What? Novak Djokovic Admits He Never Had A Serious Chance To Beat Andy Murray!

IMO, he believes he’s lucky because Fedal underachieved for years, and he has a son to love. Since he said he deserved tons of money, he doesn’t feel he needs to fight to prove anything.
Too selfish off the court.
He probably has no desire to be #1.
He thinks he needs magic meditation & superluck to be great at age 29.

November 21st, 2016 at 11:28 am

Makes no sense to me either. Andy played great, let’s not take that away, but I have never seen Djokovic making errors like in this final.
Almost like he has lost self belief, because his footwork seemed ok, his serve works, and he had stamina enough for the long rallies. Also his tactics seemed off, why, if his ball feeling was not on par, not keeping the ball in play with good margin, to get his rhythm back. Really weird.

November 21st, 2016 at 11:57 am

That is burn out talk. He’s burned out. Plain and simple. For whatever reason. The good news? He’s got awhile to re-energize.

November 21st, 2016 at 12:16 pm

Maybe 2017 will be Andy’s year to finally win multiple slams in one season. Since Lendl’s return he really has produced some excellent results. He has to be the favorite at Wimbledon for the next couple of years and perhaps he can finally break that AO jinx. He’s become competitive at every major so I don’t see any reason why he can’t pull away from the pack a bit. Roger and Rafa are winding down and Novak seems a bit adrift. Kind of hoping that Andy could get his GS final record close to .500. He’s such a talented player that it would be a shame for him to be more remembered for a poor slam final record than his amazing achievements.

November 21st, 2016 at 12:52 pm

Agree with Skeezer…I do think that the bubble burst at RG and he hasn’t been the same since. He’s already been to what 20 or 21 slam finals? Talk about being taxed mentally over a long period time. Hard to not get a little crispy.

November 21st, 2016 at 12:55 pm

Great to see andy do well and reach, ckeanly, # one. Deserves it.

November 21st, 2016 at 1:32 pm

The only explanation that makes sense is he’s burnt out. Why else would he not have challenged the “out” call in set 2, Murray serving 4-3, 30-15 and Nole caught the line with a winner backhand? What did he have to lose by challenging, on a point that was crucial to the outcome? He obviously is not motivated by tennis currently, as evidenced by his comments this fall about not caring about Grand Slam titles or being # 1, etc. Sounds like classic Bjorn Borg syndrome. With Borg, he turned to the cocaine snorting Mariana Simionescu, which was a very bad choice. With Nole, it’s the creepy Manson-like cult leader Pepe Imaz, and that doesn’t bode well either, obviously…

November 21st, 2016 at 1:35 pm

He was so lucky to win those slams against Murray who is very mental. Murray is not my favourite for that reason. He failed to stop joker in all important finals when things were at stake…Tennis was a joke like WTA for a while.. Hope young guns step up next year.

November 21st, 2016 at 1:45 pm

“He was so lucky to win those slams against Murray who is very mental.”

He was lucky to win all those slams by having to beat Rafa, Roger or Andy in all of them, twelve of them. Even ona that he played Tsonga in the final he had to beat Roger in the SF, he was really really lucky during all off his career. He was lucky to have to fight two best players in the history of the game and singlehandly break Fedal duopoly at their prime, he was lucky to have positive h2h against all of them, he was lucky to win 30 masters titles and five WTFs, losing only one final out of six he played, he was lucky to set record for most points in the history, most masters in one year, to have best year ever, he was lucky to be born in the wealthy family, wealthy and peaceful country, and not having to worry about anything but playing tennis!
What a lucky dude this Novak Djokovic is.

November 21st, 2016 at 2:37 pm

^^^ of course, Novak Djokovic was absolutely lucky to win four GS in a row on three different surfaces that nobody ever achieved, lucky lucky…indeed lucky dude.

November 21st, 2016 at 3:00 pm

Agree about burn out. Just seems tennis doesn’t drive him as it did a while back when he had all those big wins over Fed Nadal and Andy. The “fire” in his eyes is somewhere gone.

Maybe winning that French Open calm him down in a way he hasn’t beijg before. Kind of calming him down and that for competitve sports is dangerous.

But we need more time to assess. If he goes next 6 tourneys without a title (the part pf the seaosn his shine the most inthe past), than I’ll start believing in it.

As it stands is just a 4 months so so perido and even so he will finish the year just under 700 points from Murray.

November 21st, 2016 at 3:06 pm

Call me obtuse, but I don’t believe Djokovic was referring to anything but the way he played on the day. I’ve had that feeling 3 minutes into a match, and it’s hard to shake.

November 21st, 2016 at 3:16 pm

The man who looks and acts like Nole does, is the man who has some problems (outside tennis), but instead of solving them he accepted them and living with them and, as Eric W rightly pointed out, that is showing through his defeatist attitude, not just in WTF, but in the last couple of months. How else you can explain presence of that creep in his box?
If that is his choice, we have to accept it since it is his life and who are we to question his life and his decisions, but unless somebody shakes him properly from his feet upwards I don’t see him doing any good next year, year after or any other year, he will be slowly fading away and that is something I would hate to see, I’ll rather see him retiring than that.
Just for the record Sean, it has nothing to do with infidelity, I am sure, problem is more deeper and more serious.
Sorry Nole fans, the one that will disagree with me, but after following him for so many years that is how he looks to me, letdown was bound to happen after achieving everything he wanted to achieve and winning FO, but body language and behavior after that is not just let down or burn out person, it is the person who is supposed to look jovial after all those achievements, but instead looks sad and confused with defeatist attitude. That’s not Nole.

Regardless, I bough the tickets and booked the hotel in Melbourne and will be there to cheer him, as I always will.

November 21st, 2016 at 3:43 pm

Novak clearly talks like he’s confused. A bunch of yes-people are around, that depend on him to have something to do and earn a good income.
He speaks like he’s so energetic when he’s obviously not.
He doesn’t even care if there are line call challenges in important finals.

Last year, he was gliding around the court 90% of the time.
Now, he thinks he is perfectly happy, being a passive, confused Brian Wilson-type of person.
At least Borg was fine without tennis.
Novak looks like a lost sycophant, always looking for new friends.

November 21st, 2016 at 3:48 pm

Of course Djokovic’s 2nd half meltdown is almost as big a story in 2016 as Andy catching up to him for nearly 8,000 points behind at the French Open.

Hard to stamp “LOSER!” on Novak’s forehead when you have a guy who finished with 7 titles, got 11, 780 points, made 12,630,464 in just prize money, trophies at 2 Slams and 4 Masters. But Andy with his one Slam and 3 Masters prevailed because he played more events and got 9 titles inc the “whole ball of wax” Barclay’s Championships – for 13,327,821 just in prize money and 12, 410 points.

It’s like 2013 when Rafa and Novak battled to the wire..it was just them and no one else was even in the picture.

In 2016 , the 3rd best was Milos Raonic, with 5,450 points. No one close to Andy and Novak.

Bring on the young guns?? Yeah, maybe in 2019. There’s only 2 guys in the Top 20 under 25. For now, the Big 4 remain in charge.

November 21st, 2016 at 4:40 pm

When Rafa started declined last year,when he’s constantly been beaten by anybody even a lesser player that ranked outside 100th ranking..He never showed a defeatist attitude like Nole did,which make me start to worried..Don’t care that he’s Rafa’s kryptonite..Please someone,just help him..

November 21st, 2016 at 4:46 pm

Chrisford 1

Andy and Nole played 17 tournaments each.

November 21st, 2016 at 5:53 pm

I think Nole may retire early next year, if he has a early exit from the Aussie Open. I think that he and his wife are sick of the travel and all that comes with tour life.

November 21st, 2016 at 6:10 pm

Well!I think it was easy for him to downplay his chances in retrospect. I don’t believe for a second that he was that hopeless during the match. Probably no player of a stature like his ever does. But he did play poorly than usual. That said, this time around, Andy’s playing at much higher level than the last few times they played each other. So, even a higher level game might not have been enough for him today.
Whatever he is experiencing off the court, no place to allude to at a post match presser.
Another great tennis season. And this one ended on a nail biter. Great for us fans.

November 21st, 2016 at 6:22 pm

It was a strange match indeed. Body language was the key part I was looking at. In the semifinals he looked fired up, yelled out a war cry at one point, he wanted to win the match and he wanted to be in the finals, he looked to be sending a message to Andy that he was ready. Not to mention he looked fresh as a daisy, so the burnt out scenario doesn’t add up to me. Then less than 24 hours later we get to the final and there was no emotion out of him, not one fist pump nor even one look at his box. I understand he wanted to mute himself a bit because of the partisan crowd, but I think he could’ve at least shown one fist pump after winning a point, it would tell us in a quiet way that he’s emotionally invested in the match. There was also little to no frustration from him, after losing a pivotal point all he showed was a borderline cavalier shake of the head.
So what the heck happened between the semifinals and the finals? Why such a sudden 180 in body language? from wanting to be in the final to seemingly not care at all. My only guesses is he suffered an injury and he didnt want to be vocal about it. Or maybe Novak is suffering from some type of bipolar disorder to have such a wild swing in demeanor in under 24 hours. Maybe its Pepe’s influence on him. Or maybe for whatever reason Novak intentionally threw the match (I know it sounds blasphemous but I think its plausible)

November 21st, 2016 at 6:34 pm

I don’t think Novak played that poorly. He was outplayed and didn’t / wouldn’t / couldn’t find the muster to get back in the match. That said, there was only one break that separated them from both sets. It wasn’t like he wasn’t in the match from that perspective. Murray was up to the task, despite playing a 3 1/2 hour match the day before.

November 21st, 2016 at 7:17 pm

Also, they are young, 29 is maturing as a “man” per se. Regular people (not in the spotlight like them) have all sorts of phases finding themselves.

Maybe tennis just doesn’t bring that sparkle in him and his mind is wondering about other stuff. They are build as athletes since a young age and conditioned to one type of life. They all know they will have a 15 year spam from 18 to 32 where they can achieve what they can. Some have it longer and some smaller. But at 29+ he is entering the third phase, to 4th of his career and close to turning 30, start thinking what will come next etc…Mini crisis. Which can be bigger.

It’s odd, because he was so driven a few months back and we never saw this with other Big 4. Fed aged, Nadal battled injuries and decreased his level and Murray overcome his mental demons.

But the way Novak is “dropping” is strange, specially for such a huge fighter like him who played in some of the most contested match sin history and had to overcome an herculean effort, surpassing Fedal.

Hope he has at least 2 more years winning Slams, which on paper he and Murray sure have.
Who knows, maybe he loses AO and is a waking call for him. Anything can happen at this point.

November 21st, 2016 at 8:34 pm

martin,

Good post!
I pretty much agree with everything you wrote. Such an extreme change in emotional approach to matches within a 24-hr period is difficult to rationalize…

November 21st, 2016 at 8:38 pm

I think that Djokovic’s mental toughness is overhyped. He is not as mentally tough as Nadal not even as Federer. Examples: Once when he was some 10 points Nadal for second ranking he could not perform. In 2013 he amost beat Nadal at FO only to get too nervous and touch the net and finally fail to deliver. In 2014 he didnot play so worse than Wawrinka so as to hand him the win. There was so much at stake this time at he finals so he did not have that mental toughness to chase the history. It reminds me of AO 2009 final where Federer famously failed against the mentally tougher Nadal. Technically Djokovic is very sound as Bollitteri suggested but mentally he is not as tough as many suggest.

November 21st, 2016 at 9:55 pm

Mridul, As mentally tough as Rafa? Maybe not. As mentally tough as Federer? Yes and then some. Federer is mentally the weakest of the 3 by far…

November 22nd, 2016 at 1:24 am

WB,

3:43. Have the same fears, have to admit.
We will get more answers next year.
In the meantime I am curious if he will continue working with Becker. Would be a good sign if they would collaborate. If they do not collaborate, I would take it as a sign, that there is a really deep problem with Novak there and Boris cannot help and also will not assist on that, my pov.

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:11 am

Becker looked pretty helpless and sad in the box. I hoped to see him angry, would had been a good sign….

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:14 am

And WB,

I really, really miss the “old” Nole…that Nole from AO 2012 final, that kissed the cross after the critical points in the 5 set :)I am not a religious person, but I liked the attitude.
AO is my favorite grand slam, because the final is played at the End of January, when I celebrate my birthday. Novak won his first GS on 27.01.2008, it was my Birthday, will never forget that, he did it also on 27.01.2013 :)….sorry for being so sentimental..

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:51 am

These Federer and Nadal fans celebrating Murray’s #1 remind me of an impotent man celebrating his wife’s pregnancy…

November 22nd, 2016 at 3:32 am

LOL TB

November 22nd, 2016 at 3:35 am

Wog Boy,
Excellent response @ 2.37 pm.

Mridul1,
The examples you stated are fine. But remember, they all happened before Novak brought Becker to the team. The main reason why Becker was brought was “because he was in many GS finals, knows and understands the atmosphere and what it takes mentally to win them.” Novak lost many a GS final or semis where he could have won. We know what happened next.

November 22nd, 2016 at 3:47 am

As for the quotation, this whole text blew it completely out of proportion. Novak was clearly talking only about that particular match – the WTF final. He said he did not feel like he could have won. And that is as plain as it gets. No readings between the lines regarding his previous wins over Andy.

Nole, I thought, started off better and suddenly stopped, then manged to rise his game a little bit in the last few games. It was too late. Everything in between was, like I said at the time, a pale shadow of his former self. Andy was better but he clearly also could play way better. Nole was beyond bad. For whatever reason.

November 22nd, 2016 at 3:58 am

VP,

No need to be sorry, we all get sentimental. Yes, I prefer Nole warrior too, if Boris goes..it won’t be good.

Danica,

Thanks, “i corava koka ubode neko zrno”:)

November 22nd, 2016 at 4:21 am

By saying all of these, there is smart and wise man that can give Nole few advices, the man who was his mentor for a few years long time ago, the man that never stopped following Nole’s career. I don’t have doubt he would be more than happy to have few words with Nole. All Nole has to do is to pack up, and spend week or two with that man and his wife who was like mother to Nole, Germany is not too far away from Monaco.

November 22nd, 2016 at 4:28 am

Hahah WB, indeed, “ubode ta koka pocesto zrna” :))

Yes, Nole could talk to Niki Pilic more often. Serbian press asked him about Pepe and Pilic said that he never even heard of that guy let alone knew he was part of Nole’s team for years. To me, Pepe also looked positively creepy with that frozen smile at all times. C’mon, this is total inhibition of emotions! Love is all good and fine but not at the expense of other normal feelings.

November 22nd, 2016 at 4:49 am

Agree WB, Danica,

I guess Nole needs his oldest friends and mentors now, not Pepe…

November 22nd, 2016 at 5:04 am

Yes, nothing worse than bottling emotions, to much of trying to please “everyone” and too much of PC is never good.

November 22nd, 2016 at 5:05 am

^^ I also liked his impersonations :)

November 22nd, 2016 at 5:18 am

I Dont for a minute believe you get to be as successful as Federer is/was without being mentally tough ….

November 22nd, 2016 at 5:22 am

It seems like Novaks slump has been turned into a soap opera ;-) ….

November 22nd, 2016 at 5:28 am

Good to know, now you can go on Federer thread, which is the second on the left or Andy one, which is the first on the right.

November 22nd, 2016 at 5:31 am

I will post where i like thanks ;-)) ….

November 22nd, 2016 at 5:34 am

WB,

Just skip the BS.

November 22nd, 2016 at 5:36 am

Yes VP,

You are right, what a lousy person she is, couldn’t wait to start to gloat, and then when it comes back to bite her she squeals.

November 22nd, 2016 at 5:46 am

WB,

In order to avoid unnecessary debates, I treat some posts as junk mails. It worked for me lately.

November 22nd, 2016 at 6:08 am

Im not gloating, and i havent sent in one single post that could be classed as gloating, and i actually said on the other thread that Novak and Andy have been the two best players this year, and what an inspiration they have been this year,one poster i think it was RZ said about the Dunblane masacre, and i said a once terrified little boy rising to be the best tennis player in the world, and the same for Nole before him with what he went through as a little boy too, not interested in that go figure ….

November 22nd, 2016 at 7:35 am

VP Right on as i skip your BS too all the time ….

And BTW WB i dont squeal i merely defend myself from bullies, you call me out on something that even one of your fellow fans agreed with me about, didnt attack her though personally hmm speaks volumes ….

November 22nd, 2016 at 7:40 am

And speaking of lousy people one should look closer to home ….

November 22nd, 2016 at 7:41 am

Bizarre quote from Novak, especially against a player he has really dominated in the last couple of years. This is a player who has withstood blistering first sets from others and kept his cool and determination; for him to mentally give up in the start of the match is completely out of character for the Novak that we have known.

November 22nd, 2016 at 7:53 am

The good thing is you can see the Fedal fans’ true colors.

They claim that they beg for a variety of players to share wins.
No, they don’t. They want Fed or Nadal to pummel Novak to prove that Novak was a nobody for their “aging” gentlemen.
Of course, Murray looks like a heroic powerhouse.
For 5 years, these “fans” had to scream & ridicule Boogieman Novak in the media to stop Novak from winning almost everything & humiliating their hero Fed, who was destroyed by Nadal so much. There was no real interesting Fedalray rivalry either.
The truly amazing & devilish matches came from Novak.
It took more precision to be Novak on court.
10-13 years ago, you just needed a 145 mph serve to be #1 or top 10.
Novak plays the role of a coddling friend. He’s an actor now. He trusts everyone because he has money. There is something bipolar.

Maybe he thinks the smiling friend attitude takes the pressure off having to fight the bitter Fedal defenders that pretend to adore Murray.

November 22nd, 2016 at 11:01 am

BTW My post was a joke, wasnt meant to be offensive, seems some are quick to dish it out themselves though ….

November 22nd, 2016 at 11:18 am

Djokovic almost certainly has an underlying injury issue – I’m sure I read somewhere that his first serve is 8kph slower than it was.

The signs have been there for a while – even when he was winning at the start of the season, he was being stretched more than usual against players he was sweeping aside a year earlier.

November 22nd, 2016 at 3:02 pm

Yes, he is not serving as good as last year, and that affects his confidence with the other shots too. This is from Wimbledon this year and it only got worse after Wimbledon:
“Last year, Djokovic’s average first serve speed was 117mph, his second serve 97mph. In this tournament, he has been way down the overall maximum speed list, 49th at 122mph; and on Saturday his power slippage was marked. He hit that highwater mark once, but was averaging 111mph first time (5mph slower than in 2015), and 93mph on second serve (down 4mph).”

November 22nd, 2016 at 3:28 pm

Pepe Imaz is to Nole what Rasputin was to the Russian royal family — and we know how that turned out. It is unnatural for a Serbian man to hang out and meditate with an effeminate Latin loser spouting “peace and love” as the way to resurrect a once dominant tennis career. Tennis is for warriors and the Serbian warrior tradition was built by bravery and fighting to the death against long odds, rather than passively accepting defeat and slavery without resistance. Nole should get back to the “me against the world” attitude, limit his circle to family and trusted advisors like Vajda, and start believing in himself again!

November 22nd, 2016 at 3:31 pm

i don’t believe he’s gone from tennis. Novak believes he is somehow physically fine when he receives massages to get stronger. but he plays exhibitions and doesn’t complain about weariness!
murray fan bandwagons gloat but they know Murray said he got lucky.

November 22nd, 2016 at 3:44 pm

Murray fans feel lucky? Let’s see how 2017 folds out.. Nole decline started for sure.. Be ready to accept many loses..

November 23rd, 2016 at 2:08 am

Nobody’s gloating, we’re just enjoying. Whatever Andy said, his success is nothing to do with “luck” either. It’s to do with NEVER GIVING UP and being prepared to IMPROVE.

November 23rd, 2016 at 2:12 am

VP,

If you are around, I am pretty sure Nole will finish his career with Boris:

“Novak is a competitor at heart. If I have one guy who has to play for my life, I would pick Djokovic. That’s how much I trust him,”

Fair enough Boris, just get rid of that creep Pepe, ok?

November 23rd, 2016 at 4:02 am

Margot – One or two Double decker bus(es) could be in the queue at Wimbledon (with prior permission) especially if there were some Stirling Uni. students allowed to use one as sleeping accommodation. I think Andy pays for a lot of the costs for these students at Davis Cup events – he could – maybe – use his influence.

??????????

November 23rd, 2016 at 4:15 am

BTW gloating = smug or vindictive satisfaction in another’s misfortune.
Nope, not seen any of that by Andy’s fans
Kath: am sure Andy could help us out, we maybe needing more than 2 at this rate. BTW have you seen that cheeky Andy Mira’s new demands? Well I never….. Have a good mind to make her sit BETWEEN Big John and Atomic ……;)

November 23rd, 2016 at 4:47 am

WB,

I did read the interview from Boris from CNN and I was glad. BTW, watching him at YEC it was clear for me that he really wishes to work further with Nole and that it all depends on Novak.
I also remembered, that Boris criticized Novak (after Wimbledon) for celebrating a bit to much after the FO.
I only hope, that Novak does not think to interrupt the collaboration with Boris. It was fruitful for both. Novak has the last word on this now and I trust him to make the smart move :)

November 23rd, 2016 at 4:54 am

Don’t worry, they’ll will be fine.

November 23rd, 2016 at 5:03 am

Have a good feeling now about all this, WB :)

Was a bit worried cuz I did read some “speculations” from German Eurosport, that Boris might work in the future with Sascha Zverev. That was at Beginning November.

November 23rd, 2016 at 5:51 am

@M….Oho oho ho ho ho ho!!

November 23rd, 2016 at 6:19 am

VP,

Boris made it clear while back, as long as Nole is active player he will never work with the other player, and I trust him on that one.
One proven thing with Germans, they are loyal to whoever they consider their friends, that is part of their culture and upbringing, that is in their DNA.
I lived in Germany (Bielefeld) and almost stayed there, loved it, but couldn’t get permanent visa.

November 23rd, 2016 at 6:27 am

Hehe WB,

Germans are loyal, but they have also theyr exceptions from the rule :)
Becker started to be appreciated again by the “German Tennis world” after his cooperation with Djoko, and he is very aware of that.

November 23rd, 2016 at 6:36 am

VP,

We all have our exceptions, don’t we?;)

November 23rd, 2016 at 6:41 am

Yep WB,

I did now want to hurt anybody. We all do :)

November 23rd, 2016 at 6:43 am

Margot: Somewhere I did tell her she was welcome as we hadn’t mentioned her earlier. So I offered her a friendly hand and now she wants your arm!!!! Nobody better than you to deal with that.

November 23rd, 2016 at 10:38 am

Nole sometimes seems to internally resign himself to being runner up in big matches, we have seen that in many Slam finals. One thing that was so cool about his runs in 2011 and 2015-16 is that he got that under control.

So while I am rooting for him, I could see him pulling a Borg.

November 23rd, 2016 at 10:56 am

wog boy, nov 21st, 2:37

#word

November 23rd, 2016 at 11:23 am

Never did i gloat either, i merely made a joke about Novaks slump being turned into a soap opera, as i remembered it was expression Markus also used about Rafa fans, some time ago and i just copied it, no malice was meant in any way, shape or form, and yet i got attacked for it, yet a fellow fan uses the term Fedal fans are like an impotent man impregnating his wife, and its all LOL hilariously funny, i made an observation about a female player and was also attacked for that, and yet a fellow fan agrees with me and no personal attacks what so ever, i think it all depends on who you are, fellow fans dont get called out, what double standards some people have ….

November 23rd, 2016 at 11:37 am

To add but i think some people will find an argument, or try to make one out of anything ….

November 23rd, 2016 at 11:53 am

Murray capitalized and took his opportunity.

Djokovic started well but too many unforced errors as the match progressed.

November 23rd, 2016 at 3:51 pm

“So while I am rooting for him, I could see him pulling a Borg.”

Lylenubbins, yep, would be possible, but I see him more pulling the Rafa from 2013.

November 24th, 2016 at 2:26 am

Just found an interesting article:

Djoko and Halep are the fastest tennis players from ATP and WTA :)

http://tennismash.com/2016/11/24/gig-djokovic-fastest-tennis-player-world/

November 24th, 2016 at 4:51 am

Thanks VP. Interesting indeed.

November 25th, 2016 at 5:59 am

I am glad that Andy Murray won the ATP finals, although I think every good player needs a strong driving force and Boris provided this for Djokovic. I saw him play at the lowest point of the season, at the U.S open and he seemed to talk to Boris when he needed extra support.
I’m sure the ATP finals have set up a cracking 2017 season where Djokovic starts the fight to regain his no.1 position

November 25th, 2016 at 11:30 am

At the top end of the sport a lot of it is in the mind. This is true in terms of your own mental toughness and how you see rivals. At start of the week Novak was riddled with nerves and was let off the hook by Thiem and Raionic who clearly didn’t feel worthy of beating him and let him off the hook by beating themselves. As Murray did in various finals before US Open but then unlike Federer, Nadal and Novak Murray had to win his first Major against players with multiple slam event wins and not an opponent with no slam victories. Delpo & Wavrinka also did it the hard way.

Novak’s confident crushing victory in the semi came on the back of Murray’s tough nerve ridden semi, which seemed to suggest he wouldn’t show up for the final. When the Murray who showed up was calm and competitive not ranting and self destructive Novak appeared to throw the towel in. It was revealing that Novak’s best few games came in the second set when a spectator riled Murray, he lost his cool & his serve & could have let Novak recover.

In Australia Murray has to stay strong mentally and not allow Novak a free ride. If he does he could dominate next year. If he doesn’t Novak’s self belief will return and his ability as in those few games in second set isn’t in question. Murray’s shouldn’t be either. His problem in my eyes has been belief.

November 25th, 2016 at 12:33 pm

Andy Collins and Adam Sykes great posts welcome on board ….

November 26th, 2016 at 1:40 am

Andy Collins i will say, that when Novak won the AO in 2008 he did beat Federer in the semis, before Tsonga in the final, and when Rafa won the FO in 2005 he also beat Federer in the semis, before Puerto in the final, but i see your point, as Murray, Wawarinka and Delpo, all had a harder root when it came to winning all their slams ….

November 26th, 2016 at 1:50 am

@ Andy Collins
Tipping my chapeau to you sir, or madam. :)
Think Andy Murray will always be a “nervy,” easily distracted player. But so much better these days at controlling it.
In the past I’ve seen so many matches “blown” because of this.
And let’s face it, people mature at different stages and how difficult it must be maturing under the media glare.

November 26th, 2016 at 2:08 am

Since this is Nole thread, few news about him:
Viktor Troicki got married in Belgrade last weekend (in Russian church Aleksandar Nevski, his father is Russian)….
brides dress was designed by Biljana Tipsarevic, Janko’s wife…
Janko got pretty drunk at the wedding:)…
Nole was guest, but avoided church wedding, didn’t want to take attention and spotlight from the wedding couple, which is fair…
he flew in Belgrade with Jelena and stayed in the hotel where reception was held (Crown Plaza)…
finaly, first sign that something is wrong, or that she has dome problems, is when woman neglects her hair, Jelena’s hair was always meticulous, she turned up for wedding with pretty untidy hair, looked pale and just not right, and this is man’s observation, you can google it yourself and check for yourself.

November 28th, 2016 at 4:40 pm

Jelena and Novak look happy:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNW1J0CBszb/?tagged=jelenadjokovic

https://www.instagram.com/djokovic_fanpage_/

November 28th, 2016 at 6:47 pm

Stefan’s 2nd b-day :)
https://www.instagram.com/stefandjokovicfans/

November 28th, 2016 at 6:52 pm