2015 Wimbledon Final: Djokovic v. Federer II

[DarthFed]

I really only watch the grand slams outside of the occasional tournament if it's shown on ESPN or one of the major networks. So, I'm wondering whether the people there would prefer to have multiple rain delays (however short they may be) over closing the roof for the entire match? Or, they could open it up after the rain stops (which would lead to a break as well)?

When was the last time the roof was closed for the final?

I think the fans would want the match to go on. Rain delays are annoying. Realistically if that roof closes it's a big edge for Roger as conditions become even faster. Nole is obviously great indoors but the end of year tourneys are played on medium paced indoor hard courts.

 

[tented]

Did anybody else hear the espn commenters saying Roger is playing the best tennis of his career? He is playing best tennis since 2012, but really, of his career? An inspired Novak would have beaten Fed today. Andy played way too passive.

Was it John McEnroe? The greatest sports commentator who has ever picked up a microphone in the history of televised sports?

 

[DarthFed]

Nole had played average/poor in his past 5+ slam finals before that (even the 2012 and 2013 Aussie finals he won were poor for his standards).

That's what makes predicting this match hard for me. If I had been here last year, I would have picked Federer in 3 or 4 for the 2014 final.

On a side note, I could care less who wins these tournaments - I just enjoy playing and watching tennis!

I predicted Fed in 4 last year. Realistically if Fed plays like he did last year I'm fine with that. Nole was exceptional last year in the final and given the disappointing final he played at RG 3 weeks before that, it was all the more impressive. I'd say the stage is set similarly this year (tough loss in RG final and Roger playing great coming in) so he can take confidence in that.

 

[Riotbeard]

Nole had played average/poor in his past 5+ slam finals before that (even the 2012 and 2013 Aussie finals he won were poor for his standards).

That's what makes predicting this match hard for me. If I had been here last year, I would have picked Federer in 3 or 4 for the 2014 final.

On a side note, I could care less who wins these tournaments - I just enjoy playing and watching tennis!

I predicted Fed in 4 last year. Realistically if Fed plays like he did last year I'm fine with that. Nole was exceptional last year in the final and given the disappointing final he played at RG 3 weeks before that, it was all the more impressive. I'd say the stage is set similarly this year (tough loss in RG final and Roger playing great coming in) so he can take confidence in that.

To be fair, Novak could have played a tighter match last year. Not much, but he went for a walk about in set 4. I would say one of his best finals, but I put some of those butt-whopings on Rafa in 2011 ahead.

 

[shawnbm]

I pick Nole to win in four closely contested sets. I just think Roger continuing to play at the level just exhibited may be asking for a bit too much. He has to have some sort of letdown after that masterclass--he's almost 34 now!! Nole will make him pay and will do better on ROS than Murray, as he historically has against Roger the last few years. Now, if Roger, in fact, continues the high level he showed today, then that is another story. I am betting he won't. Novak is top dog and he will find a way. Would like to see Fed bag another though. It would be great to see him win a record 8th Wimby.

 

[Federberg]

^I'm moderately optimistic. I think Roger has had Novak's number on the faster surfaces. If this is played indoors, then the chances of Roger maintaining his serving standards increase dramatically. I'm actually not convinced that Novak is playing that well right now. Obviously he's a great champion and he could really bring it, but if he wakes up in the morning and realises he's playing against a Swiss, he might have flashbacks to RG. One more thing, if indeed it's indoors grass, with a rabidly pro-Federer crowd, it's going to be an absolute nightmare for Novak. If he's able to pull off a win under those circumstances, with the echo in there, it will be possibly Novak's greatest ever achievement

 

[Riotbeard]

^I'm moderately optimistic. I think Roger has had Novak's number on the faster surfaces. If this is played indoors, then the chances of Roger maintaining his serving standards increase dramatically. I'm actually not convinced that Novak is playing that well right now. Obviously he's a great champion and he could really bring it, but if he wakes up in the morning and realises he's playing against a Swiss, he might have flashbacks to RG. One more thing, if indeed it's indoors grass, with a rabidly pro-Federer crowd, it's going to be an absolute nightmare for Novak. If he's able to pull off a win under those circumstances, with the echo in there, it will be possibly Novak's greatest ever achievement

He should just remember last year's Wimbledon final. I think Novak will expect the crowd to be against him, so it might get to him in a few moments, but it shouldn't overall affect him. I do think Novak will have to raise his game, unless shankerer emerges. Even if Fed isn't quite up to today's standards, Novak needs to play better.

 

[DarthFed]

That's what makes predicting this match hard for me. If I had been here last year, I would have picked Federer in 3 or 4 for the 2014 final.

On a side note, I could care less who wins these tournaments - I just enjoy playing and watching tennis!

I predicted Fed in 4 last year. Realistically if Fed plays like he did last year I'm fine with that. Nole was exceptional last year in the final and given the disappointing final he played at RG 3 weeks before that, it was all the more impressive. I'd say the stage is set similarly this year (tough loss in RG final and Roger playing great coming in) so he can take confidence in that.

To be fair, Novak could have played a tighter match last year. Not much, but he went for a walk about in set 4. I would say one of his best finals, but I put some of those butt-whopings on Rafa in 2011 ahead.

Nole got tight the last service game of that 4th set but other than that I think it was mostly Fed playing great after going down a break in the 4th set. Nole was pretty steady start to finish and he himself said that he thought it was the most high quality final he had played in. For Roger I thought he just had a bit of a letup after winning the 1st set and then the disappointment of losing the 3rd which he played great in. The finals with Rafa in 2011 were awesome performances but different circumstances. He wasn't facing a Fed on grass serving 70%, rather matches with Rafa were battles of attrition.

 

[Mile]

Djoker will raise his game to win another Wimbledon.

5 sets.

 

[August]

Did anybody else hear the espn commenters saying Roger is playing the best tennis of his career? He is playing best tennis since 2012, but really, of his career? An inspired Novak would have beaten Fed today. Andy played way too passive.

Lol! They keep saying stuff like that. The one that really makes me laugh is when they say he's moving as well as ever :cover

Their job is to promote tennis, not to dismiss the current era.

 

[crystalfire]

fed:10-0 in wimbledon semis. #clutch

 

[DarthFed]

^ And only 1 lost set which came against Djokovic in 2012. I didn't realize he was 30-1 in sets, that's insane.

 

[nehmeth]

fed:10-0 in wimbledon semis. #clutch

My son was looking at his semi record the other day and said, "Murray's toast!" :snicker

 

[August]

I really only watch the grand slams outside of the occasional tournament if it's shown on ESPN or one of the major networks. So, I'm wondering whether the people there would prefer to have multiple rain delays (however short they may be) over closing the roof for the entire match? Or, they could open it up after the rain stops (which would lead to a break as well)?

When was the last time the roof was closed for the final?

I think 2012 is the only final played indoors, the roof was closed early in 3rd set.

And once they close the roof, the policy is to finish the match indoors, even if it stopped raining.

 

[Federberg]

Lol! Macenroe has now changed his mind, and says Federer not Nadal is greatest player ever. And even worse news, Borg thinks Roger will win. He's shocking at making these calls

 

[bobvance]

Lol! Macenroe has now changed his mind, and says Federer not Nadal is greatest player ever. And even worse news, Borg thinks Roger will win. He's shocking at making these calls

Is Borg actually bad at picking winners? You're making me nervous.

 

[MartyB]

I think Fed takes it. If he continues to serve the way he has he wins. He is simply the better grass court player. Only the great Pete Sampras could do what Fed is doing on the grass. And yes Djokovic will get more balls back in play than Murray but not that much more. Murray is no slouch on ROS. I think the loss at RG will come back to haunt him this year. Form doesn't always mean how one plays in a final but it does mean a lot on the grass. There is no question who is playing the superior grass game. I expect it to be tough of course but the crowd, the sentimentality, the brilliance of Fed's grass court game & the guile & belief is there for Fed to take this. If it is played indoors then it will be even better for Fed. Now I have my fingers crossed & getting ready for my breakfast at Wimbledon on Sunday..Let's go Fed #18...

 

[mrzz]

As I said in the other thread I agree with the ones who say that If Federer serves like he did today he wins. And, no, that does not depend on the returner. The returner cannot control the % of first serves in, and all those aces of today would have been aces against anyone. Murray is a great grass courter and even that wasn't enough even to produce break points, let alone win them. If I recall correctly, he only had one in the very first game of the match.

 

[Federberg]

Lol! Macenroe has now changed his mind, and says Federer not Nadal is greatest player ever. And even worse news, Borg thinks Roger will win. He's shocking at making these calls

Is Borg actually bad at picking winners? You're making me nervous.

I just remember all those times he favoured Roger against Rafa at RG :cover

 

[Busted]

Roger is sharper than I've seen him in a while. Nole not looking near as sharp as usual... Thoughts??

I think Nole is vulnerable and the match against Kevin Anderson scared him. It helps that he hasn't had to play anyone of any note to make it to the final. His draw was a joke.

I'm taking Roger in 3 or 4...