2020 French Open

C__MC · 11-10-2020 5:07pm

Unbelievable by Nadal I didn't see that coming tbh

Stakes are high next January in Oz

RobertKK · 11-10-2020 5:09pm

Nadal getting better with age, great champion.

seligehgit · 11-10-2020 5:10pm

C__MC wrote: »

Unbelievable by Nadal I didn't see that coming tbh

Stakes are high next January in Oz

I expect he'll be a lot more competitive/a greater threat to Djokovic in Melbourne.

C__MC · 11-10-2020 5:12pm

seligehgit wrote: »

I expect he'll be a lot more competitive/a greater threat to Djokovic in Melbourne.

Even in Djokovic wins in Melbourne he will,still have a chance to go ahead next june in Paris

Hes ridiculously good on clay and I know that's putting it mildly

11-10-2020 5:13pm

seligehgit wrote: »

I expect he'll be a lot more competitive/a greater threat to Djokovic in Melbourne.

That's the closest Djokovic has to Nadal's Roland Garros though

Djokovic beat Nadal there in the final last year in a quicker time than Nadal beat Djokovic here today.

tanko · 11-10-2020 5:13pm

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Nadal equals Federer. Federer did well to hold him off for so long but it was always inevitable he'd be caught. Both Nadal and Djokovic will overtake him in the next couple of years.

Hopefully they both overtake Federer, they are far better players.

C__MC · 11-10-2020 5:15pm

tanko wrote: »

Hopefully they both overtake Federer, they are far better players.

I think you are right but Federer is a more stylish player than both

Fred Cryton · 11-10-2020 5:15pm

Nadal cannot be considered the GOAT. Only 7 of his 20 wins have come outside Roland Garros. 19 of Federer's wins have been outside clay.

Nadal is a clay court specialist, the greatest ever clay courter no doubt but not more than that.

yerwanthere123 · 11-10-2020 5:16pm

Fred Cryton wrote: »

Nadal cannot be considered the GOAT. Only 7 of his 20 wins have come outside Roland Garros. 19 of Federer's wins have been outside clay.

Nadal is a clay court specialist, the greatest ever clay courter no doubt but not more than that.

And so it begins

MisterAnarchy · 11-10-2020 5:17pm

tanko wrote: »

Hopefully they both overtake Federer, they are far better players.

Thats arguable.

Federer plays either of them on the older style fast Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows courts before the game slowed down and luxilon appeared on the scene and he would have alot more titles.

Girly Gal · 11-10-2020 5:18pm

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Nadal equals Federer. Federer did well to hold him off for so long but it was always inevitable he'd be caught. Both Nadal and Djokovic will overtake him in the next couple of years.

Nadal almost certain of getting at least 21 at RG next year, but, 4 might be too much for Novak. No Wimbledon this year and getting disqualified in New York will probably cost Novak overall top spot.

EagererBeaver · 11-10-2020 5:19pm

glasso wrote: »

That's the closest Djokovic has to Nadal's Roland Garros though

Djokovic beat Nadal there in the final in a quicker time than Nadal beat Djokovic here today in the final last year

Not comparable as different styles of tennis. Nadal's destruction of him today was much worse than Melbourne two years ago. His level was higher than Djokovic's too, although Djokovic didn't need to go to that level, the difference between them was so great at the time.

Irrelevant to history and stats but Nadal made that Australian final whilst still very much on the comeback trail. He wasn't supposed to make the final at all and Djokovic was streets ahead of him, and it showed. Today Nadal battered a World No. 1 Djokovic who literally hadn't lost a match this year (albeit a very strange year).

Jim 77 · 11-10-2020 5:19pm

Great match from Nadal and great to see him equal Federer's number of majors. I hope Djokovic goes on to reach that number because he deserves to be up there with Nadal and Federer.

11-10-2020 5:19pm

C__MC wrote: »

I think you are right but Federer is a more stylish player than both

But Anna Kournikova had the nicest arse by far

It will be judged down the line by total GS Titles really

That's the long and short of it

C__MC · 11-10-2020 5:20pm

I do believe theim and the Greek lad , zvervev will take a few slams very soon.

yerwanthere123 · 11-10-2020 5:28pm

C__MC wrote: »

I do believe theim and the Greek lad , zvervev will take a few slams very soon.

Tsitsipas maybe, Zverev I highly doubt it.

11-10-2020 5:28pm

EagererBeaver wrote: »

Not comparable as different styles of tennis. Nadal's destruction of him today was much worse than Melbourne two years ago. His level was higher than Djokovic's too, although Djokovic didn't need to go to that level, the difference between them was so great at the time.

Irrelevant to history and stats but Nadal made that Australian final whilst still very much on the comeback trail. He wasn't supposed to make the final at all and Djokovic was streets ahead of him, and it showed. Today Nadal battered a World No. 1 Djokovic who literally hadn't lost a match this year (albeit a very strange year).

They were both whipped in the respective finals

Djokovic has as many French Opens as Nadal has Australian Opens.

EagererBeaver · 11-10-2020 5:33pm

glasso wrote: »

They were both whipped in the respective finals

Djokovic has as many French Opens as Nadal has Australian Opens.

What on earth does that have to with your original statement that Djokovic beat him faster than he did Djokovic?

11-10-2020 5:37pm

EagererBeaver wrote: »

What on earth does that have to with your original statement that Djokovic beat him faster than he did Djokovic?

Obviously like the original point that Djokovic is very strong at Melbourne and relatively weak at RG in terms of slams. Even a child could make that connection.

"That's (Melbourne) the closest Djokovic has to Nadal's RG" was the first sentence...

Vice versa for Nadal (more dominant at RG of course)

Girly Gal · 11-10-2020 5:44pm

All 3 have taken slam titles from each other at various stages of their careers, had even one of them not came along at the same time, the other 2 would now have 30 odd slams each. Had they all came at different eras it's hard to know how many they'd each win. They have pushed each other on to extreme levels never seen before plus are also now benefiting from the following generations not being good enough to challenge. It would kinda be fitting if they all ended on 20 slams

EagererBeaver · 11-10-2020 5:49pm

glasso wrote: »

Obviously like the original point that Djokovic is very strong at Melbourne and relatively weak at RG in terms of slams. Even a child could make that connection.

Vice versa for Nadal (more dominant at RG of course)

But you drew a direct comparison between the final in Melbourne 2019 and today's match, claiming that Novak beat him faster.

The context of that match is important, as I pointed out. Nadal has just beaten a much better version of Djokovic than Djokovic did Nadal (obviously through no fault of his own) in Melbourne.

Australia is by no means a gimme for Djokovic at all at this stage. He's rightly going to be a hot favourite but there are a couple of things to consider:

1) How much of a toll will the last 6 weeks have taken on him mentally? He likely fancied himself to be tying Rafa up on 19 slams but now finds himself 3 behind.

2) God knows what state the world and Australia will be in in 3 months' time. Maybe Novak could organise another Covid tour and breakaway association that nobody wants beforehand.

EagererBeaver · 11-10-2020 5:51pm

Also is this a bit telling from Federer?

https://twitter.com/rogerfederer/status/1315330172221116418?s=09

seligehgit · 11-10-2020 6:08pm

glasso wrote: »

That's the closest Djokovic has to Nadal's Roland Garros though

Djokovic beat Nadal there in the final last year in a quicker time than Nadal beat Djokovic here today.

Djokovic is certainly the man to beat in Australia.

His record is testament to same.

I thought Rafa was injured pre that tournament and off colour?

I was more so referring to their epic 2012 final.Twas a pleasure to watch it.An old reference point.:D

Can't believe it's their only other final meeting there.

dominatinMC · 11-10-2020 6:58pm

Have to hold my hands up and state that I was well wide of the mark in my prediction! That was an absolute beatdown for Djokovic, and will make for uncomfortable viewing for his fans. Nadal certainly avenged the AO19 defeat with this victory. Now level with Federer on 20, you can be sure he'll add a few more.

velo.2010 · 11-10-2020 7:05pm

Fred Cryton wrote: »

Nadal cannot be considered the GOAT. Only 7 of his 20 wins have come outside Roland Garros. 19 of Federer's wins have been outside clay.

Nadal is a clay court specialist, the greatest ever clay courter no doubt but not more than that.

By that logic, Djokovic has only won 6 Slams outside of hardcourts, Federer has won 9.

Nadal and Wilander are the only men to have won at least 2 Slams on 3 different surfaces.(Aussie Open was grass when Wilander played)

Clay is diminished in the eyes of more than a few for not being a 'proper' surface. That's why Nadal's success on that surface is not ranked equally with the other Slams for some. Tennis snobbery?

Girly Gal · 11-10-2020 7:09pm

dominatinMC wrote: »

Have to hold my hands up and state that I was well wide of the mark in my prediction! That was an absolute beatdown for Djokovic, and will make for uncomfortable viewing for his fans. Nadal certainly avenged the AO19 defeat with this victory. Now level with Federer on 20, you can be sure he'll add a few more.

Certain to add more only if he stays injury free around RG time, I don't think he'll win another slam outside RG, though not beyond him either. If he stays injury free he could add another 2 or 3 FOs,. after that time will catch up with him.

11-10-2020 7:14pm

EagererBeaver wrote: »

But you drew a direct comparison between the final in Melbourne 2019 and today's match, claiming that Novak beat him faster.

The context of that match is important, as I pointed out. Nadal has just beaten a much better version of Djokovic than Djokovic did Nadal (obviously through no fault of his own) in Melbourne.

Australia is by no means a gimme for Djokovic at all at this stage. He's rightly going to be a hot favourite but there are a couple of things to consider:

1) How much of a toll will the last 6 weeks have taken on him mentally? He likely fancied himself to be tying Rafa up on 19 slams but now finds himself 3 behind.

2) God knows what state the world and Australia will be in in 3 months' time. Maybe Novak could organise another Covid tour and breakaway association that nobody wants beforehand.

yes but he did beat him faster - that's a fact - you saying "Nadal wasn't supposed to get to the final" in Melbourne doesn't matter. Nadal will go out and try to win every time and likewise Djokovic. Versions of each don't matter.

Nadal was virtually unplayable today but Djokovic would be fancied still to do better in the Australian Open and beat him if they meet there.. Djokovic has actually beaten Nadal at RG. Nadal hasn't done the same to Djokovic in Australia.

Djokovic is very strong on the surface there.

If Nadal is on form at RG like today there is no shame in being beaten by him. That was one of his best ever performances there and was at a much higher level than he showed in previous matches.

Djokovic has already proved his resilience by getting all the way of the final here after losing a certain grand slam at the US Open just last month due to a split-second of rashness.

tanko · 11-10-2020 7:15pm

True and Nadal beat Federer in the Wimbledon final of 2008, probably the greatest match of all time.
I don't think Federer has ever beaten Nadal in the French Open.

lostcat · 11-10-2020 7:18pm

Girly Gal wrote: »

Certain to add more only if he stays injury free around RG time, I don't think he'll win another slam outside RG, though not beyond him either. If he stays injury free he could add another 2 or 3 FOs,. after that time will catch up with him.

I'm not sure, time moves a bit faster at 33/34, he might slow up faster than one might think...

on the other hand, apart from Thiem, none of the younger guys have a great clay game, he might well hold the castle for a couple of years.

well worth it today, was in a different timezone to Djokovic performance wise.

Nice tweet from Federer, gracious words in defeat from Djokovic, who must also feel that time isn't on his side either as to the bigger picture.

Girly Gal · 11-10-2020 7:40pm

lostcat wrote: »

I'm not sure, time moves a bit faster at 33/34, he might slow up faster than one might think...

on the other hand, apart from Thiem, none of the younger guys have a great clay game, he might well hold the castle for a couple of years.

well worth it today, was in a different timezone to Djokovic performance wise.

Nice tweet from Federer, gracious words in defeat from Djokovic, who must also feel that time isn't on his side either as to the bigger picture.

I agree about time being against him, but, apart from Thiem I don't see a challenge from the younger guys in the next year or two, having said that, it's not beyond the bounds of possibility that Nadal doesn't win another FO however unlikely that might sound right now. Things can change fast in sport, what looks certain one day can disappear the next. If for some reason he wasn't to win RG next year then by the time RG rolled around in 22, time might have caught up with him.

2020 French Open

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