Cincinnati Masters 2023, Ohio, US - ATP Masters 1000

[tented]

I remember that Australian Open match. Novak was pretending to be injured during it. I think it was a gunshot wound to the face this time, or a receding hairline, not too sure on the details, he kind of acts these things out regularly..

Reminds me of this classic:

 

[Kieran]

Reminds me of this classic:

Yeah, Novak was rumbled on this shite years ago. I think it’s part of the charm for his fans, that he’s a lying, cheating SOB…

 

[Moxie]

He knows his B game is enough for early rounds and after a few sets of play he can reach to his A game if needed.

This is something Alcaraz has to work on. We know his A game wins Masters and Slams, but his B game is vulnerable, he tends to rush as a youngster and goes for shots when he can easily grind on the back of the court and win points. His inner Federer's side takes over.

I totally agree that Carlos needs to learn a few things about pacing himself, and about patience.

As to your first point, though...I wonder if that's as easy for Novak as it once was. Personally, I thought that was one of the things that happened to him in the Wimbledon final last month. He hadn't needed his A game the whole tournament, nor even in the first set of the final. He just played slow, kept the ball between the lines, and let the kid's nerves and over-anxiousness do the rest, which didn't take long. But later in the 2nd, esp. in the TB, Novak finally did need his A-game, but when he looked in his pocket, he couldn't find it. It showed up in flashes for the rest of the match...most of the 4th. But I wonder if he can just summon it at will like he once did. I have said, and I stand by the notion that it's too early to declare Djokovic washed up, however, this might be one of the ways that age starts to catch up with him.

 

[kskate2]

I totally agree that Carlos needs to learn a few things about pacing himself, and about patience.

As to your first point, though...I wonder if that's as easy for Novak as it once was. Personally, I thought that was one of the things that happened to him in the Wimbledon final last month. He hadn't needed his A game the whole tournament, nor even in the first set of the final. He just played slow, kept the ball between the lines, and let the kid's nerves and over-anxiousness do the rest, which didn't take long. But later in the 2nd, esp. in the TB, Novak finally did need his A-game, but when he looked in his pocket, he couldn't find it. It showed up in flashes for the rest of the match...most of the 4th. But I wonder if he can just summon it at will like he once did. I have said, and I stand by the notion that it's too early to declare Djokovic washed up, however, this might be one of the ways that age starts to catch up with him.

I think this is spot on. I just remember Chrissy and Martina especially talking about how hard it was once you turned 30 to be consistent. Some days you just won't have it when you really need it and that those days are more frequent the closer you are to the end.

 

[kskate2]

But how do you practice break points? Generally these things are a question of either opportunity or confidence. The advantage is always with the server. Technically a break point is the same as other return points.

In terms of playing big points - which is what a bp is - Carlos is exceptional. There’s never been any real questions about him, like there was with Rafa, for example, when he used to struggle to serve out sets.

I think at the moment he’s still in his post-Wimbledon trance. He’d have been wiser to process what happened at Wimbledon instead of playing the Hopman Cup. He’s going to be heading to New York tired, at this rate..

I agree. To me it starts w/ a mentality. That's the biggest issue I see for Charlie. Still learning obviously of when to go box office. Not every point has to be. That part he could definitely practice. When he does practice sets, he should work in some BP's and a TB. Just want to see him use a little more thought. He's got so many tools in his box that it's easy to get confused on what to use when. What would be the higher % play, etc? Ya feel me?

 

[kskate2]

I remember that Australian Open match. Novak was pretending to be injured during it. I think it was a gunshot wound to the face this time, or a receding hairline, not too sure on the details, he kind of acts these things out regularly..

You mean he was suffering from something like this:

 

[don_fabio]

I totally agree that Carlos needs to learn a few things about pacing himself, and about patience.

As to your first point, though...I wonder if that's as easy for Novak as it once was. Personally, I thought that was one of the things that happened to him in the Wimbledon final last month. He hadn't needed his A game the whole tournament, nor even in the first set of the final. He just played slow, kept the ball between the lines, and let the kid's nerves and over-anxiousness do the rest, which didn't take long. But later in the 2nd, esp. in the TB, Novak finally did need his A-game, but when he looked in his pocket, he couldn't find it. It showed up in flashes for the rest of the match...most of the 4th. But I wonder if he can just summon it at will like he once did. I have said, and I stand by the notion that it's too early to declare Djokovic washed up, however, this might be one of the ways that age starts to catch up with him.

I agree with you. He lacked sharpness and focus in the final. Not to take anything away from Alcaraz, because he is the reason too why Novak looked not so good. Maybe 2-3 years younger Novak would never lose that match is what I'm trying to say.

We will get a much clearer picture in a next few slams to see if it is a trend and whether he is not what he was, but he won't be getting better that's for sure.

 

[Kieran]

I agree. To me it starts w/ a mentality. That's the biggest issue I see for Charlie. Still learning obviously of when to go box office. Not every point has to be. That part he could definitely practice. When he does practice sets, he should work in some BP's and a TB. Just want to see him use a little more thought. He's got so many tools in his box that it's easy to get confused on what to use when. What would be the higher % play, etc? Ya feel me?

The kid's doing amazing. I get what you're saying but he's currently like a juggler juggling twenty dozen balls at once. Have we seen such a gifted player at such a young age? Facing these same pressures? I think he's tired and he's facing a brick wall mentally but this will pass. He's young, he's gaining experience. It's natural.

Mentally, Carlos is a rock. He's advanced. Yesterday for instance, he rebooted in the third and won the match pulling away. I don't see the BP's in general as an issue for him at all...

 

[Kieran]

Carlos might be wise if he lets this one drift, but he’s kind of like Rafa in that regard. He’ll fight on stubbornly. He’s gotten in enough play on these courts…

 

[don_fabio]

Is serve and volley officially back or what? Modern baseline tennis players could use some lessons from guys like Purcell and Paul. Volleys are underrated.

 

[Kieran]

Is serve and volley officially back or what? Modern baseline tennis players could use some lessons from guys like Purcell and Paul.

I think the game needs an S&V genius right now. Carlos is the guy with the best ability for that but it’s not his natural inclination. An S&V great like Sampras would tie the game up in knots..

 

[kskate2]

I think the game needs an S&V genius right now. Carlos is the guy with the best ability for that but it’s not his natural inclination. An S&V great like Sampras would tie the game up in knots..

the closest thing to a current S/V artist is Cressy.

 

[Kieran]

the closest thing to a current S/V artist is Cressy.

Yeah you’re right, he’s very talented, but unfortunately I don’t see him as a champ. Hopefully he can inspire others to try this though, it’s really the most exciting form of tennis..

 

[kskate2]

Yeah he’s very talented, but I don’t see him as a champ. Hopefully he can inspire others to try this though, it’s really the most exciting form of tennis..

Definitely not champ material. Really nice game to look at the few times you can actually see him featured on TV

 

[kskate2]

Thompson will come in a bit more than most, but still not a strict S/V and like Cressy, not champ material either.

 

[Kieran]

Carlos still on the long, hellish road. His resilience and honesty are commendable. He plays the game with a class that’s beyond his years..

 

[kskate2]

Carlos might be wise if he lets this one drift, but he’s kind of like Rafa in that regard. He’ll fight on stubbornly. He’s gotten in enough play on these courts…

that and just maybe he doesn't want Djoke to get those 1000 pts

 

[kskate2]

wow. what a return

 

[Kieran]

that and just maybe he doesn't want Djoke to get those 1000 pts

Yeah the ranking is interesting. I think Carlos stats number 1 if he reaches the final, but he’s got a lot to defend in New York, and Novak has nothing to defend. I think though Novak was wise to play less on clay, though he was very lucky in Paris that he faced no opposition.

He might have been wise to skip Canada too..

 

[kskate2]

Yeah the ranking is interesting. I think Carlos stats number 1 if he reaches the final, but he’s got a lot to defend in New York, and Novak has nothing to defend. I think though Novak was wise to play less on clay, though he was very lucky in Paris that he faced no opposition.

He might have been wise to skip Canada too..

Agreed. He should have skipped Canada after winning Wimby and especially if he planned to play Hopman Cup. He needed another week. He could have entered the doubs in Cincy if he needed more matches.