Roland Garros / French Open 2025 [Men] - Grand Slam

[Moxie]

I would have loved to have seen Sinner go against Prime Rafa on Chatrier. He has absolutely no problem with high balls to his backhand, just like Novak. Don't get me wrong, I think Rafa wins. I just think he would be forced to play differently against him. I suspect he would employ more drop shots and come to the net. Rather like Carlito does when he plays Sinner. Rafa's movement on clay is still the best there's ever been..

Everyone, including you, is saying how much he plays like Novak, so I'm not sure how surprising it would be. Sinner's taller, though, and less inclined to get discouraged. But you did say Prime Rafa, and even Novak couldn't beat prime Rafa here. He only beat him old and hampered.

 

[Front242]

Everyone, including you, is saying how much he plays like Novak, so I'm not sure how surprising it would be. Sinner's taller, though, and less inclined to get discouraged. But you did say Prime Rafa, and even Novak couldn't beat prime Rafa here. He only beat him old and hampered.

He wasn't old in 2015. He's only a year older than Novak...

 

[Federberg]

Everyone, including you, is saying how much he plays like Novak, so I'm not sure how surprising it would be. Sinner's taller, though, and less inclined to get discouraged. But you did say Prime Rafa, and even Novak couldn't beat prime Rafa here. He only beat him old and hampered.

exactly. Even though I think Alcaraz is better on clay, I find that match up more fascinating, purely because of what Rafa would be forced to do. Btw... I also think Carlos against Rafa would be interesting. I'm just not sure if mentally Alcaraz would play his best

 

[Federberg]

Damn! Sinner is so good he's actually making me feel sorry for Novak. I honestly didn't think that was possible

 

[Moxie]

exactly. Even though I think Alcaraz is better on clay, I find that match up more fascinating, purely because of what Rafa would be forced to do. Btw... I also think Carlos against Rafa would be interesting. I'm just not sure if mentally Alcaraz would play his best

Oh, I think Alcaraz v Prime Rafa would be fabulous...thrilling! I don't see why you don't think mentally he would play his best?

 

[don_fabio]

If Novak loses this 3:0 it will be his best slam performance with that scoreline. He deserves a set here!

 

[El Dude]

 

[Federberg]

Oh, I think Alcaraz v Prime Rafa would be fabulous...thrilling! I don't see why you don't think mentally he would play his best?

the way he plays Novak, there seems to be some residual hero worship there. If he has it for Novak, imagine what it would be like versus Rafa or Roger?

 

[Federberg]

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in English?

 

[El Dude]

in English?

Ha...it is fixed.

 

[Fiero425]

If Novak loses this 3:0 it will be his best slam performance with that scoreline. He deserves a set here!

Novak's had multiple set points, but Jannik isn't being magnanimously or respectfully donating much of anything to the GOAT! Tie-Break?

 

[El Dude]

Not sure I've ever seen a top player so seemingly emotionally impervious to pressure, as Jannik Sinner. I'm not saying he isn't feeling it, but he doesn't seem to show it or get rattled all that much.

 

[Federberg]

I heard a crazy stat that Novak hasn't broken Sinner if 40+ games?

 

[El Dude]

I haven't watched much of this match, but Novak seems to be in that mode where if his opponent doesn't get a good 1st serve in, Novak is virtually impossible to score a winner against.

 

[El Dude]

The signature Novak smash. Ouch.

 

[Moxie]

Not sure I've ever seen a top player so seemingly emotionally impervious to pressure, as Jannik Sinner. I'm not saying he isn't feeling it, but he doesn't seem to show it or get rattled all that much.

Rafa.

 

[Front242]

OMFG, that overhead.

 

[El Dude]

Rafa.

Rafa would express more emotion, imo - especially when he won key points.

 

[El Dude]

Well, Sinner is pretty good. At this point, watching his form, I'm giving him a slight edge over Alcaraz.

 

[Moxie]

the way he plays Novak, there seems to be some residual hero worship there. If he has it for Novak, imagine what it would be like versus Rafa or Roger?

I wouldn't say that's true. See 2 wimbledon finals. And see how he played both of them in the Madrid tournament that announced him to the world. Anyway, you said Prime Rafa, so we were just comparing the tennis, I thought. Prime Rafa wouldn't be his hero, right?