Was this the single most important point of the year?

[Milehigh5280]

It starts at 3:00. Djokovic hits a clutch passing shot to save a 3rd break point of the game and 5th overall of the set. What happens if he misfired and hit the ball out or into the net? Nadal held in his next service game after saving a match point. Nadal likely goes on and beats Anderson for his 3rd Wimbledon title and 18th slam overall. The narrative now changes from Djokovic's comeback to Nadal is now on the heels of Fed's slam count.

 

[RaulRamirez]

That had to be the match of the year for the reasons you cited (not to even mention the very high quality), and I think that was probably the pivotal single point. They were pretty much on a collision course at the US Open as well. At times, it's easy to forget how well Rafa was playing at that point - and well enough to win Wimbledon for the first time since 2010. Of course, Djokovic got to the very high level he needed as well.

 

[smoledman]

Yes. Winning that point enabled Djokovic to win 2 slams + 2 MS 1000 titles so far this year. One of the biggest points of his career without a doubt.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Yeah I've said for awhile that point was the difference in the match (and effectively decided who won the title). I think it is underrated how difficult of a passing shot that was. Really looked like Nadal was gonna win that point when he closed in on the net.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Yes, that was Rafa's championship point right there.

 

[Djokodalerer31]

Nobody knows what would have happened in the next game if Djokovic lost that crucial point at 7:7 in the decider on the contrary of popular belief! Djokovic is known to be focused and composed on returns, he would have likely pumped himself up to win next game more if he have lost the one, when the score was 7:7 on the board! For all we know he might have go full throttle in the next games on return and bomarded Nadal with couple of return aces or at least good returns! We would never know now!...I am not saying that wasn't decisive point or that it wasn't a crucial moment of the match as a whole! I am simply saying we may never know nor predict how Djokovic would have played in the follow up! He is a mental giant of the game for a reason, so i'd like to believe he wouldn't give up even 7:8 trailing in the set on opponent's serve serving for the match!...like he didn't give up multiple times against Federer at the US Open earlier in his career!

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

I think the 3rd match point that fed missed against delpo in IW was the single most important point of the year..
He totally imploded after that IW final
Fed converts that point, no matter what he does in miami (or even pulls out), stays no.1 till grass season and wins halle (skips stuttgart as no reason to push bcz he's no1). Wins Wimbledon defeating everyone including anderson QF in straight sets (also, does not get injured), nadal beats djoko in the outdoor semis bcz of fed-isner semi won by fed easily in 3 sets instesd of 5 sets' isner-anderson.
We get Fed-Nadal final at wimby 2018...
Fed takes revenge, and Fedal show continues till now..
Nad takes canada and fed cincy
Uso goes to delpo..
(Remember, 2018 wimby triumph gave djoko the belief and momentum)

 

[lud]

Apsolutely. Most important point by Djokovic in this year
Just like last year at AO when Nadal was 3-2 and adventage,when net helped Federer

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Apsolutely. Most important point by Djokovic in this year
Just like last year at AO when Nadal was 3-2 and adventage,when net helped Federer

Not at all..
Fed would have still taken that 5th set
He was playing out of his mind, redlining and painting lines after losing serve in 1st game...
No version of nadal beats fed in that last set

 

[HailDjokovic]

His passing point has been pretty on point this year...

Hit 2 clutch passing shot winners to break against raonic and Federer in Cincinatti.
At the USO he was basically lasered in the whole tournament

 

[Milehigh5280]

I think the 3rd match point that fed missed against delpo in IW was the single most important point of the year..
He totally imploded after that IW final
Fed converts that point, no matter what he does in miami (or even pulls out), stays no.1 till grass season and wins halle (skips stuttgart as no reason to push bcz he's no1). Wins Wimbledon defeating everyone including anderson QF in straight sets (also, does not get injured), nadal beats djoko in the outdoor semis bcz of fed-isner semi won by fed easily in 3 sets instesd of 5 sets' isner-anderson.
We get Fed-Nadal final at wimby 2018...
Fed takes revenge, and Fedal show continues till now..
Nad takes canada and fed cincy
Uso goes to delpo..
(Remember, 2018 wimby triumph gave djoko the belief and momentum)

That's another huge moment. I would put that as the 2nd most important point. The stakes were way higher at Wimbledon.

 

[uscwang]

It was a match that could have gone either way. Novak was lucky to get the 3rd set as well, where he saved many BPs.

 

[Charlie]

I think the 3rd match point that fed missed against delpo in IW was the single most important point of the year..
He totally imploded after that IW final
Fed converts that point, no matter what he does in miami (or even pulls out), stays no.1 till grass season and wins halle (skips stuttgart as no reason to push bcz he's no1). Wins Wimbledon defeating everyone including anderson QF in straight sets (also, does not get injured), nadal beats djoko in the outdoor semis bcz of fed-isner semi won by fed easily in 3 sets instesd of 5 sets' isner-anderson.
We get Fed-Nadal final at wimby 2018...
Fed takes revenge, and Fedal show continues till now..
Nad takes canada and fed cincy
Uso goes to delpo..
(Remember, 2018 wimby triumph gave djoko the belief and momentum)

So to sum it up, Federer choking a Masters final to Del Potro was what made the difference for Djokovic between zilch and 2nd half of the year domination.

I have heard it all now.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

That was the exact that came into my mind when I read the title of this thread...and with each passing moment the importance of that point grows and grows.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

That, and all those set points he saved in the 3rd set tiebreak.

 

[Djokodalerer31]

It was a match that could have gone either way. Novak was lucky to get the 3rd set as well, where he saved many BPs.

If you want to put it this way - fine! Nadal was lucky as well, there was a day off, otherwise he would be finished in four and we would have different discussion now! Day off affected Novak's rhythm as he could not immediately get back into the match in the fourth set next day to finish it off quickly!...If anything, its Nadal who was lucky! But oh well...he lost anyway so...

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

That's another huge moment. I would put that as the 2nd most important point. The stakes were way higher at Wimbledon.

Those high stakes would not have come if fraud had won that point in march

 

[Mainad]

What small margins so often decide the outcome of big matches and the future of the players concerned!

 

[MichaelNadal]

Oh Rafa. Dear Rafa.
I watched the full match last weekend, epic.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

So to sum it up, Federer choking a Masters final to Del Potro was what made the difference for Djokovic between zilch and 2nd half of the year domination.

I have heard it all now.

For sure
Fraud totally imploded mentally after that final
Otherwise he would be going maybe 20-1 or something into grass season and djok with no chance at wimbledon/cincy against raging fedexpress

 

[Chanwan]

Yeah I've said for awhile that point was the difference in the match (and effectively decided who won the title). I think it is underrated how difficult of a passing shot that was. Really looked like Nadal was gonna win that point when he closed in on the net.

The dip he got on it was great. But disagree that passing Rafa in that point in and of itself, pressure and all that aside, was that difficult. Why? Rafa's approach is short and he approaches CC leaving the down the line shot completely open. Which then opens up for the shot Novak hit cause Rafa is running towards the middle to cover his open flank

 

[Chanwan]

I think the 3rd match point that fed missed against delpo in IW was the single most important point of the year..
He totally imploded after that IW final
Fed converts that point, no matter what he does in miami (or even pulls out), stays no.1 till grass season and wins halle (skips stuttgart as no reason to push bcz he's no1). Wins Wimbledon defeating everyone including anderson QF in straight sets (also, does not get injured), nadal beats djoko in the outdoor semis bcz of fed-isner semi won by fed easily in 3 sets instesd of 5 sets' isner-anderson.
We get Fed-Nadal final at wimby 2018...
Fed takes revenge, and Fedal show continues till now..
Nad takes canada and fed cincy
Uso goes to delpo..
(Remember, 2018 wimby triumph gave djoko the belief and momentum)

I like your thinking. But don't quite buy it.

 

[Sport]

Not at all..
Fed would have still taken that 5th set
He was playing out of his mind, redlining and painting lines after losing serve in 1st game...
No version of nadal beats fed in that last set

Well-rested 2009-2013 Nadal would have easily beaten Fed that last set.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

It was a match that could have gone either way. Novak was lucky to get the 3rd set as well, where he saved many BPs.

What? There were no BPs in the 3rd set at all (weird, I know). Djokovic did get out of a 0-30 hole at 5-5, though, and of course faced a set point on return in the breaker.

 

[toby55555]

Nadal like finish on the follow through on a couple of those forehands

 

[Standaa]

Dude, how much of a difference can a one shot make..

 

[metsman]

Yeah I've said for awhile that point was the difference in the match (and effectively decided who won the title). I think it is underrated how difficult of a passing shot that was. Really looked like Nadal was gonna win that point when he closed in on the net.

Nadal's approach was hit right to him and fairly short. Nadal was sort of out of position too because he was still sorta moving forward when djokovic hit that ball. I think difficulty wise it was a fairly routine pass/angle that the big 3 make at least 8 times out of 10. Obviously in that situation, nothing is truly routine so still a huge shot obviously.

 

[justasport]

if fed wins that match point against delpotro at indian wells and then pulls out of miami he would be going into the grass court season undefeated and with a confidence level very similar to his best prime years...from that point on I would have to believe he wins every match he plays on grass before running out of steam in the summer which would probably belong to the djoker….but it would be fed with two slams and the front runner to end the year ranked #1 for a record tying 6th time plus many more weeks at #1...so yes I am in agreement that the failure to win one of those three championship points at indian wells totally changed the complexion of this year

 

[Meles]

It starts at 3:00. Djokovic hits a clutch passing shot to save a 3rd break point of the game and 5th overall of the set. What happens if he misfired and hit the ball out or into the net? Nadal held in his next service game after saving a match point. Nadal likely goes on and beats Anderson for his 3rd Wimbledon title and 18th slam overall. The narrative now changes from Djokovic's comeback to Nadal is now on the heels of Fed's slam count.

I'd say a whole lot of points in Thiem vs Nadal match more important. Nadal damaged goods after the match and has been out since. Better quality match too. Good chance Nadal makes US Open final if short match with Thiem. Thiem match probably more important for race to year end #1. And depending on how things roll out could have untold effects on his slam count. Nadal won Rogers Cup after the Wimby SF. After Thiem US Open QF, Nadal probably not winning anything for a whiile.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Well-rested 2009-2013 Nadal would have easily beaten Fed that last set.

Not at all.
Both came from a hell lot of harder and gruelling matches from previous rounds (minding 5 years of age gap for fed), so the indirect argument of nadal not getting enough rest is not valid

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

If you want to put it this way - fine! Nadal was lucky as well, there was a day off, otherwise he would be finished in four and we would have different discussion now! Day off affected Novak's rhythm as he could not immediately get back into the match in the fourth set next day to finish it off quickly!...If anything, its Nadal who was lucky! But oh well...he lost anyway so...

Lol what??
Nole looked totally exhausted after 3rd set was over. If the match would be continued for the day, then most probably nadal would have ground out djoker in 5 sets just like he did with delpo in QF
...
Remember, nadal was and is the physical beast, plus djoker was not at the physical level he's now...

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

I like your thinking. But don't quite buy it.

Its okay..
Not everyone has to agree with everyone.
The world's looking beautiful due to its different and contrasting colours and shades,

 

[MichaelNadal]

Its okay..
Not everyone has to agree with everyone.
The world's looking beautiful due to its different and contrasting colours and shades,

Lol tell that to Amb-pressed.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

if fed wins that match point against delpotro at indian wells and then pulls out of miami he would be going into the grass court season undefeated and with a confidence level very similar to his best prime years...from that point on I would have to believe he wins every match he plays on grass before running out of steam in the summer which would probably belong to the djoker….but it would be fed with two slams and the front runner to end the year ranked #1 for a record tying 6th time plus many more weeks at #1...so yes I am in agreement that the failure to win one of those three championship points at indian wells totally changed the complexion of this year

That's absolutely correct
Federer's mental gas was absolutely finnish after that match, plus he slipped and probably injured himself in wimby against anderson. Sums up the season.
Fraud takes that IW18 final, pulls out of miami, goes straight into halle (does not need stuttgart as no pressure for no.1). Wins halle and with confidence surging, takes wimby by beating nadal in final
(No fedrson 5 setter, therefore no isnerson 5 setter, therefore djokodal SF being an outdoor match, nadl beating djok in 4/5 sets.fraud takes revenge of 2008 in 2018. ,Fedal show continues)

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

I'd say a whole lot of points in Thiem vs Nadal match more important. Nadal damaged goods after the match and has been out since. Better quality match too. Good chance Nadal makes US Open final if short match with Thiem. Thiem match probably more important for race to year end #1. And depending on how things roll out could have untold effects on his slam count. Nadal won Rogers Cup after the Wimby SF. After Thiem US Open QF, Nadal probably not winning anything for a whiile.

The level at which rafa was playing that USO, even if he had routined thiem in 4 sets; he was not getting past delpotro

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Lol tell that to Amb-pressed.

What's amb-pressed??

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

That's some pathetic mental strength from Federer if a tight Indian Wells final loss was all it took for him to enter a slump for the next parts of the season, which include some of his most favorite events.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

That's some pathetic mental strength from Federer if a tight Indian Wells final loss was all it took for him to enter a slump for the next parts of the season, which include some of his most favorite events.

He was riding an invincibility aura and that got broken in that match by his own choking.
Remember his mind is the only factor responsible for some of the very tight losses or matches in which he snatched defeat from the hands of victory..

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

That's some pathetic mental strength from Federer if a tight Indian Wells final loss was all it took for him to enter a slump for the next parts of the season, which include some of his most favorite events.

I still remeber, at that time someone said "its all over for fed now", even I was feeling the same and that's what turned out to be true

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

He was riding an invincibility aura and that got broken in that match by his own choking.
Remember his mind is the only factor responsible for some of the very tight losses or matches in which he snatched defeat from the hands of victory..

I still remeber, at that time someone said "its all over for fed now", even I was feeling the same and that's what turned out to be true

Federer had some chokes just as bad, or at least some of them occurred on bigger stages. He recovered well and quickly from most of them. My point is he is getting quite old to win against the field consistently, and it was rather unrealistic to expect from him to repeat his 2017 season which featured exceptional performances for an older player. It was never likely to continue for much longer, no matter how he won or lost Indian Wells.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Federer had some chokes just as bad, or at least some of them occurred on bigger stages. He recovered well and quickly from most of them. My point is he is getting quite old to win against the field consistently, and it was rather unrealistic to expect from him to repeat his 2017 season which featured exceptional performances for an older player. It was never likely to continue for much longer, no matter how he won or lost Indian Wells.

I still think he had one last magical run left in him till end of 2018.
But that choke really killed him

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Dude, how much of a difference can a one shot make..

Ask Federer - RG 2009 Fourth round v Haas, hits the most insane clutch forehand...that one shot had it gone out could have changed the tennis landscape for good.

 

[G4P45]

OMGomg

 

[Sudacafan]

I still think he had one last magical run left in him till end of 2018.
But that choke really killed him

With Millman hitting the last nail in the coffin.

 

[Navdeep Srivastava]

That's absolutely correct
Federer's mental gas was absolutely finnish after that match, plus he slipped and probably injured himself in wimby against anderson. Sums up the season.
Fraud takes that IW18 final, pulls out of miami, goes straight into halle (does not need stuttgart as no pressure for no.1). Wins halle and with confidence surging, takes wimby by beating nadal in final
(No fedrson 5 setter, therefore no isnerson 5 setter, therefore djokodal SF being an outdoor match, nadl beating djok in 4/5 sets.fraud takes revenge of 2008 in 2018. ,Fedal show continues)

Why he pulls out of Miami? Did he pulled out from last year also after IW?
He is playing both grass tournaments from 16 , the year from which he is skipping RG. This is was not specifically this year.
You are assuming lot of points, like Djokovic will lost to Rafa after getting 2-1 set lead even match is finished same day.
These conditions were not present in AO 18, then why that match went to 5, just accept it Fed is old so he if don't close the match in straight set, he will be always be in trouble in long 5setter .

 

[Meles]

The level at which rafa was playing that USO, even if he had routined thiem in 4 sets; he was not getting past delpotro

Don't be ridiculous. Delpo was teetering all Summer and still is; in fact he's out for the season.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

With Millman hitting the last nail in the coffin.

Lol at milman
Uso is slow as hell

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Don't be ridiculous. Delpo was teetering all Summer and still is; in fact he's out for the season.

Ok let's assume rafa passes delpo test too..
In 5 sets ofc
But would he have managed to stay with djokovic then?

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Why he pulls out of Miami? Did he pulled out from last year also after IW?
He is playing both grass tournaments from 16 , the year from which he is skipping RG. This is was not specifically this year.
You are assuming lot of points, like Djokovic will lost to Rafa after getting 2-1 set lead even match is finished same day.
These conditions were not present in AO 18, then why that match went to 5, just accept it Fed is old so he if don't close the match in straight set, he will be always be in trouble in long 5setter .

Read my first post
I said he either pulls out or whatever he does in miami does not matter
Also rafa would have surely beaten djoker in either of two cases which start right from the assumption that motivated, unjinured and raging fed routines anderson and isner in straight sets,
1) semifinal being continued same day (starts early bcz of no isnerson long servefest)
2) due to early start, first 3 sets being outdoor

 

[Fiero425]

I'd say a whole lot of points in Thiem vs Nadal match more important. Nadal damaged goods after the match and has been out since. Better quality match too. Good chance Nadal makes US Open final if short match with Thiem. Thiem match probably more important for race to year end #1. And depending on how things roll out could have untold effects on his slam count. Nadal won Rogers Cup after the Wimby SF. After Thiem US Open QF, Nadal probably not winning anything for a whiile.

Nadal definitely softened up before Del Po match! He does it to himself allowing just about everyone a chance to extend his matches! STUPID!