If Williams doesn't publicly apologise, she deserves to be despised by all sport lovers. It's sad that these attitudes don't result in a serious punishment, like 6 months without playing or something. And all this after what happened here too two years ago...

Javi said:

If Williams doesn't publicly apologise, she deserves to be despised by all sport lovers. It's sad that these attitudes don't result in a serious punishment, like 6 months without playing or something. And all this after what happened here too two years ago...

Eh, I would much rather a sincere private apology rather than a fake public one.

Djokovic is really frustrating Rafa. Took the first set 6-2 and up a break in the second.

Djokovic's shots just look stronger

Every time that Nadal looks like he is getting back in the match Djokovic breaks him.

rialb said:

Javi said:

If Williams doesn't publicly apologise, she deserves to be despised by all sport lovers. It's sad that these attitudes don't result in a serious punishment, like 6 months without playing or something. And all this after what happened here too two years ago...

Eh, I would much rather a sincere private apology rather than a fake public one.

She won't do either. It's a real shame because she had somewhat repaired her image after 2009 from being out of the game for most of the last 12 months and it looked like she had a new respect for her talents and the game but this incident took away all that goodwill and damaged her reputation further. As a fan, I know this is not new behaviuor, it's a part of what makes her who she is. Unsurprisingly she's getting hammered. I'd love to see her try that at the Australian Open Final against Sam. She'd be lucky to get out of the country in one piece.

Even after all of the times that Djokovic has defeated Nadal this year it is still odd to see Novak break him so often.

Surely Nadal will take at least one set?

Unbelievable third set. Take it to 5 sets Rafa!

Nadal just ran out of gas

Took a little longer than it should've thanks to Nole's injury and Rafa's herculean effort in the 3rd, but that went almost entirely as expected. Nadal has no answers for Djokovic on any surface. I think last year's final may've been his last big win in the rivalry.

Congrats Nole for another title and a fantastic season!

AlexdeParis said:

Took a little longer than it should've thanks to Nole's injury and Rafa's herculean effort in the 3rd, but that went almost entirely as expected. Nadal has no answers for Djokovic on any surface. I think last year's final may've been his last big win in the rivalry.

Congrats Nole for another title and a fantastic season!

Djokovic's angles on his shots were just ridiculous.

Nadal kept creeping back. I actually thought he could win it. I was shocked at the 4th set, but who could blame Nadal for being spent at that point?

Javi said:

AlexdeParis said:

Took a little longer than it should've thanks to Nole's injury and Rafa's herculean effort in the 3rd, but that went almost entirely as expected. Nadal has no answers for Djokovic on any surface. I think last year's final may've been his last big win in the rivalry.

Congrats Nole for another title and a fantastic season!

Novak clearly deserved it. However, I don't think his "injury" had a lot to do with the lenght of the match. Maybe Nadal's injury in the final set had to do with it being so short. Congratulations to Novak.

Well, he seemed to make a concerted effort to go away from his successful game plan (pinning Nadal in the backhand corner) in an effort to shorten the points. That may not have had to do with his injury (and the quotes aren't necessary - he was clearly hurting before the magic pills), but it looked like it to me. He couldn't get a first serve in when he served for the match in the 3rd. He realized in the 4th that he was the better player off the ground; once he started spinning more first serves in, the match was completely in his control again.

NDRU said:

Djokovic's angles on his shots were just ridiculous.

Nadal kept creeping back. I actually thought he could win it. I was shocked at the 4th set, but who could blame Nadal for being spent at that point?

Yeah, the book on Nadal is to push him back and take the short angle, but you have to be able to do it off both sides.

I certainly can't blame Nadal for running out of gas. I knew he wouldn't win, but he played out of his mind just to keep that 3rd set close. Part of the greatness in both Nadal and Federer is that there's no quit in either of them. Nothing but respect for that!

As the "trivalry" stands, Djokovic/Federer is the wildcard. Nadal owns Federer and now Djokovic owns Nadal. Interestingly enough, I don't think Rafa has ever won 6 straight against Rog like Nole has against him.

[Edited 9/12/11 18:01pm]

Congrats to Novak Djokovic 2011 Men's Singles Champion

Amazing season 63 - 2

I'm such a fan of the top 3. All 3 are just incredible athletes.

A good summary of the Open

http://sportsillustrated....=tn_t11_a1

Novak Djokovic won his first U.S. Open title after defeating Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1.

Matt Slocum/AP

2011 U.S. Open

NEW YORK -- If you believe the embittered losing opponent, luck propelled Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the 2011 U.S. Open. But Djokovic's 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1 dismissal of Rafael Nadal in Monday's final was a 4-hour, 10-minute testament to skill.

For most of four sets, Djokovic turned in still another masterful performance, a clinic in impenetrable hardcourt tennis. There were times this match came to resemble a video game, both players lasering shots and dueling in you-have-be-kidding-me rallies, providing exceptional entertainment with extraordinarily high-level tennis. But, as has been the case all year, Djokovic racked up the higher score.

Here's where we are: A year after Nadal won three major titles, and four years after Roger Federer last did the same, Djokovic has now joined the club, too, another bit of garnish on perhaps the finest men's single season in Open Era history. With all four majors in the books and just a few tournaments remaining, Djokovic has lost a grand total of twice this year. Federer, Nadal and now Djokovic? We should all be red-faced from this embarrassment of riches.

Federer's gifts were always obvious: the footwork, the flair, the shotmaking, the sense that the racket was simply an appendage of his right arm. With Nadal, even the casual fan can quickly observe his funkedelic lefty spins, his power, his fight. Djokovic's gifts may not be as immediately apparent. But watch him over the course of a match and his greatness comes into focus. For one, he doesn't miss much, going games and games without making an error, pounding the ball not just with great force but with great depth, racking up winners in Costco-style bulk.

He retrieves masterfully, and then turns offense into defense. Opponents can't hit through him, nor can they can't hit around him. His money shot, an up-the-line backhand, is a thing of beauty. While touch is not exactly a word in heavy rotation in tennis these days, Djokovic exhibited some real deftness, winning point after point with soft drop shots. As his cocky-confidence ambulation suggests, he is dripping with belief, as well he should be.

After losing to Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, Nadal was admirably candid, admitting that he would have to "find solutions" if he had hoped to beat his new nemesis, something he hadn't done since the ATP World Tour Finals in London. The search goes on, as the streak of consecutive losses at the hands of Djokovic extends to six. While Nadal jumped to early leads in the first two sets, Djokovic quickly responded. For every question Nadal posed, Djokovic had a cogent answer. Every action was met by a superior reaction. At one point Nadal readjusted his headband; maybe he was trying to loosen the Serb who'd taken up residence there.

*****

After the first eight glorious days, the rain came and this event devolved into chaos, the sport's undercarriage on vivid display for all to see. Players griped about the tour, their representation and authority in general. The USTA left itself open to charges of profligacy, of putting profit motives and television interest before the health of the players, infuriating innumerable fans with schedule changes. Serena Williams, at age 29, revealed herself to be an ill-tempered and self-delusional bully, whose legacy as a champion will be stained by still another antisocial outburst. Philipp Petzschner may have won the doubles, but he lost respect with this ethical lapse.

Even the good guys turned bad, cracking like the Louis Armstrong court surface. Federer lost in the semifinals after squandering a pair of match points and then made the truly bizarre point that Djokovic somehow won by playing recklessly. Mike Bryan was fined $10,000 for bumping an official.

Yet on this -- the fourth straight Monday final -- we got a glimpse of tennis at its best. Honest competition. Athleticism. Fluctuating momentum. A sport whose best practitioners marry offense and defense. As he has throughout this golden year, Djokovic comported himself like a charismatic pro, who plays hard, yes, but works harder. Thanks mostly to the top seed's peerless play, this tournament of anarchy finally ended with order.

AlexdeParis said:

Took a little longer than it should've thanks to Nole's injury and Rafa's herculean effort in the 3rd, but that went almost entirely as expected. Nadal has no answers for Djokovic on any surface. I think last year's final may've been his last big win in the rivalry.

Congrats Nole for another title and a fantastic season!

I know that Novak has a couple of wins over Rafa in Masters 1000 clay events but I wonder what would have happened if they had met in the French Open final this year? It is easy to say that Novak would have beaten him but it is extremely difficult to beat Rafa in a best of three out of five match on clay.

Maybe we will find out next year?

rialb said:

AlexdeParis said:

Took a little longer than it should've thanks to Nole's injury and Rafa's herculean effort in the 3rd, but that went almost entirely as expected. Nadal has no answers for Djokovic on any surface. I think last year's final may've been his last big win in the rivalry.

Congrats Nole for another title and a fantastic season!

I know that Novak has a couple of wins over Rafa in Masters 1000 clay events but I wonder what would have happened if they had met in the French Open final this year? It is easy to say that Novak would have beaten him but it is extremely difficult to beat Rafa in a best of three out of five match on clay.

Maybe we will find out next year?

Perhaps. I think Nadal breathed a huge sigh of relief when Federer knocked out Djokovic at Roland Garros. At Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, Nadal has looked completely bewildered against Nole in big moments. His prowess on clay is legendary, but his trademark ability to extend rallies isn't as much of an asset when he is losing the majority of the long points. Besides, I know he just won Wimbledon and all, but it can certainly be argued that grass, not clay, is Novak's worst surface and he's already beaten him there.

In a cruel twist of fate, this is very much like the dilemma Nadal poses for Federer: he can't outlast the guy, so he has to be more aggressive than he wants and he can't miss. It's a tall order. Against everyone else, Nadal believes he can win. Against Djokovic, it looks like he merely hopes he can win.

AlexdeParis said:

Took a little longer than it should've thanks to Nole's injury and Rafa's herculean effort in the 3rd, but that went almost entirely as expected. Nadal has no answers for Djokovic on any surface. I think last year's final may've been his last big win in the rivalry.

Congrats Nole for another title and a fantastic season!

After so many times acting like he was injured, one has a basis tu suspect everytime Djokovic says he's injured. The medical time out was just after losing the tie-break... He may have been hurting a bit, but I didn't saw that affecting his game, apart from his serves being some miles slower. What was clear was that Nadal was limping in the fourth set. Of course, Djokovic deserved to win, but I just wanted to add this rider.

Regarding your prediction of Nadal not winning Djokovic anymore, I don't see any basis in it apart from your desire that it happens... Nadal has won 10 Majors, has been number one for two years and is 25 years old; if injuries respect him, he has some years ahead and can certainly win Djokovic in a big occasion once again.

[Edited 9/13/11 13:20pm]

*sad face* for Nadal's loss.

Djokovic is the same old guy. Maybe Nadal should have scheduled an extra break and a massage, too. Don't understand how people can support Djokovic.

Cerebus said:

*sad face* for Nadal's loss.

Djokovic is the same old guy. Maybe Nadal should have scheduled an extra break and a massage, too. Don't understand how people can support Djokovic.

It was a little suspect how he is hurt and then has the best set of the match

NDRU said:

Cerebus said:

*sad face* for Nadal's loss.

Djokovic is the same old guy. Maybe Nadal should have scheduled an extra break and a massage, too. Don't understand how people can support Djokovic.

It was a little suspect how he is hurt and then has the best set of the match

And it ain't nothin' new. Nadal and Federer are two of the classiest champions the sport has ever seen. Totally bugs me that people show so much support for Djokodick beating them.

Cerebus said:

NDRU said:

It was a little suspect how he is hurt and then has the best set of the match

And it ain't nothin' new. Nadal and Federer are two of the classiest champions the sport has ever seen. Totally bugs me that people show so much support for Djokodick beating them.

Eh, I don't have a big problem with what he did. Keep in mind that he has made every final in every tournament that he entered this year with just a single exception (Roland Garros where he "only" made the semi-final). He has played an awful lot of tennis this year and that takes a toll on the body.

I think people are a bit bored with Federer and then Nadal winning everything. I can only speak for myself but I would love it if in 2012 we had four different slam winners and there was a real battle for year end number one. Federer and Nadal have both had amazing careers and I salute them and their accomplishments but the predictability of the men's game makes things somewhat stale.

rialb said:

Cerebus said:

And it ain't nothin' new. Nadal and Federer are two of the classiest champions the sport has ever seen. Totally bugs me that people show so much support for Djokodick beating them.

Eh, I don't have a big problem with what he did. Keep in mind that he has made every final in every tournament that he entered this year with just a single exception (Roland Garros where he "only" made the semi-final). He has played an awful lot of tennis this year and that takes a toll on the body.

I think people are a bit bored with Federer and then Nadal winning everything. I can only speak for myself but I would love it if in 2012 we had four different slam winners and there was a real battle for year end number one. Federer and Nadal have both had amazing careers and I salute them and their accomplishments but the predictability of the men's game makes things somewhat stale.

Even if he faked a back injury, he still had to beat Nadal

rialb said:

Cerebus said:

And it ain't nothin' new. Nadal and Federer are two of the classiest champions the sport has ever seen. Totally bugs me that people show so much support for Djokodick beating them.

Eh, I don't have a big problem with what he did. Keep in mind that he has made every final in every tournament that he entered this year with just a single exception (Roland Garros where he "only" made the semi-final). He has played an awful lot of tennis this year and that takes a toll on the body.

I think people are a bit bored with Federer and then Nadal winning everything. I can only speak for myself but I would love it if in 2012 we had four different slam winners and there was a real battle for year end number one. Federer and Nadal have both had amazing careers and I salute them and their accomplishments but the predictability of the men's game makes things somewhat stale.

To each their own, for sure, but I definitely don't feel that way. I love a good champion and I love a good sport. I hated Agassi when he was a youthful asshole, but after he lost it and then got it all back (which clearly humbled him) I wanted him to keep winning forever.

I'd have absolutely no problem with Federer and Nadal winning every slam for the next five years. However, I'd also have no problem with anybody OTHER than Djokovic winning. I've just never liked the guy. He's a whining, pouting, complaining, injury faking, punk.

I'm quite certain that the attempted change in attitude over the last year or so (which he still often slips out of - like mocking the crowd in NY when they started supporting Federer during their match this year) is only because he's being coached to act that way. Somebody probably explained he could get more sponsor money if he stopped being an asshole.

Javi said:

NDRU said:

AlexdeParis said:

Javi said:

After so many times acting like he was injured, one has a basis tu suspect everytime Djokovic says he's injured. The medical time out was just after losing the tie-break... He may have been hurting a bit, but I didn't saw that affecting his game, apart from his serves being 10 miles slower. What was clear was that Nadal limping in the fourth set. Of course, Djokovic deserved to win, but I just wanted to add this rider.

Regarding your prediction of Nadal not winning Djokovic anymore, I don't see any basis in it apart from your desire that it happens... Nadal is 25 years old and, if injuries respect him, has some years ahead and can certainly win Djokovic in a big occasion once again.

I don't know what you were watching, because Djokovic was clearly hurting. And all this talk about "acting" like he was injured is pure supposition on your part. It's obviously impossible to predict exactly what's going to happen in a tennis match (much less all of them), but Djokovic has become a complete matchup nightmare for Nadal. That much is clear to anyone watching their matches. Nadal's normal tactics are not enough anymore. Whether he can move out of his comfort zone and play the ultra-aggressive style he would need to beat Nole remains to be seen, but his attempts so far have all fallen flat. Add Rafa's lack of belief and Nole's confidence... it doesn't look good at all for your boy.

Of course it's a supposition, that's exactly what I said in my previous posts: that knowing Djokovic's tradition of faking injuries and trying to disconcert his rivals, one cannot avoid supposing he's acting, at least partially. If you don't know this traditional way of acting by Djoko, you have probably missed his entire career.

Not only don't you mention this, you don't mention Nadal's limping either. You probably see only what you want to see, OK.

And, if you read my previous posts, I have said that Djokovic clearly deserved to win, and that whether he was acting or not, he deserved the victory anyway.

I agree that things don't look good for Nadal. But deducing from that your assertion that Nadal is never going to win Djkovic in a big occasion is disproportionate, to say the least.

No one can deny that Djokovic is an excellent player and that he is making something incredible this year. But he has a lot to learn from Nadal regarding how a true sportsman should behave.

Javi said:

AlexdeParis said:

Javi said: I don't know what you were watching, because Djokovic was clearly hurting. And all this talk about "acting" like he was injured is pure supposition on your part. It's obviously impossible to predict exactly what's going to happen in a tennis match (much less all of them), but Djokovic has become a complete matchup nightmare for Nadal. That much is clear to anyone watching their matches. Nadal's normal tactics are not enough anymore. Whether he can move out of his comfort zone and play the ultra-aggressive style he would need to beat Nole remains to be seen, but his attempts so far have all fallen flat. Add Rafa's lack of belief and Nole's confidence... it doesn't look good at all for your boy.

Of course it's a supposition, that's exactly what I said in my previous posts: that knowing Djokovic's tradition of faking injuries and trying to disconcert his rivals, one cannot avoid supposing he's acting, at least partially. If you don't know this traditional way of acting by Djoko, you have probably missed his entire career.

How can a guy have a "tradition" of faking injuries when you have no proof he's ever faked an injury? It's all supposition. And I've seen plenty of the guy's matches since he turned pro. I don't know if you're talking about his since-fixed breathing problem or what, but whatever.

It's laughable that a Nadal fan would complain about a player trying to disconcert his rivals.

Not only don't you mention this, you don't mention Nadal's limping either. You probably see only what you want to see, OK.

I didn't see Nadal limping in the final set. I saw him lethargic and out of gas, but I was mostly watching the balls go zipping by him without him even moving for them (a sure sign the match was over at that point).

I agree that things don't look good for Nadal. But deducing from that your assertion that Nadal is never going to win Djkovic in a big occasion is disproportionate, to say the least.

It's an opinion. You don't have to agree with it. We'll see who's right years from now. But I've seen enough of their matches to see the pendulum has swung clearly to Djokovic's side. He doesn't have to do anything special to win at this point. It's Nadal who has to play out of his comfort zone and up to now he has been unable to do it well enough to win. To quote Rafa himself, "I tried to play aggressive, but he always made fantastic comebacks." Exactly.

No one can deny that Djokovic is an excellent player and that he is making something incredible this year. But he has a lot to learn from Nadal regarding how a true sportsman should behave.

Whatever. I'll take a brash-but-honest Djokovic over pollyana Nadal any day. He seems like a nice guy, but his comments come across as calculated and insincere, which rubs me the wrong way (and it's not the language barrier). He's the tennis equivalent of Beyoncé IMO. I laughed when someone said Djokovic is being coached on what to say, because I've always thought that about Nadal instead.