[Saberq]

Originally Posted by leng jai

Of course shotmaking is superior to grinding and retrieving but the issue is that it's become increasingly harder to sustain a high shotmaking level in the current climate.

both require skill

[HDW]

egging

[Nole fan]

Originally Posted by lalaland

I don't want to get involve in this debate, but since both Nole and Gilles are my faves, I just want to point out the difference between the 2 that resulted in a very different outcome of their respective matches after their marathons.

Nole probably spent his off-season training hard and healthy, he has a big team to help him for everything to get his preparation as perfect as he can, he didn't play much in the first 2 rounds, and although the Wawa match is a grueling affair, he recovers well, probably his straight diet helps.

Gilles on the other hand spent his off-season recovering from his injuries, the neck injury that is caused by some abnormality on his spine seems to recurs every other week, and he suffered that shoulder tear during the last summer around USO time. His body is very beaten so his goal in the off-season was to heal all wounds. During Brisbane he admitted that he wasn't very well prepared for the new season bcos of all the healings that he had to do. During Sydney he pulled out bcos of that damn recurring neck problem, in Melbourne he picks up a cold/flu. He had played plenty of long 5 sets matches before and he said he had never cramped like that before on court. During all his first 3 matches he blows his nose in almost every changeover. I suspected that he lost those fluid in his body without realizing it. But anyway, my point is, his extremely bad condition after R3 is really due to a lot of reasons that other ppl don't seem to know or care. And to compare his condition with Nole's is just not logical. Nole is very fit before the 5 setters, maybe he's down 10% after but that means he still has 90% remaining. Gilles on the other hand is hardly 60% before that, and after that he's like 30%. And that Nole's 100% is of course higher than Gilles's 100% to begin with, you got the picture why they were so different after their respective 5 setters.

Thanks for the explanation lalaland, I'm sorry to hear that about Simon. Injuries are cruel.

[Nole fan]

Originally Posted by leng jai

Of course shotmaking is superior to grinding and retrieving but the issue is that it's become increasingly harder to sustain a high shotmaking level in the current climate.

I thought you needed extreme shotmaking ability to play like that? guess you guys do it best.

[JarkaFish]

Originally Posted by Saberq

both require skill

Sure, and there's no doubt grinding can have it's place in tennis, but not all of the courts should favor grinding like they do now. It's sickening.

[Saberq]

Originally Posted by JarkaFish

Sure, and there's no doubt grinding can have it's place in tennis, but not all of the courts should favor grinding like they do now. It's sickening.

they dont.........they favor Novak,Murray,Nadal........Berdych and Tsonga cant grind and defend no matter how slow or fast the court it

[stewietennis]

Two 6-1 sets? Way to let down the fans Tomas. At least play to your ranking.

[nick the greek]

Originally Posted by Serverer

Remember when Djokovic used to be like Simon? Do you really think its possible to go from that, to one of the best athletes in history just by fixing your diet?

The level of your ignorance and hatred is astounding.

[Time Violation]

Originally Posted by Corey Feldman

Djoko fans getting cranky in this thread

oh the fedtards, the fedtards!



is it our fault no one likes him?

It's more like why no one likes Fedtards while everybody likes Federer? I'm scared to think how you guys looked like in his prime, if you are this obnoxious when he's 31

[Serverer]

Originally Posted by MIMIC

From here on out, I'm going to dedicate every single one of Federer's losses to you. You seem mad and I would like for you to be even madder

[DrJules]

Originally Posted by leng jai

Of course shotmaking is superior to grinding and retrieving but the issue is that it's become increasingly harder to sustain a high shotmaking level in the current climate.

The future is the supreme physical specimen. Fitness of a McEnroe level will not succeed in modern tennis.

Racket skill was probably better in the past, but physically the fitness of players of the past would not suffice in this age.

[Saberq]

Novak Djokovic joined Federer, Lendl, and Agassi as the only players in the open era to reach at least 4 semifinals at all 4 Grand Slams

nice stat..........also he has more GS SF's than Borg

[Corey Feldman]

Originally Posted by cveks

Originally Posted by Time Violation

It's more like why no one likes Fedtards while everybody likes Federer? I'm scared to think how you guys looked like in his prime, if you are this obnoxious when he's 31

Fedtard nation has always been unstoppable

Nole Fan be nice to me

[DrJules]

Originally Posted by Saberq

Novak Djokovic joined Federer, Lendl, and Agassi as the only players in the open era to reach at least 4 semifinals at all 4 Grand Slams

nice stat..........also he has more GS SF's than Borg

Its GS titles that really count.

[retister]

Originally Posted by Nole fan

Exactly.

In 2007 after one of the longest matches at the USO, they called Nole “marathon man.” Indeed, he played several long matches at slams that year, especially Wimbledon. 2009 Madrid SF. Djokovic went toe-to-toe with Nadal physically. In 2009, after suffering breathing issues during heat etc, Nole hired Thomas Musters old trainer to see if an improved fitness could help, and then late in 2010 he changed his diet. It’s been a process, it didn't happen overnight. As physical as it is, these guys, in their physical peaks, are more than capable.

But of course some people need to imply doping accusations to diminish his achievements, like this would make their idol look better or something. Making unfounded doping accusations should be a reason for a ban.

And that was all before he found about gluten intolerance. He has been performing at top level with this debilitating ailment for years and then eliminated it with a diet change. It's like he has been playing tennis with shackles on his ankles all that time
and then had them removed all of a sudden. I'm more surprised by the fact that he is still showing signs of tiredness from time to time.