RG 2021 Final: Novak Djokovic [1] vs Stefanos Tsitsipas [5]

[zvelf]

I predicted Tsitsipas to win the whole thing before the tournament so I'll stick with that and say Tsitsi in 5. My feeling was that the winner between Djokovic and Nadal would have put everything they had into that match and not have the physical and mental energy against Tsitsipas in the final. It'll be hard for Novak to summon that level of intense concentration one more time in such a short time.

 

[The Guru]

There's a curse about beating Nadal at any of the majors, not just RG.

Although I think Novak himself is the only one to beat Nadal before the final and still win the tournament. Wim 2018 comes to mind and I think there was 1 other. Can't remember.

There's a curse beating Murray too. It takes a lot out of you to beat these guys. Djokovic better not lose this final man I'd be so heartbroken. The man deserves two french open titles. One for each win over the God-King of Clay.

 

[Tshooter]

… It'll be hard for Novak to summon that level of intense concentration one more time in such a short time.

No, it won’t. 19 majors and counting for a reason.

 

[Winner]

Djokovic in 3.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

There's a curse about beating Nadal at any of the majors, not just RG.

Although I think Novak himself is the only one to beat Nadal before the final and still win the tournament. Wim 2018 comes to mind and I think there was 1 other. Can't remember.

Del Potro

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

I see fatigue being the biggest factor. Djoko has played Belgrade a few tough matches and 1 less day of rest, while Tsitsipas had relatively short matches all the way through except for SF which wasn't too bad at 3.5 hours. If Djoko is 90% ready physically in the final I dont see Tsitsipas has much chance.

BTW why top seed has 1 less day of rest??

Novak played his SF right after Stefanos’s so there is only a few hours of difference

 

[Nadal_King]

Djokovic played amazing but don't forget conditions were perfect for him with it being slow and less lively, it is projected to be sunny conditions similar to Musetti match and I think djokovic us less good on livelier conditions. It's all about mental aspect if Tsitsipas bottles up like Medvedev at Australia it's over but if shows mental strength then it will be a war

 

[ewiewp]

This one is hard one to call.
I already called Djokovic as open Era GOAT
but i think both Novak and rafa are aging.
It's hard to assess Novak current form.
He was almost beaten by 19 year old musseti you know?

 

[aldeayeah]

Novak is mentally stronger than ever, Stefanos is flaky. Djokovic in 3.

 

[Hitman]

Djokovic is the fav here, Tsitsipas needlessly went 5 with Zverev, which doesn't help.

Novak's got that look about him....he's stopped Rafa from pulling ahead. No matter what he leaves RG still only being two behind, instead of three as predicted. He also knows if he wins, that pretty much it for the race, he isn't going to stop from that point.

Tsitsipas has a good chance to win, and he will be presented with the opportunity. The question is, will he take it or blink, because I don't think Novak is going to be flat. He is in the zone now. He wants it badly.

 

[Notorious_Junkballer]

If Novak plays like he did yesterday, there's no way he'll lose. He might have a slow start or a mental dip in the middle of a match and lose a set but what weapons does Sissy have that could threaten the performance we saw yesterday? This coming from an anti-Novak Lion worshipper.

 

[Midaso240]

Djokovic is the fav here, Tsitsipas needlessly went 5 with Zverev, which doesn't help.

Novak's got that look about him....he's stopped Rafa from pulling ahead. No matter what he leaves RG still only being two behind, instead of three as predicted. He also knows if he wins, that pretty much it for the race, he isn't going to stop from that point.

Tsitsipas has a good chance to win, and he will be presented with the opportunity. The question is, will he take it or blink, because I don't think Novak is going to be flat. He is in the zone now. He wants it badly.

Nah, no slam is guaranteed. We never know what is around the corner. For instance no one could have predicted when Novak won RG in 2016 that it would be 2 years until he won another slam. Things can turn on a dime, and they will again. It's just a matter of when, not if

 

[sredna42]

Novak in 3. Tsocrates is celebrating & weeping just to make the final, his "emotional balloon" has burst already, he'll be content just to be present while Ultron locks in #19 or whatever it is

 

[gameovais]

It's hard to assess Novak current form.
He was almost beaten by 19 year old musseti you know?

What??? He reached the final of Rome, beat Tsitsipas along the way. He won in Belgrade, albeit without the strongest field. He has now beaten a quality clay courter in Berrettini and the greatest clay court player of all time back to back. I think it's safe to say Djokovic's form is in good order.

Musetti won 2 sets in a 5 set match and that isn't enough I'm afraid. The physical and mental toll it took to win those 2 sets was so much he was dismantled for the final 3 sets.

 

[junior74]

I honestly think Tsitsipas has looked stronger than Nadal in this tournament, up until he fell apart against Zverev when he really was supposed to just finish Zverev off in straights.

I hope Tsitsipas has a good fight in him. He was my pick for the title, but yesterday's Djokovic wasn't a prospect at that time...

 

[Krish0608]

I honestly think Tsitsipas has looked stronger than Nadal in this tournament, up until he fell apart against Zverev when he really was supposed to just finish Zverev off in straights.

I hope Tsitsipas has a good fight in him. He was my pick for the title, but yesterday's Djokovic wasn't a prospect at that time...

I think it was a huge hurdle in Stef’s mind, to cross the semis. He’s never done it before (0-3 in semis before this) and when he was 2-0 up he got tight and blinked. Of course credit to Z, he was playing solid power tennis.
Something tells me he’ll play with a lot more freedom in the final. Hope I’m right.

 

[Wilhelm]

Stefanos seems very determined to me and should have a chance against Nole. He has found his game on clay, but needs to get a grip on his nerves in the first set.

I have no qualms with Djok winning another one, but it would be good for tennis if Tsitsipas came of age.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

I think it was a huge hurdle in Stef’s mind, to cross the semis. He’s never done it before (0-3 in semis before this) and when he was 2-0 up he got tight and blinked. Of course credit to Z, he was playing solid power tennis.
Something tells me he’ll play with a lot more freedom in the final. Hope I’m right.

Well it's definitely better for him to face Djokovic and not Nadal, PCB, Med and Zverev although not as good as Djoker at their best were a good warm up as the style of play is not that different IMO, strong righty baseline players with two handed backhands

 

[yokied]

Novak is mentally stronger than ever, Stefanos is flaky. Djokovic in 3.

I foolishly penned my little essay on the previous page before watching the Djokodal SF, where I was pleasantly surprised to see Novak's FH performance is much improved. Not only a lot of confidence and variation on the CC FH, but the flatter FH drives off moonballs have been reborn with a vengeance.

Based on his moonball replies alone, I'd say his chances of winning in straights have gone from 75% to 90%. Stef's moonballs are much less effective than the Nadal's - all moonballs from pretty much all positions, and usually very central.

 

[Krish0608]

Well it's definitely better for him to face Djokovic and not Nadal, PCB, Med and Zverev although not as good as Djoker at their best were a good warm up as the style of play is not that different IMO, strong righty baseline players with two handed backhands

Good point. And he’ll be playing under the same conditions as his SF.

 

[Halba]

Sissy pas has no chance he played a 5 hr plus marathon and isn’t in that great form.

 

[Standaa]

it'd be such a facepalm if Novak let this slam slip away

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

it'd be such a facepalm if Novak let this slam slip away

 

[Zain786]

Book your money on the Greek as he is the betting underdog, he is fitter and more relaxed. Novak will be mentally and physically exhausted from the SF against Rafa and will have to contend with another next genner. The Greek to win in Four tight sets.

 

[Deleted member 629564]

Djoker -240
Stef +200

LOL you guys should have bet on Djoker when he was +435 LOL just 2 days ago btw.

Tsitsipas win odds are going up and up.

It started from 2.60 shortly after the second semifinal, now settles around 3.70.

 

[Legend of Borg]

Djok in 4.

 

[El_Yotamo]

Let's go,

Let's go!

Let's go

Let's go!

Let's go

Let's go!

Let's go

Let's go!!!!

 

[dapchai]

Let's go,

Let's go!

Let's go

Let's go!

Let's go

Let's go!

Let's go

Let's go!!!!

If he has the game to beat Djokovic then I will reconsider, but in reality he doesn't and he's not even mentally stable at the moment.

 

[Adman]

It's ironic to see some of the Nadal fans who have been loathing and belittling Tsitsi for 2 weeks (expecting him to be Rafa's final hurdle) rooting now for the Greek. Show some class people.

Re the final: Nole 2-0 up in a blink of an eye. From then on it depends on Stephanos' manning-up-during- first-slam-final process. Similar situation with young Novak in first final where he wasted a gadzillion set points, lost to Fed 0-3.

 

[El_Yotamo]

If he has the game to beat Djokovic then I will reconsider, but in reality he doesn't and he's not even mentally stable at the moment.

Just lemme hope until tomorrow

 

[El_Yotamo]

It's ironic to see some of the Nadal fans who have been loathing and belittling Tsitsi for 2 weeks (expecting him to be Rafa's final hurdle) rooting now for the Greek. Show some class people.

Hey I may not have shown love for Tsitsipas but I did cheer him on against Zverev. And I'll also cheer him on against Djokovic. And if he manages to pull off a win, I'll support him generally

 

[jm1980]

 

[skypadq]

please , greek youtuber , please win
you can do this
you almost did beat novak djokovic in rome 2021
please , greek youtuber in four set

 

[SonicNirvana]

If Stefanos wins it’s the true changing of the guard. Exciting stuff.

 

[chjtennis]

I remember Tsitsipas once said clay was his favorite surface. I wonder if that still is the case. This match may decide that.

 

[roysid]

Dont see how Djokovic can lose this. He will just move stefanos from corner to corner and tipsy is bound to falter.

Unless tipsy plays out of his skin and fires on all cylinders, dont see him winning this.

Oh and by the way Tipsy is more like federer sort of player. Serve and forehand based. His backhand though better than Fed is not like wawrinka.
And we all know which style Djokovic prefers

 

[Grgisme]

GOAT in 3

 

[Djokinho]

Nah, no slam is guaranteed. We never know what is around the corner. For instance no one could have predicted when Novak won RG in 2016 that it would be 2 years until he won another slam. Things can turn on a dime, and they will again. It's just a matter of when, not if

You're right that we don't know what tomorrow is. But these are completely different things.

In 2015 he reached his life goal which was to win Roland Garros, after years and years of fighting, he did it, he was the champion of 4 slams at the same time. What more could he want?

There is no reason for this to be repeated starting tomorrow. He might lose, but not for that.

 

[Tsongerer]

Dont see how Djokovic can lose this. He will just move stefanos from corner to corner and tipsy is bound to falter.

Unless tipsy plays out of his skin and fires on all cylinders, dont see him winning this.

Oh and by the way Tipsy is more like federer sort of player. Serve and forehand based. His backhand though better than Fed is not like wawrinka.
And we all know which style Djokovic prefers

Tsitsipas does not have a better backhand than peak Fed. Not even close.

 

[reef58]

Djokovic is the fav here, Tsitsipas needlessly went 5 with Zverev, which doesn't help.

Novak's got that look about him....he's stopped Rafa from pulling ahead. No matter what he leaves RG still only being two behind, instead of three as predicted. He also knows if he wins, that pretty much it for the race, he isn't going to stop from that point.

Tsitsipas has a good chance to win, and he will be presented with the opportunity. The question is, will he take it or blink, because I don't think Novak is going to be flat. He is in the zone now. He wants it badly.

I hope you are right about the flatness, but I have seen it so many times in sport. The underdog pulls off the huge upset and wins against the best only to get blasted in the next match / game.

 

[Hitman]

I hope you are right about the flatness, but I have seen it so many times in sport. The underdog pulls off the huge upset and wins against the best only to get blasted in the next match / game.

It's in the eyes, he looked ready. He knows he cannot slip up

 

[reef58]

It's in the eyes, he looked ready. He knows he cannot slip up

His baseline game yesterday was scary good. If he can hit like that I think it is a fairly easy win, but I have not seen him hitting like that at this year's RG until yesterday. I think he wanted so much another shot at Rafa that is why he was so tight in the quarters. He did seem more relaxed yesterday and did not celebrate as if he was done.

 

[Hitman]

His baseline game yesterday was scary good. If he can hit like that I think it is a fairly easy win, but I have not seen him hitting like that at this year's RG until yesterday. I think he wanted so much another shot at Rafa that is why he was so tight in the quarters. He did seem more relaxed yesterday and did not celebrate as if he was done.

Also after beating Nadal, he will be full of confidence, plus he has won the title before, it's not like he is still facing the pressure of never having won the trophy.

 

[Forehanderer]

Tall and mighty vegan warrior to win in 4. He will deliver boobs and gluten free baguette to the audience as a gift. Respect

 

[Forehanderer]

Djoker -240
Stef +200

LOL you guys should have bet on Djoker when he was +435 LOL just 2 days ago btw.

Ah the betting. If you put 100, you will get 435 right. What will you do with the 300 earned. Buy groceries. If you have to bet you have to bet big that is in multiples of a grand. Are you brave enough to bet against Nadal at that time. Even if someone does gamble and receives a big profit, the house takes the cut in the form of taxes. Sorry for busting the gambling "business"

 

[Forehanderer]

Novak is mentally stronger than ever, Stefanos is flaky. Djokovic in 3.

What if he loses a set. IDEMO! IDEMO! IDEMO!

 

[Third Serve]

44 people really setting themselves up for disappointment.

 

[Eren]

Djokovic in 3 or 4 but voted Stefanos in 4 because of delusion.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

I have a feeling that Tsitsi can win this. Maybe I'm deluded.

But it could be that Stefanos got his nerves out of the way with the SF and play with nothing to lose on Sunday. Djokovic may find it harder to recover from a long and physical match, given his age.

Of course, Novak is a champion and he's got the experience and that mental grit. I think Stefanos could take this in 4. If it goes 5, I think it's going to be Djokovic who comes out on top. And of course it could be a straight-days affair for Novak too, if Tsitsi does not bring his top game.

Stefanos came through the gauntlet of Med & Zverev; now it's up to him to show whether the NextGen can really step it up against the old guard at the slams.

 

[Eren]

You're right that we don't know what tomorrow is. But these are completely different things.

In 2015 he reached his life goal which was to win Roland Garros, after years and years of fighting, he did it, he was the champion of 4 slams at the same time. What more could he want?

There is no reason for this to be repeated starting tomorrow. He might lose, but not for that.

I am still laughing in Stanimal.