Tennis 2021
- Thread starter Sean_RedDevil
- Start date
I see Nole is not favorite around here. Well - it was not meant to be but the way I see it: If he won this, it would be a huge achievement but huge deflation as well. This failure could add fuel to the fire for another amazing year next year. If you look at history of Nole you can see that after his biggest loss at the time (RG final against Wawrinka) he came out firing and winning next 4 slams. On another hand after winning RG 2016 (biggest win of his career) he went onto biggest slump of his career.
So yeah... He did lose, but he lost to inspired and excellent opponent. Opponent who was more fresh physically and mentally, and is about 10 years younger. That draw was from hell. If he finished the job, he would have beaten 4 grand slam finalists.
Also I am a bit bitter today and have to add... Lead up to this final Djokovic had to play 3 night sessions, while Medvedev had to play 3 day sessions. Final was during the day. Conditions are faster during the day and Medvedev was so well calibrated.
Life goes on. There will be never conversation in tennis about the GOAT without Novak being mentioned in it. For me that is good enough. Doesn't have to be undisputed best ever. Federer and Nadal have their legacies, but Djokovic is right there with them and in some segments surpassed them. He was never meant to be this great, but he did it anyway.
Congrats to Medvedev. Amazing performance. Has he blinked in that second set, things could have been very different.
So yeah... He did lose, but he lost to inspired and excellent opponent. Opponent who was more fresh physically and mentally, and is about 10 years younger. That draw was from hell. If he finished the job, he would have beaten 4 grand slam finalists.
Also I am a bit bitter today and have to add... Lead up to this final Djokovic had to play 3 night sessions, while Medvedev had to play 3 day sessions. Final was during the day. Conditions are faster during the day and Medvedev was so well calibrated.
Life goes on. There will be never conversation in tennis about the GOAT without Novak being mentioned in it. For me that is good enough. Doesn't have to be undisputed best ever. Federer and Nadal have their legacies, but Djokovic is right there with them and in some segments surpassed them. He was never meant to be this great, but he did it anyway.
Congrats to Medvedev. Amazing performance. Has he blinked in that second set, things could have been very different.
Relieved that Mendelev won. Djokovic will cross Federer and Nadal in terms of GS soon enough (probably AUS open) but A) the later the better and B) thank feck for some real quality in the men's game outsiders the big 3. About time. Mendelev is the only one who genuinely looks like he truly belongs (even before this). Hopefully that young Spanish kid is the next to explode.
Delighted for a new name. It isn’t over for Novak but glad someone has finally ended the run.
Two new winners on the board1
As a natural supporter, I feel really disappointed not to have seen someone win the Grand Slam. It might never happen in my lifetime. It would have been the perfect way to see Djokovic put to bed the GOAT/slam record thing, which barring unforeseen circumstances, he’ll end up being comfortably ahead on eventually.
Absolutely. I have to admit, I am not his biggest fan and struggle to warm to him as a player the same way I have both Federer and Nadal. But that's not uncommon, and I'm sure it's more routed in the idea that he could (and probably will) surpass their open hauls.
Djok is an incredible player who has had to contend with obstacles that neither Federer or Nadal had to simply due to fans' love for the latter. 100% one of the greatest, with a very real claim at top spot.
Only shame is we didn't get to see history but that's the beauty of sports it's about on that day. Records, trophies, history count for feck all. It was a fantastic performance from Medvedev. I remember a sequence of points in the second or third set where he sends Djokovic the wrong way twice in a row. He was out thinking the goat. He looks like the one to break that number 1 stranglehold djokovic has been having. Needs to improve his clay and grass game a bit too. First title of many for the next Gen and I'm glad it's Medvedev who breaks the duck. I think he's the most likable of the him,zverev, tsisipas trinity.
Thought his speech was fine, he’s pretty much never had a crowd like that in his favour and is more used to having it against him. He’s also lived with a lot of pressure since Wimbledon and even though he lost, that pressure is still gone as soon as the match is over. He’ll feel some sort of relief even after losing now.
It’s not even top 3 easiest route since 2017, lets just casually forget 2017, 18 and 19
Gasquet, Evans can cause a threat on their day. FAA has had a good year.
Easiest route? Have you seen some of the paths Djokovic has gotten to his slam finals on? Fed as well at Wimbledon?
This was hardly the easiest.
It's near to as good a route to the final as you could hope for. Gasquet hasn't caused anyone problems for a while and while Evans isn't an easy match, he's been in poor form for a while. Even at his best Evans is the type of player that may give you a good match but he's not winning. FAA has had a good year but him beating Medvedev would have been a pretty big shock.
It's a credit to Medvedev that he's navigated his draw easily as expected.
Disagree with 2019. The easiest route to the final has to be 2016 US Open for Djokovic (he lost the final anyway) as half his opponents were injured.It’s not even top 3 easiest route since 2017, lets just casually forget 2017, 18 and 19
R1: Janowicz
R2: Walkover
R3: Youzhny (retired in set 1)
R4: Edmund
QF: Tsonga (retired after set 2)
SF: Monfils
Last edited:
I didn't even go that far back as his point was shit....but yep, further exemplify it.
Basically Djokovic has bottled the US Open big time in his career, maybe he just can't consistency condition his body to last the season. It's no surprise that Nadal, master of conditioning has took of advantage and overachieved there. Logically, there's no reason for him to have more US titles than Novak.. but there ya go. He does. I reckon Nole would somehow flop those draws in 2017-19, or at least only come away with one of them.
Basically Djokovic has bottled the US Open big time in his career, maybe he just can't consistency condition his body to last the season. It's no surprise that Nadal, master of conditioning has took of advantage and overachieved there. Logically, there's no reason for him to have more US titles than Novak.. but there ya go. He does. I reckon Nole would somehow flop those draws in 2017-19, or at least only come away with one of them.
You're taking some serious credit away from the likes of Wawrinka and so on who have beaten Novak, including his controversial retirement against Stan and excluding his DQ, which was a one time surprise circumstance to occur.
Stan outplayed him at AO as well.
It wasn't even a choke as much as it was just him being outplayed by a younger, fresher and possible better version of his current self.
The same could be said of Nadal when it comes to AO and his numerous injuries there when he could have a run.
Djokovic is the best conditioned, always has been. His body has the most endurance. Proven by the fact that he goes on to win the indoor tournaments and Finals.
It just so happens that he's lost a bit at this tournament. It's sport, it happens.
Should also be said that the US Open court is slower than the AO Court, which, while being hardcourt, suits his game less.
I must admit it’s nice to see a new name in the men’s game. It’s been a long, long time.
3 US open slam wins, another 6 finals and two SFs but aye bottler at the US open.
I'm not taking any credit away from Wawrinka, Daniil, Nadal(2013) or Murray.... all worthy winners. All we're underdogs, so only backs up my point. He's lost more finals(3-6) at the US alone than the other 3 combined(17-5). Oh and there's the loss to Kei too.
Nadal being a favourite for either of hard has been pretty rare, so no, it's not comparable. Murray would be the better comparison if using the AO, but even then, he was the underdog in every final he was in.... whereas Djoko has been the fave for all but maybe 1 US Open of the past 10 years?
3 US open slam wins, another 6 finals and two SFs but aye bottler at the US open.
Yep. Even a GOAT has flaws.
Goat discussions are so toxic in every sport, a reflection of our own narcissism. Great sportspeople from the past set a mark for the next to reach and redefine what is possible for the next generation, Djokovic does not become as good as he has without Federer and Nadal, Nadal without Federer, Federer without Sampras and so on
In all sports we need to worry less about a ranking lists which lead to nonsense like 34yo Djokovic being called a choker after dominating the year.
In all sports we need to worry less about a ranking lists which lead to nonsense like 34yo Djokovic being called a choker after dominating the year.
He was playing how Novak plays just keep the other guy in and wait for the mistake. Boring as feck both of them he out shit tennised Novak and beat him at his own game. That was his tactic. Probably the best way to beat him going for power grace and winners plays into his hands.
Wowza
Wasn't at the Ashe, but it seemed to me the crowd was backing Medvedev early on and only started pushing for Djokovic during the third set. Crowd loves to get their money's worth, a three setter wasn't it.
As for the dickheads that were booing Medvedev during his serve, that's inexcusable. Could have been people betting on Djokovic, fans wanting to witness history, diehard Nole fans, some overexcited Serbs - either way - inexcusable.
I thought exactly the same fckn thing - 'watch him lose now'. Medvedev played a stunner, but I think Djokovic was fatigued both physically and mentally. He was just bearing all this weight of expectation and in the end he crumbled. Notice him bawling his eyes during the second to last game in the third set, it was just pent up emotions and he just couldn't cope.
Physically, he played 4+ hrs of tennis more than Medvedev, in a tournament like this it certainly accumulates quick.
I'd summarize by saying that he's amazing athlete but this was a step too far, and I'm perfectly happy with the result. He'll win more than Federer and Nadal (def more than Federer, Nadal might add a few more RG slams) but he certainly one of the best ever. Without wanting to opine on the GOAT discussion - which is even more boring than the Messi v Ronaldo debate - I'd say that even though he'll never be as liked as Federer or Nadal he's at a minimum as good as either. (And a dickhead to boot!)
Zverev took his legs and Medvedev took his soul!
guardian opinion section at its finest. Anyone know how to make a feminist smile?
https://www.theguardian.com/comment...nage-girls-young-women?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
https://www.theguardian.com/comment...nage-girls-young-women?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
I just noticed there's a Feddal who plays for Sporting.
Should have a go at tennis, me thinks.
Should have a go at tennis, me thinks.
Imagine supporting this guy.
Maybe he was trying to convince him to go vegan
The Laver Cup is one of the best tournaments to grace the tennis world; sadly it is still underrated. Some brilliant matches yesterday, and it's still the first day!!
It's pretty fun when I've watched it but given the lack of stakes and manipulated scoring system I'm not sure how seriously I can take it. Certainly not worth staying up late for imo. When it's back in Europe I'll watch it and if it ever is in the UK, I'd try to go.
Just seen it is in London next year..
Didn't watch any of it but I see the Laver Cup was even more one sided this year in favour of Team Europe. If they want to continue Europe vs Rest of the World they should bring in some ladies to balance things out as it's a complete mismatch.
The final score does not do Team World justice. With the exception of three matches, all the rest needed a tiebreaker.
Well the players do seem to take it seriously.
haha no, he’s been at third all time for quite some time.
Indian Wells -
Raducanu v Sasnovich
Sasnovich easily won the first set
Raducanu looks very flat footed
Raducanu v Sasnovich
Sasnovich easily won the first set
Raducanu looks very flat footed
1-1 in the second set
Beaten in straight sets - looked so lethargic out there
Sacks her coach, receives tonnes of money and endorsements....
Loses her opening round match on her first Tour, blames it on being 18, no experience playing at night and say's she has to play week in week out to improve.
Well if you get beaten in the opening round, you won't be playing week in week to improve.
I hope that this just grounds her a little, because she clearly has qualities to go far, but focus and hard work is what will get her there.
In a way, losing that final may have been better for her long term, would be a shame if that ends up being her only big tournament win of her career.
Kournikova was a good young player too, but her off the court life, was far more dominate than what she did on the court and she had a lot of people around her making money off her, she used Tennis as a window around the world to promote her off court lifestyle.
Loses her opening round match on her first Tour, blames it on being 18, no experience playing at night and say's she has to play week in week out to improve.
Well if you get beaten in the opening round, you won't be playing week in week to improve.
I hope that this just grounds her a little, because she clearly has qualities to go far, but focus and hard work is what will get her there.
In a way, losing that final may have been better for her long term, would be a shame if that ends up being her only big tournament win of her career.
Kournikova was a good young player too, but her off the court life, was far more dominate than what she did on the court and she had a lot of people around her making money off her, she used Tennis as a window around the world to promote her off court lifestyle.
Wasn't it the other way round? The coach had signed on thru the USO as he had other prior commitments, including coaching his own highly rated 10 yr old son.
She'll figure it out, she needs to regroup and maybe not enter all three tournaments thru the end of the year.
But it's nice to see the knives are out, so typical
That's what the media are saying. Not my specific words.
Yes let's write off the rest of her career after she lost one match.Yeah, some reaction that
I did warn people to be a bit(/a lot) more grounded, the WTA tour is absolutely wild. We shouldn't be overhyping any player in general until a consistent run over a couple of years, loads have had short term runs but drifted away.
I did warn people to be a bit(/a lot) more grounded, the WTA tour is absolutely wild. We shouldn't be overhyping any player in general until a consistent run over a couple of years, loads have had short term runs but drifted away.