2014 Roland Garros Final: Nadal vs. Djokovic

[the AntiPusher]

I really feel bad for Djoker.. He will win it one day..

 

[huntingyou]

Rafa was vintage in the end of the second and first half of the third. Nothing you cant do. The last set was about mental fortitude and desire.

 

[calitennis127]

Novak did well the first set going for the Nadal forehand. Couldn't keep it up. His movement started suffering and missed the backhand a lot as a consequence. I felt he was getting back into it at the end, but he messed up again in the last game. I think Nadal made a good tactical choice slowing down the pace, making Novak overhit (especially with the few slices here and there).

A very tough loss. Congrats to Nadal for fending off every challenge that was presented to him here for the last decade.

Even when Djokovic beats Nadal, he rarely does it after putting him away when he has a lead. The second set of Miami was case and point. It is a huge problem for him and it bit him today.

His second set collapse was all to predictable. His first-serve percentage must have been no better than 40 in the second set.

 

[calitennis127]

Rafa was vintage in the end of the second and first half of the third. Nothing you cant do. The last set was about mental fortitude and desire.

Yeah, Rafa was really vintage in the second set forcing Djokovic to make 25% of his first serves.

 

[nehmeth]

Congratulations on F.O. #9 and tying Sampras for 14 Rafael Nadal!

Only three more to tie Fed and become Goat!



:clap :clap :clap :celeb:

 

[Ricardo]

Rafa was too good today

 

[crystalfire]

Rafa was too good today

i beg to differ.

 

[Riotbeard]

Absolutely Gutted. Congrats to Rafa and his fans.

 

[calitennis127]

Rafa was too good today

Some of his shots were excellent, but saying he was "too good" is an exaggeration.

 

[Riotbeard]

Rafa was too good today

Some of his shots were excellent, but saying he was "too good" is an exaggeration.

He was too good for the Novak that showed up.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Djokovic in 4.

Congrats in advance, Novak, on the Career Slam.

Stop these games tented :snigger

I think Novak in 4. I think making it to a 5th set means Novak is off his game, so Rafa would take advantage and win it. So I pretty much agree with Murat.

They're not games! I voted for Novak in Rome, and guess what? Novak won. I voted for Novak here, and he'll win this, too.

Good lord, what does Rafa have to do to make it plain to everyone he's not going to win? He lost in Monte Carlo to Ferrer for the first time on clay in a decade. He lost to Almagro for the first time ever. He only won Madrid because Kei retired. He lost in Rome. What's it going to take to get you to think I'm NOT playing games?

Tented. I dont have a problem with your predicting Djoker.. Its been a tough year for Rafa but I am very encouraged about the way he has picked up his level of play the past 6 sets at RG. As usual, I am sticking with (Batman, Dirt Devil, The Spanish Bull, The Clay Warrior or the Ultimate Competior, RAFA) over Djoker in 5. Djoker is going to have a baby and getting married(he will have a fantastic Summer regardless of the outcome)

Darn it I was off by a set..:clap

 

[calitennis127]

Congratulations on F.O. #9 and tying Sampras for 14 Rafael Nadal!

Only three more to tie Fed and become Goat!

:clap :clap :clap :celeb:

Remember when you asked "how does Federer stay motivated?" after the 2010 Australian Open and I told you that his record wasn't nearly as secure as everyone was saying?

 

[calitennis127]

Rafa was too good today

Some of his shots were excellent, but saying he was "too good" is an exaggeration.

He was too good for the Novak that showed up.

Look - Nadal brought his best in the second set. Djokovic was not mentally prepared for it. He was on his heels, flat, timid, and he was dumping serves into the net like Nalbandian during an 11am Saturday morning match.

 

[DarthFed]

Congratulations on F.O. #9 and tying Sampras for 14 Rafael Nadal!

Only three more to tie Fed and become Goat!

:clap :clap :clap :celeb:

Remember when you asked "how does Federer stay motivated?" after the 2010 Australian Open and I told you that his record wasn't nearly as secure as everyone was saying?

I wouldn't have thought it'd be broken but I also didn't think Roger would only have 17 after getting #16 at AO 2010. Figured at least 19. For all the talk that Roger aged well and handled having a family well it doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[Front242]

Rafa was not too good today. Djokovic was too bad but whatever.

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Yeah, so I was rooting for Nadal today. And I may not be a huge fan of his in general, but I'm still glad he's tied Pete. Like I said in the live chat, I've never been a fan of Pete. I was an Agassi fan. And while I'm not a Nadal fan (though he's winning me over) I'm definitely a bigger Nadal fan than I am a Pete fan. Mostly because he's from this era. He's had to deal with some of the toughest competition the game has seen. There's more depth now than ever. Though there was more parity in the nineties and before. That was because the top guys like Pete and Agassi couldn't win everything because none of those guys back then were as fit as they are today. Though Agassi focused on it. He was only 5'11" though. Not a great server, in the age of serve and volley. I think the game it is the way it is today though because of Agassi. Anyways, my point is I'm glad Pete is no longer #2 on the list. Or at least, no longer solo #2 (for now).

 

[crystalfire]

Congratulations on F.O. #9 and tying Sampras for 14 Rafael Nadal!

Only three more to tie Fed and become Goat!

:clap :clap :clap :celeb:

Remember when you asked "how does Federer stay motivated?" after the 2010 Australian Open and I told you that his record wasn't nearly as secure as everyone was saying?

never thought his record was secure. if rafa breaks that idk what ill do

 

[DarthFed]

^ Acknowledge that Roger should have done better from 2008 on. He had his chances to.

 

[crystalfire]

^ Acknowledge that Roger should have done better from 2008 on. He had his chances to.

he def should have.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I am willing to cut Nole a TINY bit of slack because I DID see him throw up in high-def, slow-mo. He looked tired all day. BUT...

He was horrible returning, inside out forehand was horrible, just bad overall...STILL...

You cannot take anything from Rafa. he raised his game when he needed to, the forehand worked most of the time, he even hit a couple of backhand winners ...and he was struggling towards the end with his own issues. So kudos to Rafa for the win and for catching Pete at the slam count.

I said this during the chat. This was like waiting for a long time to make love to a beautiful woman and finding out it was not what you hoped it would be. A lot of anticipation, not a lot of satisfaction.