2021 In Between Grand Slam Thread

On a separate note, phenomenal performance from Novak today winning his singles and doubles to bring Serbia into the semis. His volleying has become so good

I get that it shouldnt have happened but the Adria Tour was well intentioned, it was being held for charity. Its not like the players were there for a pay cheque, the proceeds were going to charity. I think the players intentions were good but it just ended up going pear shaped. Its easy to put the blame on one person for it but then also choose to ignore the other things that same individual has done to help, 10 million is pretty generous but of course that would never get any coverage because its Djokovic and he is always made out to be the villain.

I am just saying people make mistakes. Who knows what Federer and Nadal have also done but even if they did, chances are the media wouldnt bother reporting it anyway, they are media darlings.

I have huge respect for the big 3 as tennis players. I think Nadal always comes across a very nice guy and he keeps a very low profile. Federer for me comes across as the media darling but I am not the fan I once was. I think Djokovic is by far the most outspoken but I respect that he speaks his mind and at least he tries to push the case for players that are less well off and are struggling to afford playing on tour etc. I think the silence is deafening from many other top players

I think we've got different definitions of what's a sore loser. What Dimitrov did there is totally understandable, he's pissed off with himself and in the heat of the moment, the red mist comes down and he releases a bit of anger.

Federer's interview is what I consider a sore loser. Long after the match has finished and the adrenalin is no longer flowing, he thinks and says about his opponent: "he (Djokovic) did not look at that point like someone who believes much anymore in winning. To lose against someone like that, it's very disappointing, because you feel like he was mentally out of it already. Just gets the lucky shot at the end, and off you go."

did you hear where he says Djokovic flukes the return winner and talks about his type being a quitter mentality and hitting slap shots??? I wouldn’t mind but in the 2010 US open semi the year before Djokovic saved match points hitting amazing winners. Federer comes across so bitter, this among other remarks really put me off him in latter years, really sore loser. Made it even sweeter when Djokovic did it to him again at Wimbledon 2019 final

I disagree that Federer dominated everyone outside of clay until his late 20s. Djokovic was beating Federer as early as 2007 and even in the US open final that year, Djokovic (close to a teenager at that time) had a load of set points in the first 2 sets and that match could so easily have gone a different route. Djokovic even beat Federer in the 2008 Australian Open. If you include all the years that Federer was in his 20s, Djokovic had 10 wins against him and nearly all of those were off clay. If you count the head to head from before Federer turned 30 years of age, Federer lead the H2H with Djokovic 14-10. Worth bearing in mind that Djokovic was only 24 when Federer turned 30 so way before he was in his prime.

I would agree that Federer dominated most players in his 20s but he certainly didnt dominate Nadal and Djokovic and that was even before their respective primes.

Pre 2010, Djokovic was pretty much a kid. It actually amazes me that Novak was able to beat him in a slam as early as 2008 and even in 2007 their matches were super competitive. That US Open final in 2007, the score of 7-6 7-6 6-4 was so misleading, Djokovic had so many set points to win the first two sets. Even 2008 US open, their semi final was a very tight 4 set match with two sets nearly going to tie breakers. Novak even beat Federer in the 2010 US open before he went on that crazy run from 2011 onwards. Its easy to forget that in 2009 and 2010 Novaks form was pretty poor, he was having really bad issues with his serve.

What is most startling about their rivalry is that Federer has not beaten Djokovic at a grand slam since Wimbledon 2012, thats nearly 10 years! When that match was played, Federer was only 30. He has lost all 6 grand slam meetings since then. I think its understandable he has lost the last couple due to his older age but up until 2015 Federer was still playing to a really high level. He was 34 then, when you look at Djokovic he has won 3 slams this year (now aged 34 and heading towards 35). I think it was Wimbledon 2014 that Federer was playing phenomenal, he had dispatched Murray quite comfortably in the semi finals and he himself was in great form at that time.

I do agree that Federers level in his prime was exceptionally good but there is no doubt in my mind that he had lesser opposition during those years from 2003- 2007. Nadal only won his first Oz open in 2009 and his first US open in 2010. Prior to that he was dominant at the French but he only broke through at Wimbledon in 2008.

The Djokovic v Federer rivalry has always been fairly close, both can point to certain incidents in matches they lost to each other that could easily have gone the other way. Federer can obviously point to the 3 slam matches where he held match points and couldn't close out, which when all is said and done will probably be the difference between the two. There is little to choose between the 2, but, Djokovic's superior mental strength and toughness gives him the edge. I couldn't see Federer do what Djokovic did in turning those 3 matches around. If we were talking purely on tennis ability and style of play I would put Federer ahead, but, when you take everything into account, including mental strength, will to win, ability to produce the goods at the most pressurised moments then Djokovic comes out on top. Overall I would rate both above Nadal.

I agree that what matters is who closes out the matches that's why I'd put Djokovic above Federer, but, it is closer than just looking at bare stats. Djokovic's mental strength is the main difference and the main reason he'll be considered the greatest when he finishes up. Going back to those 3 matches Federer held match points in (which essentially account for the difference) if positions were swapped Djokovic would close out all 3 matches and I don't believe Federer would turn any of those matches around. Djokovic has the ability to produce the goods for the most pressurised points, the points that decide matches, Federer wasn't as clinical.