2020 Australian Open Final: Novak Djokovic vs. Dominic Thiem

[Bonaca]

Pardon my trolling for a bit, but I can't resist What a beautiful day today with great champion Novak winning the 17th slam and 8th AO title and he will be #1 player again tomorrow

It’s allowed my friend, you are definitely no troll. After all the anti- Novak wishes from the whole forum!
Remember what they all wrote at the end of last year.
now we can enjoy this important win!

Idemo dalje!!

 

[Bonaca]

I disagree. Thiem showed in 2018 that he could hold his own against Nadal at the US Open, when they played a close match. And he beat him this year at the AO. I don’t see how it could be 3 sets in favor of Nadal. At RG, I agree that Nadal can Thiem him handily, but he is improving.

With Djokovic, the recent final showed that Thiem has made progress because it was a close match.

Sure it was very close, I’m just pointing out why I think it was that close. Because of Novak s subpar level.

 

[Bonaca]

What I really like very much, beside his win, is his reaction after winning a slam title: Calm and quite, just walk to the net and shake hands.
Thats because of the crowd all over the world, the worst was London last year, but NY and Paris also!
Just double sweet and the best way to shut them up!

 

[atttomole]

Sure it was very close, I’m just pointing out why I think it was that close. Because of Novak s subpar level.

I watched the match. Djokovic is a superior hard court player, but the reason why it went 5 is because Thiem played well too. The match was not on Djokovic’s racket. I suspect you were concerned when Thiem took the 2nd and 3rd sets. That was close mate.

 

[nehmeth]

I watched the match. Djokovic is a superior hard court player, but the reason why it went 5 is because Thiem played well too. The match was not on Djokovic’s racket. I suspect you were concerned when Thiem took the 2nd and 3rd sets. That was close mate.

Those that have followed Novak for years are used to the walkabouts, where he goes off script and the opponent is allowed to get into his rhythm. That was a two setter today. Thiem has all the tools and the stones to win slams. Fourth and fifth sets, whether the heavy lifting Thiem did over the fortnight or the constant back and forth chasing shots from Novak, he slowed up a bit and Novak reasserted himself. I've seen Stan shut him down. I don't know if Thiem were fresher, if he might have done the same. Djoker definitely upped his level in 4 and 5.

 

[Bonaca]

I watched the match. Djokovic is a superior hard court player, but the reason why it went 5 is because Thiem played well too. The match was not on Djokovic’s racket. I suspect you were concerned when Thiem took the 2nd and 3rd sets. That was close mate.

Sure I was very concerned, mostly because of the body language and low level from Novak. After first set I was sure this will be over in 3 or 4.
Its always about both player, but friend the 3rd was complete bullshit.
Look how weak his serve was overall in final compared to the previous matches.
He also brought more serves back from Thiem than any other.
The match was clearly about Novak, he is the superior player. When playing his better level he was able to take time from thiem, Nadal and Zverev couldn’t.

 

[Bonaca]

Those that have followed Novak for years are used to the walkabouts, where he goes off script and the opponent is allowed to get into his rhythm. That was a two setter today. Thiem has all the tools and the stones to win slams. Fourth and fifth sets, whether the heavy lifting Thiem did over the fortnight or the constant back and forth chasing shots from Novak, he slowed up a bit and Novak reasserted himself. I've seen Stan shut him down. I don't know if Thiem were fresher, if he might have done the same. Djoker definitely upped his level in 4 and 5.

I would say right now, Wawrinka is a poor version of Thiem. Definitely slower than him.

 

[herios]

I am delighted with the outcome of this final, just saw from the last game of the 4set onwards, after I woke up.
I understand from the readings here that Nole had a walkabouts in the 2 and 3 sets, kudos to him he pulled himself together in time.
Thiem had a very impressive showing overall in this event, by far his best on a HC slam. If I would be him, I would take away all the positives from this, making his first final here and defeating Nadal along the way

 

[herios]

I would say right now, Wawrinka is a poor version of Thiem. Definitely slower than him.

Stan had many injuries and he is a lot older

 

[Front242]

I would say right now, Wawrinka is a poor version of Thiem. Definitely slower than him.

Undoubtedly, but Wawrinka turns 35 in March and has had bilateral knee surgery so it's to be expected. Thiem is only 26.

 

[nehmeth]

I would say right now, Wawrinka is a poor version of Thiem. Definitely slower than him.

Stan is nowhere near where he was. I was using him as a past example, of what Thiem can do now.. Thiem doesn't have the physical mass of Wawrinka, but he sure can punish the hell out of a ball.

 

[Jelenafan]

Tennis tells of us that it’s not guaranteed all players have a progressive linear path to winning a Major. Tsonga came out like a comet and never reached another final. Nalbandian only reached one final when young. Even first time Major success doesn’t automatically promise many more, ask ( so far) JMDP and Cilic, and before them Andy Roddick.

Theim and Medvedev could win a Major, but that grey tissue matter and the specifics of each match matter. So it’s nice to say they’ll surely win one but close only counts in horse shoes.

Roland Garos this year has a whole other set of factors, as does W and the USO.

Someone else could step up to the plate or the Big 3 could shake them off with their walking canes for one more year.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Just finished watching the last couple of sets as I had to work last night,

Congratulations Novak on your 8th AO title and your 17 GS title,

Congratulations on becoming the first man in the Open Era to win Grand Slam titles in 3 different decades.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Just finished watching the last couple of sets as I had to work last night,

Congratulations Novak on your 8th AO title and your 17 GS title,

Congratulations on becoming the first man in the Open Era to win Grand Slam titles in 3 different decades.

Wow, I did not know that! Big accomplishment for him. It looks Nadal might join him come June.

 

[El Dude]

2008-2020 (Novak): 13-year span
2005-2019 (Rafa): 15-year span
2003-2018 (Roger): 16-year span
1953-1972 (Rosewall): 20-year span


Decades are cool and all, but they are arbitrary cutoffs. The actual span of years is more impressive - just as weeks at #1 is more impressive than year-end #1s.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Wow, I did not know that! Big accomplishment for him. It looks Nadal might join him come June.

Fingers crossed

 

[Mastoor]

I am delighted with the outcome of this final, just saw from the last game of the 4set onwards, after I woke up.
I understand from the readings here that Nole had a walkabouts in the 2 and 3 sets, kudos to him he pulled himself together in time.
Thiem had a very impressive showing overall in this event, by far his best on a HC slam. If I would be him, I would take away all the positives from this, making his first final here and defeating Nadal along the way

You obviously woke up exactly when you should. I wish I never watched the first 3 sets.

 

[Bonaca]

You obviously woke up exactly when you should. I wish I never watched the first 3 sets.

Who cares in the end about the First 3, he did it man. only that counts!

 

[tossip]

My observing too ! That poor kid. I think Thiem was scared of kronavirus ?

He is not scared of coronavirus when he takes balls from ballkids.He had the audacity to use his watch to hold on to the kid.Remember his misguided anger with Serena last year..it comes from a place of saying why is a black person having me kicked out of that press room.
He is austrian and german we know who they are.Thank goodness he was bounced again..

 

[tossip]

Interesting statement from Thiem in the postmatch interview :

He hopes he wins his maiden slam while the three are still around, because it counts more to beat them.
Poor Domi, if he wins in the future than not against the best versions of them, they already proofed they are above them. Even post-prime and below peak.

A more constant mindset of Nadal in NY and Novak today and the matches would not reach 5th set!

Now they wont allow his booty to beat them.They will panelbeat that ass day in day out.