Djokovic (24) - Nadal (22) - Federer (20)

[lazzadesilva]

As much as I like current champions, I also like future champions to break down the doors of the current ones and make life difficult for them to retain their positions. Makes tennis far more interesting for an occasional watcher like me than watching a player who is always odds on to win the tournament.

[K]

Luck may be a big factor now.


I thought Djokovic's US Open draw turned out to be gobsmackingly soft: Muller, Zapata, Dere, Gojo, Fritz, Shelton, Medvedev.

Never even heard of the first four, and you'd take the QF & SF oppo any day.


But the opposite could happen. Especially with all the injuries (i.e. dangerous players with low rankings). e.g. imagine at Wimbledon you get Kyrgios and some big-hitter like Raonic first two rounds, and then have to get through Alcaraz and Sinner at the pointy end. It could happen.

[K]

It's "only" Indian Wells, but Djokovic was beaten 64 36 63 by 123rd-ranked lucky loser (replacement for injured player) Luca Nardi.

Nardi became the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic in a grand slam or ATP Masters 1000 level event, surpassing No.122 Kevin Anderson in 2008 in Miami.

[Jezza]

^ Could be signs of Djokovic declining, and the new generation are taking over.

[K]

Djokovic:

“I was more surprised with my level. My level was really, really bad.”

“I made some really terrible unforced errors. Just quite defensive tennis, and not much on the ball in the third, and that’s it.”

[Presti35]

C'mon Rafa you've got 2 more French titles left in you.

[K]

Nadal (on Twitter):
“These are very difficult moments for me, sporting wise. Unfortunately I have to tell you that I am not going to be playing in Monte Carlo. My body simply won’t allow me.
“And even if I am working hard and making the maximum effort every day with all the will to play and compete again at tournaments that have been very important for me, the truth is that I can’t play today.”

[Donny]

What a warrior !!

His record at the French Open is quite unbelievable.

[Jezza]

De Minaur defeated Nadal in straight sets in the 2nd Round of the Barcelona Open.

At least Nadal got through the tournament unscathed. I want to see him play at RG, which might potentially be his final tournament.

[K]

Nadal defeated De Minaur 76 63 in the 2nd Round of the Madrid Open.

Small steps, but encouraging...

'But in what's been billed as a farewell to Madrid, the match felt much more like a reawakening as Nadal changed tactics, peppering de Minaur with plenty of high-looping, spinning shots that ensured the uncomfortable-looking Aussie world number 11 couldn't get into any rhythm.

Increasingly frustrated and evidently feeling like he was the sacrifice in the seething bullring that was the Manolo Santana Stadium, de Minaur chucked in 33 unforced errors.

But the victory left Nadal beaming after all his recent gloomy comments about the state of his fitness.

When asked if it was a sign that he was close to getting back to his best, he just smiled: "No, not yet no, I need time.

"For moments, with a good level of tennis, I was able to do positive things but I'm still on an up. I'm super happy now to be able to be competitive against a great player like Alex for over two hours, it means a lot to me."'

(AAP)

'... Nadal said he would not make a decision on playing at the French Open until after Rome which starts next week.
...

As for De Minaur, his performance in the second set was branded "unspeakably horrendous" by US commentator Ricky Dimon...'

(The Australian)

[K]

Rafael Nadal Full Practice Rome 2024 | Practice Pass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzLAK4Nn3Fw

[K]

Djoker beat Rafa 61 64 in R2 of the Olympics. Many media reckon this will end up being their last meeting.

Hopefully better things to come for Rafa and Alcaraz in the doubles!! They beat the Argentine 6th seeds 76 64 in R1.

[Jezza]

Djokovic won the Gold Medal. This cements his status as the GOAT.

[Jezza]

This is the first calendar year since 2002 where Federer, Nadal or Djokovic didn't win a slam.

Alcaraz and Sinner have taken over the mantle among the new generation.

[Jezza]

Nadal announces his retirement.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/nadal-o ... nouncement