[PileDrive]

I really don't believe in the "he is destined to get/do one" meme in any field in this life, but i believe that sometimes things align and you should make the most of your opportunity. Looking at Novak Djokovic chances to finally win the French Open and complete his career Grand Slam, i am somehow tempted to think that his best ones may have probably passed. His "i have a next year" proclamation the post match presser may sound legitimately true, but i feel it will be an even more excruciating journey from now on.

People are making it sound like Nole is simply going the Nadal route of dethroning Federer at his Wimbledon castle (loss in 4 in 2006, loss in 5 in 2007, and then an epic win in 2008), but are forgetting that Federer is not as near dominant in W as Nadal on Chatrier, and that Fed is 5 years older than Nadal, while Rafa is merely 11 months older than Djoker. Nole is a fine clay courter, and currently the second best on the surface, but he too will likely start declining in coming years and the tendency creeping of him getting upset early will only become a poingant pattern as he ages..He might have a glorious final run to the title in him, but i believe these three in no particular order were his best shots to win.

RG 2009: Before the historic Nadal upset by Soderling, Nole was unceremoniously dispatched in straight sets in the third round by Philip Kohlshreiber. During that clay season Novak was head-and-shoulders the second best player on the dirt behind the unstoppable force of Nadal, losing to the Spaniard in Finals of Monte Carlo Masters in three sets; in the finals of Rome Masters in two; and in the memorable 4 hour semis of Madrid Masters. Nole should have easily won the title that year, but as it proved 2009-2010 were lost Tennis years for Nole..

RG 2011: Nole was on a torrid and historic tennis run, unbeaten from the start of the year, winning all tourneys he entered, and owning Nadal on the clay in Madrid and Rome, shockingly in straight sets on both occasions. Then, seemingly losing a bit of mojo and rhythm from the w.o handed by the Fog in the quarters, he goes to the Federer semi with 4 days without match play only to be stunned by a sublime attacking display of the Swiss who wins in scintillating 4 setter. If Nole had passed that hurdle, he would a have mentally scarred and belowpar Nadal there for the taking...Quite possibly the most insceure Nadal ever on RG.

RG 2013: While Nole was generally outplayed on the day by an aggressive Nadal, he still managed to force a fifth set on pure guts and clutch play in which he still led and was points away from taking a 5-3 edge only to uncharacteristically unravel mentally (poor smashes, barreling his body into the net, argument with umpire on watering the court..etc..)..So close again..

[Time Violation]

He didn't win USO on first nor second attempt either, not every tournament is easy to win like Wimbledon Anyway, joking aside, if he stays healthy he'll keep trying, that's for sure

[Brit Tennis Fan]

It is possible that he will have better opportunities in the future especially as Nadal's long term fitness is questionable but it is equally possible that a won't.

[Chair Umpire]

He will win it. Nadal is not always to be there anyways.

[Johnbert]

he had a huge oppurtinity this year and fucked it up by touching the net at 4*-3 in the 5th...

anyway, he's getting closer, he will win it at least once the next 2 years.

[Topspindoctor]

Gymnast will never win RG as long as GOAT is healthy.

[janko05]

Originally Posted by Topspindoctor

Gymnast will never win RG as long as GOAT is healthy.

little did we know then that his health issues were just a part of a prearranged plot masterminded by Tio Tony and

perfectly executed by Larry Ellison, Manolo Santana, Pascal Maria and the likes

[@Sweet Cleopatra]

Originally Posted by Johnbert

he had a huge oppurtinity this year and fucked it up by touching the net at 4*-3 in the 5th...

Rafa was going to break any way either this game or the next one..

[Alex999]

well, yeah. Nole is washed up. It's too late now, next year he'll be 37yo. oh well life sucks sometimes. bye, bye Nole.

[ballbasher101]

He blew it this year. He had Nadal rattled in the 5th set and let him get away. Those smashes . Errani has a better smash. Sort it out Nole. I fear he might never win it. He might do a Chelsea and win the one trophy he truly wants when we don't expect him to. You just never know.

[GOAT = Fed]

Lolled at Nadal ''outplaying'' Djokovic in this year's semi final.

[BroTree456]

Originally Posted by PileDrive

and that Fed is 5 years younger than Nadal, while Rafa is merely 11 months older than Djoker.

This is how clueless the Dulltards are, Federer is 5 years younger than Nadal? LOLOLOLOLOL

I guess watching years of moonballing, time wasting and ass picking can do serious damage to your brain.

[Aloevera]

Definitely not. He still has time until 2016.

[Topspindoctor]

Originally Posted by GOAT = Fed

Lolled at Nadal ''outplaying'' Djokovic in this year's semi final.

More winners, less errors, more aces, served for the match. Gymnast was lucky to even force a fifth set expected that a Nosetard would show up offering his 'analysis'. Still mad that Nose can't even beat Clownga on clay .

[PileDrive]

Originally Posted by Johnbert

he had a huge oppurtinity this year and fucked it up by touching the net at 4*-3 in the 5th...

anyway, he's getting closer, he will win it at least once the next 2 years.

Nadal was the better player, pure and simple.Just as Nole was overall better player in AUS OPEN in 2012 Final Rafa could have easily won this one in three or 4 sets.In the fifth he took it to Nole who eventually faltered. I just mentioned RG 2013 as an opportunity mainly for these half chances, no more because Nole, like Nadal, would have hammered Ferrer in the next round. Last year, he had no chance against an even better Nadal..it will get tougher from now on..