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Deep Breaths
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11/16/2009 - 2:25 PM
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 We thought this would be the generation of the giant. We hoped it would be the generation of the stylishly versatile. We, or at least I, have feared that it could turn into the generation of the nice. But after three hours of watching Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils labor their way through the final in Bercy on Sunday, I think I know what to call this current crop of male pros: the Generation of the Heavy Breather. Both guys spent long periods sucking wind—Monfils through his mouth, Djokovic up his nose. Add fellow air seeker Andy Murray to this mix and you can see this sport is taking up its share of the world's oxygen these days.
Fatigue was to be expected, considering what the two finalists had been through to get there. Monfils had won his previous two matches 6-4 in the third, while Djokovic was deep into his second straight full week of play, having beaten Roger Federer in Basel the Sunday before. By the third set yesterday, all of that tennis had taken its toll on the quality of play. After a 43-shot rally to end the second game, both players staggered through a final set that was largely decided by breaks of serve, double faults, missed returns, and exhaustion.
If they weren’t at their best physically, though, Monfils and Djokovic made up it for it emotionally. After winning a crucial point, the Frenchman would spin, grimace, beat his heart with his racquet, and demand that the Parisian fans get to their feet. For once, one of their tennis players had them under his thumb. At the same time, Djokovic fought—himself, his opponent, the moment—with the life-or-death ferocity that had once made him look like the game’s next No. 1 player. His muscle-straining celebration after match point was memorable because it went beyond joy or relief and into the territory of primal release. That’s the other thing about this generation: The code of gentlemanly behavior no longer precludes wearing your heart way out on your sleeve—or going past your sleeve and pointing to your biceps, if you’re so inclined. And the sport is more colorful for it.
Still, for 45 minutes this match looked like it would have no color at all. Djokovic built a speedy 6-2, 3-0 lead by doing just what he had done the day before to Rafael Nadal: He took the ball early and made changing directions with it look like child’s play. Djokovic didn’t need to take the full-blooded, down-the-line swipes he’s famous for; he kept the pressure on with plenty of margin for error.
At the same time, Monfils, as is often the case, couldn’t locate the balance between control and aggression. He veered too far in each direction. During his first service game, Monfils rallied passively. On two occasions, Djokovic took advantage of that and pushed him far into his forehand corner. Both times Monfils, rather than sending back something high and safe, let loose with risky down-the-line bullets that ended up in the net. He was broken, the first set was over 15 minutes later, and it looked Djokovic’s momentum from the previous day would be enough to carry him through.
But if Monfils struggles to find a tactical balance, Djokovic struggles to find one mentally. I speculated last week that Grand Slams are difficult for the Serb because over two weeks he expends so much emotionally, goes through so many ups and downs, has to overcome so much frustration, that he can be spent by the semifinals. By Sunday, he was trying to survive another long two weeks, ones in which he had knocked off both Federer and Nadal. He almost didn’t make it. Up a break in each of the last two sets, Djokovic became oddly negative, slump-shouldered, and testy; he’d lost the balance. As the third-set tiebreaker began, he almost looked resigned to defeat.
This attitude likely came from two factors: (1) Djokovic couldn’t forget the fact that he had lost four Masters finals this year, plus an epic semifinal in a third-set tiebreaker against Nadal in Madrid; and (2) He’s not used to being the clear favorite at this type of tournament. His earlier final-round defeats had come to Nadal (twice), Federer, and Murray. It was hard to imagine either Federer or Nadal, two born front-runners, giving away two big leads in one match to Monfils. This doesn't prove that Djokovic is a choker; rather, it proves how hard it is to win the matches you're supposed to win, and how rare it is to have a guy like Federer who has made it look so routine for so long. Maybe this breakthrough in Paris will make crossing the finish line a little easier for Djokovic in the future. What's more likely, though, is that he'll always struggle to keep his emotions in check.
What does this tournament mean for Monfils? I criticized his flash-over-substance style at the U.S. Open this year, but last week he came as close as he ever has to giving us both. Yes, he went for between-the-legs shots. Yes, he tried his share of jumping forehands. Yes, he threw his arms in the air to get a rise from the crowd at inadvisable moments. And yes, he lost. But his comebacks from the brink on Sunday were impressive and encouraging for two separate reasons.
In the second set, Monfils found the elusive balance between control and aggression by attacking Djokovic’s short second serves, and by using high-bouncing semi-moonballs to work his way into offensive positions in rallies. The latter, a tactic that tied up Andy Roddick at Roland Garros, is a smart way for Monfils to take advantage of his length and leverage without having to leave his comfort zone on the baseline too soon. Few guys can generate the kind of spin and trajectory that he can; it's time for him to make the most of these assets.
Then, in the third set, just when he looked out of gas and out of the match, Monfils leaned on his first serve to get him to the tiebreaker. With Djokovic shaking his head, I thought we were about to see the emergence of a new Monfils: Gael the survivor, the cagey match player, the winner. Instead, he locked up in the breaker and gave the initiative back to Djokovic. The Frenchman didn’t gag away the tiebreaker, but he suddenly lacked a surefire way to win a point, to work himself forward. When it counted, Monfils lost his balance, while Djokovic found his.
They’ve played better matches, but this tournament was a step forward for each guy. If Monfils can give us this much substance in the future, if he can find his way through the close ones, I won’t complain about the pointless flash, the empty calories anymore—I’ll be able to say “that’s Gael being Gael” with a smile rather than a sigh. And really, would we want to see the guy intentionally not hit a forehand from 10 feet in the air? As for Djokovic, I was heartened, if a little frightened, by the return of his family and their us-against-the-world rooting style in Paris—even his girlfriend looked like she was ready to mix it up. If they keep him this motivated, if he tastes the top again, if he can tip his mental balance from frustration back to the hunger he had in 2007, we won’t have to worry about this generation being too nice. If Djokovic and Monfils keep playing matches like this one in 2010, all we'll have to worry about is that there's enough oxygen around to keep them on their feet.
64 Comments
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Posted by Liem |
11/16/2009 at 03:09 PM |
First |
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Posted by H |
11/16/2009 at 03:09 PM |
Hi, Thank your post. I like your vision of the match. |
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Posted by Master Ace |
11/16/2009 at 03:14 PM |
This win was nice for Novak as he finally won tournaments in consecutive weeks for the first time in his career. Now, will he finally be able to defend a title that he won the previous year. |
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Posted by Maria |
11/16/2009 at 03:24 PM |
Very nice article, Steve... Still, I found Monfils overdefensive -- apart from the theatrics, he likes too much to chase down all balls, especially improbable ones. He basically likes the points to be controlled by his opponents because this way he gets to run :) If he were playing a bit more aggresively and tried to thereby control the points himself, he'd be much more successful, I am sure, given all his qualities, good serve, amazing athleticism etc. |
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Posted by lollipop (rafelfole forever) |
11/16/2009 at 03:34 PM |
Thanks for this article steve, really enjoyed it. I agree that Novak has to find his emotional/mental balance, but for sure this win is a step in the right direction. Hopefully he will be able to gain a lot of confidence from this. |
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Posted by Syd |
11/16/2009 at 03:47 PM |
Really nice article, Steve. Thanks. I like your sober analysis of these two.
I think Gael Monfils was the more interesting story of Bercy. I hope Rasheed is able to bring him round to the point where he can harness his enormous athletic ability and make a breakthrough by winning a Masters or even a slam next year. |
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Posted by tina |
11/16/2009 at 04:18 PM |
Fed doesn't always make it look so "routine to win the matches he's supposed to win". He surely was supposed to defeat Julien Benneteau, and was a clear favorite to win at "home" in Basel.
As for the appearance of the family, don't be frightened - I would imagine they flew in because they knew Gael would have huge support in France. I don't think we'll suddenly see them as a major presence on tour again. Leave the lovely Jelena Ristic out of it - you're projecting something ugly onto her that she did nothing to deserve. Like any court-side girlfriend, she seemed nervous and excited. |
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Posted by Ibrahim |
11/16/2009 at 04:30 PM |
"He’s not used to being the clear favorite at this type of tournament (...) It was hard to imagine either Federer or Nadal (...) giving away two big leads in one match to Monfils. This doesn't prove that Djokovic is a choker; rather, it proves how hard it is to win the matches you're supposed to win, and how rare it is to have a guy like Federer who has made it look so routine for so long."
That kind of domination is not rare Mr.Tignor, it's unique. |
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Posted by Roger |
11/16/2009 at 04:35 PM |
With reference to Federer winning routinely, I am sure Steve must have referred to his career between 2004 and 2007. |
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Posted by ladyjulia |
11/16/2009 at 04:45 PM |
"Both guys spent long periods sucking wind—Monfils through his mouth, Djokovic up his nose. Add fellow air seeker Andy Murray to this mix and you can see this sport is taking up its share of the world's oxygen these days."
LOL! |
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Posted by Corleone |
11/16/2009 at 05:00 PM |
I still don't like Djokovic.
GO FEDERER. |
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Posted by Master Ace |
11/16/2009 at 05:29 PM |
Tina,
Unofficial word is that Novak is undefeated when Jelena is watching his matches and agree that his parents will be at fewer tournaments. Did they build a new restaurant in the past 2 years along with purchasing the Serbian Open from Amersfoort? Think Novak parents came to Basel when he made the finals against Roger. |
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Posted by embug |
11/16/2009 at 06:22 PM |
Nice observations, Steve.
After Novak ran up a 6-2 3-0 lead, I was inches from the delete button on the DVR. Then, the tables turned. WOW... the rhythm of your post caught the waves of the match nicely.
As the third set tiebreaker was about to begin, I thought either man could pull it off because of their mental and physical conditions. However, the little (way small) wise voice camped out in the far reaches of my cortex leaned toward Novak. Why? Because Gael did one of his arm-lifting rally cries to pump up the crowd at a moment he should have focused on one out of seven points he'd need to walk away the winner.
He swayed, as you said 'out of balance.' He did cut out much of his antics throughout the week, which saved his energy for tennis. HIs strategic choices showed maturity.
Perhaps next year we'll be seeing his name in the top eight. That'd be sweet. Love to watch that man jump! Oh... just a few jumps will do. |
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Posted by Darko Saric |
11/16/2009 at 06:51 PM |
Svaka cast Nole.Ono je bilo dobro kad si bacio reket i poslao sve u p.... materinu. |
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Posted by Whoever |
11/16/2009 at 06:59 PM |
How did you come up with bringing parents in relation with Nole's hunger? And where the question about his hunger comes from these days? He won 3 out of 4 last tournaments he played and he certainly doesn't go to London less hungry of success.
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Posted by yello fuzzy |
11/16/2009 at 07:14 PM |
Moderator
you might consider deleting Isa's comment at 5:35pm
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Posted by amanda townsend |
11/16/2009 at 07:20 PM |
it was fabulous performance on behalf of Novak.He deserved that win especially after Crushing nadal.I cant believe at time of match point There was agony in face of nadal,hopelessness in eyes he just lookied at that moment to his Girlfriend (who was still wearing same grey shirt)..Fantastic perfprmance by Fox Sports camera man on catching this romantic moment..i loved that part of Mtch...I am hoping to see more Nadal agony in future too:)))))))))
I had enuf of Nadal...Desperately need change..wishing he will knock out in first round of LONDON..gets injured..whatever |
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Posted by Master Ace |
11/16/2009 at 07:23 PM |
Yello Fuzzy,
Agreed with your 7:14 PM post on a comment that needs to be deleted |
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Posted by amanda townsend |
11/16/2009 at 07:29 PM |
i wish nadal will lose,something will happen to him he will get injured..he just needs to spend time on same mallorca beach with his skinny gorilfriend ..well he doeasnt need to play in london.
nadal take your injury time and dont come to london |
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Posted by etheralx23crisis |
11/16/2009 at 07:31 PM |
GO NOLE! |
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Posted by embug |
11/16/2009 at 07:33 PM |
yes, please, moderator... delete Isa's comment. Thank you. |
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Posted by Veka |
11/16/2009 at 07:40 PM |
Why is this article focusing so much on the negatives? Here is Djokovic winning two tornaments in two weeks beating home players in the finals...beating Nadal ina breathtaking fashion.winning 3 out of 4 tournaments...Monfils first Masters final....and again the talk of the parents...even his gf is now a thorn in the eye...yes they must be evil .heavy breathing.instead of well deserved praise you deliver underhanded hits. yes, biased and disappointing writing...I'm disappointed... |
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Posted by Bibi |
11/16/2009 at 07:44 PM |
It looks like Novak will have to prove much more to deserve another "Nole's Best Impersonation Yet" style article from Steve, which is completely understandable.
Congratulations Novak and please continue being yourself-it works.
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Posted by mad about fed |
11/16/2009 at 08:34 PM |
MODERATOR
i third the motion to delete isa's comment. likening a "black man" to a monkey is a racial slur and i thought those things were not allowed on this sight. |
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