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Who is better on hard courts? Nadal or Djokovic?

2K views 41 replies 29 participants last post by  theDreamer 
#1 · (Edited)
I think this is a rather interesting question.

Since 2007, Djokovic and Nadal have had almost identical records on hard courts.

Hard Court Slams:

2007 AO:
Djokovic - 4th round
Nadal - Quarterfinals

2007 USO:
Djokovic - Finals
Nadal - 4th round

2008 AO:
Djokovic: Winner
Nadal: Semifinals

2008 USO:
Djokovic: Semifinals
Nadal: Semifinals

2009 AO:
Djokovic - Quarterfinals
Nadal - Winner

TOTAL HARD COURT SLAM RECORDS SINCE 2007:
Djokovic: 25-4
Nadal: 24-4


Hard Court Masters' Series:

Since 2007, Nadal has won 3 Masters Series 1000 titles on hard courts. He won 2007 and 2009 Indian Wells and 2008 Canada Masters. In that same time period, Djokovic has won 3 Masters Series 1000 titles as well. he won 2007 Miami and Canada as well as 2008 Indian Wells.

Furthermore, Nadal made the finals of Paris in 2007 and Miami in 2008. Djokovic made the finals of Indian Wells in 2007, Cinncinati in 2008, and Miami in 2009.


Other Major Titles:

Nadal won the Olympics last year, while Djokovic only got the Bronze Medal. Conversely, Djokovic won the 2008 Masters Cup title, while Nadal has never been beyond the semis.

Djokovic has also won Vienna in 2007 and Dubai in 2009, both 500 events.

Total Titles:

Since 2007, Nadal has won 5 titles on hard courts. Djokovic has won 8.

Overall record Since 2007

Nadal: 99-25 (79.8%)
Djokovic: 108-29 (78.8%)

Head-to-Head

These two players have met 5 times on hard courts. Djokovic leads 3-2.

Djokovic beat Nadal in the semifinals of the 2008 Cinncinati Masters, the semifinals of Indian Wells in 2008, and the semifinals of the Canada Masters in 2007.

Nadal beat Djokovic in the semifinals of the Olympics in 2008 and in a round robin match in the 2007 Masters Cup Championship.
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Personally, I think that Djokovic is actually slightly better than Nadal on hard courts, but it is extremely close.

Who do you think is better? Also, what about that person's game or style makes them good/bad on hard courts?
 
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#4 ·
Djokovic is better, but Nadal has more fighting spirit, hence tight matches often go Nadal's way (i.e. Olympics). But when Novak plays well, he beats Nadal rather straightforwardly (on hard). Nadal doesn't really have a sound strategy against big hitters; when he does beat them, it's by staying patient and allowing them to self-destruct.

Overall, Nadal isn't THAT good on HC as his record suggests; it's because he's one hell of a fighter. So if there's a slight chance to win, he usually takes it. But I don't remember him actually 'destroying' a good HC player (on hard), I mean, beating them convincingly. It's usually a very tight affair. Except for situations like IW this year where Murray couldn't help being completely distracted by the wind. Nadal doesn't care about external circumstances, he always finds a way to focus on winning points, regardless of distractions.
 
#5 ·
Both are better.
 
#8 ·
Djokovic is more naturally suited to the surface, and therefore is the better hardcourt player. On the other hand, Nadal is overall the better player (the numbers speak for themselves), and that makes him look just as good as Djokovic on hardcourts in terms of achievements.
 
#10 ·
For once I agree with you Gu.

Djokovic is the answer.
 
#13 ·
Djokovic is probably a stronger player when all is firing on hard courts but there is also more potential to be upset for the Djoker imo because Nadal will never give a lot away whilst on a bad day Djokovic can get himself in a lot of trouble.

I am looking forward to seeing these two face off in a GS match on hard courts. I think their playing styles and mentalities are suited to intruiging matches. Djokovic has a terrible record vs Nadal overall but one still always gets the impression he feels like he should be winning the matches and he has that confidence, also, their games can complement each other well at times making for some epic struggles. A shame it can sometimes get a bit too long though with both players taking the piss as far as time goes.
 
#20 ·
Gotta agree with this, even though he's a pain in the ass. Like Jaap and Kapranos.
 
#27 ·
Nole is clearly the more natural hard court player.
He has a disastrous overall head to head against Nadal, the fact that it's positive on hard court just reinforces the fact that he's the better hard courter.
 
#32 ·
Actually great question. Who is he? He has 14, registered jan. 2009...and knows posters better than both of us.

Daniel (sapeod), who are you?

:angel:
 
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