jannik's record when it comes to longer matches is very interesting, because, yes, it's all very physical, but more than that, it's mental, like we saw today. the robot narrative is so detrimental because it completely disregards how humans work. i can act perfectly calm while completely losing it, and, frankly, i think jannik does the same at a much more intense level. you can see it in the microexpressions, when he's feeling hopeful, when he's feeling hesitant. frankly, the only time i saw the trademark focus in his eyes after the first set was when novak had those two match points. jannik does lose his shit, and he lost it today. also, very interesting that carlos, on the other hand, thrives in these conditions. there have been so many times where carlos has been more focused, but the exhibitionism masks that.
i don't mean to question jannik's mental strength at all, that's not what this is. to come back from those three months, to come back from rg, requires the kind of fortitude only a precious few possess. i just think we need to allow him space to breathe, because the narrative (for both of them, but especially for him) can be so exhausting.
that said, i would love it if we could go back to focused, locked in jannik, since i really don't know how to explain to the non-tennis people that nothing matters to me anymore because my favourite player lost a match. because they really don't get how monumental this is.