Wimbledon final preview and prediction: Djokovic vs. Berrettini

Three Grand Slams. Three Grand Slam finals featuring Novak Djokovic against a non-Big 3 opponent.

That has been the story of 2021, and it adds another chapter in Sunday’s Wimbledon championship match. After Daniil Medvedev (Australian Open) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (French Open) came up short against Djokovic on the biggest stages in tennis, Matteo Berrettini gets a shot this time around.

Although Berrettini has never played in a major final and had previously been to the semis only once (2019 U.S. Open), his current run at the All-England Club has come as no surprise whatsoever. The world No. 9 cemented his status as one of Djokovic’s top threats when he rolled to the Queen’s Club title last month. Remaining undefeated on grass this summer (now 11-0), Berrettini’s Wimbledon fortnight includes wins over Guido Pella, Botic Van de Zandschulp, Aljaz Bedene, Ilya Ivashka, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Hubert Hurkacz. 

Berrettini has struck 101 aces throughout this event; nobody else has hit more than 65 (Denis Shapovalov). The Italian has been broken only five times, including just twice in five matches against opponents other than Auger-Aliassime.

Of course, the underdog now has to go up against the best returner–and best player in general–in Djokovic. The top-seeded Serb has reeled off 18 sets in a row since dropping his opening set of the tournament to Jack Draper. He has disposed of Draper, Kevin Anderson, Denis Kudla, Cristian Garin, Marton Fucsovics, and Shapovalov, although Shapovalov at least managed to be competitive during a 7-6(3), 7-5, 7-5 loss.

As the Canadian’s effort indicates, an opponent with a big serve and firepower from the baseline can give Djokovic some problems. As that scoreline also indicates, however, there is nobody on tour who is more clutch than the world No. 1 in the pressure-packed moments.

Berrettini can make this interesting if he serves extremely well, but Djokovic’s return will always get the edge over Berrettini’s serve. And the biggest discrepancy is Djokovic’s experience on this stage versus Berrettini’s inexperience. Mentally, the 19-time Grand Slam champion will be too tough when it matters.

Pick: Djokovic in 3

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322 Comments on Wimbledon final preview and prediction: Djokovic vs. Berrettini

  1. Djokovic in 4, maybe 5 sets.

    Berrettini can push Djokovic this time, but I don’t think he can win unless he plays at an even higher level than he’s already played, and Djokovic plays worse. Berrettini is another level above Shapovalov and Djokovic was lucky to scrape through with a 3-0 victory in that one.

    • Djokovic also looked tentative at various stages of the Shapo match where he was almost willing the ball over the net like he was still in juniors, and I’m not sure you can fix that confidence-wise in 2 days. We will see.

  2. In my Bracket i picked Berretini…but…i think Novak will win his 20th…but if Berretini can outlast Novak in a Bo5,i will be very surprised!…He sounds determined!

    • Your picks are risky but so often right MA. A Berretini win would be brilliant though head over heart says Djokovic (and Im a fan so heart as well)

      • Hehehe…Yeah Big Al!…At 1st i picked Nole..but then i thought he maybe ‘drained’ a little bit after that FO win..tho even when i picked Berretini,my heart still says Nole esp after seen his easy draw….

        I think Berretini has a chance too…if he wise enuff not to make the same mistakes like Tsitsi,Thiem,Musetti who took off the pressure from the pedal after leading soo comfortably!…Like u,i also hope for a good final!

  3. In the AO final, Nole easily beat Med 3-0.
    The FO final was a lot tougher as he dropped the first 2 sets.
    If Berrettini is more consistent than Tsitsipas, he can win.

  4. What could Matteo possibly do that denis didn’t in the semi? Denis was serving and hitting huge like Matteo does and his backhand isn’t as big of a liability as Matteo’s, not to mention he’s a much better mover. Matteo might get a set but I just don’t see how he can take down Novak in best or 5, especially in a final.

    • Shapo’s biggest liability in that match was nerves. He tightened up in the most important points, whereas Novak did the opposite. If Denis hadn’t done that, he easily could have won one or both of the first two sets. If Berretini (who is a few years older) can keep his cool and play his game, I am sure he can win. Not saying he will, but I think he will play the big points better than Shapo did.

    • Berrettini is a better player than Shapo! Shapo’s game is basically going for broke, and once his serve is being returned with interest, he would normally lose in the rallies.

      Shapo might have improved his game, by serving better and with better approaches to the net and that’s why he made the sets close but he had not improved his rallying skills, and against someone of Djoko’s calibre, his game wasn’t enough to give him a win.

      Djoko might not be playing his best tennis but he varied his game well enough, mixing in S&V and approaching the net more often (and winning most of the points) than Shapo did. The precision of Djoko’s shots was incredible, how many times when on the run he was able to hit a lob that barely touched the baseline of the opposite court that frustrated Shapo so often. Shapo himself just couldn’t do the same when made to hit on the run, that’s the difference between players like Shapo and the big three (plus Murray).

      Berrettini actually could play well on grass and he could anticipate well where his opponents’ shots were going (I was both impressed and surprised by that). As long as he served well and not get nervous especially nearing the end of set(s) I think he could win a set and make a match out of the final.

      Of course, the most likely winner is still Djoko, who’s far too experienced for these young players.

  5. Novak in four but I’m telling you guys…Matteo can really make this a match if he serves well, which he has all tournament. I think Berrettini could really shock us and surprise Novak to an extent.

    • Actually, Fed’s serve gave him fits in the final two years ago…except in the tiebreaks and a couple of other key points! Of course, that was more precision than speed from Roger.

  6. Djokovic is 34 and mental fatigue is likely a factor given how close Wimbledon is to RG. The signs were there in the Shapo match.

    A 3-0 prediction is optimistic indeed. It’s possible Berrettini capitulates making the prediction come true but if both players perform consistent with their historical performance coming in, Berrettini wins ‘at least’ a set.

  7. “Berrettini can make this interesting if he serves extremely well, but Djokovic’s return will always get the edge over Berrettini’s serve.”

    There’s one thing you’re not taking into consideration, and that is their respective ages. “Always” doesn’t exist in this game or any sport for that matter.

  8. What I’m worried about is Berrettini having too much respect and kindness for Djokovic. His competitiveness has been a major weapon against previous opponents.

  9. Djokovich has started really poorly and yet Berrettini was unable to break him and has now been broken himself. Useless. Gonna be a massacre unless a miracle happens. Jack Draper did better!

    • It’s weird because Berrettini is hitting shots with almost no concern if he wins the point. He hit that smash in the net and was half way walking back to the baseline before he finished the swing.

  10. I watched the first service game, fast forwarded a bit then gave it up. THIS is a Wimbledon final?!?! More like an introductory clown act. Sad day for tennis. If I decide I want to watch some tennis I’ll fire up my recording of Wimbly ’08! Now THAT was a match.

  11. Ok .. i eat my words.. djoko may be forced to play dead.. by the way wonder if berretini has worn the thigh strap to mess with djokos mind

  12. It’s funny seeing and reading how you guy’s change your words.

    Whoever wins this it would be amazing, Novak 20th GS or Berrettini 1st GS, a part of me wants berrettini to win it because this kind of opportunities are rare, Novak can still win US Open.

  13. No one is changing their words; we just want both players to play to their potential. there’s is nothing worse than a player playing well all season only to capitulate from start to finish simply because its a final and Djokovic is at the other end of the court.

    Djokovic doesnt need any more donation Grand Slams and these players falling short of their potential due to a mental glitch.

    • Djokovic doesn’t need any more donation Grand Slams, and we don’t need more players falling short of their potential due to a mental glitch.

      • “No one is changing their words” 😜😂😂 you obviously can read but maybe struggle with understanding or both, go to page 1.

        Nothing wrong in changing words, opinions or views I just find hilarious like I said.

        And yes berrettini is struggling mentally 1st GS final etc must be hard but he can win or make it very difficult for Novak if changes his mind set and believe a little.

        • I am not implying! I will say it out loud if necessary. The behavior on court, hurting a linesperson with a ball to get defaulted, kicking in things, screaming and bellowing like a maniac. What snout the so-called injuries we have been hearing about? What about the cakewalk draws so he doesn’t even face a decent player.

          You can’t fool fans. Too bad if you don’t like it but they see something that causes them to be hostile.

        • After watching the final, Im convinced the Wimby crowd arent hostile to Nole, they just want to see a great match, where attacking tennis is the style they prefer to watch.
          Not sure what NNY implied by that comment.

  14. Wow!! Djoko.. the way he is sleepwalking to the title, he may even take the greatest grass courter title (in terms of number of wimbledons from roger, in h2h he already has) .. last years cancellation actually was a missed opportunity for him

  15. It looks like Novak will win in 4 from the way things unfolding atm Benny!…I think Shapo gave a better fight than Berretini…I still remember the excitement i felt when they’re both exchanging shots with each other…

    • I agree AM. Shapo has better all round game to challenge Djok anyway. Chunky’s lost first serve did for him I think, because Djok’s ROS is impeccable and he was eating up Chunky’s 2nd serve. Whereas Chunky’s ROS couldn’t even get a hold of Djok’s really poor serving,
      All the great players have wonderful ROS.

      • Yeah M!…That’s what i thought all nite long!…Berretini’s ROS was really poor!…Even he managed to returned Novak serves,he constantly shanked at the net!…mountain of ue’s!…Urgh!!

        R u feel like me M?Really felt unsatisfied by Berretini’s perfomance tonite?I expect much much more from Berretini…But of coz this brainfreeze perfomance was caused by the great man on the other sides…congrats to Novak for his amazing win,amazing slides,amazing talent,amazing composure..everythings!😁👍

        • Yes, I was disappointed by Chunky Hunky, AM, I’ve seen him play much better, but, as you said, Novak’s presence on the other side was probably enough to give him the heeby jeebies. And quite possibly made him feel insecure about his own serve, as it was quite likely to be coming back!

  16. If they’d played Wimbledon last year after Roland Garros then assuming the same thrashing by Rafa it would have been Rafa in the ideal position to win back to back slams. All the momentum would have been with him.

  17. There it is!…Much much congrats to RC & other Novak fans…
    Also much congrats to Big Al for winning both Brackets!…hehe…U’re awesome Big Al!👍👍👍

    • Yes!!! now I can speak, hahaha Thank you, MA!
      I was holding my tongue all this week. He did it, and I won’t ask for more. I j🥰🤗 needed him to equal Fedal. He is for me, the best and I hope the future remembers.
      Nole, Nole 1.

      • Very pleased for you RC. As for Djok, well an amazing achievement and I can see him getting 3 more slams at the least. He seems the physically fittest of the golden oldies, and probably many up and comers, which is a huge advantage

        • This was a very anxious time for me, Margot. No no, I hope he does not need 3 more. It is enough now, I say. Federer is not going to get more. Okay, who am I to say, I am going on what happened this grass season. Then the upmanship starts all over.

          • Margot, did you know what Stefanos has been going through since just prior to walking onto the court at RG to play the final?

            I am very certain that he would have beat Novak if he was carrying a weight of grief on his mind and body.

          • Tsitsi’s beloved Grandma died and family had to tell him just before he took the court for the final at RG.

            That is a final he would have won vs Novak.

    • Thanks MA ! Pity I never picked Barty to win, Id have won a prize on GTL tennis podcast. Check it out on Youtube, its quite fun .

  18. Novak has the channel slam now too something that fedal had over him… winning three slams on three different surfaces which nadal had over him… in sheer numbers fedal are relegated

    • Vmk1 says he is a rafa fan first but all he does here is sing hosanas in djokos name and diminish rafa in the process.. Come on. It’s ok to say u like djoko more. No big deal..if you are a real rafa fan you won’t diminish his records all the time by upholding novaks..

      Which genuine fan even does such things cmon..

  19. Well that sealed Djoko’s greatness, over both Fed and Nadal. He’s able to win the channel slam at age 34! And, like Rafa did in 2010, he’s able to win slams on three different surfaces consecutively. Also, he has a chance to win the calendar slam plus the Olympics singles gold medal this year, and get to 21 slams, one more than Fed and Nadal.

    He’ll most likely end the year as no.1, thus having seven year end no.1 titles, more than anyone else in the open era! What a year that will be for Djoko if he’s able to achieve all that!

    • N here is one more luckystar .always diminishing rafa and upholding novak .

      Ofcourse everyone is free to do what they want but I’m just sick of these double standards.

      Sealed his greatness over fedal. Well is anyone God here to pronounce who has sealed anything ? Last I heard , all 3 are still playing and in tennis anything can happen…

      I am forever nervous abt rafa and anxious abt him losing, however I atleast dont berate him all the time upholding his rivals stats.

      Sorry to everyone for the rant..I just can’t tolerate it ..

      • Sanju,

        Good for you! I am with you all the way! You keep your head up high!

        God bless you! You are all heart!

        Thank you! I just could not stand it either!
        👍

        • Whats the problem with Luckystar saying that? Double standards? Hardly. At least she can give a balanced view of tennis , unlike the other sour grapes posters on here. It only confirms what I always suspected .Sorry .
          As a Nole fan, I actually wouldnt have minded if he’s lost today to a better opponent .

      • Sanju, should I add ‘for the time being’? At this point you can’t argue with that, when the stats are there!

        Why are you so emotional when it comes to Rafa? Rafa is already a legend, and no one could deny his greatness! After Rafa has gotten his 20th slam and 13th FO, I’m at ease with all these stats, anything else he wins or achieves is bonus.

        I mean, who can win 13 titles at a single slam, and he has done that across three decades with 4 in a row, 5 in a row and then 4 in a row at the FO. As great as Fed is, he couldnt dominate at Wimbledon the way Rafa could at the FO. As great as Djoko is now, he also couldn’t do it at the AO (it’s unlikely that Djoko could win 13 titles at the AO).

        Just think, Djoko has won 12 HC slams, and that’s combining what he has won at both AO and USO, Fed with 11 but Rafa has won 13 slams on clay at a single venue!

        The stats now favours Djoko, so he is now greater than Fed and Rafa; but they’re not done yet; Rafa may win more HC slams and the FO, more master’s titles etc, to add on to his own achievements and greatness. (I suspect Rafa is targeting on winning more HC slams too, when he’s now concentrating his effort on winning the USO).

        No one knows what lies ahead, whether Djoko could win the calender slam, the Olympics singles gold; or Rafa could win more slams and more YE no.1 etc.

        Fed’s one record that will stand a long long time is his consecutive slam finals, slam semifinals and slam QFs. I can now appreciate Fed’s greatness when I see his this record, it’s crazy! And, if not for a young and then at peak Rafa at the FO, Fed could have done the calendar slams twice already in 2006 and 2007. Fed also has the record of having the most weeks inside the top ten.

        I will always live with regret, about Rafa’s 2009. It brought me so much heartache at that time; when Rafa imo could achieve the calender slam, if he had not made some dumb decisions of playing at Rotterdam and gotten himself injured in the final there; that year he’s hitting his peak, without the injury, he could be the one dominating at the FO and Wimbledon (being defending champion at these two slams). He had a mental edge over Fed at that time. I’m also sure that a peak Rafa won’t get beaten by Soderling at the FO (the same Soderling who had beaten Fed in the QF and then lost to Rafa in the final in 2010 FO).

        As for the USO, I think Rafa would then stand a good chance against Delpo, a green horn at that time at the USO, and then against Fed in another slam final!

        Another regret is Rafa’s 2011 at the AO, when he’s going for his four in a row non calendar grand slams, where he was injured in the QF against Ferrer. If Rafa was fit, he might have a chance in the final against Djoko imo(Rafa has beaten Djoko at the USO in 2010 so he might have a mental edge too). Rafa was the no.1 player at that time, and who knows, if Rafa had done that, Djoko’s dominance in the tour might be delayed for a year or two!

        • Mental edge?

          You mean similar how Rafa was lucky that Fed took out Novak in RG semifinals 2011, because in the finals Novak would have had the “mental edge” against Rafa, after bludgeoning him all over earlier that year?

          Yes, Lucky, you’re right, that makes sense.

          • Nothing wrong with mental edge.

            Just funny how everybody conveniently forgets to remember the mental edge that would have contributed to a potential 2011 RG triumph for Djokovic (if it wasn’t for Fed).

            Basically, Fed gifted Rafa that RG trophy 😉

          • Nah, never forget about mental edge, and Djoko has his fair share of that edge, in both AO2012 final and Wimbledon 2019 Final.

      • I think there’s an excellent chance he’ll get at least one more, but you guys are going to on pins when USOpen/RG come round!

        • Surely Nole deserves another chance to win the US Open after being defaulted last year, other players have hit a ball in anger much harder than he did, he was unlucky , though it should never happen.

          • Are you kidding with this? Really? Just because the lines woman fortunately did not get hurt seriously, is no reason to somehow dismiss it as no big deal. I remember when Shapo hit the ball and the chair umpire was hit in the eye. I believe he needed eye surgery.

            If you have to have a stupid temper tantrum, then maybe don’t hit the ball! There are people around and it’s dangerous.

            Yet now I have to read that Novak deserves another chance this year? That is the most insensitive thing I have ever heard of! He was rightfully defaulted as the rules require. Sorry, but there are no exceptions for Novak’s infantile temper tantrums!

          • He deserves another chance because he paid his penalty, or do you want him barred for life? I did say it should never happen.
            So, where you cheering for Shapo then? Or Novak? Both guilty .

    • Ron,

      I have one word fir your stupid comment about Fed gifting Rafa the trophy!

      Bullshit! And what’s more, you know it! So why couldn’t Fed beat Rafa in the final? Nobody gives anything to anybody in this sport! But you are a piece of garbage for even going there. That was 2011! Duh! What about all the other RG titles Rafa has won since? Were these gifted?

      Do you really want to go there with this? Because I could bring up a lot of examples. How long have I been reading here about some supposed injury with Novak and why he wouldn’t win RG? I saw no evidence of injury. But he was gifted with draws that allowed him to sleepwalk to the final!

      Don’t go there and play that game. It’s not going to work.

    • I am unaware of any official or body in charge of anointing a GOAT for tennis. No other sport has such a thing either. It’s going to continue to be a matter of opinion/argument. I’m a little puzzled by this question. I believe Djoker has TIED for the record number of slams, a record Federer has held for donkey’s years and recently tied by Nadal. A tie is not a win. All of these guys are still playing. None of them are young or particularly healthy.

      • What just boggles my mind, is that last year after Rafa won RG again and tied Fed fir 20 slams, people were calling him the GOAT! It’s like freaking reflex! Enough already!

        I have made my feelings clear over the years about this GOAT nonsense. I believe it to be a vanity argument for certain fans who need to feel that their favorite is the GOAT! I have never said Rafa is the GOAT. I never said Fed was the GOAT. I am not about to start now.

        These three are still playing. More records to be broken. I will not stop standing up for the greats who came before and who contributed so much to this sport. Without them tennis would not be what it is today.

        • Thats a great balanced comment and I agree. I cant take anything away from Laver or Borg while comparing with todays big three.They were all great in their own era.

    • Al,

      Don’t twist my words. Of course Novak can try again at the USO! I was not okay with what Shapo did. It was horrifying to watch the video of it. It’s a reminder that you have to think before you just mindlessly smash the ball in frustration because there are people in the venue.

      Shapo was defaulted. So was Novak. That is the rule. I am just grateful that the lines woman was not seriously hurt. The chair umpire was not so lucky.

      • OK,NNY. Novak was totally in the wrong and correctly defaulted .His own fault he didnt get the chance to win the Wimby-US Double. I can make allowances for Shapos youth.

        I guess Im getting at the fact that if he does get to 21 in the US , he might have deserved it this time . As for cakewalk draws in every Slam, Ive seen Fed accused of the same thing , doesnt it happen to them all at some point? Its quite literally the luck of the draw.

  20. Hope Rafa takes the uso.. if not, let it be Nole.. what a statement it would be to take the majors lead at the venue where he was dq ed last year

      • Sanju,

        Rafa is the one who will ultimately go out on the court and determine how many more slams he wins.

        Until then, who gives a damn about what anyone gere says he will win? They don’t know anymore than anybody else.

    • Alison , NNY..well the so called rafa fans only are saying it and 2 are on this site all the time doing it. So why blame others when your own flock is doing so.. why put on this pretense I just don’t understand .

      • Sanju,

        I am certainly not writing Rafa off! No way! As far as who is saying what here, I can only be responsible for what I say. If Rafa fans want to trash him then that is on them. Nothing is set in stone while these three p are still playing, Rafa has been put down and written off so many times. But he always comes back strong. He is not done yet,

      • Sanju…Don’t do that!…Just bcoz Lucky & VMK1 praised Novak,that doesn’t mean they’re not Rafan enuff!….Don’t do that Sanju!Let them speak whatever they want!..Ok??Just bcoz we have a different opinions,that doesn’t mean we’re not Rafans Sanju!

        Yeah!….The truth is hurt…but u can’t control what peoples wanna say or think or speak u know!….Don’t be a bully Sanju!…U’re much better than that!

        • I’m not a bully Mira..but if I have to put up with something that I feel is pretense ( it’s regularly happening and not a one off ) , then I will put my thoughts too. And if anyone does not want to read them, don’t ..just like I have an option not to read theirs which I won’t too from now on 🙂

          Sorry calling oneself a fan and then nonstop berating a person upholding his competitors is not pleasant atleast to me and maybe lot more real and genuine fans.

          • I respect very much what u’re saying & what u stand for Sanju….and i hate it when i have to spar with my own Rafans that i love very much!…I’m sorry if i ever hurt yor feelings Sanju!…

            But i have to stick with Lucky coz what she said is what i have in my mind too ..sometimes i was very amazed bcoz she wrote as if she knew what’s in my mind!…It’s as if she knew what i was thinking about!..and what she wrote below once again reflected every single bit of my thoughts too!….But i will try to tone down any critics that i sometimes feel towards Rafa or his game for my Rafans sake!😁👍…Have a gud day Sanju!

          • Sanju,

            You don’t have to explain yourself. If others have a right to run down Rafa as a Rafa fan, then you have the right to give your opinion.

            I have noticed what you are talking about for a while. It has bothered me but I kept quiet until just recently. What bothers me the most is the writing off of Rafa before his career is over. That is appalling. As long as these three are playing there is more of the story to be told.

            I give you credit for speaking up. You are probably the last person I would call a bully. Vmk1 does not sound like a Rafa fan. But I just try to ignore it.

            I do think you can praise another player for his achievements and respect him. Big I try not to run down Rafa because I don’t think he deserves that.

            I respect and appreciate the top three and all that they have done in this sport. I also respect and honor the greats who came before.

        • It’s OK Mira, he can say what he want and I can say what I want to say too! I need no one to judge whether I’m a Rafa fan or not.

          I can appreciate the big three even though my fave is always Rafa; Rafa is not a saint, he’s human and so he has his weaknesses and as a public figure, he will be subjected to praises and criticism more so than any common people. Likewise for Fed and Djoko, and I don’t see why as fan we can’t even criticise our own fave if we think he should be doing better if he’s playing poorly.

          I would also criticise Fed or Djoko or any other player if they’re poor in their performance, though I get more frustrated with Rafa if he doesn’t play well, because I/we always want him to win. Still, I’ll overcome the frustration quickly nowadays, and move on and hope for better results from Rafa in the future.

          • I can understand frustration when Rafa does not play his best. It was difficult to watch him double faulting so much at RG. Being unable to rely on his serve customers him along Ruth an ugly draw.

            I think it’s natural to be disappointed. I do appreciate the acknowledgment that Rafa has won 13 titles at RG. No other men’s player has ever done that. I remember when Rafa broke Borg’s record of 6 titles. We all thought that was a big deal. That is why I feel it or important to acknowledge the singular achievements of these three.

            I also appreciated the mention of Fed’s consecutive semifinal appearances at slams. Rafa mentioned that in an interview some years ago regarding what Fed has done. It is so important to recognize the records they have. That is why I despise the GOAT nonsense. People live vicariously through these champions and feel they have to big themselves up by declaring their guy as the Almighty.

            I do think lucky is a Rafa fan. We have had many great discussions about tennis over the years. We may not always agree, even in the way we deal with Rafa’s losses, but I know that she is a fan of Rafa.

          • Autocorrect garbled one whole sentence. Being unable to rely on his serve cost him! That was what I was trying to say!

  21. Congrats to Djokovic for his 20th slam .he has a determination and focus that is the strongest ever and that’s why he is so successful..He works very hard and deserves every bit of his success .

    It’s amazing to see how he tied the numbers with rafa and fed . Let’s see what happens at uso and what happens next year ..right now the whole world and their grandma is getting on novak completing the calendar and going to minimum 23-24 slams 🙂 As for fed ,everyone is saying he is done and as far as rafa goes, they are saying max 1. Let’s see how all these prophecies pan out

    • There is NO GOAT! I am standing up for the great champions who have made their mark and have the records to prove it. No one can ever take away what they have done!

  22. Rc…congrats. I’m sure you are very happy..

    There are some crazy diehard fans of novak on Twitter going by yolitatennis and pavyg..maybe you can celebrate with them..they have all gone crazy 🙂

    • Thank you, Sanju. I am happy, happy for Novak, his team, especially delightful was seeing the huge smile on big old Goran Ivanisevic’s face. His team is truly devoted to him.

  23. Sanju ive always tried my best to be fair to all 3, and thats what im doing now, i just think its disrespectful to the other two men, and i stand by that, and theres no pretense about it ….

  24. And i love Rafa, and would never write him off, have a good evening onto football for me, come on England 🙂

    • Amen to that!

      Let’s face it, the GOAT debate is toxic as are overzealous tennis fans who confuse virtue with sport excellence.

      • It is toxic and destructive. That is another reason why I do not bemused in it. I think it’s just a real shame that we can’t celebrate three greats who have rewritten the record books.

  25. No Goat talk please!

    The big three each has his own greatness, and having seen how their careers play out this far, I can appreciate each of them.

    I can appreciate Fed for being so consistently good at the slams, his consecutive QFs, SFs and Finals, after seeing how both Rafa and Djoko, as great as they are, couldn’t match Fed’s records. Fed has 36 consecutive slam QFs, 23 SFs and 10Fs and then another 8 Fs!

    Fed also came so close to winning his 21st slam at Wimbledon in 2019, when he’s almost 38 years old! There are those who call for Fed’s retirement after he lost at Wimbledon this year in straight sets; I initially thought so too, but after giving it more thoughts, Fed was able to reach a QF when he wasn’t playing that much tennis beforehand, and who could say for sure, that he couldnt get better once he regained his fitness. Who knows, he may be winning the Wimbledon next year if the draw favours him a bit.

    Rafa will have his chances at no.14 at the FO next year, and I really hope for Rafa to get his no.5 USO title this year, and another chance of a double at the AO next year.
    Another Wimbledon title seems a long shot for Rafa, but hope that Rafa will keep trying since he’s able to reach the SF the last two times he tried.

    Djoko may still get a few more slams, who knows! Come to think of it, there’re still so much more tennis to be played, just hope that next year, it’ll be a full normal season, unlike 2020/2021.

    Now, I really believe that the big three can and will last another few more seasons, after seeing how the players born in the 90’s and those born in and after 1995 keep faltering at the slams especially in the finals. They are just no match for the three ‘old’ men at the slams.

    • A very interesting last point lucky.Why do you think that is? I think Berretinni is simply not such an all round player as Djoko and was unlikely to beat him, but Med and Tsit, both very talented, especially, but there are others, just can’t seem to step up. I am all too aware how difficult Andy found it, but he at least managed 3 slams in an era when the big 3 were younger.

      • Hi Margot,

        I was discussing with my brother about Djoko, the big three and the younger players. He had the belief that Djoko would most likely win the calendar slam this year as he thought no one could stop Djoko at the USO, not even Rafa. I argued that Djoko wasn’t doing well in the last two USOs, and Rafa was 2-1 Vs Djoko at the USO. He mentioned that Rafa wasn’t at his best and might not be come the USO, and knowing Djoko, he would be very determined to win the Olympics singles gold plus the USO, doing something that no male player had ever done before.

        My argument against was that Djoko might be physically tired, after his exploits at Wimbledon and then two weeks later at the Tokyo Olympics, and then the US Masters before the USO. My brother believed Djoko would overcome all these as these are HC tournaments, building up his preparation for the USO.

        As a Rafa fan, I certainly hope that won’t happen! We then discussed about the young players, who could stop Djoko, at the Olympics at least, as it’s Bo3, and I knew Tsitsipas and Meddy would be there.

        The problem with these young players is that not only are they inexperienced compared to the big three, imo they may not be as driven or as hungry for success. They may be thinking they’re still young! Of course we can also say that in tennis terms, they’re simply not made of the same material as the big three, so we may be expecting too much from them too soon.

        The thing about the big three plus Murray that amazes me is that they simply have the precision of their shots! I mean how often they could hit their shots on the run yet their shots touched the lines time and again, whilst players like Shapo, Berrettini, Meddy just couldn’t do the same. Tsitsipas is a bit better but definitely not good as those four ‘old’ men.

        The big three plus Murray have very complete games, good in defence and offence, good in their serve and ROS, good at the baseline and at the net, practically good at everything! And, they’re physically very fit and mentally tough, and good at their court craft, able to change their tactics and game plan if plan A couldn’t work for them, for example, and decisive in making the changes.

        I say it again, I’m disappointed with Tsitsipas, the way he played against Djoko at the FO last year and this year. I mean he himself said he knew he had the game to beat Djoko last year, yet he made the decision to change his game plan only after losing the first two sets, and then ran out of steam after winning the next two sets when he changed things up. I mean when your game won’t work in the first set, why then you kept sticking with it and hoped to get a different result? Why hoped (which is being passive) when you could be more proactive and took things into your own hands by being more aggressive? You’re against the no.1 player, not against any Tom, Dick or Harry, why hesitated to change things when your game was clearly not bothering the no.1 player?

        His FO final this year was even worse, when you’re up two sets against the no.1 player, you should step on the pedal even harder to finish off your opponent the no.1 player as quickly as possible, instead of throwing a lifeline to him. You simply couldn’t take a breather against the no.1 player when you’re ahead, unlike against any other Tom, Dick or Harry player.

        • Thank you lucky, such an interesting response, always. I’m disappointed too and, long term, it’s not very good for the game either.

        • RC pointed out that Tsitsipas was told of the death of his grandmother right before the final. I have to believe that it had an effect on him. These young guys are human. It’s a devastating loss.

          I think that the young guys are simply not in the same class as the top three. Also I do want to be sure that Andy Murray is not forgotten. If he came up in any other era he would have had more than 3 slams. I dearly wish he could have continued and not needed the hip replacement.

          Fed’s record of consecutive appearances at semis and funded of slams is quite extraordinary. If he is able physically and can regroup from this loss at Wimbledon, I would like to see him continue playing.

          We have been incredibly blessed to watch these three greats.

      • Thanks NNY. I’m sorry that I might seem harsh about my comments on Rafa, especially after a loss.

        I tend to hold Rafa at a high standard, and even though nowadays (after Rafa achieved his 20th slam and 13th FO), I’m ‘less worried’ about Rafa, I’m still critical about his performance (perhaps because I eagerly want him to win every match!). But, I could then quickly overcome my frustration after the loss.

        I’m sorry that my comments upset you, Sanju and Amy, I’ll try to refrain from posting insensitive comments if Rafa loses. Maybe, you all are still expecting more from Rafa, and not as contented as I’m now with Rafa’s achievements.

        I believe Rafa has his own plans, so I’m OK when he has decided to withdraw from Wimbledon and is not going to the Tokyo Olympics. Rafa knows himself, whether he’s physically or mentally prepared to play at a slam or not and I respect his decision.

        I’m also sorry that my comment about Djoko sealed his greatness over Fed and Rafa, that I did not make it clear. I mean, at this point, there’s no argument anymore when in the past people argued about number of slams won by Djoko. Djoko’s stats turn out to be better than both Fed and Rafa’s in most categories, except at the FO (Rafa) and Wimbledon(Fed). Of course Rafa has his consecutive weeks inside top ten that I’m so proud of, not even Fed could do that and Rafa has overtaken Connors for the record. Fed has his consecutive weeks at no 1 and incredible consecutive slam QFs, SFs and Fs records too. And, I understand fully that they are still active in their tennis career, so the stats etc may still change in future.

        No matter what happens in future, as I’ve already mentioned, Rafa has already confirmed or sealed his place as a legend in tennis history. His 13 or maybe more FO titles may not be surpassed for a long long time, and he will always be remembered as a member of the big three in the golden era of tennis.

        • lucky,

          We have been around a long time. I don’t know if you saw it, but amy and I were having a discussion and she apologized to you. I also said that I was wrong to be so harsh with you. I meant it. I think we all react in different ways when Rafa loses. Sometimes during his matches I am screaming at the tv, trying to urge him on. It’s hard to see him unable to be at his best at RG. But then I think of last year when it looked like such a difficult task to win RG after being off so long and then losing in the quarterfinals in Rome. So little match play and then RG was held in the fall when the weather is so much worse. But Rafa triumphed in the end. It was a wonderful gift. This year it just did not seem to come together for him. The problems with the serve were especially frustrating. So many double faults. A really ugly draw.

          I can be tough on Rafa when I am sitting there watching his matches. Usually by the time I get around to posting a comment, I have calmed down. But I can see it both ways. You get upset because you know what he is capable of producing. The brilliant tennis that we have seen from him. But I also understand amy and sanju. They feel so raw that any criticism of Rafa in that moment is like a dagger in the heart.

          It was really upsetting to see the trolls come out here after Rafa lost. That just made it worse. So it’s even harder to hear the criticism when trolls are throwing out cheap shots at Rafa. Because they have nothing else in their lives. They are not real tennis fans.

          I appreciate you clarifying everything. I get it. I will always enjoy talking tennis with you! We need to support each other now. I hope Rafa still has great moments before he hangs up his racket.

  26. Congrats to Djokovic on winning his 6th title.
    Also well done to Berrettini for making Italian tennis history.
    But it’s a shame that Nadal and Thiem weren’t there, not to mention Simona Halep the previous ladies’ champion.

  27. Medvedev’s performance against Djoko at the AO final was simply atrocious! I mean what was he thinking, playing exactly like Djoko but a much poorer version, how to beat Djoko like that in a slam final?

    Where was that Meddy, who was so brave, was so risk taking, hitting his second serve as if it was his first serve, and turned a losing match into a winning one against Djoko at the Canada Open two years ago? Why in a slam final, Meddy just simply behaved like a nervous little lamb, and was contented to rally from the baseline all day and let Djoko bossed over him the whole match? Where was that Meddy, who pushed Rafa to the limit at the 2019 USO final?

    Berrettini tried but he was simply not good enough, because his ROS, like many young players these days, is a weakness in his (and their) game. It’s his first slam final, so he might be a bit nervous and so his serve was not up to par, but he’s able to hang tough in the first set and took advantage when Djoko threw him a lifeline. Berrettini’s game is more of a big serving and hard hitting style, but he at least could come forward to the net and his game works well on grass because points are shorter and his serve is his strength, just not so against a determined Djoko. His baseline game needs improvement though and certainly his BH; his BH is also a major weakness and he’s not fast enough to move his legs to hit his FH instead.

    I had started watching Shapo in 2017 when he played at the Canada Open and reached the SF after beating Rafa and Delpo. He has no doubt improved, serving better, hitting better his FH and BH, but, his game is always the same, ie is going for broke,net rushing highly aggressive game and when he’s made to defend, he would most likely lose in the rallies.

    Alex Zverev, I always find his game rather uninteresting because his is hard hitting from the baseline kind of game, and despite playing doubles with his brother, his net game is still not good, imo he just doesn’t have deft touches.

    Among all these young players, I still like Tsitsipas, because his game is complete and he’s good on any surface. What he needs to do is to fix his rather ‘strange’ mentality, ie learn how not to relax when he’s ahead in a match, and starts winning matches he should be winning when he has MPs or CPs instead of losing them.

      • Don’t get it twisted I don’t really believe in the GOAT debate, I pretty much love most tennis players Atp/Wta/doubles they are all talented and have their strengths and weaknesses, without them tennis won’t be fun so I appreciate them all.

        Goat debate is just fun for me I really enjoy talking to tennis fans about just makes me smile seeing people be serious about it 😂😄😜😘

  28. Novak has said I believe I am the best that’s why I confidently talk about winning GS
    Well well well not sure what to make of that .very high confidence or just a tad bit arrogance

    • Djokovic started playing at age 4 and was nurtured throughout his career. I doubt many players had that kind of advantage.

      Arrogance usually comes back to bite people; I wouldn’t worry about what he says too much.

  29. Do you know when Berrettini might win a grand slam? When he learns to have compassion for weaker opponents than the top guys. A healthy amount of competitiveness is good, but you have to know where to draw the line.

    If you apply Darwinism, it’s just a matter of time before Darwin comes and bites you on the bum. And it did.

  30. I couldn’t agree more sanju. The double standards at work here are breathtaking. I can’t stand this cringeworthy inauthenticity. As for saying what we want, the minute, and I mean minute, the 2018 wimby sf match with Nole was over mira tried to stop us talking about it because everything she says and does on this site is about sucking up to Elizabeth. That’s what triggered me at the time. Literally, the minute it was over she kept saying that we should stop talking about it. It’s nothing to do with free speech.
    How about compassion, kindness and empathy for people who are really upset and suffering when Rafa loses? Do they deserve to have their faces rubbed in this garbage? If nothing else there is a time and place to say these things and it’s not the minute after Rafa loses or even during the matches.
    Lucky comments on the Rafael Nadal fans site. I don’t but I sometimes read there. If her comments are kosher then let her make them there and see the reaction she gets. Of course she won’t. That tells you everything. Not because this is not a fan website but because of how deeply insensitive and thoughtless they are.
    As for vmk, Mona called him a Nole sorcerer. I don’t know what that is but he sure as hell looks like one.
    I haven’t been commenting or reading on this site but the moment Fed lost I left a comment for Fed fans, especially Benny and Eugene which I intended to be thoughtful and sympathetic. It’s very upsetting to see your favourite lose, or even see a great player brought low and I was pretty gutted for Fed and his fans. I wouldn’t dream of rubbing their noses in crap so I don’t see why we are supposed to put up with it. I am writing especially about the context of the hurt and immediacy of a loss.
    Why is mira only taking issue with you, and not the others who agree with you? She herself wrote multiple times on the day that Nole won RG that he was the goat. Why write it multiple freaking times days after a gutwrenching loss for Rafa? Yeah, I know why. It’s nothing to do with fairness or objectivity. She can’t go around trying to shut down debate when she is afraid it’s going to upset Elizabeth and then lecture us about free speech.

    • Don’t know why my comment for sanju came out here.
      Am off now. I can’t stand the atmosphere on this site recently and haven’t even been reading here. I made the mistake of doing so today and really got triggered again. I have to get back to work.

      • @Sanju, N. Djokovic winning RG and wimby had nothing to do with easy draw he is just too talented and a very good player he won both Slam and Aus Open by defeating the best players in the tournament simple, he has played lots of tennis and has it the hardest in all tournament the pressure on him is a lot but he handles it well.

        @Anonymous sometimes I imagine you are a junkie your comments are funny 😂, Novak had no advantage above other player’s because of he started playing tennis at 4yrs old/nurtured I don’t know when he started playing tennis but it doesn’t matter, he is a hardworking player & a natural talent nothing came easy for him just a determined and confident player.
        If you have played or still play any form of sports you won’t think/write like that.

    • Pure nonsense about Mira. Why on earth would you say such a thing? Go on let it all out. Get all of it off your chest. I’m just happy to have a place to post. I am very sorry if I offend you. How about I stay only on the WTA page? Is that okay, Amy?

      • Ok!ok!…That’s alright RC…I see my comments upsetting Amy,Sanju,Nny & maybe others…Once again i am so sorry for hurting u guys…i will try not to do it again…insyaallah!…

        Yeah…like RC,i will try to stick & commenting only on WTA from now on…once again,thousands apologies!😢🙏🙏🙏

        • MA,

          Who said your comments are upsetting me? I didn’t. It’s bad enough with the trolls coming in here to side out their crap, that is what bothers me.

          Lucky and I have talked it out. I was too harsh on her after Rafa lost bad I said so. Rafa fans are not in a good place right now. Ever since Rafa lost RG these pseudo Novak fans have popped up to rub it in. I don’t like it. Wog Boy has traveled here from tennis-x to cause trouble.

          I am not in the mood for this nonsense.

          But I have not said that I am upset with you. I see no reason why you should have to stay on the WTA page unless you want to.

        • AM: Sending you a virtual hug. Post where you like and don’t be intimidated. Most of us on here are just voicing our opinions about tennis, is all!
          The fact it’s not moderated better, is a shame because interesting comments about players, get swallowed up by
          people throwing petrol on the fire.

          • Margot,

            Yes! I was thinking the same thing yesterday. The lack of moderation is a real problem because it allows trolls to come here just to attack. They look for forums with no moderation so they can cowardly throw out nasty attacks.

            Sometimes we let our emotions get the better of us. But if I am wrong I will say so. If I am right then I will try to make my argument without getting personal. Try being the operative word. 😉 I don’t always succeed.

            I don’t think anyone here should feel they have to stay exclusively on the WTA forum unless they want to be there.

            My issue is with trills who hide behind an anonymous user name to post garbage. Seeing the cheap shots at Rafa after he lost RG bothered me a great deal. After Fed lost people were very respectful of him and his fans. That is the way it should be. But as long as there is zero moderation then the trolls will keep popping up.

        • Mira, you are a free spirit! I could not control you even if I wanted to! I can’t control anybody. I have not idea where she got that nonsense.

          I’m awake early because it’s too hot to sleep at night and anyway the Tour comes on early because it’s a high mountain stage. Thanks for your support, too. I appreciate you too. I did the brackets this week specifically to see how Tsitsipas does in Hamburg. I hope he’s back to his normal arrogant self, hahaha

          • Hey RC!..u woke early!..Too hot to sleep huh?…Hey!…i got a tips how to make yor room a bit cold…here!

            https://youtu.be/0wE9XjLgmZg
            p/s…Sorry!…the model in the vid is not handsome or cute!😁…but since he wore the jacket in the end,i guess the experiment is worked!😁

            About Tsitsi,i hope he will win the title..he needs that after the disapointment in Paris!

          • hahaha…that’s brilliant! I can do that. I already have everything I need except the zip ties!

            Thank you, Mira! That’s right you live in a hot place too. Hopefully, you have air conditioning.

            Tsitsipas says nothing about his personal issue. He is very confident that he will be a world-beater again soon. I read his Twitter account. And nothing there, of course as personal as his grandmother dying. Going to post this link again, so that people don’t think I made it up.
            https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/14/tennis/stefanos-tsitsipas-french-open-final-grandmother-spt-intl/index.html

  31. Yes the wimby draw was very kind to Novak but then is it not all automated with no intervention..the wimby draw for novak was as if wimby wanted him to get his 20 here 🙂 Feds draw was clearly harder – Norrie , querrey ( he lost), Medvedev ,berretini …all way better players n I thought wimby loves Roger 🙂

    Rg sure gave rafa a horrible draw..it cant happen that he was drawn to play sonego ,sinner ,karatsev/ rublev back to back and all these had done well in the earlier tourneys. I refuse to accept this was just automated n had no special intervention 🙂

    But tell me honestly . Aren’t the ATP and GS working together or in close proximity ? If novak is at loggerheads with ATP due to ptpa ,why will the GS try to give him softer draws

    Now I hope the USTA does not give a soft draw to see the calendar slam being achieved 🙂

  32. Agree totally that the big three have complete games and thats why they keep winning.The ‘Next Gen’ are jjst avbout taking big swings at the ball and cant defend.
    Watching Nole now, there are lots of strengths to his game that dont hit you in the face straight away, such as his serving. He’s really improved there .Iv elso never seen such a mentally tough player .

  33. Finally was able to watch the men’s final. Congratulations to Novak and his fans! I’ve always liked him and his game, but like so many others, I’ve never counted him as my favorite player. I really thought that Matteo might pull off the upset, but he under-performed, especially on return (as did Shapo, imo). It’s pretty hard not to get nervous in his shoes, and I think he did.

    My favorite part about this Wimbledon was seeing Ash Barty lift the trophy! Absolutely love her game and her attitude. Quite a contrast with some of her compatriots…

      • @Sanju, N. Djokovic winning RG and wimby had nothing to do with easy draw he is just too talented and a very good player he won both Slam and Aus Open by defeating the best players in the tournament simple, he has played lots of tennis and has it the hardest in all tournament the pressure on him is a lot but he handles it well.

        @Anonymous sometimes I imagine you are a junkie your comments are funny , Novak had no advantage above other player’s because of he started playing tennis at 4yrs old/nurtured I don’t know when he started playing tennis but it doesn’t matter, he is a hardworking player & a natural talent nothing came easy for him just a determined and confident player.
        If you have played or still play any form of sports you won’t think/write like that.

        Had to repost wrong thread.

        • It is unbelievable how people are trying to devalue Novaks achievement by saying he had weak draws, etc etc.Didnt hear that last October when he lost easily to Rafa. The talk then was all about revenge .

          And also strikes me that on here ,you cant even be a fan of two players at same time, ie tennis fan , not obsessive fan fan.

          • I’ve also thought ‘luck of the draw’ was a thing, and I’ve always wondered how people are so confident that the draws are rigged. You can only play the people in front of you, and if you beat them all you win the tournament, fair and square.

          • Exactly, and often draws fall away and what looked like an “easy” draw suddenly looks very tricky!
            Also, these things even out over time.
            Preferential treatment by tournament organisers, is of course, an entirely different matter.
            And, before anyone shouts, it’s perfectly plain at Wimbledon that preferential treatment is given to British players.

          • Well, I agree with that. Suddenly this general tennis site has turned into a ” You’re not a good enough fan”
            site, which also happened years ago and one of the reasons I stopped contributing.
            What a shame.

          • Margot, I am not going anywhere. This is my last resort.
            See you later. Watching the Tour this morning!

          • A big change for the worse happened -trace it back to the RG semi.
            As for draws being rigged,those of us who do brackets know how often they are rejiggled when players pull out- very hard to predict.
            I do agree about the preferential treatment but it’s more to do with making sure popular players are seen playing at peak times esp on tv

          • Indeed the brackets get “rejiggled”. And other mysterious stuff happens. The only reason I didn’t pick a Lusanne bracket is that I didn’t have one. Seriously there wasn’t one. I don’t take it personally.

    • Soderling anf Wawrinka are really the only 2 players of the past 2 decades that have worked out how you beat the top guys in finals. You have to go out and play aggressive, lights-out tennis. If you play careful, hoping not to make errors thinking it will give you you’re best chance, you are dreaming.

  34. What a pathetic bunch of posters and sore losers, you just can’t accept the truth and the truth is…Nole is better player than the other two and the best tennis player ever!
    Crybabies!

  35. This site and its posters (majority) is a proof of what we (Nole fans) already knew:

    The most popular player is Roger

    2nd most popular player is Rafa

    3rd most popular player is anyone that plays vs Nole

  36. Hahaha, truth hurts, I hit a nerve.

    You completely missed the point, it’s not about popularity but about how much you hate Nole that you are ready even to cheer Kim Jong-un if he is to play vs Nole.

    I am not going anywhere, you spent some quality time on TX, I missed you and finally fined you, I don’t want to lose you again my dear old lady, this site is becoming refugee centre for disgruntled Rafa fans and you need someone to cheer you up, I volunteered 😁

    As for popularity, I’ll quote McEnroe, “tennis is not contest of popularity “, besides, we, Nole fans, prefer quality over quantity.

    I am advertising this site on TX urging Nole fans to come here and find some old “friends” from TX, so expect more of the old friends to come here.

    Last but not least, for a difference of you pathetic Nole haters I was ready to cheer Rafa all the way at FO if he made it to the final, even if that meant that he will stay clear 3GS from Nole, since he wouldn’t give Tsitsi 5 sets like Nole, Rafa would have butchered Tsitsi, I don’t have doubt about it. That’s the difference between you, old ladies, and me.

    Cheers until next time, love you all😍🥰
    No1e is the best.

    • Wog Boy,

      You don’t know me. Remember that before you open to your big fat mouth. I left tennis-x years ago because of the crap I had to read there about Rafa.

      Don’t give yourself airs. I don’t have any player. You are just looking to start trouble here by urging the other dysfunctionals on tennis-z to come here. It’s what Novak fans do. Sore winners the lot of you!

      I saw the trolling start after Rafa lost to Novak
      at RG. You are here to create havoc and stick it to Rafa fans because it’s what you do. Do not dare to even think you can lecture me because you don’t have the common sense to do it.

      Al,

      Keep it real. The garbage posting started once Rafa lost. That’s what the haters do. They spew out poison and I read it firsthand on tennis-x. Toxic crap. Don’t try to blame Rafa fans for the crap that has been going on here since Rafa lost. That’s why done Rafa fans are upset and deservedly so. You did not see the same thing done to Fed and his fans. That’s the difference.

      • NNY, to be fair I never blamed anyone in particular for the garbage posting just stated when it started.
        There have always been trolls on here.I guess the number of Rafa fans on here attracts them, not the same problem for Fedfans who are only one or two in number.

          • Lol! Okay you made me laugh so hard!

            Oh and thanks putting it all in some perspective. It really helps.
            😀

          • I was being quite serious , NNY.

            wog (wŏg)
            n. Chiefly British Offensive Slang
            Used as a disparaging term for a person of color, especially a person from northern Africa or western or southern Asia.

            Im glad you starting to appreciate I put a bit of thought into making my posts balanced, its a thankless job sometimes.

    • Al,

      Oh my goodness! I did not realize what that meant! I guess it’s not funny at all.

      I have always realized that you put thought into making your posts balanced.

      It may be thankless, but I thank you!

    • Sanju,

      You keep on posting. Do not let the bastards get you down. The haters are going to come here to try and spew out their filth, so be ready.

      Hang in there!
      👍

    • Hey Sanju,

      Thanks for posting the article from SportsKeeda. I had already read the first part that had to do with Novak. I’ll have to go back to it and finish reading. I’m not agreeing or disagreeing. It’s just too much for me to project and predict what will happen.

      • Excellent article , I wonder if I read all of it? It finishes up by stating Novak wins Slams even playing his B game.

    • I like Thiem and I think Rafa likes Thiem too. He is a good natured decent guy. He’s also very hard working, determined and focused.

      He has made improvement to his game, thanks to his coach Massu. In the past, he used to stay at the baseline and hit his shots as hard as possible, but with Massu now, he is more willing to approach the net. 2019 to 2020 was the best period of his career so far, beating the big three more often than they beat him, won a Masters and then the USO, and reached the final of WTF.

      He had proven his worth when he had beaten Djoko at the FO, Rafa at the AO, and pushed Djoko to the limit in the AO final before losing. There’s also NO guarantee that if Djoko were to meet him in the USO final in 2020, Djoko would beat him.

      Thiem is serious about his tennis career, and he’s a threat to anyone including the big three.

      • lucky,

        I agree about Thiem. He has become the one young guy who has impressed me the most. I think Tsitsipas is right behind him.

        I am concerned about him being injury prone recently. First the knee and now the wrist. I hope that injuries will not derail his career.

    • I love Dom and I love Andy and look what’s happened to them both. 🙁
      Think I’d better stop supporting players- for their own good!

      • I like this Wog boy 😂 please visit more often 😂, people like you will make this site extremely and bring all your friends too 🙂

        • He’s a trouble maker and that’s why he is here. But he is not going to get his fellow haters to stink up this site the way they do on the infamous dysfunctional tennis blog.

          That site is notorious. People who have nothing better to do than trash Rafa and his fans. It never changes.

          • NNY,

            I have no idea who Sweetstan is but the person is talking like he/she has been part of this blog before. It would help if all these anonymous posters would say who they are now and that they come in peace to talk tennis. Or, just own up to being a smirking and snickering (nice) or a bitter and grudging troll (useless and bad).

            Wog Boy at least is not using a different Moniker. That is the nice Wog Boy I used to like. He is from Australia and can be a knowledgeable and fair person. He actually does like Rafa, not so much Federer and of course, a Nole fan. However, he accused me of being a fake Novak fan back in 2016, before FO. I am about 50/50 on him because I don’t hold grudges. Okiegal is a 100% true and lovely Rafa fan. But there are some friends that Wog Boy could bring with him that lack an ounce of civility. Everyone is capable of change.

          • RC,

            Thanks for the heads up. I just wanted you to know that a few years ago I was called out for saying nice things about Novak. I don’t know if you were here. It also started while we were still on tennis talk. Novak was accused of faking a foot injury and I defended him. I got a lot of grief for it from some Rafa fans. Then tennis talk closed down and we went to Ricky’s new site here.

            But the attacks continued by one person in particular. I was accused of being a closet Novak fan. It was relentless and other Rafa fans defended me. If I ever said anything nice about Novak, it started up again, so I know what it feels like to be singled out in that way.

            As for tennis-x, I should clarify that there are some good posters there. After I left in late 2011 I would still check out the site and just read. Battling both Fed and Novak fans got to be too tiresome there.

            I know okiegal. I read her posts. Sweet Stan seems like he is okay. Wog boy is not. If he thinks that he will bring people over from there to get after Rafa fans, he better think again. But I don’t want to lump everybody together there as bad people. Margot came from there. So did Mira Andi. And you. There are some knowledgeable posters.

            I am just going to try and chill out a little for now. Who Boy called me an old lady. He thinks he knows me. But I can be very feisty.

            Thanks for giving me some inside scoop on a few people.
            😀

          • Hey Nny…Your words on 1st paragraph stole my interest!…U got attacks bcoz u say a few nice things about Novak?U too??..Ohhh!!…Your experienced remind me of my own Nny!…I don’t understand why we can’t say nice words about Novak & other players without been attacked!…I really don’t understand!…I did it frequently on TX & got attacks by our own Rafans!Tho that’s not why i left TX…

            About WB…Very true that he is the most mean & brutal Novak fans i’ve ever met…but..in general & (strangely) i got on well with him on TX..he’s quite nice with me & very smart & very knowledgeable posters i’ve ever known too!..When he is in good mood,i like to read about what he said bcoz it’s always pleasure to read his smart view on everythings that happened in this world…

            Nny,i know u can handle him(u put a smile on my face with yor response already!)…of coz my heart will be with u Nny..but,u be careful k?WB can be very mean & brutal…U stay strong k?

          • Hello RC! Wow it’s been a long time since we chatted. I have been off the forums for quite awhile now. We always got along great…… even though we like 2 different GOATS!! Lol I apologize to you regarding my Tennis Richter Scale of ❤️…. couldn’t resist getting a jab in on old man Woggie! LOL!! He and I have sparred a few times on TX. I hope this finds you doing good! I know you’re over the moon regarding your fave and rightfully so. He’s playing lights out tennis atm. It’s nice to see things gradually getting back to normal. I was exposed to Covid by my daughter in law and son, and very thankful I tested negative. 😊😊

          • Okay, I am ready to guess one:

            Sweetstan is Van Persie, I hope so anyway. She liked to put me down but it was cool to do that at the time, years ago.

          • MA,

            It was a Rafa fan who attacked me and said I was a closet Novak fan. It got pretty ugly and went on for some time. I do know what it feels like.

            Wog Boy is trouble. He has been saying on here that he is posting what I say on tennis-x. So I decided to go there and check it out. Sure enough, he put up a post that I wrote here and then encouraged people on the site to come here and go after Rafa fans because they are down after he lost at RG. Charming!

            You have to be really sick to instigate like that. Someone already posted under the user name Tennistalk. That was the site we were on with Ricky and Cheryl before it closed down and we came here. It was a pretty nasty comment. Also this person used my user name and my real name. I used my real name when I was on tennis-x. So it’s already starting.

            I called out Wog Boy about what he did. If he wants a war, then he will get it.

          • Nny…I can’t believe some of novak fans acting like this…i mean,i knew how vicious they r before…but,i noticed after Novak won his 20th,things got more vicious than ever!…Came here specifically to attack Rafa fans??And bragging about Nole is the best?Not to mention very disrespectful to elder womens like u & Miss Okie!…I mean,what kind of grown man picking a fight with an elder women??Oh my God!…it’s all about everythings got to your head bcoz yor fave got 20 slams???

            And i know they make fun of us on tx…I wish karma will bite them in the a$$ one day!…

  37. So Margot is the reason why D. Them got injured 😤😤😤😂.

    I don’t like Andy I don’t hate him either but Thiem is amazing if Novak had faced Thiem instead Tsitsipas at RG and thiem was 2 sets up honestly that might be game over thiem is brutal on clay, I would still want Novak to win but it’s going to be difficult.

    • Well Sweetstan, I am a powerful Welsh witch, but alas my spells seem to be going wrong at the moment, back to the cauldron……

      • My dear old lady and old friend, you are struggling with your memory like your president.
        I was posting at TX since 2008/9 and you left at the end of 2011! We certainly exchanged our respected opinions quite a few times.
        That was year when someone lost 7 finals in a row, when the rise of best player ever started and King of clay rabid fans couldn’t handle payback from Nole and Federer fans for their previous behaviour, so they were leaving it.
        That’s truth and nothing but the truth, something you can’t handle, but that’s ok, it comes with the age, relax, it’s not that bad to be the second or third best player ever, you have to sort that out with Federer fans.
        Cheers my friend, love from Sydney, much better place to live than communist NY😉🥰

        • Wog Boy,

          Your stupidity is showing! Also your politics. You sound like a Trumpy. Tough luck! The Orange Menace lost! Hah! You will just have to get used to it.

          Did you ever hear the saying – don’t assume because it makes you look like an ass? You took my user name literally. I am a Nativenewyorker, born in Brooklyn. But I have not lived there for some time. I moved to L.A. some time should and then moved to Florida 7 years ago.

          New York is a lot of things but not communist! If you think so that says a lot about you. There are some parts of New York that you might want to stay away from. If might be too tough for you! Hah!

          You are also a sexist, misogynistic creep. I think you need to go play with your toys because you sound like a 10 year old.

          Never assume.

          • That’s ok, that’s ok my friend, don’t get so worked up, I shouldn’t have done that to , I should have been more considerate of you age, sorry.
            NY one didn’t go well, I was referring to Cuomo since we had to watch him last year on the news every night during that debacle in handling Covid crisis and general agreement between my friends was that he fits perfectly description of old fashioned Eastern European boss, less suntan, but I’ll retract that one.

            As for Newyorker, I didn’t assume anything and you just confirmed it, if someone is born and raised in New York he will always be New Yorker, doesn’t matter where the life carries him later, that’s basic knowledge, if American moves to Germany, he is still American and not German, no?

            I will leave you now, enough excitement for an old lady, no good….almost forgot, I was free to copy/paste your welcome note to me and post it on TX and invite my friends to come over here, I hope you don’t mind.
            Now, grab a tea and have a rest, you deserved it, cheers.

          • Sorry Wog Boy,

            Nice try, but you clearly thought I still lived in New York. Trashing the governor, calling the city communist. Not a good move. At least you are far away so you won’t get in trouble with my fellow New Yorkers.

            I don’t care if you try to get your fellow tennis-x’ ers to come over here. You seem to think I give a damn.

            I don’t believe we have eve4 met, yet you say that I am an old lady. That’s how you get your kicks these days? You seem infantile, like a case of arrested development. Things a bit too boring down under? I think you need a hobby.

            Nice to know that there are right wing nuts in Sydney. Still smarting over Trumpy’s loss? So is he! Too bad. We now have a real president again. Instead of a criminal, lying, lunatic psycho. Try to recover. You democracy haters really need to wake up and smell the coffee.

          • I stopped posting on tx because I found it an incredibly right wing site. Don’t think Sean is and I liked what he wrote. There’s only so much you can take. I know you get Trumptons on here, but generally it’s no right wing site, and I feel more comfortable on here. Also I think it’s really good that Ricky has a WTA thread and an unrelated to tennis kind of social thread. So usually you can keep the politics away from sport.

          • We had a Trumpy here. This nutcase Stanley was very right wing and went off about abortion and killing babies and how we would all go to hell.

            It is good that Ricky set up a non-tennis forum. That way the politics can stay there. I do not like to mix politics with tennis.

            But we don’t seem to get right wingers. Thank goodness!

    • MA,

      You make a good observation. They have become obnoxious now that their guy won 20 slams. I remember last year when Rafa won his 13th RG title and 20th slam equaling Fed. We were all just so happy. Worrying about him being off for so long, then playing in the fall with bad weather a d hardly any match play. Yet he did it! We didn’t go attacking fans of Novak because Rafa beat him. The Fed fans on tennis-x said that Rafa would never equal Fed’s slam total. Then it happened. Now Novak has done it. But the way they react is very telling.

      One would think the people at tennis-x might be smart enough not to be used by Wog Boy to come here and attack me or Rafa fans. I guess I overestimated them.

  38. Nny,
    Firstly, thank you for welcoming me on this great site, much appreciated.
    Secondly, my dear old lady and friend, of course I know you and you know me, otherwise you wouldn’t be talking about me here in such complementary way, we had “nice” exchanges and conversations on that other site, didn’t we.
    The only excuse for not remembering me is if you have same problems as your President, which comes with age, sadly.

    So, don’t pretend you don’t know me like people do in the morning after one night stand, which you are obviously familiar with, though now it’s only “sweet sweet memories”😉

    I have been posting on that, other, site since around 2008-9, you were there, we all know when the rabid Rafa fans flocked on that site in their aggressive and disrespectful manner, that was when that other Rafa site, whatever the name was, went belly up and closed, just to gradually disappear from TX after this one was established, getting frustrated with start of Nole rise and those 7 lost finals in a row by your man which has never happened before and you couldn’t handle it.
    I am so grateful that I accidentally bumped into this site during AO this year and surprise surprise, I recognised and found my missing friends.

    I hope you don’t mind if I copy/paste your welcoming notes to me and post them on the other site for my friends so they know they are welcome here, do you? Nole fans love challenges, they really do, same as Nole, look what he has done by turning negatives in to positives, which is hardest thing to do, but we can do it.

    Cheers my friend, I will be back in August when Nole will be back, I doubt he’ll go to Tokyo, it wouldn’t make sense, USO is far more important.
    Looking forward to talk to you again, love from Sudney🥰 (much better place than NY, just my humble opinion).

    • Wog Boy,

      I went on tennis-x, your home base. Just as I suspected. I saw you post what I wrote on here. If you want a war, bring it on.

      You obviously have a wretched life and nothing worthwhile to do. But there should be a special place in hell for you. Encouraging your buddies over there to go after Rafa fans because they are feeling down after Rafa lost at RG? That all you got? That and making ageist and sexist comments about women?

      It will take a lot more than your pathetic attempt to cause trouble on this site. Remember where I come from, and do not mane the mistake of underestimating me. You are stepping way up in class.

      See ya loser!

  39. @nativenewyorker
    You mentioned that you remembered me posting on TX. Did you use your present moniker when posting on TX?? I can’t remember nativenewyorker???? But I’m a very old lady now…..😩😩 Old man Woggie told me so! 🤣🤣🤣

      • Okiegal,

        Oh and Wog Boy seems to have an unhealthy obsession with old ladies! He calls us all old ladies! He seems to have some problems! 😉

        • Don’t remember a Mindy at all…. but it’s been a few years since I have posted on TX. We don’t agree on political matters… I am a SEVERE CONSERVATIVE….. So I hope you’re not too disappointed in me. I am what I am, but can still be respectful of anyone who has a difference of opinion on political matters than I do.
          Old man Woggie loves to have altercations…. he thrives on it!

          • Okiegal,

            I stopped posting on that site in late 2011. So it’s been a long time. I used to read the comments even after I left. There were some very knowledgeable posters who were worth reading.

            Your political beliefs are your own. I am liberal but not progressive. I can even have disagreements with the left as well as the right. At least here we have a non-tennis forum for political discussions. That way we can talk tennis and not let the politics get in the way.

          • NNY I feel the same way regarding the political realm. I’m glad you can still be open minded about another person’s view. I am the same way…. to each his own.I appreciate your reply. Had you accepted me on all counts! Thanks! Te

            Don’t let an avid Joker fan get you down.The best response to him is to not respond!….. ignore his bully banter.

          • Nny….I agree with Miss Okie!…I think when someones thrived/enjoy seeing other peoples hurt/pain,then there’s something wrong with them…

            I watched many movies & read many articles that pointed to the caused…whether they’ve been abused/bullied as a kid or having trouble in current life or in the past or feel insecure about themselves,the outcome is the same..they want to show peoples that they’re not weak..they likes to be superior & likes to dominate…Don’t give them that satisfaction Nny…The more u argued with them,the more powerful they will feel…There’s only 2 person that have a right to rattled us Nny!..ourselves…and RAFA!!…Vamos!!😁💪

    • Hello Alison! I’m doing pretty good, for old lady!! Hope all is well with you. Still watching tennis. Three guys with 20…….AMAZING! Win, lose or draw (regarding Rafa) it has been exciting to watch! Ready for the USO!!

    • Andi Mira your an amazing fan, and your posts are full of positivity, I remember we did fall out a while back, but we are cool now, I don’t know why Amy attacked you and Elizabeth like that, just wanted to give you the heads up 😘

      • Ohh hey Al!…Hehe…thank u so much for yor words Al!…Very appreciate it!..U know,i am still feel regret & embarrassed everytime i think about what i said to u Al!…I hate myself very much at that time & now..it was not me & i am so so so very sorry for caused u so much pain too k?

        You’re a very nice lady Al!…and have a gud heart🧡& i think if we have an opportunity to hang out together,we can smash the flower pots one or two!hehe…thats how fun we could be!…It’s very honoured to be your friend Al!🥰..Always!

      • About amy…thats alright Al…i consider, it’s only a sister’s spat…i don’t feel anything except some love between human beings..At least on my part!😀

    • MA,

      Yes you are right. However I don’t think that what happened in someone’s life is justification for their cruelty and hatred. I sensed that this person is pretty disturbed. You just have to read his posts. And I get that he is miserable. Only someone who is deeply unhappy would go around trashing people in such a vindictive way.

      I will do my best to ignore this toxic poisonous loser. The disrespect for women is especially troubling.

      You have a good attitude. I don’t know what to say about what is going on here lately. I think sometimes it’s good to take a deep breath. Wh When you see the horrible things that this nut from tennis-x posts here, then you realize that we should all stick together and be supportive of each other.

      You are a very nice person with a good heart.😍

      • Hehe…Thanks for the nice words Nny!…tho i don’t think i’m that nice…but thank u nonetheless Nny!☺

        Yeah!…We should stick together & support each other Nny,that’s why i’m still here this last couple of days..to give u support as much as i can..i feel it’s not right of me to left u alone to deal with ‘our nice neighbours’..who knows,when the moon is full,they’re going to incarnate themselves to dracula next?..🧛‍♂️🧛‍♂️🧛‍♂️..brrrr!!..scary!!

  40. Okay, I am ready to guess one:

    Sweetstan is Van Persie, I hope so anyway. She liked to put me down but it was cool to do that at the time, years ago. If true, I welcome her, Margot’s friend.

    • Glad it wasn’t Van Persie, not because I don’t want her here, she is one of the sharpest Nole fans on TX, but because I wouldn’t like her to come hiding.
      Obviously, she left mighty impression on some people here, she is sharpshooter.😉
      I had that honour to be her host while both holidaying in Belgrade and take her and her lovely husband to Novak Centre and then to Skadarlija bohemian quoter for dinner and nice live music, great lady.
      Van Persie, if you are reading this, come visit us here occasionally, please 🥂

  41. RC you are one of the most knowledgeable ladies I know when it comes to tennis, I remember Grendle ( really miss him) saying how much he loved your posts, and I enjoyed the banter you two had with each other 😃

    • No Alison I’m not so smart when it comes to tennis. I do like to watch it and try to know as many players as I can – both ATP and WTA. The thing I did well when I did it was work as an oncology RN and more recently as a home health RN. I don’t remember that Grendle liked my posts but I sure liked his. Thank you for your kind words. There are things I’d like to talk to you about but not on the tennis forum.

      What was funny this morning was mistaking Sweetstan for a nice new poster. But it’s the old Stanley, hahaha. I can be embarrassingly naive, Alison. I’m glad you are here posting and that other place too, whatever works for you! 😘

    • I do briefly remember NNY/Mindy on TX in 2011, as it was about the same time I started posting on there, although we never interacted there, although we do here, and going back over old threads from years back, which I sometimes do when I’m bored, she was always a fair and open minded poster, so I think the personal attacks are unfair 🤔

      • Alison,

        Yes that was me. I was always NNY on Tennis Talk. I got accused of trying to hide who I was, but tennis-x was the first tennis site I ever went in and I didn’t know about user names. So when I went to Tennis Talk I used NNY. But there was a lot of cross posting between Tennis Talk and tennis-x. The Fedal wars were raging back then.

        What bothers me is that Wog Boy copied and pasted something I wrote here and put it on tennis-x. Then he says that people over there should come here to attack Rafa fans because we are feeling down about Rafa losing RG. That is vindictive.

        People like that are the reason I left. There were good posters there who know their stuff and like tennis. But then there were the nutcases who made it toxic.

        If you are a Rafa fan, then you are a target there. They don’t see you as fair and open minded because you are a Rafa fan.

        Already there have been a few posts directed at me. So some are going to follow Wog Boy’s advice to come here to attack me. I guess they don’t have a mind of their own.

        What is quite disturbing, is the misogynistic and sexist attacks directed at women. We are supposedly all old ladies who just get trashed.

  42. @Mindy aka NNY: you used to entertain us with details from your private life on the tennistalk portal. now i see you are obnoxiously policing this portal making life uncomfortable for anyone who is not in love with Nadull or has a different opinion? do you think it is time to go for counseling? it does help really.

  43. Tennistalk whoever you are,

    No, but I do think you need counseling big time. Something better to do with your life than trash someone anonymously on a tennis forum.

    Nadull is a definite giveaway. You are a hater and a troll.

      • Okiegal,

        Thanks! You know that Wog Boy posted a comment I made here on tennis-x and said that they should come here to attack Rafa fans because we are feeling down about him losing.

        So it looks like some of them are dumb enough to actually allow themselves to be manipulated. Nothing better to do these days.

        It seems that if you want to attack a woman you say she is an old lady. Sexist, misogynistic much?

        What a waste of life.

      • Another troll? I guess you people are so stupid that you will do whatever some racist thug tells you to do. No ,I don’t of joy own? Too much time on your hands? Like sheep you follow Wog Boy your leader.

        I guess everyone in Florida is in a retirement home! So the idea is to attack a woman as old, right? Do you have a mother yourself? Or grandmother?

        You are a coward coming here under a stupid name to trash someone because you were told to do so. Why don’t you stop doing someone else’s dirty work?

  44. NNY,

    Instead of misinterpreting, misinforming and lying posters here in order to manipulate them and bring to fight your fight, you should have enough decency (that obviously you lack) to copy/paste from TX my post so the people can make their own mind about what I said and did I invite people “to attack Rafa fans here”?
    That’s what you should do and I expect you to do it, I am not doing it for you, there are two posts one referring to you and the other one to Sweetstan, copy/paste from here what you said, I challenge anyone to find word “attacking Rafa fans” or something that suggests anything close to that, it’s only me trying to refresh this site with new face and to cheer you up, it looks like this room hasn’t had windows open for a long long time so the air isn’t of really good quality, you need to open the windows and let the fresh air in.
    Cheers my old lady and dear friend, make sure you don’t miss your therapy, it appears that you are missing them, tell your carer to be more vigilant or ask for different one, I am sure retirement village has access to quality carers, unless it is one of those villages for neglected, down on luck and without resources people, their budget is pretty small so they can’t really afford good carers.
    Anyhow, good to talk to you my dear friend and don’t worry, things will get better for Rafa…if they don’t get worse, love you😍

  45. NNY,
    Sorry my friend, I forgot, since you love music I am sure you’ll love this one and you can se entire family celebrating “something” in their restaurant, really nice family and they should be proud of their son and brother, have a look, don’t be shy.

    https://youtu.be/3gSjVbzQ3NQ

  46. Andi Mira you have nothing to apologise for hun, it was me, water under the bridge, hope you and your family are well, my hubby had the virus but he’s okay now, and I had it but only mildly, but we are both fine now, its been a strange time for everyone….

    • I am very relief to hear that Al!…for both counts!…Hope u & hubby too have a great moments now after that bumpy roads…

      My family is ok Al!(alhamdulillah!)..all of us ‘caging’ in a house 24/7 now due to the rages of Delta variant…Donno when this will end…

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