Mutua Madrid Open, Madrid, Spain, ATP Masters 1000

[DarthFed]

Ouch! Isn't that a bit harsh DF?

I thought I was being nice

 

[DarthFed]

Can't wait for this Nadal nightmare to be over.

This nightmare has lasted over a decade, I was hoping he'd be out of the sport by now. He could go another 10 years with this competition.

 

[Carol]

Impressive, Nadal’s game is more aggressive than ever, it doesn’t matter who is at the other side of the net

http://www.espn.com.ar/video/clip?id=4286155

 

[Carol]

This nightmare has lasted over a decade, I was hoping he'd be out of the sport by now. He could go another 10 years with this competition.

The same competition and nightmare than to watch Federer winning at his 36 in HC. Let’s go to see what ‘kind’ of competition we’ll see on grass....

 

[Busted]

Just dropped by to give my official Djokovic mea culpa. I really thought once he was over his injury he'd get his crap together mentally and his game would fall in line fairly easily. What I'm seeing from him feels like someone who's forcing himself to do something he used to love in the hopes that he will grow to love it again. It's like he's convinced himself he still wants to get back to #1 but deep down he knows it'll never happen but he's supposed to say things like that so he does. Then he loses to Edmond in fairly unspectacular fashion and says it's not the end of the world, que sera sera. Therefore I offically admit - I was wrong about Djokovic. At this point, with 31 in less than 13 days away amd I'm not entirely sure he'll ever be top 5 again let alone #1. Of course if this were Roger I'd be saying "Never say never..." But...I think we all figured out a long time ago - Djokovic, even at his best, ain't no Roger Federer...

 

[DarthFed]

The same competition and nightmare than to watch Federer winning at his 36 in HC. Let’s go to see what ‘kind’ of competition we’ll see on grass....

Yes, Federer should be around until age 45 too. There may be a 2nd "Lost Generation" though it is still early to say that. Roger is making up for lost time in his late 20's and early 30's when he was playing terrible. He may need 24 slams to keep his career safe from the pleb.

 

[DarthFed]

Just dropped by to give my official Djokovic mea culpa. I really thought once he was over his injury he'd get his crap together mentally and his game would fall in line fairly easily. What I'm seeing from him feels like someone who's forcing himself to do something he used to love in the hopes that he will grow to love it again. It's like he's convinced himself he still wants to get back to #1 but deep down he knows it'll never happen but he's supposed to say things like that so he does. Then he loses to Edmond in fairly unspectacular fashion and says it's not the end of the world, que sera sera. Therefore I offically admit - I was wrong about Djokovic. At this point, with 31 in less than 13 days away amd I'm not entirely sure he'll ever be top 5 again let alone #1. Of course if this were Roger I'd be saying "Never say never..." But...I think we all figured out a long time ago - Djokovic, even at his best, ain't no Roger Federer...

It truly amazes me that his ambition fell off so much. It's like he spent so much time tracking down Federer and Nadal's careers and then waking up one day after winning RG in 2016 and. It caring anymore. It's one of those things he will probably regret for a long long time after he retires assuming he never comes back strong.

 

[monfed]

Isn't it funny that crocodilovic should be the one dominating and dull should've been phased out by now specially after his 2015/16 years but instead he's dominating as if it's 2008. WTF? The curious case of Benjamin Buttondal. I've been saying for a long time now that dull's CC FH should be banned from tennis because of the abnormal topspin but it hasn't happened. Wonder what the ATP is waiting for.

 

[mrzz]

^Honest question, should we ask del Potro to hit softer too?

 

[brokenshoelace]

Just dropped by to give my official Djokovic mea culpa. I really thought once he was over his injury he'd get his crap together mentally and his game would fall in line fairly easily. What I'm seeing from him feels like someone who's forcing himself to do something he used to love in the hopes that he will grow to love it again. It's like he's convinced himself he still wants to get back to #1 but deep down he knows it'll never happen but he's supposed to say things like that so he does. Then he loses to Edmond in fairly unspectacular fashion and says it's not the end of the world, que sera sera. Therefore I offically admit - I was wrong about Djokovic. At this point, with 31 in less than 13 days away amd I'm not entirely sure he'll ever be top 5 again let alone #1. Of course if this were Roger I'd be saying "Never say never..." But...I think we all figured out a long time ago - Djokovic, even at his best, ain't no Roger Federer...

I think Novak will be back eventually, but it's taking longer than I expected. I'd be very surprised if he just fades to irrelevance from here on out.

 

[DarthFed]

I think Novak will be back eventually, but it's taking longer than I expected. I'd be very surprised if he just fades to irrelevance from here on out.

This same type of message has probably been written by a dozen posters for close to 18 months now. The longer this goes on the more likely he is done. He hasn't had a noticeable pulse since the 2016 YEC...that's a long time

 

[Busted]

It truly amazes me that his ambition fell off so much. It's like he spent so much time tracking down Federer and Nadal's careers and then waking up one day after winning RG in 2016 and. It caring anymore. It's one of those things he will probably regret for a long long time after he retires assuming he never comes back strong.

I won't do Borg a disservice and compare Djokovic's situation to Borg's because it's not the same at all. Borg was tired of the grind, the travel, the enforced celebrity status - and burned out from all the tennis. He tried to come back but the game had passed him by. With Djokovic though I almost feel as though part of the problem is that he feels like nobody appreciates him - that he's not as revered by tennis fans as Federer and Nadal and never will be, so why bother trying to add to his legacy?

That's just an undercurrent I sense. That Djokovic still sees a huge uphill battle that he's never going to win. He sees Nadal 4 - possibly 5 Slams ahead - and Federer 8 Slams ahead and just doesn't seem to have the drive to climb that mountain again. If Roger and Nadal hadn't stretched the gap in the last year and Nadal was still only 2 Slams ahead - would Djokovic be more motivated? That's my $64,000 Question...and I actually think the answer is no because it comes back around to one simple fact - he'll never be revered by fans and experts the way Federer and Nadal are. His feelings are hurt that he's never really part of the GOAT convo when he's got a winning record over BOTH Roger and Nadal.

 

[monfed]

^Honest question, should we ask del Potro to hit softer too?

That would be nice specially against Freddy because grandpa can't reach those anymore.

 

[DarthFed]

If he had continued winning he would've got more respect. I don't think that's it, I feel like he let his guard down after RG 16, had a hangover which I actually predicted, I just thought it'd be a few months. And then he had personal problems with possibly screwing some Bollywood actress. He was one good year away from totally eclipsing Nadal and threatening Roger, but now that is well in the past. He will be a bit of a forgotten man if he doesn't turn it around.

 

[Busted]

I think Novak will be back eventually, but it's taking longer than I expected. I'd be very surprised if he just fades to irrelevance from here on out.

I was giving him until August...but after yet another desultory display in Madrid? I'm not sure that's long enough. The way he looked against Nishikori and Edmond 2 years might not be long enough. We all know one big win could completely change his attitude, but for now I'm just not seeing the interest in his eyes. I see going through the motions.

 

[Busted]

If he had continued winning he would've got more respect. I don't think that's it, I feel like he let his guard down after RG 16, had a hangover which I actually predicted, I just thought it'd be a few months. And then he had personal problems with possibly screwing some Bollywood actress. He was one good year away from totally eclipsing Nadal and threatening Roger, but now that is well in the past. He will be a bit of a forgotten man if he doesn't turn it around.

Initially that's what I thought, too. Remember - I'm the idiot who said I thought he could win the AO this year IF he was healthy and over his personal issues and burn-out.

Well...I hope he gets his caca together because it's hard to see someone that good floundering against guys he should easily beat. Oddly enough...it didn't bother me when it was Nadal struggling for 2+ years.

 

[DarthFed]

Initially that's what I thought, too. Remember - I'm the idiot who said I thought he could win the AO this year IF he was healthy and over his personal issues and burn-out.

Well...I hope he gets his caca together because it's hard to see someone that good floundering against guys he should easily beat. Oddly enough...it didn't bother me when it was Nadal struggling for 2+ years.

I thought he'd be back strong this year. As soon as it became apparent he may still be having an issue with his elbow/shoulder that changed things a lot. He has that to worry about as well as mental issues and the fact he isn't anywhere near as fit as he used to be. Add it up and right now he's nobody, and until we see otherwise he will remain irrelevant.

I hope he gets it together too, he could've ushered Nadal out of the game by now. I knew last year that Nadal would have a resurrection when it became apparent that Novak was on his way down. I was just hoping Nads rebellion would fade away...the man loves to torture me.

 

[brokenshoelace]

This same type of message has probably been written by a dozen posters for close to 18 months now. The longer this goes on the more likely he is done. He hasn't had a noticeable pulse since the 2016 YEC...that's a long time

Right, and it's the same type of message that was written for 18 months about Federer and Nadal. I realize Novak isn't those guys in terms of mental fortitude and unequivocal dedication but as someone who's "only" 31, without a long history of injuries, and amazing consistency and success over the years, I honestly believe he'll be back at some point. He's not going to just be irrelevant. Maybe he doesn't go back to dominating like Fedal, but he'll win another major.

 

[DarthFed]

Right, and it's the same type of message that was written for 18 months about Federer and Nadal. I realize Novak isn't those guys in terms of mental fortitude and unequivocal dedication but as someone who's "only" 31, without a long history of injuries, and amazing consistency and success over the years, I honestly believe he'll be back at some point. He's not going to just be irrelevant. Maybe he doesn't go back to dominating like Fedal, but he'll win another major.

I don't think there's much of a comparison. Fed in his bad years was still top 3. Nadal definitely struggled overall in 2015 and 2016 but a lot of that was down to one guy blasting him and ruining his confidence. Also a bigger factor is the injury, if Nole has a long-term injury on his right elbow/shoulder that's a far bigger worry than Roger's slightly torn Meniscus or Nadal's tendinitis.

if you told me Novak would fall off the face of the Earth in 2017 I'd say Roger and Nadal would have a good chance at multiple slams regardless of injuries. Right now Novak is losing to an appalling list of players. If Roger and Rafa fell off the face of the Earth right now I don't think he'd come close to taking advantage.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Delbonis' service motion should be illegal man. It is like a fake every time ! Brutal.