Unpopular opinion: Hubert Hurkacz has a better chance of winning against Djokovic than Berrettini

[NintendoTennis1990]

It seems as though many from the start has said that Berrettini is one of the few who could challenge Novak Djokovic in the final.
But I don't think so at all.

Berrettini has played each of Big 3 in Grand Slams

In 2019, Berrettini came into 4R at Wimbledon, with 11-1 on Grass since Roland Garros, he then appeared a bit nervous and lost to Federer 1-6, 2-6, 2-6.

Then in 2019 UO, he fell apart after choking a set to Nadal

Then in 2021 RG, he played 2 awful sets until the presurre was off him after he was down 3-6, 2-6

Therefore he seems way too nervous to not become another of so called "mental midget"

Hurkacz on the other hand, had not much fear playing Federer, and is not known for choking, plus he has a good weapon, his serve together with the fact that in 2019 he gave Djokovic his second hardest match at WB 2019, and Hurkacz has only improved since then

Therefore, if you want a competetive final, cheer for Hubert Hurkacz

 

[mwym]

It was bound to happen -sooner or later - a player which can do Djokovic on Djokovic.
While Djokovic adapts on court to any player fast - the fact is Djokovic has pretty much zero experience in playing against a player who has resilient mind like his.

OTOH, Hurkacz is yet to test his Djokovic mode against real Djokovic in BO5. While pressure of Slam title being clearly greater than a Slam QF. And he never played Slam finals with all the non tennis pressure about it.

IMO this is the argument in favor of your claim - better than any stat comparison with Berrettini.

 

[dumb-person]

Hurkacz is probably the most disrespected and overlooked next-gen by most of these ******** forums. I bet 90% of people predicted likes of Munar to be more successful than him.

I agree with you OP. Lets be honest. Berrettini is just serve+forehand bot. Other than that Hurkacz is better in every single aspect of the game. Better return, better backhand (lol comparing Hubie good backhand to Matteo non-existent), better movement, better touch and net game. Hubert can be a servebot too so it will not be an easy task for Matteo to beat him like most predict.

Hurkacz defensive and consistent baseline game together with huge serve can really bother Djokovic. Low chances of winning but he can put a decent fight which will probably not happen if Matteo wins.

But as i said no matter what Hurkacz will do, people will keep calling him talentless journeyman even despite the fact he beats quality opponents in his deep runs and never bends under top opposition.

I'd rather have a nice guy who can put decent fight than brats who serve 50km/h in the grand slam finals and other unpleasant types who cannot take their chances. You know whom i mean.

 

[PilotPete]

I agree, at least Hubert can volley.

 

[The Guru]

Berrettini is a better player but I think Djokovic is just an awful matchup for him but we'll see because I think that's gonna be the final.

 

[Djoker458]

I must say I have been impressed by Hubert. Back to back wins over Medvedev and Federer is solid

 

[Noleberic123]

Why don't new users like profile pictures?

 

[skip1969]

Well, we soon shall see, right OP?

Personally, I prefer Hubert's game. I've never really taken to Berrettini.

 

[Noleberic123]

Berrettini is a better player but I think Djokovic is just an awful matchup for him but we'll see because I think that's gonna be the final.

Berrettini is in better form but is he a better player?

 

[mwym]

... no matter what Hurkacz will do, people will keep calling him talentless journeyman even despite the fact he beats quality opponents in his deep runs and never bends under top opposition.

The short for that desc is 'boring' as used for Djokovic. By children

Children prefer flashy - they grasp what meets the eye.

 

[dumb-person]

Berrettini is in better form but is he a better player?

No way. Slighty better serve and better forehand. Return, backhand, touch, net game, movement is on Hubert side.

 

[dumb-person]

The short for that desc is 'boring' as used for Djokovic.

Maybe good for him then. Djokovic will be the most acomplished man soon.

 

[Noleberic123]

No way. Slighty better serve and better forehand. Return, backhand, touch, net game, movement is on Hubert side.

My point exactly. Hubert is a more completed player. If Hubert manages to move Berrettini around he will beat him. And I think he will. I also think that I move around a tennis court better than Berrettini

 

[MeatTornado]

Hurkacz on the other hand, had not much fear playing Federer, and is not known for choking, plus he has a good weapon, his serve together with the fact that in 2019 he gave Djokovic his second hardest match at WB 2019, and Hurkacz has only improved since then

Hurkacz isn't known for choking because he's practically never in big matches. And the one big tournament he won was far from impressive. The scorelines may look routine but he didn't exactly run away with it. I remember plenty of break-backs and set points thrown away. Lucky for him Rublev and Sinner were even bigger headcases that week.

 

[Noleberic123]

Hurkacz isn't known for choking because he's practically never in big matches. And the one big tournament he won was far from impressive. The scorelines may look routine but he didn't exactly run away with it. I remember plenty of break-backs and set points thrown away. Lucky for him Rublev and Sinner were even bigger headcases that week.

Hubert just gave birth to Fed's children on centre court with pretty much every person inside supporting Fed. That takes guts

 

[mwym]

Maybe good for him then. Djokovic will be the most acomplished man soon.

Exactly. He found his Djokovic mode in QF.

 

[Deleted member 762343]

It was bound to happen -sooner or later - a player which can do Djokovic on Djokovic.
While Djokovic adapts on court to any player fast - the fact is Djokovic has pretty much zero experience in playing against a player who has resilient mind like his.

OTOH, Hurkacz is yet to test his Djokovic mode against real Djokovic in BO5. While pressure of Slam title being clearly greater than a Slam QF. And he never played Slam finals with all the non tennis pressure about it.

IMO this is the argument in favor of your claim - better than any stat comparison with Berrettini.

He does. And the player’s name is Rafael Nadal.

 

[The Guru]

Berrettini is in better form but is he a better player?

For now yeah I think he's proven a lot more and as you said he's in better form. Berrettini has stepped it up big time this year we just didn't notice or acknowledge it because he's kinda a meme here. Look at these results:

ATP Cup F (lost to white hot Medvedev)
AO withdrew from injury but won his matches handily
MC (upset but first match back from injury)
Belgrade W
Madrid F (lost to Zverev)
Rome R 16 (lost to a hot Tsitsipas)
RG QF (lost to Djokovic)
Queens W
W SF or better

That's really good stuff

 

[Noleberic123]

For now yeah I think he's proven a lot more and as you said he's in better form. Berrettini has stepped it up big time this year we just didn't notice or acknowledge it because he's kinda a meme here. Look at these results:

ATP Cup F (lost to white hot Medvedev)
AO withdrew from injury but won his matches handily
MC (upset but first match back from injury)
Belgrade W
Madrid F (lost to Zverev)
Rome R 16 (lost to a hot Tsitsipas)
RG QF (lost to Djokovic)
Queens W
W SF or better

That's really good stuff

Yep he's been one of the nest players in the world this year. However, that doesn't change the fact that Hurkacz is better at more aspects of tennis than him.

 

[Phoenix1983]

The short for that desc is 'boring' as used for Djokovic. By children

Children prefer flashy - they grasp what meets the eye.

Sport's meant to be entertainment so people are well within their rights to call players like Novak Djokovic boring.

 

[SonnyT]

False, with his 1st serves, Ber can serve his way to the tiebreakers, and hope to win there. Djokovic won't have too much trouble with anything of Hurkacz, who's just a slightly better version of Fucsovics. Ber has a 1st serve befitting a servebot.

 

[pj80]

It seems as though many from the start has said that Berrettini is one of the few who could challenge Novak Djokovic in the final.
But I don't think so at all.

Berrettini has played each of Big 3 in Grand Slams

In 2019, Berrettini came into 4R at Wimbledon, with 11-1 on Grass since Roland Garros, he then appeared a bit nervous and lost to Federer 1-6, 2-6, 2-6.

Then in 2019 UO, he fell apart after choking a set to Nadal

Then in 2021 RG, he played 2 awful sets until the presurre was off him after he was down 3-6, 2-6

Therefore he seems way too nervous to not become another of so called "mental midget"

Hurkacz on the other hand, had not much fear playing Federer, and is not known for choking, plus he has a good weapon, his serve together with the fact that in 2019 he gave Djokovic his second hardest match at WB 2019, and Hurkacz has only improved since then

Therefore, if you want a competetive final, cheer for Hubert Hurkacz

Bautista was 2nd hardest match for Djoker....Hurkacz never broke Djoker serve in that match.
But all 3 players remaining will be tough tasks for Djokovic...W21 certainly isnt decided yet

 

[Djoker458]

Hubert just gave birth to Fed's children on centre court with pretty much every person inside supporting Fed. That takes guts

Fed is basically pushing 40 and that was probably the worst match I have seen fed ever play as a pro

 

[Noleberic123]

Fed is basically pushing 40 and that was probably the worst match I have seen fed ever play as a pro

Me too. But he still had a tough second set and didn't crack

 

[Kralingen]

Berrettini serving like prime PETE just barrels in 1st serves at 135mph on BP

Hurkacz GOATing producing a vintage 2001 Federer vs Sampras performance, best S&V player under 25 and actually has a BH

Going to be epic

 

[Djoker458]

Me too. But he still had a tough second set and didn't crack

Meh. Big difference between that djoker in a final going for this 29th grand slam

 

[RG GOD]

No, Berrettini has a much better serve that in grass is deadly

 

[Djoker458]

Berrettini serving like prime PETE just barrels in 1st serves at 135mph on BP

Hurkacz GOATing producing a vintage 2001 Federer vs Sampras performance, best S&V player under 25 and actually has a BH

Going to be epic

the final will be pretty boring actually

 

[Deleted member 762343]

Djokovic has a better chance of winning against Djokovic than Hurkacz.

 

[The Guru]

Yep he's been one of the nest players in the world this year. However, that doesn't change the fact that Hurkacz is better at more aspects of tennis than him.

Who's better at more aspects of tennis Ramos Vinolas or Isner? Who's had the better career? Better at a variety of skills isn't necessarily better. Berrettini has the better Serve and forehand and that can take you a long way even if you're average at everything else (see 2018 Del Po)

 

[dumb-person]

Who's better at more aspects of tennis Ramos Vinolas or Isner? Who's had the better career? Better at a variety of skills isn't necessarily better. Berrettini has the better Serve and forehand and that can take you a long way even if you're average at everything else (see 2018 Del Po)

Hurkacz serve is big too, probably top5 now if you exclude servebots.

 

[Nole_The_Champion]

I don't think it's unpopular opinion now.

The guy has beaten Fed, he should not be underestimated.

 

[shawn1122]

I don't think it's unpopular opinion now.

The guy has beaten Fed, he should not be underestimated.

Credit to Hubert but Fed looked like he could have lost to one of his pigeons today. He looked exhausted out there. He was always a step behind on his forehand and his groundstrokes require precision footwork because of how fast he swings.

In short, he looked like a 40 year old man out there and it's possible that any top 30 player would have crushed him in this form.

 

[Nate7-5]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1278404882320384000

 

[Bartelby]

Fed 3.0 is a flop.

Credit to Hubert but Fed looked like he could have lost to one of his pigeons today. He looked exhausted out there. He was always a step behind on his forehand and his groundstrokes require precision footwork because of how fast he swings.

In short, he looked like a 40 year old man out there and it's possible that any top 30 player would have crushed him in this form.

 

[Bartelby]

More, please?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1278404882320384000

 

[Noleberic123]

Who's better at more aspects of tennis Ramos Vinolas or Isner? Who's had the better career? Better at a variety of skills isn't necessarily better. Berrettini has the better Serve and forehand and that can take you a long way even if you're average at everything else (see 2018 Del Po)

That's not the same thing and you knew it. Isner has GOAT serve which means he has a weapon that very have had in tennis. Does Berrettini's serve compare to Isner's?

 

[Backspin1183]

Doesn't matter if it's Berrettini or Hurkacz, Djokovic will win if he's not beaten by Shapovalov.

 

[gjm127]

Btw heard it on ESPN but McEnroe made a good call about Hurcakz's behavior today. Even though he was leading and was beating Fed clearly, he kept his calm and didn't rub it in out of respect for Federer.

He really looks like a humble human being. I like his game too, it's very complete I don't see any area where he specifically needs to improve. Will be rooting for him. Hopefully doesn't turn out to be a mug.

 

[bnjkn]

I think Berettini is kind of a mug. Hurkacz may not be a mug but Novak will make him look like one.

 

[Noleberic123]

I think Berettini is kind of a mug. Hurkacz may not be a mug but Novak will make him look like one.

Berrettini isn't a meme anymore.

 

[BeatlesFan]

It's not an unpopular opinion, it's the sane opinion. Berrettini has 1% chance in the final against Djokovic. Hubi has about 15-20% if he holds his nerve, serves out of his mind and volleys consistently well. Go, Hubi!

 

[BeatlesFan]

Fed is basically pushing 40 and that was probably the worst match I have seen fed ever play as a pro

You weren't watching him in 1999 or 2013 then. This was far from the worst Fed has played.

 

[SonnyT]

Hurk wasn't that good today, Federer was missing routine shots. Ber is averaging 131 mph on his 1st serves, 1st in the tournament; Hurk's 1st serves didn't look that big to me. Many of Ber's serves to FAA looked unreturnable. If they fall in, even Djokovic will have trouble.

 

[Tennisfan339]

Definitely, Hurkacz has more chances than Berrettini. Just like Shapopalov may have more chances than Khachanov. I still think Djokovic wins in the end but the last 2 matchs won't be easy.

I agree, Hurkacz is very underrated and overlooked here. Very few people saw him beating Medvedev, and even fewer thought he would beat Federer. I knew he had a chance, but never thought he would bagel Federer.

However, let's not forget after Miami Hurkacz lost 6 matchs in a row before coming to Wimbledon. He lost to guys like Stricker in Stuttgart and Van de Zanschulp Roland . Before the tournament started, it was hard to predict he would go that far.

 

[reef58]

My point exactly. Hubert is a more completed player. If Hubert manages to move Berrettini around he will beat him. And I think he will. I also think that I move around a tennis court better than Berrettini

You don't

 

[James P]

I'm not sure what Hurkacz' big weakness is, something that Djokovic can exploit. He's not particularly great at any one thing, but he's pretty solid pretty much everywhere, a very complete player. Berrettini, on the other hand, has frequently discussed deficiencies on the backhand side, something he's clearly worked on to improve, but an exploitable weakness, nonetheless. OP is probably correct.

 

[The Guru]

That's not the same thing and you knew it. Isner has GOAT serve which means he has a weapon that very have had in tennis. Does Berrettini's serve compare to Isner's?

Well sure it’s not exactly the same but it’s the same concept. The two things Berretini does better are two of the most important things in the game especially on grass so even though he’s less well rounded. He’s better. Consider 2018 Del Po for a more close comparison. He’s better than Hubie despite only being better at serve and FH.

 

[Madinolf]

Only chances for both is Djokovic's DQ or injury.

 

[TennisFan3]

The ONLY player who could have made it competitive vs Novak was Medvedev.
The day Medvedev LOST, Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon..
Shapo, HH and Berrettinni have no chance. Not just to win the match, but also may not even get sets.