Smart move this from Novak to bash minnows, get the tournament and get some match practice ahead of the crucial tournaments.

He can only win atp 250 going forward...lol

Any outside chance Novak had last year, was lost already in semis, when he should have finished in 3, not 5 sets. Had no chance against Nadal who had a easy run to finals.

The main reason Nadal is successful in RG is that he is only pushed to 5 sets twice in 15 years before finals. As nadal is getting old if he is pushed to 5 sets this year in QFs/SFs that may effect him in the finals.



But djokovic last year too had a easy run to the semis. I don't think for a player like djokovic stamina must have been a issue and match was player in his favourable conditions. Nadal played some of his best tennis that day and djokovic had no answers. May be he should have tried something different.

Looking at the draw I see novak winning this tournament without losing a set...

Djokovic will walk this tournament. Hopefully Djokovic and Nadal are at their best for RG. Tsitsipas has been in great form and with Thiem should make the tournament more exciting

If he avoids Dan Evans he may even win the French

Very smart kusha. And it is another title, it gives you confidence boost...win win everyway you see it.

Looks like Novak prepared better than Rafa for RG....

A lot better. I always say this lately, but this year i really dont see Rafa winning RG.

Diego you were optimistic too last year but he thrashed djoker in the finals against the odds. Can't bet against Nadal on RG even though he doesn't wins any tournament before RG.

It's never how it looks like!

This tournaments still doesn't mean much when RG came.

Bastion, I agree. He was cruising in that semi and needed to finish that match in 3. I think he expended too much mental and physical energy that day and simply wasn't ready for the intensity that Rafa brought to the court at the final. It was still an inexplicable performance by Nole, especially with the implications of the match - but that's how it goes sometimes. All in all, Nole had a really really bad day and Nadal had a really really good day (for the umpteenth time). The worst possible scenario for any chance of an upset. I do believe though, should they meet again in the final at RG, Nole will not play like that again. He's been close to beating him several times over the years and although Rafa is nearly invincible on that court, every dog has his day. He can be beaten. We'll see what happens. I'd love for a rematch of course!