Big 3 – Djokovic, Nadal, Federer – Assemble For Final Masters In Paris

by Staff | October 27th, 2019, 8:32 pm
  • 9 Comments

As of now, all of the Big 3 – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – are in a loaded Paris event which begins Monday.

Following an extensive break, Nadal returns to play for the first time in tournament play since a his epic US Open title over Daniil Medvedev. And his first event as a married man!

Carlos Moya discussed Nadal’s rest period.


“It’s strange because Rafa rested for a bit, then returned at the Laver Cup,” Moya told ATPTennis.com. “From there, he went on a trip. There was the wedding. It’s been a bit different from what we’re used to. But he’s managed to rest, which is the important thing. He had a wonderful time on his wedding day and immediately it was back to training, because instead of going on honeymoon vacation after the marriage ceremony, he actually did it before. So two days after the wedding, we were already back in training. It’s been different, but it’s also been a very good past several days.”]

If Nadal can win his first Paris Indoor title, he’ll also finish the year No. 1.

Four-time champion Novak Djokovic is back looking to shake-off a disappointing loss in the last Masters in Shanghai to Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Fresh off his 10th Basel title, 2011 champ Roger Federer is back after a semifinal run a year ago.

Giving chase are two prominent Russians. Daniil Medvedev has won the last two Masters and will try to reach a seventh straight final while Karen Khachanov bids to defend his biggest title.

Projected paths:
Djokovic: 2R Gasquet, 3R Schwartzman, QF Tsitsipas, SF Medvedev/Thiem
Federer: 2R Basilashvili, 3R Monfils, QF Zverev, SF Nadal
Nadal: 2R Mannarino/Ruud, 3R Wawrinka, QF Khachanov/Rublev/Berrettini, SF Federer

Among a number of excellent first rounders: Tiafoe-Fritz, Chardy-Querrey, Coric-Verdasco, Simon-Shapovalov, Rublev-Tsonga, Cilic-Hurkacz.

For many players, the event will mark the end of the 2019 season. For some, they will hope to do well enough to qualify for the upcoming ATP Finals.

Just two spots remain with Zverev and Berrettini in the 7, 8 slots with Bautista Agut not far behind and Monfils and Goffin still in the hunt.

Last year, Khachanov stunned Djokovic for the title.


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9 Comments for Big 3 – Djokovic, Nadal, Federer – Assemble For Final Masters In Paris

Giles Says:

Fed not playing Paris.


Daniel Says:

Just read that too Giles.

With Basel title, resting this week and if he somehow clicks for WTF, a tournament he is always top 3 favorites to win regardless of field, he can finish the year strong and confident for AO 2020, which is less than 3 months away.

The real hsitory this week will be Nadal vs Djoko battle for #1. Any slip by Nadal is a chance for Djoko and vice versa. And if Zverev and Berrettin indeed secure last 2 spots for WTF or somebody do a 2017 Sock, win Paris and book his place.


Chrisford1 Says:

A shame that Rafa is injured or still has such a bugaboo about Paris. He and Djokovic had a great time in Kazakhstan with the exhibit play, and practiced together earlier in Paris as well. I hope it is #1 down to the wire race between the two – but as a Novak fan, you see pics of the two side by side, Rafa looks strong, vital, energetic, Novak looks like he just got out of a concentration camp. He hasn’t played close to his top ability since Wimbledon. And even there he was outplayed by Federer, just got lucky.
It’s his damn diet. He’s weaker and loses his stamina after a few sets because he likely has insufficient glycogen reserves.


chrisford1 Says:

Just to be clear, the “injury” to Rafa came from a single article, I don’t think it is true because that came from some Italian rag on Saturday and I can’t find any other news saying that. I was thinking of it, included it, and couldn’t edit it out.
Sorry, folks!


Django Says:

Moya said Rafa is healthy.
Nole is busy with veganism now so don’t expect anything.


Dave Says:

With Medvedev being out and Tsitsipas being tired, Djokovic may just stroll into the finals without a lot of trouble. Let’s see.


Czarlazar Says:

Chris Ford is right that Nole is weak and loses stamina in three setters, but think of the benefits of going vegan:
The suffering caused by the dairy and egg industry is possibly less well publicised than the plight of factory farmed animals. However, the production of dairy products necessitates the death of countless male calves that are of no use to the dairy farmer, as well as the premature death of cows slaughtered when their milk production decreases. Similarly, in the egg industry, even ‘ethical’ or ‘free range’ eggs involve the killing of the ‘unnecessary’ male chicks when just a day old.
Novak’s doing his bit to prevent all that, so it’s obviously a worthwhile tradeoff to kissing off any chance to beat Fed or Nadal in career GS titles. Not to mention attending all his kids’ birthday parties and school plays — a true no brainer!

PS: Gebhard Phil Gritsch can go f*#% himself and find a new job with someone less ethical. He insisted in Novak eating fish regularly as a protein source, even though he knew damn well about the unethical mistreatment of fish by humans as well as other fish in many of the world’s lakes and oceans.


Dave Says:

Sorry guys. I’m not buying this whole Nole being tired in 3 setters. Plain and simple, he’s just not that motivated outside of grandslams anymore. He can’t even fake it. He just can’t get up for every match. The only reason he was so motivated last year in Cincinnati was because he had never won it. The only match Where Djokovic was tired was in the Rome Final against Nadal after playing 2 back to back grueling 3 setters against Del Potro and Schwartzman on Friday and Saturday and spending almost 6 hours on the court. He wasn’t tired against Tsitsipas or Medvedev when he lost in the past 2 masters 1000’s. He just didn’t feel like putting in the extra fire to get it done. Go check how physical the match was against Medvedev at the Australian Open. I just watched that 4 set match the other day. It was extremely physical and he tired Medvedev out. Check out how Physical the match was against Bautista Agut in the Semi Finals of Wimbledon. Another tough 4 setter. Did Nole look tired in the 5th set against Federer at Wimbledon? Nope. He just doesn’t have the constant motivation he used to have anymore. He hit burnout. If you have ever gotten burned out from over working in anything, once you get it once, it’s easier to get it again. He hit his burnout wall in 2016 after the French.


tennismonger Says:

Yep, gotta side with Dave here.

I suggest that anyone questioning Nole’s motivation rewatch the last Wimbledon final… ;-)

Top story: ATP Finals Day 5: Sinner v Medvedev; Alcaraz OK In Win, No 3-Setters Yet