2014 Miami Final: Nadal vs. Djokovic

[Kieran]

Haha! I like Nole's dad, he looks Hollywood gangsta.

Out of the blue, eh? Can't think who that might be...

 

[Front242]

If they did that Nadal would probably have less than 13 slams and be injured a lot more.

Wait, what? I like you man, but this is a bit far-fetched. Nadal might be injury prone, but he's not made out of glass. How many Masters finals does Nadal reach per year? 5? Let's say 6 (and even that is a bit of a stretch but let's assume it's a REALLY good year like the one he had in 2013). You mean to tell me that 6 extra best of 5 set matches, stretched out over an entire season (as opposed to being played back-to-back and thus potentially taking their toll), most of which WILL NOT go the distance anyway, are going to injure him "a lot more" and somehow tamper with his slam results?

Even in Nadal's busiest time of the year -- the clay court season -- he has historically won an overwhelming majority of his masters 1000 finals there in straight sets. So if it were a best of 5, you're probably adding a set to each match (making them 3 setters, something you can play in a best 3 set match if it goes the distance)...hardly career threatening stuff.

Let's agree that his FO results wouldn't have been affected since he's just that good there. What other slam wouldn't he have won? There are no masters 1000 events before Wimbledon so it's not like he would have gotten there tired/injured in 2008 or 2010. There are no masters 1000 events before the AO so I doubt his 2009 result would have been any different.

At the 2010 US Open, Nadal didn't reach a masters final that summer so he would have been just as fresh (and in fact won all of his 3 clay court masters finals that year in straights, so adding a set to each one wouldn't really have ruined his year).

At last year's US Open, Rafa did win both Montreal and Cinci, but did so by spanking Raonic 6-2 6-2 and going through a serve fest against Isner to win 7-6 7-6. Adding another set for him to beatdown Raonic wouldn't have altered his results, while another tie-breaker over Isner is hardly stuff of physical suffering.

The main problem with the best of 5 set format in Masters 1000 finals is back-to-back tournaments like IW and Miami or Madrid and Rome where a long five setter might result in the finalists pulling out (a la Fedal after Rome 2006). But even that to me, is a rare occurrence (a lot of ifs and buts).

Broken, mostly what I was alluding to was if Djokovic and Nadal happened to meet in many masters finals as they do tend to, then best of 5 would clearly have an impact on fitness throughout the year. I agree playing another set against Raonic won't do anyone any physical damage but it's a different story altogether playing intense best of 5 matches against Novak. If they ended up playing a 4 or 5 set match at say Indian Wells, Miami and then Monte Carlo and Rome just before RG, that'd surely be bad for both guys fitness in the long term imo. I love watching them play each other but imagine the toll another 4 best of 5 matches could potentially make before RG and Wimbledon. That's why it's probably best to stick with best of 3. Maybe they'd even play another final at Madrid too! That surely wouldn't be good for the body pre RG and Wimbledon.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Actually, Mastoor, I don't think much about you at all, either way. You're absent so often after Novak's defeats, it's getting easy to forget you...

Likewise, I just didn't think you'll so much hated to see me here, but then there's Denisovic and perhaps someone else who'll be also happy to see me

The more Novak fans on the board, the better. Welcome back.

Its really amazing how Loud the Serbs can get at a tournament like Montreal and most recently at Miami. I have attended Miami at least 10 times over the past 15 years which is typically almost a 70 % Latin crowd. Although Rafa had the Latin backing yeaterday, those few Serbs were the loudest by far. As for welcoming back the Djoker fans, BS, Moxie and Kieran will be able to handle those fickle folks.. Again , it will be another day, it always is.

 

[Kieran]

I think it's great that the Serb fans are loud at the events! Once they're not disruptive or vulgar, then this partisan cheering adds more flavour to the event.

As for Nole fans here, the more the merrier. It's always good to see Nehmeth and Riotbeard, Herios, who are most often here. Denis drops by when he can. Missed-Here - sorry, Mastoor - is the funniest because of his sulks and trolling work in the excuse-field of PED's, but still, the more the merrier. By the way, I equate Mastoor with the now-banned NADALRG2005, and didn't mind having them around either...

 

[Front242]

Mastoor is nowhere near the league of NADALRG2005. Mastoor makes some good points from time to time.

 

[shawnbm]

Well, I won't jump into all of this collateral stuff on the last two pages. I will say that I taped the match (played a few sets against a nemisis yesterday afternoon) and then watched it with the missus during the evening--not knowing who had won. The think that strikes me is how routine this win was for Nole; he did not appear to be playing at a super high level, but was just focused as could be and not scared to go to the FH. I thought Nadal looked not great, but not bad. These guys tend to rally and rally in many matches and go back and forth in a way neither of them do against Federer or others. Yesterday, Nole seemed to methodically attack Rafa's FH, which one would think would not be the way to go. He just seemed to execute his plan well and Rafa really had no answers. Like I said, it looked rather ordinary in how he took down the world number one--and now he has one-upped Fed by doing the IW-Miami double (a Herculean task historically) twice.

 

[Fiero425]

Well, I won't jump into all of this collateral stuff on the last two pages. I will say that I taped the match (played a few sets against a nemisis yesterday afternoon) and then watched it with the missus during the evening--not knowing who had won. The think that strikes me is how routine this win was for Nole; he did not appear to be playing at a super high level, but was just focused as could be and not scared to go to the FH. I thought Nadal looked not great, but not bad. These guys tend to rally and rally in many matches and go back and forth in a way neither of them do against Federer or others. Yesterday, Nole seemed to methodically attack Rafa's FH, which one would think would not be the way to go. He just seemed to execute his plan well and Rafa really had no answers. Like I said, it looked rather ordinary in how he took down the world number one--and now he has one-upped Fed by doing the IW-Miami double (a Herculean task historically) twice.

I don't necessarily like giving credit to Becker, but he could of recalled for Nole "Jack Kramer" theory of "attacking" someone's strength so they have nothing to fall back on! Rafa may have had 2 or 3 "vamos" points in totality; one Nole gave away by hitting a ball down the middle when set up for winner! That's a good word; "focused" concerning Nole's play! He was playing within himself and kept the pressure on, not allowing Rafa to get into a groove of running around his forehand; went right at it! It was a very entertaining match for me; quick and dominant performance! :clap :clap :angel:

 

[Riotbeard]

Actually, Mastoor, I don't think much about you at all, either way. You're absent so often after Novak's defeats, it's getting easy to forget you...

Likewise, I just didn't think you'll so much hated to see me here, but then there's Denisovic and perhaps someone else who'll be also happy to see me

The more Novak fans on the board, the better. Welcome back.

Its really amazing how Loud the Serbs can get at a tournament like Montreal and most recently at Miami. I have attended Miami at least 10 times over the past 15 years which is typically almost a 70 % Latin crowd. Although Rafa had the Latin backing yeaterday, those few Serbs were the loudest by far. As for welcoming back the Djoker fans, BS, Moxie and Kieran will be able to handle those fickle folks.. Again , it will be another day, it always is.

Maybe you should just welcome back one novak fan. Pretty much all the rest of us are consistent posters. Where's clay death by the way...

 

[Riotbeard]

I think it's great that the Serb fans are loud at the events! Once they're not disruptive or vulgar, then this partisan cheering adds more flavour to the event.

As for Nole fans here, the more the merrier. It's always good to see Nehmeth and Riotbeard, Herios, who are most often here. Denis drops by when he can. Missed-Here - sorry, Mastoor - is the funniest because of his sulks and trolling work in the excuse-field of PED's, but still, the more the merrier. By the way, I equate Mastoor with the now-banned NADALRG2005, and didn't mind having them around either...

More Clay death esque, IMO. Only fast grass achieved levels analogous to nadalrg2005. To be fair, mastoor has a good sense of humor.

 

[Kieran]

I think it's great that the Serb fans are loud at the events! Once they're not disruptive or vulgar, then this partisan cheering adds more flavour to the event.

As for Nole fans here, the more the merrier. It's always good to see Nehmeth and Riotbeard, Herios, who are most often here. Denis drops by when he can. Missed-Here - sorry, Mastoor - is the funniest because of his sulks and trolling work in the excuse-field of PED's, but still, the more the merrier. By the way, I equate Mastoor with the now-banned NADALRG2005, and didn't mind having them around either...

More Clay death esque, IMO. Only fast grass achieved levels analogous to nadalrg2005. To be fair, mastoor has a good sense of humor.

Well, I don't know why NadalRG2005 was banned, but Mastoor's thread about Rafa "doping" was trolling of the highest order. Hence, the comparison. That Broken suggests he accused Federer of using PED's when he beat Djoker, tells me that his "good sense of humour" is a little pointed, to say the least...

 

[Riotbeard]

I think it's great that the Serb fans are loud at the events! Once they're not disruptive or vulgar, then this partisan cheering adds more flavour to the event.

As for Nole fans here, the more the merrier. It's always good to see Nehmeth and Riotbeard, Herios, who are most often here. Denis drops by when he can. Missed-Here - sorry, Mastoor - is the funniest because of his sulks and trolling work in the excuse-field of PED's, but still, the more the merrier. By the way, I equate Mastoor with the now-banned NADALRG2005, and didn't mind having them around either...

More Clay death esque, IMO. Only fast grass achieved levels analogous to nadalrg2005. To be fair, mastoor has a good sense of humor.

Well, I don't know why NadalRG2005 was banned, but Mastoor's thread about Rafa "doping" was trolling of the highest order. Hence, the comparison. That Broken suggests he accused Federer of using PED's when he beat Djoker, tells me that his "good sense of humour" is a little pointed, to say the least...

Agreed, but it's not day in day out like nadal/ fastgrass, who started 3-4 troll thread a week.

 

[Kieran]

Where's clay death by the way...

General Lord Samson Clay Death doesn't need to post. He knows Rafa better than anyone in existence. Even God doesn't know Rafa better than Clay, so why would he post? It would be wasted on us!

Plus, I think he has his own forum and he gets his kicks there...

 

[Kieran]

I think it's great that the Serb fans are loud at the events! Once they're not disruptive or vulgar, then this partisan cheering adds more flavour to the event.

As for Nole fans here, the more the merrier. It's always good to see Nehmeth and Riotbeard, Herios, who are most often here. Denis drops by when he can. Missed-Here - sorry, Mastoor - is the funniest because of his sulks and trolling work in the excuse-field of PED's, but still, the more the merrier. By the way, I equate Mastoor with the now-banned NADALRG2005, and didn't mind having them around either...

More Clay death esque, IMO. Only fast grass achieved levels analogous to nadalrg2005. To be fair, mastoor has a good sense of humor.

Well, I don't know why NadalRG2005 was banned, but Mastoor's thread about Rafa "doping" was trolling of the highest order. Hence, the comparison. That Broken suggests he accused Federer of using PED's when he beat Djoker, tells me that his "good sense of humour" is a little pointed, to say the least...

Agreed, but it's not day in day out like nadal/ fastgrass, who started 3-4 troll thread a week.

Perhaps that's only because Nole has lost a lot more since this site started, and so Mastoor has been busy elsewhere...

 

[Riotbeard]

To be fair, CD does present empirical fact compared to Mastoor's far out musings. The era of Murray's utter dominance has been confusing, as has been Nadal's utter inadequacy on hards since his return.

 

[Kieran]

To be fair, CD does present empirical fact compared to Mastoor's far out musings. The era of Murray's utter dominance has been confusing, as has been Nadal's utter inadequacy on hards since his return.

Well, that's true. But Rafa would have done much better if he had rested after last years Wimbo - as Clay suggested - and returned in time for Rio, this February... :nono

 

[nehmeth]

Its really amazing how Loud the Serbs can get at a tournament like Montreal and most recently at Miami. I have attended Miami at least 10 times over the past 15 years which is typically almost a 70 % Latin crowd. Although Rafa had the Latin backing yeaterday, those few Serbs were the loudest by far.

Well, when Rafa did give the 'Latin crowd' something to cheer about, the volume was incredible. Mostly though, they remained silent.

 

[Fiero425]

Its really amazing how Loud the Serbs can get at a tournament like Montreal and most recently at Miami. I have attended Miami at least 10 times over the past 15 years which is typically almost a 70 % Latin crowd. Although Rafa had the Latin backing yeaterday, those few Serbs were the loudest by far.

Well, when Rafa did give the 'Latin crowd' something to cheer about, the volume was incredible. Mostly though, they remained silent.

There just wasn't much to cheer with the Latin crowd! Without running Rafa to death, Nole totally controlled that match, stayed within himself, and allowed his opponent to self-destruct! It was great! snigger :laydownlaughing :angel:

 

[Front242]

To be fair, CD does present empirical fact compared to Mastoor's far out musings. The era of Murray's utter dominance has been confusing, as has been Nadal's utter inadequacy on hards since his return.

Well, that's true. But Rafa would have done much better if he had rested after last years Wimbo - as Clay suggested - and returned in time for Rio, this February... :nono

Cats sleep 70% of their lives. I don't think Rafa needs to, he's only 26.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Mastoor is nowhere near the league of NADALRG2005. Mastoor makes some good points from time to time.

Agree with the first statement for sure. Disagree with the second

 

[brokenshoelace]

Actually, Mastoor, I don't think much about you at all, either way. You're absent so often after Novak's defeats, it's getting easy to forget you...

Likewise, I just didn't think you'll so much hated to see me here, but then there's Denisovic and perhaps someone else who'll be also happy to see me

The more Novak fans on the board, the better. Welcome back.

Its really amazing how Loud the Serbs can get at a tournament like Montreal and most recently at Miami. I have attended Miami at least 10 times over the past 15 years which is typically almost a 70 % Latin crowd. Although Rafa had the Latin backing yeaterday, those few Serbs were the loudest by far. As for welcoming back the Djoker fans, BS, Moxie and Kieran will be able to handle those fickle folks.. Again , it will be another day, it always is.

Maybe you should just welcome back one novak fan. Pretty much all the rest of us are consistent posters. Where's clay death by the way...

Not here, thankfully.