Poll: Who Wins The French Open Final, Rafael Nadal Or Novak Djokovic?

Sunny and warm, Rafa in 4
Cold, Rafa in 5.

June 6th, 2014 at 1:00 pm

Staff is drunk

“The Sunday final of the French Open is set and for the second time in three years it features the top two players in the world, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic”

Roger Federer? Gimme a break.

June 6th, 2014 at 1:02 pm

Is a typo or the proof the the irrational love to a decadent player?
Objectivity?
Yeah!

June 6th, 2014 at 1:08 pm

Djokovic in 3. Regardless of weather.

June 6th, 2014 at 1:09 pm

Hahaha, not gonna happen!
But dreams are only a dreams!

June 6th, 2014 at 1:12 pm

Super confident for Nole’s win this year. As Ben said, Nole in 3 or 4 at max. Nope wins it all ! Bring it on :)

June 6th, 2014 at 1:22 pm

*Nole wins it all .. stupid typos!

June 6th, 2014 at 1:22 pm

Ben Pronin Says:
Djokovic in 3. Regardless of weather.

__________________________________________________

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

June 6th, 2014 at 1:28 pm

I think Novak in four or Nadal in 5

June 6th, 2014 at 1:33 pm

I think Novak in four or Nadal in five

June 6th, 2014 at 1:33 pm

Nadal and Djokovic in the final? Surprise of the year! Nadal in 4 sets.

June 6th, 2014 at 1:34 pm

NOVAK IN 5,
OR RAFA IN 5.

June 6th, 2014 at 1:37 pm

Based on rafa’s form and if its sunny, Rafa in 3 tight sets

June 6th, 2014 at 1:44 pm

Ben Pronin Says:
Djokovic in 3. Regardless of weather.
—
Thanks for not picking me. I am still recovering from the Wimbledon pick made in these educated forums.

June 6th, 2014 at 1:44 pm

“The Sunday final of the French Open is set and for the second time in three years it features the top two players in the world, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic”
—
This forum is just idol worship of a certain player. Years from now, when a player wins a grandslam, posters here, would paste the Arrogant One’s name on photoshop and bask in glory.

Pathetic.

June 6th, 2014 at 1:47 pm

bring on Wimbledon already.Hopefully both will lose early and we can get a peds free final.

June 6th, 2014 at 1:49 pm

If PEDS would have stopped Andy flailing about like a headless chicken Today…
I’d say pass him the syringe.

June 6th, 2014 at 2:10 pm

I am with Ben, Djokovic in 4.

He has won 8 of the last 9 sets they play. Of course he lost the ones that matter last year. Their matches usually goes like this: Nadal starts as he did today throwing everything he has and Djoko being nervous, than Djoko gets his foot on the match.

But Nadal was playing today with same resolution he had last year versus Novak in fifth set nd if Novak feels the moment and show nerves it can get nasty.

I just think Djoko won’t let the mistakes of the past hunt him and he will just apply what he has best. Sunday he will get his 20 win and Career Slam and a Rafa Beating Slam or as I mam calling it (a first), the Humble Slam: winning all 4 major finals against the same opponent, a feat I think unprecedented in tennis:-0

Nadal can also achieve this if he beats Fed in US Open final one day, that would be the the Arrogant Slam

June 6th, 2014 at 2:28 pm

Hey Rafa,
Hows the back? Looks OK to me, lol.
#excusemaster

June 6th, 2014 at 2:36 pm

Thanks for this circus, atp. The same boring drama:

Nadals false back injury and destroying all, as always.

June 6th, 2014 at 2:43 pm

Nadal thrives on confidence. If he can keep his nose again in the game, he can be succesful but I suspect joker will begin battering him and he’ll fall apart. We’ve seen him start to break down emotionally against joker. Look for tears after the final and a miserable summer after Nadal. He’ll be a broken man.

June 6th, 2014 at 3:52 pm

Don’t you mean Joker’s “false wrist injury”? And now he is trying to play the sick card AGAIN. What a joker!!!

June 6th, 2014 at 3:55 pm

Giles,

C’mon, reporters were saying that he looked and sounded sick form the press room, which explain why the sun was bother him so much. It’s no excuse as it turns out players win when not at their best. Is just cause for some concern, because it can be something more serious that could jeopardize the quality of the final.

June 6th, 2014 at 4:40 pm

Right. So we have to believe the reporters! LMAO!

June 6th, 2014 at 4:57 pm

Giles, watch the video of his interview. His nose is stuffed.

June 6th, 2014 at 5:12 pm

tough call at this stage. we’ve seen nadal mow through the field at other clay court events and then come against novak and look like he’s lost in the woods.

however….nadal’s record at RG is beyond ridiculous. of course he wants to prove that he’s still (almost*) unbeatable here.

fitness wise, these guys can go toe to toe.

*Soderling

June 6th, 2014 at 5:15 pm

Very difficult to predict anything.

I feel that if Novak plays against Rafa the way he did the last three matches, he will have a good chance. With a little bit of luck, he could win RG.

But usually, he hasn’t got much luck. The draw was very dangerous, but it wasn’t a draw that could prepare him for the final: big servers, no rallies. Meanwhile, Rafa had the optimum draw to prepare himself to play against Novak, to improve his game, but to regain his confidence by beating Almagro and Ferrer (I guess Nishikori could have been too dangerous to land in his half). So much about luck.

About Rafa’s form: he looked ominous in London, but lost, then he lost at the AO, then he lost in IW, was in good shape again in Miami, destroying Raonic, but lost easily in the final, then lost in MC, Barcelona, Rome, could have easily lost in Madrid… How many tournaments did he win since last year’s USO? Two? Three? So he has to be very confident, I guess, especially since oncle Toni said it, Toni who otherwise is never satisfied. Could it be the Coué method?

Ajde Nole! Play bravely, give your best shot, que sera, sera.

June 6th, 2014 at 5:56 pm

Nadal didn’t play Almagro.

June 6th, 2014 at 6:01 pm

Congrats to both for making it to another final,may the best man win,if its Rafa im not blogging for a while….

June 6th, 2014 at 6:06 pm

@Ben:

I know he didn’t, but Almagro was in his part of the draw, should have played against him in the third round, if I remember well.

June 6th, 2014 at 6:10 pm

Sad Murray couldnt make it more of a contest,still i hope he gets ready for grass,as i would love to see him defend Wimbledon….

June 6th, 2014 at 6:12 pm

If Djo is not 100%, as is being suspected, I do not think he can win this even against a Rafa with an allegedly bad back. I don’t think a reduction in Raf’s serve speed will be that detrimental on clay unless Djo starts teeing off on every weak serve. The weather can be a factor too. Raf has regained his clay aura after very impressive displays against Ferrer and Murray. Chatrier is his backyard and it will require an unbelievably brilliant performance from Djo to win three sets. He is probably the only player around who can do this since he is the only one who makes Raf nervous even on clay. However, he has been putting himself under a lot of pressure with this near obsession with winning RG and completing his career slam. Playing a beast like Raf, who seems to be in brilliant form and never gives a millimeter, in a best of five at Chatrier remains the biggest challenge in the game. Right now, as things stand today, it seems that this may turn out to be too big a task even for a player of Djo’s caliber unless he gets quite lucky on the day. Before the tournament started, I thought the likely Raf-Djo final would be too close to call – most of their matches are decided by their form on the day – if both were 100% physically. Rafa’s recent form and Djo’s alleged sickness now point to the balance tilting in Raf’s favor on Sunday.

June 6th, 2014 at 6:22 pm

Maybe next year, Novak.

June 6th, 2014 at 6:40 pm

Hi mat4! Its good to see you and some of the other regular posters here. It has been a long while since I last posted here but this great sense of anticipation about the Sunday final has me excited too although I am not emotionally invested at all given that none of the finalists is a fave of mine. I wish you all the very best for the final and hope, for your sake, that your guy wins. No offense meant to Kimberly, Alison Hodge or some of the other Raf fans here.

June 6th, 2014 at 6:41 pm

Tennislover definetly no offense taken,from the poster AKA Alison Hodge ;))….

June 6th, 2014 at 6:44 pm

Novak Djokovic to be glorious on the clay of Phillippe Chatrier…..straight sets win.

June 6th, 2014 at 6:56 pm

@TL:

I wasn’t sure if you were the TL whose posts I enjoyed reading a few years ago, but when you mentioned Alison Hodge (Alison doesn’t use this nick for years, now), I stopped doubting.

Unfortunately, one can’t watch extended highlights on utub any more, so I really don’t know what to expect. I saw that Rafa has worked on his placement after the serve (he doesn’t move instinctively to the right) so he is in better position to hit his FHs after the return.

But Murray did his best to lose this match. His first serve, so efficient on hard, is too predictable and the % is too low, so Rafa had always time to return the way he wanted. He put pressure on Andy’s FH, so Andy, who needs a little time there, stepped back, and had difficulties with the spin and the bounce. He should have probably tried to stay closer to the baseline, since Rafa’s BH is efficient only when he leans into the ball, and he needs time for this.

Anyway, the Chatrier seemed so slow, today.

I do hope that Novak will find his A game, but, it’s no secret that Rafa is a formidable champion, and that there is no shame to lose against him at Roland Garros. Like I wrote above, I just hope that Novak will fight bravely, unleashed his shots and give his best.

June 6th, 2014 at 7:02 pm

Hippy Chic – Now that you have told me, I guess I vaguely remember that you had changed your nick to TennisX hippy chic or something similar. Hippy Chic sounds good too. Well, I am sure you are enjoying yourself especially with Raf again reaching the RG final and looking very very good.

June 6th, 2014 at 7:03 pm

There’s another thing that gives me some hope: Novak usually plays his matches against Rafa very well, at a level higher than the one he had in previous matches. With one exception: in Paris, where he played horribly in 2012 and 2013. It’s time to change this.

The weather will be hot and very humid Sunday, with some rain, probably. Since Novak has 10 pounds less (even more, I guess), it could work at his advantage, especially since Rafa usually runs 25% more.

What I wouldn’t like is to see the Novak of WB 2013 again.

June 6th, 2014 at 7:08 pm

Tennislover/Mat4 i changed my monikor as it fits more what im about in the real world,anyway Rafas won the title 8 times and im already extatic with that achievement,and if he does it again then thats just fantastic,if not then fine its Novaks day and it will be well deserved,and you wont get any argument from me on that score :))….

June 6th, 2014 at 7:17 pm

mat4 – I haven’t posted here for ages although I do come here occasionally. I have seen some posts from another poster who uses the same nick as mine. This was the case even when I was posting and I had requested him/her to change the nick although as far as I can recall, he/she did not post anything objectionable. I am sure my writing style is slightly different to his/her style and it shouldn’t be too much of an issue differentiating between the two.

I agree with you about Murray and the slow conditions. However, I still think Murray has, at least on paper, all the skills and variety to cause all kinds of trouble to Raf even on clay. I guess he was not in the right physical – or even mental – state to think clearly or to execute the game plan. Who knows, he probably was already looking ahead to wimby and didn’t want to jeopardize his (much brighter) chances there after having already played two five-setters. A slug fest with Raf and Djo is probably not what he needed right now.

As for Djo, I think he has to go there and attack Raf relentlessly. Raf still seems the favorite if it becomes a bloody war of attrition. The problem is the best of five format where it is extremely difficult to sustain a very high level of play for a long period especially because a very offensive strategy necessarily involves taking greater risks. Any dip in level and Raf will pounce on it given that he plays at more or less a very consistent level right through the match. Having said that, I get the feeling that Raf will be a lot more offensive and play much closer to the baseline. His bh seems to have much more pop too. If Djo is physically ok and brings his A game, Raf just can’t afford to stay deep behind the baseline and allow him to dictate play. That works against just about everyone else but it is likely to be very risky against Djo even though he has beaten Djo every time at RG with virtually the same strategy.

June 6th, 2014 at 7:51 pm

If Nole is in top form, he is unbeatable, greatest level that tennis has ever been played. That said: Vamos Rafito!!!!!

June 6th, 2014 at 8:48 pm

After that win at Rome where he outclassed Rafa in the finals, I thought Novak had the momentum in the French Open. But after the slaughter of Andy yesterday by Rafa on court, I am quite sceptical about the outcome and would even go on to give a edge to Rafa considering that Novak is suffering from sudden bout of fatigue which might impact him in a marathaon final as it is widely tipped to be. Still, the match is in Novak’s racquet practically. He can make or mar his own prospects. He is the aggressor who can outhit Rafa and come out with flying colours and on the other hand if he has a bad day on court, then Rafa would hog the honours. Despite Rafa’s confidence oozing at its highest level after his complete demolition of Andy, Novak can take comfort from the fact that no two days are similar on the Tennis Court. It may be that Rafa has peaked too early for he managed to achieve 90% first serve percentage against Andy. So, Novak can hope for the best and if luck permits have his day too. And what a day that would be when multitude of stakes are entangled with it. Novak becomes the World No.1, he wins his first French Open title beating the indomitable Rafa in the finals which is also a record, he completes his career grand slam, he wins one more than his new Coach Becker and enter into the pantheon of Greats, he becomes a complete player capable of playing on all surfaces and showing results. Let us all hope for the best. But the prospect of a Novak Vs Rafa final raises tremendous expectations and is akin to a carnival.

June 7th, 2014 at 12:13 am

What a phenomenon Rafa is ? Mind boggling and I am just gasping for words to describe his feat as even English as a language has scarcity of words to describe a Legend. Nadal’s histronics at Rolland Garros is the eighth wonder of the World and this man is making his unprecedented 9th final which itself is a professional record. And he has also made the finals in a grandoise fashion decimating the likes of Ferrer and Andy who are players of calibre and never gives up easily. They were made to just look novices on courts unable to withstand the ferocity of Rafa, the Tyrant (Apologies to Rafa fans for using this word, but it is being used as a slang) If Rafa wins, he would win his 9th title and that would be unprecedented. He will also preserve his No.1 ranking. But he has a major stumbling block with Novak on the way who knows how to play him and even tame his ferocity. Win or Lose, Rafa has already engraved his name in Platinum letters in the annals of Tennis Greats. Let me say for the first time, Vamos Rafa !!

June 7th, 2014 at 12:22 am

Still, the match is in Novak’s racquet practically
You can not be serious, Michael
Is a best of 5 on clay
the record here is overheming fo Rafa.
5 to 0
Please, on clay and in this conditions, Rafa is the clear favorite, your feelings towards a certain player shouldnt cloud your judgment.

June 7th, 2014 at 12:24 am

Djokovic in 4 sets :)

June 7th, 2014 at 12:32 am

Steve 27,

May be you are right. I am slightly biased against Rafa for Novak is one of my favourite players. But still I have given the edge to Rafa. Yes, Rafa has beaten Novak on Clay about five times. But I believe tomorrow is a new dawn and I vouch for the best. Moreover, the last two times they have played here, Novak has got the measure of Rafa and during last year’s semi-final, he was almost on cusp of greatness and on the verge of victory when that was spoiled by the indefatigable Rafa standing like a rock. Another aspect which gives me some semblance of confidence is their recent bout at Rome, where Novak managed to outclass Rafa. So considering all these, I hope Novak keeps his nose in front. But let me tell you that although I would be pretty much disappointed if Novak loses, yet I would harbour no hatred against Rafa for I have high regards for him as a player, as a Champion and as a Sportsperson. He demands my respect through his achievements which are unparalleled. I would be pretty much happy for him and console myself that he thoroughly deserves it.

June 7th, 2014 at 12:41 am

I would give 55:45 in favour of Rafa. because of the way he has won the last 6 sets against quality players Murray and Ferrer. If he carries on with his new found confidence he will win.

June 7th, 2014 at 1:31 am

@Tennis Lover 7.51
Good to see you back :) And thanks for those positive comments about Andy, as us Andy fans are feeling a bit despondent at the mo.. Not that Andy lost, expected from us realists, no, it was the non-show that was so disappointing.
Agree with you about the final too. Hope Nole is fit and it’s a good fight. The weather is gonna be wet and slow I believe, which should help him.

June 7th, 2014 at 2:02 am

If Novak wants to earn much coveted RG, he needs to produce the stellar brand of tennis without slightest lapse of concentration at any point. He better watch US OPEN 2011 final between him and Rafa. At that match, Rafa played like an absolute beast in first three sets yet couldn’t withstand the inevitable Novak victory. Quality wise, this is the best Novak played against Rafa since Rafa too played his best tennis barring the last set, this match can be yardstick for Novak to find out proper strategy to outfight Rafa. However, considering the match is in the clay, if Djokovic can replicate his US OPEN 2011 performance against Nadal, then Djokovic is my winner in 5 (it could be in 4 too but that is least likely), otherwise it’s Rafa in 4. Good luck to both of them, we hope there’ll be no injury drama after the final.

June 7th, 2014 at 2:03 am

Few pridiction(straight sets Nole) shows
hate towards Rafa, remember 89-1* (*-conditions apply Rafa need to
injur) in clay 5 sets

June 7th, 2014 at 2:06 am

There is no hate toward Rafa. Everybody roots for his own favourite player.

Those predictions are based on the fact that, at his best, Novak has a game that allowed him to win about 60% of points played in their last matches, that Rafa was very nervous in their last encounter, and that he was in very, very good form: yes, he lost the first set against Andy in Rome, but then he found his range and the right strategy and won easily the second and the third; in Miami too, he was in excellent form.

His main asset, here, is the court, not the format (best of five). The Chatrier is big, slow, slower, the slowest, the surface is powder like (not salt like) which allows for more spin and more bounce.

If Novak play the way he did the last two times they met — and that is the million dollar question — Rafa won’t be able to win more than one set. On the brink of defeat his body will produce a lot of adrenaline, he will win a set, then feel exhausted. It is the usual pattern. If Novak doesn’t play that way… he will lose in three.

June 7th, 2014 at 4:40 am

Novaks a terrific player no doubt about it,and im not saying he cant/wont beat Rafa here at RG,but i would be absolutely flabbergasted if he were to do it in 3 straight sets,still stranger things have happened?

June 7th, 2014 at 5:10 am

https://twitter.com/suttonnick/status/475026861664526337
Vamos Champ!

June 7th, 2014 at 5:18 am

Let’s hope for a great match and not a blow out.

June 7th, 2014 at 6:01 am

Exactly 3 straight sets? we are not in masters or series tours, we are in Grand slam final (The Chatrier)

Rafa is way different animal in Grandslams compare to Masters, that to in FO no need to say

Here I am not dismissing Nole chances, but it will be very close match

June 7th, 2014 at 6:04 am

You mostly misread what I wrote. Usually the pronoun is linked to the nearest noun. I meant, of course, that if Novak doesn’t play well, NOVAK will lose in three.

But, is this misreading an automatic reaction? The kind of thing: “Everybody who’s not a fan of Rafa hates Rafa…”; “Everybody who’s not a fan of Rafa can’t be objective…”; “Rafa is always injured, others are always healthy”; “why don’t everybody love Rafa, the sexy god of tennis” and so forth.

Sorry, but I don’t like Rafa. I respect him, I admire his fighting spirit, I have even read his autobiography. He is an interesting character, but…

I strongly agree with Yannick Noah; then, I am sure that the fact that Rafa’s plays with his left hand has inflated his results, and that his brand of tennis is boring and only possible in certain conditions. I am certain that his sponsors have helped his career tremendously too, fixing draws whenever it was possible. I have PROVED IT BEYOND SUSPICION on this same blog, analysing the draws in the slams.

June 7th, 2014 at 6:36 am

Mat4 i dont think you do hate Rafa,and i never said that,glad you liked the autobiography i didnt personally i found it quite boring….

June 7th, 2014 at 6:45 am

@Hippy:

The autobiography, if you pay attention, is a formidable reading. The key is to focus on Rafa’s own words. Even redacted, they discover a lot about him, and especially they discover the true nature of his relationship with his uncle.

Rafael Nadal is a slowly maturing, attaching young man. He is fascinating in many points. But, I got the impression,

if there’s any truth in the book!

that he has been emotionally frustrated, manipulated, abused and that what we see of him is a complete farce. But since I believe that his strong character slowly surfaces, I hope that he won’t live the faith of Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.

June 7th, 2014 at 7:12 am

And no, I don’t hate him. I don’t like his tennis, the playing machine, but it has nothing to do with his attaching personality.

June 7th, 2014 at 7:14 am

“I am sure that the fact that Rafa’s plays with his left hand has inflated his results, and that his brand of tennis is boring and only possible in certain conditions. I am certain that his sponsors have helped his career tremendously too, fixing draws whenever it was possible. I have PROVED IT BEYOND SUSPICION on this same blog, analysing the draws in the slams.”

Is this respect? wow..it is complete downgrading others achivements? with jealous

June 7th, 2014 at 7:16 am

Then… words are treacherous. When somebody writes:

“Rafa is an [different] animal…”, yes, I agree, it is a borrowed expression, but… I am sure that most of the so-called Rafans, sorry, most of the tennis fans, enjoy mostly that gladiatorial side of the sport.

What about the players? Their psyche, their frustrations, their hopes?

I was worrying that the “Rafole” rivalry could destroy both players, physically and psychologically. It’s already happening (they both fall ill before an important match: fever, wrist, back, knees). Andy Murray has almost been destroyed by the level required from modern gladiators. “Ready to suffer”… what a BS! Lendl never, never suffered the way Djokovic, Nadal, Murray suffered in their five sets finals. He never run so much, never hit so hard.

Federer obviously REFUSED that suffering. That’s why he will last longer than any of them.

June 7th, 2014 at 7:21 am

Did Nadal ever choke in a big GS match apart from 2012 AO???

June 7th, 2014 at 7:35 am

Mat4 i read it because hubby bought it for me as a Christmas Present a couple of years ago but i didnt even want it really if im been absolutely honest,and not to sound ungratefull i read it anyway otherwise he wouldve wasted his money,while reading it i found my mind wandering to other things,i had this conversation with Madmax some months ago,its fine if others are intersted in the all things rich and famous their perogative but its just not what i choose to read,books on spirituality Celestine Prophecy etc are more to my taste,however it seems lost on some people for some reason,probably the reason why you understand players alot better than i do?

June 7th, 2014 at 7:38 am

Rafa in 4,but only if court dry otherwise probably the joker!

June 7th, 2014 at 8:17 am

It’s all over. No hope any more: TIGNOR PICKED NOVAK TO WIN…

June 7th, 2014 at 9:11 am

the halle draw is out

nadal has janowizc and raonic in his half

fed has monfils and kei nishikori

June 7th, 2014 at 9:13 am

novak in three sets. think it will go like federers fina against soderling

June 7th, 2014 at 9:15 am

Mat4 theres no such thing as a jinx or a curse,its all an imaginary concept….

June 7th, 2014 at 9:16 am

@Alison:

OK, was just kidding.

For once, I’ll be earnest (but not Gulbis): I have a hunch that this year is the one for Novak, the same way I felt last year that he would lose (didn’t need any hunch two years ago, when Rafa was absolutely the better player).

If he loses: don’t ever, ever repeat that jinx do not exist!

;-)

June 7th, 2014 at 9:24 am

Mat4 lol no i wont,are you watching Maria v Halep,already very competitive?

June 7th, 2014 at 9:37 am

Yes I do, but I’ll have to quit soon. Exceptional beginning so far. I am very impressed by both players. Halep has a lot of diversity, a great FH, while Maria… is Maria (big fan, you know).

June 7th, 2014 at 9:41 am

What I garnered from Rafa’s book was the fact that Uncle Tony instilled in him the will to be successful through all kinds of adversity. Rafa talked about staying focused throughout his book. His Uncle taught him that too. I guess you can call Tony a little abusive with some of the things he put Rafa through, but it’s made his nephew mentally tough. You can either like him or loathe him, he is what he is…….but as the writer above stated, he is a different animal, especially on Roland Garros clay. I guess I do like the gladiator type of tennis that Mat4 referred to, serve and volley a bit boring for me, but to each his own. Watching matches between Rafa, Federer and Novak have brought me many hours of pleasurable entertainment. These three bring out the best in each other. Oh and btw, Federer couldn’t have refused too much, because his record speaks otherwise!

June 7th, 2014 at 9:46 am

Not calling you shallow,but many men are fans of Maria lol,no offence Mat4….

June 7th, 2014 at 9:47 am

Okiegal Mat4 likes Maria and thats a gladitorial type of tennis,again no offence Mat4….

June 7th, 2014 at 9:50 am

@Alison:

No offence taken.

I guess you like Rafa for his tennis, just like I like Maria for their “gladiatorial” type of tennis. Similar taste, I believe.

Ah, those gladiators…

June 7th, 2014 at 10:04 am

Mat4 yeah you got me there lol,no double standards,but its still my firm belief that Rafa still has way more talent than Maria,although not as much as Roger or Novak probably,still all probably just my opinion though ;))….

June 7th, 2014 at 10:09 am

@Okiegal:

That’s the surface of the story. It was a bit… too much. Then, the anecdote about the rain… what age was Rafa then? Don’t you notice how strange is it? In fact, you can’t successfully tell such a lie to an intelligent child five years old.

I don’t like serve and volley tennis, neither, btw. It’s not this. I believe that luxilon string and the kind should be prohibited.

June 7th, 2014 at 10:12 am

@Alison:

Double standards are fine with me. Even triple standards, like with anybody else.

Being shallow is great. Being handsome is even greater. There is a Jacques Brel’s song about it: La chanson de Jacky.

June 7th, 2014 at 10:15 am

@Mat4

I will dig out my Rafa book…….forgetting the rain scenario and the five yr old?? I will have to hit the refresh button…..LOL. The old gray mare ain’t what she used to be…….still witty and humorous, but memory bank half full!!

Oh well, if we all liked the same thing, it would be a very dull world.

The option is out there for anyone to use that type of string, I suppose. I don’t understand you being against that. Explain please. Don’t know anything about the mechanics of tennis. Thanks for the feedback, however.

@Chic

I guess you’re looking forward to the match…..if it’s a long one I will have to miss most of it since its Sunday…..church for me. I will record it. Don’t have a thought on the winner either way. Just hope Rafa plays his best……win lose or draw! Good luck to both of the “gladiators”…….but a big VAMOS for our guy!!

June 7th, 2014 at 11:01 am

Okiegal i will be working in the morning till 3.00pm BST,so i will probably miss the start,its funny even when im at work tennis is on my mind when one of my favorites are playing,and i struggle to concentrate,so i dont know how you do it TBH?id have to give church a miss this once lol….

June 7th, 2014 at 11:10 am

@Okiegal:

Luxilon strings and the like changed the physiognomy of tennis. Those kind of strings allow Djokovic, Nadal and Murray, e.g., to defend so well, to put so much spin on the ball. That’s what allows Raonic to be so precise when serving and to have so much bounce on his second serve. It is simply denaturing tennis.

It’s not that things are awful today, but the way it is going, in a few years, the best player will be the one with the best racquet.

Just compare Agassi with Djokovic on a medium fast surface, and you will see what the new kind of strings brought to tennis. Even better: compare Nadal to Muster.

June 7th, 2014 at 11:18 am

Okiegal i said it yesterday,if Rafa wins then fantastic,but if Novak wins it will be richly deserved,and there will be no ifs,buts,excuses or excuses from me either….

June 7th, 2014 at 11:32 am

@HC:

Why no excuses? What would we do, then? The point is to brag, to argue, to mention “ifs” whenever you can, to troll a bit, to joke a lot…

I have at least 12 excuses ready if Novak, somehow, loses, which won’t happen.

June 7th, 2014 at 11:49 am

Mat4 lol true,but ive come to the conclusion that excuses only makes one look bitter,and changes nothing in the end,i still feel bitter about LVC not winning the EPL after they had the title in their hands and blew it,but winning and losing are part of the sport,you win its fantastic,you lose and you hold your hands up and say hey too good,then move on to the next challenge,tomorrow as they say is another day….

June 7th, 2014 at 12:07 pm

Lmao, just read that Nadal admited he cried the day Federer won the French open.

#twisted

Wonder what rafanatics have to say about this nugget of info?

June 7th, 2014 at 12:51 pm

As long as it’s a good match I don’t mind who wins.

June 7th, 2014 at 12:53 pm

Are we on the grass yet?
Oh that’s right theres the small matter of the mens final.
Well Chop Chop then,
There’s better tennis to see.

June 7th, 2014 at 1:00 pm

I have butterflies in my stomach about the mens final even as we speak,i wish we could just play it now….

June 7th, 2014 at 1:03 pm

I wont know which to watch as Andy will be playing Queens,and Rafas at Halle,and both are on at the same time,ill probably watch Queens and tape Halle,i will be glad when Rafas contract is up and hes back at Queens too….

June 7th, 2014 at 1:06 pm

whereas I’m thinking of strawberries, pimms and
the green, green grass of home!

June 7th, 2014 at 1:06 pm

`,i will be glad when Rafas contract is up and hes back at Queens too…`

How optimistic of you, lol!

June 7th, 2014 at 1:08 pm

CDP ill tape Halle and watch Queens,been a Brit it wouldnt seem right otherwise,and i want to see Rafa back here in Blighty too,the world number 1 at such a small intermit tournament like that where your so much closer to the players must be fantastic to be there….

June 7th, 2014 at 1:17 pm

Anyway i hope that he does return to Queens when his contract is up?

June 7th, 2014 at 1:18 pm

Nothing beats Wimbledon,the grass,the pimms,the strawberries and cream,but especially the joy of a British champion,i cannot wait :))….

June 7th, 2014 at 1:21 pm

@Chic

Yeah, all the finals are always on Sundays! One time I stayed home and watched one slam final, I think it was the Frenchie. Of course, my guy won……LOL! I will miss it live, I guess, unless I get sick! Lol

@Mat4

Why don’t all players go to those strings you mentioned? They have that option. Is it because they don’t want to denature tennis?

June 8th, 2014 at 12:25 am

Joker is the Lendl of XXI.
But much less succesful of course.
My prediction was right, Rafa in 4. Even he gifted the first set.
Vam9s!

June 9th, 2014 at 4:44 am