Australian Open 2019, Men's final: 3 things we learned

2. Nadal committed too many unforced errors

Nadal's usually lethal forehand was not good enough yesterday

Nadal committed too many unforced errors in the match to have any realistic chance of winning it. He made 28 errors and frequently hit his forehands too wide or long. It made the job easier for Djokovic, who himself committed only 9 unforced errors.

Nadal’s usually reliable forehand could not do the trick yesterday and he struggled to find his rhythm in the longer rallies. He had some great moments in the match, and did hit some great winners too, but his efforts were not enough to ruffle Djokovic’s resolve. It was a pity, because Nadal is such a great competitor usually and always manages to stretch his opponents in big matches.

He could never get into the groove yesterday and looked a shadow of his usual self. Djokovic has now won 16 of their last 19 matches, and decidedly has the psychological edge over his Spanish rival.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee