2012- Fedal bite back

Before reading this article, please press this link and put your volume high: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46tS09yBc9I (skip to 00:30) then minimise the link and continue reading.


'He will go on to become the greatest player of all time.'

Simon Reed after Djokovic's sensational win over Nadal in the USO 2011.

'Superhuman- neither Nadal or Federer could win 2 5+ hours matches in a row.'
ESPN columnist after Djokovic's win in AO final.


'If Djokovic wins this match he will eclipse Federer in my eyes.'
Mark Petchey the day before the French Open final 2012- a chance for Djokovic to hold all 4 Grand Slams which neither Nadal or Federer have done.


By the end of 2011 and beginning of 2012 all the talk about Djokovic. Fedal was history it seemed. Nadal was struggling totally against Djokovic- and seemed at a loss on what to do against Djokovic. On his own favourite surface, clay, Djokovic looked most comfortable- beating him in twice without letting Nadal even get a set in 2011. Federer meanwhile looked like age was catching up with him. He had always struggled against Nadal- but in 2011 he lost most of his meetings with Djokovic as well- some of them heartbreaking! So this was the end of Fedal, right? Simon Reed has already concluded that Djokovic would finish his career with 'atleast 17 slams' and go on to become the best ever player.

But no. It's Fedal, who were both written off (especially Federer) who have bitten back.

French Open Final 2012. The history match. Djokovic had Nadal in his back pocket- 3 wins in a row against him in slam finals. If he won the match he would do something that Fedal couldn't do- hold all 4 at once.
But Phillipe Chatrier is Nadal's court. Nadal roared back, and propelled himself beyond Borg in the French Open history books to seal his 6th title there. Djokovic was left stunned.

Wimbledon Semi-final 2012. Another huge match. Djokovic had won the last 5 sets against Federer- including a one sided 3 setter at the French Open this year.
But Centre Court is Federer's court. Federer roared back, served huge while Djokovic wobbled. Glorious winner after glorious winner poured out of Fed's golden racket. Djokovic was struggling- missing simple backhands and his defence could not contain Federer. Like in the FO final Djokovic could only win a set. Djokovic was left shell-shocked.

Fedal had bitten back.

Those are real bone headed and ignorant quotes that you have exposed there... To make it out like federer and nadal are just average players against djok is insulting. Even at near 31 Fed blew Djok away on grass.

And 17 slams? Who are these jokers? Do they understand what it takes to be THAT consistent? Esp with Novak's game? Jesus... what an idiot!

Seifer Almasy wrote:Those are real bone headed and ignorant quotes that you have exposed there... To make it out like federer and nadal are just average players against djok is insulting. Even at near 31 Fed blew Djok away on grass.

Am I missing something...

The whole point of the article is that people were writing Fedal off... I never agreed with it.

In fact Djokovic has won 8 sets in a row against Federer until today (3 @ the RG, 2 @ Rome & the last 3@ the USO).

I whole heartedly agree, I wrote an article saying could the Fedal duopoly end? Clearly it won't just yet.

It Must Be Love wrote:

Seifer Almasy wrote:Those are real bone headed and ignorant quotes that you have exposed there... To make it out like federer and nadal are just average players against djok is insulting. Even at near 31 Fed blew Djok away on grass.

Am I missing something...

The whole point of the article is that people were writing Fedal off... I never agreed with it.

I know. I said "you have exposed there", not "you have made there". Read what people write.

Sorry Seifer, I misinterpreted it.

luciusmann wrote:In fact Djokovic has won 8 sets in a row against Federer until today (3 @ the RG, 2 @ Rome & the last 3@ the USO).

I whole heartedly agree, I wrote an article saying could the Fedal duopoly end? Clearly it won't just yet.

Indeed

Did you read the article with the music on?

It Must Be Love wrote:Sorry Seifer, I misinterpreted it.

I tried to make it sound as obvious as I could... I guess I also failed!

Do you think Djokovic will rule at USO again? Or will one of the Fedal duo stifle him?

Good one IMBL! In earnesty, I think Djokovic is fully aware, unlike some of the posters here, as to whom is the greatest player between him and Fed.. You just need to watch some of his amazed reactions to some of the magic shots of the Swiss.

Nadal: he found a bad match up in Djokovic, but nobody can say he is an inferior player to Djokovic after all.

Today semifinal was for me, one of the greatest semis of all time, it made me think how surprisingly big was Fed to come up on top of it, and that probably not even the best Nadal would have had the best of Djokovic today.

Jeremy_Kyle wrote:Good one IMBL! In earnestly, I think Djokovic is fully aware, unlike some of the posters here, as to whom is the greatest player between him and Fed.. You just need to watch some of his amazed reactions to some of the magic shots of the Swiss.

Nadal: he found a bed match up in Djokovic, but nobody can say he is an inferior player to Djokovic after all.

Today semifinal was for me, one of the greatest semis of all time, it made me think how surprisingly big was Fed to come up on top of it, and that probably not even the best Nadal would have had the best of Djokovic today.

Thanks Jeremy

Yes Federer was superb today no doubt. Djokovic wasn't at the races though- funnily making most unforced errors on his backhand!

I do like the way Fedal have responded to the Djokovic challenge this year though... I honestly thought they wouldn't have a chance and Djoko would clean up the slams this year, especially after AO.
But Nadal showed great heart in the clay season, and now Federer on the grass to stifle Djoko! Djokovic is still a champion though, he knows he has to improve for the upcoming Olympics and HC season.

It Must Be Love wrote:Do you think Djokovic will rule at USO again? Or will one of the Fedal duo stifle him?

It is hard to say... Federer has it in him to win it, but Djok is favourite. Nadal... no, I can see him going out early. I seriously believe he is on the decline.

Seifer Almasy wrote:

It Must Be Love wrote:Do you think Djokovic will rule at USO again? Or will one of the Fedal duo stifle him?

It is hard to say... Federer has it in him to win it, but Djok is favourite. Nadal... no, I can see him going out early. I seriously believe he is on the decline.

People have said that every year
Let's see if Nadal can prove them wrong!

I still think Nadal has 2-3 slams left in him... Djok... wouldn't put it past him getting 5. But maybe I am speaking too soon... we are assuming another great isn't going to pop up like they seem to do every so often in Tennis.

Seifer Almasy wrote:I still think Nadal has 2-3 slams left in him... Djok... wouldn't put it past him getting 5. But maybe I am speaking too soon... we are assuming another great isn't going to pop up like they seem to do every so often in Tennis.

Interesting.
You have to give credit to Fedal for fighting they way they have this year.

did Petchey really say that? I am shocked, he always seemed to me to be a Federer fan

It Must Be Love wrote:


'If Djokovic wins this match he will eclipse Federer in my eyes.'
Mark Petchey the day before the French Open final 2012- a chance for Djokovic to hold all 4 Grand Slams which neither Nadal or Federer have done.

I remember that! Of all the stupid things that commentators say this must be one of the stupidest. Petchey didn't just say it once but backed it up and repeated it. Pfft! It was even stranger because I can remember when Nadal had the chance to do the same all the talk was playing it down... saying it didn't count as a "real" grand slam.