Was the 2021 FO the greatest slam comeback in history?

[GabeT]

Twice coming back from 2 sets to love, including the final. Beating Nadal after losing the first set and with the memory of the FO20 final still fresh. Stopping Nadal from winning 21 (maybe forever?) winning #19 and setting up for the Channel Slam and #20 a few weeks later.

No one thought this could happen. Has there ever been a more consequential win after so many stumbling blocks?

 

[pico]

This is the best comeback Slam in my humble opinion!

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

The wins from 0-2 felt like propaganda, as if forged in the fires of tennistic disdain. A win is a win, as they say, but strangely enough the fall and rise narrative bolsters the result more than true annihilation ever could.

 

[Sunny014]

I knew it would happen.
All that Stefanos Sissy-Puss had to do was surrender the 3rd and I knew the 4th and 5th would follow.

 

[Deleted member 762343]

Not particularly. Had he managed to double break and win the third set against Medvedev then won the USO final, that would have been one of the greatest comebacks ever. What happened at RG wasn't very special in terms of drama.

 

[TheAssassin]

Truly stunning never say die display, one for the ages. Could have only been eclipsed by the US Open but all the comebacks there piled up too much eventually, even for him.

 

[Bumbaliceps]

It lacked the feeling that he was doing the impossible. Honestly I'm sure most fans when they saw him upping his level at the start of the third, just thought that it was already over for Stefanos.

 

[Kralingen]

GOATy focus and determination from Djokovic it has to be said. Although he mugged up the 2nd set and was serving for the first. So outside of those important moments, his mental strength was amazing

Credit to Djokovic no doubt. However the Tsitsipas returning disasterclass isn’t spoken about enough, though. It’s going to go down as one of the worst returning performances by a Slam finalist ever. Given that it was on clay possibly worst ever.

First set he went 4 games until he even won a return point. then ‘broke’ a tight Djokovic serving for the set, took advantage of a UE fest in the 2nd set, and proceeded to get ONE deuce and ZERO BPs (deuce was in the final game of the match) the entire rest of the match. That’s three sets with ONE deuce, and he allowed Djokovic to win 65% of his second serves in those sets lol.

This is on clay by the way. I mean even someone like Medvedev who is clueless on the surface would stick in there and make Djokovic fight for points. Djoker was cruising through his own service games and able to conserve energy as a result. It became a war that Tsitsipas had no hope of winning due to his own incompetence physically.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Only an utter fanboi could consider continuous outlasting as historically outstanding. How many return points did Shankipus win in the last three sets... how many points did brokensetti win in the last three sets at all... not actually close, this comeback business. The biggest comebacks somehow are situated in the past century, looks like a sign of higher competitiveness.

 

[Mustard]

Edberg at the 1992 US Open. Won against Krajicek, Lendl and Chang from a break down in the fifth set in 3 consecutive matches in R16, QF and SF, and then came from a set down to beat Sampras in 4 sets in the final.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Twice coming back from 2 sets to love, including the final.

Might want to acquaint yourself with what Stefan did at the '92 USO. That blows doors off what Novak did at 2021 FO.

Edit: Just saw Mustard just posted the same thing.

Not to mention what Fed did at the 2017 AO. Aged 35, hadn't won a slam in 5 years, hadn't play a single event in 7 months and defeats his greatest rival in a five set final. He also played 3 five-setters prior to reaching the final.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Edberg at the 1992 US Open. Won against Krajicek, Lendl and Chang from a break down in the fifth set in 3 consecutive matches in R16, QF and SF, and then came from a set down to beat Sampras in 4 sets in the final.

Chang was up 3-0* 40-15 so on the verge of a double break lead even. Sampras also served for the third set / a two-sets-to-one lead. That's how great the marathon run was. Still none like it.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Twice coming back from 2 sets to love, including the final. Beating Nadal after losing the first set and with the memory of the FO20 final still fresh. Stopping Nadal from winning 21 (maybe forever?) winning #19 and setting up for the Channel Slam and #20 a few weeks later.

No one thought this could happen. Had there ever been a more consequential win after so many stumbling blocks?

Seriously? You were actually impressed by that run? It sucked. It was the bad tennis that killed the tennis. All predictable, inevitable from first to last point, which were all won by the player who simply sucked less. Let me tell you something, you clueless Djokovic fan who started watching tennis in 2011/2015/2021, all those frying pan holding pros from decades ago who liked stumbling into the net on a minutely basis all giddy in their breathtakingly fashionable short shorts, they did much more impressive things than that every single week. Don't even get me started on their incredible variety. And I am mucho knowledgeable so surely you got to buy this horse sh1t I'm selling.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Seriously? You were actually impressed by that run? It sucked. It was the bad tennis that killed the tennis. All predictable, inevitable from first to last point, which were all won by the player who simply sucked less. Let me tell you something, you clueless Djokovic fan who started watching tennis in 2011/2015/2021, all those frying pan holding pros from decades ago who liked stumbling into the net on a minutely basis all giddy in their breathtakingly fashionable short shorts, they did much more impressive things than that every single week. Don't even get me started on their incredible variety. And I am mucho knowledgeable so surely you got to buy this horse sh1t I'm selling.

You sound agitated.

 

[GabeT]

Edberg at the 1992 US Open. Won against Krajicek, Lendl and Chang from a break down in the fifth set in 3 consecutive matches in R16, QF and SF, and then came from a set down to beat Sampras in 4 sets in the final.

Sure, but he wasn’t going for the slam record and stopping another player that was on his way to the slam record. That’s why I mentioned most consequential

 

[GabeT]

Might want to acquaint yourself with what Stefan did at the '92 USO. That blows doors off what Novak did at 2021 FO.

Edit: Just saw Mustard just posted the same thing.

Not to mention what Fed did at the 2017 AO. Aged 35, hadn't won a slam in 5 years, hadn't play a single event in 7 months and defeats his greatest rival in a five set final. He also played 3 five-setters prior to reaching the final.

Fed in AO07 may be a good comparison, stopping Nadal from DCGS as well as extending the then 17 slam record. Still think Novak accomplished more in FO21 in terms of the slam race. In AO17 Nadal wasn’t going for the slam record like he was in FO21

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

You sound agitated.

You would know all about that.

 

[Sorry_to_tell_you_mate]

No, it wasn't.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

GOATredo at Roland Garros 2013 winning 3 matches in a row from two sets down

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

You would know all about that.

When mockery is all you do, reason is no longer prioritised. Sad bro.

 

[Jokervich]

Twice coming back from 2 sets to love, including the final. Beating Nadal after losing the first set and with the memory of the FO20 final still fresh. Stopping Nadal from winning 21 (maybe forever?) winning #19 and setting up for the Channel Slam and #20 a few weeks later.

No one thought this could happen. Had there ever been a more consequential win after so many stumbling blocks?

It was great but I'd rate his comeback at the USO 2011 SF as better, being 2 sets down against the GOAT (GOAT at the time, not GOAT anymore of course) AND being down 5-3 and down 2 match points on his opponent's serve in the final set, only to win the last 4 games.

 

[MeatTornado]

It lacked the feeling that he was doing the impossible. Honestly I'm sure most fans when they saw him upping his level at the start of the third, just thought that it was already over for Stefanos.

I still had a feeling Tsitsipas might win because I always figured if he was going to win, it wouldn't be in straight sets.

But once he went down a break in the 4th I basically zoned out.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

When mockery is all you do, reason is no longer prioritised. Sad bro.

You'll have to search for that high ground somewhere else m8.

 

[goldengate14]

Twice coming back from 2 sets to love, including the final. Beating Nadal after losing the first set and with the memory of the FO20 final still fresh. Stopping Nadal from winning 21 (maybe forever?) winning #19 and setting up for the Channel Slam and #20 a few weeks later.

No one thought this could happen. Had there ever been a more consequential win after so many stumbling blocks?

Not really. Musetti got injured. Nadal was injured. Tsitsipas choked.
As things have turned out winning USO rather than FO would have been better for Djokovic as he would have only been behind Nadal at one Major. Nadal would not have been able to play the final v Tsitsipas due to that foot.
Now looks like FO2022 will determine slam race. Either Nadal.wins it or it stays 202020. Hard court Majors will never be won by Big 3 again.

 

[goldengate14]

Sure, but he wasn’t going for the slam record and stopping another player that was on his way to the slam record. That’s why I mentioned most consequential

He hasnt stopped Nadal has he . Unless Djokovic wins AO and that is unlikely, then unless Rafa retires soon FO2022 probably determines the Race.
As others have said Edberg 1992 at UO destroys anything since comeback wise.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

You'll have to search for that high ground somewhere else m8.

Now you're just another voice in the falsehood crowd.

 

[ibbi]

I mean how about the same tournament in 2009? Others that don’t have the same narrative surrounding them but were no less crazy epic runs that came down to the wire again and again would be Edberg’s US run in 92, and Guga’s first title.

The problem for me with Roland Garros this year is aside from the Nadal match there wasn’t really anything great about it. Sure, it’s a hell of a story, and reads epic on paper, but the two comebacks from 0-2 he was getting completely outplayed until his opponents just collapsed. The run in Australia was by far the most impressive one this year.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Now you're just another voice in the falsehood crowd.

 

[Amen786]

Twice coming back from 2 sets to love, including the final. Beating Nadal after losing the first set and with the memory of the FO20 final still fresh. Stopping Nadal from winning 21 (maybe forever?) winning #19 and setting up for the Channel Slam and #20 a few weeks later.

No one thought this could happen. Had there ever been a more consequential win after so many stumbling blocks?

Yes absolutely..
And it was an indication that the next generation of players are unable to hang in mentally with the ever aging great players when its the crunch time & pressure surmounts in the most critical moments.
Djokovic is indeed the mental fortress. Kudos to him for literally being on the edge all the time and still winning. All due to his clutch serving & winner mentality.

 

[Amen786]

I knew it would happen.
All that Stefanos Sissy-Puss had to do was surrender the 3rd and I knew the 4th and 5th would follow.

I re-watched parts of the match yesterday (technically still today lol), then checked the statistics of sets 3, 4 & 5. I was shocked to know that Stefanos did not have a break point opportunity on the nole serve in either of those sets, and not many nole games went to deuce. Can you imagine that on clay of all surfaces?

 

[Amen786]

It lacked the feeling that he was doing the impossible. Honestly I'm sure most fans when they saw him upping his level at the start of the third, just thought that it was already over for Stefanos.

I still think Stefanos mentally collapsed, and if not for that, if he could have weathered the Djokovic storm like Medvedev did in the first 5 games of set3 in the USA open final, then he'd have won for sure.
But hell we should not praise Medvedev too much either, afterall he also imploded in the Australia open final after losing that tight 12th game (and set with it) in set1 lol.

 

[World Class Forehand]

1999 Roland Garros Final - Agassi def Medvedev 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to complete career grand slam.

 

[Raul_SJ]

I still think Stefanos mentally collapsed, and if not for that, if he could have weathered the Djokovic storm like Medvedev did in the first 5 games of set3 in the USA open final, then he'd have won for sure.
But hell we should not praise Medvedev too much either, afterall he also imploded in the Australia open final after losing that tight 12th game (and set with it) in set1 lol.

Med said he was cramping and could not walk when serving for the U.S. Open trophy at 5-4. Said he tried to hide it as he did not want Djoker to see him limping.

If Djoker breaks there, does he win this match?

 

[GabeT]

He hasnt stopped Nadal has he . Unless Djokovic wins AO and that is unlikely, then unless Rafa retires soon FO2022 probably determines the Race.
As others have said Edberg 1992 at UO destroys anything since comeback wise.

Edberg 92 was neither in the running for the slam record nor did he stop anyone from reaching it, as Novak did at FO22

 

[GabeT]

Not really. Musetti got injured. Nadal was injured. Tsitsipas choked.
As things have turned out winning USO rather than FO would have been better for Djokovic as he would have only been behind Nadal at one Major. Nadal would not have been able to play the final v Tsitsipas due to that foot.
Now looks like FO2022 will determine slam race. Either Nadal.wins it or it stays 202020. Hard court Majors will never be won by Big 3 again.

Lol, no

and hi USO

 

[Amen786]

Med said he was cramping and could not walk when serving for the U.S. Open trophy at 5-4. Said he tried to hide it as he did not want Djoker to see him limping.

If Djoker breaks there, does he win this match?

If he breaks there, yes absolutely.
The momentum then would be truly with the Serb & he'll run away with the set 7-5 or in the breaker, barring a rare mental recollection of Medvedev.
Afterwards it'll be the repeating of the last 2 sets at Australia final most probably. Because Nole's mental fortitude is something spectacular.

 

[-snake-]

GOATredo at Roland Garros 2013 winning 3 matches in a row from two sets down

Way better than Fedr's 2017 run at the AO tbh.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Definitely one of greatest slam wins of all time. It gets more significance due to DCGS achievement.

 

[gadge]

Not to mention the subpar clay court season he had losing to evans, karatsev in Belgrade to the point where people questioned if he should skip clay court season. Definitely his greatest slam win

 

[UnforcedTerror]

The greatest in the open era for sure. None in the open era came back from two sets down twice and went to win the title.

 

[NatF]

Not sure about greatest, memorable for sure. Don't think it's a good reflection on Djokovic that he was down 0-2 to Musetti, also his comeback there is less impressive than it is disappointing for Musetti who completely crumbled. The final was more impressive but the drop in level from Tsits was palpable as well. I think for a prime Djokovic it wouldn't have been so impressive, considering his age for sure it was a really great run. Kinda similar to the AO 2017 win from Federer, the circumstances surrounding that tournament win were more remarkable than the tennis itself.

 

[MichaelNadal]

The greatest in the open era for sure. None in the open era came back from two sets down twice and went to win the title.

 

[skaj]

Serena at the Aussie Open in 2003, for example.

 

[Nadal_Django]

The greatest in the open era for sure. None in the open era came back from two sets down twice and went to win the title.

Not to mention Djokovic effectively eliminated Nadal from the Goat race and ended his claims of Goathood on his own turf with that SF win. It was one of the greatest in historical terms that's for sure.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Not to mention Djokovic effectively eliminated Nadal from the Goat race and ended his claims of Goathood on his own turf with that SF win. It was one of the greatest in historical terms that's for sure.

We will surely see about that bestie

 

[Nadal_Django]

We will surely see about that bestie

How is that Nadal winning 21 USO imagining thing of yours is going on...

 

[MichaelNadal]

How is that Nadal winning 21 USO imagining thing of yours is going on...

About as well as it went for you

 

[Nadal_Django]

About as well as it went for you

3 Slams this year. Weeks at #1 record, Surface Slam, Channel Slam, DCGS, possible YE #1 finish. I think it was an OK year regardless of the US Open outcome for the Earth Mightiest Warrior. Your guy OTOH isn't even an afterthought at the moment. Lol

 

[MichaelNadal]

3 Slams this year. Weeks at #1 record, Surface Slam, Channel Slam, DCGS, possible YE #1 finish. I think it was an OK year regardless of the US Open outcome for the Earth Mightiest Warrior. Your guy OTOH isn't even an afterthought at the moment. Lol

Im cool with all that , Nadal might come roaring back like he always does, and Djokovic didn't do what he REALLY needed to do (and Ultronians were too sure he would). In fact, he lost in straights. (and Zverev got him at the Olympics) we still eating

By the way, your king is looking awfully weary himself

 

[Nadal_Django]

Im cool with all that , Nadal might come roaring back like he always does, and Djokovic didn't do what he REALLY needed to do (and Ultronians were too sure he would). In fact, he lost in straights. (and Zverev got him at the Olympics) we still eating

By the way, your king is looking awfully weary himself

What Djokovic needs to do is to dominate the Slams in the next 2-3 years like since 2018. Even winning just 3-4 more Slams will put the Goat debate effectively to bed, as I think Nadal and Federer are done and dusted.