Sabrina
Hall of Fame
I read somewhere that you believe Novak will lose to Nadal at RG in 2017-2019, that would make their GS H2H even worse because Novak was running away from Nadal. So you have changed your mind this time?
Who is the favorite for RG this year?
- Thread starter StrongRule
- Start date
I read somewhere that you believe Novak will lose to Nadal at RG in 2017-2019, that would make their GS H2H even worse because Novak was running away from Nadal. So you have changed your mind this time?
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
Hardly.
He can't survive in a Big Tournament anymore.
He won his last Major 2 years ago.
King No1e
G.O.A.T.
You have more faith in Djokovic than his own fans. Nadal bageled him in Rome, and that was BO3 where Djokovic has the advantage. As much as I'd like to put on the rose-tinted glasses and pretend Djokovic was the favorite at RG, let's face it. A Djokodal final at RG would be a bloodbath.
TennisFan3
Talk Tennis Guru
The draw at RG is lopsided as there are only 3 grest players on clay.
Do you honestly think that Zverev or Medvedev or Roger can be as good as Theim on clay?
So one of Nadal or Djokovic will face Thiem in the SF. The other would face Zverev/Tsitispas/Roger/Medvedev. All of these players are 10x easier than Thiem.
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
You never know. Nadal could be carrying an injury, anything can happen. But yes it seems like every year people forget how far ahead of the field Nadal is at RG before he reminds them.
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
If Nadal is himself he will defeat Thiem and Djokovic b2b without needing a 5th set, maybe even a 4th in one or two of the matches. If he declines the opening may be there.
tennisaddict
Bionic Poster
StrongRule
Talk Tennis Guru
Look, of course Nadal would have his best chance in RG out of all places, at least when it was an outdoor event. Don't forget that now it is an indoor tournament. But anyway, Nadal will NEVER be the favorite against Djokovic in any match, no matter what. There were serious mental problems since 2011, and after Wimbledon 2018 Nadal is just mentally done in this matchup.
Djokovic will be the big favorite in every match between them no matter the surface, schedule, etc. Because he has the MENTALITY to own Nadal. You saw that, even in Rome 2019 final Nadal found a way to choke in the second set after missing tons of break points.
King No1e
G.O.A.T.
Tsitsipas and Zverev are underrated on clay. They're both getting better and brimming with confidence (Tsitsipas's AO exit shouldn't affect him much, he's mentally strong). They have the weapons to hurt Fedalovic and Thiem. They're not going to win RG, but they can be major factors there.
StrongRule
Talk Tennis Guru
And even in Rome final Nadal found a way to choke the second set, after missing tons of break points. If Djokovic held serve in the first game of the third set he would have probably ended up winning the match. Nadal is just mentally dead in this matchup.
TennisFan3
Talk Tennis Guru
I agree. If Rafa plays his best, it doesn't matter who is on the other side of the net. But have we seen the best of Rafa on clay? He is so good that he has been winning for the past couple of years at least with his B game.
Also Nadal will celebrate his 34th birthday in Paris this year. Do you expect him to be as good as he used to be before? iMO he was not that great in 2019 too.
So a post prime Rafa would definitely prefer to only face one of Thiem or Djoker. He is not the spring chicken anymore. Having a tough SF victory over Thiem in the SF would impact his chances in the final for sure. He will obviously still be the favorite, but match fatigue would come into play for sure...
King No1e
G.O.A.T.
Nadal had a 6-1 stretch in the rivalry between 2012-13. He still had the edge overall in that matchup until 2014. Then Djokovic's bigger serve and net game came into play, and the wheels came off for Nadal.
They're also 3-3 since 2016.
Djokovic owns the HC matchup.
Nadal owns the clay matchup.
Their grass matchup is about even - I'd love to see a repeat of 2018 SF this year.
Forehanderer
Professional
Rafa is still a huge favorite for RG this year and the next few years until he retires. Thiem and Djoko are next. Don't count out Stanimal
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
Backspin1183
Talk Tennis Guru
Unless he struggles in the clay season, Nadal is the big favourite for RG. He lost just two times there. If he is playing good, everyone else is an underdog.
King No1e
G.O.A.T.
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
I agree with basically everything you're saying. One of these years he'll fall off his perch and it seems more and more likely every year until it happens. But with that being said when the time comes Nadal just does his thing and enjoys the magical effect that Roland Garros clay has when combined with his topspin, motor and skill. If he is even close to in-form it will take something special to beat him.
Legend of Borg
G.O.A.T.
TTW prediction:
obituaries being written for Rafa if he under-performs at the Sunshine Double, Djoker will dominate clay season, Hafa will never a slam again, etc.
realistic prediction based on stats and facts:
Rafa comes out for his first match at Monte Carlo in April like a hurricane, demolishes pretenders, beats all of the "challengers" on the way to #20
ya'll are just high off of this AO win but this means nothing for clay
let's see what happens fairly soon....
obituaries being written for Rafa if he under-performs at the Sunshine Double, Djoker will dominate clay season, Hafa will never a slam again, etc.
realistic prediction based on stats and facts:
Rafa comes out for his first match at Monte Carlo in April like a hurricane, demolishes pretenders, beats all of the "challengers" on the way to #20
ya'll are just high off of this AO win but this means nothing for clay
let's see what happens fairly soon....
malbaker86
Hall of Fame
Nadal will win 2 clay warm ups and lose 2 sets at the most at RG
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
I do hope the Nadal cleans up early in the clay season so that he will consider skipping Rome.
The Blond Blur
G.O.A.T.
RAFA be like:
Legend of Borg
G.O.A.T.
I dunno how clay court masters are ranked in terms of prestige but for me personally I would rate Monte Carlo super up there, the whole venue looks amazing and it has such a formal, regal feel to it
Rome? meh, it's 1000 points and big money so it's something
Monte Carlo?
magical
Spencer Gore
Legend
Nadal is clearly the favourite but he still has to fight his way through the field to win.
To have done that 12 times is mind-boggling. If he somehow does it again to win a 20th slam it will take him from legend to tennis god.
To have done that 12 times is mind-boggling. If he somehow does it again to win a 20th slam it will take him from legend to tennis god.
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
Legend of Borg
G.O.A.T.
LMAO
UnforcedTerror
Hall of Fame
Dull sadly. For this RG and the next one and the one after that.
D
Deleted member 629564
Guest
Roland Garros 2040. Is 32-times champion Rafael Nadal going to defend his title one more time?
Eren
Professional
It's destiny.
Every time Nadal won three consecutive RGs, he went on to win it the 4th consecutive time
Eren
Professional
He already is , in particular at RG.
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Because Thiem would be at 95% and Novak at 55% there too?
I mean, Novak was a 6.0 level 2 out of 5 sets...
Standaa
G.O.A.T.
Djoker took Thiem to 5 on his favorite court last year. and Djoker played below his average in both matches.
Pfabgon
New User
Yeah that’s why Nadal handed him a bagel and a breadstick at the Rome Open Final just before RG...
UnderratedSlam
G.O.A.T.
Nadal, Thiem and Djokovic. Can't pick one until May, and neither can you.
Sambuccashake
Hall of Fame
Nadal is always the favorite at RG and will be until he retires.
And since Djoko and Thiem will end up in the same half, Rafa will have an even greater chance to triumph.
And since Djoko and Thiem will end up in the same half, Rafa will have an even greater chance to triumph.
StrongRule
Talk Tennis Guru
And even then he choked a set.
Start da Game
Hall of Fame
r.i.p. roland garros
everyone join me in welcoming “french indoors” which i wish rafa never considers playing......
everyone join me in welcoming “french indoors” which i wish rafa never considers playing......
Pfabgon
New User
your not proving anything with that argument. I’m just saying there is no mental block against Nole on clay.
quirotkicks
Rookie
At Roland Garros? Is that comedy. Or did you mean Wimbledon, in which case it makes sense.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
I will very surprised if Nadal doesn’t win the French Open again. He’s too good on parisan clay. At best I just hope novak can reach the final, that would be an amazing achievement. It will depend on the draw for sure.
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TennisFan3
Talk Tennis Guru
Exactly. One player might not beat him.
But what about 3 long matches. A tough QF, SF with Thiem and Final with Djokovic. Match fatigue would be a factor, and it could be a 1-2-3 punch.
If Nadal were younger and played his game, he could best Thiem and Novak on consecutive days without losing a set. Remember how he beat Novak and Fed in F.O 2008.
My concern for Nadal is that as he ages, he loses intensity. He is the favorite for sure, but a very unfavorable draw and a bunch of long matches together is the only danger otherwise I think he gets slam #20.
Also I don't care about indoors or outdoors. It's clay and if Nadal plays well, he is a strong favorite against everyone. Parisian clay and Nadal are inseperable.
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quirotkicks
Rookie
Someone voted Federer as the favorite for RG. LMAO. Cute.
TennisFan3
Talk Tennis Guru
That is hilarious.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
I agree Nadal is the big favourite. Only a tough draw, bad weather and bad scheduling could make it more difficult for him. Still expect him to win it regardless.
TennisFan3
Talk Tennis Guru
Good post. Nadal is the favorite obviously. But given that he will be 34 , Novak and Thiem both have a good chance. Especially if Nadal gets a bad draw.
Also I think if Thiem gets to the final of the French Open and loses again, whether it is to Rafa or Novak, it could damage him permanently. I mean 4 slam finals and not winning can play tricks on your mind.
Djokovic2011
Bionic Poster
Pretty much this.
