2026 Wimbledon Men's Final: Sinner v Zverev

Who wins?

  • Sinner in 5

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Zverev in 3

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Zverev in 5

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    13

Fiero425

The GOAT
Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
12,274
Reactions
2,869
Points
113
Location
Chicago, IL
Website
fiero4251.blogspot.com
People were saying the same about Federer before the pandemic, when he nearly won Wimbledon over prime Djokovic. Sometimes, the walls close in faster than you think. Djokovic has been gradually declining each year since 2023. If Djokovic (at 39) can't beat Sinner and Alcaraz, what makes you think that he will suddenly get better 3 years from now and beat those guys plus 23/24-year-old Mensik/Tien/Fonseca/Jodar, not to mention people rising from the crop of 20-22 year-olds in the 2007-09 cohorts?

Did ANYONE think Novak would take that Olympic Gold Medal 2 yrs. ago; taking out Alcaraz in the final? He not only won it, he did it in str. sets! :-)2
 

Fiero425

The GOAT
Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
12,274
Reactions
2,869
Points
113
Location
Chicago, IL
Website
fiero4251.blogspot.com
Novak had just had his knee scoped.. that was an amazing victory

IDK why people are still trying to undermine this guy, always saying "he's done" when he keeps surprising "The World!" He went yrs. w/o taking a YEC, but in the twilight of his career he won 2, beating both Alcaraz & Sinner each time; not even dropping sets along the way! What does this man have to do to earn even a taste of respect from the masses? He's not my fave tannis player, but I have to respect his record & what he had to overcome to get there! I really appreciate his tenacity to ignore his detractors! :yawningface::fearful-face::face-with-hand-over-mouth::anxious-face-with-sweat:
 

don_fabio

Grand Slam Champion
Joined
May 2, 2019
Messages
5,003
Reactions
5,481
Points
113
I never tought I would say this, but Zverev grew a pair of cojones. Great set of tennis and nerves of steel in TB.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fiero425

PhiEaglesfan712

Major Winner
Joined
Sep 7, 2022
Messages
1,797
Reactions
1,505
Points
113
Did ANYONE think Novak would take that Olympic Gold Medal 2 yrs. ago; taking out Alcaraz in the final? He not only won it, he did it in str. sets! :-)2
It was possible. Novak played in the Wimbledon final just a few weeks earlier. He's now 2 years older, and declined considerably since then. He hasn't won a title this year (which, if it holds, would be a first since 2005). As we continue on with time, I expect Novak to continue to decline, while the Mensik/Tien/Fonseca/Jodar cohort get better. It's going to be harder for Djokovic to win any title going forward.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fiero425

El Dude

The GOAT
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
11,351
Reactions
7,499
Points
113
Sascha's jump in level this year reminds me a bit of Andy Murray in 2016, when he somehow managed to surpass Novak for YE1 (with help from Fedal having off years). He could have a nice run the next few years and, at least, be a close #3 behind Sincaraz, if he ages well...dude is already 29 (hard to believe).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fiero425

El Dude

The GOAT
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
11,351
Reactions
7,499
Points
113
It was possible. Novak played in the Wimbledon final just a few weeks earlier. He's now 2 years older, and declined considerably since then. He hasn't won a title this year (which, if it holds, would be a first since 2005). As we continue on with time, I expect Novak to continue to decline, while the Mensik/Tien/Fonseca/Jodar cohort get better. It's going to be harder for Djokovic to win any title going forward.
Has he "declined considerably," though? I mean, obviously there was a big drop after 2023 and I think he's continued to decline from 2024 - he's looked old and with less energy than in years past. But I see 2024-26 as more gradual...at worst, he's still the 4th best player on tour (accounting for Zverev's rise).

That said, I don't think he has a snowball's chance in hell at taking the Olympics Gold in 2028. Even if my nitpicking of gradual decline is right, that's still two more years of soft decline and really, I think he'll show up as a symbolic gesture for Serbia, but not being in form to win it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fiero425

Fiero425

The GOAT
Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
12,274
Reactions
2,869
Points
113
Location
Chicago, IL
Website
fiero4251.blogspot.com
Has he "declined considerably," though? I mean, obviously there was a big drop after 2023 and I think he's continued to decline from 2024 - he's looked old and with less energy than in years past. But I see 2024-26 as more gradual...at worst, he's still the 4th best player on tour (accounting for Zverev's rise).

That said, I don't think he has a snowball's chance in hell at taking the Olympics Gold in 2028. Even if my nitpicking of gradual decline is right, that's still two more years of soft decline and really, I think he'll show up as a symbolic gesture for Serbia, but not being in form to win it.

You mean like Nadal in 2024 dragging his weary carcass to Paris just 1 more time before retiring for good? :astonished-face::yawningface::face-with-hand-over-mouth::face-with-tears-of-joy:
 

MargaretMcAleer

The GOAT
Joined
Apr 30, 2013
Messages
55,788
Reactions
34,840
Points
113
Sinner finally got some good reads on Zverev's serve and improved his game off the ground, played a great TB to win the 2nd set 76(2)

Jannik Forza
 

El Dude

The GOAT
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
11,351
Reactions
7,499
Points
113
I'm torn between wanting Jannik to win this because I like him and would think its a shame if he didn't win at least one of the Carlos-less Slams, and Zverev doing the most improbable thing, as of a month ago: Winning the Channel Slam.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fiero425

the AntiPusher

The GOAT
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
18,039
Reactions
7,788
Points
113
I'm torn between wanting Jannik to win this because I like him and would think its a shame if he didn't win at least one of the Carlos-less Slams, and Zverev doing the most improbable thing, as of a month ago: Winning the Channel Slam.
You are afraid of the wrath of my girl if you step out on your faith and root for Sascha.. I know she is taking receipts of today's match. jajajaja