Matches you recommend watching in the absence of live tennis

[Bonaca]

My point is when Novak is serving and hitting the ball makes a lot of noise, clear?

You want to compare this to the permanent, animal like groaning of Nadal? You really funny. But if you enjoy animal sounds: Everybody as he wishes.

 

[Moxie]

You want to compare this to the permanent, animal like groaning of Nadal? You really funny. But if you enjoy animal sounds: Everybody as he wishes.

Both are noisy and slow when they play. I really don't know how you distinguish one to the other, on these issues, in terms of failings.

 

[Bonaca]

Both are noisy and slow when they play. I really don't know how you distinguish one to the other, on these issues, in terms of failings.

Nadal is doing it more frequently, earlier in matches and louder.
I don’t like it from Novak either, but Nadal is by far more unpleasant.
But I have to admit it fits his working style of play.
He is the male Marija.

 

[Carol]

Nadal is doing it more frequently, earlier in matches and louder.
I don’t like it from Novak either, but Nadal is by far more unpleasant.
But I have to admit it fits his working style of play.
He is the male Marija.

"It fits his working style of play"? at least he doesn't look that his body is going to split in two or three parts like Novak looks because his ugly style of play, he looks like an alien playing tennis LOL

 

[calitennis127]

Djokovic is the most complete baseliner of the 3. Roger is easily the most versatile all around player and it's not particularly close. In today's game, the former counts for more though, no doubt about it.

What is "today's game" versus "yesterday's game"? Which eras are you comparing? If you are talking about the early 2000s compared to today, I totally disagree with your distinction.

This notion that the game "has changed so much" since the early 2000s is utter nonsense. When I watch highlights from, say, 2005 to 2010, there is hardly any difference from the game today, except that the overall field was better and more talented. I find it funny how people simultaneously argue that the Top 3 are out of their prime but that the game is better or more advanced now. If that's so, how are they still the top 3? And how are they in some ways more dominant than ever?

And how are you defining "versatility"? Is it the combination of serve, approach, and baseline game? If so, fair enough. But outside of Wimbledon/Halle (and maybe Basel) where exactly does Federer win matches with his serve, let alone serve-and-volley? Virtually nowhere. And yes, when he does the serve and volley at Wimbledon, it's pretty. But it's not a go-to play on the tour at large. Djokovic and the other player in the top 3 do plenty of effective volleying when they come to net too.

As for Federer versus the other two, I will grant you that when Federer is clicking and playing at his top level, he is the most offensively dominant. But my opinion of his game has been clouded by the number of matches he has lost because of the 1-handed backhand. It is too much of a hole to look past. And saying that he is as "versatile" as Djokovic is difficult to do when Djokovic has the far better resume on clay and can hit backhands in every direction, at every height, and from various depths with a consistency that Federer cannot. The difference in their backhands is too much to just dismiss Djokovic as less versatile.

Djokovic has won all 9 Masters events and has beaten Nadal at each of the clay Masters events. At this point I think it is very unfair to call him "less versatile" than Federer. What I will grant, however, is that he rarely brings out his best offensive game without it being forced out of him. And that's why he has flopped late in the US Open as much as he has.

 

[calitennis127]

I watched these highlights earlier today of Djokovic and Nishikori.....they are a great example of why Djokovic only has 3 US Opens. He has never gotten comfortable at Flushing Meadows. When he gets to the later rounds, his overall play is scratchy and his offensive game is constipated. He doesn't have a clear identity to his game. Of course, when he plays his best offensive tennis, it is outstanding to watch. But it's rare:

 

[Bonaca]

"It fits his working style of play"? at least he doesn't look that his body is going to split in two or three parts like Novak looks because his ugly style of play, he looks like an alien playing tennis LOL

What about „Bob the Builder- Nadal“

 

[calitennis127]

What about „Bob the Builder- Nadal“

Bonaca, Djokovic's flop against Nadal in the 3rd set of the 2013 US Open final is on right now. One of the worst missed opportunities of his career right there. The platter was placed in front of him and all he had to do was eat.

 

[calitennis127]

This highlight reel here from Doha 2016 is a great example of why Broken's remark that Federer is more "versatile" than Djokovic is frankly inane. What Djokovic can do with his backhand puts him at least on the level of Federer in terms of versatility. It balances out whatever pretty serve-and-volley maneuvers Federer can do on grass and then some. That's part of the reason why Djokovic has won all 9 Masters events and Federer hasn't:

 

[the AntiPusher]

I watched these highlights earlier today of Djokovic and Nishikori.....they are a great example of why Djokovic only has 3 US Opens. He has never gotten comfortable at Flushing Meadows. When he gets to the later rounds, his overall play is scratchy and his offensive game is constipated. He doesn't have a clear identity to his game. Of course, when he plays his best offensive tennis, it is outstanding to watch. But it's rare:

Novak has only 3 US Titles because he has gotten outplayed, PERIOD.

 

[Bonaca]

Bonaca, Djokovic's flop against Nadal in the 3rd set of the 2013 US Open final is on right now. One of the worst missed opportunities of his career right there. The platter was placed in front of him and all he had to do was eat.

Yes Cali, agree completely.
For me also 2014 RG was still hurting badly.

 

[Bonaca]

This highlight reel here from Doha 2016 is a great example of why Broken's remark that Federer is more "versatile" than Djokovic is frankly inane. What Djokovic can do with his backhand puts him at least on the level of Federer in terms of versatility. It balances out whatever pretty serve-and-volley maneuvers Federer can do on grass and then some. That's part of the reason why Djokovic has won all 9 Masters events and Federer hasn't:

What a masterpiece that was. The depth and power was insane. These are the kind of offensive skills that you mentioned, he did not use in his losses against Stanislas and Thiem for example. Or his missed opportunities at the US Open.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Yes Cali, agree completely.
For me also 2014 RG was still hurting badly.

If you send Cali your address via pm, he may send you autographed D Nalbandian T-shirt

Have a great weekend Gents .n ladies. Time to go hiking in the California hills.. I will be glad when the mayor reopen the tennis courts to singles play only. No tennis sucks

 

[Carol]

What about „Bob the Builder- Nadal“

What about " the frog legs-Novak hugging the trees"

 

[Carol]

What a couple of great finals I was watching these two last days, USO 2010-2013. The Nadal's serve worked better in 2010 but his game was better in 2013, what a shots, strength and determination against a rival who tried his best but it was not enough. It's pleasure to watch matches that both players are playing good but of course always wins who at the end has played better

 

[Bonaca]

What a couple of great finals I was watching these two last days, 2010-2013. The Nadal's serve worked better in 2010 but his game was better in 2013, what a shots, strength and determination agains a rival who tried his best but it was not enough. It's pleasure to watch matches that both players are playing good but of course always win what the end has played better

You have to look a long way back to find these exceptions. Overall your robot is running on the second place in h2h. Espacially in the last decade.
Must be hard to recognise that putting in so much work and afford is not enough against a more talented and skillful player like Novak.
But second place also not that bad, isn’t it?

 

[kskate2]

Lockdown closet cleaning has unearthed some beauts on VHS:
2000 Wimby SF between Agassi/Rafter
2009 Wimby 3R between Haas/Cilic

Found another tape: 2007 Wimbledon
3R Marathon match spread over 5 days between Nadal/Soderling
QF match between Roddick/Gasquet where Andy was up 2 sets and a break and completed one of the most comprehensive chokes in Center Court history

 

[Carol]

You have to look a long way back to find these exceptions. Overall your robot is running on the second place in h2h. Espacially in the last decade.
Must be hard to recognise that putting in so much work and afford is not enough against a more talented and skillful player like Novak.
But second place also not that bad, isn’t it?

What about Novak who not too long ego got the #1 thanks to Nadal's injury?. Listen, I feel very proud of this great Champion who in spit of have been many months out of the courts because his chronic tendonitis is still the #2, before he was in different times #1, 12 RG, 2 Wimbledon, 4 USO, 1 AO. He is very loyal to his team which makes him to be even more great, he doesn't need to yell like crazy to his box when he is losing, saying bad words, breaking rackets and very ugly body language. And you are talking about "robot" ? LOL, Novak's game is completely robotic so try to find something less stupid , your are doing worse and worse, I'd say ridiculously bad

 

[Moxie]

Found another tape: 2007 Wimbledon
3R Marathon match spread over 5 days between Nadal/Soderling
QF match between Roddick/Gasquet where Andy was up 2 sets and a break and completed one of the most comprehensive chokes in Center Court history

I'm amazed you still have a working VHS player.

 

[Carol]

Another marathon and very good match was the USO final 2009