Jesus what a match. Let me just say it is unreal that Djokovic, Federer and Nadal are all playing in the same era. It's stupid how good they have been for this long and they don't look like they are slowing down. 30 and over use to be a death sentence in tennis. Novak is 32. Nadal is 33. Roger about to be 38. Cyborgs. But....
Listen before I make my argument for Novak full disclosure I am a Djokovic mark. But I am so invested because I choose to root for him and be my guy before he even won a slam. I was rooting for James Blake at the time but he was wanding down his career and Novak beat him a couple times before Novak was Novak. So I looked him up. His birthday was the same year and week as mine. We are both 32 now. Then he actually showed a personality at the US Open when after his matches he would impersonate other players. Federer and Nadal were so robotic and dull to me. Basically I was just in at the ground floor so I feel like doubly invested.
However to my point about Novak being the greatest right now. Some key points.
-He has the advantage in head to head vs both Fed and Nadal. And these dudes have played each other a TON.
-Vs Nadal he has played 54 times and he is 28-26 vs him. 6-9 in slams vs Nadal (weighted by Nadal's ridiculous French Open clay court dominance) but 4-4 in Finals.
-vs Federer he has played him 48 times. He is 26-22 vs Roger. 10-6 in slams vs Fed but 4-1 in finals.
-vs Federer at Wimbeldon on grass where Fed is suppose to be king. He is 4-1 vs him including 3-0 in the finals.
- He is the only person to win all 9 of the Master series tourneys. Fed and Nadal haven't done that.
- He is one of only 2 people who have beaten Nadal at the French ever. Fed has never even come close. In fact Fed is lucky to have his French because Soderling beat Rafa for him the year he won.
-Novak is the only one of the big 3 to hold all grand slams at once. Nearly did it this year too losing in the semis at the French.
-Of his 25 Grand Slam Finals appearances only 5 have come vs someone other than Federer, Nadal or Murray. (Winning 3 of those 5, damn you Wawrinka) Compare that to Roger's finals appearances 31 (with 14 vs players other than Murray, Novak or Nadal winning 13 of those) and Nadal's 26 GS final's appearances (with 9 vs other players then Fed, Novak and Murray winning 8 of those). Basically he has had to earn his GS against his main rivals. Fed and Nadal are a combined 22-2 in Grand Slam finals vs anyone outside Murray, Novak or each other.
-12 of Nadal's 18 Grand Slams have come at the French on clay were he is unbeatable. Without that dominance he wouldn't be near Fed or Novak. Novak talent carries over to all the surfaces.
- Federer is about 6 years older than both Nadal and Novak so he got a head start on both winning slams. His first 7 slam wins he didn't have to go through any of Murray, Novak or Nadal. He basically got a 7 slam head start on both Novak and Nadal while they have done it vs each other and Fed.
Anyways that's my case for Novak to be the goat. The only thing Novak doesn't have that the other two have is a Gold medal at the Olympics but he has a chance next year. Who is your GOAT? or do you even care? lol
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I came here to do two things, drink some beer and kick some ass, looks like we are almost outta beer - Dazed and Confused
101 Favorite Movies (2019)
I came here to do two things, drink some beer and kick some ass, looks like we are almost outta beer - Dazed and Confused
101 Favorite Movies (2019)