Australian Open 2012 Day 14 - Men's Final

First topic message reminder :

Unfortunately, I have a match this morning so I won't be watching live.....but please leave your comments here....



For now I'll remind everybody what Djokovic thinks about it.



“There is no secret it is going to be physical again,” Djokovic said. “I will do my best to recover. I have a day and a half. I will try to get as much sleep and recovery program underway and hope for the best. I think that's going to be crucial, you know, for me to recover and to be able to perform my best, because Rafa is fit. He's been playing well. He had an extra day. He definitely wants to win this title.”

No idea how Nole won this match at 4-2 in the fifth set, just shows he is mentally, physically, emotionally taken the game a notch higher than what he was in 2010.

I actually feel Rafa will take alot of comfort out of this match despite losing...basically they both won the match really after nr 6 hrs of toe to toe stuff, and Nadal knows he's closer than before, not further. Is always a shame to see someone lose a match like that when there's nothing much to separate them. Both guys showed such will power and strength. Hats off to both guys.

lydian wrote:I actually feel Rafa will take alot of comfort out of this match despite losing...basically they both won the match really after nr 6 hrs of toe to toe stuff, and Nadal knows he's closer than before, not further. Is always a shame to see someone lose a match like that when there's nothing much to separate them. Both guys showed such will power and strength. Hats off to both guys.

Against a guy who played almost 11 hours in two matches?

Good play from both. A few points made the difference.

Social congrats my buddy

lydian wrote:I actually feel Rafa will take alot of comfort out of this match despite losing...basically they both won the match really after nr 6 hrs of toe to toe stuff, and Nadal knows he's closer than before, not further. Is always a shame to see someone lose a match like that when there's nothing much to separate them. Both guys showed such will power and strength. Hats off to both guys.

You're right Nadal seems to be closing the gap. Nadal only lost because someone had to, pretty much the same reason Fed lost the USO semi last year. Novak won and good for him but this isn't ownership like some are making out.

10/12, and one from a bad lens?

What's your definition then?

Well done to Djock, he is a sensational player.

bogbrush wrote:10/12, and one from a bad lens?

What's your definition then?

Novak would have had to be in control the whole time and we'd have had to have been feeling that we were just waiting for him to win with no doubts.

BB....11hrs play made no difference to Nole today, it didnt affect his play. Why does everything have to be so adversarial with you? We know you;ll be rejoicing in Nadal's loss but there was nothing in this match. Like Bit5th says, someone had to lose...it could have been so easily Nole today. 4-2, 30-0 up in the 5th and missed such a narrow call for 40-0 and a likely 5-2 lead. Nadal has closed the gap vs. the losses of 2011 and will have things to work on. Its a killer loss for Nadal but if you're going to lose you might as well lose with nothing to split in the match and hold your head high.

What Lydian said. I wish Fed had lost to Nadal like that just once at the French open.

I started out wanting Djokovic to win but Nadals fighting spirit in the 4th set gave me goosebumps. It got to a point for me that I didnt care who won anymore. People ask me why I love tennis so much, I dont think I will be asked again anytime soon.

lydian wrote:BB....11hrs play made no difference to Nole today, it didnt affect his play. Why does everything have to be so adversarial with you? We know you;ll be rejoicing in Nadal's loss but there was nothing in this match. Like Bit5th says, someone had to lose...it could have been so easily Nole today. 4-2, 30-0 up in the 5th and missed such a narrow call for 40-0 and a likely 5-2 lead. Nadal has closed the gap vs. the losses of 2011 and will have things to work on. Its a killer loss for Nadal but if you're going to lose you might as well lose with nothing to split in the match and hold your head high.

I have nothing but admiration for Nadals heart, as shown today.

However, being purely logical of course the semi hurt Djokovic - he was very slow 1st set and tired. He's unbelievably fit but of course h was impaired.

I don't see this closing, fact is that Nadals been in serious trouble with Djokoic since Madrid '09, and 10/12 with one very much asterisked loss at the WTF speaks volumes.

break_in_the_fifth wrote:What Lydian said. I wish Fed had lost to Nadal like that just once at the French open.

You mean go down fighting playing your own game? He does that every time.

bogbrush wrote:

break_in_the_fifth wrote:What Lydian said. I wish Fed had lost to Nadal like that just once at the French open.

You mean go down fighting playing your own game? He does that every time.

If Federer tried to play the defensive game that the other 3 play regularly, the sport would lose it's sponsors indefinitely. Roger is the artist, not a defensive struggler like todays finalists.

This final came under "tl;dr" for me. Good for you if you enjoyed it, but really not my cuppa.

Ah well, I have no doubt the game will swing back the other way again, I hope it course corrects sooner rather than later.

The semi hurt Nole at the time but he didnt appear particularly affected it by it today,....by definition he couldnt have been given he just played for 6hrs! I think they were both tight/nervy that 1st set which was a scrappy affair. Then I dont know where Nadal's head went the next 2 sets - he seems to be a lot more in/out of form during matches these days.

Nadal has been having trouble with Nole since 2006 truth be told. I actually expected Nole to make this move a lot sooner than 2011...thats the surprise for me, after AO08 I expected him to take over from Federer as the all-slam champion. We have to realise that Nole could go on to be one of the best ever, and amass more slams than Nadal, if he keeps this up and it will have been no disgrace that Nadal or Federer got left in his wake. All you can do is admire Nole....and Nadal isnt that far behind either. The challenge is for the rest of the tour to catch them. I dont see Fed doing it, and Murray I only see doing it from time to time primarily in masters, with maybe the odd slam win if Nole/Nadal are having bad days.

Nore Staat wrote:Whereas Federer cries, Rafa was able to show that he is a classy guy.

Shame on you Nore. Such a crass comment for the one in a century player who has done for tennis more than anyone else. You are too foolish even to realize why did Federer cry that day. Federer cried because he was ( and still is) regarded as the greatest player to hold a tennis racquet even much before those bag full of slam he got. His game is so great that it in itself looks the greatest ever, he doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. He was already being tiped to break all slam records and set standards so high that no other player could ever reach those. He had the weight and expectation of millions on him to reach that 14th slam to equal Pete's and even go further writing history books better than anyone else.

Its not easy being a Hero. Its not easy being the greatest player ever. Its not easy being Roger Federer.

Nadal hasn't reached that level. He may have created an unwanted history by being the only player in open era to lose 3 st. slam finals, but he doesn't have the same weight of creating history on his shoulders.

In terms of playing each other Fed has caught Nole. In terms of playing Nadal Fed can only dream.

Josiah Maiestas wrote:

bogbrush wrote:

break_in_the_fifth wrote:What Lydian said. I wish Fed had lost to Nadal like that just once at the French open.

You mean go down fighting playing your own game? He does that every time.

If Federer tried to play the defensive game that the other 3 play regularly, the sport would lose it's sponsors indefinitely. Roger is the artist, not a defensive struggler like todays finalists.

I guess I was a little hasty there. I meant scoreline wise a bit more though.

Its not easy being a Hero. Its not easy being the greatest player ever. Its not easy being Roger Federer.

Nadal hasn't reached that level. He may have created an unwanted history by being the only player in open era to lose 3 st. slam finals, but he doesn't have the same weight of creating history on his shoulders.

Don't make me vomit. Please, Roger is certainly a great of the game but he is no angel. His denigrating comments towards his opposition and sense of entitlement don't do the game credit. yes he has done a lot for the game, but it isn't all about Roger. Tennis was played at a high level before Roger and after him. It is sad, truely pathetic frankly that his friends have to watch this match and constantly call it boring and awful and denigrate the sport simply because Roger isn't in the final. If it was so damn boring why did you watch it for 6 hours?

.

Congratulations to Nole

I planted a tree.

Very happy Djokovic won though.

We had a friend over for lunch. (mmm roast loin of pork)

socal1976 wrote:If it was so damn boring why did you watch it for 6 hours?

.

And that is the key question I feel

ChequeredJersey wrote:

socal1976 wrote:If it was so damn boring why did you watch it for 6 hours?

.

And that is the key question I feel

I can only speak for myself - I didn't! Kinda had enough with Murray v Djokovic.

OK you guys keep complaining about the tennis the next few years. And I'll keep getting tipsy and enjoying it. Nothing like getting tanked to a Djoko Grandslam final in the Islamic republic of Iran.

I suppose if I was hammered I might have enjoyed it more?

socal1976 wrote:Its not easy being a Hero. Its not easy being the greatest player ever. Its not easy being Roger Federer.

Nadal hasn't reached that level. He may have created an unwanted history by being the only player in open era to lose 3 st. slam finals, but he doesn't have the same weight of creating history on his shoulders.

Don't make me vomit. Please, Roger is certainly a great of the game but he is no angel. His denigrating comments towards his opposition and sense of entitlement don't do the game credit. yes he has done a lot for the game, but it isn't all about Roger. Tennis was played at a high level before Roger and after him. It is sad, truely pathetic frankly that his friends have to watch this match and constantly call it boring and awful and denigrate the sport simply because Roger isn't in the final. If it was so damn boring why did you watch it for 6 hours?

.

You better swallow back that stinky vomit of yours and don't dirty this board you crass human being. This is how you behave just because your favorite player just won a slam. Downgrading other players and insulting his fans. Novak is not the first player to win a Grand Slam, nor will he keep winning forever. If tennis was played at a high level before Roger, then its certainly was even played before Novak. So better control your pathetic tongue.

reckoner wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:

socal1976 wrote:If it was so damn boring why did you watch it for 6 hours?

.

And that is the key question I feel

I can only speak for myself - I didn't! Kinda had enough with Murray v Djokovic.

Fair enough

bogbrush wrote:I don't see this closing, fact is that Nadals been in serious trouble with Djokoic since Madrid '09, and 10/12 with one very much asterisked loss at the WTF speaks volumes.

Including Madrid 09 where Djoko had 2 MPs. But also Hamburg 08 etc....

Nadal will never win again v Djoko.

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

Nore Staat wrote:Whereas Federer cries, Rafa was able to show that he is a classy guy.

Shame on you Nore. Such a crass comment for the one in a century player who has done for tennis more than anyone else. You are too foolish even to realize why did Federer cry that day. Federer cried because he was ( and still is) regarded as the greatest player to hold a tennis racquet even much before those bag full of slam he got. His game is so great that it in itself looks the greatest ever, he doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. He was already being tiped to break all slam records and set standards so high that no other player could ever reach those. He had the weight and expectation of millions on him to reach that 14th slam to equal Pete's and even go further writing history books better than anyone else.

Its not easy being a Hero. Its not easy being the greatest player ever. Its not easy being Roger Federer.

Nadal hasn't reached that level. He may have created an unwanted history by being the only player in open era to lose 3 st. slam finals, but he doesn't have the same weight of creating history on his shoulders.

I'm not sure that is why Federer cried, I thought it was more to do with how hard he pushed himself mentally and emotionally to beat Nadal but still fell short (like today for Nadal) but I don't see any problem with him crying. It was emotional and from experience in other sports, when I have put everything into a race or match only to fall short because the other guy/boat/team was just better on the day, I have felt like crying and at that level I assume these feelings are magnified. If Nadal loses the RG final to Nole, I think he will as emotional even if he doesn't cry

Who cares if they cry or not, it least it shows that they care.

reckoner wrote:This final came under "tl;dr" for me. Good for you if you enjoyed it, but really not my cuppa.

Ah well, I have no doubt the game will swing back the other way again, I hope it course corrects sooner rather than later.

I am with you there. I can appreciate DJoko's courage to fight till the end while being half as fit as Nadal but hearing that Nadal has a big heart I can't take it. Where was his heart in November v Federer? He goes from a heart of a lion to the heart of a mouse and back.

It's non sense.

Congrats to Djokovic on his fifth slam title.

Nadal played with a Lion's heart, but came up a bit short.

Surprised at this cross-poster invective.

They all care eric, but only one guy has to hog the mike and cry for 15-20 minutes to show how special he is. All you had to do Roger was learn how to change direction on the backhand and you wouldn't have to be shedding tears you to could claim a grandslam victory over Nadal.

Tenez wrote:

reckoner wrote:This final came under "tl;dr" for me. Good for you if you enjoyed it, but really not my cuppa.

Ah well, I have no doubt the game will swing back the other way again, I hope it course corrects sooner rather than later.

I am with you there. I can appreciate DJoko's courage to fight till the end while being half as fit as Nadal but hearing that Nadal has a big heart I can't take it. Where was his heart in November v Federer? He goes from a heart of a lion to the heart of a mouse and back.

It's non sense.

Easy, Tiger. This is perhaps part of the reason to ask for a shorter calendar. Is the break in February 2012 going to make November 2012 better?

socal1976 wrote:They all care eric, but only one guy has to hog the mike and cry for 15-20 minutes to show how special he is. All you had to do Roger was learn how to change direction on the backhand and you wouldn't have to be shedding tears you to could claim a grandslam victory over Nadal.

Please tell me when Novak is going to bagel Nadal in a big match, like Federer has multiple times..

socal1976 wrote:They all care eric, but only one guy has to hog the mike and cry for 15-20 minutes to show how special he is. All you had to do Roger was learn how to change direction on the backhand and you wouldn't have to be shedding tears you to could claim a grandslam victory over Nadal.

Why not discuss about Djokovic-Nadal and this match?

socal1976 wrote:They all care eric, but only one guy has to hog the mike and cry for 15-20 minutes to show how special he is. All you had to do Roger was learn how to change direction on the backhand and you wouldn't have to be shedding tears you to could claim a grandslam victory over Nadal.

Hmmm so basically you're just out to diss Federer. I just don't get it why the hatred?

[quote="ChequeredJersey"]

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

Nore Staat wrote:Whereas Federer cries, Rafa was able to show that he is a classy guy.

Shame on you Nore. Such a crass comment for the one in a century player who has done for tennis more than anyone else. You are too foolish even to realize why did Federer cry that day. Federer cried because he was ( and still is) regarded as the greatest player to hold a tennis racquet even much before those bag full of slam he got. His game is so great that it in itself looks the greatest ever, he doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. He was already being tiped to break all slam records and set standards so high that no other player could ever reach those. He had the weight and expectation of millions on him to reach that 14th slam to equal Pete's and even go further writing history books better than anyone else.

Its not easy being a Hero. Its not easy being the greatest player ever. Its not easy being Roger Federer.

Nadal hasn't reached that level. He may have created an unwanted history by being the only player in open era to lose 3 st. slam finals, but he doesn't have the same weight of creating history on his shoulders.

I'm not sure that is why Federer cried, I thought it was more to do with how hard he pushed himself mentally and emotionally to beat Nadal but still fell short (like today for Nadal) but I don't see any problem with him crying. It was emotional and from experience in other sports, when I have put everything into a race or match only to fall short because the other guy/boat/team was just better on the day, I have felt like crying and at that level I assume these feelings are magnified. If Nadal loses the RG final to Nole, I think he will as emotional even if he doesn't cry[/

Roger cried, because someone in the crowd yelled out "We love you Roger!" And at that point he lost it. He probably should have kept his speech as short as possible, but hindsight is always 20/20. It's not as if he planned on crying, it just happened. Check out the clip again and you will see what I mean.

ChequeredJersey wrote:

socal1976 wrote:If it was so damn boring why did you watch it for 6 hours?

.

And that is the key question I feel

I couldn't watch it all but there is a certain pleasure in watching the player axphyxiating Federer being axphyxiated in turn.

I am sure you can understand that.

Tenez wrote:I couldn't watch it all but there is a certain pleasure in watching the player axphyxiating Federer being axphyxiated in turn.

I am sure you can understand that.

Is that how you treated your opponent today during your match? I am pretty sure the match you played today had a player with a different style than yours.

Tennis requires more than one player.

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

Nore Staat wrote:Whereas Federer cries, Rafa was able to show that he is a classy guy.

Shame on you Nore. Such a crass comment for the one in a century player who has done for tennis more than anyone else. You are too foolish even to realize why did Federer cry that day. Federer cried because he was ( and still is) regarded as the greatest player to hold a tennis racquet even much before those bag full of slam he got. His game is so great that it in itself looks the greatest ever, he doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. He was already being tiped to break all slam records and set standards so high that no other player could ever reach those. He had the weight and expectation of millions on him to reach that 14th slam to equal Pete's and even go further writing history books better than anyone else.

Its not easy being a Hero. Its not easy being the greatest player ever. Its not easy being Roger Federer.

Nadal hasn't reached that level. He may have created an unwanted history by being the only player in open era to lose 3 st. slam finals, but he doesn't have the same weight of creating history on his shoulders.

I'm afraid Raiders you reveal yourself to be an incomprehending fanboy.

laverfan wrote:

Easy, Tiger. This is perhaps part of the reason to ask for a shorter calendar. Is the break in February 2012 going to make November 2012 better?

LF you have to ask yourself the right questions...How come Nadal could play for 6 hours today of gryelling tennis despite haveing played 6 other 5 setters in the last 2 weeks but was too tired to play best of 3 after a 2 month rest?

What we saw today doesn;t make physilogical sense..not does this tiredness after a 2 months rest.

Take it easy guys. Please do not bash each other, otherwise I will need to impose a timeout.

Tenez wrote:

laverfan wrote:

Easy, Tiger. This is perhaps part of the reason to ask for a shorter calendar. Is the break in February 2012 going to make November 2012 better?

LF you have to ask yourself the right questions...How come Nadal could play for 6 hours today of gryelling tennis despite haveing played 6 other 5 setters in the last 2 weeks but was too tired to play best of 3 after a 2 month rest?

What we saw today doesn;t make physilogical sense..not does this tiredness after a 2 months rest.

It is a question of motivation and desire apart from the physical travails. Perhaps Nadal feels that Slams and DC are more important than WTF? You forget his DC after WTF.

laverfan wrote:Take it easy guys. Please do not bash each other, otherwise I will need to impose a timeout.

Let's break it down.

I make a statement of fact, whereas Raiders personally insults me (shame, crass , foolish) and then adds irrelevant material about his affection for Roger Federer and the difficulty that Roger has in living a life as a "hero".

Tenez wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:

socal1976 wrote:If it was so damn boring why did you watch it for 6 hours?

.

And that is the key question I feel

I couldn't watch it all but there is a certain pleasure in watching the player axphyxiating Federer being axphyxiated in turn.

I am sure you can understand that.

Not really. I suppose the closest I can think of is the satisfaction I feel when South Africa or France are being beaten at rugby but mostly that overlaps with supporting the underdog and it being better for England on a pragmatic level in most tournaments. Not that it often happens. In tennis I don't dislike the players enough to take pleasure in them losing, just in them winning

NS... I do not want to list the adjectives that posters have used for describing each other, just in this article, to play a he-said-she-said.

If you are fan of a particular player, so be it, but respect other fans too.