Tennis Today: Perfection-chasing Novak Djokovic backed to surpass Rafael Nadal in GOAT race

Fabio Fognini says he is ready to repeat his Monte-Carlo masterpiece and beat Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to the French Open title.

Michael Graham
November 11, 2019

In Tennis Today, a former Grand Slam semi-finalist has explained why Novak Djokovic will ultimately surpass Rafael Nadal, and the Serb has explained his outburst of frustration despite dominating Matteo Berrettini on Sunday.

What’s on the site
Rafael Nadal is due to get his ATP Finals campaign underway today, assuming there is no late withdrawal due to injury. But is he making a mistake by trying to push through it? One of tennis’ top analysts has exclusively told us he just might be.

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have, of course, already started their journeys in the tournament, and with very mixed fortunes.

Both are positive, though. Roger Federer has described what happened on Sunday as ‘just a hiccup,’ while Djokovic is already looking ahead to their clash on Thursday.

Someone else who is looking ahead to what appears to be a very bright future is Jannik Sinner, and you can watch the video highlights of his Next Gen Finals win right here to get an idea about why so many are talking about him.

It was a disappointing weekend for Ashleigh BArty and Australia though, who suffered some Fed Cup heartbreak.

What’s in the news
Novak Djokovic probably gave a bit of an insight into just why he is a 16-time Grand Slam winner on Sunday.

The world number two beat Matteo Berrettini 6-2, 6-1 at the ATP Finals, but even that wasn’t good enough to meet his high expectations of himself.

Indeed, when he was broken at 4-0 up in the second set, he reacted angrily on court, but he has explained it was frustration borne of chasing perfection.

“I mean, look, you know – yes, to answer your question simply, probably yes, is no other reasonable explanation than trying to play as perfect as possible. But I guess that’s me, you know,” Djokovic said, as reported in the Express.

“Everyone is different. Throughout my career, I always intended and always tried to perfect my game and, you know, in the midst of a battle and heat of the moment, sometimes you just get frustrated with certain things regardless of the results.

“Sometimes I really don’t mind the results as much as I care about the execution of certain shots or tactics or whatever it is. That’s all it is.”

Sticking with Djokovic, he has also been backed to surpass both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal – because he is more durable.

“I think his game is less demanding physically,” Tim Henman said, as per Metro.

“Obviously he’s a great athlete and does a lot of running, but when you look at Rafa there’s an enormous amount of stress that goes through his body, particularly with his style of play on clay.”

“I think Djokovic has got plenty of years at the top ahead of him.”

What’s on social media

Keep those fingers crossed for Rafa…

Update? Ok, I’m in London happy to be here. Taking it day by day after Paris (small abdominal tear). I need to see how things go, started serving yesterday very slowly. Right now the main goal is to be ready on Monday following the protocols that the doctor gave me

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) November 8, 2019

The Williams are on holiday. Not jealous at all. Not one bit. Honest.

View this post on Instagram

V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N

A post shared by Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr. (@olympiaohanian) on Nov 9, 2019 at 5:58am PST

No rest for Petra Kvitova, though…

View this post on Instagram

Where else would I spend Sunday in the off-season? 💁‍♀️😇

A post shared by Petra Kvitova (@petra.kvitova) on Nov 10, 2019 at 4:46am PST