Not trying to insinuate anything on Jannik Sinner beyond what is already known. But here are the facts:
-Sinner was 22-1 on the year around April where the positive tests took place.
-He was surprisingly physically strong then. No issues with cardiovascular or muscle fitness.
Rafa Nadal. 22 slams, 90+ titles, 18+ years on tour. Incredible legacy. But what’s most important is his incredible humanity. No matter what happens from here, he will always be the greatest of all time in this sport. 🐐
Félix Auger-Alliassime will be a multiple Wimbledon champion. that serve, the incredible volleys, the great forehand… but most importantly he has the demeanour of a true champion. Steely. And Rafa Nadal is Rafa Nadal. I’m feeling confident after this win. Bring on Rafole 59.
When both were playing great, Dominic Thiem and Rafa Nadal played some electric points. Throwback to this one from their 2018 US Open quarterfinal. That poor tennis ball :(
Don't let anyone convince you otherwise... Rafael Nadal is the man who raised the bar for all sorts of players, despite the extensive injury history he has had. Without him, fellow all time greats Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic wouldn't be who they are.
It’s always amazed me the athletic heights that athletes, particularly tennis stars, can reach.
With that said, who’s faster at their peaks? Peak Rafa…
Every match that Rafa wins from here on out is a pleasure to watch. No matter where. I'm sure that Roger fans and Novak fans have that same sentiment. Time is a limited commodity. Let's embrace the present and, sad as it is, the limited future in tennis that our heroes have.
Best peak forehands of all time:
10. Novak Djokovic
9. Fernando Gonzalez
8. Dominic Them
7. Ivan Lendl
6. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
5. Pete Sampras
4. Juan Martin del Potro
3. Bjorn Borg
2. Roger Federer
1. Rafael Nadal
Honorable mentions: Monfils, Agassi, Roddick, Ferrer, Tilden.
Seeing a 39 year old Federer, a 35 year old Nadal and a 34 year old Djokovic continually defy the logic of "Father Time" and compete at the highest level for slams will always astound me. Forget what player you root for, these three will always be the benchmark for longevity.
-Since the time those positive tests took place, Sinner has been hurting physically in a number of areas and has now had a prolonged hip issue for awhile.
-He did not take place in the Olympics where anti-doping measures are even harsher than the ATP tour.
I trust Jannik…
Hearing that Rafa is not having a good time of it in practice. If that’s the case, the end is very near.
I just want everyone to understand: tennis will never see greatness like that of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal again. Cherish the latter while he’s still here. 😢
young Roger, Novak, Andy and Rafa. no one could have foretold what they'd bring to the sport of tennis or to millions of fans around the world. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Being real, there was no greater feeling for me as a sports fan than watching peak Nadal and Federer at the majors. So quick, such great forehands and incredible clash of styles that resulted in some inhuman level tennis. Plus, their charisma and humility always shone through.
…but it’s easy to see why people might be suspicious and why this would be damaging to his image. The optics aren’t great.
But I’ll take his explanation at face value. I sincerely hope that this is just a mixup. But losing points and prize money suggests otherwise.
Nadal isn’t just a man, he’s the human form of excellence and talent. He will be taught in the history books for centuries to come. Every step he takes gives new meanings to life. He is the embodiment of perfection in its truest form. All hail rafael nadal
Djokovic isn’t just a man, he’s the human form of excellence and talent. He will be taught in the history books for centuries to come. Every step he takes gives new meanings to life. He is the embodiment of perfection in its truest form. All hail novak djokovic
Rafa's '14 AO final loss is painful as a fan. I'm sure it was ten times more painful for him as a competitor to not be able to compete to the best of his ability. What breaks my heart though, are his tears here. But win or lose, he always shows endless love for the sport.
I always say that whatever happens, Rafa is still the GOAT of the streets. Novak can have the stats. Novak is the stats GOAT, sure.
But Rafa is the GOAT of the people, and the stats he’s a close second. Enough for me to say he’s overall GOAT.
Nadal is in Kuwait... pumped to see Rafa play tennis after a long layoff. Life happens, injury happens but you keep on going forward. He embodies that work ethic.
I did a “best movers in tennis” list… I feel obligated to do a “best defenders in tennis” list now:
10. Bjorn Borg
9. Daniil Medvedev
8. Jimmy Connors
7. Mats Wilander
6. Lleyton Hewitt
5. Andy Murray
4. Roger Federer
3. Michael Chang
2. Rafael Nadal
1. Novak Djokovic.
Agree?
I've watched tons of replays of Federer from 2003-2012 when he could be considered to be prime/peak, and in my opinion his FH is the single most devastating groundstroke you could find from that era.
That Nadal managed to find ways to reset points off of Peak Fed's FH is insane.
ND being anti-vaccination is one thing. But if he actually stood by his stance with conviction instead of trying to weasel his way into countries with exemptions, he'd have my respect. Yet he continues to remain a poster-boy for entitled children in the world scared of a needle.
It's my birthday. I turn 23 today. And it may seem meaningless but whatever... my birthday wish is all my mutuals or followers stay safe and enjoy their day, and that they get one step closer to their goal ! Be good everyone ! 💕🙏
Ranking of various ATP players in terms of their defense, counterpunching skills and just the ability to stay in a point as long as possible while on the defensive. What do you guys think?
There will simply never be another Rafael Nadal. Carlitos is a future great, but he isn't Nadal. He's his own person and he'll fulfill all his dreams soon. But now it's all Nadal.
2018 Wimbledon Rafa would sweep through this draw, dropping sets to only Djokovic and Federer. He'd still win imo. This Wimbledon has been really weak.
Federer: This fucker Novak can kick rocks. Robbing wins off me at slams with gluten-free pasta and the oxygen egg once I hit 31, yet I still managed to stay on top of the head-to-head with him before 2016, when he was 29. Stupid serb. Rafa is my true Rival, and my lover<3
/Gatto
Today I’m 24. For my bday this year, I want everyone to know that they are important. If I could have one thing come true, it’d be that all you beautiful souls out there recognise your value and love yourself as you should always. I wish you all happiness. May you prosper. ❤️
It’s over guys. It’s been a fun ride. 22 slams, 90+ titles and many other achievements. Can’t be too displeased. Rafa deserves clemency and peace with his family if that’s what the body is pushing him towards. He’ll still be the legend he is off the court as he is on it ❤️ 🇪🇸
Appreciate Novak shouting Roger Federer out. Classy, shows beyond all the antivax stuff, he’s gracious. He also probably really wants better competition to push him and to get more enjoyable matches out of himself lol, Fed being probably his toughest matchup is part of that.
Shoutout to young gen of tennis. They push the Big 3 so hard. They outclassed them at times in BO3, and are pushing them at slams too. Stef in 2021 RG final, Dominic at 2020 AO final and 2019 RG final, now Shapo and Berrettini at Wimby. They deserve love from us, not putdowns.❤️
Rafael Nadal has had haters seething for over a decade now. Ever since he’s beaten their former Swiss hero around in matches like Wimbledon 2008 final and Australian Open 2009, they needed to jump ship to Djokovic to find someone that could somewhat consistently beat him 😂
I don’t care. Rafa Nadal is gonna win the Aus Open this year. If I’m wrong I’m wrong, I’m not deleting this tweet. Come at me if I’m wrong and I’ll own it.
@BenRothenberg
Cause you're a sensationalist Ben. Comment truthfully and without speculation on everything that comes out about Djokovic, friend. You're only worsening the problem man.
You know? I actually don't feel like Roger's 2003-2007 era was weak anymore. It's just that Young Roger was so good he made his opponents look helpless.
I also don't feel like this era is that weak. It's just that Old Novak (and Old Rafa and Roger) are too good.
Medvedev and Sinner running on fumes physically out there, Sinner cramping after a bunch of 20 shot rallies. Medvedev impatient too. Puts in perspective how tough going deep both IW and Miami is and insane a physical monster peak Djokovic was for winning Sunshine Double 4 times.
Congrats to Djokovic and his fans on a well deserved Wimbledon number 7. Nick played arguably his highest level in a slam in that match in many years and barely came short in taking it to a fifth. Djokovic showed us some spectacular returning and backhands out there. Well done.
I see dumb motherfuckers on this website saying Hurkacz is apparently a tough matchup for Djokovic in the first week… give us all a break. You clowns know he’s got no competition and want so badly for your idol to seem like he’s had it tough. News flash: he’s always had it easy.
This Djokovic nut-hugger seriously thinks yelling at your own brother to get the fuck off the court in Italian is better behaviour than communicating what you’re struggling with to your professional coach in Catalan. Insane brain worms like this really destroy tennis twitter.
Well done to Djokovic. Congrats to Djokovic fans. He’s completed tennis. No one else has and not sure anyone else will. Too good.
Not sure I’ll be back guys. Tennis just isn’t worth it.
Odd to me Djokovic is on 7 Wimbys instead of 7 US Opens. Djokovic deserves those Wimbledon titles but his form leading up to the finals of NY has often been higher. He just has a higher choke index at New York. 2012, 2014, 2016, 2007 and arguably 2013 US Open losses are poor.
He started out beating those guys regularly. Over time, they found the means to beat him too. In time, they equalized their levels and produced some of the most exhilarating tennis matches in the strongest era of tennis ever (2008-2014).
Roger Federer will go down in history as tennis’s greatest purveyor and a long-standing symbol of sporting greatness. I wish him all the best. To his fans, I’m deeply sorry about this. I send you my love. A bittersweet day for sport in general.
have no doubt these legends will be back strong... the wait for them is a tough one though. it's a damn cliché to say this but there's such a big void at the top of the game without these two.
Even if Prizmic loses to Djokovic today, he’s got real tekkers. He’ll be a future top 5 player. Athletically he’s on par with many of the 20-24 year old gen. Super strong and got a lot of ballstriking talent, and a very strong mentality.
Not gonna comment on Zverev’s injury… aside from the fact no one deserves this. He deserves clemency. I have mixed feelings right now. Rafa was up a set, but Zverev very easily could have been up 2. I’m glad it’s all over. Onto the finals.
Now for the best returners of all time
10. David Ferrer
9. Guillermo Coria
8. Diego Schwartzman
7. Michael Chang
6. Daniil Medvedev
5. Rafael Nadal
4. Jimmy Connors
3. Andre Agassi
2. Andy Murray
1. Novak Djokovic
Thoughts?
At his peak, there was not a single person who couldn't find it in their heart to love Juan Martin del Potro. A truly lovable and amazing player who didn't deserve to have his career turn out the way it did 😭😭😭
Aslan Karatsev is down 6-3 7-6 to Phillip Kohlschreiber despite winning more points (74 to 72), more receiving points (28 to 10), and having higher serve win rates (88% on first, 70% on second to Kohlscreiber's 72% and 69%). Unreal sport, tennis and its scoring system too.
@josemorgado
If anyone is wondering how peak Fed vs (current, at least) Alcaraz would go on even a medium quick court, it would go even worse than this for Alcaraz. Dimitrov was ruthless with his forehand and slice today.
Every day I dream that Rafa summons *this* FH vs Djokovic at this year's US Open final.
There's one more God mode FH performance in post prime Rafa. I know it. Federer had his outstanding post-prime FH shows when he beat Rafa in 2019 Wimbledon, and nearly Faker. Rafa can do it.
Directed to Fedole fans: Who is number 2 in the GOAT debate since Rafael Nadal Parera has wrapped up number 1? I really need this question answered. Roger? Nole? Who is it? Is it both of them at 2, or is Borg or Laver number 2 or something? Please, let's discuss it.
Taking a pretty good question from r/tennis on Reddit:
How much does a player’s physical appearance affect your perception or enjoyment of them? Please answer as best you can.
With Rafa washed up at 37 and Novak struggling with an elbow at 36.
Just a reminder that a certain Swiss at the age of 37/38 made back-to-back finals in Dubai, Indian Wells, and Miami, winning two.
Made the semis of the French Open and was one point away from winning Wimbledon.
He's not wrong. Serve-volley on every service point is the second most boring bullshit ever.
The most boring style however, is playstyles like his, Zverev's, Simon's, Murray's, Djokovic's, Coric's and etc
These are the hardcourt slam speeds. Fedfans crying about courts getting slower showing they don’t actually watch tennis when Fed isn’t playing and instead whine about pointless shit.
Just found out a good friend of mine passed away from cancer while I was away from home... don't know how to feel at the moment. Life is precious guys. Cherish it. No one knows when their time is up.
Rafa man. I’m still so proud. I was in elementary school when the man was mopping up slams. I’m a grown ass dude and he’s still mopping up slams. Insane longevity. GOAT before, GOAT now, and GOAT forever.
Me too! I love Djokovic and even I acknowledge that he is the third best tennis athlete of all time, and that he feasted on weak draws, weak opponents and old/injured Federer and Nadal! We sane and normal Nolefam exist!
#idemo
#nole
#nolefam
#23weakslams
🐊
Don’t be a prick lol. Would you even sniff a damn game against Djokovic like Djere did? The man lost his parents to cancer. He’s one of the hardest workers on tour, grinds every day for events like this. Be mad at Djokovic, not Djere lol.