay, and would be desperate to end to run, and show Novak that no-one beats Nadal on clay. Novak decides not play, due to physical issues, and makes Rafa wait for another day. Nadal plays on the clay, and despite winning, he looks distracted, as if something is lingering in the back of his mind. He couldn’t slay the growing demon in his head in MC, but a win is a win. He wins Barcelona in the same way, with some great play mixed in with some average play, but no chance to avenge his loses to a legitimate threat. Djokovic returns to clay in Belgrade and comfortably takes the title.
Madrid. The balance of power was going to determined on the clay courts of Nadal’s backyard. Djokovic by the quarters was starting to show the wear and tear of a long season, and finally looked like he could falter at this event. Nadal with a much easier draw, including a walkover had one tough fight with old rival Federer, while Djokovic had titanic tussles in both quarters and semis. Nadal V Djokovic part three. Nadal gets to the arena many hours earlier, intent to finally ending the streak…this was his turf and Nole had no business challenging him there. However, those IW and Miami loses still hurt and played on his mind. They play and Djokovic ends up being even more comfortable playing Nadal on clay than on hard, his incredible defense made him an impenetrable wall. Almost sensing that he has got the edge on the mental battle, Novak breaks Nadal down and beats him now in straight sets. Straight sets on clay. Nole celebrates his dominance over Nadal, something that did not sit well with Nadal. But the scenario of watching Novak pick up another trophy while he stood beside him had become a familiar pain. Novak is now deep inside Nadal’s mind.
Rome. The final stop before RG, and Rafa with Novak in his mind, nearly loses his first match. The questions get asked. How long can Novak keep going? How can I get the ball past him? How is it that he is more physically fitter than me now? How is it that he keeps beating, even on clay? How is it that I can’t beat him? Am I not good enough? The Number One has already been decided…he said. The doubts are now vocal by Nadal, he is not playing well, he form is not good, despite reaching every final in sight. He is still good enough to beat the field with a B game on clay, but he can’t get through one man, who is relishing beating him again and again and again….and calling him GOAT, clay GOAT, the best, the number one while doing it. Everything else he would say to Roger, Novak was now saying to him. They play the final, and everyone wonder if this would be the one, considering what Murray did to Djokovic. It was Nadal’s moment, maybe his destiny to finally stop this Serbian assault. Nadal starts off ultra aggressive hoping he can keep moving Nole around and finish him off quick to finally end the streak. Surely he can’t lose four in a row to him? Novak just loved it, he wanted Nadal, he wanted to beat him again. He knew the tide was turning and going to RG, he wanted to hurt him once more. Nadal’s game plan fell apart at the end with moonball backhands, which Novak clobbered, putting him out of his misery. Nadal stood beside Novak again, the look on his face was the same look Federer had in 08…the look of knowing that you are not the best anymore. He felt what it was like on the other side, a challenger enjoying the match up against him, beating him, and doing it consistently. And Novak’s streak got even more dominant, at his expense more than anyone else.
RG and Nadal has been not been himself, but how much of that was attributed to the player who is Gluten Free.
2010 ends and Nadal is the number one, he has it all. Sure he lost the WTF to a red hot Federer, but considering what he achieved, if he had to let one go for now, that would probably be it. Nadal feels good about his game, and knows he is going into the AO with a chance for Rafa Slam, and history with it. Djokovic is not on his mind at this point, since he beat him convincingly at USO and the WTF, maybe a possible Federer resurgence is. But nothing new, it has always been the Fedal show.
Djokovic takes the defeats as best he can and heads to the DC final. His chance to end his year on high, and do something historic for his country, for his people and for himself. The moment inspires him, his teammates are with him, and he wins his two matches to help Serbia win the Davis Cup. A special moment in his professional career, and but also personally, since it was such a historic moment. A positve high, and new found inspiration ends Djokovic’s season. The bridesmaid at so many big events in past years, gets to taste a monumental win. Djokovic is not in Nadal’s mind.
AO comes around, and all focus is on the Rafa slam, and a potential showdown with a now resurgent Federer who won Doha. Rafa comes in with little rest over the offseason, determined to win, however he comes in not feeling his best. Rafa goes out…Djokovic annouces his potential for 2011 after dethroning the defending AO champion in a quality three set match. And then wins the title by crushing Murray. Nadal notices from a distance, but has his own leg issues to take care of.
Djokovic heads to Dubai, brimming with confidence, having secured his first DC win and following it up with a second AO. Using his momentum and much more stern mental ability resulting from those wins, he beats Federer again for the title. All of sudden, Djokovic’s winning streak becomes the talk of 2011. Rafa nursing his injury notices the current form of Novak, but knows that their path’s have yet to cross.
Indian Wells, Rafa is back! Navigating his way through the draw, he is determined to make his mark on the 2011 season, which at that point had been all about Djokovic. They meet in the final, and this is the moment for Nadal to show his greatness, as the man that halted the run of the man of the moment. That alone inspires Nadal to come out swinging, to tell Djokovic that when it comes to the big matches, he just can’t beat Nadal.That Nadal is stil the best. Nadal’s agression at the start being a mental reminder to Djokovic who had yet to beat Nadal in meaningful match. Djokovic takes the assault, but does not fold, returning shots back with interest. All of sudden, he looked very comfortable, all those wins, and confidence helped him fight off the intimidation of the number one. Rafa cannot keep his form with his serving, and for the first time, it is Rafa who blinks. Novak steam rolls him in the final set, with deadly groundstrokes. Novak wins, and declares Nadal as the GOAT. Nadal, who owns three of the four slams, the best in the world, was brushed aisde in the final set…and Novak calls him the GOAT. An immediate reversal of what Rafa had been doing and saying about Roger in the past. Rafa quickly diminishes it as stupid. His annoyance that he lost, spurs him for payback in Miami.
Miami. The question about when the streak will be broken becomes the topic, and how much tennis can Djokovic play. Nadal would know of the questionable fitness issues of his new challenger, and deep down thinking that surely it can’t last…but also hoping that Rafa himself ends it, so order is restored at the top. Nadal needed this win. They meet for the second time in a blockbuster match, in which Nadal tried to mark his authority and bully Nole from the start, but Noles increased fitness and stamina allowed him to stay with Nadal, and return every ball back with interest. Nadal must have thought why Djokovic is not getting tired,how can he keep going. I get ahead, but he just keeps coming back at me, nothing like the way we used to play before. Why can’t I beat him. They play a tie break and Nole rises to the occasion, taking the win from Rafa. This one stung Nadal, and it stung him hard. He threw everything at Novak, and could not find a way through, and it was he who was bent over sucking in air, while Djokovic stood waiting for the next point. The streak gets bigger at his expensive for a second straight final. Novak is now in Nadal’s head, because not only is Novak being consistent against the field and winning, he is also beating him in finals that he has never done before.
I can hang with Nadal on clay…
The words of Novak Djokovic heading into the clay season, blatantly declaring – I am coming for you on your turf. You better get ready, because I am not afraid of you.
Monte Carlo, Rafa is still the king of clay, and would be desperate to end to run, and show Novak that no-one beats Nadal on clay. Novak decides not play, due to physical issues, and makes Rafa wait for another day. Nadal plays on the clay, and despite winning, he looks distracted, as if something is lingering in the back of his mind. He couldn’t slay the growing demon in his head in MC, but a win is a win. He wins Barcelona in the same way, with some great play mixed in with some average play, but no chance to avenge his loses to a legitimate threat. Djokovic returns to clay in Belgrade and comfortably takes the title.
Madrid. The balance of power was going to determined on the clay courts of Nadal’s backyard. Djokovic by the quarters was starting to show the wear and tear of a long season, and finally looked like he could falter at this event. Nadal with a much easier draw, including a walkover had one tough fight with old rival Federer, while Djokovic had titanic tussles in both quarters and semis. Nadal V Djokovic part three. Nadal gets to the arena many hours earlier, intent to finally ending the streak…this was his turf and Nole had no business challenging him there. However, those IW and Miami loses still hurt and played on his mind. They play and Djokovic ends up being even more comfortable playing Nadal on clay than on hard, his incredible defense made him an impenetrable wall. Almost sensing that he has got the edge on the mental battle, Novak breaks Nadal down and beats him now in straight sets. Straight sets on clay. Nole celebrates his dominance over Nadal, something that did not sit well with Nadal. But the scenario of watching Novak pick up another trophy while he stood beside him had become a familiar pain. Novak is now deep inside Nadal’s mind.
Rome. The final stop before RG, and Rafa with Novak in his mind, nearly loses his first match. The questions get asked. How long can Novak keep going? How can I get the ball past him? How is it that he is more physically fitter than me now? How is it that he keeps beating, even on clay? How is it that I can’t beat him? Am I not good enough? The Number One has already been decided…he said. The doubts are now vocal by Nadal, he is not playing well, he form is not good, despite reaching every final in sight. He is still good enough to beat the field with a B game on clay, but he can’t get through one man, who is relishing beating him again and again and again….and calling him GOAT, clay GOAT, the best, the number one while doing it. Everything else he would say to Roger, Novak was now saying to him. They play the final, and everyone wonder if this would be the one, considering what Murray did to Djokovic. It was Nadal’s moment, maybe his destiny to finally stop this Serbian assault. Nadal starts off ultra aggressive hoping he can keep moving Nole around and finish him off quick to finally end the streak. Surely he can’t lose four in a row to him? Novak just loved it, he wanted Nadal, he wanted to beat him again. He knew the tide was turning and going to RG, he wanted to hurt him once more. Nadal’s game plan fell apart at the end with moonball backhands, which Novak clobbered, putting him out of his misery. Nadal stood beside Novak again, the look on his face was the same look Federer had in 08…the look of knowing that you are not the best anymore. He felt what it was like on the other side, a challenger enjoying the match up against him, beating him, and doing it consistently. And Novak’s streak got even more dominant, at his expense more than anyone else.
RG and Nadal has been not been himself, but how much of that was attributed to the player who is Gluten Free.
Until the next one....
