Who can beat Nadal at RG 2019?

[Carol]

Djokovic based on current form.

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

And then you wake up

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

And then you wake up

Wake up and find Djokovic playing his 30th final for his 21st slam

 

[El Dude]

I find myself, strangely, agreeing with Carol. If Novak wins 5-6 of the next 8 Slams he deserves to be crowned GOAT. But that's a tall order. I think he wins 1-2 in 2019, then maybe another 1 or 2 after that. He's playing at a very high level, but unlike 2015-16, he'll have to contend with a rising Next Gen group - plus at an older age.

 

[Fiero425]

Lockdown tennis won't win it against these Newbies! KK didn't exactly come out of nowhere so Nole had to know he needed a little more to finish that deal in Paris! Same for the YEC where he was beat by Sascha who's gotten a boost of confidence from his new coach Lendl!

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

2019 season will be great.

 

[Fiero425]

2019 season will be great.

I'm looking forward to it anyway! It's hard to really know what will happen even with the present form of each top player! :whistle:

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Someone voted Federer. :cuckoo:

 

[Carol]

Someone voted Federer. :cuckoo:

To win RG? that what the federists are dreaming (even that he refuses to play on clay lol) or someone else winning, now Novak is again their 'hope' but I see him winning Wimbledon before than RG

 

[monfed]

Shouldn't dulltards want someone else to win RG since dull has already won it 11 times?

 

[Moxie]

Shouldn't dulltards want someone else to win RG since dull has already won it 11 times?

Nope.

 

[Jelenafan]

Thiem. I like his chances a lot.

 

[Ricardo]

I find myself, strangely, agreeing with Carol. If Novak wins 5-6 of the next 8 Slams he deserves to be crowned GOAT. But that's a tall order. I think he wins 1-2 in 2019, then maybe another 1 or 2 after that. He's playing at a very high level, but unlike 2015-16, he'll have to contend with a rising Next Gen group - plus at an older age.

Back then you argued no such thing as GOAT now you post all the time about it, which is it?

 

[Moxie]

Looking for something else, I just encountered an interview with Nadal for L'Equipe just after his win at RG. He was asked about who might win RG next amongst the younger players. He mentioned Thiem and Zverev, most particularly. He wondered how Shapo would develop on the surface. Note that it was too early in the year for Tsitsipas or Khachanov to have made the conversation. Anyway, for what it's worth.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Some of these youngsters have not even played against Ralph on clay. I doubt any of them can beat Ralph the first time on clay. So, that would eliminate quite a few youngsters.

My bet is that it is not going to be an youngster, but a seasoned veteran like JMDP or Cilic or Stan, that takes out Rafa on a good day at RG.

 

[Moxie]

Some of these youngsters have not even played against Ralph on clay. I doubt any of them can beat Ralph the first time on clay. So, that would eliminate quite a few youngsters.

My bet is that it is not going to be an youngster, but a seasoned veteran like JMDP or Cilic or Stan, that takes out Rafa on a good day at RG.

Front has always pointed out that playing on Langlen is where Soderling got him. Beware a gray day on the 2nd court against a trending big guy? Maybe. I'd put more money on JMDP than Cilic, on clay. Stan, if he were to come back, but I don't think he's going to.

 

[mrzz]

My take on big hitters versus Nadal on RG:

Cilic: close to zero chance
Wawrinka: only if red hot, on an early round, than he has a dismal chance (with current Nadal movement). If Nadal movement worsens, things could change (always considering peak Wawrinka. Non-peak Wawrinka: zero chance).
JMdP: Best shot of them all in a good day. Only guy that I could see beating current Nadal playing well on clay.
Zverev: close to zero chance (at current level, he could have made a step up at RG time).
Kachanov: More chance than Cilic, Zverev and (current) Wawrinka combined, which sumps up to.... pretty small chance. On an early round, having the day of his life, could have a decent shot.
Rublev: should not even be mentioned, but I like the kid.
Jarry: Ha! You read it here first! But not for 2019. This kid is overly aggressive and knows how to play on clay. He will get the big guys by 2020.

 

[herios]

I like Jaary. I saw that match in Hamburg where he beat Thiem. He has a lot of potential, especially on clay and I am very curious how far he will go.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Nadal with only 25% of the votes. Amazing thread Moxie, Nadal fans and Nadal himself would be proud. Next, you should post a thread about who has a better lefty topspin forehand than Rafa so we can see tons of fanbases put down and underestimate Rafa again.

 

[Horsa]

Nadal with only 25% of the votes. Amazing thread Moxie, Nadal fans and Nadal himself would be proud. Next, you should post a thread about who has a better lefty topspin forehand than Rafa so we can see tons of fanbases put down and underestimate Rafa again.

You'll be suggesting a "who is the most handsome male tennis player of all-time?" thread next but then it would only be fair if the men had a "who is the most beautiful female tennis player of all-time?" thread or vice versa for any members of the lgbt+ community we may have. We've got to offer equal opportunities though I did assume everyone was heterosexual so thought I'd best cover my back. I'm not anti-gay though.

 

[Front242]

You'll be suggesting a "who is the most handsome male tennis player of all-time?" thread next but then it would only be fair if the men had a "who is the most beautiful female tennis player of all-time?" thread or vice versa for any members of the lgbt+ community we may have. We've got to offer equal opportunities though I did assume everyone was heterosexual so thought I'd best cover my back. I'm not anti-gay though.

I'm a lesbian trapped in a man's body