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

The Blond Blur

G.O.A.T.
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 Gross 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 and the empire said it cant be watered without approval of both players.
1. He was being sarcastic.

2. The courts aren’t watered during the match/between sets. The majority of court maintenance happens before and after the match. The only thing that’ll happen between sets is the court is raked and the lines are swept.
 
D

Deleted member 765728

Guest
1. He was being sarcastic.

2. The courts aren’t watered during the match/between sets. The majority of court maintenance happens before and after the match. The only thing that’ll happen between sets is the court is raked and the lines are swept.
I believe it depends on the conditions of the surface or the elements? Have seen them watering the courts plenty of times in a hot day during the changeovers. Or I misunderstood your comment.
 

Genie Of the Bank

Hall of Fame
Turf war as usual between them two.

p46110_p_v8_ac.jpg
 

The Blond Blur

G.O.A.T.
I believe it depends on the conditions of the surface or the elements? Have seen them watering the courts plenty of times in a hot day during the changeovers. Or I misunderstood your comment.
Here’s an article about the actual preparation of the RG courts: https://www.si.com/tennis/2014/05/21/how-roland-garros-prepares-clay-courts-french-open#:~:text=During each match, crews rake,court gets watered once again.

Very rarely will they ever water the courts during the match, and even then it’s up to the tournament supervisor on the condition of the court.

“During each match, crews rake the surface and sweep clay off of the lines at the end of each set. At the end of every match, the crew waters the entire court to help the brick retain its color and keep from blowing away. And at the end of the day, each court gets watered once again”.

What I’m getting at is that it’s not part of the usual procedure to do between each set.
 

nolefam_2024

Bionic Poster
I believe it depends on the conditions of the surface or the elements? Have seen them watering the courts plenty of times in a hot day during the changeovers. Or I misunderstood your comment.
It was at 7 all I believe. Usual sets don't have 14 games in them. The dry courts are also slower which helped Nadal more than Djokovic. If the umpire didn't listen to Nadal, he would have done it.
 

Genie Of the Bank

Hall of Fame
I believe it depends on the conditions of the surface or the elements? Have seen them watering the courts plenty of times in a hot day during the changeovers. Or I misunderstood your comment.
True they watered the court often when is super hot between the sets. Simple it was hot Novak started to slip on dry clay in the fifth set, Nadal saw that and refused the watering its his right in the rules, the same with Novak and the roof in Wimbledon.
 
D

Deleted member 765728

Guest
True they watered the court often when is super hot between the sets. Simple it was hot Novak started to slip on dry clay in the fifth set, Nadal saw that and refused the watering its his right in the rules, the same with Novak and the roof in Wimbledon.
Yeah there was nothing really controversial in either cases, some fans are having rage attacks for no reason.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Nadal fans still believe the roof had anything to do with this result although it's the best match he played at Wimbledon in the last 10 or 12 years. What had something to do with the result is them stopping play after the 3rd set. That helped Djokovic imo because his stamina and physicality wasn't back to top notch. I think he was getting tired and that gave him time to regroup. Then again, it maybe helped Nadal as well because Djokovic had all the momentum.
 

Jonesy

Legend
Nadal was getting cheeky with the drop shots by the end of the third set (who did he think he was? Carlos Alcaraz?), by all means Djokovic wanted the match to continue right after that, Nadal got a big chance to regroup with the curfew.
 

Neptune

Hall of Fame
Fans of the party darlings complaining about the party crasher's advantages – what an ironic scene. :-D
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
I believe it depends on the conditions of the surface or the elements? Have seen them watering the courts plenty of times in a hot day during the changeovers. Or I misunderstood your comment.
True they watered the court often when is super hot between the sets. Simple it was hot Novak started to slip on dry clay in the fifth set, Nadal saw that and refused the watering its his right in the rules, the same with Novak and the roof in Wimbledon.
Both of you are correct. The court got watered twice in this match: after the 2nd set and after the 4th set. It was hot and dry that day, so it is common for them to do it when it's hot and sunny. Djokovic felt when it got to 7-6 or 7 all, it was time to water it again because after the length of the set, it was getting slippery. Pascal Maria asked Nadal and Nadal said he didn't want it watered so since both guys didn't agree, that was that. So yea @Genie Of the Bank , Wimbledon 2018 was Djokovic's payback to Nadal. Neither decision probably had anything to do with the result but they both stuck it to other at those times because they could, and it was every man for himself.
 

Mustard

Bionic Poster
One of their least important matches historically. Didnt change anything really as nadal won many more majors afterwards as did djokovic.
Djokovic had not won a major in over 2 years, and had a bizarre meltdown after Cecchinato beat him at the 2018 French Open. Meanwhile, Nadal and Federer had shared the previous 6 majors between them. Nadal let the genie get out of the bottle at 2018 Wimbledon. A massive mistake in terms of the major race.
 
In the slam race it is not relevant - Djokovic should get to 32-34 slams if he is interested.

But it is the only tennis defeat I will never truly get over - the roof scandal was only part of it, so many small things would have made a difference - even going back to Nadal taking 5 sets to beat Del Potro when it should really have been 3/4. I have no probs with 2012 and 2017 defeats - better player won both.

Very bad 2 days. Shame as Nadal played great - Djokovic serve just held up well when it mattered.
 
Djokovic had not won a major in over 2 years, and had a bizarre meltdown after Cecchinato beat him at the 2018 French Open. Meanwhile, Nadal and Federer had shared the previous 6 majors between them. Nadal let the genie get out of the bottle at 2018 Wimbledon. A massive mistake in terms of the major race.
It was a huge match. But even if Djokovic had lost, he would have won 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian too. He was back as a competitor. Maybe then he would have won 2019 French too.

I think Djokovic fans want to ham it up cos it was a tough loss for Nadal fans.
 

Kiam

Rookie
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
Wasn't that the year when Nadal almost closed out the semis in straight sets, but made an error, and had to fight hard to win it in five? I thought it was there that henlost the final. He seemed to run out of gas against Djoker, who was not in top form at that point, coming back from surgery, and looking very thin.
 

nolefam_2024

Bionic Poster
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
Djokovic has obliterated records that many generations needed to put up. If he can win another USO, he becomes greatest usopen winner as well.
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
Wasn't that the year when Nadal almost closed out the semis in straight sets, but made an error, and had to fight hard to win it in five? I thought it was there that henlost the final. He seemed to run out of gas against Djoker, who was not in top form at that point, coming back from surgery, and looking very thin.

The Del Potro match in the quarters?
 

DSH

Talk Tennis Guru
Djokovic has obliterated records that many generations needed to put up. If he can win another USO, he becomes greatest usopen winner as well.
Djokovic is done in best-of-five tournaments.
I'm sorry to tell you, mate.
:D
 

Quaichang

Professional
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.
Fed winning 2019 Wimbledon would’ve added immensely to his legacy. Beating both Rafa and Novak to win his 9th Wimbledon at 37 years of age would have been epic. Fairy tale ending wasn’t meant to be.
 

Kiam

Rookie
Fed winning 2019 Wimbledon would’ve added immensely to his legacy. Beating both Rafa and Novak to win his 9th Wimbledon at 37 years of age would have been epic. Fairy tale ending wasn’t meant to be.
I agree. And those two semifinal losses at the US Open when Roger had double match point.....once when he was serving! Had he won those three matches, the entire GOAT discussion would be quite different....If you look at the 2019 Wimbledon final where Roger is serving at 40-15 for the win, there is a quick shot of his wife in the stands. She looks almost sick with fear, praying that Djokovic doesn't pull off another miracle....but he did....down double match point....on grass....returning serve....WITH THE SUN IN HIS EYES! What were the odds on that? Roger had only been broken a couple of times the whole five set match! And Roger didn't choke.
 

SonnyT

Legend
There was one match that defined Federer's career! He should and could've won! It didn't matter what Djokovic and Nadal could've done afterwards!
 

jl809

Legend
I agree. And those two semifinal losses at the US Open when Roger had double match point.....once when he was serving! Had he won those three matches, the entire GOAT discussion would be quite different....If you look at the 2019 Wimbledon final where Roger is serving at 40-15 for the win, there is a quick shot of his wife in the stands. She looks almost sick with fear, praying that Djokovic doesn't pull off another miracle....but he did....down double match point....on grass....returning serve....WITH THE SUN IN HIS EYES! What were the odds on that? Roger had only been broken a couple of times the whole five set match! And Roger didn't choke.
His wife had the same look in the SF when Fed was serving for the match vs Nadal. She couldn’t bear it. There was a BP for Nadal in that game where he hit a backhand UE halfway up the net from inside the court and I do wonder what would have happened had he won that point lol
 
Fed winning 2019 Wimbledon would’ve added immensely to his legacy. Beating both Rafa and Novak to win his 9th Wimbledon at 37 years of age would have been epic. Fairy tale ending wasn’t meant to be.
Maybe that 2019 win would have pushed fedrer into immortality but
There was one match that defined Federer's career! He should and could've won! It didn't matter what Djokovic and Nadal could've done afterwards!
Surely that 1 wimbeldon trophy was enough for fedrer to higher status.
 

Kiam

Rookie
Maybe that 2019 win would have pushed fedrer into immortality but

Surely that 1 wimbeldon trophy was enough for fedrer to higher status.
Had Roger mad a better approach shot on that one point in the Wimbie 2019 final, the slam count would have been 23-22-21, and Novak might have had fewer weeks at number one......And if Roger had won any of the match points in 2010 or 2011 against Novak at the US Open, semifinals, the slam count might be 23-23- 21, with Novak on the bottom. but you have to hand it to Novak, Roger didn't choke on any of those points, several were long rallies, and Novak earned them....that's the thing about tennis....ya gotta win that LAST POINT!
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
Might go back at watch this again post AO 2025 in its full, only seen the extended highlights for a while now.

Still the greatest pure tennis match between Djokovic and Nadal of all time among their many, and that too on neutral surface. Djokovic had won the fifth set epic on HC, Nadal won the fifth set epic on clay, the grass was the rubber match, and yes, I do believe this match turned everything around, and is one of biggest turning points in the slam race.

One of the biggest reasons Djokovic won the race in the end was this match, it brought him back from the dead and after that he never looked back, ultimately breaking all the records. They all wanted to retire with the slam record, maybe they all could have if it was a tie at 20-20-20, but I guess Djokovic was ultimately destined to hold it and retire with it on his own.
 

nolefam_2024

Bionic Poster
Might go back at watch this again post AO 2025 in its full, only seen the extended highlights for a while now.

Still the greatest pure tennis match between Djokovic and Nadal of all time among their many, and that too on neutral surface. Djokovic had won the fifth set epic on HC, Nadal won the fifth set epic on clay, the grass was the rubber match, and yes, I do believe this match turned everything around, and is one of biggest turning points in the slam race.

One of the biggest reasons Djokovic won the race in the end was this match, it brought him back from the dead and after that he never looked back, ultimately breaking all the records. They all wanted to retire with the slam record, maybe they all could have if it was a tie at 20-20-20, but I guess Djokovic was ultimately destined to hold it and retire with it on his own.
Grass is not neutral surface. Djokovic is grass specialist.
 

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
Most defining match of the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry was RG 2022 QF. That there is now no doubt over. everything was on the line that night in that rivalry for a variety of reasons. For some that night will hurt for eternity
I would have been bummed af if Novak won that match and beat him twice in a row. Nadal turning back the clock and holding his ground there was big :D
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
He is 2 surface specialist. It's not very hard. Federer Pete and now Nole have done it.

Clay is much different than hard and grass.

There is no such thing as a two surface specialist. LOL

That means you are versatile.

Winning everywhere means you are all surface.
 

nolefam_2024

Bionic Poster
There is no such thing as a two surface specialist. LOL

That means you are versatile.

Winning everywhere means you are all surface.
Djokovic is not clay specialist. 7 Wimbledon is becoming greatest on grass. He is number 2 in the list right now.
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
And hc has 2 slams. He has 7 slams on grass and it has just 1 slam.

As much a grass specialist.

That is absurd rationality.

Even if you look at one of the HC slams, he has 10 at AO.

His 7 Wimbledon titles basically means he is among the very best to have ever played on grass. He is right now top 3 at Wimbledon in the eyes of most.

That doesn't make him, or Federer, or Sampras a grass specialist.

Ivanisevic was a grass specialist. That is what a grass specialist looks like.
 

jl809

Legend
One of the biggest reasons Djokovic won the race in the end was this match, it brought him back from the dead and after that he never looked back, ultimately breaking all the records. They all wanted to retire with the slam record, maybe they all could have if it was a tie at 20-20-20, but I guess Djokovic was ultimately destined to hold it and retire with it on his own.
I think Djoker was always going to win the slam race regardless of this match tbh. Before this match he just had a CP on grass against a guy who at the time was the 2nd favourite for Wimbledon, and he had the fire again in the match against Edmund where he famously went after the crowd. The Old Djokovic had joined the party.

IMO there was a progression, not constant but overall, from the moment he got Vajda back. He put in his best showing in a long time at Rome before RG. Yes he was poor at RG, but it’s not like winning Wimbledon automatically fixed him overnight either, as he lost early playing poorly in Canada right after this. It was not a linear improvement but it was still there

Imo he never would have won the slam race if he had not got Vajda back. But once that was done, it was over for everyone else. If he hadn’t won Wimbledon he would have probably still won Cincy as Fed was struggling for form, and then would have had that momentum going into a USO where Nadal and Federer were struggling physically

And I know if Nadal wins this match it’s 23-23, but Djoker would have just kept that fire and motivation going on longer into 2024 to make sure he got to 24 or whatever it took. His 2024 would have been different … we saw how he could play at the Olympics when he still had a hurdle to climb over.
 

nolefam_2024

Bionic Poster
That is absurd rationality.

Even if you look at one of the HC slams, he has 10 at AO.

His 7 Wimbledon titles basically means he is among the very best to have ever played on grass. He is right now top 3 at Wimbledon in the eyes of most.

That doesn't make him, or Federer, or Sampras a grass specialist.

Ivanisevic was a grass specialist. That is what a grass specialist looks like.
What is absurd here.

7 slams in Wimbledon makes Djokovic grass specialist. It's as simple as that.

He has just 4 USO. Maybe he is AO specialist more.
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
I think Djoker was always going to win the slam race regardless of this match tbh. Before this match he just had a CP on grass against a guy who at the time was the 2nd favourite for Wimbledon, and he had the fire again in the match against Edmund where he famously went after the crowd. The Old Djokovic had joined the party.

IMO there was a progression, not constant but overall, from the moment he got Vajda back. He put in his best showing in a long time at Rome before RG. Yes he was poor at RG, but it’s not like winning Wimbledon automatically fixed him overnight either, as he lost early playing poorly in Canada right after this. It was not a linear improvement but it was still there

Imo he never would have won the slam race if he had not got Vajda back. But once that was done, it was over for everyone else. If he hadn’t won Wimbledon he would have probably still won Cincy as Fed was struggling for form, and then would have had that momentum going into a USO where Nadal and Federer were struggling physically

And I know if Nadal wins this match it’s 23-23, but Djoker would have just kept that fire and motivation going on longer into 2024 to make sure he got to 24 or whatever it took. His 2024 would have been different … we saw how he could play at the Olympics when he still had a hurdle to climb over.

I think it is easy to look back and hind sight is 20-20, but I remember the feeling and the vibe and talk around that time. That win changed a lot of things, it ended the Fedal duopoly at the top. All not sure about 23-23, the butterfly would have been a lot different.
 

jl809

Legend
I think it is easy to look back and hind sight is 20-20, but I remember the feeling and the vibe and talk around that time. That win changed a lot of things, it ended the Fedal duopoly at the top. All not sure about 23-23, the butterfly would have been a lot different.
I remember complaining online somewhere around Stuttgart 18 about how gross it was getting listening to people talk about Federer and how Djoker needed to come back to humble everyone lol
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
What is absurd here.

7 slams in Wimbledon makes Djokovic grass specialist. It's as simple as that.

He has just 4 USO. Maybe he is AO specialist more.

Specialist means that you what you specialize in, but Djokovic is even better on HC, so your statement doesn't work.
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
I remember complaining online somewhere around Stuttgart 18 about how gross it was getting listening to people talk about Federer and how Djoker needed to come back to humble everyone lol

LOL. We have some interesting periods these past few decades for sure.
 
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