Nadal's gonna be world #1 again!

[Iona16]

Pretty sure he was referring to the fatigue factor and it was definitely a factor as the match against Del Potro was a very draining match not only physically, but mentally. But playing crap was Djokovic's biggest downfall. And his monster fitness from 2011 has definitely gone down a few notches.

You know we could all try and diminish a slam win if we tried. I could argue that fatigue and blisters played a part in the Australian Open final this year. Murray should never have let his semi final match with Fed go to 5 but he did. If he was tired and suffering blisters in the final then it was his own fault. Lesson learned I hope. It's all irrelevant though because he played the final and Djokovic won. End of.

Wasn't trying to diminish Andy's win in any way. He played very well. Not great all match but far better than Djokovic and the win was very much deserved, but just saying it if your opponent had a very tough semi it definitely hurts their chances somewhat. 5 set matches against Fed are never that taxing as it's a totally different style of match and it was a pretty short 5 set match too. But look, they both deserved their respective wins and no one is disputing that. Hope Andy's recovering well too and it's a shame he's not out there playing now. Still waiting to see how he fares against Rafa.

I was talking in general. I see it on every tennis forum. Fans trying to diminish the achievements of players.

re: Wimbledon
I've said it before but I don't think Andy was going to be denied that win. Djokovic had the tougher semi (4 hrs 43 mins) but Andy was the one with the burden of history on his shoulder that day.

The semi against Fed in the Australian Open was exactly 4 hours. Novak won his semi in straight sets and had an extra day's rest. Sometimes the schedule works for you and sometimes it doesn't. All in all Djokovic played the better tennis in the final and fully deserved the win.

Andy's surgery went well and he's up and about. He's making a decision on the WTF next week. I've got tickets but I'm hoping he skips it. I think it is too soon.

Sorry, I don't want to derail this thread so back to Rafa.

 

[Moxie]

Djokovic never should have lost the French Open or US Open matches against Nadal. He played well below his best level in each of those matches.

The second part of your statement completely exposes the silliness of the first. If Djokovic played "well below his best," then he absolutely should have lost.

Well-said, Broken. I don't go much in for the notion of matches that someone "should" have won, when they lost them, but there are examples. What Cali seems unable to distinguish is between a match like that: Djokovic v. Berdych in Madrid this year, for example, or Nalbandian v. Nadal in 2009, when he was match points away in the 2nd, when you could argue that Djokovic and Nalbandian "should" have won, because they were so close; and a match when Cali believes the loser "should" have won, just because he wishes he had.

 

[brokenshoelace]

For what it's worth I think Murray is a superior grass courter to Djokovic and his game is more natural on the surface.

 

[Front242]

For what it's worth I think Murray is a superior grass courter to Djokovic and his game is more natural on the surface.

Likewise.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

murray is world no 1 rank on grass anyway (recent times 2012-1013)

murray is 24-2 on grass..which is way ahead of everybody else on the planet. :clap

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Is Nadal already having nightmares regarding how to defend all these points next year or is he cool? Just the Canada, Cincy , Us Open triple should keep him awake at night...:wow:

 

[Kieran]

Is Nadal already having nightmares regarding how to defend all these points next year or is he cool? Just the Canada, Cincy , Us Open triple should keep him awake at night...:wow:

He doesn't have to defend all those points next year. He has to win more points than anyone else, just like any #1. I reckon he'll be thinking of each one as it happens and sees how that goes, instead of fretting over matching what he did this year...

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Just reminds me of Nole's amazing season and the one after...

 

[Kieran]

Just reminds me of Nole's amazing season and the one after...

What does? Next year?

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Just reminds me of Nole's amazing season and the one after...

What does? Next year?

I mean this whole year for Rafa has been amazing...I am comparing it to Nole's 2011, and how he had to deal with it the next year...I am curious as to how Rafa will handle 2014. One difference is Rafa still has AO to gain more points.

 

[Kieran]

Just reminds me of Nole's amazing season and the one after...

What does? Next year?

I mean this whole year for Rafa has been amazing...I am comparing it to Nole's 2011, and how he had to deal with it the next year...I am curious as to how Rafa will handle 2014. One difference is Rafa still has AO to gain more points.

Exactly. And points at Wimbledon too. Obviously he has to schedule himself sensibly, but his goals should be the same as ever: the slams, and then the MS titles. He doesn't need to defend everything he won this year. If he's wise, he'll be fine...

 

[Moxie]

Think of it this way, Murat. After 2011, Novak didn't do as well, but think of how many points he still had. His problem with losing #1 now is what happened to Rafa with him: It would have to be one guy winning everything to erode that kind of a point lead. (And that's what happened.) Anyway, Rafa's had to defend everything (or almost) in the clay season for nearly his whole career, and he manages it pretty well, so I'm not too worried about him. Mostly I'm still enjoying 2013. :clap

 

[huntingyou]

I don't recall seeing Del Potro in the final. I'm pretty sure Andy beat Novak on his own. In fact he beat him in straight sets, just like he did when they played the year before in the Olympics.

Anyway, huge congrats to Rafa. #1 when the rankings come out on Monday.

I don't recall you being snarky and sensitive, especially towards a fellow Murray fan.

Yes, Andy beat Novak on his own........I do recall tennis it's play between two opponents on court , not three.

My comment was addressing darth tiresome drivel of how Novak isn't a "big match" player anymore simply because he is losing to BETTER players on the day. The fact that he beat Delpo over 5 sets disproves his claim.

And yes, an emotional 5 setter before a final does have negative impacts but it doesn't mean it's the reason you lost the final....it's just another obstacle and in this case Novak couldn't overcome it because Andy was too good.

 

[huntingyou]

He always resorts to fatigue to excuse a loss when he sees fit. It was hardly a factor, Andy is better on grass to begin with and it is a bad matchup for Nole there and even by then I saw Djokovic was having "big match issues." Add it all up and it was a walk in the park for Murray. If they play there next year you will see more of the same

The "always" here applies to you, the one who is quick to scream "match-up" and "surface" before making any call or analysis for any future match. If it's not match-up or surface then it's "mental midget" and no desire, no wanting blah blah

Yes Murray it's a better grasscourt player naturally, still it doesn't mean he will beat Novak at Wimbledon just because he is more natural.....form of the day rules the outcome.

That's why Nadal thumping Novak at Montreal and the UO takes away your baseline argument of "match-up", "surface" and "superior hardcourt" and spit it into the emptiness of internet bs.

 

[calitennis127]

Nadal thumped Djokovic at Montreal? Nadal thumped Djokovic at the US Open?

 

[Iona16]

I don't recall seeing Del Potro in the final. I'm pretty sure Andy beat Novak on his own. In fact he beat him in straight sets, just like he did when they played the year before in the Olympics.

Anyway, huge congrats to Rafa. #1 when the rankings come out on Monday.

I don't recall you being snarky and sensitive, especially towards a fellow Murray fan.

Yes, Andy beat Novak on his own........I do recall tennis it's play between two opponents on court , not three.

My comment was addressing darth tiresome drivel of how Novak isn't a "big match" player anymore simply because he is losing to BETTER players on the day. The fact that he beat Delpo over 5 sets disproves his claim.

And yes, an emotional 5 setter before a final does have negative impacts but it doesn't mean it's the reason you lost the final....it's just another obstacle and in this case Novak couldn't overcome it because Andy was too good.

It wasn't intended as a snarky response and I'm sorry you have taken it that way. However, it is rather annoying to see those comments from you. I don't agree that "..it took Delpo and Murray to take down Novak." It wasn't a 5 set final with a gassed Novak fighting but losing in the 5th. It was a straight set loss. I could say it took Federer, Novak and blisters to take down Murray in the Australian Open but it would be very unfair on Novak. He beat his semi final opponent in straight sets and was fresh for the final. He played the better tennis and won.

Djokovic is still a "big match" player as far as I'm concerned. Losing the #1 ranking will have hurt and I have no doubt he will be going all out to get it back.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Federer will also be going all out to get it back. And Murray will be as dangerous as ever at the slams. Although its unlikely Federer/Murray will beat Nadal at a slam event, and therein lies the problem for Djokovic. Federer/Murray are dangers to Djokovic, but they aren't dangers to Nadal.

 

[Moxie]

Federer will also be going all out to get it back. And Murray will be as dangerous as ever at the slams. Although its unlikely Federer/Murray will beat Nadal at a slam event, and therein lies the problem for Djokovic. Federer/Murray are dangers to Djokovic, but they aren't dangers to Nadal.

I think it's hard to say with certainty how Nadal and Murray will match up going forward. They haven't played in 2 years...i.e., not since Murray's fortunes/attitude/confidence in the big moments has changed.

 

[nehmeth]

Federer will also be going all out to get it back. And Murray will be as dangerous as ever at the slams. Although its unlikely Federer/Murray will beat Nadal at a slam event, and therein lies the problem for Djokovic. Federer/Murray are dangers to Djokovic, but they aren't dangers to Nadal.

I think it's hard to say with certainty how Nadal and Murray will match up going forward. They haven't played in 2 years...i.e., not since Murray's fortunes/attitude/confidence in the big moments has changed.

Well said Moxie.

I'm not a Murray fan and will hope Ralf continues to beat him.

I also have my doubts on how much Roger is going to contend going forward. He may have a nice run here and there, but I'm not sure he's coming back stronger next year.

 

[Iona16]

Federer will also be going all out to get it back. And Murray will be as dangerous as ever at the slams. Although its unlikely Federer/Murray will beat Nadal at a slam event, and therein lies the problem for Djokovic. Federer/Murray are dangers to Djokovic, but they aren't dangers to Nadal.

With the greatest respect to Roger I don't think he's ever getting the #1 ranking back. Novak is a different story. There's no reason he can't get it back next year. I hope he doesn't but I wouldn't be surprised if he did. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Murray when it comes to beating Nadal. As you keep forgetting they haven't played in TWO years. They're both very different players now.