French Open

[Singh bling]

Rafa vs Novak Qf. Fine display of tennis by both . Rafa has upper hand.

[I6MTW]

Yes now Novak is back in action.

[Singh bling]

Nadal 2 sets to 1

[coffee_rules]

Nole broke Nadal in 4th set , likely to win 4th set. Going to be 5 setter.. 

Vamos Rafa!! @Real McCoy

Edited May 31, 2022 by coffee_rules

[coffee_rules]

He was trailing 4-1 , still manages won it on a tie-breaker. Think the break from AusOpen has slowed Nole down. Plus it is RG, Nadal got his revenge from last time

[Texan]

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/french-open-2022-john-mcenroe-rips-rafa-nadal-djokovic-clash-215647868.html

 

Quote

McEnroe was left fuming in commentary for Eurosport when the shot clock hit zero on a number of other occasions but Nadal wasn't pinged.

 

The American legend said there's no point having the shot clock if it isn't going to be enforced properly.

 

"He should be penalised," McEnroe said.

 

"If you are going to do it, do it, otherwise don't bother. It is like humouring everyone.

 

"It's a joke! He takes a look at the clock again… one. He’s edging it, isn’t he? Shouldn’t they have it at 15 seconds on the second serve? 10? Something?

 

"Or don’t bother. It’s like, you can take as much time as you want on the second serve. How long is this game? 12 minutes? Jeez."

 

Nadal always indulges in such kind of gamesmanship and gets away with it. If Djokovic does something like this, the World will pillorize him, but angel Rafa does something like this and easily gets away with it.

 

Rafa is obviously going to win the French now, but he is not the greatest player ever. Djokovic was denied 2 Grand Slams (Aus Open'22 and US Open'20) for pretty ridiculous reasons and Rafa got a free Aus Open title thanks to that. 

 

[Real McCoy]

5 hours ago, coffee_rules said:

Nole broke Nadal in 4th set , likely to win 4th set. Going to be 5 setter.. 

Vamos Rafa!! @Real McCoy

I thought it will be a five setter with the way Nole was bossing the 4th set. It was a good match though. Rafa is destined to pick his 22 here this year

[Real McCoy]

17 minutes ago, Texan said:

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/french-open-2022-john-mcenroe-rips-rafa-nadal-djokovic-clash-215647868.html

 

 

Nadal always indulges in such kind of gamesmanship and gets away with it. If Djokovic does something like this, the World will pillorize him, but angel Rafa does something like this and easily gets away with it.

 

Rafa is obviously going to win the French now, but he is not the greatest player ever. Djokovic was denied 2 Grand Slams (Aus Open'22 and US Open'20) for pretty ridiculous reasons and Rafa got a free Aus Open title thanks to that. 

 

Yeah Rafa always has got away with it scot free. What's the point of having a shot clock if they don't use it. Tennis with the shot clock is a modern concept introduced because of Rafa's gamesmanship. Every match this happens. Rafa doesn't get called out despite numerous violations. When its too much, he gets a violation. That's it. Never loses an important point because of it. Lesser ranked/famous players are bound by this rule. They are called for something less. Shapo was well within his rights this AO in complaining to the chair umpire.

Not to mention he is always injured when he loses. Even his loss to Shapo in Rome, he gave that excuse. But all of a sudden, he is beating no.1 player within weeks of "injury"

 

Edit: Its nice to know that some ex-players/commentators were criticizing him yesterday. The commentators who called the match yesterday pulled no punches.

Edited June 1, 2022 by Real McCoy

[I6MTW]

52 minutes ago, Texan said:

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/french-open-2022-john-mcenroe-rips-rafa-nadal-djokovic-clash-215647868.html

 

 

Nadal always indulges in such kind of gamesmanship and gets away with it. If Djokovic does something like this, the World will pillorize him, but angel Rafa does something like this and easily gets away with it.

 

Rafa is obviously going to win the French now, but he is not the greatest player ever. Djokovic was denied 2 Grand Slams (Aus Open'22 and US Open'20) for pretty ridiculous reasons and Rafa got a free Aus Open title thanks to that. 

 

Even Djokovic indulges in gamesmanship. Toilet breaks, endless ball bouncing, wants matches delayed at the slightest wind/rain etc.

 

Both of them act entitled. 

[Real McCoy]

3 hours ago, I6MTW said:

Even Djokovic indulges in gamesmanship. Toilet breaks, endless ball bouncing, wants matches delayed at the slightest wind/rain etc.

 

Both of them act entitled. 

Djoko also does that but to a lesser degree and doesn't have the "good sportsmanship" image like Nadal

[Real McCoy]

I guess Rafa has a free route to 22 this year. His major obstacle was Nole and he is done with. Zverev has the attributes to upset Nadal but he always flatters to deceive. His win against Alcaraz was the first against top 10 in his entire career in Bo5 format and he has tried a dozen times before and failed. Alcy is a noob and as Zverev rightly pointed out this maybe one of the rarest wins against him. he literally told in the post match conference that he was shitting his pants. Not someone who has what it takes to defeat the clay king who has won RG 13 times. The others in the bottom half do not inspire any confidence whatsoever. Djoko and Alcy were his toughest opponents and one he has dealt with and another didn't make it.

[I6MTW]

49 minutes ago, Real McCoy said:

I guess Rafa has a free route to 22 this year. His major obstacle was Nole and he is done with. Zverev has the attributes to upset Nadal but he always flatters to deceive. His win against Alcaraz was the first against top 10 in his entire career in Bo5 format and he has tried a dozen times before and failed. Alcy is a noob and as Zverev rightly pointed out this maybe one of the rarest wins against him. he literally told in the post match conference that he was shitting his pants. Not someone who has what it takes to defeat the clay king who has won RG 13 times. The others in the bottom half do not inspire any confidence whatsoever. Djoko and Alcy were his toughest opponents and one he has dealt with and another didn't make it.

Cilic in USO 14 mode has the game to beat declined and hampered Nadal. 

[Texan]

3 hours ago, Real McCoy said:

Djoko also does that but to a lesser degree and doesn't have the "good sportsmanship" image like Nadal

Exactly. And Djokovic always gets punished for it. In fact, in Djoker's case, tennis authorities feel like they need to punish him more severely than other players to make a point about how serious they are with rules. 

[Real McCoy]

4 hours ago, I6MTW said:

Cilic in USO 14 mode has the game to beat declined and hampered Nadal. 

Cilic will always be remembered for USO 14 nothing else. He has and will be a pigeon for the big 3. Even Federer with his bengay knees can beat him. He's a bit like KL Rahul. Looks great when he's on song but cannot win the big one.

[Real McCoy]

1 hour ago, Texan said:

Exactly. And Djokovic always gets punished for it. In fact, in Djoker's case, tennis authorities feel like they need to punish him more severely than other players to make a point about how serious they are with rules. 

They did a smear job on him in this year's AO. Even "humble" Rafa turned on Nole with his remarks.

[I6MTW]

Djokovic's hate is not entirely undeserved. The guy has been arrogant from time to time, and also had acted entitled, and indulged in gamesmanship. He is humble and full of sportsmanship only when he loses, that way he is better than Nadal as he gives credit to the opponents. Otherwise he just doesn't know how and when to behave. Neither does his team or family. Which is why he is disliked and hated. If he had better behaviour and PR skills, he would've been more liked. Plus in his younger days, he used to retire from matches often and  frequently, and mock other players, act as if he's injured while losing(he still does that now sometimes). 

 

So neither Nadal nor Djokovic are great examples of sportsmanship. At least Nadal only gives sore excuses after losing. Gamesmanship tactics are there from both, and even other players as  well like Tsitsipas, Cilic etc.

 

Federer is the only one that doesn't resort to anything and has hardly ever done anything wrong. 

[Real McCoy]

18 hours ago, I6MTW said:

Djokovic's hate is not entirely undeserved. The guy has been arrogant from time to time, and also had acted entitled, and indulged in gamesmanship. He is humble and full of sportsmanship only when he loses, that way he is better than Nadal as he gives credit to the opponents. Otherwise he just doesn't know how and when to behave. Neither does his team or family. Which is why he is disliked and hated. If he had better behaviour and PR skills, he would've been more liked. Plus in his younger days, he used to retire from matches often and  frequently, and mock other players, act as if he's injured while losing(he still does that now sometimes). 

 

So neither Nadal nor Djokovic are great examples of sportsmanship. At least Nadal only gives sore excuses after losing. Gamesmanship tactics are there from both, and even other players as  well like Tsitsipas, Cilic etc.

 

Federer is the only one that doesn't resort to anything and has hardly ever done anything wrong. 

Agreed on Djokovic but Nadal and Federer are no less "arrogant". Federer was the epitome of arrogance in his prime mocking Roddick by saying he always likes Roddick not just because he wins against him when he won a title against Roddick in cincy I believe. The "lucky shot" reference in USO 2011 SF press conference is another. The crying at AO 2009 was awkward as hell. That must be awkward for those watching it live. Mind you the aussie greats of the past such as Laver, Newcombe. etc were there and he didn't mention their names at all as he was overcome by emotions.

Maybe I don't understand competitive tennis but I don't think winning and losing in sport deserves crying. As someone who hasn't cried since reaching double digits in age, I can't imagine a grown man crying at the drop of a hat. He cries when he wins, he cries when he loses

Only plus point about Federer is that he doesn't do gamesmanship like Nadal and Djokovic. But in AO 2017, he also used his big name to take MTOs against Wawrinka and Nadal. When it comes to pushing the rules to the limit, Nadal has breached plenty followed by Djokovic to a lesser extent and Federer a distant third and late to the game when it comes to these tactics.

Djokovic and Federer are outspoken and hence get the blame right away, Djokovic for his otubursts, MTOs, retiring, not getting vacced, etc and Federer for his arrogance, crying, sulking at press conferences while Nadal gets away with everything. Why? Because he has a good reputation with Federer who is the face of tennis and Djokovic doesn't. He dodges difficult questions with diplomacy and pretending that he doesn't know.

Nadal's PR performance is better than Federer's that nobody questions his "humbleness". I'm sorry. If you are bending time rules, you are not that humble. Nobody points to this which annoyed Federer to no end in his prime and annoying other players these days like Shapovalov. When Shapo, Tsitsi get warning for time violations and Nadal the ultimate time waster not get his is unfair to these players. As the commentators during the QF game pointed out, Nadal uses these tactics when he is under the pump and destroys the winning rhythm of the opponent.

[I6MTW]

12 minutes ago, Real McCoy said:

Agreed on Djokovic but Nadal and Federer are no less "arrogant". Federer was the epitome of arrogance in his prime mocking Roddick by saying he always likes Roddick not just because he wins against him when he won a title against Roddick in cincy I believe. The "lucky shot" reference in USO 2011 SF press conference is another. The crying at AO 2009 was awkward as hell. That must be awkward for those watching it live. Mind you the aussie greats of the past such as Laver, Newcombe. etc were there and he didn't mention their names at all as he was overcome by emotions.

Maybe I don't understand competitive tennis but I don't think winning and losing in sport deserves crying. As someone who hasn't cried since reaching double digits in age, I can't imagine a grown man crying at the drop of a hat. He cries when he wins, he cries when he loses

Only plus point about Federer is that he doesn't do gamesmanship like Nadal and Djokovic. But in AO 2017, he also used his big name to take MTOs against Wawrinka and Nadal. When it comes to pushing the rules to the limit, Nadal has breached plenty followed by Djokovic to a lesser extent and Federer a distant third and late to the game when it comes to these tactics.

Djokovic and Federer are outspoken and hence get the blame right away, Djokovic for his otubursts, MTOs, retiring, not getting vacced, etc and Federer for his arrogance, crying, sulking at press conferences while Nadal gets away with everything. Why? Because he has a good reputation with Federer who is the face of tennis and Djokovic doesn't. He dodges difficult questions with diplomacy and pretending that he doesn't know.

Nadal's PR performance is better than Federer's that nobody questions his "humbleness". I'm sorry. If you are bending time rules, you are not that humble. Nobody points to this which annoyed Federer to no end in his prime and annoying other players these days like Shapovalov. When Shapo, Tsitsi get warning for time violations and Nadal the ultimate time waster not get his is unfair to these players. As the commentators during the QF game pointed out, Nadal uses these tactics when he is under the pump and destroys the winning rhythm of the opponent.

In sports, winning a grand title after dedicating your entire life and soul to it affects one's emotions so they cry, and when you are so close to victory, but fall in the end, that will also play with your emotions. Federer's MTO against Nadal and Wawrinka were probably genuine and not stalling tactics, he had some sort of injury, I wouldn't question the authenticity of that, since Federer hardly ever took an MTO before that, or after that.

 

As for arrogance, well you need some sort of arrogance in order to win and dominate players, there's a saying that nice guys finish last, Federer has just enough required arrogance. I agree with the rest that Nadal gets away with a lot compared to Djokovic and Federer. But for some reason he's just more likeable or appealing compare to Djokovic, maybe his mentality of never give up, and fight till the end, or people just needed an anti-federer face, which he provided then.

 

Either way both of Nadal and Djokovic's playing styles are boring as hell, Nadal slightly better in recent years since he's incorporating some variety, and trying to play aggressive to shorten the points. But Djokovic almost always plays the same. 

[Gambit]

Who would have thought Federer would go from undisputed GOAT to a distant third that too of in his era within 5 years.

[nevada]

On 6/1/2022 at 2:38 PM, Real McCoy said:

I guess Rafa has a free route to 22 this year. His major obstacle was Nole and he is done with. Zverev has the attributes to upset Nadal but he always flatters to deceive. His win against Alcaraz was the first against top 10 in his entire career in Bo5 format and he has tried a dozen times before and failed. Alcy is a noob and as Zverev rightly pointed out this maybe one of the rarest wins against him. he literally told in the post match conference that he was shitting his pants. Not someone who has what it takes to defeat the clay king who has won RG 13 times. The others in the bottom half do not inspire any confidence whatsoever. Djoko and Alcy were his toughest opponents and one he has dealt with and another didn't make it.

Zverev is a mental midget. He always folds like a cheap tent in pressure situations. Nadal will probably win 2-3 times more at RG. He will keep saying injury/retirement but will be magically fit for the French Open.