Who can beat Nadal at RG 2019?

[Front242]

Just to be clear, I think the ab was strained, so he was advised to stop, lest he tear it. And then, as you said elsewhere, he took the opportunity to have a procedure on his ankle.

Hardly life threatening stuff so no reason for any concern. What many of the Nafal fans are failing to see though is that in terms of actual major injuries that impact movement and keep you out for a couple of months, THIS is where things may be more difficult for Nadal and also Djokovic than Federer as their games rely way more on movement than his.

That said, everyone can see that if Federer has a bad day serving and returning then anyone can beat him but the reverse is also true.

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

Djokovic based on current form.

I think Djokovic will win 5-6 of the next 8 slams

 

[herios]

Zverev will beat Nadal at RG.

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

Zverev will beat Nadal at RG.

If he becomes potent in B05 he's my bet as well since he won't face him in the final.

Enjoys the grind and longer rallies

 

[atttomole]

Djokovic based on current form.

I think Djokovic will win 5-6 of the next 8 slams

Which means that he will most likely overtake Federer and Nadal on the slam count.

 

[atttomole]

It has to be Djokovic that can beat Nadal at RG.

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

Which means that he will most likely overtake Federer and Nadal on the slam count.

Nadal,yes by 2020
Federer after that.

 

[Moxie]

If he becomes potent in B05 he's my bet as well since he won't face him in the final.

Enjoys the grind and longer rallies

I don't see why he wouldn't face him in the final (??) Anyway, while Djokovic has the chops, he also has more negative baggage at RG. I'm inclined to go with a stronger Zverev, as the best youngsters seem to be less intimidated by the big 3. And I think Zverev will get stronger. Even he joked in his speech today that he's put on some muscle, even if the rest of us can't see it.

 

[Moxie]

Djokovic based on current form.

I think Djokovic will win 5-6 of the next 8 slams

The same was said of Djokovic in late '15/mid-'16 and it didn't happen. I'm not saying it won't, but it's rather a fashion for the "now" translating directly into the future, which rarely works out that way. He's got a solid chance to catch Nadal, if Nadal doesn't win any more Majors, but I don't think he's quite done. I'm not discounting that he could we catch him or even pass him, but I less sure he'll catch Roger, much less pass him. That's a lot of work to do post-32 (he plays only 1 more Major as a 31-year-old.) And it doesn't account for the rise of Next Gen, upset, injury, walkabout, or any player to be named later.

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

I don't see why he wouldn't face him in the final (??)

Will be 3rd or 4th seed most probably so chances of him being in Nadals half are 50/50

Anyway, while Djokovic has the chops, he also has more negative baggage at RG. I'm inclined to go with a stronger Zverev, as the best youngsters seem to be less intimidated by the big 3. And I think Zverev will get stronger. Even he joked in his speech today that he's put on some muscle, even if the rest of us can't see it.

Yeah Djokovic has some weird losses at RG apart from the 1-6 h2h.Plus Clay doesn't play to his strengths

Zverev has completed his 5-year plan so he'll probably start making noise at slams next year

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

The same was said of Djokovic in late '15/mid-'16 and it didn't happen. I'm not saying it won't, but it's rather a fashion for the "now" translating directly into the future, which rarely works out that way. He's got a solid chance to catch Nadal, if Nadal doesn't win any more Majors, but I don't think he's quite done. I'm not discounting that he could we catch him or even pass him, but I less sure he'll catch Roger, much less pass him. That's a lot of work to do post-32 (he plays only 1 more Major as a 31-year-old.) And it doesn't account for the rise of Next Gen, upset, injury, walkabout, or any player to be named later.

I wrote that before today's match.

Yeah after 2016 RG it seemed like a foregone conclusion but the field is weaker now.The guys who could trouble him(Murray,Nadal,Wawrinka,Federer) are all either injured/in-slump and despite his last three losses(Tsitsipas,Kha Khacha,Zverev) coming against nextgen he cruised easily to the USO title which is is second worst slam statistically.
Though I did notice some tiredness in his game in second sets of his last two finals.

I have him as favorite at 3 slams and 2nd favorite at 1 next couple year hence the 5-6 prediction

 

[Moxie]

Will be 3rd or 4th seed most probably so chances of him being in Nadals half are 50/50

Yeah Djokovic has some weird losses at RG apart from the 1-6 h2h.Plus Clay doesn't play to his strengths

Zverev has completed his 5-year plan so he'll probably start making noise at slams next year

Right, but 50/50 he's not, so they could surely meet in the final. Either way, if he's playing well, he demonstrated today that he can keep his head in a big final, so I don't see that as a big impediment.

I don't see why you say that Djokovic has had some "weird losses" at RG, though. Surely, Wawrinka was a surprise in the '15 final, but other than that? (This does get to why I created this thread, though. We were having this conversation on the ATP finals one. Basically, what does history between them say about Novak's chances.) Feel free to carry on this thought.

 

[britbox]

Zverev will beat Nadal at RG.

Really? Man, you've been slating Zverev's performance in majors for the last two years (with some justification, but overly harsh IMO) and now he's going to beat Nadal at Roland Garros? Based on a best of 3 set win over Djokovic on indoor courts?

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

Right, but 50/50 he's not, so they could surely meet in the final. Either way, if he's playing well, he demonstrated today that he can keep his head in a big final, so I don't see that as a big impediment.

Sure I just think defeating Nadal before the final will be comparatively easier

I don't see why you say that Djokovic has had some "weird losses" at RG, though. Surely, Wawrinka was a surprise in the '15 final, but other than that? (This does get to why I created this thread, though. We were having this conversation on the ATP finals one. Basically, what does history between them say about Novak's chances.) Feel free to carry on this thought.

His last two losses for instance.

IMO Novak is much more susceptible to upsets on clay than any other surface.
His strengths just doesnt hold up well on the surface.

 

[Moxie]

Sure I just think defeating Nadal before the final will be comparatively easier



His last two losses for instance.

IMO Novak is much more susceptible to upsets on clay than any other surface.
His strengths just doesnt hold up well on the surface.

I can't disagree that he'd rather face Nadal in a SF than a final.

As to the last 2 losses to Nadal: '13 and '14. I don't see why they're "weird," though. The '13 SF was the biggest battle and most revisited, but Nadal did serve to win it in 4. And Djokovic lost the 3rd 1-6. Nadal was the better in that one and in the '14 one. What I will say was weird about '14 was whatever the mysterious bug that Djokovic seemed to have was never explained. And then there was that strange photo of Djokovic with Becker at a chess table before the final, and Djokovic had a bandage on his wrist, which was also never explained. In any case, though, Nadal was the better in all of their matches except the one he lost in '15.

I don't agree that clay doesn't suit Djokovic. He's been very good on it, and he doesn't mind a long, physical match. He's just had to contend with Rafa. He does like to hit pretty flat, though, and if he starts missing the lines he can get crabby.

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

I can't disagree that he'd rather face Nadal in a SF than a final.

As to the last 2 losses to Nadal: '13 and '14. I don't see why they're "weird," though. The '13 SF was the biggest battle and most revisited, but Nadal did serve to win it in 4. And Djokovic lost the 3rd 1-6. Nadal was the better in that one and in the '14 one. What I will say was weird about '14 was whatever the mysterious bug that Djokovic seemed to have was never explained. And then there was that strange photo of Djokovic with Becker at a chess table before the final, and Djokovic had a bandage on his wrist, which was also never explained. In any case, though, Nadal was the better in all of their matches except the one he lost in '15.

I don't agree that clay doesn't suit Djokovic. He's been very good on it, and he doesn't mind a long, physical match. He's just had to contend with Rafa. He does like to hit pretty flat, though, and if he starts missing the lines he can get crabby.

I wasn't talking about 13,14 but the Thiem and Cecchinato losses of 2017-18

Re: Nadal
I never had the feeling that he could defeat in-form/healthy Nadal so I agree with you on that.(Haven't watched 2006-08)

He doesn't mind the grind but he's not a natural clay-courter like you mentioned the flat hitting (lack of TS),hitting deep doesn:t yield many forced errors and his sliding technique which works like a charm on HC/grass doesn't quite give him the edge on clay since most guys slide on the surface.

 

[Moxie]

I wasn't talking about 13,14 but the Thiem and Cecchinato losses of 2017-18

Re: Nadal
I never had the feeling that he could defeat in-form/healthy Nadal so I agree with you on that.(Haven't watched 2006-08)

He doesn't mind the grind but he's not a natural clay-courter like you mentioned the flat hitting (lack of TS),hitting deep doesn:t yield many forced errors and his sliding technique which works like a charm on HC/grass doesn't quite give him the edge on clay since most guys slide on the surface.

OK, but '17-'18 he was far from himself. Thiem is solid on clay, though it was a poor loss. He did give up, but that's when he was in a "weird" place, I agree. Cecchinato...ok. I'll give you that one.

I won't give you that Djokovic's ability to slide is negated by other players on the surface. I think we've discussed that there aren't as many natural CCers around anymore. Novak's ability to slide is a benefit. Most don't have it. (Remember the famous Sharapova quote about feeling like a cow on ice. That's how a lot of HC players look on clay. Not Novak.)

 

[Carol]

Meanwhile Rafa is coming to Miami taking a good vacation

 

[Carol]

Zverev will beat Nadal at RG.

And besides Zverev has beaten Novak in Indoor today probably he will beat him in the AO too, what about it?

 

[Carol]

Age and injury are directly related. Nadal has had more frequent injuries as he's become older but the most important thing to note is it takes much longer to recover from injury as you get older. For example, if Federer has another episode of back pain his career is over as he can't write off another whole year at 37..

You should be very happy that Federer after the surgery his knee has not bothered him anymore