Chris Almeida: So we just went through what for a long time felt like a repeat of last year’s French Open between Djokovic and Nadal. This one was also a four setter, also incredibly long, lasted more than four hours, there were also very long, drag-out knockdown rallies. Very very long games. But this time, Nadal seemed to have all the answers. Last year he faded physically at the end of the match and this time, despite a severe leg injury, he looked great and took a victory from four sets: 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7 -6 (7-4).
John Wertheim: This is part of the beauty of rivalry. Everything can be Magic 8 Ball characters. We are looking for Djokovic’s favor, he has not lost in 22 consecutive sets. It was thought that it would be much easier for him here. He had no injuries to his feet, he was round in shape, he won a night game. And then we got the exact opposite of what most people predicted, namely: Nadal started fast.
Now in 51 of 59 games, the player who won the first set won the game. Djokovic looked a little confused and a little awkward. And honestly, he was lucky to win the set he won. Nadal had a double break to start this second set.
And in a way, it was a mystifying performance for the defending championship. Given that everything was breaking Djokovic’s path [heading into the match]- Nadal had a long match from the fourth round and is a year older and played under Djokovic, and Djokovic took him the last time they played here – I was surprised that he did not have a little more energy and a few more answers. And part of that is proof of their rivalry. I really think the crowd may have gotten a little into Djokovic’s head. He wasn’t quite on Federer’s level at Wimbledon, but they were very much in Nadal’s corner. And they stayed until the end. And no one will be surprised that Rafael Nadal won a match at the French Open, but I think in a strange way it was a little disappointing.
CA: definitely. When someone asked me who I thought would win this tournament, I said… it was Djokovic. right? He was in great shape and healthy. So, I think the big difference between the two situations you mentioned – playing Federer on the center court and playing Nadal here on Shatrie – is that I don’t think Nadal tightens up in moments like this. You know a lot you see how Federer feels the weight of match points, even when serving for them. And here, you know that Nadal will fight back, even if he is in conditions that are against him, and here nothing was against him. The crowd supports him. And with someone like Nadal on the other side of the net, it’s probably harder for Djokovic to get into the zone and do whatever he does – imagining that the fans are actually chanting his name or all that.
JW: Now, also keep in mind that Nadal played more than four hours in the fourth round. So it’s not that he played his first game and everyone said, “yes, the leg was fine,” and then he rested for two weeks. But he went through a lot of wear and tear and had a game of more than four hours just to get here. Still, this leg injury looked good. And it was a strange match and there wasn’t much rhythm … I think Nadal is masterful in creating these stories in his head: He told me that the other day: this could be my last match. I have to pretend that this could be my last game on this great court.
Now, is that true? Probably not, but I think that’s one of the ways he outwitted him and put him in the space where he thinks. The pressure is on the other person. I am pleased with what has been achieved. And it’s good if I never play again.
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To get nervous, I think this is a good insight on your part. I don’t think Nadal is getting tight, you know, they took a few matchballs and he had a 3-0 lead in the second set that he missed. I think he’s really tight, but I think he’s different from Federer.
CA: Yes of course. Everyone’s tightening up, but maybe I should say it looks less noticeable. And here he had enough of the difference that … five matchballs is a long time to get together.
Anyway! In the next round, Nadal received Alexander Zverev, which may not be exactly what we expected at the beginning of today. Zverev had a tough match against Alcaraz, which he pulled out.
JW: I don’t think Nadal was against this result …
CA: Yes, I mean, if you want to talk about someone who is cracking under pressure … I think that’s a big advantage for Nadal in the semifinals. And if the audience was even a little divided today, I think it will be entirely on Nadal’s side in the next round.
JW: I mean, you never know what’s going on with someone who’s 36 and someone with an injury problem like that, but it certainly seems to be in line for him.
It’s fun. Tournaments are supposed to be harder and harder, but for Nadal, he is now looking at less difficult opponents as he continues. Obviously Zverev is a very nice player and can move and can play on clay. He has beaten Nadal on clay before, but not in major. I think Nadal is definitely the favorite from now on.
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