The butterfly effect: How one point may have changed the course of tennis

[DreddyTennis45]

What I'm about to say is based on assumption but a very reasonable one at that.

Cast your mind back to the third set of last years wimbledon Semi final between Anderson and Isner- Anderson leads 5-3 30-30 and serving for the set. Anderson serves out wide, the ball is put back into play by Isner with what should be like a routine winner for Anderson. Instead of hitting to the open court, Anderson opts to hit cross-court to the side of Isner who ultimately slams the ball down the line for Break point. Isner then subsequently breaks and takes the 3rd set in a Tie break.

If Anderson hit the ball down the line instead of CC he very likely would have won the third set and finished the match off in four sets. Thus, there is no "roof-gate" and it's likely that Nadal wins the second semi-final as they play outdoors this time. Nadal likely clinches slam #18 and Novak's resurgence probably doesn't happen; that's not to say he doesn't win the USO or the AO, but it becomes less likely. Nadal would likely win one of those and then clinch #20 at RG

As I said, its all assumption, but it's crazy how one point likely changed the whole dynamic of the GOAT debate.

 

[Deleted member 765702]

I am surprised you even remember a point from that snoozefest tbh.

 

[mahesh69a]

There are many points related to and during that semifinal - remember the crosscourt forehand at breakpoint 7-7 fifth set from Novak against Nadal (which is exactly the same he did at championship points in Wimbledon 2019 against Federer) that have had a massive impact on where everyone ends up.

Which is why I find the whole GOAT debate pointless. The difference is down to a single point (which could have been out if missed by centimeters).

The 3 have now woven such a rich tapestry that it should just be admired and relished while the magic is still being created.

 

[OhYes]

What I'm about to say is based on assumption but a very reasonable one at that.

Cast your mind back to the third set of last years wimbledon Semi final between Anderson and Isner- Anderson leads 5-3 30-30 and serving for the set. Anderson serves out wide, the ball is put back into play by Isner with what should be like a routine winner for Anderson. Instead of hitting to the open court, Anderson opts to hit cross-court to the side of Isner who ultimately slams the ball down the line for Break point. Isner then subsequently breaks and takes the 3rd set in a Tie break.

If Anderson hit the ball down the line instead of CC he very likely would have won the third set and finished the match off in four sets. Thus, there is no "roof-gate" and it's likely that Nadal wins the second semi-final as they play outdoors this time. Nadal likely clinches slam #18 and Novak's resurgence probably doesn't happen; that's not to say he doesn't win the USO or the AO, but it becomes less likely. Nadal would likely win one of those and then clinch #20 at RG

As I said, its all assumption, but it's crazy how one point likely changed the whole dynamic of the GOAT debate.

Your assumption has one big flaw - Nadal's win without roof is a given.

 

[Dilexson]

Op, didnt you create a thread on this before? Am i having deja vu? Lol
Yes , you did.
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ic-won-two-slams-two-words-john-isner.627427/

 

[Breakpointerer]

Cast your mind back to the third set of last years wimbledon Semi final

No

 

[Deleted member 762343]

What I'm about to say is based on assumption but a very reasonable one at that.

Cast your mind back to the third set of last years wimbledon Semi final between Anderson and Isner- Anderson leads 5-3 30-30 and serving for the set. Anderson serves out wide, the ball is put back into play by Isner with what should be like a routine winner for Anderson. Instead of hitting to the open court, Anderson opts to hit cross-court to the side of Isner who ultimately slams the ball down the line for Break point. Isner then subsequently breaks and takes the 3rd set in a Tie break.

If Anderson hit the ball down the line instead of CC he very likely would have won the third set and finished the match off in four sets. Thus, there is no "roof-gate" and it's likely that Nadal wins the second semi-final as they play outdoors this time. Nadal likely clinches slam #18 and Novak's resurgence probably doesn't happen; that's not to say he doesn't win the USO or the AO, but it becomes less likely. Nadal would likely win one of those and then clinch #20 at RG

As I said, its all assumption, but it's crazy how one point likely changed the whole dynamic of the GOAT debate.

 

[NoleFam]

Nadal played way better last year under the roof than he did this year without it. Just saying. It's hard for me to understand how people reach the conclusion that if the roof was opened, Nadal automatically wins the match.

 

[Thierry Champion]

a

 

[Enceladus]

It's not that last year at Wimbledon only Djoker with the roof closed had the advantage. Nadal also had one advantage last year at Wimbledon: higher bounces of the balls than normal, which caused intense drought last year. Higher bounces of the balls reinforce Nadal's chances of winning matches / tournaments.
So, the fan bases of both tennis players have nothing to reproach for.

 

[helterskelter]

Yet another way in which Bull has been cheated out of his birthright of undisputed goat and boat. He is the real undefeated goat and boat, but thanks to various conspiracies, some dispute this. Good to know that Anderson is in on the conspiracies.

 

[Breakpointerer]

Open roof does not guarantee Nadal winning that match, jeez

 

[MeatTornado]

Even if we assume a Nadal win at Wim 2019, Novak would've won the USO anyway because Nadal broke down and there was nothing in his way. He was a genuinely better player in Australia, no amount of mental advantage from a Wim SF win could've saved Rafa in that one. And he didn't need to play Rafa for Wimbledon either.

So I don't think anything changes post-Wim 18.

 

[Grgisme]

Its really crazy how Fed and Nadal fans desperately want to escape reality

 

[The Blond Blur]

I mean you can do these hypothetical situations for every tennis player. Heck if Soderling doesn't pull off the biggest upset in tennis history Rog never wins the career slam. If Djokovic breaks Nadal in the erd set of the 2013 USO finals he has 4 there and Nadal 2. You get the point.

 

[Djokodal Fan]

Cool sorry bro!

 

[PerilousPear]

So Djokovic, no doubt a charitable and humble champion, should just gift all his slams from now on to Isner for his role in Novak's resurgence.