Where has Novak Gone since December?!

[Moxie]

We should revisit this when he wins another slam. The Indian Wells type tourneys haven't been his problem the past couple years but he has been weak at the slams. Focus has been the problem, he just has too many lapses in play.

Or when he fails to when another Slam.

 

[kskate2]

His problem is bigger than lost focus Darth. Lost focus would be a game or two here and there. Not so frequent in most of his matches. I agree w/ Pam, it seems more like lost confidence.

 

[DarthFed]

We should revisit this when he wins another slam. The Indian Wells type tourneys haven't been his problem the past couple years but he has been weak at the slams. Focus has been the problem, he just has too many lapses in play.

Or when he fails to when another Slam.

Well the point of the thread is whether Nole's game is in shambles to start the year and why?. I stretched it to say it's been more than just this year. He's only won 1 of the last 8 slams after all...

 

[GameSetAndMath]

We should revisit this when he wins another slam. The Indian Wells type tourneys haven't been his problem the past couple years but he has been weak at the slams. Focus has been the problem, he just has too many lapses in play.

Or when he fails to when another Slam.

Well the point of the thread is whether Nole's game is in shambles to start the year and why?. I stretched it to say it's been more than just this year. He's only won 1 of the last 8 slams after all...

But, this is the first time he has not won any of the last four grand slams (since he won
his second slam). So, it is legitimate to wonder at the beginning of this year as to what
is up with Novak.

Is it possible that his mind is thinking about the impending wedding plans? Wouldn't
that be too girlish of him?

At any rate, definitely there is something about Novak.

 

[Riotbeard]

We should revisit this when he wins another slam. The Indian Wells type tourneys haven't been his problem the past couple years but he has been weak at the slams. Focus has been the problem, he just has too many lapses in play.

Or when he fails to when another Slam.

Well the point of the thread is whether Nole's game is in shambles to start the year and why?. I stretched it to say it's been more than just this year. He's only won 1 of the last 8 slams after all...

But, this is the first time he has not won any of the last four grand slams (since he won
his second slam). So, it is legitimate to wonder at the beginning of this year as to what
is up with Novak.

Is it possible that his mind is thinking about the impending wedding plans? Wouldn't
that be too girlish of him?

At any rate, definitely there is something about Novak.

Also, while he hasn't been up to 2011 levels, he had a very good fall last year.

 

[Moxie]

Also, while he hasn't been up to 2011 levels, he had a very good fall last year.

This, I would say, is the mystery about him. He couldn't press through in the 3 Slams after AO, but, once Rafa was going to take his #1, he appeared rejuvenated. Then, mysteriously, he took on Becker. To have lost to Wawrinka in a tight one and Fed in Dubai is not ignominious, but it does leave him without the confidence he needs to get his 2014 going. Maybe at IW.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Let's revisit this thread after he makes the final at Indian Wells.

Ahem.

Though I don't think it was an off the charts prediction.

Let us revisit this thread after he loses the finals. While the "tennis" is ok with Novak,
there seems to be some serious mental issues. I don't know exactly what; may be
lack of focus or lack of confidence or nervousness.

You were saying...

 

[nehmeth]

In fairness to GSaM, even Novak's been pretty candid about how he's struggled in the key points of the big matches.

He was playing passive again and allowed Roger back into the match when he was serving to close it out. If Roger had played his groundies as solidly as Isner did during his tiebreak the day before, the match would have been over and Fed would have won his 5th IW trophy.

 

[Front242]

Can I open a new thread entitled where did Roger go since set 1 ? :nono

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Novak's hard court game (and especially return game) continues to remain a force.
He lost two service games today and both due to mental issues primarily and not due
to actual game.

The first one he lost with butterfly in the stomach at the beginning. The last one
he lost due to nervousness of closing down the match (like WTA players). But, unlike
before, now the nervousness is palpable.

Hopefully, with more success, his lack of focus/concentration etc would be a thing
of the past.

As Moxie pointed out, I don't understand why would one go into a slump in the first
place, after having a splendid fall season last year.

 

[Riotbeard]

Novak played some of his best of the years this match, but was mentally disappointing. He only had a good TB in comparison to the guy on the other side. As bad as rafa has been this year, this might have been a heartening spectacle.

 

[Riotbeard]

Don't me wrong, this wins gives me more hope for the year but it is only a start.

 

[Moxie]

Good win today. But here's my other question: why does he habitually start so slowly, of the last…year? More? I suppose the answer will be nerves, but he really has to come out less sleepy-head in these matches, if you ask me. I know he likes to come back from the dead, but that doesn't always work.

 

[lacatch]

I noticed the look in Novak's eyes during sets 2&3 today----he is back and ready to win again.

 

[Riotbeard]

Good win today. But here's my other question: why does he habitually start so slowly, of the last…year? More? I suppose the answer will be nerves, but he really has to come out less sleepy-head in these matches, if you ask me. I know he likes to come back from the dead, but that doesn't always work.

It would be nice, if he didn't have to play a bunch of three setters, much less five setters.

 

[Riotbeard]

I noticed the look in Novak's eyes during sets 2&3 today----he is back and ready to win again.

I hope your right, and he definitely looked interested out there.

 

[Moxie]

Good win today. But here's my other question: why does he habitually start so slowly, of the last…year? More? I suppose the answer will be nerves, but he really has to come out less sleepy-head in these matches, if you ask me. I know he likes to come back from the dead, but that doesn't always work.

It would be nice, if he didn't have to play a bunch of three setters, much less five setters.

So what do you think about the slow starts?

 

[Front242]

Good win today. But here's my other question: why does he habitually start so slowly, of the last…year? More? I suppose the answer will be nerves, but he really has to come out less sleepy-head in these matches, if you ask me. I know he likes to come back from the dead, but that doesn't always work.

It would be nice, if he didn't have to play a bunch of three setters, much less five setters.

So what do you think about the slow starts?

He's emulating his hero, Murray.

 

[Riotbeard]

Good win today. But here's my other question: why does he habitually start so slowly, of the last…year? More? I suppose the answer will be nerves, but he really has to come out less sleepy-head in these matches, if you ask me. I know he likes to come back from the dead, but that doesn't always work.

It would be nice, if he didn't have to play a bunch of three setters, much less five setters.

So what do you think about the slow starts?

That they are bad! Why they are happening, I have no idea. His problems are mostly mental..

 

[Moxie]

Good win today. But here's my other question: why does he habitually start so slowly, of the last…year? More? I suppose the answer will be nerves, but he really has to come out less sleepy-head in these matches, if you ask me. I know he likes to come back from the dead, but that doesn't always work.

It would be nice, if he didn't have to play a bunch of three setters, much less five setters.

So what do you think about the slow starts?

That they are bad! Why they are happening, I have no idea. His problems are mostly mental..

I agree they are mental. He has no technical problems with his game, really.