Novak Djokovic Opens Clay Season In Monte Carlo; Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka Also Wednesday

Last 3 champions in play tomorrow, busy day.

Djoko half way through the best 52 weeks of all time dating back to Last time he lost an important title: Cicny 2015

7 major tournaments won:
USO
Shangai
Paris
WTF
AO
IW
Miami

Ahead of him 8 more tournaments, 7 f he doesn’t play Madrid:
MC
Madrid (still a question)
Rome
RG
Wimbledon
Olympics
Canada
Cincy

April 12th, 2016 at 8:00 pm

Daniel, Djokovic may not win all of them but I hope he gets at least 3 that matter most, and then repeat the cycle with the first (USOpen).

April 12th, 2016 at 8:11 pm

Markus,

I want him to win RG, Olympics and Cincy. Most complete resume ever.
Top priority is RG, than we can speculate if he’ll have the drive for Wimby and also have the RG-Wimby double and than Olympics and USO and go for the Golden Slam in 2016.

Winning RG (holding 4 in a row) already is gonna be Uber Huge, some that happen once every 40-50 years in mens tennis.

April 12th, 2016 at 8:17 pm

For the longest time, Djokovic has been under the shadow of Federer and Nadal. This year, I hope he’ll cast his own shadow that will be equal, if not bigger than those two. He is 3 slams behind Nadal, 6 behind Federer. Will he surpass those? Possibly, but if not but should he win a calendar slam, and better still, a Golden Slam, when GOAT arguments arise, it will be so hard to knock him down. Nobody has ever been in a position to win a Golden Slam since Steffi Graf. I want a male version and Djokovic is in a good position to achieve that. I hope he paces himself well for each of those events.

April 12th, 2016 at 9:22 pm

Monfils or Goffin can take Novak out. He needs to lose at some point. Better now rather than going into the French open undefeated.

April 12th, 2016 at 9:38 pm

Agree with anki, besides, Goffin is on fire (watched him against Lopez and he impressed me again), Monfils not far away. Nole better slow down now and peak at FO.

April 12th, 2016 at 10:32 pm

Daniel, if you look at the big events in ATP tennis and don’t place weight on the Doha warmup ATP 250 or the 500 events…the streak Novak has had making the finals of big events is a year and a half long already. Paris 2014 through Miami. 18 straight. And winning 2/2 Barclays Championships, 5 of the 6 Slams, and 9 of the straight 11 Masters 1000 Finals he made.
Plenty sick.
Likely more to come.
It will end at some point. But who is to say when? As good as Djokovic has been, there is some luck going his way. Should he somehow get through Wimbledon with his Finals streak still going on Add the Olympics as an extra huge event he will be lucky to get into the Gold Medal match

BTW, and this is no small deal….the last 2 years have put Djokovic at the top in career winning % in the Open Era. And the only guy to make the Top 10 Open Era on all surfaces played, indoors and outdoors. (Fed used to have that distinction, but dropped out of Top 10 clay players in winning %

Djokovic – 83.0%
Borg 82.7%
Nadal 82.4%
Lendl 81.76%
Federer 81.63%
Connors 81.61%
McEnroe 81.55%

April 12th, 2016 at 11:36 pm

I’m not to worried about Goffin this time around if the 2 are to meet. As far as Monfils goes, he is very similar to Tsonga in the sense that they are phenomenal athletes, but they don’t make the best decisions during points that are during crunch time situations. Nole does. Monfils doesn’t scare me for that very reason.

April 13th, 2016 at 12:46 am

I also thing that Nole is the best at making adjustments if a player has rattled him in any way. So I expect that he learned from the Goffin match and would have studied his game even more to make the needed adjustments. Also, that match had a lot to do with the heat that day. Nole hates those kinds of conditions. I am more worried about the first match, seeing how he adjusts to clay. But I think Vesely just played a super long match and will probably be showing fatigue, not having enough rest to fully recover.

April 13th, 2016 at 12:49 am

More worried about the French Open in the grand scheme of things, have this sinking feeling that Novak will never win it. Prove me wrong this time around Nole, lol. I am not entirely happy with his level of play post the AO, he just barely does enough to clinch the win. Hopefully he ups his level for the RG.

April 13th, 2016 at 1:45 am

Anki,

I have had that same sinking feeling as well. I hope he proves me wrong as well. I really thought he was going to do it in 2014 and 2015, especially after he won the first set in both matches. I really thought he was going to do it in 2013 when he was up a break in the 5th set against Nadal. Honestly, there are only 2 guys that can beat him in this years French Open in a best of 5 set match. Wawrinka and Nadal. They could end up playing each other in the QF’s and one gets eliminated right there. 25% chance they are drawn in the same QF. The draw will be huge this year. I hope Novak doesn’t have to do all the hard work himself like last year. I hope the top contenders take each other out before they get to Nole. Or he only has to face Wawrinka or Nadal and not both.

April 13th, 2016 at 2:01 am

Anki & Wogboy….respect your views but….

Goffin: I like the wee fellow and he is becoming more consistent in his matches….but he simply doesn’t have the wow factor. Yes he can make some darned good shots, cross court etc. but he’s not going to beat Djokovic. Monfils on one of his “I’m brilliant” days has a much greater chance of earning a surprise win against Nole….provided it is a 3-set match.
Cheers

April 13th, 2016 at 2:38 am

@Dave at 2:01 am..”I hope top contenders take each other out before they get to nole”..Dave..you’re so mean!That’s it..i want a divorce..Send me to my mother’s house now!!

April 13th, 2016 at 4:01 am

AndyMira/Dave i dont think it matters squat what surface Novaks on, or whom hes playing, hes the favorite right now, hes in the form of his life, Nadals not the same player, and Stan isnt consistent enough, and has had too many up and down performances, and Andy hasnt ever beaten Novak on clay, i would be so surprised like i was last year if Novak doesnt win the FO ….

April 13th, 2016 at 4:08 am

Yes GL..i agree with all you said..but that’s on paper..in tennis and other sports the surprises always waiting around the corner..i don’t say that i don’t want nole to win it..if he win it,then he deserve it..it’s just that,there’s a very clear problem for nole everytime FO come..PRESSURE..and this time around that pressure will get doubled from last year..if i were nole’s fan,i don’t want to talk much about this..because it tends to get away from us very easily..

April 13th, 2016 at 4:19 am

AndyMira yeah true, all true, personally im not a fan, so its niether here nor there if he does or doesnt win the thing, im hoping Rafa wakes up to be honest, although it would seem unlikely at this point given how hes been playing, but he has nought to prove anymore on clay, and also Stan and Andy are doing better now on clay, so indeed anything can happen, anyway whomever wins will deserve it, and for Novak pressure comes with the territory im afraid, he looks to be handling it pretty well from where im standing, pleasure talking to you, so glad your not ignoring me CHEERS ….

April 13th, 2016 at 4:28 am

GL..i’m also glad you’re not ignoring me either..in the past,there’s a time when i mentioned your name and you’re not respond..and i stopped after that because i felt embarrassed..that’s it..and about FO..yeah..let’s see who’s gonna lift the trophy this year..no matter who they are..they’re totally deserve it..CHEERS TO YOU AS WELL GL..

April 13th, 2016 at 4:41 am

Nadal will play better than last year that’s one positive
Last year he was just so incompetitive on clay which really upset his demanding fans
Nadal can win the French open
So can Wawrinka
So can Murray
So can Federer
But on form it belongs to Djokovic

April 13th, 2016 at 4:44 am

AndyMira my apologies, i sometimes mean to reply, but dont always get around to it ….

April 13th, 2016 at 4:55 am

AndyMira the only posters i ignore are the bullies, the ones who clique together, like three did the other day to me on another thread, i will never ignore the nice ones ;-)) ….

April 13th, 2016 at 5:07 am

That’s alright GL..no harm done..and it’s good the be called ‘nice’ GL..he!he!by the way..you’re gonna watch rafa today?

April 13th, 2016 at 5:13 am

@Pauly..yeah..i agree with you..last year he just don’t have a mental toughness and that’s why he lost in such a manner to nole..but this year..his mental is coming back slowly if not in full force yet..and because of this factor i think he will give a better competition to nole and other player..

April 13th, 2016 at 5:18 am

AndyMira i have to go to work later this afternoon, so it would depend on all the other matches, and when they finished ….

April 13th, 2016 at 5:30 am

Interesting titbit for Rafa fans, the commies said, that he won 35 matches on both clay and HCs in 2013 ….

April 13th, 2016 at 5:43 am

Alright GL..hope rafa will get a better result today..

April 13th, 2016 at 6:09 am

AndyMira yeah, although hes my favorite, hes playing a Brit, and i always pull for him whomever he is playing, i just love to watch Rafa, especially on this surface, love to watch the way his feet move on clay, i can hear people laughing when i say that HA HA DONT BLOODY CARE ! ….

April 13th, 2016 at 6:15 am

ANDYMIRA

Mental toughness belief is all Nadal needs to fire himself up & finally get some big wins

April 13th, 2016 at 6:47 am

He!he!GL..that’s a serious case of unrequited love!ha!ha!but that’s alright..hopefully he will return your love by winning this tournament..or at least get to the final..in doing so the much needed confidence will sure comeback in full force..but as much as i love him,i can’t help but feel a little bit uncomfortable because his tick tack on court would doubled as well..

April 13th, 2016 at 6:47 am

True Pauly..i think the most damaged aspect of his game is mental..so many times he let the opponents won by this factor alone in the past..oh we know multiple aspect as well but this is the crucial one..and if he can up his mental toughness,then the rest will come easily..we will see..

April 13th, 2016 at 6:51 am

ANDYMIRA

I want to see the great battles between Nadal vs Djokovic again … Those long rallies which I love most of all
Two gladiators going toe for toe slugfest
Nadal must get confidence in his forehand again

April 13th, 2016 at 6:57 am

@Dave, Lol, I was super confident in 2015 that he is going to win it finally, after beating Rafa and Andy, but look what happened. Baffling to see many pick Novak as the favourite for RG when he has never won it. He has got some mental block when he plays there it seems. Fingers crossed hoping for a good draw and fair scheduling this time. Thiem, Rafa, Andy and Stan, it would be great if Novak gets to meet the aforementioned players only in the finals.

April 13th, 2016 at 7:00 am

Anki

Djokovic is playing his best how can anyone not make him favourite in every tournament he plays ?
He’s beating everyone

April 13th, 2016 at 7:02 am

AndyMira nah no unrequited love ha ha, dont believe in putting these people up on that type of pedestal, i believe some people here take there worship of their favorites to the extreme, i have unrequited love, but only for my hubbby ….

April 13th, 2016 at 7:02 am

Anki tennis is more of a what have you done for me lately kind of sport, as i say im not a fan so its neither here nor there for me if he does or does not win the FO, but if you go on form you wouldnt look past Novak to crack the case, although on the other hand, anything can happen on any given day, sports funny that way ….

BTW Have to get this in, and off topic, but come on LEICESTER CITY HA HA ….

April 13th, 2016 at 7:08 am

Sorry to say but I think some people are in denial about Rafa (and Fed.) Their glory days are over, they’re not going to ever play like they used to and its just the reality of aging. Nostalgia is one thing but its delusional to think Rafa is going to suddenly go back to playing “gladiator” matches. There are plenty of good up-and-coming players to focus on instead of Fedal. They’re past their prime. Let’s just be grateful they’re still playing instead of lamenting that they’re not at the top anymore.

April 13th, 2016 at 7:10 am

Tennisfan i am grateful they are still playing, especially Rafa whos had so many injury breaks, and given how his fans get it continually rammed down our throats about, how he should retire, and wont be playing when hes Feds age etc etc, hell they even said all that when he won 3 GS in a year, anyway all your saying is right, but being the great champions they are, i still think both could pull something big out of the bag ….

April 13th, 2016 at 7:23 am

Im not in denial, but maybe im denying im in denial ….

April 13th, 2016 at 7:26 am

GL..it doesn’t matter whether we’re in denial or not,we get that a lot from fed and nole’s fan..to me as long as rafa still playing,then the hope is still there..

April 13th, 2016 at 7:48 am

AndyMira yeah true, anybody would think the guy was a failure the way people talk ….

April 13th, 2016 at 7:50 am

Oh..and GL..it’s good to know you’re so in love with your hubby..vamos GL!!!

April 13th, 2016 at 7:50 am

GL..agree with your post at 7:50 am..

April 13th, 2016 at 7:52 am

AndyMira lol, your also agreeing with yourself ;)….

April 13th, 2016 at 7:53 am

28 Years of marriage AndyMira ….

April 13th, 2016 at 7:54 am

Green Lady….7.02am

So GL ….I’m being cheeky….but humbly ask if you would care to re-consider your post at 7.02am.??

April 13th, 2016 at 8:05 am

-J-Kath lol ok ….

April 13th, 2016 at 8:13 am

Given the lack of competition from great YOUNG players (that has never happened before to this degree), Djokovic can rack up records for some time.

As for GOAT? we’ll see….

April 13th, 2016 at 8:21 am

Is there more than one poster called James here ? ….

April 13th, 2016 at 8:23 am

Berdych out, there goes Sean predicition.

Murray could reach semis relativelly easy now. He need to win some matches in a row.

April 13th, 2016 at 8:23 am

GL..28 years?..man!i lost to you it seems..i ONLY[please!] got 23 years..

April 13th, 2016 at 8:29 am

Green Lady

You said you had UNREQUITED love only for your hubby. Begs the question….who does he love?

Wish I could do the emoticons Okie does….

April 13th, 2016 at 8:32 am

GL..do you notice that rafa not ‘that’ happy when he won like he usually did?Also when he signed his name on camera,his expression is very casual..hope nothing is in store especially injury..

April 13th, 2016 at 8:36 am

@J-Kath 8:32

I am so stinking computer brilliant…..NOT!! Lol…..I happened on to the emoticons strictly on a fluke….but I do think they are cute!! Actually my computer skills are down the🚽🚽🚽 💩💩💩 😂😂😂!

April 13th, 2016 at 8:38 am

AndyMira 23 years, MEH LOL ….

J-Kath lol cheeky, and i have no clue ….

April 13th, 2016 at 8:40 am

The toilet is so great…one of these days I’ll try. Right now, I’m busy with a document and not succeeding which is why I’m diving about. Really must sort out my brain…

April 13th, 2016 at 8:42 am

GL….did you see 8.32 above?

April 13th, 2016 at 8:45 am

AndyMira he said in his interview that hes fit and well, so im not reading too much into it, bit rusty leaving alot of balls short, but he won in straight sets, the thing he seems to have trouble with at the moment, is closing out sets (scratches head) ….

April 13th, 2016 at 8:46 am

J-Kath me i hope ;) ….

April 13th, 2016 at 8:48 am

Happy to hear it…
Bye Bye for now

April 13th, 2016 at 8:58 am

Cheers J-Kath take care and bye ;) ….

April 13th, 2016 at 8:59 am

GL…Forgot to say Congrates Rafa got easily thru…

April 13th, 2016 at 9:00 am

^;) ….^

April 13th, 2016 at 9:01 am

@AndyMira…..I didn’t think Rafa looked as happy as usual after he won either. Probably aggravated with himself for not backing up those breaks…..which is a worry, all right. Still clearly not at his best…. we’ll never see that again anyway…..but 1 match down and 1 more to go…..Don’t get excited I know he has more than one match before the final, but I take one match at a time, just like Rafa….

VAMOS Rafa 👑 of Clay 🎾 #rafahobby🐟🐟🐟🐟

April 13th, 2016 at 9:03 am

Okie..that’s what i thought..like you said,maybe he’s not happy with himself,i hope he will adjust this as soon as possible..this c@#$ is going on for far too long now..

April 13th, 2016 at 9:13 am

GL..i think we should apologize to okie and JK for mentioning our marriages up there..i totally forgot..so JK and OKIE,with humbleness i’m sorry for being inconsiderate and insensitive..didn’t meant it in the first place..forgive me okay?

April 13th, 2016 at 9:17 am

^Me too^….

April 13th, 2016 at 9:19 am

Just as I said yesterday, I was the most worried about the first match, transitioning onto clay. And I was right. Nole is in trouble. First set lost to start and only won 2 points on Vesely serve.

April 13th, 2016 at 9:37 am

Andy Mira

I have no idea what you are apologising for.

April 13th, 2016 at 9:53 am

Looks like all remaining matches will go the distance: raonic already in third set; Djoko a break up in second and Verdasco about to close set 2 (he was in this position in set 1 as wel so one never knwo).

April 13th, 2016 at 10:12 am

Hmm “unrequited love?” bit of a waste if you ask me…..
Berd and Ferrer on way down? Not surprised re Ferrer, age catching up with a really physical, attritional game…..but surprised re Berd, a relatively simple, power game should be good for a couple of years more.

April 13th, 2016 at 10:20 am

Vasely a break up in third and with game point. Can’t see the matches, is Novak playing bad or Vasely playing the match of his life?!

April 13th, 2016 at 10:25 am

Margot,

I was thinking the same about Ferrer and Berdych, put they on the end of my top 10 list of the year and Iexpect they will be going down next year.

April 13th, 2016 at 10:26 am

Saw Novak broke back and is holding his serve. Maybe it is just first match on clay in 10 months. By the time Quarters come around he should be fine and getting into top mode just for semis and finals.

But Monfils will have a chance tomorrow if he shows up to play. Goffin and Verdasco not a chance against Novak (Verdasco too inconsistant and Goffin lacks a weapon).

April 13th, 2016 at 10:29 am

Djoko is struggling on serve and he played 20 points more on serve than Vasely.

April 13th, 2016 at 10:32 am

Vesely is just better player today, it is his to lose this match.

April 13th, 2016 at 10:37 am

Green Lady

Your talks with AM amused me simply because you made a typo and said something like: the only man I have UNrequited love for is my husband…..which of course meant your husband was not returning your love…that made me chuckle.

I have no idea why I’m getting apologies

April 13th, 2016 at 10:41 am

Novak in a big hole. A tough match with an unknown opponent with nothing to lose.

April 13th, 2016 at 10:41 am

Vasely with a break up at 3-2, he can feel the pressure from now on getting close to finish line. Still think Djoko’s experience will count more in the end.

Raonic won third ser breaks, set Wawa match and Verdasco is up a break in third.

April 13th, 2016 at 10:42 am

My goodness….don’t tell me Nole is going out?..I’m not seeing the match because I’m supposed to be busy…..

??????

April 13th, 2016 at 10:46 am

Djoko not good on return, Vasely stats are better than him. 2 more chances to break otherwise bog upset to start clay season. Add more drama to it.

April 13th, 2016 at 10:47 am

This match reminds me on Rafa/Rosol, everything Vesely hits goes in, he is full of confidence now.

April 13th, 2016 at 10:47 am

@WG
But Novak let him gain the confidence. Novak is way below his level.

April 13th, 2016 at 10:50 am

5-3 vasely, looks like he wil win, Djoko is not able to pressure his serve. Let’s see when he serve for the match what happen.

April 13th, 2016 at 10:53 am

Vami,
That’s true, but it’s Nole’s fault, he was slow of the mark and far to relaxed and it backfired. Vesely did his homework, came out with a game plan and it paid of. He absolutely deserves to win and it is the lesson for Nole.

April 13th, 2016 at 10:56 am

Djoko sabing MP, that could play in Vasely’s head when he serve for the match later.

Verdasco lost his break lead.

April 13th, 2016 at 10:57 am

I wrote the other day that margins are much smaller than what many on this blog believe and of course some genius (forgot who) had to comment back that my opinion was worthless.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:00 am

Every comment I make awaits moderation. And we have these ladies talking about everything but tennis and that’s fine? Just read this particular thread from the beginning. Go figure.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:02 am

JK..really?You have no idea?Or you just wants me and GL ‘get down on our knees’ for your forgiveness?What you say GL?

April 13th, 2016 at 11:05 am

Congrats Vesely, very well deserved victory.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:05 am

Djokovic Is not superman
This loss might get him even more motivated to win FO
Great win big Czech Vesley

April 13th, 2016 at 11:07 am

@WG
Agree. Vesely deserved this fair and square. Novak behaved like Vesely was going to punch himself out in the 3rd, he lost carelessly his first 2 service games.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:08 am

Wow, Vasely did it.

Huge upset but Djoko was due for a let down. Better now than during the RG-Olympics spam.

From Djoko’s point of view it takes some pressure of and he will definetly play Madrid now. He needs some matches on clay and he can risk only playing Rome and getting another early loss there.

The only downside is that now Nadal will grow even more in confidence and if he happens to win MC that could be problem for Novak later on. Suddenly Nadal can be fired up, win Barcelona as well (other top players don’t play there) and he can grow and grow. Of course he can still lose to other players, hos draw will habe now Thiem, than Wawa/Raonic, Most likelly Murray and Fed/Tsonga/Monfils/Verdaco final. The final couldbe the easier match for Nadal.

But if Nadal indeed loses this could be an opeining fro Fed and Murray, mostly Fed, not having to face his nemesis in MC Clay. One step at a time, but this Djoko loss already bring some more “excitment” to this debut clay season. Who will ein MC now?

April 13th, 2016 at 11:09 am

Ha, just when I thought Verdasco will close after having MP, Goffin broke an already hold. They could play a tiebreak.

This is also another chance for Goffin to make semis, third in a row in Masters.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:11 am

Mistake, Raonic is in Murray’s quarter, so Nadla can only play him in semis.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:12 am

“But I think Vesely just played a super long match and will probably be
showing fatigue, not having enough rest to fully recover.!!!”

Couldn’t have benn more WRONG….!!

April 13th, 2016 at 11:13 am

“But I think Vesely just played a super long match and will probably be
showing fatigue, not having enough rest to fully recover.!!!”

Couldn’t have been more WRONG….!!

April 13th, 2016 at 11:14 am

Good for Vesely finally showing some of his potential.

But I don’t see this as a set back for Nole. The few extra days of rest are likely to pay off, and there’s still plenty of time until the French Open.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:17 am

@Daniel 10.26
Great minds :)
Quite a surprise re Nole but TBH he’s looked vulnerable in the early rounds for quite a while now, just hasn’t played someone who thought he could win, until today.
But might be an ill wind, surely needs a bit of rest before the big one.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:19 am

Last year finalists are out of MC..

April 13th, 2016 at 11:20 am

Nole showed zero fire today. Did he get emotional even once? He seemed to be so casual today. He just couldn’t get fully motivated. The fire was gone and Vessely pounced on him and didn’t let off the gas. He deserved the win and was the better player, no doubt about it. I see what you were talking about Wog Boy. So many of Vessely shots were barely staying in and Nole’s were barely going out. It’s fractions that can make a difference. When that is happening the whole match, it adds up in a big way. I honestly thought during some of the rallies that Vessely’s shots were landing long and the lines judge was missing it. Nole didn’t stop to get any of them checked during the rallies. But some definitely seemed a bit long for sure.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:24 am

AM
Please, go and read I’ve already told you I thought it was all a joke. And you keep insisting on trying to force me to connect unrequited love for tennis stars with my relationships.

To be honest – I really don’t want you to keep on trying to rub it in.

We’ll speak another time – but only if you throw your insistence some other direction.
K

April 13th, 2016 at 11:28 am

Finally!! Finally a younger player shows some balls against Djokovic. Vessely is 22 – that’s what happens when you face a young player on fire. Wish there were more.

Djokovic is RIGHT AT THAT POINT where a slight dip in his game will evaporate most of the title wins – like it has done for every other great player in the past. Beating up on old players can only last so long.

I hope some young guns show some courage this clay season, and bring some excitement back.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:32 am

Nole showed zero fire? Doesn’t he like live in MC, and was looking forward to it?(Per his own quote)
Nole the dominator! Owns everybody now…..except a 55 in the first round….this is NOT a weak era.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:32 am

novak needs the rest: a blessing in disguise. he can’t win everything all the time. going from winning miami to going home and having very little practice on clay, it’s not that surprising. now, if he loses early at rome or madrid (if he ends up playing the latter) then maybe i will be concerned.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:36 am

Off topic but Sharapova could be back on tour soon if this article is true. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-3537513/Doping-WADA-announces-meldonium-amnesty.html

April 13th, 2016 at 11:38 am

Not a big deal for Novak, but look at his quarter: first, Monfils gets a chance to continue his amazing run of form. He could easily make another quarter, as could Goffin on the other side. If they do, those two will be cementing themselves as top tenners for the year.

Then, Roger. He already had a relatively easy run to the semis. Now, he’s likely to get Monfils or Goffin instead of Novak. He has big points on the line here, and now a very doable chance to redeem them.

On the other side, of course, Rafa has just lost the one man he must fear on clay. Unfortunately, the other two men with the potential to beat him on clay, Stan and Andy, are directly in his path.

I don’t see the loss as an important one for Novak. No one can win every match. How he rebounds in Madrid will be key. If he makes the finals there, this will be forgotten.

But for the rest of the tour, this has become a much friendlier tournament.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:45 am

You guys! Ominous start for Novak.

By far the lowest ranked player to beat him in a long long time.

I put it down to the first match on clay and some nerves thinking about the precipice that he is close to scaling if he can win the French and hold all four slams at the same time, something that nobody, even Roger, has done with the slams on three different surfaces.

It has to be weighing on his mind.

He’ll recover.

Kudos to Vesely at just 22 for holding his nerve at the end. He avoided the “Zverev” choke.

April 13th, 2016 at 11:51 am

JK..what i’m trying to apologize is when GL and i talking about how long our marriages lasted..with GL[28 years] and me[23 years]..after that i realized i shouldn’t have said that because you and Okie got an unfortunate event considering marriages not long ago..it was inconsiderate and insensitive..but at that time,we totally forgot..and it has nothing to do whatsoever with unrequited love JK..i’m sorry if i make you upset..

April 13th, 2016 at 11:54 am

@AndyMira
@Green Lady

I agree with JKath, no need to apologize, life goes on and I am thrilled by the good years of marriage you two are having!! Mine was cut short because of a horrible disease…..I can speak for myself on t g e matter…..I am doing OK, probably better than I deserve. Feel free to talk about your hubs anytime….won’t bother me!!

Agree…..this has gone on with Rafa too long!!

April 13th, 2016 at 11:59 am

Congrats to Vesely!

It might be better for Nole, that he lost today. Get some rest, Novak! It was a good lesson for the FO, I hope…

April 13th, 2016 at 11:59 am

And poor Verdasco, had MP and lost. But Goffin is showing some nervea, thenold saying, winning makes you win more.

Curious to see the development tomorrow, everybody is playing R16.

April 13th, 2016 at 12:07 pm

I guess some of Novak’s fans are happy he got beat, since there was a worry about going into the French Open w/o a loss. I watched the first 6 games and had to leave…..but thought Novak acted a little out of sorts…..reminiscent of Rafa and his match. I will try to watch the replay and see what Novak’s problem was today…….

My sympathies to his fans……the ones that wanted him to win, that is……

April 13th, 2016 at 12:18 pm

I already told you several times AM to read what I wrote. You have no right to continue to make assumptions about me when you’ve been told otherwise. I also don’t care for you linking GL as being part of your comments to me.

I was cheerful today. Until you decided to put me in some imagined position of your own making…and tried to force me to stay there because you thought I should be there. Once was OK – we all make mistakes – but you refuse to listen because you’ve got this idea of yourself of being very understanding and that you know better than the person you are abusing.

You are don’t listen do you. You insisted on continuing. So once again you tried to continue.
Keep out of my life.

April 13th, 2016 at 12:26 pm

Funny how joker fans keep saying its a good thing he lost today. Sour grapes me thinks.

April 13th, 2016 at 12:41 pm

“RZ Says: Off topic but Sharapova could be back on tour soon if this article is true.”

That is a great catch, and spot on in my opinion. I read the notice from WADA and (like their notification about melodies) hidden in plain sight along with a lot of mealy-mouth gibberish about how stringent the rules are, the added this caveat which may apply to Sharapova:

“In the case of meldonium, there is currently a lack of clear scientific information on excretion times. For this reason, a hearing panel might justifiably find (unless there is specific evidence to the contrary) that an athlete who has established on the balance of probabilities that he or she ingested meldonium before 1 January 2016 could not reasonably have known or suspected that the meldonium would still be present in his or her body on or after 1 January 2016. In these circumstances, WADA considers that there may be grounds for no fault or negligence on the part of the athlete.”

First, this means a post hoc probationary period on the levels of the drug that would compel the full penalties, or even a determination of fault/negligence.

But more importantly, just in time for Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Olympic tennis, they have essentially given Sharapova (et al) her out. It’s now up to her doctors (wouldn’t hold my breath on that one) and her lawyers (would hold my breath on that one) to make the case.

Typical doping BS.

April 13th, 2016 at 12:49 pm

http://tennis-column.blogspot.com/2016/03/maria-sharapova-doping-gaffe-low.html

http://tennis-column.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-only-dope-is-anti-doping-believer.html

April 13th, 2016 at 12:50 pm

Gasquet down 1-4 in third set, looks like another semifinalist pick from Sean will go down today, 2 already out (Djoko and Bercyh). If Gasquet indeed loses only Nadal remains from hos original pick. Jinx back at full power

April 13th, 2016 at 1:07 pm

It’s not good for nole, but patience is everything.
You don’t pay attention to your serve, so you lose.

Unlike fedal, who depended on slow, injured, weak and tennis allergic players to win.
Ironically, when fedal couldn’t keep a big lead, got sick or injured, their fragile world crumbled on them for months to a year.
Then, they never crawled back to excellent tennis again.

April 13th, 2016 at 1:26 pm

I don’t know what to make out of it. Novak was so passive, his return games were pathetic, struggling to hold his serve. Saw this coming tbh. He was a bit lucky in some matches, the last few months that an early round defeat was bound to happen. Novak’s level has dropped in the last few months. Needs to get some rest and regroup. Probably he will play Madrid open now. That plus Rome will be an indicator of his form.

April 13th, 2016 at 1:30 pm

Bad day at the office, for someone who played 30 matches this year, eventually ine of those would happen. Had one bad day due desease (red eye) and now this. Of course never good to lose first round, but still too earlyin clay season.

Only bad aspect is him losing could allow a ressurgence of Nadal. And last thing he needs is a confident Nadal on clay. Bit Nadal has still to beat the pther player, a lot to be played still.

April 13th, 2016 at 2:09 pm

Nole said after Miami win that it was not going to be easy to go right to clay in a short time but that he had done it before.
Usually the MC winner has not won Miami before that.
Anyone know stats on that?

April 13th, 2016 at 2:16 pm

Daniel, Daniel, Daniel. Still stressing about Nadal? Give it a rest man!!!

April 13th, 2016 at 2:24 pm

@Django – I think it’s only Djoker who won both last year.

April 13th, 2016 at 2:37 pm

Sour grapes for thinking an early loss is a blessing in disguise? Nothing sour about that. No, sour grapes is dismissing a winner down match point as a “lucky shot.”

April 13th, 2016 at 2:38 pm

Djokovic is 29 right ? The fall has begin ;)

April 13th, 2016 at 2:42 pm

No losses are good, especially not early at a 1000 event. Novak might still avoid Madrid, he’s not welcomed there and the court doesn’t have much in common with the FO. At the end he might have only Rome to see where his form is prior to his main tournament of the year.

April 13th, 2016 at 2:48 pm

It is confirmed now I think Novak playing in Madrid, the crowd hates him over there. Conditions are different from that of RG. It is not like he needs those points anyway.

April 13th, 2016 at 3:23 pm

I see Djokovic bouncing back from this easily. What I’m more interested in seeing is whether the other players take this loss as inspiration.

April 13th, 2016 at 3:24 pm

The Streak of making the Finals at all big events (2 YECs, 6 Slams, 11 straight Masters) has come to an end. As it had to. And past the continuous Finals – he won most of those big events (2/2 YEC, 5/6 Slams, 9/11 Masters). All sorts of records were made or broken starting in Paris-Bercy Nov 2014.

Novak and his fans should celebrate the achievement of the most dominant stretch any male tennis player had in the Open Era.

He’d been away from his wife and son for a month during the US spring season. So he gets a little more down time with them and practice in. But it might be awkward to practice in his “home” courts, as there is this big tournament still going on there, and players still in contention may want to use those practice courts…

For Becker, probably some gold in this. Novak’s tendency in his losses to go passive and wait for the other guy to implode didn’t work on Stan, and it has not been totally expunged from his system following the FO, as the loss to Vesely showed. Boris will be helping work on that trait some more..Wants Nole peaking, good to go at the French Open.

April 13th, 2016 at 3:24 pm

I think he should skip Madrid from now on. Just play Rome next.
Thanks RZ

April 13th, 2016 at 3:27 pm

RZ I wonder. He tends to be more prepared for the more threatening players. I certainly wouldn’t have thought Stan could sustain that battery for the duration of the FO final. If Djokovic’s strategy is to avoid wasting energy in early rounds, then it was bound to catch up with him at some point. Doesn’t mean the strategy is bad – just that the odd bad loss will occur. He dodges most of them.

April 13th, 2016 at 3:40 pm

J-Kath i wont push it anymore, all ill say is sorry if i offended you, and sorry as i missed the UN-reuited love bit, :(( ….

April 13th, 2016 at 5:27 pm

GL – you didn’t offend me – we know each other well enuf to share any mis-understandings.

But I will always remain cool towards anyone who includes any other names to support his/her attempts in order to validate arguments. I have noticed this before by the same person.

To be fair, her views of tennis are of equal value to those of anyone else…but otherwise…how dare she imply that she was respectful of my grief when it was never the issue …does she even know the damage she has done….and the cost to me? And I don’t mean emotional – I mean I could not complete my deadline – and yes, I must take personal responsibility as well for allowing myself to be caught in her web …never again.

Perhaps I should be sorry for her – she’s obviously got a lot of problems.

April 13th, 2016 at 6:02 pm

Thanks J-Kath, cant say enough about how relieved i am, anyway back to tennis,Novak losing i didnt see that one coming, i suppose it was inevitable sooner or later, i dont think its a crisis or bigger than it is, but you never know i suppose other players might be inspired by this, for the rest of the CC season, time will tell, CHEERS J-Kath ;)) ….

April 13th, 2016 at 6:11 pm

GL

Novak definitely needed a rest…I think his team and family might agree. For others it provides a wee window of opportunity which makes it exciting. May the best man win (hoping either Andy or Rafa)..if not let both get uplifted ranking points.
Fingers crossed.
Sleep well.
K

April 13th, 2016 at 6:33 pm

Who on earth would use the name Toilet Break as a monikor lol ? ….

April 14th, 2016 at 8:48 am

“RZ Says: @Django – I think it’s only Djoker who won both last year.”

Confirmed – only Djokovic has ever done that particular double. Miami’s only been around since 1986, while Monte Carlo is 119 years old, but Djokovic is the only one that’s done that double.

Speaking of doubles, there’s been 23 Monte Carlo Rome doubles (6 Nadal)17 Monte Carlo RG doubles (7 Nadal) and 18 Rome RG doubles (6 Nadal).

There have also been 7 trebles, surprisingly not all by Nadal – he accounts for 5, but anyone want to take a guess at the other two?

April 14th, 2016 at 11:26 am

@MMT – Thomas Muster? He had a year when he cleaned up the clay court circuit.

April 14th, 2016 at 11:51 am

RZ: Correctamundo! Thomas Muster did the treble in 1995 (his only major) and Ilie Nastase in 1973. Both earned the #1 ranking that year, but this was Nastase’s second major (he beat Arthur Ashe for the US Open title in 1972).

April 15th, 2016 at 6:24 pm