Occasionally here at Tennis-Prose.com, we are honored to receive an article from the noted Alex Bancila, an astute tennis mind, on the state of the tennis world. It’s usually at the cusp of the beginning of a slam and right on time with the French less than a week away, Alex’s cogent analysis of the game, particularly the Nadal-Djokovic dynamic, appears on our site’s doorstep. Enjoy Alex’s take on what the French will offer.
All Roads Lead to Paris
By Alex Bancila
A Short Pre-Roland Garros Analysis
The saying “there are only two sure things in life: death and taxes†can be
extrapolated to this year’s upcoming French Open, as follows: “at the 2014 Roland
Garros, two things are sure: Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will play each other in
the final and Serena Williams will win the tournament.â€
Let’s start with the ladies. In my opinion, Serena Williams is already the best
women’s player in history albeit not the one with the most impressive accolades.
Whether or not she will surpass Steffi Graff (are we really going to count Margaret
Smith Court’s 12 Australian National Championships as legitimate majors!?) in
number of major tournaments won is secondary. Playing wise, Serena is the best
women’s player I have ever seen. She has the best women’s serve in history and is
the most imposing presence ever on the other side of the net. Physically she is the
strongest of them all and mentally she is the strongest-est.
Serena can only lose the 2014 Roland Garros title under two circumstances: either
she loses early to a no-name for whatever off-court reason or gets injured. If
she gets to the second week of the tournament, I doubt she will lose a set on her
way to her third Suzanne Lenglen plate. None of her opponents has the style of
play to derail Serena. What style of play exactly!? Playing like Serena! To put
stronghold on the point as early as possible off her own serve or return of serve,
to move exceptionally well, to overpower her opponents with pretty much every
shot, and to be clutch in clutch situations. The one player who comes closest to this
description is Azarenka but the Ukrainian has not played a tournament since Indian
Well and even if she plays Roland Garros this year I doubt she’s be a threat to win it.
(Note: Azarenka pulled out of the French Open earlier today.)
Depending on the draw’s configuration, I only see three players able to lose in the
final: Sharapova, Li Na, and Halep.
On the men’s side, things are equally straightforward: the final will be between the
top two seeds: Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The rest of the field will take each
other to the woodshed for the honor of losing (in four sets at most) in the semis to
either Nadal or Djokovic.
Who will be the favorite in the final between the two!? Despite my affinity towards
the Spaniard, I believe Djokovic is the tournament’s favorite and come early June,
he’ll win his first Coupe de Musquetaires – the only major missing from his resume.
I know – it is blasphemy to say that Djokovic is the favorite in front of the guy who
has won the tournament eight times in nine tries (Nadal will enter the tournament
with a staggering 59-1 record at Roland Garros).
Their recent head to head history however will carry in this case more weight that even Nadal’s ridiculous record in Paris. The fact that the Serb just beat the Spaniard on his beloved clay in the final in
Rome will most likely be the determinant factor in which of the two players will be
carrying the confidence and momentum into the second major of the year.
From a tactical standpoint, why does Nadal come up short in the match-up against
Djokovic!? He comes on top against pretty much everyone else. Nadal likes to
dictate the point with his forehand and he is more effective in doing that from the
deuce side of his court. In order to do this, Nadal needs time – the number one
commodity on the tennis court. Djokovic not only doesn’t give Nadal any time
but he actually takes it away from him.
Although Djokovic’s ball isn’t as heavy as
Nadal’s or as versatile as Federer’s, he hits it earlier than both. This makes Nadal
panic and forces him to hit too many backhands (which Nadal doesn’t like to hit
other than as neutral shots) or to hit himself out of position by running around his
backhand in order to hit his forehand. Additionally, Djokovic is great at getting
ahead in the point very early on, either off his serve or return of serve, both of which
are better shots than Nadal’s. The second Djokovic gets the point in a stronghold,
it’s extremely difficult for Nadal to bring it back to neutral let alone to become
the aggressor – he mostly plays catch-up and relies on phenomenal winners from
defensive positions, which are by definition low percentage shots. This is exactly
what Nadal forces the rest of the field to do when playing him. Another important
aspect tactically is the fact that Djokovic can hurt Nadal equally with his forehand
AND his backhand while Nadal can only hurt Djokovic with his forehand.
Physically speaking, Djokovic is Nadal’s equal – a feat that very few can claim. Their
on-court movement is relatively equal with Nadal holding a slight edge on clay and
Djokovic returning the favor on hard. On grass they are on par with each other.
Mentally, Nadal still holds the edge. For now. So far, Nadal continues to be the
one player who consistently keeps on winning matches with his B and B- game.
He is the game’s best problem solver and makes the best adjustments throughout
the course of a match. His tenacity and will to win (or fear of losing for those of
you who read his book) are still unparalleled in tennis and maybe even in all of
sports. The only two athletes whom I would put on par with Nadal when it comes to
competitiveness are Michael Jordan and Monica Seles.
Lastly, from a technical point of view, whenever the two play, the biggest weapons
on either side of the court are, in order:
1) Nadal’s mind, competitive spirit, and problem solving ability.
2) Nadal’ s forehand
3) Djokovic’s backhand
4) Djokovic’s forehand
5) Djokovic’s return of serve
6) Djokovic’s serve
7) Nadal’s touch and finesse around the net
8) Nadal’s ability to defend his serve
As we can see, as far as major weapons are concerned, the Serb is above the
Spaniard, which is a rarity and the number one reason why Djokovic has been
dominating Nadal in their matches regardless of the surface. The number
one weapon on the court – Nadal’s mind – only comes into effect and can be
the difference maker only in extremely tight situations. Lately however and
unfortunately for Nadal, their encounters haven’t been that tight.
Alex Bancila
Twitter: the Alex Bancila
Serena and Djoko Will Prevail at the French
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1 2 Next »Michael in UK · May 19, 2014 at 6:56 am
Happy to be first to say thanks so much for this very interesting piece. Post Rome, the psychology between Nadal and Djoko is so fascinating, will be great to read the inside story from both camps in a few years time.
Danm · May 19, 2014 at 8:50 am
I,too, applaud Alex’s piece, but I think there are a few parts of the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry left unmentioned here: No. 1. While Nadal leads the H2H 22-19, he leads their slam contests 6-3.
No. 2, as mentioned in this enlightening piece on the ATP web site today, http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/05/21/Rome-Brain-Game-Djokovic-Nadal.aspx
Nadal’s second serve is getting him into a lot of trouble against Djokovic. Also, Djoko’s forehand, while it may not have the shape of Nadal’s or the vicious top spin, is actually the better of the two shots in their matchups.
No. 3, it isn’t Nadal’s net game that is playing a major factor in their matches, it’s Djokovic’s. He’s even drawing Nadal into net with drop shots.
So Djoko is dominating their matches on many levels. Now we get to see if Djoko has the will to continue this domination in a slam, and Rafa’s slam, indeed.
Jim · May 19, 2014 at 8:51 am
About time your recognized djokavich as the better player! Great match in Rome. Must see TV.
Scoop Malinowski · May 19, 2014 at 8:54 am
Excellent article Alex. You really broke down the Rafa Djokovic tactical dynamic in easy to understand terms. Did anyone see thephoto of Rafa with tears in his eyes after the match yesterday? A picture speaks a thousand words and it sure looked like Rafa realizes his Roland Garros reign is over now.
Scoop Malinowski · May 19, 2014 at 9:24 am
You must be new to our site Jim, because I’ve been trumpeting for years, with a fair amount of criticism too, that Djokovic is the superior player to Rafa. Now it’s becoming more evident. Any time Djokovic and Rafa wage battle, it’s always a sporting spectacle. Always. Welcome to the site Jim.
Alex Bancila · May 19, 2014 at 9:28 am
Thanks, Scoop!
I didn’t see the photo – I will make sure to look for it. I don’t disagree with Danm’s comments. I do think Nadal’s forehand is the better of the two but then again tennis it’s all about match-ups so Djokovic’s forehend may be the more effective one. Nadal has made adjustments in the past against Djokovic but the more one gets setttled into his/her own way of playing the more difficult it is to make adjustments, especially if you’ve been extremely successful with your particular style of play (the Federer syndrome).
Also, small eratum: Azarenka is from Belarus not from Ukraine – mea culpa.
Cheers,
AB
Abe Froman · May 19, 2014 at 11:54 am
let’s not open the champagne just yet !…u djoko fans !! HAHA…..a very lucid article yet naively oversimplified and nevertheless incorrectly deduces the outcome on the men’s side……let’s see it on 6/8…..you gotta feeling djoko’s due….i gotta feeling djoko aint scheizen in paris ! plcace your bets ! place your bets !! LOL
Danm · May 19, 2014 at 1:08 pm
Schiezen, “schiezen?” What is that Yiddish? Didn’t you get the memo, Abe? No Yiddish on the site, but since you opened that can of worms–what the heck does schiezen mean?
Tom, where you been all my life? I’m the guy way back in 2006 on the old Tennis Week site who said Djoko would win 12 slams in his career. These were the days when if Djoko won 4 slams it would’ve surprised most folk. And I think 12 is still in reach even as Djoko has squandered most of the past two years as far as winning slams.
Look, I hate to bring everything back to basketball, but Djoko beating Nadal in Miami and Rome mean nothing. The Miami Heat got blown out by the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. I’ll take any bets the Heat win this series. I’d still bet on Nadal to win the French right now if I could score even odds.
Andrew Miller · May 19, 2014 at 1:10 pm
Warm day in Paris if centre court is playing like a hard court should be djokovic’ day. If muggy etc then I think defending champ defends.
Abe Froman · May 19, 2014 at 1:54 pm
it’s a play on ‘scheiße’ or ‘scheissen’….meaning sh*t….LOL….as in djoko ain’t sh*t….LOL
Abe Froman · May 19, 2014 at 2:08 pm
@ dan….i think “u ain’t sh*t” has been around for a while however i rewatched parts “over the top” (movie) a few years ago and noticed that the antagonist, Bob “Bull” Hurley played by Rick Zumwalt poked his finger on an opponent’s chest and said ‘u ain’t sh*t’ before they commenced battle on the arm wrestling table….(btw, he was wearing a t-shirt with the word “BLASTER” on the front)….LOL !!
Bryan · May 19, 2014 at 3:55 pm
Look at the winners to errors ratio in Djoker’s win over Nadal and it told a lot about their respective psychologies right now.
Djoker’s winner to unforced error ratio was 46 to 30, so he was both aggressive and accurate.
Nadal 15 winners and 27 errors. In three sets 27 errors isn’t bad, but just 15 winners suggests he was a bit panicky and gun-shy.
Djokovic meantime hit 6 aces, Nadal 0. How’s a power striker like Nadal not hit a single ace? Again it suggests he was more concerned about not losing than he was on winning.
gustarhymes · May 19, 2014 at 3:59 pm
To Andrew: Actually, warm day favors Rafa and muggy slow favors Djoker.
Djoker has a chance this year as this is Nadal’s first post prime year at 28 and Djoker’s last year of his prime where he turns 27. However, that being said, Nadal maybe still peaking. His losses earlier makes him stronger for Roland Garros than most would believe. It will be draw dependent too. djoker can lose to Fed or baby Fed or Wawrinka. Nadal can lose to Wawrinka or Nishikori, but Kei he will be tired by the time he gets to rafa. Wawrinka might be an x-factor here.
One problem with this analysis is that Djoker has never beaten rafa in 5 sets on clay or legitimately on grass (cheating spikes!). Djoker is in my view a fraud. He can win lots of best of 3 setters but won’t have it in hime to get to double digit majors. And Scoop: djoker needs 10 majors to even lay claim to equality with Nadal and fed.
Gusta
Alex Bancila · May 19, 2014 at 5:16 pm
I agree with Gusta 100% re conditions. Hot and bouncy will favor Nadal, wet and heavy will favor Djoker. What is everyone talking about Djoker cheating at Wimbledon!? Cheating spikes!? What have I missed here!? This is the first time I’m hearing about this. I need someone to explain to me what is it that you guys are talking about.
Technically you’re right about Djoker never beating Nadal on clay in 3 out of 5 but let’s not forget last year – Djoker had him and everyone knows it.
Lastly, please keep in mind that I am firmly in the Nadal camp – I wrote the article trying to be as objective as possible though and it wasn’t easy! Every number 1 player since I’ve started watching tennis (’83ish) had another guy clearly dethrone him and push him out of the game except for Sampras and Nadal. I am afraid Djoker is the guy who’ll do this to Nadal. The progression is as follows as far as I am concerned:
Borg – taken out of the game by McEnroe
McEnroe – taken out of the game by Lendl
Lendl – taken out of the game by Becker
Becker – taken out of the game by Sampras
Sampras – left on his own terms and there was never a clear guy who dominated him. Can’t really count Magnus Larsson and Krajicek here – they both have winning records over Sampras but are not nearly on the same level as him.
The Hewitt era was a bit of a void where you had Hewitt, Safin, Ferrero, and Roddick win majors. After that Federer put a stronghold on the game for many years.
Federer – taken out of the game by Nadal.
Nadal – !?!?
When I say taken out of the game I don’t necessarily mean that they were made obsolete – all I am saying is that they were slowly pushed off that #1 spot by better, bigger, faster and – in most cases – younger players. It’s a logical progression.
it’s tough to run the same progression with players who spanned several generations (like Connors – who was his number one rival!? Vilas, Borg, Lendl, Mac!?) or mercurial guys like Agassi who didn’t really stay at the top of the game too long and generally speaking was his own worst opponent.
Cheers,
Alex
Danm · May 19, 2014 at 5:55 pm
I don’t think Baby Fed can beat Djoker at the French. Maybe you’re right, though, Wawa has a better chance of beating Nadal than Kei at the French. I think there are less possible champs because Fed is not going to win at the French, Delpo is out and Berdych and Tsonga and Gasquet are all out of sorts. Maybe Murray proved he can still be seen as a legit contender.
Andrew Miller · May 19, 2014 at 7:52 pm
Thought djoko best surface indoor hard. Only clay that plays hard would do it. Would need sunny day hot but dry. Who cares though.
Scoop Malinowski · May 19, 2014 at 8:29 pm
I really enjoy Alex’s analysis. Can’t say it much clearer or better than he does. Re: other players… Wawrinka was looking super hot there after winning Monte Carlo but losing to Haas last week was a downer. But who knows, Wawrinka is WOWrinka now, he’s capable of magic on the big stage. Remember Sampras lost to Haas at the Hamlet before his last US Open, which of course he won. Fed is pretty confident now. Raonic wants to make a statement and get some big wins so he can pull ahead of Kei and Super G. Murray will be a threat. But it seems inevitable that Djokovic will meet his arch nemesis Nadal in the final. But then again, Rafa could be fragile mentally because of a subconscious mental block about playing Djokovic, it’s possible Rafa, though unlikely, he could suffer an upset loss like he did to Soderling.
gustarhymes · May 19, 2014 at 9:00 pm
Wow Alex. You don’t know about spikegate!?!
The link is as follows:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/…/Wimbledon-2013-Novak-Djokovic-told-to-change- his-shoes-as-they-might-give-him-extra-grip-on-grass.html
Djokovic had used illegal grass spikes with extra nubs on the sides of his sneakers for the past 5 years at Wimbledon. He only won Wimbledon title in spite of it. The All England Club made Djoker stop using them and it revealed itself by him falling all over the grass from the QF to Finals. Delpo was injured and still took Djoker to 5 sets; a match he should have won in straights if he was as great as everyone says. You can see that when Djoker tried to go down low in his crotch shot position without his illegal spikes, he would fall. Murray demolished him without the spikes.
Admittedly Djoker is better on clay than grass and he can still go down low for shots. However, his longevity is going to be limited as it will take its toll by his decline year which is next year. This year maybe his last to win RG.
Alex is right in that Nadal is expected to decline this year maybe. However, he has had long breaks due to injury in some years which might push his career a little longer than some might think. However, Djoker is only one year younger, and he will decline too.
The peculiar thing about this era is that there is a lack of young phenoms emerging. Raonic, Dmitrov, Nishikori, and Thiem have yet to announce themselves by winning a masters. Because they are not progressing fast enough, Rafa and Djoker may last longer at the top. I’m picking Thiem to be the future #1, but he will have to wait 1-2 years to win a major, and might be an interim #1 like Hewitt as I call it.
Rafa with a better coach might last longer if he simply stops running around his backhand as he ages. Remember Rafa is playing with Uncle Tony at the helm, who had no ATP experience.
Djoker doesn’t run around his backhand and is still not that fast. Once Djoker’s speed goes down a bit, he’s really going to decline as he relies on his stretching which also declines with age. Rafa is naturallly faster and might last longer still. What makes Fed and Nadal so special is there movement is the best of all time; though Djoker has the best balanced groundstrokes of all time. But Rafa and Roger own the greatest forehand off all time, and hence it shows how important a stroke it is. Djoker compenstates well with less speed by his stretching and powerful backhand. If he were faster, he would have been the player Scoop imagined.
Gusta
Alex Bancila · May 19, 2014 at 9:18 pm
Thanks for the link, Gusta!
No, I didn;t know about this nor have I even heard about it until today – very weird!
Thanks again!
Cheers,
Alex
gustarhymes · May 19, 2014 at 11:50 pm
Very weird? It’s blatant cheating to me.
gusta
Gaurang · May 20, 2014 at 2:01 am
Even though I think Djokovic plays better than Nadal on clay, I always felt Roland Garros clay plays a little differently than elsewhere. Nadal is extremely comfortable on that surface. Its his home there. It will be a challenge on Djokovic to win against Nadal in RG.
One positive thing I noticed about Djokovic is his positive mental attitude.
When Nadal had small periods where he was playing very well, I was afraid that Djokovic will become nervous, and start playing defensively with a negative mindset, and with more errors. Kind of what happened last year in the fourth set in US Open. Djokovic had a few set points (or break points) late in the 3rd, and suddenly Nadal played a couple of games very well, and then Djokovic just threw away the 4th set. This has been a perennial problem with Novak — he has periods of negative mindset when the other player starts playing well. Especially against the rest of the top 5 players.
This match he conquered it. I have never seen Novak play with such calmness and confidence even when Nadal started playing well. Novak played his best tennis even in those circumstances, and I think he has learned a lesson here. This could be a big turning point in his career. He has learned to conquer his mindset, which was the only thing missing in his game. If he continues like this, he can play as dominantly as Fed and Nadal have played in the past.
Best luck, Novak! Play well, and you shall win your coveted French! And then keep marching on!
Abe Froman · May 20, 2014 at 9:52 am
we shall see on 6/8….IMO, djoko doesnt have any sh*tting business in paris – he aint scheizen !…..rafa will be supercharged ! (pun intended) LOL
BoDu · May 20, 2014 at 3:25 pm
gustarhymes,
Djokovic did NOT win Wimbledon in 2011 with illegal spikes.
This is photo of shoes with illegal
spikes http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02610/SPORT-SHOES-NEW0_2610365b.jpg
This is photo of Djokovic in the Wimbledon Final 2011 where you can clearly see that his shoes do NOT have illegal spikes
http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/001/760/990/118143766_crop_exact.jpg?w=1500&h=1500&q=85
Bud Ice · May 20, 2014 at 6:45 pm
I believe that both Nadal and Djokovic will be taken out in a woodshed beat down before the semis. I feel as though you will see a new generation of players start to show and they will be ones that enjoy a good bud ice from time to time. I’m off the get a cocktail.
Scoop Malinowski · May 20, 2014 at 9:12 pm
Can’t see that happening Bud Ice but if it does, Dan and I will buy you a couple of Bud Ices at Newport or the US Open this year. 🙂 Welcome to the site.
Doogie · May 21, 2014 at 2:17 am
Bit early nowadays to talk about Rafa – Nole final in 3 weeks. Anyway good article about the match up.
I just wonder that nobody (!!) mention that Rafa came into this match back-to-back finals at a 1000 event and Nole coming completly fresh. Imo that was a major reason why Rafa fell apart in the end of match.
Every player talks how tough the Indian Wells and Miami tournament to handle because they are back to back, although both are 2 weeks tournaments, but noone talk about it about Madrid and Rome (I believe it is because Rafa won it anyway in the past).
Rafa has still not played one great match all year long and I believe he saved it for “his” tournament.
Dan Markowitz · May 21, 2014 at 4:09 am
Doogie,
Once again you make a very good point. Rafa could have been bone tired. After all, his route to the Finals in Rome was not easy.
Dan Markowitz · May 21, 2014 at 4:12 am
Also, no one mention that Steve Johnson, who it has to be said now along with Sock, has the best upside of any American outside Izzie, gave Thiem a real tough match yesterday, losing the last two sets of his match against the young talented Austrian, 6 and 5. That’s pretty impressive on European red clay. Let’s see if Johnson can make some noise at the French.
Doogie · May 21, 2014 at 4:57 am
@Dan
Thiem was really ill and lost 5kg in the last week. He came to Nice on Monday night because he was in the hospital on Monday (!) to check his body.
Bad timing just before RG. He will lose probably today vs Simon.
Anyway SJ is on good track and he is fighting – I like his spirit (in comparision to lot of your boys as u know)
gustarhymes · May 21, 2014 at 7:21 am
@Bodu:
actually your photo prooves he did wear illegal spikes. The way Djoker is positioned, the grass covers the inside edge of the inner side spikes slightly. But there is a portion you can see on closeup.
Gusta
Scoop Malinowski · May 21, 2014 at 7:23 am
Doogie, Rafa never gets tired, he’s invulnerable to that human frailty. )
Abe Froman · May 21, 2014 at 9:44 am
izzie, sock, stevejo aint gona do scheizen in paris….let’s not get silly again….definitely no americano in the second week….pssbly none in the second round…HAHA
BoDu · May 21, 2014 at 3:01 pm
gustarhymes,
I don’t agree, there are photos for everyone to see. Also, the fact that Djokovic was not told to change his shoes by the Wimbledon referee is another evidence which proves that Novak did not wear shoes with illegal spikes in 2011.
gustarhymes · May 21, 2014 at 6:50 pm
@Bodu:
Just because he wasn’t told to change them in 2011, just means they didn’t see it and he wasn’t caught. They were not looking at people’s spikes as diligently in 2011. In 2012 they looked more because they changed the spike length to shorter ones. The reason they shortened the spike in 2012 was to prevent the grass from being as chewed up before the Olympics. In 2013 the short spikes continued. Djoker increased the number of spikes on the side because of it and it became more visible to the grounds crew. Had he not added another line of spikes higher on the side, he might not have been caught.
On closeup of your 2011 photo I can still see a line of spikes on the side that should not be there. They are not the the ones on the sole. You have to zoom in to see it.
Gusta
Gaurang · May 22, 2014 at 2:26 am
Gusta,
Lol! Looks like you really want to “believe” that Novak was wearing illegal shoes in other years, even though nobody else in the world noticed!
Now in the 2011 photo, I dont really see any spikes unless you have another photo to prove it. And also did you say they were allowed in 2011?
I found a 2012 photo of Novak on Wimbledon’s website:
http://2012.wimbledon.com/images/pics/large/b_05_djokovic_20_aeltc_m_hangst.jpg
Here if you look at the bottom of this shoes (left side of the pic), you can see there are no spikes there.
Now if you see them in this photo as well, it looks like you see loch ness monster s also in lakes.
gustarhymes · May 22, 2014 at 7:03 am
To Gaurang:
No I did not say the spikes were allowed in 2011. Go read the Wimbledon handbook. Spikes are not allowed on the side of the sneaker. Bodu’s photo on zoom in fact shows the spikes on the medial side of the left sneaker. The reason I know Djoker used illegal spikes other years is that adidas company started making Djoker “custom” spikes since 2009. It is stated in previous articles on the subject. Your 2012 photo does not show it because he is planting the medial left foot into the grass.
Gusta
Scoop Malinowski · May 22, 2014 at 8:59 am
Wimbledon groundskeeper never said anything about Djokovic illegal spikes tearing up and destroying the grass surface did he?
Gaurang · May 22, 2014 at 4:14 pm
gusta, his left foot shows there were no spikes on the base of the shoe, and his right foot shows there were no spikes on the side of the shoe. It is very easy to find more photos.
If you can find one where it “clearly” shows spikes on his shoes, in years other than 2013, it would be really great and prove your point.
BoDu · May 22, 2014 at 4:19 pm
‘gustarhymes,
The rule for grass-court shoes in the Grand Slam Handbook states that “shoes with pimples or studs around the outside of the TOES shall not be permitted.” The key word here “TOES”. In the 2011 photo, you can see that there are no pimples or studs around the outside of the TOES.
In regard to your claim that they were not looking at player’s spikes as diligently in 2011 as in 2013, can you provide proof for that?
Dan Markowitz · May 22, 2014 at 7:23 pm
Gusta,
This claim of Djoko’s spike-wearing to win 2011 Wimbledon is as subjective only to your purview as Sampras winning as much as he did because he always got the benefit of the doubt with lines calls.
tom michael · May 22, 2014 at 10:30 pm
In defense of Gusta, I know a few things about Djokovic on grass. Before 2009, Novak could not move worth a lick on grass. He used Nike sneakers instead of Adidas in the 2008 Wimbledon because his Adidas ones did not give him proper grip in the Queens Club final against Nadal where he was falling all over the place. He still lost early at Wimbledon with the Nike shoes because they were regulation like his Adidas ones from the week before, and did not help him any better. Then he got his shoes “custom-made” by Adidas starting in 2009, and his performances started to improve culminating with a win at Wimbledon 2011. When he was forced to change to regulation sneakers in last year’s Wimbledon final against Murray, he was back to his old self of falling all over the place. Once a duck, always a duck. I expect an early loss for Novak at this year’s Wimbledon now he has to wear regulation ones, but right now we are in a Roland Garros mind-set. Vamos Rafa!
gustarhymes · May 22, 2014 at 10:44 pm
@Dan:
My assessment of Djoker’s cheating has basis in fact. He cheated at 2013, and there is ample evidence he did earlier. Coming from the guy who accuses Rafa of steroids without any proof! I guess that will be the excuse when Djoker falls at RG.
Gusta
Dan Markowitz · May 23, 2014 at 5:28 am
I’ll take that bet Tom that Djoker doesn’t lose in the early rounds of Wimby. What tournament has Djoker ever lost in the early rounds of in the last three years? Who do you think your talking about, Gulbis? I’ll bet you the lunch buffet at Spice in Tuckahoe that Djoker doesn’t lose in the first week of Wimby and your bet would be that he does?
Is that a bet?
tom michael · May 23, 2014 at 8:42 am
If I know 100% that Novak is going to wear regulation spikes, I would take that wager easily. But Novak is known for finding loop-holes in rules and regulations to fit his needs. If he gets a new set of custom-made shoes approved. So no I will not make the bet.
Dan, I focus my thoughts and hopes on Rafa winning at the slam level. Obviously that means Djoker losing. He is presently the defending champion in zero majors; may it stay that way. Amen!
Scoop Malinowski · May 23, 2014 at 9:46 am
Tom I think it’s going to be a distressing summer for you and the Nadal Nation as Rafa’s chances look very shaky at the moment for Paris and London. Yes, Rafa can still snap out of his funk but he needs a monster win to do it. The aura of invincibility is definitely missing now and though Rafa is fighting tooth and nail with an all time high intensity, I think it is a mask to cover his vulnerability and fragility. But if anyone can fight his way out of it, it’s Rafa.
Doogie · May 23, 2014 at 11:20 am
I also believe Rafa is vulnerable this year (as he did not play one good match all year long) but so others are too.
I always hear Rafa struggling, vulnerable aso BUT he is in the race to London on Nr.1 (!!) spot – 1000 points f.e. in front of Stan.
He is the best player so far 2014 – so to sum it up: Shame on all others including Nole and Fed.
He is my bet for RG
BoDu · May 23, 2014 at 2:58 pm
gustarhymes,
Novak is innocent until proven guilty. There is no proof that in 2011 he used shoes with pimples or studs around the outside of the toes like in 2013.
Scoop Malinowski · May 23, 2014 at 4:51 pm
I could almost imagine Tom and Gustar flying over to Wimbledon sitting somewhere on Center Court with their telescope trying to measure the nipples on Djokovic’s adidas to see if they protrude an extra quarter or half millimeter. And then posting their exclusive findings first at Tennis-prose.com 🙂
Gaurang · May 25, 2014 at 11:26 pm
Scoop, rotfl! 🙂
Tom, Gustar: seriously, even if you don’t take the photos yourself, please find us any online photos showing the same.
tom michael · May 26, 2014 at 12:19 am
Seriously! 2013 Spike pictures are enough to satisfy guilt. Why? Lance Armstrong only needed the 1999 sample retested for EPO and corticosterone in 2005 to strip away all 7 of his championships. Actually there appears to be more evidence against Novak than against Lance. Why? EPO has no proven Performance enhancing effect. And Corticosterone is only an indirect indicator of steroid derivatives but not real direct proof. Meanwhile for Novak the 2013 spikes are considered performance enhancing. That is why he was told to change them. The fact he used the 2013 spikes places real suspicion on his 2011 Wimbledon win. Bodu’s picture of 2011 Wimbledon shoes is clear enough he has horizontal spikes on the toe side of the sneaker that gave him the footing when he gets down for his splits. But the best way to really know is just supoena Adidas for all of Novak’s custom-made sneakers he used at Wimbledon from 2009 to present.