Federer is the most graceful, artistic player we've ever seen. But as good as his defense was -- and it was good, and I consider defense to be a combination of movement and how the ball comes back over the net when you do get to it -- it was clearly not as good as that of Djokovic or Nadal. Physicality and movement have become much more important as tennis has evolved, and this is where Federer wasn't quite on the level of the other two.
When it comes to Djokovic vs. Nadal, the only reason it's still so close imo is Nadal's mental edge and competitive drive. He has the edge there over Djokovic or, frankly, anyone that has ever played. Djokovic, for me, is the most complete player in history. He had a relatively so-so serve when he was young, but once he ramped that up, it's become a major weapon. Incredible consistency and enough power on both wings from the baseline. Very good volleyer. Absolutely insane mover/defender. Best return of serve in the history of the game. Excellent touch on drop shots. His biggest weakness, from what I've seen, is that his overhead is a little shaky (Lord can I relate!), from what you'd expect from a pro or the possible GOAT, but typically it's enough to get the job done and you're so far ahead in the point on those, usually, that it hasn't really cost him much in his career.
I know Djokovic will get docked points by many for his on-court antics at times (the DQ at the US Open, breaking rackets, etc), and certainly for his vaccine stance, and some will note that Nadal and Federer were/are better sportsmen. That may be, but as a player, I don't think there's been anyone better than Djokovic when looking at his body of work.
For now. Hey, the French Open could change things for me if Rafa wins it!
Djokovic has the mental edge to me with he and Rafa alone in the highest tier, though I think Rafa and he together have the competitive drive title together. What does sportsmen mean as you see it?
I guess they think there is a good chance he won't play. Otherwise, he's as big a favorite as anyone ever is at any tournament.
They had the same odds last year. This was published on May 22, 2022 and the French Open started June 5, 2022. I think it was confirmed he was going to play last year. Here were the odds for last year:
Quote:
The 2022 French Open wraps up June 5 in Paris, and Djokovic is the +200 favorite to raise the trophy in Caesars Sportsbook's latest 2022 French Open odds.
Alcaraz is next on the tennis odds board +225, while Nadal and 2021 runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas are both priced at +400.
Joined: 25 Apr 2015 Posts: 31912 Location: Anaheim, CA
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 10:37 pm Post subject:
focus wrote:
ChickenStu wrote:
Federer is the most graceful, artistic player we've ever seen. But as good as his defense was -- and it was good, and I consider defense to be a combination of movement and how the ball comes back over the net when you do get to it -- it was clearly not as good as that of Djokovic or Nadal. Physicality and movement have become much more important as tennis has evolved, and this is where Federer wasn't quite on the level of the other two.
When it comes to Djokovic vs. Nadal, the only reason it's still so close imo is Nadal's mental edge and competitive drive. He has the edge there over Djokovic or, frankly, anyone that has ever played. Djokovic, for me, is the most complete player in history. He had a relatively so-so serve when he was young, but once he ramped that up, it's become a major weapon. Incredible consistency and enough power on both wings from the baseline. Very good volleyer. Absolutely insane mover/defender. Best return of serve in the history of the game. Excellent touch on drop shots. His biggest weakness, from what I've seen, is that his overhead is a little shaky (Lord can I relate!), from what you'd expect from a pro or the possible GOAT, but typically it's enough to get the job done and you're so far ahead in the point on those, usually, that it hasn't really cost him much in his career.
I know Djokovic will get docked points by many for his on-court antics at times (the DQ at the US Open, breaking rackets, etc), and certainly for his vaccine stance, and some will note that Nadal and Federer were/are better sportsmen. That may be, but as a player, I don't think there's been anyone better than Djokovic when looking at his body of work.
For now. Hey, the French Open could change things for me if Rafa wins it!
Djokovic has the mental edge to me with he and Rafa alone in the highest tier, though I think Rafa and he together have the competitive drive title together. What does sportsmen mean as you see it?
Nadal and Federer have never been defaulted from a match due to petulant behavior on the court, as far as I know. I guess Federer was a hothead as a junior, but that didn't really show up much in his professional career, although he did have some run-ins with chair umpires. (Though nothing on the level of McEnroe, Connors, or even some of his contemporaries.) For me, something like that doesn't really cloud my judgment as to their overall body of work. It does for some, though.
Rafael Nadal declines clay-court wild card as French Open questions loom
PARIS -- Rafael Nadal turned down a wild-card offer for next week's Challenger tournament in Bordeaux, the clay-court event director said Sunday, as the 22-time Grand Slam champion's participation in the French Open hangs in the balance.
Nadal has been struggling with a hip injury he suffered at the Australian Open in January, and fears he may miss the French Open grew after he pulled out of this week's Italian Open.
"I offered him [Nadal's agent Carlos Costa] one of the wild cards," Jean-Baptiste Perlant told French sports daily L'Equipe. "He very kindly told me that Nadal was continuing his preparation at home in Manacor, that he was not ready and was in a race against time to be ready for the French Open."
Nadal skipped last week's Madrid Open and missed tournaments at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
The French Open, which Nadal has won a record 14 times including last year, starts on May 28.
Nadal, 36, has competed at Roland Garros every year since winning the first of his men's-record 22 major titles in Paris in 2005.
This is it for Nadal. He won't be able to hold off Djokovic. Djokovic is still going strong. He's going to end up with the most grand slams for sure.
Joined: 15 Nov 2006 Posts: 19864 Location: Prarie & Manchester, high above the western sideline
Posted: Tue May 16, 2023 4:26 pm Post subject:
If you see tennis courts that have been vandalized with pickleball lines drawn with tape, kindly take the time to peel the tape off. It's a silly game for silly people. _________________ http://chickhearn.ytmnd.com/
If you see tennis courts that have been vandalized with pickleball lines drawn with tape, kindly take the time to peel the tape off. It's a silly game for silly people.
Joined: 15 Nov 2006 Posts: 19864 Location: Prarie & Manchester, high above the western sideline
Posted: Tue May 16, 2023 8:32 pm Post subject:
LongBeachPoly wrote:
C M B wrote:
If you see tennis courts that have been vandalized with pickleball lines drawn with tape, kindly take the time to peel the tape off. It's a silly game for silly people.
Rafael Nadal pulls out of French Open, expects '24 to be last year
Rafael Nadal announced Thursday that he is pulling out of the French Open because of a lingering hip injury that has sidelined him since January and that he expects 2024 to be the final season of his career.
The owner of a record 14 championships at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament will miss it for the first time. He made his debut there in 2005.
Nadal, who turns 37 next month, delivered the news of his withdrawal -- and future plans -- during a news conference at his tennis academy in Manacor, Spain. He said he does not want to set a date for his return to the tennis tour but expects it to take months.
"The evolution of the injury I sustained in Australia has not gone as I would have liked. I have lost goals along the way, and Roland Garros becomes impossible," Nadal told reporters.
And then, the 22-time Grand Slam champion added: "You never know how things will turn out, but my intention is that next year will be my last year."
………….
The Spaniard hasn't competed anywhere since he lost to Mackie McDonald in the second round of the Australian Open on Jan. 18, when his movement clearly was restricted by a bothersome left hip flexor. That was Nadal's earliest Grand Slam exit since 2016.
Wow, the big 3 era is really coming to an end.
It’ll just be Djokovic after next yr. Yeah, I think Nadal has won his last grand slam.
Rafael Nadal pulls out of French Open, expects '24 to be last year
Rafael Nadal announced Thursday that he is pulling out of the French Open because of a lingering hip injury that has sidelined him since January and that he expects 2024 to be the final season of his career.
The owner of a record 14 championships at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament will miss it for the first time. He made his debut there in 2005.
Nadal, who turns 37 next month, delivered the news of his withdrawal -- and future plans -- during a news conference at his tennis academy in Manacor, Spain. He said he does not want to set a date for his return to the tennis tour but expects it to take months.
"The evolution of the injury I sustained in Australia has not gone as I would have liked. I have lost goals along the way, and Roland Garros becomes impossible," Nadal told reporters.
And then, the 22-time Grand Slam champion added: "You never know how things will turn out, but my intention is that next year will be my last year."
………….
The Spaniard hasn't competed anywhere since he lost to Mackie McDonald in the second round of the Australian Open on Jan. 18, when his movement clearly was restricted by a bothersome left hip flexor. That was Nadal's earliest Grand Slam exit since 2016.
Wow, the big 3 era is really coming to an end.
It’ll just be Djokovic after next yr. Yeah, I think Nadal has won his last grand slam.
He’ll finish at 22
I hope he gets to play a decent amount of high level tennis next year, but his ranking is not going to help. He'll be out of the top 100 after the French Open in a couple of weeks. It's really too bad because his level when he can play is really the best. Body no go.
Djokovic probably won't go down because of injury or at least not at first. I think Alcaraz and Rune, and then the relentless march of other younger guys is going to get to wear him down in combo with the "what's the point, I've won everything a couple of times at least?" mental weariness. But I expect that not to happen until 2025 perhaps.
Joined: 25 Apr 2015 Posts: 31912 Location: Anaheim, CA
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 9:47 pm Post subject:
I know Medvedev won Rome but clay is not his friend. Monfils had an incredible comeback win in the 5th. And a few "upsets" on the WTA side, although that tour is so closely bunched together that it's hard to call them true upsets, probably.
I am a big Fed fan but i will concede its only fitting Djokovic ends up with the most slams as he is the best and most complete player I have ever seen. I will not concede that point to Nadal who is an inferior player to Federer on all courts except Clay. Against Djokovic, I find myself hoping Federer can win and seeing too often that Djokovic is the slightly better player - Wimbledon 2019 being the exception where Federer completely outplayed Djokovic but choked several times to blow that match. US Opens 2010 and 2011, even though Fed held match points, I never felt comfortable in either match and felt Novak was slightly better. Against Nadal, its dont choke because its on your racket. On clay of course....different story.
Federer is the most graceful, artistic player we've ever seen. But as good as his defense was -- and it was good, and I consider defense to be a combination of movement and how the ball comes back over the net when you do get to it -- it was clearly not as good as that of Djokovic or Nadal. Physicality and movement have become much more important as tennis has evolved, and this is where Federer wasn't quite on the level of the other two.
When it comes to Djokovic vs. Nadal, the only reason it's still so close imo is Nadal's mental edge and competitive drive. He has the edge there over Djokovic or, frankly, anyone that has ever played. Djokovic, for me, is the most complete player in history. He had a relatively so-so serve when he was young, but once he ramped that up, it's become a major weapon. Incredible consistency and enough power on both wings from the baseline. Very good volleyer. Absolutely insane mover/defender. Best return of serve in the history of the game. Excellent touch on drop shots. His biggest weakness, from what I've seen, is that his overhead is a little shaky (Lord can I relate!), from what you'd expect from a pro or the possible GOAT, but typically it's enough to get the job done and you're so far ahead in the point on those, usually, that it hasn't really cost him much in his career.
I know Djokovic will get docked points by many for his on-court antics at times (the DQ at the US Open, breaking rackets, etc), and certainly for his vaccine stance, and some will note that Nadal and Federer were/are better sportsmen. That may be, but as a player, I don't think there's been anyone better than Djokovic when looking at his body of work.
For now. Hey, the French Open could change things for me if Rafa wins it!
Djokovic has the mental edge to me with he and Rafa alone in the highest tier, though I think Rafa and he together have the competitive drive title together. What does sportsmen mean as you see it?
Nadal and Federer have never been defaulted from a match due to petulant behavior on the court, as far as I know. I guess Federer was a hothead as a junior, but that didn't really show up much in his professional career, although he did have some run-ins with chair umpires. (Though nothing on the level of McEnroe, Connors, or even some of his contemporaries.) For me, something like that doesn't really cloud my judgment as to their overall body of work. It does for some, though.
Funny enough, it was Fed's 2017 magical comeback year where his backhand was supposed to be a counter for Djokovic but really helped him solve Nadal. The Australian Open really removed his mental block vs Nadal and it was further solidified that Fed had real belief and conviction that he KNEW he was better than Nadal when he eviscerated him in Indian Wells, Miami and Shanghai that year (none of which were close and it was one way Federer traffic in all those matches - granting the concession of course that had Fed played clay court that season, Nadal would have still beaten him). Fed never got back that belief he was better than Djokovic since he lost at Wimbledon 2014 where he threw everything at Djoker with the bigger racket frame and still lost (Djoker looked the very slightly better player). Had Djoker played Fed in 2017 though, Im sure Fed would have took him apart for just that year for the simple fact that Djoker was in his poorest form and Fed was at his best since 2012.
Alcaraz blaming it on extreme cramps in the 3rd and 4th sets:
Quote:
"The first and 2nd set were really really intense and I started to cramp in my arm; And the beginning of the 3rd set, I started to cramp every part of my body.."
He blames the cramping on the tension of the match and being nervous.
Djokovic says it was obvious that Alcaraz was struggling with his movement at the end. So yeah, sounds like a legit injury.
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