WWW : Nadal vs Djokovic at Roland-Garros 2011 ?
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Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
Nadal in 5!
nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
Nadal in 5
wang07
Semi-Pro
The only RG final where Nadal would be the underdog and probably loses too. 0-6 in 2011 overall, 4/4 sets won by Djokovic in Madrid and Rome, and if you watched the matches it was even more devastating than it looks. It was Djokovic dictating rallies with BH, no compromises, commanding, consistent insanity. It never felt like he was lost against that FH the way he was even at his best in 2012-2014.
2011 Nadal would be my top pick if you want to find a year where he won the title but he was still theoretically "beatable". It was that year when Isner took him to 5 too. In the final Fed lost the first set in the most embarrassing way and it was still close, with a tad more clutchness Fed takes the next 2 sets. The conditions just weren't in Rafa's favor. And no 9-0 or 13-0 record in finals, it was 5-0, and up to that point he only had to face peak Fed instead of peak Djoker.
Djokovic in 4. I just can't see Rafa dealing with that BH. 2011 Djoker is just the perfect "anti-Nadal" player.
2011 Nadal would be my top pick if you want to find a year where he won the title but he was still theoretically "beatable". It was that year when Isner took him to 5 too. In the final Fed lost the first set in the most embarrassing way and it was still close, with a tad more clutchness Fed takes the next 2 sets. The conditions just weren't in Rafa's favor. And no 9-0 or 13-0 record in finals, it was 5-0, and up to that point he only had to face peak Fed instead of peak Djoker.
Djokovic in 4. I just can't see Rafa dealing with that BH. 2011 Djoker is just the perfect "anti-Nadal" player.
djokovic the conqueror
Hall of Fame
Djokovic in 3. He completely owned Nadal on clay and didn't even lose a set. Nadal had no answers for Djokovic's backhand and shotmaking.
He was the real king of clay in 2011. Nadal as always, got lucky that Federer did the dirty work for him.
Nadal losing for a third time on clay and in the final of Roland Garros to Djokovic would've mentally shattered him. Nadal would never recover had this happened.
He was the real king of clay in 2011. Nadal as always, got lucky that Federer did the dirty work for him.
Nadal losing for a third time on clay and in the final of Roland Garros to Djokovic would've mentally shattered him. Nadal would never recover had this happened.
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
Nadal in 5 probably.. If you can't beat that year's Fed, your form isn't good enough on clay to beat Nadal's there
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Whoever makes you feel comfortable I suppose 
BauerAlmeida
Legend
I'm going with Djokovic in 5. But in hindsight, better that it didn't happen for Djokovic, maybe he wouldn't win Wimbledon if he loses a slam final to him just a few weeks earlier.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
I think it was actually a blessing in disguise for Djokovic that Federer beat him in the French semis in 2011.
CoolCoolCool
Hall of Fame
This was discussed to death. Rafa, either in 4 or 5. Djoker avoiding him at RG made things much easier for him at Wimbledon and USO the same year, I think.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
Not crazy but common sense. Nadal on Chatrier is the toughest opponent ever. It was a final too and Rafa had found his form.
I think he’d have found a way to win despite Djokovic vintage form and unbeaten streak in 2011
D
Deleted member 758560
Guest
2013 rings the bellNadal in 4 sets.
We know that Djokovic needed to face the two worst versions of the Spanish player to defeat him there.
2011 was not one of them.
, it was close, so not only worst, djoko could have his chances back then in 11 2, but as razer said, nobody knows indeed who would win that match
Cortana
Legend
So if paper can't beat scissors, it also can't beat stone?
Djokovic in 4 tight sets is the obvious outcome in that year. If 2013 Djokovic managed to get to 5 sets, 2011 would easily win.
TheFifthSet
G.O.A.T.
Probably Nadal, his 6-0 record in BO5’s up to that point would’ve weighed on Djokovic on that surface. If anything losing that semi to Fed may have been a blessing in disguise.
CoolCoolCool
Hall of Fame
It doesn't work that way. Different day, different year, different match. What happens in a match doesn't determine what would happen in another one, players aren't machines playing the exact same way with the exact same level constantly.
And it's worth noting that Rafa had just recovered from an injury at the time and messed up stupidly in the 4th set.
Pheasant
Legend
Nadal is a different animal at the FO. Federer was red-hot heading into that 2011 FO final. He only dropped one set on the way there, which was to the undefeated Djokovic. And yet, Nadal prevailed. I thought that Fed was going to win the 2005 FO semi match with Nadal. He headed into that match without dropping a single set. And yet, Nadal prevailed. In 2007, Federer ended Nadal's 81 match winning streak on clay with a bagel in the 3rd set. I thought for sure that this was the year Fed would win. Nope. Nadal prevailed yet again.
Now granted, Djoker matched up much better against Nadal on clay than Federer did. So I understand the votes for Djoker. That's reasonable. But I'm still taking Nadal in 5.
Now granted, Djoker matched up much better against Nadal on clay than Federer did. So I understand the votes for Djoker. That's reasonable. But I'm still taking Nadal in 5.
tennisjedi
Hall of Fame
Nadal in 4 close sets. This would probably be his most difficult match at a RG final.
messiahrobins
G.O.A.T.
Nadal in 4. In 2013 Djokovic destroyed nadal in monte carlo and Nadal won in that epic semi final. 2011 nadal was in better form as it happens and he would have been chomping at the bit for revenge. In hindsight not playing djokovic at RG probably cost him w 2011 as he was still unsure of Djokovic, and sw19 doesnt inspire him like RG.
Nadal on Chatrier reminds me of superman 2 scene where clark kent goes back to his kyrpton replica after hamburger bloke gave him a kicking in the diner and picks up the green stick and his eyes light up and he gets his powers back. Nadals a bit like that on chatrier. No matter how hurt he is how off form he is Chatrier seems to restore his powers.
We just need Djokovic in valencia to go full on general zod and rip the microphone off whoever interviews him and call out Nadal to come and kneel before him. ( come to think of it if im a maeketing exec id actually tell Djokovic to do it. Absolute guaranteed ro make headline news. Eyes bulging direct call out to Nadal in Spain. Jeez these guys dont know how to sell a product i tell you)
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
If you can’t beat grandad Fed on clay you can’t beat prime Nadal on clay. Pretty simple
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itrium84
Hall of Fame
Obviously, hypothetical Nadal wins 6-0 6-0 6-0.
TheNachoMan
Legend
Novak in 5. He had Nadal shook in 2011.
The Blond Blur
G.O.A.T.
If you can’t get passed a 30 year old Fruad then you don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt vs Primedal. RAFA in fo like usual in a prime vs prime matchup.
And who knows, maybe getting passed Joker at RG gives RAFA the confidence needed to win one of Wimby or the 2-1 Open (perhaps it’d be the 3-0 Open, bud).
I’ve only ever seen people talk about the possible ripple effects of Joker coming out on top in the SF in 11 in his favor. But never has anyone stopped to think about what a win for RAFA would mean going forward for the rest of the year.
And who knows, maybe getting passed Joker at RG gives RAFA the confidence needed to win one of Wimby or the 2-1 Open (perhaps it’d be the 3-0 Open, bud).
I’ve only ever seen people talk about the possible ripple effects of Joker coming out on top in the SF in 11 in his favor. But never has anyone stopped to think about what a win for RAFA would mean going forward for the rest of the year.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
Gotta be honest. You are spot on here. We have to remember at that point Djokovic had not beaten Nadal in a major. It was 0-5. The Wimbledon 2011 win was huge for his self belief. Had Nadal played him in french 2011 and won it might have placed doubts in djoker mind for rest of year. A bit like when Nadal beat Fed in 2008 french before Wimbledon.
Fortunately Djoko avoided Fed at Wimbledon after just losing to him and played Rafa on back of the 4 wins in masters finals. As Fed probably would have had mental edge at Wimbledon 2011 but he choked to Tsonga.
I agree that if Nadal had beat Joker at french then maybe Wimbledon and us open wins don’t happen. I felt in the end, Djokovic got the right breaks in that moment in time.
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Lauren_Girl'
Hall of Fame
Let's not forget Nadal was pushed to 5 by Isner in 2011.
Second round he was down 1-5 against Andujar in the 3rd set.
SF was 3 sets but Murray really pushed him in all 3 sets and missed a huge amount of BP.
Final, Federer was up 5-2 1st set, had a set point in the 2nd set and 3 early break points in the 4th.
2011 was clearly not one of his most dominant years on clay.
Djokovic would have pushed him further than Federer. Now saying he would have won the final is still a dangerous debate, I won't go there.
Second round he was down 1-5 against Andujar in the 3rd set.
SF was 3 sets but Murray really pushed him in all 3 sets and missed a huge amount of BP.
Final, Federer was up 5-2 1st set, had a set point in the 2nd set and 3 early break points in the 4th.
2011 was clearly not one of his most dominant years on clay.
Djokovic would have pushed him further than Federer. Now saying he would have won the final is still a dangerous debate, I won't go there.
RS
Bionic Poster
Last 4 rounds were still a great Nadal and a closer match with Murray but still straights and Fed and straight setting Ling but still win 9/10 sets is still strong I said. Early rounds agreed.
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WeekendTennisHack
Hall of Fame
This is perhaps the most important tournament to decide who is better among Federer vs. Djokovic.
