Nitto ATP Finals, London

[kskate2]

No, it’s not. They definitely showed the Thiem/Djokovic match at the same time.

@GameSetAndMath is confused. It was on ESPN3 today which is a stream, not ESPN or ESPN2. They air college football on both channels on Sat. ESPN2 is actually showing a tape of the 2nd match tonight at 10pm EST. Tomorrow the final is airing live on ESPN2 at 1pm EST.

 

[Front242]

I don't expect fatigue to be an issue for the players tomorrow - or if it is, I'd be very surprised. They had a saunter through the groups and a couple of pitch battles today to raise the pulse, but they should be fine tomorrow. I think it's an evening start?

They both went 3 sets anyway so it's pretty fair. Both will be more likely a bit mentally jaded from the effort required to beat both their semi opponents more than physically out of sorts I reckon.

 

[Kieran]

They both went 3 sets anyway so it's pretty fair. Both will be more likely a bit mentally jaded from the effort required to beat both their semi opponents more than physically out of sorts I reckon.

Yeah, possible mental tiredness but that should be canceled out by anticipation of the event. I think they're both young and great talents, and two very different types of player. It has the hallmarks of a classic if they both rise to the occasion. Third year in a row this is won by the newbie, which is a great sign for the sport...

 

[Moxie]

Wouldn't say he's a pusher but he does push at times. I mean he's hardly Monfils or Simon level puke to watch. He has a very good serve and hits some mad passing shots. Monfils is a classic example of a guy who has all the ability to belt winners at will and chooses to be a pusher 99% of the time. Medvedev only plays a few points like this. He was super aggressive, for example, against Schwartzman.

He played super-aggressive against Schwartzman to get out of it fast, but that's not his MO. You have to stop looking for him to be the 2nd coming of Soderling...he's not. Medvedev is his own man, and the player that he is is pretty interesting. But he DOES absorb pace for a big man. He DOES counterpunch. Yes, he turns defense to offense, but if you're going to like that, then you might start liking Nadal.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Indoor is not a surface. It is an environment that rewards nice ball strikers due to lack of environmental issues.

Cool story bro but tennis is an outdoor sport so the environmental issues like the sun, wind, heat are supposed to be there. They are part of life and tennis.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

My husband reminded me not to be too dejected after Rafa's loss,he told me winning 13 RG titles which is an incredible sports record in any sport and winning 20 GS titles is pretty impressive......yep...........still......

 

[Moxie]

Yeah, possible mental tiredness but that should be canceled out by anticipation of the event. I think they're both young and great talents, and two very different types of player. It has the hallmarks of a classic if they both rise to the occasion. Third year in a row this is won by the newbie, which is a great sign for the sport...

I actually think it's a fascinating match-up, given how differently they play. They can both hit the cover off of the ball, but Thiem tends to give pace, and Medvedev absorbs it so well. Plus Medvedev serves rather better, I think. And is more natural to the HC. But Thiem beats him on the resume.

 

[Jelenafan]

Team Theim for the win, but I have to admit the grumpy Russian has the nicest flat groundies around.

Medvedev: “Topspin? We don’t need no stinkin topspin! “

 

[Moxie]

Thiem serves big, and so does Medvedev. Though it's not really what they hang their hats on. Thiem has been winning by hitting huge. Medvedev, yes, but he asborbs pace. Should be a fascinating match.

 

[Andy22]

so that Nadal lost his 34 year old man playing in the his worst Conditions for him Indoor hard, and yet his still ranked 2# in the world he also just won the last major. its a joke football event anyway won by next gen players a big 3 player has not won since 2015, Imagine being happy about barely beating Djokovic-Nadal who are both in their mid 30s one on his worst conditions and the other not caring about the match.

 

[El Dude]

so that Nadal lost his 34 year old man playing in the his worst Conditions for him Indoor hard, and yet his still ranked 2# in the world he also just won the last major. its a joke football event anyway won by next gen players a big 3 player has not won since 2015, Imagine being happy about barely beating Djokovic-Nadal who are both in their mid 30s one on his worst conditions and the other not caring about the match.

Cool story bro but tennis is an outdoor sport so the environmental issues like the sun, wind, heat are supposed to be there. They are part of life and tennis.

 

[Ricardo]

I think its time to say that Thiem is the equal of Novak and Rafa, or at least the 33-34 year old versions. He's now won 5 of his last 7 vs Novak, and 3 of his last 4 against Nadal. Oh yeah, and his last 3 vs Roger.

I'd even go so far as to say that Thiem is the top candidate to finish #1 in 2021.

Not equal but has surpassed the big 3, as it stands you have to go with current results. The other next gen are about equal, level wise, and could also surpass when they get their heads right.

 

[Andy22]

its clear king Nadal would have easy beat Medvedev in straight sets in his 20s.

 

[Moxie]

Not equal but has surpassed the big 3, as it stands you have to go with current results. The other next gen are about equal, level wise, and could also surpass when they get their heads right.

Current results are that each has won a Major this year. How does that make you feel he's "surpassed" anyone...well except Roger, obviously, but I think that was tacit.

 

[Ricardo]

Current results are that each has won a Major this year. How does that make you feel he's "surpassed" anyone...well except Roger, obviously, but I think that was tacit.

he has pretty much owned them winning 11 out of 14 last meetings. Yes one major each but he choked AO away and was visibly playing the higher level tennis....same nearly happened here. No one has surpassed Rafa at RG but overall elsewhere, Thiem is the best player. don't know why Roger is even relevant in your comparison, as he is MIA this year.

Anyway its not simply one slam each to base it all on, that's your opinion.

 

[Ricardo]

its clear king Nadal would have easy beat Medvedev in straight sets in his 20s.

and?

 

[tented]

@GameSetAndMath is confused. It was on ESPN3 today which is a stream, not ESPN or ESPN2. They air college football on both channels on Sat. ESPN2 is actually showing a tape of the 2nd match tonight at 10pm EST. Tomorrow the final is airing live on ESPN2 at 1pm EST.

It was on TV here, on ESPN News & the Tennis Channel, at the same time. Throw in ESPN3, and it was being shown 3 ways.

 

[Front242]

its clear king Nadal would have easy beat Medvedev in straight sets in his 20s.

That's like saying peak Ronnie Coleman would have won easily if this were bodybuilding.

 

[Front242]

He played super-aggressive against Schwartzman to get out of it fast, but that's not his MO. You have to stop looking for him to be the 2nd coming of Soderling...he's not. Medvedev is his own man, and the player that he is is pretty interesting. But he DOES absorb pace for a big man. He DOES counterpunch. Yes, he turns defense to offense, but if you're going to like that, then you might start liking Nadal.

When did I ever compare him to Soderling I like him, he's good to watch but he's defintiely not playing like Soderling lol. No disagreement there But he's not a pusher either. Thankfully! There was that was one godawful pushing rally yesterday where thankfully Nadal said f**k this and blasted a winner to put us all out of our misery watching that. If he was a pusher I wouldn't like him one bit just like I can't stand Simon or Mannarino or Monfils 99% of the time 'cos that's how they always play. Monfils blasts some great winners every so often and should always play like that but he chooses to be another awful pusher which is the most bizarre waste of talent I've seen in tennis. A guy with his shot making skills and athleticism should be playing aggressive tennis most of the time and he'd have had a far better career. Awful tripe to watch.

 

[kskate2]

@Jelenafan and I agree. Team Domi for the win. And you all know what happens when I put my oracle hat on.