We’re not sugarcoating anything: Nadal got torn to shreds.

conjoshruk

Semi-Pro
So true, dissapointing final and probably one of the worst Djokovic-Nadal matches I have ever watched. Although Djokovic played brilliantly, the inability of Rafa to compete with him was atrocious and very underwhelming.

Djokovic was far superior, he clearly exposed Nadal. From the first point he looked on, and never looked back.

We are not going to be blaming injury, fan interference, aliens landing on earth and giving Djokovic godlike powers. Djokovic just played way too good and exposed the inferior player on the night.[/Q

So true, very disappointing
Djokovic was far superior, he clearly exposed Nadal. From the first point he looked on, and never looked back.

We are not going to be blaming injury, fan interference, aliens landing on earth and giving Djokovic godlike powers. Djokovic
 

DreddyTennis45

Hall of Fame
This was a worse beatdown than RG 2008 apart from the scoreline obviously. Rafa here came into the final in better form and was more rested, hadn't dropped a set and hadn't lost serve since round 1.
In 2008 Fed had been pretty rubbish throughout the whole year whilst Nadal was in god-mode on clay- the beatdown then was surprising but not shocking like today
 

AceSalvo

Legend
This was a worse beatdown than RG 2008 apart from the scoreline obviously. Rafa here came into the final in better form and was more rested, hadn't dropped a set and hadn't lost serve since round 1.
In 2008 Fed had been pretty rubbish throughout the whole year whilst Nadal was in god-mode on clay- the beatdown then was surprising but not shocking like today


With an extra day after the SF. Would you believe it?
 

Federer and Del Potro

Talk Tennis Guru
Djokovic was far superior, he clearly exposed Nadal. From the first point he looked on, and never looked back.

We are not going to be blaming injury, fan interference, aliens landing on earth and giving Djokovic godlike powers. Djokovic just played way too good and exposed the inferior player on the night.

But I will blame the Space Jam aliens for stealing RAFA's talent.
 

miko

Semi-Pro
Nothing to do with being fresh, everything to do with mentality (or lack there of, for that matter). Today Rafa played his old game and, predictably, he lost.
 

Poisoned Slice

Bionic Poster
But I will blame the Space Jam aliens for stealing RAFA's talent.
Aliens are the devils work. Let's pray.
John-Abruzzi-prison-break-37680847-960-640.jpg
 

Red Rick

Bionic Poster
This was a worse beatdown than RG 2008 apart from the scoreline obviously. Rafa here came into the final in better form and was more rested, hadn't dropped a set and hadn't lost serve since round 1.
In 2008 Fed had been pretty rubbish throughout the whole year whilst Nadal was in god-mode on clay- the beatdown then was surprising but not shocking like today
This is just a pathetic spin on things.
 

AnOctorokForDinner

Talk Tennis Guru
This is just a pathetic spin on things.

Relative to pre-match expectations this was certainly worse. Nadal was a virtual lock before the 08 final, no one sane could've expected (as opposed to 'hoped') Federer to take two sets and even an ordinary straight-set win like 6-4 6-3 6-4 wouldn't've been that surprising. Today, Nadal was expected to give a solid fight at least, nobody could reasonably foresee such a beatdown, five breaks to none.
 

Red Rick

Bionic Poster
Relative to pre-match expectations this was certainly worse. Nadal was a virtual lock before the 08 final, no one sane could've expected (as opposed to 'hoped') Federer to take two sets and even an ordinary straight-set win like 6-4 6-3 6-4 wouldn't've been that surprising. Today, Nadal was expected to give a solid fight at least, nobody could reasonably foresee such a beatdown, five breaks to none.
Relative to the expectations, yes.

I wasn't on tennis forums in 2008, but wasn't Fed expected to put a bit of a fight himself?
 

Benben245

Banned
Its quite clear from their head2head and just visually, the action that Nadal puts on the ball seems to affect literally everyone on tour except Novak. As a result, with Nadal's diminished athleticism, the gap is widening between these two legends of the game. I only wish Roger had experimented with his 2017 backhand and baseline tactics earlier in his career so that we may have more clarity as to his level relative to Novak. (like rafa's serve, the 2017 backhand seems just as ephemeral and unsustainable, an achilles heel no doubt, I just wonder what Novak's chink in the armor is.....contact lenses and infidelity?)
 

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
Oh wow. Against Federer in 2017 Nadal was hard done by with only one day rest and this time he was hard done by with 2 days rest. C'mon. There's limit to excuses.

There's no excuse, two people are on court, 1 played better. In 2017 he played a 5 setter, so have several seats. He was out of rhythm from the first ball, clearly BESIDES Djokovic beasting, Nadal was off, but I know it doesn't matter to a stan.
 

Nole_King

Hall of Fame
There's no excuse, two people are on court, 1 played better. In 2017 he played a 5 setter, so have several seats. He was out of rhythm from the first ball, clearly BESIDES Djokovic beasting, Nadal was off, but I know it doesn't matter to a stan.

Not just played better. This was demolition :D

With Novak now so much into Nadal's head, FO is not a lock for Nadal now
 

PMChambers

Hall of Fame
Nadal played ok, just had no time to get set to unleash. Maybe not exciting but high quality, this wasn't like Fed v Hew US 04 with one player effectively hand feeding mid court put aways. Nadal was getting ripped on the rise either deep corner or short wide. Not sure what Nadal can do maybe get deeper and rip more and get more time and weight going into court but that likely to get punished.
I think Nadal's comments at end where correct, he was health, played well and this looks good for rest of the year {clay season}. He's gone into AO with a physical issue and came out injury free having demolished all but one.
 
There's no excuse, two people are on court, 1 played better. In 2017 he played a 5 setter, so have several seats. He was out of rhythm from the first ball, clearly BESIDES Djokovic beasting, Nadal was off, but I know it doesn't matter to a stan.
Both Fraud and RAFA played a five-setter in the SFs. Enough with the excuses, Michael.
 

Mike Sams

G.O.A.T.
Its quite clear from their head2head and just visually, the action that Nadal puts on the ball seems to affect literally everyone on tour except Novak.

I wouldn't say the action that Nadal puts on the ball affects everyone except Novak.
Nalbandian, Davydenko, Murray and other players had the ability to handle the heavy topspin ball that Nadal hit but none had the other elements close to the level that Novak had. That being ridiculous defensive skills, athleticism and flexibility. But purely based on ball striking, other players were capable of handling Nadal's ball as good or almost as good as Novak does.
 

Easy Rider

Professional
Its quite clear from their head2head and just visually, the action that Nadal puts on the ball seems to affect literally everyone on tour except Novak. As a result, with Nadal's diminished athleticism, the gap is widening between these two legends of the game. I only wish Roger had experimented with his 2017 backhand and baseline tactics earlier in his career so that we may have more clarity as to his level relative to Novak. (like rafa's serve, the 2017 backhand seems just as ephemeral and unsustainable, an achilles heel no doubt, I just wonder what Novak's chink in the armor is.....contact lenses and infidelity?)
True dat
 
D

Deleted member 77403

Guest
I have said many times that Djokovic sees red everytime Nadal is on the other side of the net. This should be clear as day, that the mere presence of Nadal on the court is like an adrenaline rush for Djokovic and puts into EMW form.

He takes distinct pleasure out of crushing Nadal, not because he hates him, but because he respects him incredibly. He is coming for him now....he is coming for Nadal and that second spot.
 

daddy

Legend
We should invent a pasta called nadaltelle, served best with some kind of Djokolife healthy product.
 

robthai

Hall of Fame
its unlikely that Nadal will ever beat Djokovic or Federer off clay again. So much for his clay skewed h2h stats
 

Druss

Hall of Fame
Nadal got totally owned in the baseline rallies. With the exception of 2015/16, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this from Bull.
 
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