French Open 2021

whiterebel · 13-06-2021 09:28PM

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.

Chivito550 · 13-06-2021 09:59PM

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.

murphyebass · 13-06-2021 10:05PM

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

klr87 · 13-06-2021 10:15PM

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.

MisterAnarchy · 13-06-2021 10:15PM

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.

murphyebass · 13-06-2021 10:31PM

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.

Patd6 · 13-06-2021 10:34PM

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

yerwanthere123 · 13-06-2021 11:07PM

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.

forumdedum · 13-06-2021 11:30PM

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.

13-06-2021 11:45PM

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.

forumdedum · 13-06-2021 11:46PM

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.

13-06-2021 11:48PM

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.

13-06-2021 11:48PM

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 · 13-06-2021 11:50PM

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.

Girly Gal · 13-06-2021 11:51PM

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.

forumdedum · 13-06-2021 11:51PM

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.

13-06-2021 11:52PM

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.

forumdedum · 13-06-2021 11:53PM

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.

13-06-2021 11:53PM

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.

forumdedum · 13-06-2021 11:54PM

glasso wrote: »

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.

Basically like Djokovic these days. Nadal is done, Fed too old.

13-06-2021 11:54PM

forumdedum wrote: »

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.

that "bottler" did quite well actually and made a match of it right to the end.

today will be hugely valuable to him over the next 12 years or more.

Fed himself did the ultimate bottle job.

Complete lack of respect to the event.

josip · 13-06-2021 11:55PM

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.

You didn't have to use the winnings to cover the losses on your Nadal bet 2 days ago?

Chivito550 wrote: »

Backed Nadal at 7/4 to win tournament there at end of 3rd set.

forumdedum · 13-06-2021 11:56PM

glasso wrote: »

that "bottler" did quite well actually and made a match of it right to the end.

Fed himself did the ultimate bottle job.

Complete lack of respect to the event.

He didn't do enough.

Yes Fed was wrong to pull out the way he did.

Girly Gal · 13-06-2021 11:56PM

This bickering is more entertaining than the match

13-06-2021 11:57PM

forumdedum wrote: »

Basically like Djokovic these days. Nadal is done, Fed too old.

Tsipsitas would be better than any Roddick or out-of-date Hewitt tbh

lostcat · 13-06-2021 11:57PM

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

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.

I can't currently see any other result than Djokovic winning Wimbledon though.

If Nadal had put away that volley the other night he may well have won the match and, as someone said above, he would probalby have made shorter work of Tsitisipas today than Djokovic did. et voila, 21.

A lot of the younger guys have a game thats a decent fit for grass, so I wouldn't have Djokovic as hot favourite for Wimbledon, just favourite.
The US is wide open at this stage also I think so Djokovic getting to 20+ is still going to take a small bit of doing.
I think Nadal is going to need, as you say, a good slice of luck to win a slam this side of next years French. And Tsitsipas will be a year stronger by then then, Thiem might be back, and Nadal might be seeded 4 or 5.

forumdedum · 14-06-2021 12:00AM

glasso wrote: »

Tsipsitas would be better than any Roddick or out-of-date Hewitt tbh

Not sure Tsipsitas has the grit of either of those.

14-06-2021 12:02AM

lostcat wrote: »

If Nadal had put away that volley the other night he may well have won the match and, as someone said above, he would probalby have made shorter work of Tsitisipas today than Djokovic did. et voila, 21.

A lot of the younger guys have a game thats a decent fit for grass, so I wouldn't have Djokovic as hot favourite for Wimbledon, just favourite.
The US is wide open at this stage also I think so Djokovic getting to 20+ is still going to take a small bit of doing.
I think Nadal is going to need, as you say, a good slice of luck to win a slam this side of next years French. And Tsitsipas will be a year stronger by then then, Thiem might be back, and Nadal might be seeded 4 or 5.

that's reaching.

Djokovic would have won this match in max 4 and easily 3 if he didn't go into bants mode with the umpire and space out for 2 minutes at 6-5 in the first. that's a lot more plausible of an argument.

no guarantee indeed that Djokovic will take Wimbledon but by the end of 2022 he will have 21 at least I think.

14-06-2021 12:08AM

forumdedum wrote: »

Not sure Tsipsitas has the grit of either of those.

Hewitt was gritty but by the time Fed was winning he was totally ineffective.

Roddick was pretty much no better than a Cilic or a Raonic.

There was very poor competition on grass in those days.

Girly Gal · 14-06-2021 12:11AM

glasso wrote: »

that's reaching.

Djokovic would have won this match in max 4 and easily 3 if he didn't go into bants mode with the umpire and space out for 2 minutes at 6-5 in the first. that's a lot more plausible of an argument.

no guarantee indeed that Djokovic will take Wimbledon but by the end of 2022 he will have 21 at least I think.

He's won 3 of the last 5 slams played, disqualified from one ( US 20) and lost to Nadal in the other (FO 20), so unless he suffers an injury which is possible or a serious dip in form he'll have 21 by AO next year at the latest, would expect him to pick up at least one more by end of 22 to bring him to 22

French Open 2021

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