Australian Open 2023 F: Novak Djokovic vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas

[MargaretMcAleer]

In my opinion, the backhand down the line will be a crucial shot for the Young Greek if he is going to defeat Novak.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

In my opinion, the backhand down the line will be a crucial shot for the Young Greek if he is going to defeat Novak.

It's his head that will be crucial. At the French Open he was outplaying Djokovic and then as soon as he was close to winning he completely disappeared mentally and couldn't put a ball in play. It was just sad to watch. Yesterday against Khachanov he also got nervous in the 3rd set and started missing out of nowhere but thankfully he bounced back in the 4th. But Khachanov is not Djokovic so if Tsitsipas starts getting nervous on important moments or when it's time to close the match in the final then it's game over.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It's his head that will be crucial. At the French Open he was outplaying Djokovic and then as soon as he was close to win he completely disappeared mentally and couldn't put a ball in play. Yesterday against Khachanov he also got nervous in the 3rd set and started missing but thankfully he bounced back in the 4th. But Khachanov is not Djokovic so if Tsitsipas starts getting nervous on important moments or when it's time to close the match then it's game over. Frankly in my opinion The Young Greek has a better chance of winning a GS title on a clay court.

That too, but you have also got to have the shots, to try to off balance Novak at the baseline, thats what the BHDL is vital shot, that is a shot Rafa has always used against Novak on a HC in the USO in the last final they played each other.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

That too, but you have also got to have the shots, to try to off balance Novak at the baseline, thats what the BHDL is vital shot, that is a shot Rafa has always used against Novak on a HC in the USO in the last final they played each other.

If I were Tsitsipas' coach here's what my pep talk would be:

Tsitsipas: Yes coach, you wanted to see me?
Me: Yes. I wanted to tell you how to approach the match against Djokovic.
Tsitsipas: Ok coach I'm listening.
Me: From now on your name is not Tsitsipas, your name is now Stan The Man Wawrinka.
Tsitsipas: Ok, what do you mean?
Me: From this moment until after the final you will convince yourself that you are Stan The Man. You will go for your shots, you will be strong mentally, you will destroy Novak.
Tsitsipas: But why can't I be myself?
Me: Because you suck. Mentally you are not strong enough and you will get nervous, but if you convince yourself that you are Stan The Man then you will easily beat the pusher Novak.
Tsitsipas: Ok I will follow your plan.
Me: Good.
Tsitsipas: Ok see you tomorrow coach! Bye. :walks away:
Me: Hey Tsitsipas!
Tsitsipas: Yes coach?
Me: I can't believe you answered me. I already told you that you are NOT Tsitsipas anymore, you are Stan The Man!
Tsitsipas: Oh right, I apologize. :walks way again:
Me: Hey Tsitsipas!
Tsitsipas: :no answer: :continues to walk away:
Me: Yes it worked! Game over Pushovic!

 

[Jelenafan]

It's his head that will be crucial. At the French Open he was outplaying Djokovic and then as soon as he was close to winning he completely disappeared mentally and couldn't put a ball in play. It was just sad to watch. Yesterday against Khachanov he also got nervous in the 3rd set and started missing out of nowhere but thankfully he bounced back in the 4th. But Khachanov is not Djokovic so if Tsitsipas starts getting nervous on important moments or when it's time to close the match in the final then it's game over.

Thats pretty much it, Tsitsipas HAS weapons, has very good movement and his serve can sting so theoretically he has the game. Its a “pretty” game much like Roger’s was pre 2023.

Mental is huge ( the annoying thing about Federer fans rationalizing for years his losses to Nadal- “Nadal is in Roger’s head”—..DUH! Really Sherlock??) so the Crown Prince has to play at a high level and keep his focus razor sharp. That is
“ all” he has to do, LOL.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Both the Young Greek and Novak cannot remember the RG final, when The Young Greek was up 2 sets to love, selective memory loss by both players apparently

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Nadalfan 2013,
The Young Greek did have a mental blip when he was serving for the match against KK, he cannot afford to do that in the final, if he was say serving for a set or even the match, todays game is around 80% mental, he should have won in straight sets, he began swinging freely in that 3rd set as well.and then fell apart, again something he cannot afford to do against Novak.

 

[Moxie]

For the first time ever, Tsi is grateful for the dad he has and that his name is not Srdjan.

Please let this not be about the dads.

I’ve been listening to the after match press conferences, and every one of Djokovic’s opponents stated something to the effect, “I had a game plan and I never had a chance to use it.”. Paul, Rublev, de Minaur. He shut them down. And tomorrow could be more of the same. There are a few variables that might affect the outcome.

Novak’s father’s situation. You could see he was embarrassed in his presser. He had Paul at 5-1 today and lost the plot, went on a mental vacation. I think in part it was because of this. He locked it down at 5-5, but Tsi is better player than Paul.

The other is Tsi’s ability to focus. His forehand was a giant killer yesterday. The cuts he was taking at the ball and what he did with his shots was breathtaking. And he did it with good consistency. If he can relax and enjoy the moment, if coach Poo is able to hold a pillow over his dad’s face long enough, I think it will be an enjoyable and competitive match.

I seem to be the only one around here who actually watched the whole semi v. Paul. I do not think that Novak went on a mental walkabout due to his father's foibles. The first game of the match was long, and tough for Novak to win. I've seen Novak struggle when it's mental, but a lot of the match yesterday (today?) was about the physical. I know I've told people to forget about the hamstring, based on everyone else's estimations. The match v. Paul is the first one I've seen him play this year, and to me, he looked hampered. He also lost a lot of the points that went long, seeming to struggle, physically. Honestly, he looked a bit old, at times. Paul did a pretty good job when the game went side-to-side, and also at the net, but he couldn't deal with the neutral ball.

All of that said, while Paul played reasonably well, Novak still had the shots. Even hampered. He managed his serve, and shortened points. It was the first time they'd played, Paul's first time in the SF of a Major. As I said before, Novak managed it with one leg tied behind his back, and sometimes on one lung.

Tsitsipas is a different question. He's got more of everything that Paul has, most especially experience and ambition. If Novak is no better than he was against Paul, and Stephanos plays lights-out, the Greek has a shot. But Novak is still pinging the corners, even when he's not feeling great, so we shall see.

 

[nehmeth]

I watched the match, and I have been following Novak for over 15 years. Up 5-1, he suddenly began to misfire on his serve and his ufe count went up to 24. It wasn’t because Tommy suddenly began playing lights out. Loss of concentration. Now it could have been due to the lack of challenge, but that wasn‘t the case when he was in a similar game count against de Minaur. His dad’s missteps had gone viral that day. I don’t think it’s a stretch.

 

[Moxie]

I watched the match, and I have been following Novak for over 15 years. Up 5-1, he suddenly began to misfire on his serve and his ufe count went up to 24. It wasn’t because Tommy suddenly began playing lights out. Loss of concentration. Now it could have been due to the lack of challenge, but that wasn‘t the case when he was in a similar game count against de Minaur. His dad’s missteps had gone viral that day. I don’t think it’s a stretch.

Well, you did drop in late, when you got up to let the dogs out, right? That was after the first set. I was all sad watching that match by myself.

It wasn't sudden misfiring at 5-1. He was in trouble from the first game. And, as I've said, it was worth watching the whole match, because it told a LOT more than the scoreline, or surely than the highlights would. I don't think that any of the "lack" I saw from Novak last night was "concentration." I believe it was all fitness. To my surprise. I thought he'd been playing possum on that hamstring. I actually do believe it got better, since everyone said it did. But last night he was hampered and grumpy, and having breathing issues, and I don't think any of that was mental. I think the leg was bothering him. Trying to push off, he DF'd more than a few times. And when the points when long, he bent over a lot to catch his breath.

I'm sure someone has the stat, but on the points that went long, Paul generally won them, no?

Tsitsipas should exploit all of this. Novak hardly got out of his first service game v. Paul? Tsitsipas is much better than Paul, and should make him pay. Long rallies? The Greek is 11 years younger, and 3 inches taller, and also 3 inches taller than Paul. He has to work him on the long points. Paul had success going to the net, and I'd say Tsitsipas is better there. He has to move forward, too. Stephanos is vulnerable on his 1HBH, and can't afford to get continuously pummeled on it.

 

[nehmeth]

I watched the full match this morning on ESPN+. And I disagree.

 

[Moxie]

I watched the full match this morning on ESPN+. And I disagree.

About which part?

 

[nehmeth]

About which part?

All of it.

 

[Moxie]

All of it.

Insightful analysis. Thanks.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Stefano’s game can be explosive.

The big question is how the BH will stand up under relentless pressure, its not the “heavy” BH Stan’s was.

Plus Stefano gives away so many free points on his ROS it’s maddening.

That's why I said that he better call Saul STAN

 

[nehmeth]

Insightful analysis. Thanks.

I gave my analysis. You shared why you disagreed. Why repeat myself.

 

[Moxie]

That's why I said that he better call Saul STAN

Stan's not available. All we got is Stefanos.

 

[Moxie]

I gave my analysis. You shared why you disagreed. Why repeat myself.

Sorry, I thought you had more than "loss of concentration" and "distracting father." I also thought you might have a follow-up to mine, but it's fine, if you don't.

 

[nehmeth]

Sorry, I thought you had more than "loss of concentration" and "distracting father." I also thought you might have a follow-up to mine, but it's fine, if you don't.

If you had ever played competitive tennis, maybe I would respect something you had to say.

 

[Moxie]

If you had ever played competitive tennis, maybe I would respect something you had to say.

I guess the question wasn't so simple.