StrongRule
Talk Tennis Guru
So did Nadal. 34 unforced errors if I remember correctly.
Roland Garros 2020 Final: Novak Djokovic [1] vs Rafael Nadal [2]
- Thread starter Yugram
- Start date
ACE of Hearts
Bionic Poster
Novak 50. Novak better win that first set or he will get straightsetted. Nadal will wear him down.
Exactly, there are a lot of treatments like hyperbaric chambers too, a lot of new techniques keep coming all time.
I’m so scared of Rafa in this match. He’s the king of clay and in normal circumstances I’d back him.
But the lack of tournament play leading up to this final and that fact that his level of competition has been very low overall. He hadn’t really been tested prior to this final.
Then there’s the conditions which will be cold, wet, damp and negate the bounce and spin that his game relies on so much.
Tennis needs him to win. Sport needs him to win. After chasing Fed for so long overcoming injuries and loss of form , he finally deserves a chance to stake a legimitate claim for GOAT,
For al of this I can only see him winning an erratic, distorted five setter where conditions affect play enough to stop Novak gain any momentum or rhythm.
I’m scared he’ll get thrashed in 3 sets as Novak has played far more games and the wetter conditions will suit him more.
If Rafa goes all out and plays his he’ll win in 5. Unfortunately my head says Novak will win in 3.
Please Rafa win for the sake of men’s tennis
But the lack of tournament play leading up to this final and that fact that his level of competition has been very low overall. He hadn’t really been tested prior to this final.
Then there’s the conditions which will be cold, wet, damp and negate the bounce and spin that his game relies on so much.
Tennis needs him to win. Sport needs him to win. After chasing Fed for so long overcoming injuries and loss of form , he finally deserves a chance to stake a legimitate claim for GOAT,
For al of this I can only see him winning an erratic, distorted five setter where conditions affect play enough to stop Novak gain any momentum or rhythm.
I’m scared he’ll get thrashed in 3 sets as Novak has played far more games and the wetter conditions will suit him more.
If Rafa goes all out and plays his he’ll win in 5. Unfortunately my head says Novak will win in 3.
Please Rafa win for the sake of men’s tennis
ACE of Hearts
Bionic Poster
It will be partly cloudy with some sun. He didn’t have trouble hitting through the court today.
Prozac is a great drug. You should ask your doctor to prescribe it.
zvelf
Hall of Fame
This final could be a classic along the lines of their Australian Open 2012, French 2013, and Wimbledon 2018 matches. Neither are at their peaks but both are clearly the best tennis players in the world currently. They are arguably 2 of the best 3 players of all time, maybe the 2 best once their careers are over.
Nadal is striving to tie Federer for most majors won. Djokovic is striving to become the only man to achieve a double career Grand Slam during the Open Era and 1 major behind Rafa and 2 behind Federer. The stakes could hardly be higher.
Nadal is the indisputable king of clay, but no one has beaten him on clay more than Djokovic. Djokovic is 7-17 against Nadal on clay and 29-26 overall. In comparison, Federer is 2-14 against Nadal on clay and 16-24 overall. Nadal has reached the final without dropping a set and has won the last 3 French Opens. Djokovic has not lost a completed match the entire year.
Finally, they are 34 and 33 years old. The trend for the past few years has been that they play each other only twice a year, so they will likely only play each other a handful of times the rest of their careers. This one could be epic. Savor it!
Nadal is striving to tie Federer for most majors won. Djokovic is striving to become the only man to achieve a double career Grand Slam during the Open Era and 1 major behind Rafa and 2 behind Federer. The stakes could hardly be higher.
Nadal is the indisputable king of clay, but no one has beaten him on clay more than Djokovic. Djokovic is 7-17 against Nadal on clay and 29-26 overall. In comparison, Federer is 2-14 against Nadal on clay and 16-24 overall. Nadal has reached the final without dropping a set and has won the last 3 French Opens. Djokovic has not lost a completed match the entire year.
Finally, they are 34 and 33 years old. The trend for the past few years has been that they play each other only twice a year, so they will likely only play each other a handful of times the rest of their careers. This one could be epic. Savor it!
Djokinho
Rookie
It's funny that people put it as a weakness that Djokovic didn't win in 3 sets today, when Tsitsipas simply scored the best points of his career.
Clutch. Serving like a boss in main points, precision and aggressiveness.
Djokovic played well, but Stefanos was at a supreme level.
The main thing: Djokovic returning absurdly well. There was a break point in ALL Tsitsipas services between the fourth and fifth set. Nadal does not serve as well as Stefanos, and will have nightmares to confirm each service game.
Clutch. Serving like a boss in main points, precision and aggressiveness.
Djokovic played well, but Stefanos was at a supreme level.
The main thing: Djokovic returning absurdly well. There was a break point in ALL Tsitsipas services between the fourth and fifth set. Nadal does not serve as well as Stefanos, and will have nightmares to confirm each service game.
THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
No matter who wins, it will be better than the 2020 USO's men's final, with the most obvious asterisk /never would happened any other way "winner" in history. 
ACE of Hearts
Bionic Poster
You are kidding yourself. Novak needs to hope nadal doesn’t serve well. He’s not going to bully nadal on this court.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
When the final begins on Sunday, the forecast calls for 58 degree temps, 10% chance of sprinkles and 47% humidity.
ACE of Hearts
Bionic Poster
Don’t know where you getting the 47 percent humidity. I saw 63 percent humidity at 3 pm paris time.
TopspintheTerrible
Hall of Fame
Diego did push him late into the night. And then this year Diego had a marathon semi with Shapo before he lost to Novak. It all balanced out in the end.
Rafa.the.Magnificent
G.O.A.T.
Well, I predict Rafa to win in 4. Because, as good as Djokovic is and there’s no denying that, this is still Rafa’s house!
Expecting a cracking good match either way.
I Am Finnish
Bionic Poster
Please don't get mad at me Fedr fans
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Jokervich
Hall of Fame
Federer's slam count is almost certainly getting passed by both anyway, it's just a matter of time.
Please don't get mad at me Fedr fans
Sabrina
Hall of Fame
Heart: Rafa in 4
Head: Novak in 4
I fear that Nadal won't be able to hit through Nole and have to up his agression. The longer the rallies, the more likely Rafa will miss. Hope I'm wrong though, I started to have some hope after Novak kind of gifting away the 3 and 4th set.
It would be very sad if we saw Nadal holding a RG runner-plate, just didn't look like him
Head: Novak in 4
I fear that Nadal won't be able to hit through Nole and have to up his agression. The longer the rallies, the more likely Rafa will miss. Hope I'm wrong though, I started to have some hope after Novak kind of gifting away the 3 and 4th set.
It would be very sad if we saw Nadal holding a RG runner-plate, just didn't look like him
EzekielTennis
Rookie
It would be very sad if we saw Nadal holding a RG runner-plate, just didn't look like him
The runner-up plate can go on the yacht.
Larry Duff
Legend
They could have saved a fortnight and just gone straight to this
aorgwimbus
Rookie
Hard to see how Djokovic could win this after choking a straight set win against Tsitsipas. That extra a hour and a half will take its toll in his body. Nadal had a very easy path as usual, he will give his 100%.
NoleFam
Bionic Poster
He also had 56 winners which you left out. He was +6 today. Nadal was +4. Not much to make of those numbers except they both played well.
ForehandCross
G.O.A.T.
Novak in 4-5.
Nadal to come out like 2019 AO and becoming steady only after it's too late.
That's what my gut is telling me. I can't shake that feeling.
All I want is a good match . 2020 has sucked too much in that regard
Nadal to come out like 2019 AO and becoming steady only after it's too late.
That's what my gut is telling me. I can't shake that feeling.
All I want is a good match . 2020 has sucked too much in that regard
I Am Finnish
Bionic Poster
Dropshots won't work against Nadal I think
EzekielTennis
Rookie
Kobe's spirit has to work double duty on Sunday for both the Lakers and Djokovic.
roysid
Hall of Fame
Dude, I'm have just the opposite feeling. Head says Novak, heart says Rafa. Tells us how fans are nervous about their fav players
roysid
Hall of Fame
You echo my thoughts..bro
roysid
Hall of Fame
Same thought here. Rafa need to play more aggressively, bring out that inside out forehand demonHeart: Rafa in 4
Head: Novak in 4
I fear that Nadal won't be able to hit through Nole and have to up his agression. The longer the rallies, the more likely Rafa will miss. Hope I'm wrong though, I started to have some hope after Novak kind of gifting away the 3 and 4th set.
It would be very sad if we saw Nadal holding a RG runner-plate, just didn't look like him
N
Navdeep Srivastava
Guest
You know what I am talking? I have been burnt already many times (2013,2014, 15)so not going to have high expectations this time, but will pray for his win
Tenacity
Hall of Fame
If Novak wins on Sunday, then don't you guys dare come in here and start using the - RAFA WAS NOT AT HIS BEST, IF HE WAS, HE WOULD WIN EASILY.
Born_to_slice
Legend
Novak is the better player but all pressure is on him. Nadal is playing with house money, basically.
joekapa
Legend
Betting odds are a product of the amount of betting happening on each player. Obviously seen as the history is in Nadals favour, the average Joe will bet on Nadal.
RokasLTU
Rookie
The match itself and the outcome of it like their W2018 SF meeting would be great!
aldeayeah
G.O.A.T.
I agree but I thought the same back in 2014, so...
Chanwan
G.O.A.T.
For nowYou're back
Chanwan
G.O.A.T.
Agree
kevaninho
Hall of Fame
So many people claiming Djokovic as big favourite, based on what ?
He has lost against Nadal the last 3 times on clay. And Nadal has hardly been peak in any of them.
I'm not claiming Nadal to be a shoe in , but I'm surprised so many people think Djokovic just has to turn up to win.
He has lost against Nadal the last 3 times on clay. And Nadal has hardly been peak in any of them.
I'm not claiming Nadal to be a shoe in , but I'm surprised so many people think Djokovic just has to turn up to win.
Biotic
Hall of Fame
There's no clear favorite here. Both fanbases are talking ****.
It should however be noted that 2 of those losses came in 2017-2018 period, which was probably worse for Djokovic than 2015 for Nadal. Also, if I didn't know the circumstances of 2019 Rome final, based on what many goblins wrote here I'd believe Nadal beat a very good and well rested Djokovic 6-0 6-1 full stop.
InsideOut900
Legend
50 UE in 320 points isn't that much.
Nadal was at 34 is 200 points. And Diego played much worse. Tsitsi could have maybe taken this Nadal to 5 sets too.
InsideOut900
Legend
Novak played a bit better this tournament, but was worse in the clutch moments, especially yesterday.
Nadal played a bit worse in spite of not dropping sets, but everytime he was down BPs he played some insane tennis.
So even if it ends in straights, I feel only a few points are gonna make the difference in the end
Nadal played a bit worse in spite of not dropping sets, but everytime he was down BPs he played some insane tennis.
So even if it ends in straights, I feel only a few points are gonna make the difference in the end
