2019 Australian Open Semifinals: Nadal vs. Tsitsipas

[britbox]

I think Tsitsipas is better than you suggest Darth. Nadal was just at his best and schooled the guy.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I hope Rafa tells stefanos .” Don’t ever try that shit during warmups..Heck I hope Novak tries that tactic..to intimidate Rafa ..I love pissed off Rafa.,,Vamos Damnit..

 

[Jelenafan]

Wow. At the least Rafa avoids a draining 5 set SF.

 

[Moxie]

Serve may not be fab, but I think they just said that was his 68th consecutive hold of serve.

 

[brokenshoelace]

it always looks better in hindsight mate. This is at least as good imho. And his backhand is on another level, he's coming forward more. The whole package

He's definitely a more complete player now, but I'm not sure what you mean about it always looking better in hindsight. If we're comparing this version to his previous versions, we are by definition looking at those other versions in hindsight.

 

[DarthFed]

LOL yes Roger aged well. You know many players in history who did as well post-30?

Yes, Novak stopped both. I'm not sure if he stopped Roger more though. Off the top of my head, Wimbledon 2011, US Open 2011, AO 2012, FO 2015, and Wimbledon 2018 were tournaments Nadal was almost surely going to win had he not come across Novak. But I can also name AO 2011, Wimbledon 2014, Wimbledon 2015, and US Open 2015 as tournaments Roger was going to win had it not been for Novak.

And AO '16. As for players who have aged better? Clearly Nadal and Djokovic seems on his way. Doesn't make sense to compare him to lesser players from a time when they were expected to retire in their early 30's

 

[brokenshoelace]

Serve may not be fab, but I think they just said that was his 68th consecutive hold of serve.

Yeah, but I mean let's be honest, he hasn't played anyone of note until tonight, and this is a very favorable match-up especially on serve. The holds of serve tonight were much more about how good he was from the baseline than the actual serving.

 

[brokenshoelace]

If Nadal wins this AO, Feds record will be toast and Novak won’t catch up. All GS finals are decisive for the GOAT status but this one in particular in my view.

I actually agree if Rafa wins this I think he'll go on to at least catch Roger. I think the AO in particular has been huge for the GS race if you look at some of Nadal's losses there. The 2012 final loss to Novak, the 2014 final with Stan (and that whole back injury fiasco), and crucially, the 2017 final loss to Federer have been decisive in the race for the GS record. Nadal can't afford another final loss.

 

[Federberg]

He's definitely a more complete player now, but I'm not sure what you mean about it always looking better in hindsight. If we're comparing this version to his previous versions, we are by definition looking at those other versions in hindsight.

I mean that had that version of Rafa lost that US Open final to Novak we wouldn't have made such a big deal about his form. I personally think the most impressive season I've ever seen of him was the one where he seemed to come second best to Novak everytime. He was scary good and put up one of the greatest seasons of all time, but for a certain pesky Serbian

 

[brokenshoelace]

I mean that had that version of Rafa lost that US Open final to Novak we wouldn't have made such a big deal about his form.

LOL I mean...he DID beat him though, and beating him wasn't just some happenstance, he beat him BECAUSE of his high level, so of course we'll make a big deal out of his form, especially when there were tangible improvements (the infamous 2010 US Open serve for example).

I personally think the most impressive season I've ever seen of him was the one where he seemed to come second best to Novak everytime. He was scary good and put up one of the greatest seasons of all time, but for a certain pesky Serbian

2010 for me, quite easily.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I think Tsitsipas is better than you suggest Darth. Nadal was just at his best and schooled the guy.

BB..you know the deal ..Tsitsipas was a great player when he defeated the beloved one..but now that Rafa spanked that ass.. He and his two Lieutenant of Rafa haters Front and GSM will ripped and demean Stefanos to the level of WTA pusher.

 

[brokenshoelace]

What the fuck is wrong with McEnroe? Seriously...Can he please stop verbally blowing Nadal's physique to his face? It's awkward as hell.

 

[britbox]

WTF is McEnroe rambling on about...

 

[Jelenafan]

At that lost 2011 season....

 

[tented]

OMG ... McEnroe has turned into the creepy old uncle who tries to embarrass you at your birthday party.

 

[DarthFed]

I think Tsitsipas is better than you suggest Darth. Nadal was just at his best and schooled the guy.

I'm still mostly unimpressed with him and the next gen. The tour hasn't had a good young player since Del Po.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Tsitsipas has said to the Greek press: " I've learned of my two losses against Nadal but I feel that this time I can beat him"
It's good to have some confidence but sometimes I think it's better to keep quiet

Miss Carol..that young fool tried to intimidate Rafa during the warmups. Please Carlos get Rafa this pissed off vs Novak..Novak please try to intimidate Rafa early..Get him pissed off ..God Bless

 

[DarthFed]

BB..you know the deal ..Tsitsipas was a great player when he defeated the beloved one..but now that Rafa spanked that ass.. He and his two Lieutenant of Rafa haters Front and GSM will ripped and demean Stefanos to the level of WTA pusher.

Bro, I said after that match that Tsitsipas didn't really do anything impressive. Roger was at worse than 2013 levels.

 

[britbox]

Miss Carol..that young fool tried to intimidate Rafa during the warmups. Please Carlos get Rafa this pissed off vs Novak..Novak please try to intimidate Rafa early..Get him pissed off ..God Bless

What was he doing? I didn't see the warm-up.

 

[the AntiPusher]

OMG ... McEnroe has turned into the creepy old uncle who tries to embarrass you at your birthday party.

All I can say to Rafa is the next time you’re in the locker room shower and Johnny Mac is lurking..Don’t Drop the Soap!...