French Open 2021

forumdedum wrote: »

Good for him, he's incredibly dull. Used to think he was super.

oh he's still great if you look hard enough.

And most of these guys including Djokovic win when they meet bottlers like your man today. Sad reflection of a sport that no one up and coming.

forumdedum wrote: »

Federer was older? That's the sad part. At his peak no one could lace his boots.

Federer had a good number of years where aside from Nadal and the very odd time Safin was in the mood he barely had to face any player of any great stature.

glasso wrote: »

Djokovic doesn't really care.

He's on a mission.

When all is said and done he will have pretty much all the records.

That's what he wants.

If you can't see the beauty in his pure will to win then so be it.

Good for him, he's incredibly dull. Used to think he was super.

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Once Djokovic got the early break in the fourth set I knew exactly where it was heading. I headed out for a run midway through the 5th, no point in continuing to watch as the match was clearly over.

Mad as it may sound, I never entertained anyone else winning at the start of the tournament, I just assume it would be the usual Nadal stroll to the title. Had Nadal been on the opposite side of the draw and played Djokovic in the warmer conditions of the final it's possible the result would've been different. Obviously irrelevant though, and we'll never know for sure.

The craziest thing for me is that Nadal will now probably never stand alone with the most grand slams of all time. I always thought he would, at least for a few months, but it's not looking likely now.

It can't be ruled out completely though, let's not forget he's won the US Open four times. Who knows what'll happen between now and then, but if someone could take out Djokovic then he'd likely be the favourite. He'd need a lot of luck, but it's still possible that he could win 21 before the year is out. I can't currently see any other result than Djokovic winning Wimbledon though.

Very hard to see anything other than Djokovic winning Wimbledon, Federer too old now, wouldn't be surprised at an early exit, looks like Nadal doesn't have the stamina anymore to go toe to toe with Djokovic over 5 sets and has a possible foot injury. Can't really recall any of the next gen guys doing much at Wimbledon so wouldn't expect much from them, although Tsitsipas probably has come on a fair bit in the last 2 years.

The US Open could be more interesting, Djokovic's record there isn't that great for some reason, was surprised he only has won it 3 times considering his hard court record, seems to be a bit of an unlucky tournament for him, would still have him as strong favourite if he avoids injury, but, no guarantee he'll win it as he's likely to be under the pressure of getting the calendar grand slam and also getting number 21, that will definitely play on his mind and as already mentioned the US Open isn't exactly a happy hunting ground for him, he's probably suffered more shock defeats there than all the other slams put together.

glasso wrote: »

Federer just isn't and never was as mentally strong as Djokovic.

Too much of the "oh lovely shot Roger" stuff went to his head to his detriment and he just wasn't as good at winning.

Federer was older? That's the sad part. At his peak no one could lace his boots.

forumdedum wrote: »

I like many others just don't watch anymore. Tennis not as popular as it once was.

Djokovic doesn't really care.

He's on a mission.

When all is said and done he will have pretty much all the records.

That's what he wants.

If you can't see the beauty in his pure will to win then so be it.

forumdedum wrote: »

Crying shame Federer messed up that Wimbledon to move 2 ahead of Djokovic. Federer outclassed him and somehow lost.

Federer just isn't and never was as mentally strong as Djokovic.

Too much of the "oh lovely shot Roger" stuff went to his head to his detriment and he just wasn't as good at winning.

glasso wrote: »

Djokovic is a winning machine.

He wins.

He's given up on wanting to be loved by the crowds in the stands or at home watching Tv.

He has his following now and he's focused on winning more GS titles and he's doing ok there

Has even had analytics guys working for him in the past working out the best way to do it.

I like many others just don't watch anymore. Tennis not as popular as it once was.

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

Tough as nails but I'd prefer if he played more attacking tennis like he did earlier in his career.

He is alot more defensive as a player in recent times, happy to grind away for large parts of matches.
He can play more aggressive tennis, I'd like to see that.

Djokovic is a winning machine.

He wins.

He's given up on wanting to be loved by the crowds in the stands or at home watching Tv.

He has his following now and he's focused on winning more GS titles and he's doing ok there

Has even had analytics guys working for him in the past working out the best way to do it.

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Once Djokovic got the early break in the fourth set I knew exactly where it was heading. I headed out for a run midway through the 5th, no point in continuing to watch as the match was clearly over.

Mad as it may sound, I never entertained anyone else winning at the start of the tournament, I just assume it would be the usual Nadal stroll to the title. Had Nadal been on the opposite side of the draw and played Djokovic in the warmer conditions of the final it's possible the result would've been different. Obviously irrelevant though, and we'll never know for sure.

The craziest thing for me is that Nadal will now probably never stand alone with the most grand slams of all time. I always thought he would, at least for a few months, but it's not looking likely now.

It can't be ruled out completely though, let's not forget he's won the US Open four times. Who knows what'll happen between now and then, but if someone could take out Djokovic then he'd likely be the favourite. He'd need a lot of luck, but it's still possible that he could win 21 before the year is out. I can't currently see any other result than Djokovic winning Wimbledon though.

Crying shame Federer messed up that Wimbledon to move 2 ahead of Djokovic. Federer outclassed him and somehow lost.

yerwanthere123

Once Djokovic got the early break in the fourth set I knew exactly where it was heading. I headed out for a run midway through the 5th, no point in continuing to watch as the match was clearly over.

Mad as it may sound, I never entertained anyone else winning at the start of the tournament, I just assume it would be the usual Nadal stroll to the title. Had Nadal been on the opposite side of the draw and played Djokovic in the warmer conditions of the final it's possible the result would've been different. Obviously irrelevant though, and we'll never know for sure.

The craziest thing for me is that Nadal will now probably never stand alone with the most grand slams of all time. I always thought he would, at least for a few months, but it's not looking likely now.

It can't be ruled out completely though, let's not forget he's won the US Open four times. Who knows what'll happen between now and then, but if someone could take out Djokovic then he'd likely be the favourite. He'd need a lot of luck, but it's still possible that he could win 21 before the year is out. I can't currently see any other result than Djokovic winning Wimbledon though.

Patd6

murphyebass wrote: »

He’s a man that will continue to pay out. Bye bye Federer and Nadal. It’s over boys. He has youth on his side

Nadal is just a year older than the djok

murphyebass

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

Tough as nails but I'd prefer if he played more attacking tennis like he did earlier in his career.

He is alot more defensive as a player in recent times, happy to grind away for large parts of matches.
He can play more aggressive tennis, I'd like to see that.

That’s how the greatest of all time adapt. Amazing competitor.

MisterAnarchy

Slashermcguirk wrote: »

What a phenomenal competitor Djokovic is, just never knows when he is beaten. His mental strength at key moments is remarkable. First player in open era to win all slams twice, amazing achievement

Tough as nails but I'd prefer if he played more attacking tennis like he did earlier in his career.

He is alot more defensive as a player in recent times, happy to grind away for large parts of matches.
He can play more aggressive tennis, I'd like to see that.

klr87

Girly Gal wrote: »

He should definitely learn a lot from today, but, I wouldn't necessarily agree that you have to lose one to win one, he was in a great position, 2 sets up with his opponent not playing well, yes Djokovic improved, but, I'd still say Djokovic didn't play that well today, certainly well below the level he normally has to play to, to win a slam final
Once Djokovic broke in the third set there really was only one winner for me, Tsitsipas completely lost his belief and started to play a lot of loose shots,obviously difficult knowing you have such a difficult opponent on the opposite side who just won't die like a normal player would.

The semi-final must have taken a lot out of Djokovic, both physically and emotionally. I doubt us mere mortals could ever properly appreciate something like that. He did well to get back to a level that was good enough to beat his opponent today, but the knowledge that Tsitsipas was in unknown territory would have encouraged him to stick with it.

I wonder if there's any expression in Serbo-Croat along the lines of "The old dog for the hard road". That's how it felt to me as the match wore on. Djokovic knew exactly what he had to do, and wasn't afraid to knuckle down.

murphyebass

Chivito550 wrote: »

Backed Djokovic at 11/4 just after the end of set 2. Paid for a lovely steak dinner out in the continental type weather this evening.

He’s a man that will continue to pay out. Bye bye Federer and Nadal. It’s over boys. He has youth on his side

Chivito550

Backed Djokovic at 11/4 just after the end of set 2. Paid for a lovely steak dinner out in the continental type weather this evening.

whiterebel

They say you have to lose one to know how to win one. At 22 I’d say he’ll get a few. Remarkable how he kept his composure even as it fell apart for him.

Rob2D wrote: »

I guess he just didn't understand the rules?

Hope he learnt more than that!

Rob2D

I guess he just didn't understand the rules?

Furze99

SlickRic wrote: »

The amount of top 3 dominance that is down to the head is underplayed.

And that's why I don't like some of Djokovic's court carryon. He's No1 and should treat those lower down the order as he'd like to be treated himself.

Furze99

lostcat wrote: »

Hard to see Djokovic letting it slip today, but if Tsitsipas comes out aggressive and is painting the lines it will be very interesting. I don't think he will be able to keep it up for 3 sets however

Good read

I'm not saying you have to lose I've to win one, rather that that experience could be the difference between being a lasting consistent force at the top of the men's game in the future and not.

glasso wrote: »

Tsipsitas did well today - he didn't hand it to Djokovic

There was plenty of tension on a couple of Djokovic's service games in the final set

He had some fantastic holds on his service games and even when Djokovic broke it was mostly very hard won.

He literally hit 4 winners on bp's in that crucial game in the third set but just couldn't do it a 5th time.

He knows what it is to meet ultimate level competition in a GS final and just fall short.

Invaluable experience.

Could be worth more to him than a slam in the long-run as it could be the difference in winning a few of them in the future.

He should definitely learn a lot from today, but, I wouldn't necessarily agree that you have to lose one to win one, he was in a great position, 2 sets up with his opponent not playing well, yes Djokovic improved, but, I'd still say Djokovic didn't play that well today, certainly well below the level he normally has to play to, to win a slam final
Once Djokovic broke in the third set there really was only one winner for me, Tsitsipas completely lost his belief and started to play a lot of loose shots,obviously difficult knowing you have such a difficult opponent on the opposite side who just won't die like a normal player would.

Hector Savage

https://twitter.com/JJWatt/status/1404129861732601861?s=20

That kid will remember that moment forever!!!

Tsipsitas did well today - he didn't hand it to Djokovic

There was plenty of tension on a couple of Djokovic's service games in the final set

He had some fantastic holds on his service games and even when Djokovic broke it was mostly very hard won.

He literally hit 4 winners on bp's in that crucial game in the third set but just couldn't do it a 5th time.

He knows what it is to meet ultimate level competition in a GS final and just fall short.

Invaluable experience.

Could be worth more to him than a slam in the long-run as it could be the difference in winning a few of them in the future.

glasso wrote: »

Thiem and Zverev were poor and don't really have it mentally.

Tsitsipas even in defeat showed grit today, up to end of the final game.

Sinner I expect should be good also if he continues to develop.

Tsitsipas looks the best of the lot (that's not saying much), plus he won't have to deal with Djokovic for most of his career, Sinner by the time he's in his prime 2 or 3 years from now won't have Djokovic to deal with either that's massive.

I think Theim, Zverev and Medvedev are all too flaky to be considered real contenders on a consistent basis, this was a great opportunity for Theim especially to win the FO with Nadal and Djokovic on the other side, plus he has the game on clay to beat Novak, yet, he went out in the first round, yes I know he's form was poor coming into it, but, to fall at the first hurdle was poor.

I wonder how long more do we have to wait for the next gen to win a slam where Djokovic or Nadal ( or even Federer) aren't absent for one reason or another?

Coneygree

murphyebass wrote: »

When do the Nadal and Federer fan boys admit ND is the goat?

Not a Nadal fan boy but he's always been my favourite to watch and I'd be comfortable with having Djokovic above him.