Rome 2020 F: Djokovic (1) vs Schwartzman (8)

[TennisFan3]

Novak has played absolute nobodies for the Rome title. Don't kid yourself, if he is up against Thiem at RG, the result wont be very different from last year. I would say even an in-form Zverev would be quite a threat for Novak on clay. Lol @ hyping his victory against a tired Schwartzman. He might not have it this easy at RG.

Thiem and Zverev are NOT coming close to stopping Novak at the French Open. The only person who can stop Novak is Nadal.

I can promise you that Thiem/Zverev won't come close to beating Novak. People are hyping Thiem based on last year's victory against Novak.

But Novak crushed Thiem's soul in AO 2020. Just watch the next time they face off. The wounds run deep.

 

[Krish0608]

That is why I said "MIGHT"
It depends on what kind of Nadal shows up. But based on current evidence Djokovic is playing better and should be able to beat everyone including Nadal. (unless the Spaniard plays his A game)

I don't see much evidence, but I do agree that he is finding ways to win even when it looks like he is just playing his B game. Let's see, its gonna be an intriguing RG ahead.

 

[StrongRule]

I don't see much evidence, but I do agree that he is finding ways to win even when it looks like he is just playing his B game. Let's see, its gonna be an intriguing RG ahead.

So Djokovic is bad but Nadal is good, you still think that?

 

[Krish0608]

Thiem and Zverev are NOT coming close to stopping Novak at the French Open. The only person who can stop Novak is Nadal.

I can promise you that Thiem/Zverev won't come close to beating Novak. People are hyping Thiem based on last year's victory against Novak.

But Novak crushed Thiem's soul in AO 2020. Just watch the next time they face off. The wounds run deep.

One way to look at that would be that if Thiem can take Novak to 5 sets in his own backyard, he can inflict more damage on Novak in RG, where Thiem historically has played his best tennis.

 

[Krish0608]

So Djokovic is bad but Nadal is good, you still think that?

I never said that lol. I said Nadal is the favorite for RG for sure. I stand by that.

 

[Deleted member 369227]

Until Rafa retires, calling anybody else the favorite for RG is simply a nonsense.

 

[TennisFan3]

One way to look at that would be that if Thiem can take Novak to 5 sets in his own backyard, he can inflict more damage on Novak in RG, where Thiem historically has played his best tennis.

That is one interpretation.
But the way I see it is that Thiem is a mental midget. He almost choked another UsOpen final. He was shaking like a girl against Zverev in the 1st 2 sets. A Zverev who was playing pathetic and serving like the WTA.
Novak feasts on mentally weak players. You get nervous and give him an opening, he will always prevail.
That's one reason why Novak beats Fed. Any idiot can see Federer is far superior. But Fed gets mentally weak and Novak takes control of that weakness.
What you say could also happen, but I really feel that Novak will have way more confidence against Thiem. AO 2020 Novak was on his D- game and physically gone, but still Thiem wasn't able to seal the deal. It will affect the Austrian mentally for sure.

 

[TennisFan3]

Until Rafa retires, calling anybody else the favorite for RG is simply a nonsense.

No it's NOT.

Nadal is getting older and he is NO LONGER the player he used to be. It's like with Federer at Wimbledon. He was far more accomplished than Novak there. But as Fed got older, Novak was the favorite and not Fed.

So yeah, Nadal will not be RG Favorite as he gets older. I think it started this year, and next year he will be 35 which is even harder to play on clay physically.

 

[Deleted member 369227]

@TennisFan3

He is a player who lost two matches in his entire career at RG. No player in the history of tennis was that dominant on a single tournament.

 

[acintya]

I think Djoko is so good that you can even say he is equal to Nadal on clay. Both are 50-50 favorites for me. I would even give a slight edge to Novak. Its the age of Ultron. IF you like it or not.

 

[zagor]

Congrats to Nole for the title and Diego for the run. Good final, some intense rallies and Novak raising his level on big points. Was a nice dropshot exhibition as well.

 

[CYGS]

No it's NOT.

Nadal is getting older and he is NO LONGER the player he used to be. It's like with Federer at Wimbledon. He was far more accomplished than Novak there. But as Fed got older, Novak was the favorite and not Fed.

So yeah, Nadal will not be RG Favorite as he gets older. I think it started this year, and next year he will be 35 which is even harder to play on clay physically.

Djokovic and Nadal are basically the same age.

 

[EzekielTennis]

Thiem and Zverev are NOT coming close to stopping Novak at the French Open. The only person who can stop Novak is Nadal.

I can promise you that Thiem/Zverev won't come close to beating Novak. People are hyping Thiem based on last year's victory against Novak.

But Novak crushed Thiem's soul in AO 2020. Just watch the next time they face off. The wounds run deep.

Thiem has more than a decent shot at the French. The way I see it, there are 3 co-favorites: Djokovic, Nadal, and Thiem. With Thiem winning the US Open he is brimming with confidence and the loss in the Australian Open is a distant memory.

 

[Harry_Wild]

 

[TennisFan3]

Djokovic and Nadal are basically the same age.

Nope. One year differnce.
Nadal started early and HAS FAR MORE mileage on his legs. Way more matches as well.

Plus Novak is 30 lbs lighter and genetically more blessed. He is as fast as ever compared to an aging and balding Nadal.

 

[CYGS]

Nope. One year differnce.
Nadal started early and HAS FAR MORE mileage on his legs. Way more matches as well.

Plus Novak is 30 lbs lighter and genetically more blessed. He is as fast as ever compared to an aging and balding Nadal.

Age is an objective concept, and the rest is just your subjective opinion on their physical conditions.