How Worried Are We For Novak?

[Moxie]

LOL, Moxie. Really? It sounds like you're looking for someone to disagree with. As I said already, I don't have a strong opinion about this so can't really muster the energy to fight for a viewpoint that I don't feel strongly about.

The most I'll say is that my take is that Rafa is more specialized in what he does - really great at a handful of things, but Novak's overall skill-set is more well-rounded.

I'm not looking for someone to disagree with...most people disagree with you on Novak's skills. Don't sneer at me because most people disagree with you on your who is better than whom.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Have not read this thread for a while. So it may have been mentioned by someone else already. According to Novak's dad Novak will skip IW, M and MC and then make his comeback at Madrid

 

[El Dude]

I'm not looking for someone to disagree with...most people disagree with you on Novak's skills. Don't sneer at me because most people disagree with you on your who is better than whom.

This is silly. I don't even know what you're talking about, with regards to what "most people" disagre with me on. There's nothing to disagree with me about because I don't have a strong opinion on the subject. It is odd to me that you are making something out of this, based on almost nothing on my part.

Well, not odd, really, because in the end it comes down to you feeling like you need to defend Rafa against some perceived slight. Come on, Moxie...

 

[Moxie]

This is silly. I don't even know what you're talking about, with regards to what "most people" disagre with me on. There's nothing to disagree with me about because I don't have a strong opinion on the subject. It is odd to me that you are making something out of this, based on almost nothing on my part.

Well, not odd, really, because in the end it comes down to you feeling like you need to defend Rafa against some perceived slight. Come on, Moxie...

You did state that you think Novak is technically better than Nadal. Most people disagree with that. You may not be staking your reputation on it, but you did say it.

And don't make it about me being a partisan. It's your opinion. Now you're just being condescending to me because other people disagreed with you.

 

[El Dude]

Moxie, this is an utter waste of time. Much ado about nothing.

 

[Moxie]

Moxie, this is an utter waste of time. Much ado about nothing.

If you think Novak is technically better, then own it. If you are willing to retract then you should say so.

 

[El Dude]

If you think Novak is technically better, then own it. If you are willing to retract then you should say so.

I already addressed this. I won't "own it" and there's no need to retract because I don't have a strong opinion either way. Stop trying to push me into a hardline position that I just don't hold.

 

[Moxie]

I already addressed this. I won't "own it" and there's no need to retract because I don't have a strong opinion either way. Stop trying to push me into a hardline position that I just don't hold.

Done. As to topic, I wonder when Novak will really come back to competition. There's talk of IW or MC. I do think IW seems soon.

 

[El Dude]

Done. As to topic, I wonder when Novak will really come back to competition. There's talk of IW or MC. I do think IW seems soon.

Game posted a link above that says Madrid.

 

[Moxie]

Game posted a link above that says Madrid.

Didn't see that...thanks. Of everything I've heard, that makes the most sense. Another couple of months to recoup, and decent prep for RG.

 

[Federberg]

To be honest, I don't have a strong opinion about it, so you're kind of playing a game of wall tennis here. I think you could make an argument either way, on Rafa vs. Novak's technical skills, as both have strengths over the other in terms of what they can do on court.

Make an argument either way? You’re like the air No one can get a hold on you. Guess no one should ever argue against your views. Cool

 

[El Dude]

Make an argument either way? You’re like the air No one can get a hold on you. Guess no one should ever argue against your views. Cool

Like clockwork: Federberg with his personal vendetta against me. Thanks, Moxie .

But on a serious note, Federberg, yeah: as far as views and such, I don’t hold too tightly to most so I will admit to “being like air,” in that regard. I’ve got strong Buddhist leanings.


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[Federberg]

Like clockwork: Federberg with his personal vendetta against me. Thanks, Moxie .

But on a serious note, Federberg, yeah: as far as views and such, I don’t hold too tightly to most so I will admit to “being like air,” in that regard. I’ve got strong Buddhist leanings.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lol! You’re the one who takes things personally mate. When you make sense I applaud you, always have. You’re just a name in a forum to me, nothing more. But it’s interesting that you have no position, even if you consider yourself a repository of tennis facts and history, despite your actually not knowing much about the sport. It’s good to know. Thanks

 

[El Dude]

Its like being in the school yard with you, Federberg. "I know you are, but what am I?!" Do you speak to other adults in our life this way, or is it only in your keyboard warrior persona?

Anyway, be well...I hope you slay whatever demons haunt you. Goodnight...

 

[Nekro]

Both are talented, i mean Novak and Rafa... Rafa can play flat, a guy used to post vids of him playing flat on t4u but the loopy shots are just better for him so he doesn't even try to play flat.....when he's mug or opponents are taking his time away it's because he gets too passive, as brokenshoelace pointed out many times..


The reason novak "can't" volley for shit is that he rarely volleys so when he tries he fucks up... Not because he's not talented....

 

[britbox]

LOL, Moxie. Really? It sounds like you're looking for someone to disagree with. As I said already, I don't have a strong opinion about this so can't really muster the energy to fight for a viewpoint that I don't feel strongly about.

The most I'll say is that my take is that Rafa is more specialized in what he does - really great at a handful of things, but Novak's overall skill-set is more well-rounded.

I'm kind of thinking the opposite but it doesn't really mean a whole lot. I think Nadal's more rounded shot for shot if you go through the whole spectrum... I also think he's more instinctive and at his prime a better athlete. Novak is more methodical and in latter years the better strategist, has the better transitional game and better court position (as already mentioned) and probably takes himself out of his own comfort zone more readily. However, seeing as we're in an era dominated by baseline tennis then comparing shots like a DTL backhand on the same scale as a forehand volley doesn't really have much relevance.

 

[britbox]

With regard to the intial thread starter... there is a danger Novak never gets back to the levels where he enjoyed most success. People point to Federer, and to a lesser extent - Nadal, and seem to think if they're doing it then everyone else can.... I'd say what they are doing is largely unprecedented and not a blueprint for how it's going to be for anyone else. Sad to say, I think Murray is done at the very highest level and the odds of Novak coming back decrease every time he's sitting out the sport for months on end.

 

[DarthFed]

With regard to the intial thread starter... there is a danger Novak never gets back to the levels where he enjoyed most success. People point to Federer, and to a lesser extent - Nadal, and seem to think if they're doing it then everyone else can.... I'd say what they are doing is largely unprecedented and not a blueprint for how it's going to be for anyone else. Sad to say, I think Murray is done at the very highest level and the odds of Novak coming back decrease every time he's sitting out the sport for months on end.

Good post and one thing I'd add to it is that what Nole is facing is potentially far worse than what Roger and Rafa faced. An injury to the playing hand/wrist/shoulder/elbow is far more crushing than occasional tendinitis in the knees or the slightly torn MCL that Roger had. A tennis player can clearly survive a lost step better than pain in their wrist/shoulder/elbow everytime they hit a ball. Djokovic is in serious danger of going down the Del Po road.

 

[Andy22]

Federer only started to win slams, then Djokovic, Murray Wawrinka got injured and the great Nadal was past his prime.

 

[Moxie]

Good post and one thing I'd add to it is that what Nole is facing is potentially far worse than what Roger and Rafa faced. An injury to the playing hand/wrist/shoulder/elbow is far more crushing than occasional tendinitis in the knees or the slightly torn MCL that Roger had. A tennis player can clearly survive a lost step better than pain in their wrist/shoulder/elbow everytime they hit a ball. Djokovic is in serious danger of going down the Del Po road.

I have thought about the location of his problems, which seem to be focused in his racquet arm. But it seems that the "intervention" or whatever they're calling the surgery he had, may be minor. We'll have to see how and when he comes back healed. He admits he tried to come back a bit early for the AO and that doesn't seem to have helped his cause. Following the DelPotro model, he would probably be wise not to push it. As to Murray (and @britbox's point,) I think we likewise have to see how he comes back before writing him off. Someone has said that #1's haven't come back from hip surgery to get back to top form, but I don't know if that's universal.