What happened when Nadal didn't finish Djokovic off at Wimbledon 2018 when he had the chance

[Hitman]

Heading into Wimbledon 2018

Most Grand Slams = Federer
Most AO titles = Emerson, Djokovic, Federer
Most RG titles = Nadal
Most W titles = Federer
Most USO titles (Open Era) = Connors, Sampras, Federer
Most YEC titles = Federer
Most weeks at number one = Federer
Most year ending number ones = Sampras

Now

Most Grand Slams = Djokovic
Most AO titles = Djokovic
Most RG titles = Nadal
Most W titles = Federer
Most USO titles (Open Era) = Connors, Sampras, Federer
Most YEC titles = Djokovic
Most weeks at number one = Djokovic
Most year ending number ones = Djokovic

 

[RS]

Shame he didn't and it was pretty big historically. I still think Djokovic would have bounced back though even considering.

 

[Biotic]

I think Novak would've found a way sooner or later. I have such a fond memory of this match.

 

[TheFifthSet]

That passing shot winner is up there with Fed’s I/O fh versus Haas, Djoko’s net-touch and Nadal’s missed bh up the line as the most important points in 21st century tennis.

 

[TheFifthSet]

I think Novak would've found a way sooner or later. I have such a fond memory of this match.

He was the properly better player too. Makes the cries of Nadal being unlucky ring a little more hollow. Unlucky is Roddick versus PimPim at the ‘04 Open.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Shame he didn't and it was pretty big historically. I still think Djokovic would have bounced back though even considering.

I saw him play well even in Monte Carlo and I kept saying this guy is winning USOpen this season.

Glad that his comeback was a little bit early. @michealnadal says Djokovic is the Ultron but that's what the level looks like when he is on. I thought it was just a matter of time that business was going to resume and Nole will dominate tennis for few more years.

 

[Jonesy]

In the end it wasn't Djokovic who was protecting Fed records against Nadal, it was Nadal who was holding Djokovic off from becoming unstopable.

 

[AgassiSuperSlam11]

If Djokovic had listened to Agassi (getting surgery earlier) he would've started to win earlier. Djokovic had a CP against Cilic at Queens, so he was started to get back in rhythm from the Shoulder Surgery. He was contemplating quitting the sport after the 2018 FO result.

Putting aside the entire controversy about the roof which has been discussed until nauseam here this was one of their greatest matches along with AO 12, FO 13, and Madrid 09. Nadal barely missed a Set Point winner which would've given him a 2-1 lead before end of play. I rarely re-watch old matches but this is one that I don't mind watching several more times.

 

[Biotic]

He was the properly better player too. Makes the cries of Nadal being unlucky ring a little more hollow. Unlucky is Roddick versus PimPim at the ‘04 Open.

It was a close match no doubt, with Novak having a bit more chances, including numerous BPs in the 2nd set, which he lost. Nadal wasn't unlucky, as the match came at the most opportune moment for him (as usual).

 

[Dwell]

If Djokovic had listened to Agassi (getting surgery earlier) he would've started to win earlier. Djokovic had a CP against Cilic at Queens, so he was started to get back in rhythm from the Shoulder Surgery. He was contemplating quitting the sport after the 2018 FO result.

Putting aside the entire controversy about the roof which has been discussed until nauseam here this was one of their greatest matches along with AO 12, FO 13, and Madrid 09. Nadal barely missed a Set Point winner which would've given him a 2-1 lead before end of play. I rarely re-watch old matches but this is one that I don't mind watching several more times.

didn't know about the roof, can you fill me in?

 

[The Blond Blur]

The same thing that happened when RAFA lost to Ol’ Rog in the AO 2017 F. It’s not like that loss prevented him from winning 2 more schlems and finishing YE#1 in 2017. Regardless of the outcome Joker was 100% back by that point. In fact he hasn’t played a match at Wimby at the level of the 2018 SF since then.

The only difference being that the schlem tally would be 23 to 23 (but let’s be real here, Joker is winning 2 bare minimum next year).

 

[Neptune]

Between Nole and Rafa, slam count is the closest gap, can easily be 5+

 

[Milanez82]

That passing shot winner is up there with Fed’s I/O fh versus Haas, Djoko’s net-touch and Nadal’s missed bh up the line as the most important points in 21st century tennis.

It wasn't a given Djoko holds that RG game nor wins the match and especially wins the final vs Ferrer after that gruelling 5 setter(just like his legs were dead in Wimbledon final after a gruelling 5 setter semi).
It wasn't a given Rafa holds that AO game even if he goes up 40-15.

Fed being passed on match point in Wimbledon 19 was certainly a bigger point then any of these.

 

[TheFifthSet]

It wasn't a given Djoko holds that RG game nor wins the match and especially wins the final vs Ferrer after that gruelling 5 setter(just like his legs were dead in Wimbledon final after a gruelling 5 setter semi).
It wasn't a given Rafa holds that AO game even if he goes up 40-15.

Yes, this is all true. I am just listing a series of historically important tennis points. I am not arguing the loser of those points had the match in the bag.

Fed being passed on match point in Wimbledon 19 was certainly a bigger point then any of these.

Probably true. Was by no means an exhaustive list.

 

[Mustard]

The only tennis match indoors during a late May to late July 2018 heatwave.

 

[S'in-net]

Now

Most Grand Slams = Djokovic
Most AO titles = Djokovic
Most RG titles = Nadal
Most W titles = Federer
Most USO titles (Open Era) = Connors, Sampras, Federer
Most YEC titles = Djokovic
Most weeks at number one = Djokovic
Most year ending number ones = Djokovic

Djokovic at 1), 2), 6), 7), 8)

And only -1 at 4) & 5) to make it 6/8 or 7/8

At some point you have to hand Djokovic the past
It's interesting to note, on the then list, Federer was 6/8 on the shelves

Only the future can unshelve Djokovic, the past is a wrap.

 

[Phoenix*]

Fedal turned out to vastly inferior compared to Djo.

 

[SonnyT]

He was the properly better player too. Makes the cries of Nadal being unlucky ring a little more hollow. Unlucky is Roddick versus PimPim at the ‘04 Open.

Djokovic's DR = 76/57 = 1.33 for the match

 

[djokovic the conqueror]

When it matters most, Djokovic is the most reliable. In the rare times he loses, he always finds a way to bounce back and win again.

 

[Clay lover]

Frankly speaking though with Djokovic's ability to remain consistent and contend on all three surfaces and his mental toughness I think he would still end up with the records even if he had lost that match.

 

[socallefty]

One match won’t change the careers of legends like these. Once Djokovic was back to his high level, he would have started winning a lot again even if he had lost this match. Nadal was also in the semifinal of the USO a few months later and might have faced Djokovic again if he didn’t have to retire with an injury against Del Potro. These two guys mostly had downtime in their careers when they were carrying injuries.

 

[Neptune]

Frankly speaking though with Djokovic's ability to remain consistent and contend on all three surfaces and his mental toughness I think he would still end up with the records even if he had lost that match.

TBH, the slam count lead would have been wider if slam draw is NOT rigged.

 

[Clay lover]

TBH, the slam count lead would have been wider if slam draw is NOT rigged.

Now now your boy has won enough no need to award hypothetical slams - your boy is an honourable guy and wouldn't have wanted you to argue that way for him anyway

 

[CoolCoolCool]

didn't know about the roof, can you fill me in?

 

[DSH]

The only tennis match indoors during a late May to late July 2018 heatwave.

A (serious) error that the same Wimbledon committee corrected the following year.
A nonsense that affected the result of one of the great matches of the last decade, without a doubt.

 

[Enceladus]

The only tennis match indoors during a late May to late July 2018 heatwave.

A tennis player should be prepared for a closed roof, the roof has become part of the game.

 

[BGod]

At this point it's easy to say Novak makes up for that loss somewhere else. 2019 FO, 2023 WMB, maybe not get that DQ at 2020 USO?

 

[Enceladus]

A (serious) error that the same Wimbledon committee corrected the following year.
A nonsense that affected the result of one of the great matches of the last decade, without a doubt.

Because Nadal fans launched a sh*tstorm out of it on social networks, so Wimbledon retreated. In principle, there is nothing wrong with a closed roof, it didn't hinder the game. It is only Nadal's fault that the closed roof doesn't suit him.

 

[aldeayeah]

That passing shot winner is up there with Fed’s I/O fh versus Haas, Djoko’s net-touch and Nadal’s missed bh up the line as the most important points in 21st century tennis.

That sounds like a good idea for a thread. What single points could be identified as turning points in tennis history.

i'd add 40-15 to the list btw

 

[Oceans II]

I knew he was back RG18 4R vs Verdasco from his rhythm of play. Was disappointed when he lost to Cechinato.

 

[DSH]

Because Nadal fans launched a sh*tstorm out of it on social networks, so Wimbledon retreated. In principle, there is nothing wrong with a closed roof, it didn't hinder the game. It is only Nadal's fault that the closed roof doesn't suit him.

Grand Slam events are best-of-five-set tournaments played outdoors.
There is no need to play indoors when the weather conditions are perfect, which was the case in the resumption of the 2018 Wimbledon semi-finals but they invented a rule out of nowhere that only tainted what could have been an even more spectacular match than it was.
As I said, they realized too late the terrible mistake they made.

 

[Pheasant]

Nadal winning 2018 Wimbledon simply delays the inevitable.

Fed winning 2019 Wimbledon changes nothing. Fed would still trail 23-21 and be about 100 weeks short on weeks at #1 anyway.

 

[Enceladus]

Grand Slam events are best-of-five-set tournaments played outdoors.
There is no need to play indoors when the weather conditions are perfect, which was the case in the resumption of the 2018 Wimbledon semi-finals but they invented a rule out of nowhere that only tainted what could have been an even more spectacular match than it was.
As I said, they realized too late the terrible mistake they made.

But this was not the first Wimbledon match to be played under closed roof in clear weather at Wimbledon. In 2012, on one day in the first week of the tournament, all matches on Center Court were played under a cloudy roof, although the sun was shining outside. Coincidentally, Djokovic also played one of these matches. When he asked the organizers why the roof was not open, they told him that the roof doesn't open when it is closed for the match. It follows that the rule about closing the roof, which determined that the final part of the Djokovic-Nadal match took place under a clouded roof, was not invented out of thin air.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-wimbledon-djokovic-roof-idUSBRE85S1BI20120629/

 

[Neptune]

Because Nadal fans launched a sh*tstorm out of it on social networks, so Wimbledon retreated. In principle, there is nothing wrong with a closed roof, it didn't hinder the game. It is only Nadal's fault that the closed roof doesn't suit him.

Rafa needs all kinds of help to stay close in slam race.
Just check how far Rafa is behind in almost every other category.

 

[Lauren_Girl']

A (serious) error that the same Wimbledon committee corrected the following year.
A nonsense that affected the result of one of the great matches of the last decade, without a doubt.

Djokovic breadsticked him and won in 4 comfortable sets with open roof in a final. Match wasn't even close even if Nadal won 1 set. The thought that Djokovic would've lost in the same conditions in 2018 is purely hypothetical, nothing to back it up. Pure speculation. Djokovic won in 5 in 2018, perhaps he would've finished in 3 or 4 with open roof, like in 2011. Stop blaming Wimbledon organizers for that, Nadal lost because Djokovic is a better grass court player plain and simple. 7 titles against 2, it's not close at all.

But this was not the first Wimbledon match to be played under closed roof in clear weather at Wimbledon. In 2012, on one day in the first week of the tournament, all matches on Center Court were played under a cloudy roof, although the sun was shining outside. Coincidentally, Djokovic also played one of these matches. When he asked the organizers why the roof was not open, they told him that the roof doesn't open when it is closed for the match. It follows that the rule about closing the roof, which determined that the final part of the Djokovic-Nadal match took place under a clouded roof, was not invented out of thin air.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-wimbledon-djokovic-roof-idUSBRE85S1BI20120629/

Other example is the women's final this year. Surely it gave Vondrousova a huge advantage over Jabeur but strangely no one talks about it. Not a single drop of rain yet they still closed the roof. There are many other examples, but if it isn't about the Big3 it becomes irrelevant...

 

[Neptune]

Djokovic breadsticked him and won in 4 comfortable sets with open roof in a final. Match wasn't even close even if Nadal won 1 set. The thought that Djokovic would've lost in the same conditions in 2018 is purely hypothetical, nothing to back it up. Pure speculation. Djokovic won in 5 in 2018, perhaps he would've finished in 3 or 4 with open roof, like in 2011. Stop blaming Wimbledon organizers for that, Nadal lost because Djokovic is a better grass court player plain and simple. 7 titles against 2, it's not close at all.



Other example is the women's final this year. Surely it gave Vondrousova a huge advantage over Jabeur but strangely no one talks about it. Not a single drop of rain yet they still closed the roof. There are many other examples, but if it isn't about The Big3 it's irrelevant...

If not helped by curfew, Rafa would have lost in 4 or eaten a breadstick in the 5th, LOL

 

[D.Nalby12]

Quality wise this match was better than W08 final.

 

[SonnyT]

TBH, the slam count lead would have been wider if slam draw is NOT rigged.

The '19 SF match was that Djokovic established himself as WB champion with respect to Nadal, remember at the time Djokovic was leading WB by 3-2. Could you imagine Rafans acting if Nadal had won? I'm already tired of their glorying '13 UO match!

Now I'm hoping for Djokovic avenging last year's final at the hands of Alcaraz.

 

[junior74]

What happen-ed, happen-ed

 

[DSH]

Djokovic breadsticked him and won in 4 comfortable sets with open roof in a final. Match wasn't even close even if Nadal won 1 set. The thought that Djokovic would've lost in the same conditions in 2018 is purely hypothetical, nothing to back it up. Pure speculation. Djokovic won in 5 in 2018, perhaps he would've finished in 3 or 4 with open roof, like in 2011. Stop blaming Wimbledon organizers for that, Nadal lost because Djokovic is a better grass court player plain and simple. 7 titles against 2, it's not close at all.



Other example is the women's final this year. Surely it gave Vondrousova a huge advantage over Jabeur but strangely no one talks about it. Not a single drop of rain yet they still closed the roof. There are many other examples, but if it isn't about the Big3 it becomes irrelevant...

Each match is a different story and the 2011 Nadal was scared when facing Joker after what happened on the clay tour, so it is not comparable, and Nadal also gave him a breadstick to the Serbian player, so what you say doesn't make much sense.
In the end, in that remembered match from 2018, the supposedly best grass player between the two, was afraid to face the weaker player, when the match resumed, outdoors.
The only good thing about that situation was that Wimbledon corrected (albeit late) that decision that does nothing good for tennis.

 

[Rosstour]

Shame he didn't and it was pretty big historically. I still think Djokovic would have bounced back though even considering.

Yeah talking about this or that one match changing everything is silly when Djokovic is going to end on 33 Slams

It was inevitable and hopefully the full story will be told one day.

 

[mike danny]

Shame he didn't and it was pretty big historically. I still think Djokovic would have bounced back though even considering.

Obviously he would've still bounced back considering no threats were awaiting him. The USO of that same year was going to be wide open.

 

[messiahrobins]

The only tennis match indoors during a late May to late July 2018 heatwave.

One of their least important matches historically. Didnt change anything really as nadal won many more majors afterwards as did djokovic.

 

[DIMI_D]

It wouldn’t of changed the situation entirely as Novak was heading back to his best form but Nadal winning 3rd Wimby would have been so so sweet if felt deserved just like the eventual AO22 those near misses and bad luck. In the end the best man has won the slam race and has the records there is no shame in being number 2 in the open era! Nadal showed us how awesome it is to never give up fight and is helping future generations through the academy that is a dame good legacy if you ask me!
Also would have meant 3 slams on 3 different surfaces something Djoker has now even though it’s not a triple career slam so that would enhance his diversity as well

 

[nolefam_2024]

It wouldn’t of changed the situation entirely as Novak was heading back to his best form but Nadal winning 3rd Wimby would have been so so sweet if felt deserved just like the eventual AO22 those near misses and bad luck. In the end the best man has won the slam race and has the records there is no shame in being number 2 in the open era! Nadal showed us how awesome it is to never give up fight and is helping future generations through the academy that is a dame good legacy if you ask me!
Also would have meant 3 slams on 3 different surfaces something Djoker has now even though it’s not a triple career slam so that would enhance his diversity as well

I was so afraid of this match that I got drunk before the match started and hoped to see result after the day finished. Sadly the match was only halfway finished.
So next day I got drunk again and skipped the match. Nadal scared me.

 

[DIMI_D]

I was so afraid of this match that I got drunk before the match started and hoped to see result after the day finished. Sadly the match was only halfway finished.
So next day I got drunk again and skipped the match. Nadal scared me.

He was on fire that tournament I thought he would not win after the 3rd set tiebreak but was amazed he came back to make it that close. I was glued on live score as I was overseas at the time and no broadcast where I was which was a village. I did watch the 1st day though completely I was on the edge on my seat I was like set point in the 3rd set tiebreaker and I was thinking one more point and you are the GOAT I was thinning that match at that particular point in time carried a lot of weight

 

[fedfan24]

Fedal turned out to vastly inferior compared to Djo.

Most of the stats he accumulated since 2015 once Fedal were wayyyy past their best years. Greatest opportunist of all time. A lone ATG in a sea of mediocrity for 8 years and counting.

 

[jl809]

There is no way Djoker doesn’t win that USO or AO right afterwards imo, the draws were too easy and his level was already sufficiently back enough to get through them.

The only thing that changes with Wim 18 is that if the roof was open and he lost to Nadal as a result, Djokovic would have been seeded #3 at Wimbledon in 2019, meaning he would have had to go through Fedal B2B to win it, which given what we saw IRL can be counted as essentially impossible. So he would have been down 2 Wimbledons..

… but even then though he would have won those Wimbledons in 21 and 22 anyway with those draws of Norrie, Shapo etc, and if anything he would probably have gone into 2023 without the complacency and arrogance which characterised his run this year as the 4-time defending champion, so would have probably beaten Alcaraz too

In the end, I don’t think it would have mattered at all except for Fed and PETE’s Wimby records and making Nadal’s CV a bit more rounded

 

[thrust]

Fedal turned out to vastly inferior compared to Djo.

INCREDIBLE STATISTICS SINCE 2011!

 

[Genie Of the Bank]

didn't know about the roof, can you fill me in?

Novak refused to roof to be reopen because it suited him more ( without the wind), it was payback to Rafa for one of the previous Roland-Gaross meetings . Late in that match Novak asked why the court isn't watered as usual, the empire responded that Rafa said the court is ok and isn't slippery for him on dry clay (higher bounce - advantage for Nadal) and the empire said it cant be watered without approval of both players.