AO Mens Final: Novak Djokovic v Rafael Nadal

[Moxie]

I believe that is not the right way to gauge the surface. They are 2 very different surfaces even though both are hardcourts. One if plexicushion and the other is decoturf. There is no empirical data on the speeds of the courts. People just anecdotally say that the AO has sped up and the UsOpen has slowed down. But there is no direct comparison between the speed of the 2 surfaces. It's like saying Wimbledon is slower than AO, where empirically grass is always faster. UsOpen has been usually considered medium to fast hardcourt where as AO has been slow to medium hardcourt.

The biggest difference in both surfaces is how they handle spin and bounce. It is more difficult to hit through the court at the AO. It doesn't spin and bounce as much. This is why Nadal's ball sits up a little bit and he ends up playing more defense. It is also why Novak is so good here. He controls the center of the court and it almost impossible to hit through him on this surface. Personally, I've always felt that Nadal's game translates better to the UsOpen surface.

Also it is a myth that Nadal plays better on slower surfaces than faster surfaces. He has himself clarified that repeatedly. Nadal's game is harder to handle on surfaces that take more spin and bounce, because his forehand is more effective there.

I do realize that I was being overly simplistic, parroting what others have said about the two surfaces "switching", which you recognize. I also absolutely do know that Rafa's game works well on the faster surfaces. I still think the changes could help him, but thanks for the more detailed overview.

 

[Denis]

I think they will kill each other and it will go to 5 sets and Rafa is going to win. Because I think Rafa is in better shape. I may be totally wrong here but I just do not like how Nole looks . He looks like he needs at least 15 more pounds of muscle on those bones. Obviously people much smarter than me are working with and for him but I just do not get it...

Ha well 15 more pounds will not help in a fifth set that is for sure. Look at Murray, the heavier bulkier player compared to Novak. He can dance for 3 sets, but then its over.

 

[Front242]

Ha well 15 more pounds will not help in a fifth set that is for sure. Look at Murray, the heavier bulkier player compared to Novak. He can dance for 3 sets, but then its over.

Nadal has an extra 15 lbs of bubble butt.

 

[Carol]

Nadal has an extra 15 lbs of bubble butt.

The bubble butt doesn’t hurt to him but like Mac said the other day he saw him nude in the looker room and he can say that he has one of the most wonderful bodies that he has seen, that hurts a lot to someones.....

 

[Jelenafan]

Nadal has an extra 15 lbs of bubble butt.

Johnny MAC, is that you ??

 

[Front242]

The bubble butt doesn’t hurt to him but like Mac said the other day he saw him nude in the looker room and he can say that he has one of the most wonderful bodies that he has seen, that hurts a lot to someones.....

Doesn't hurt me anyway, Carol and McEnroe must be blind. These guys are tennis players though, not weightlifters and even your average dude who eats well and goes to the gym and lifts heavy is in better shape and that's not hating, it's the truth. He has decent quads and one big left bicep and that's it. He used to be in much, much better shape also.

 

[Carol]

Doesn't hurt me anyway, Carol and McEnroe must be blind. These guys are tennis players though, not weightlifters and even your average dude who eats well and goes to the gym and lifts heavy is in better shape and that's not hating, it's the truth. He has decent quads and one big left bicep and that's it. He used to be in much, much better shape also.

I think he is looking better than ever starting with those well shapely legs wow

 

[Front242]

Those of you who believe in the supposed Tignor curse will be glad anyway 'cos he picked Djokovic to win and Tignor is a massive Nadal fan. Probably hoping he genuinely does jinx whoever he picks or who knows, maybe he's just actually going for the more likely outcome based on recent history.

 

[Front242]

I think he is looking better than ever starting with those well shapely legs wow

Yes, he has good legs I'll give him that but other than that McEnroe was being a bit kind and just so you don't think I'm slating him unfairly, Federer is the exact same, they both have terrible proportions. Both guys have one arm way, way bigger than the other but they're tennis players and it's not a beauty pageant.

 

[Mile]

Surplus of weight wont help anyone if going to 5-set. I dont know their weight now, suppose Djoker lost some of previous kg, and not sure for Nadal, is he heavier than before.

 

[britbox]

 

[nehmeth]

Seems relaxed, confident, comfortable. The kid's finally growing up. ^^^

 

[britbox]

Seems relaxed, confident, comfortable. The kid's finally growing up. ^^^

Hey nehmeth, good to see you around. Who are you rooting for here?

 

[El Dude]

Really looking forward to watching this - probably my favorite matchup to watch, because I can just enjoy the pure tennis of it and know I'll see amazing feats of athleticism and skill, without having to stress about "my guy" winning.

I voted Novak in 4. I think it will be close and wouldn't be surprised if Rafa wins it, but think Novak has the edge. Novak's A game beats Rafa's A game. Rafa wins this if Novak parties like its 2017, but I don't think that's likely.

 

[nehmeth]

Hey nehmeth, good to see you around. Who are you rooting for here?

really? I think Djokovic.

 

[AnonymousFan]

Maybe Kieran (sp?) will be back on TF for this final

 

[imjimmy]

Maybe Kieran (sp?) will be back on TF for this final

Let's hope so. It's been a while that Kieran has been seen. A lot of posters left.

 

[Carol]

I think both players are playing very well but honesty I'd very surprised if Rafa could loss, I think he is playing better than Novak but you never know until the match finish because sometimes a little details can do the difference like their match in the last Wimbledon, I hope this time to see something better

 

[Carol]

Really looking forward to watching this - probably my favorite matchup to watch, because I can just enjoy the pure tennis of it and know I'll see amazing feats of athleticism and skill, without having to stress about "my guy" winning.

I voted Novak in 4. I think it will be close and wouldn't be surprised if Rafa wins it, but think Novak has the edge. Novak's A game beats Rafa's A game. Rafa wins this if Novak parties like its 2017, but I don't think that's likely.

When both of them have played with A game at the same time? maybe in the 2011 when Novak took by surprise to all of them and even he beat Nadal several times their matches were very tied and Novak never in his life has played like that incredible level, not before and not after. Of course in 2015 and 2016 he was playing well but Nadal was in that awful roller coaster which was probably his worst in his all career same like Novak has been for almost two years too (part of 2016, 2017 and half 2018) so we'll see on Sunday who beats to whom if both can show their A game

 

[tented]

I doubt Rafa will be able to bully his opponent the way he did Tsissypants in the semifinal. If Nole can withstand the initial onslaught, Rafa could lose in three. Picking the #1 to do it iin 4.

Hi Nehmeth! Great to see you again.

My heart wants Rafa (of course!), but my head says Novak in 4. He has been known to do a second-set walkabout, so I’m thinking he drops that one.