Nadal, Errani Shocked; Tuesday Preview at Wimbledon

by Staff | June 25th, 2013, 12:51 am
  • 198 Comments

A knee-addled Rafael Nadal exited Wimbledon in the first round Monday when Challenger-level player Steve Darcis defeated the No. 5-seeded Spaniard and former champ 7-6(4), 7-6(8), 6-4.
ADHEREL
After his win at Roland Garros two weeks ago, Nadal withdrew from his scheduled grasscourt appearance in Halle due to knee pain. Against Darcis, Nadal appeared to be moving gingerly at the beginning of the match and was limping by the third set.

“Sometimes you play well and you have the chance to win,” Nadal said. “Sometimes you play worse and your opponent plays well and you lose. I just want to congratulate Darcis. I think he played a fantastic match. At the end is not a tragedy. That is sport.”

Top 10-seeded winners on opening day were No. 2 Andy Murray defeating German Benjamin Becker, No. 3 Roger Federer over Victor Hanescu, No. 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga topping Belgian David Goffin, and No. 10 Marin Cilic over Marcos Baghdatis, all in straight sets.


“I was moving pretty well even though I thought it was quite slippery, because it is opening Monday,” said the defending champion Federer. “I think I handled that well. Was just a bit of a breeze and it was cold. I’m happy to get out of there early and quickly. So it was a perfect day.”

Murray, carrying British hopes as usual, came into Wimbledon on the heels of a victory at Queen’s Club.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself. I expect a lot of myself,” Murray said. “It matters what’s going on in my head, what I’m feeling while I’m on the court. And I think I’ve done a good job of putting that other stuff to the back of my head and just concentrate on what’s going on out there.”

Also orchestrating upsets Monday were former champ Lleyton Hewitt dismissing No. 11 Stan Wawrinka, Serb Viktor Troicki ousting No. 14-seeded countryman Janko Tipsarevic, and Jurgen Melzer bouncing No. 30 Fabio Fognini from a set down.

Notable unseeded winners into the second round were Fernando “Hot Sauce” Verdasco who defeated Xavier “X-Man” Malisse from a set down, Ernests Gulbis, Nicolas Mahut, and Radek “The Worm” Stepanek.

Entertaining meetings to look for Tuesday at the All England Club are (13) Tommy Haas vs. Dmitry Tursunov, (19) Gilles Simon vs. Feliciano “F-Lo” Lopez, (21) Sam Querrey vs. Bernard Tomic, and (28) Jeremy Chardy vs. Ryan Harrison.

The No. 5 seed also lost on the women’s side Monday as claycourter Sara Errani was strummed 6-3, 6-2 by Puerto Rican riser Monica Puig.

“It’s great to pull off some big career wins and getting over the fear of closing out those matches, which was my problem at the beginning of the year,” Puig said. “I had a very good run at the French Open, getting to the third round, and it’s good to build on that momentum…It takes some time to get used to the grass and I’m trying to adjust my game a little bit.”

Top 10-seeded winners were No. 2 Victoria Azarenka rolling Portugal’s Maria Joao Koehler despite a scary fall on the grass, No. 3 Maria Sharapova struggling past French former junior Wimbledon champ Kristina Mladenovic 7-6(5), 6-3, No. 8 seed and former champ Petra Kvitova fighting past fellow big hitter Coco Vandeweghe of the U.S. 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, and No. 9 Caroline Wozniacki pounding Spaniard Estrella Cabeza Candela.

“It felt really painful,” said Azarenka, who fell and twisted her knee leading 6-1, 1-0, crying while being treated before resuming the match. “One moment it was getting better, then it was inconsistent — but I just wanted to give everything I had on the court even though I knew it could get worse out there…I’m pretty proud of the way I programmed my mind and took it one at a time, because it’s never easy. At one point I couldn’t even see the ball — all I could think about was what happened. So that shock took a while for me to get over.”

Sharapova put down a stern challenge from the Frenchwoman Mladenovic after edging out a first-set tiebreak.

“I had a really tough first round. I expected it,” Sharapova said. “I knew she would come out playing extremely well. I think she has a good game for the grasscourts. She has, as you saw, a very good serve, a good first serve. The first set we didn’t break each other. Women’s tennis, kind of rare.”

Czech qualifier Eva Birnerova was the other upset-maker Monday, bouncing No. 26 Varvara Lepchenko 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

Unseeded winners of note into the second round were Serb Bojana Jovanovski edging Croatian qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic 9-7 in the third, Canadian Eugenie Bouchard, Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, Portuguese qualifier Michelle Larcher De Brito beating American Melanie Oudin in three, (WC) Andrea Petkovic, and Czech qualifier Petra Cetkovska ending Croat riser Donna Vekic’s Wimbledon 6-3, 6-1.

Matches to look for Tuesday are bountiful, including (1) Serena Williams vs. Luxembourg’s Mandy Minella, (10) Maria Kirilenko vs. Brit favorite Laura Robson, Brit Heather Watson vs. American Madison Keys, veteran Bethanie Mattek-Sands vs. (7) Angelique Kerber, grass specialist Michaella Krajicek vs. (6) Na Li, (21) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs. grasscourt specialist Tsvetana Pironkova, (32) Klara Zakopalova vs. veteran Daniela Hantuchova, (31) Romina Oprandi vs. American riser Alison Riske, Spanish veteran Anabel Medina Garrigues vs. (24) Shuai Peng, and (23) Sabine Lisicki vs. Slam champ Francesca Schiavone.

 


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198 Comments for Nadal, Errani Shocked; Tuesday Preview at Wimbledon

metan Says:

Quote At the end it is not a tragedy. Well said Rafa.

Have rest and come back strong!!


moam Says:

I didn’t really think Nadal’s movement was impaired by the knee. Only Rafa knows that for sure.
I’ve never thought he plays his best tennis in early rounds but I’m still shocked that he lost first round.
Darcis however played quite possibly the best match of his career and deserves to be applauded for the effort.
http://martinstake128.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/darcis-channels-rosol-in-defeat-of-nadal/


metan Says:

@moam. Thanks for the link.


Sienna Says:

Here we go again.
Questions about the knee have been raised and of course dearest Rafa will not blame his knee for the loss.

They will wait a few weeks before retiring the rest of the season.

This is his new schedule!!!

Havent you payed attentieon what happened last year. He cannot out of the blue take rest or go on holiday. He is a claycourter not a tennisplayer.
Last year they made the choice of not competing in the second part of the year. the courts are to quick for him to keep having auro of an elite player. Imagine him playing the remainder of the year and losing early rounds to rosollike and Darcis like players. That just not bode well with fans and commercial venues.

So in order to keep a good money machine going he plays all out in the clay swing. The only HC tourney he enters is of his good friend in Miami. Well that is almost a claycourt.

next year we will see the same thing but it would be even more difficult to win Garros.

There is a 80% chance that nadal has won his last slam. Where Roger can continue at WImbly and US Open to stay among the potential slamwinners.

Rafa is declining so hard next year he will not defend his clay points and faal out of top 5.


Margie Says:

Rafa is not the first player who loose inthe first round, federer, and others did loose also,he’s having problem with that damn grass remember he’s the King of Gravel…and Darcis played a very good game….


Wog boy Says:

Bojana,

I hope you around and you will read this post. Just want to say thank you for your nice post from the other thread
It takes much more than few frustrated Rafa fans, I mean their man lost EIGHT finals against our man, SEVEN of them in a raw, THREE of them GS finals, to kick me out of TX. It is true I decided to step back, but it was our people who made do that since they told me that I am not good Nole fan and don’t represent our old country the way I should, so I decided to step back and ivited them to step in and show me the right way. Unfortunately they are nowhere to be seen on TX since then. They are one of those armchair Nole fans and Serbs.

To answer your question about draws and who is favorite to win Wimbledon, I do give advantage to Andy or Roger. They are more comfortable and natural on grass than No1e. As for No1e, I am just worried that he doesn’t do one of those walkabouts the he did few times this year, ones when nobody can find him on tennis court though he is physically there. In that case he might follow Rafa and have strawberry together. The diiference ia that Nole play #33 and Rafa played #135.

I hope everything is well in you life and your studies are going well. Stay safe.

BTW, do we still have a deal about your girlfriends in Kragujevac. If they are too young for me i can take their mothers for a drink … as long as their fathers don’t know;)
God willing, I should be there next year for Guca Festival.
You know what they say “It is not Woodstock, it is not Carneval in Rio, it is Guča (Gucha)”.


Wog boy Says:

Bojana,

Sorry, quite a few spelling mistakes, but you will get it:)


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Wogboy i dont know if you believe me but for what its worth i think your a great Nole fan.


Wog boy Says:

hippy chic,

All sweet, forget about it.

This one is for you:

http://youtu.be/DSlSaGcc0QM


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Wogboy phew thankyou,and thanks for the song,glad we are still friends,im actually in tears now sorry(sniff sniff),my virtual tongue sometimes gets the better of me :)..


Kimberly Says:

It takes much more than few frustrated Rafa fans, I mean their man lost EIGHT finals against our man, SEVEN of them in a raw, THREE of them GS finals, to kick me out of TX

Wog Boy—-and your guy has lost one or two important matches against Rafa in his time. If you are going to bring up the 8 finals please remember there are a few titles No1e doesn’t have because of Rafa (Olympic gold and roland garros). Rafa lost to him, 15 times, 7 times in a year, 8 times in finals. He also beat him 20 times last time I checked. I don’t know who pissed u off but showing up the day Rafa suffers a mortifying loss and bringing up his record to NOle? Sounds like u are still bitter from RG.


Michael Says:

It is nice to know that the misunderstanding has been cleared between our Wog Boy and Alison. Many Cheers !!


Wog boy Says:

Kimberly,

You are very wrong, I just came back from great holiday at Great Barrier Reef and I feel great. Do you think I have nothing better to do but post on TX during my holiday. You should go there, it is very popular with Americans.
You should know better than that, you cannot do better in H2H if your man doesn’t turn up for HC/indoor season and the other two regulary turn up for clay court season and give your man chance to improve his H2H. Lets see: Olympic games, Rogers Cup, Cincinnati, USO, Tokyo, Shanghai, Paris masters, WTF, AO2013, Miami2013 … do you believe that his H2H with Nole would be 20:15 if he turned up for those tournaments that he always play ( I leave Roger and Andy out of this), that is only for the last year, what about previous years.
One more thing, I didn’t turn up after this Rafa loss, I have been here for the last three years, BTW what did you expect me to do, to cry because Rafa lost? He will be back kicking the back side of the others again … knee permited.


Thomas Says:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPNKcYrtp4k

LOL! This is a hilarious video :D


Brando Says:

@Kimberly: of course the clown is still peeved at that RG loss. He’s delusional: he thought Rafa took 7 months out just to prepare a plan on how to beat Novak. Really now? So he took 7 months out when he was beating him 3-0, leading the race to come up with a better game plan. LOL, what an idiot. The guy is an overly attached, overly emotional Novak fan: he probably thinks Novak is the Second Coming or something. The special child. Ultimately: if he wants to talk Rafa v Novak then let him talk his rubbish. The record books, peers, ex pros and even Novak himself (an intelligent and respectful individual) know were Rafa’s standing in the game is compared to him. In a different class. So ignore the petty chump, he’s just a sour fool. Had Rafa not lost yesterday this opportune hyena wouldn’t even be around blogging: still moping over the RG loss.


Wog boy Says:

And the BOTTOM LINE is …


Brando Says:

….stay off the donkey cheese: it’s playing havoc with your blogging!


grendel Says:

Hi, Wogboy, nice to see you again.

Everyone is saying Murray benefits from Nadal’s exit. In one obvious sense, yes. But suppose Federer had beaten Nadal, probably in an exhausting 5 setter. Then Murray would be there to mop up the pieces. Now, however, IF Murray meets Federer, he (Federer) is likely to be fresh and strong.


Wog boy Says:

Not good enough, I live in Australia, no donkey cheese, I will give you one more chance … and the BOTTOM LINE is …

You are not paying attention, no good!!

And the BOTTOM LINE is …


nadalista Says:

For Rafans, nice words from Muzza!

“I’m sure there will be people writing Rafa off left, right and centre because he lost in the first round, but that happens sometimes. He’ll be back. ”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23035934

#Friends


Brando Says:

I think it’s clear now that Rafa lost in straight sets- not a tough, close 5 setter- that he would have struggled v Fed. I think the advantage- if there is one, and I doubt it personally seeing how Rafa lost- is firstly to Fed: easy path or clearer route to SF. Then Muzza: he won’t face a tough matchup, historically speaking. Right now though I think both Fed and Muzza are in a great situation: great form, moment, nice draw and should the potential SF not be a gruelling 5 setter (on grass I doubt it) both will be primed for the final.


Brando Says:

Oh my, poor you. So the donkey looked for some cheese but had no luck. Bummer.


skeezer Says:

Yes many more intriging matchups left to be played. Rafa is out, time to enjoy the rest of the greatest of Slams, Wimby. Of the lower ranked top guys, looking forward to see how Tsonga and Haas do. Big Isner should get through a few rounds, and ita nice to see his BFF Mahut playing well as of late.


Wog boy Says:

Hi Grendel,

Thanks,

It is really nice to see you and read your posts, it has been long time.
To be honest, Nole benefits the most from Nadal’s exit, it dents Nadal’s race for #1 this year, as long as he doesn’t bomb out early.
Just watching Tomic and Querrey, if Tomic has only 50% of Hewitt’s mental strenght he would be top 5 by now. Really big talent.


Brando Says:

@Nadalista: thanks for that. Awesome to see. Muzza is a good friend of Rafa’s for sure. Full support for him now and his title challenge. He’s got what it takes to win this title: go get it Muzza!


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Steve O from another thread i cannot remember which,appreciate the sentiments but there is no need,im fine with the loss,the better player won end of story,no big deal,not the end of the world,as you so rightly say its only a game,far worse things happen in the real world,i have my own personal health issues in the real world ATM,so to put things into perspective regarding Rafas loss i think ill get over it.


Wog boy Says:

@9:34am

Try again, I told you, you are not paying attention, no good!!

And the BOTTOM LINE is …


grendel Says:

Really bizarre situation. Dodig just broke Kohlschreiber in the 5thset, and Kohls calmly marched to the chairs to pick up his gear, saying “that’s it, I’m tired”.

Muted applause. But no jeering. British reserve? Perhaps, but also I suspect people were just stunned.

Kohlschreiber has never struck me as the type to dig in and fight. (His opponent today, Dodig, is by contrast a real terrier. He’s not in your face in the Connors/Hewitt/Nadal tradition, but he’s just as tough). But Kohls is a very gifted player for whom the sky might have been the limit. However, there’s a whiny, petulant side to him, the world owes me a living side. And in tennis, you cannot expect to thrive on talent alone.

What an odd departure, though.


jane Says:

Wot, grendel? So was it classified a “retirement” then? Bizarre.

I thought Delpo had almost lost the plot there in the second set, when he lost a string of games in a row, but he came back around and finished strongly.


Ty Says:

Kohl’s levee broke.

Almost a scene out of Dostoevsky. It reminded me straight off of Anastassya Filippovna’s father rotting away in a madhouse after his house went down in flames on the day he was to acquire the deed. Everyone has a breaking point. Tennis is definitely the game that can get a person there. On the face of it, the game SHOULD be able to be played perfectly.


jane Says:

“The Idiot” via Special K. Nice.


Danny Morris Says:

Murray must have said the same thing after the Rosol loss and we did see Rafa going back….. to mallorca!

Murray can barely win a GS title, please leave the tennis analysis to people who can analyze and process information better than you and YES it is different from just trying to put a ball in a tennis box.

If murray was such a great tennis analyst, he would have found a solution to his 1-5 record in slam finals, no? In my book, he is fast going down the Safin route of being an underachiever. Ofcourse, Safin had more talent than murray and he also had a much more “fun” life/personality than murray – so I wonder what murray’s analysis is for not performing to his full potential.

Maybe it is his defensive mindset that doesn’t let him give a great chance at “killing a point”

Regarding Kohli: talk about wasting talent. Him and Gulbis and gasquet and berdych should get counselling from hewitt/simon/ferrer on how to make the utmost of one’s abilities


the DA Says:

This Morris dancer is a laugh-a-minute. Such a ray of sunshine.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Kirilenko is getting out played by our girl Laura Robson,leading by a set and a break,yay go Laura :)..


Danny Morris Says:

The biggest jokers in the tennis world are murray fans, you can say a laugh a nano-second.


jane Says:

I didn’t realize Mayer is a two-time quarterfinalist at Wimbledon. I knew he was in the quarters last year, as Nole had to play him. Not sure which other year he went that deep. Anyhow, he is definitely a first round opponent to be wary of, glad Nole’s been focused from the start.

Poll on ESPN: which guy outside the top 4 is most likely to win the title?

Hmm, Tsonga? Delpo? Berd?


Danny Morris Says:

Nole looks on course to the championship match on Sunday. It is going to take a special player with a great performance to beat him.

My updated predictions:

Nole 70%,

Federer 20%,

Murray 9.99%.

delpotro, tsonga, haas, cilic or berdych = 0.009%

(rest of the field – darcis) = 0.0009%

Darcis = .0001% [*WINKS* at rafa fans]

Anyone who wants to learn decimal additions:

Here is an exercise for you : please check if all those numbers add to 100%.

You are most welcome,

Signed:

tennis-x’s resident “Greg Sharko” = Danny Morris.


Danny Morris Says:

Jane, I would say Tsonga – but he will have to likely go through murray, fed and then nole. Delpo/berdych have the advantage of going through only 2 of the top 3 grass courters in the last 2 years.

How about haas? can he unfurl his magic and make up for all those lost years?


Wog boy Says:

Solid game Nole, time for bed.


jane Says:

^ Ack! Nole could have to go through Haas, Berd and Delpo in succession, all before the final, so yeah, they make me nervous. All 3 have beaten Nole – on grass. Personally I don’t see that as easy, but it all depends on how the draw plays out, because one just never knows, does one.


jane Says:

Yes, solid WB. Nite.


pitchaboy Says:

If Federer wins SF, he will win the trophy. He will beat Novak or Ferrer with ease on grass. If Berdych comes through, there could be a match if the good Berd shows up. Fed’s problems are on his side of the draw. One is gone; two remain in the form of Murray and Tsonga. He will likely face one of them in the SF.


Danny Morris Says:

Jane. The guy is on a 12 slam semi-final streak and 16slam consecutive quarter streak.

Please get a grip of yourself. Remember underestimating your favorite is as much a crime/mistake/folly as gloating about them. You must have been hanging too much with the murray fans.

You can say I have been hanging too much with the rafa fans and hence over-estimating Nole’s chances, but I think I am closer to reality than you are!


pitchaboy Says:

This is why H2H with Nadal is tricky to analyze. When he is playing lousy, he is gone in first week and will not be around; if he is around second week, he is the most dangerous player around. He is inconsistent except at the FO. This is why in my estimate, he never enters GOAT discussion.


pitchaboy Says:

Novak should easily go through to finals; however, he will be praying Fed is not on the other side. I dont believe he has ever taken him out on grass.


Danny Morris Says:

pitchaboy:

Nole is a bigger threat to Roger than Tsonga/Berdych. Ideally murray would pose the greatest threat to Roger, but I am not sure he believes, deep down that he can beat Federer on Grass. I know he won olympics, but is it a coincidene that both the times murray beat Fed in a best of 5 match, Fed was coming off a very physical match?

Say Fed comes into the semis, gliding and floating like he did at 2008 USO, 2010 AO and 2012 Wimbledon. Does murray believe he can go toe to toe with the greatest Grass courter to have walked this planet? Even more to the point, will it be enough? The jury is out.

If Fed keeps up his 2012 grass court form like he has been doing and doesn’t go AWOL like 30+ tennis pros with 1100+ matches tend to do, I would say his biggest threats to the title would be

a) Melzer [a lefty and a very talented player]

b) janowicz/isner/hewitt

c) murray

d) nole

e) darcis [ i mean beating the 2nd best grass court player of last 10 years should mean something, no? LOL!]


the DA Says:

“Nole is a bigger threat to Roger than Tsonga/Berdych”

Funny. The two players to have beaten Roger on grass is a bigger threat than the one who never has. Those are some sharp ‘sharko’ skills. LOL


the DA Says:

Error:

The two players to have beaten Roger on grass are not as big a threat than the player who never has. It was worth reposting for the double LOL.


RZ Says:

Yay, great win for Laura Robson! I’m hoping she can make a few rounds here.


Ben Pronin Says:

Is anyone else confused by some of these comments? The grass is slow and Nadal only wins because it’s slow. But Federer has won more Wimbledons than Nadal in this “slow grass” era. And so Federer is the greatest grass court player of all time? But he’s winning on slow grass. And, if we’re to infer anything, since Nadal wins on slow grass then slow grass is inferior to fast grass (ie, grass of the 90s and before). And so Federer has all of his titles on inferior grass. But somehow he’s the greatest grass court player ever. What???


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

YAY Congrats Laura Robson on taking out Krilenko another top 10 scalp,she faces a qualifier next,so heres hoping she can take that form into the next match and make round three.


the DA Says:

@Ben – He was muddled in his previous guise. Nothing has changed.


pitchaboy Says:

The grass slows down in the second week. Go back and see Federer beat Sampras in Wimbledon on fast grass and you will see he was a terrific serve and volleyer. He adapts his game in the second week to account for the slowing. If it is grass, it is Fed/Sampras. They are the best.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

RZ seems we were both posting at the same time lol.


Danny Morris Says:

“This is why in my estimate, he never enters GOAT discussion.”

+1.

I wouldn’t say never, but I find it tough to rate him even over Borg, who did dominate 2 surfaces and was thwarted in the 3rd by super champs like j-mac or connors. The thing against borg was that he was a quitter. That just blows. Running away because your opponent took over the tennis world!

My top 5 in GOAT list:

1)Laver/Roger [too close to call]

3)Sampras

4) Rosewall

5) Borg/Gonzalez [Pancho] or Lew Hoad/Nadal


Colin Says:

Robson beats Kirilenko 6-3, 6-4.
What a weird record she’s compiling. Put her against a higher ranked player or an ex slam winner, and she will very likely win. Against anyone else, however low-ranked, the mistakes flow.
Still, the crowd enjoyed it today; they were very enthusiastic.
No,wait, I must have imagined that, because these stuffy British crowds don’t get enthusiastic, do they? (he said sarcastically).


pitchaboy Says:

Novak will not beat him on grass if Fed reaches the final. Simple equation, if he is playing well enough to beat Tsonga or Murray, he will beat Novak and Novak knows it. Last year was a rout.


Danny Morris Says:

Ben:

Stop talking to yourself. Atleast dont do it on a public forum.

Do you know how to write like a grown-up adult or are you one of those teenagers who has no idea how people debate/argue?


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Danny Morris Rafa in the top 5 of all time greats,i think the majority of his fans would be delighted with that anyway,and its what many players past and present have him down as anyway,so i think his fans sleep well in their beds safe in that knowledge.


pitchaboy Says:

Laver played in an era when his main competitors were fellow Aussies who he knew very well and a couple of stray Americans. Great player but tough to know how he fits in. Borg never won one on a HC, however, made many USO finals and never played AO. I think Nadal in his peak of 2009 takes out Borg on clay and HC and loses on grass.


Danny Morris Says:

Here is some for the logically and internet-discussion challenged people like DA/Ben:

Reply to a post. Not the poster.


Danny Morris Says:

Pitchaboy. Borg was a quitter, but he has a better record than claydal on hardcourts as well as indoors.

he lost to j-mac and connors who have a much more superior record than djokovic – at USopen. atleast as of now. I dont know if borg lost on hardcourts to 2nd rung players like tsonga/gonzo/youzhny/ferrer and davydenko.

I guess we are about on the same page. I will not complain if you rank Roger ahead of laver as the GOAT. I see it as a tie. I do admit, my knowledge of Laver is from spotty black and white videos and accounts of his play from tennis historians.

Roger is easily the greatest tennis player I have seen in my 25years of tennis viewing. Admittedly, I was not even 10years when I watched becker/edberg, but they have had the most profound effect on my tennis knowledge and the way I see and play tennis. I will always love the shot-makers like federer/djokovic/safin than counterpunchers and defenders like nadal/murray/hewitt.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Daveed Ferrer is the most consistent player outside the the top4,very solid,very competitive,never seems to suffer with any injuries as such,has no weaknesses in his game but unfortunatly no overwelming strengths in his game either,no big weapons to challenge the very top players,he is IMO the best of the rest,if they were not around with his mental attitude im sure he would be a multi slam winner.


grendel Says:

This may be the occasion which marks Laura Robson’s emergence on the international stage. I think this victory is much more impressive than the other famous ones. Consider: Kim Clijsters was over the hill, Li Na is notoriously unpredictable, Kvitova is, in tennis terms, a head case. Venus Williams is sick and ailing. So Laura got some pleasing scalps, but not much could be deduced from them.

Kirilenko, however, is #10 in the world. She has no mighty strokes, but she is a very skilful, all court player with a fine defence and a good head on her shoulders.

All the same, for a set and a half, Robson simply swept her aside with wonderful serving – perhaps only Serena and Stosur could match this serving – and a series of glorious forehands down the line. One shot in particular comes to mind: very close to the base line giving Laura very little room for manoeuvre, but still she sent it crashing down the line for a winner. The timing involved must have been spectacular.

Then came a little wobble. Kirilenko gets a break back, holds easily, threatens again. Under this kind of pressure, where the finishing line, once so close, suddenly gets extended and seems indeed to be fading into obscurity, beginners tend to crack. Robson looked tense, her serve suddenly looked ordinary, Kirilenko, so despairing hitherto was starting to look eager – but Robson hung on. Maybe her racket arm was weighing a ton, but she was somehow learning on the spot. Thus, after a double fault or two – when previously the serve had been immaculate – she started to hold back on the first serve, just to get it in. Kirilenko gobbled them up gratefully, so Laura took a deep breath and forced herself to be free. It was remarkable. The freedom of the first set was spontaneous and effortless. Now it went against the grain, but the competitor in Laura had sussed that if she continued defensively, she was gone. So she dug deep and forced a change. This is why I think she is going to be a champion in 2 or 3 years.

It was in doubt till the end, the very last stroke, in fact, a curling forehand, possibly a slight mishit too, just caught the far corner.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Grendel you said in one of your posts some time ago that you saw her breaking into the top 10 at some point,do you still think that?


jane Says:

“Last year was a rout.” – no it wasn’t, at least not imo. Roger got 3 breaks total; one in each set that he won.


jane Says:

Danny Morris: “he lost to j-mac and connors who have a much more superior record than djokovic”

Actually, not J-Mac, in terms of the reliability index – just saying. I know you’re talking titles/longevity so I get it. But Nole on hard courts is “up there”. :)

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Reliability-Zone/Reliability-Hard-Career-List.aspx


RZ Says:

Allison – great minds think alike! :-)

Grendel – I agree that this is Laura’s best win so far. Kirilenko is no pushover on grass, as a Wimbledon quarterfinalist and Olympics semifinalist last year, and she had just gotten into the top 10 (on her way up rather than down). I’d also argue that she’s more consistent than two of Laura’s other recent scalps: Li Na and Petra Kvitova. Just a terrific win for Laura.


the DA Says:

Something peculiar is going on: Raonic is breezing through his match, 2 sets up. Dimitrov also cruising. Or is it early days? Hey Jane, glad to see your man go through with relative ease.


jane Says:

It’s strange to see Ljub – the bald bomber – in the role of coach.


jane Says:

Thanks DA. Me too! It is strange to see the young guns clipping along, but who knows right?

Meanwhile is Gasquet going to lose to Granollers?!


grendel Says:

Did I, hippy chic? Ah, the folly of comments one makes off the cuff which come back to haunt one! Actually, I was in some doubt about her. Not her ability, which is kind of divine, don’t you think, always has been(when I saw her win Junior Wimbledon at age of 14 I immediatyely thought of her as a slam winner – simply because of her style of play). But it didn’t look like she was too keen on the work.

However, I’m not privy to these things, I don’t read up on blogs and twitter and sneak into dressing rooms and things of this kind – but the feeling I have is that Laura’s change of coach has been a very positive move.

That last geezer was a bit grim. Miles McLaghan is clearly a laid back sort of guy, and I think he’ll know how to get the best out of Laura.

So, yes, I am beginning to think now top 10 at least for Laura – actually, if she fulfils her potential, a good deal more.


jane Says:

Simon/F-Lo about to start – that could be a good match.


SG1 Says:

“Kirilenko, however, is #10 in the world. She has no mighty strokes, but she is a very skilful, all court player with a fine defence and a good head on her shoulders.”

She definitely has a pretty head on her shoulders! :)


SG1 Says:

Jane,

How ’bout those ‘Hawks last night!


jane Says:

Oops. Lots of “stranges” in my posts, but really not too much strange in the matches. Although who is this Arggie, Allund, to whom Ferrer just lost a set.

Congrats to Laura R. Really rooting for her to do well.


grendel Says:

jane, who is bald bomber Ljub coaching? We, in the Grendel household, will never forget Ljub ploughing earnestly away through a match, looking pretty stern actually. And then when he wins, he raises his arms as his face splits into a smile that would crack open an iceburg! It was kind of funny it was so delightful.

Why Gasquet lose – one set all isn’t it, and on serve in 3rd. Granollers is an irritating player. Sometimes, he just won’t go away when you feel he ought to.


Danny Morris Says:

Come on Jane. Please dont argue like a Nadal or Murray fan.

Murray has a higher winning % on grass than claydal. I am sure, even with your murray bias claim him as a better Grass Courter no.

In your link, murray is ranked higher than Nadal. Are you saying Nadal is inferior on hardcourts to murray? Even the djokovic “fan” Ben might not approve that. I donot know about Rafa fans like volley/DA who masquerade as murray fans, though.


jane Says:

SG1 – woot! I was thrilled; can’t stand most of the Boston fleet.


Danny Morris Says:

lubicic coaching raonic


jane Says:

grendel – Raonic!


jane Says:

Gasquet was down a break in the 3rd when I posted. Glad to see he’s taken it back. Love how margot always calls him “Crashquet” – it’s affectionately true, alas. But perhaps he’ll surprise us. He should do well on grass.


SG1 Says:

Jane…I was shaking my head when Lucic scored but the ‘Hawks wouldn’t be denied. Their leaders stepped up big time. Toews and Keith were off the hook when all game and definitely in crunch time. Can’t stand the Bruins.


SG1 Says:

Duncan Keith looked All-World last night!


jane Says:

Bickle! He was great, and yes, Kane, Towes, Seabrook, Keith all came through – those final two goals had me jumping up and down and cracking the Chardonnay. :)


Humble Rafa Says:

Querry loses to the Tank Engine. Wow.

Future of American men’s tennis looks horrible.

Ping Pong Tallner is still in.


grisham Says:

Yes, SG and IMO much hotter than plain-looking Robson.


jane Says:

Tallner, ha ha.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

I thought it was a tennis match not a beauty contest.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Thanks for giving me your input Grendel.


grisham Says:

Danny@ 12:46 pm
Very informative post.


grisham Says:

Hippie
Yes, it’s tennis but you can’t help but notice the beauty vs beast aspect if you have eyes to see. Sort of like the worm vs Haas. You get it, don’t you?


Ben Pronin Says:

Danny Morris, the new Dave. Only not as informed.


Humble Rafa Says:

From scholar and gentleman John McEnroe

This guy is to me, I think you can make an argument right here and now, the greatest player that ever lived,” McEnroe said. “If you look at his record against [Andy] Murray, [Roger] Federer, and [Novak] Djokovic, it’s way better than that. He won the Olympics. He’s got Davis Cups, which Roger doesn’t have. I have always said Roger Federer to me was the greatest player that ever lived, certainly the most beautiful player. But I’m going to tell you right here and now there’s a definite argument, I’m starting to lean toward Rafa.”


the DA Says:

@ Ben – LOL. So true.

“You get it, don’t you?”

Yes, Many many tennis viewers are vacuous and superficial.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Grisham i get it,i just think its all a bit shallow though,its the tennis that matters IMO,also whats good looking to one,aint necassarily good looking to another and vice versa,im thinking David Beckham as a footballer who many women go gaga for,but to me is vastly overated IMO,although as a footballer hes great.


pitchaboy Says:

Danny, I have seen Sampras, Fed, Nadal, Novak, Edberg, Becker and Lendl. On grass I would pay to watch Sampras, Edberg; on clay, Nadal; Federer, anywhere, anytime; Lendl, nowhere. Federer is the best I have seen; if I wanted someone to play for my life, it is Nadal 2008-2010.
borg was not a quitter, he knew he cannot win Wimbledon any more and no other title mattered to him as Wimbledon. He always said that; he never cared for slam totals or he would have played AO and walked away with a couple for sure in his peak.


pitchaboy Says:

Mcenroe is very biased towards Nadal for two reasons: I beleive he hates Federer’s guts and he feels a comradiere with Nadal as they are both lefties. Nadal is top five but not GOAT. His record on the two big courts HC and grass is modest. You can argue that at his peak for those two years he was as good as anyone and that may well be true, but to be GOAT you have to maintain those standards for a good period of time. This is why Federer went after Sampras record of weeks at No.1 diligently and secured it last year: legacy.


jane Says:

Wow, F-Lo seems to be winning easily; didn’t expect that, although I know he just won his first grass title and has done well here in the past. Thought Simon would keep it closer.


Danny Morris Says:

The same Dave, you banned for not agreeing with you, ben?

You are the same ben. Only got more juvenile.


Danny Morris Says:

J-mac is like Ben. Tomorrow, dont be surprised if he anoints Darcis is the greatest grass-courter.

The point is, all these clowns who masquerade as experts didn’t see the writing on the wall. They kept saying Nadal will win wimbledon because he won FO. A piece of logic that succeeded exactly 2 times in the last 8 years. The reality was nadal being bossed around average grass-courters like kohlschreibber and Rosol.

when the inevitable happened, they are trying to bury their head further and argue that Nadal is a greater grass court player than Federer. You should have seen the sheepish look on Brad Gilbert. Just before the nadal match, he was doing the same lazy journalist analysis of Nadal being the 2nd greatest grass court player and why he deserves to be seeded no.3 [since 2011, he is not even in top 3 – Fed, Nole and Murray are top 3]

He ended up with egg on his face and crow in his mouth in less than 3hrs. LOL!


Ben Pronin Says:

I didn’t ban anyone. I don’t have that ability.

How am I being juvenile? Instead of attacking me, why don’t you respond to my post? You completely contradict yourself and you know it but your only defense is to call me internet-discussion challenged.

Clever dig, though. Djokovic “fan”. That’s new. People also used to accuse me of being a Federer hater.

I can’t even listen to Johnny Mac anymore. I love the guy but he is as reactionary as it gets. Every highlight-reel shot is “one of the all time great shots right there”. If anyone is actually fighting to stay in a match it’s “one of the all time great efforts”. Not everything is “all time great”. I see where he’s coming from with regards to Nadal, but Federer’s sustained greatness puts him on top. If Nadal comes back to win 2 more Wimbledons, maybe then we can talk. But a great h2h against your rivals only gets you so far… 12 slams, so, very far at least.


Ben Pronin Says:

I NEVER said Nadal would win Wimbledon. Don’t clump me in like that.


grisham Says:

“You get it, don’t you?”

Yes, Many many tennis viewers are vacuous and superficial.
—————————
I was talking to hippy unless you are she. I have no way of knowing. Or are you just another defensive Brit?


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Historically speaking Rafa is still overall the 2nd best GC player of all the active players 5 finals two titles,Jane did a reliabity index,and he is 9th on the all time list of GC players,nothing to do with seeding or anything,just bona fide stats to back up what im saying.


the DA Says:

“Or are you just another defensive Brit?”

No.

But you seem defensive. So you’re superficial. Celebrate it.


sienna Says:

I miss dave.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

The DA sorry but was that a dig at me?


the DA Says:

^ Of course not. I was talking to the vacuous poster.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

^Ok sorry,from the defensive Brit lol.^


grisham Says:

You are very defensive DA. Your guy lost, accept it. It’s just sport after all.


the DA Says:

@Grisham

And which guy is that? Mine is still in the competition.


RZ Says:

To pick on a trivial point in McEnroe’s statement…I always find the Davis Cup argument in favor of Rafa and as a slight against Roger when discussing GOATdom to be a little silly. Davis Cup is a team event. Spain has had MANY good players over the last few years to be part of the team: Nadal, Ferrer, Verdasco, Almagro, Lopez, Granollers, M. Lopez (for doubles), Robredo, etc. Switzerland has had Federer and Wawrinka. That’s it. The 3rd best player from Switzerland (Chuidinelli) is ranked outside the top 150. Pretty much any other country in the top tier of Davis Cup (e.g., France, U.S., Australia, Czech Republic, Argentina) has more players to fall back on than Switzerland.


skeezer Says:

the DA’s fav is Murray. Then Tennis. Murray. Tennis. No, wait, Tennis then Murray. Ok, dang, Murray and Tennis.

===

I like Johnny Mac. Better as a commentator than the Player anyways. Its just he tries to make too many compliments like Ben is saying at times. imo waaaay better than Brad G. That guy is like Sean in predictions.


skeezer Says:

RZ

to add..

You know Mac was/is a big supporter of DC. He played in a ton of them. So the bias probably comes from there, no?

Fed doesn’t live in a country that provides a team like spain, usa, etc. One guy is not going to win a DC. You said it there….


the DA Says:

@skeezer – ;)

I also like Johnny Mac. He can get a little verbose but he often insightful. It’s ridiculous to call him a Fed hater. How anyone can assume that when he is on record praising him continuously over the years.


hawkeye Says:

Rafa definitely has a problem on grass that he didn’t have when he made it to five Wimby finals.

He basically said it pre-Wimby that grass was now his toughest surface because he has to bend too low putting too much load on his knees.

You could see how much he had to run around his backhand more than normal for him.

Darcis played a great match but he wouldn’t have beaten Fed, Muzz or Nole (or a healthy Rafa).

My guess is Rafa was hoping to survive the first week until the courts became less slippery with a higher bounce.

Too bad. He’s a great adaptor but his Wimby prowess may be over.

Hope he is ready for the hard courts.

Fed can definitely repeat this year. As Fed said, his biggest challenge at Wimby this year potentially is Muzza.


jane Says:

I like J-Mac too; yes, he can rattle on, as DA says, but overall his love for tennis is so evident and infectious. He is a stalwart promoter of the game. He’s cool too, imo. I liked his talk show, even though it lasted only about a week, ha ha.


RZ Says:

I used to like Johnny Mac. When he first came on as a commentator, I thought he was very good. But I can’t stand him now because as several of you have pointed out he doesn’t ever shut up.

My favorite is Darren Cahill. He doesn’t talk too much and doesn’t prattle on about gossip. I like BG too because he’ll talk more about strategy and tactics than the other commentators.


RZ Says:

Tough loss for another British player. Tara Moore lost 5-7 7-5 5-7 to Kanepi, who’s quite good at Wimbledon. Moore gave a good fight in her loss to a tough opponent.


Danny Morris Says:

J-mac is not a fed-hater, but he is like the village ho that calls every guy that is the talk of the town as the best husband she ever hand.

I am sorry, but I dont like flaky guys who change their opinions at the tip of the hat. Only thing he is passionate about – he rants on endlessly – the wooden racquets! He was a terrific tennis player but sucks as a tennis analyst. Darren Cahill – now that guy, I will listen to him.


the DA Says:

@ Dave/Morris Dancer – silly boy. I avoid tennistalk like the plague because of posters like you. And ask Nole fans here if I’ve ever shown any hatred towards him. Really good trolls do their homework before trolling. F- for you.

BTW Margot, I never knew you worshiped Rafa. Learn something new every day.


Ben Pronin Says:

So am I Dave, too? I don’t support Nadal.


grendel Says:

Lopez just makes it. Didn’t watch first 2 sets, but sounds like Simon hadn’t come out to play. However, in the third, he was looking increasingly stronger. By the tie break, he was looking very good indeed. Amazingly, he served and volleyed most first serves, and engineered some beautiful angles. Very interesting. Simon never normally plays like this, but he clearly thought that he had no choice if he was to take the match into the 4th.

In the end, he narrowly failed, Lopez pulling out 13-11, mainly due to some cracking serving. But you have to ask: why doesn’t Simon employ such tactics more often, since he demonstrated today that he was good at them? Seems daring only comes at the point of desperation – that’s a pity.


skeezer Says:

@DM,

Went over to take a peak at TT. Seems the Rafa loves have left the building. Figures.


James Says:

Why are people still discussing the GOAT thing? When Nadal wins 2-3 more non clay Slams then this GOATdom talk gets serious. Not now with 12 Slams out of which 4 are non clay.
Enjoy Wimbledon.


Danny Morris Says:

“So am I Dave, too? I don’t support Nadal.”

By your own juvenile logic, Yes!

DA:

You know what margot does on tennis-talk. Your charades about not posting on tennis talk is fine. I don’t care for murray fans like you anyway. As I said, Murray is a nobody compared to Roger/Rafa/Nole’s achievements.

I am glad you didn’t deny you hate Federer. That would be quite hard to sell, even with your “guiles”


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

James sensible Rafa fans know who the GOAT is anyway,seems some posters are looking for an argument thats not even there,with or without Rafa im still enjoying Wimbledon,ok i would rather he hadnt gone out this early,theres been some fabulous tennis been played,Murray was my favorite to win anyway,and also the one i want to win,so all in all im still enjoying the tennis,and our Brit girl Laura played brilliantly today thoroughly enjoyed the match.


Danny Morris Says:

@Skeezer.

You don’t know the half of it. It was like a funeral yesterday. I pity them for their stupidity for most part, but yesterday I felt sorry for them as some of the Federer/Nole fans really rubbed their faces in the dirt.

Some of them rafa “fans”, out there make giles/mem look like smart rafa fans. LOL!

You should see how murray fans suck up to the rafa fans so that they get some support for Murray at wimbledon. LOL! quite sad, actually.

I wish I could post there but I already post on 3 sites, and with all these rabid rafa fans during clay season, it feels like Aragorn/Gandalf against the orcs of mordor. LOL!

I think the battle lines are clearly drawn, Federer and Djokovic fans trying to save the holy grail of aggressive attacking tennis from the defensive ball pushers from the land of Sauron/Mordor!


Danny Morris Says:

James and Alison – I appreciate your fair comments regarding GOAT debate. I will send you some good comments regarding Nadal if we ever happen to meet up for a drink or 2 or 3 or…..

see you later x-bloggers. Be good and dont go loco on Federer/Djokovic. If you do, I will fight you guys to the ends of the earth.


Ben Pronin Says:

James, Nadal’s last 4 non clay slams go R2, DNP, DNP, R1.

It’s no longer a when, but an if.


Giles Says:

Gloat and abuse all you like you haters. Don’t worry your time will come soon when I, for one, will be the first one to rub your noses in it. Karma is a boitch, remember.


Giles Says:

So, who is going to fall first, fed or joker? They both can’t win Wimby!
Go Muzz!!


skeezer Says:

Did anyone see Dimitrov today? Curious how his form looked..


Alex Says:

@Giles

The majority of people have been very nice since Nadal lost in the 1st round.

Hope you don’t start “rubbing” innocent noses. :)


Polo Says:

Danny Morris Says:
“J-mac is not a fed-hater, but he is like the village ho that calls every guy that is the talk of the town as the best husband she ever hand.”

This must be the most accurate description of McEnroe.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Alex add to that Rafas fans for the most part have been pretty cool about it too,with the odd exceptions,Rafas my favorite but Murray was the player i said from the begining that i wanted to win Wimbledon,no hidden agenda ,hes always been my second favorite anyway.


Giles Says:

@Alex. Don’t worry, I have selected a few names, you know the deserving ones! Lol


Giles Says:

@Alex. There has been too much Rafa bashing the last couple of days. The least I can do is return the compliments!


Giles Says:

All the journos and media are the same, band wagoners, so Johnny Mac shouldn’t be singled out.


Ty Says:

A curious aside:

Now that it happened. That the crow has been eaten. That the laughing, poking, finger-waving, has been done. Waking up this morning, is ANYONE actually pleased that Nadal lost in the first round to some nobody? And that overall Wimbledon has been hijacked by some #150 in the world tennis player?
I’m not Nadal supporter, but I have to admit I feel a bit cheated as a lover of the game and the competition.


Ty Says:

Re: Kirilenko

I hate to see her go, but I love to watch her leave.

Girl is gorgeous. Doesn’t matter, no. But doesn’t hurt to realize either.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Ty felt the same why about Fabio yesterday,god that man is an adonis,absolutely gorgeous.


Ben Pronin Says:

Ty, I agree. It would’ve been an even bigger blow if the draw was evenly spread out.


skeezer Says:

Gliescher,

There is no karma here. it’s been given ready. You are the types that got “karmarized” and deservedly so from all the bs hateful stuff you posted against other posters. You prop Rafa way too high while pissing on other posters and there favs. Its moments like these that you need to pay attention too. Rafa is not perfect, only human, and only can do so much like the rest of the Top players. Live and learn. Enjoy eating your cereal.


mem Says:

kimberly,

your post @ 8:13 am. is spot on!

rafafans have been down this road too many times to be shaken by something his critics have to say. it is fear and paranoia that drive these people. they are so afraid of the impact nadal will have on history until they are constantly looking for some sign of his demise. to them, any lost is a sign of his downfall. i love it that rafa nadal let them do all the talking while he goes about his business and do what he has to do.

this is not the first time; everytime nadal loses, it becomes “a tragedy” and his career is over. the same people who are cackling now, were the ones who said he wouldn’t be able to compete at the highest level again and quite a few of them believed that he wouldn’t even be able to win at roland garros again. well, i’ll say winning 7 titles from 9 finals, including the french open, and going up against the best players in the process; (del potro, ferrer, federer, djokovic, to name a few.) is competing at the highest level. i have always believed that as long as God is the only one who is able to foretell the future, why should i worry about what man has to say when he doesn’t even know what his own future holds. people can predict until cows fly, but they do not have the power to affect what place nadal will occupy in the history books once his career is done. what man sees as an ending, God uses as an opportunity for a beginning. nadal’s future is not in the hands of these people.

this kind of stuff is one of the main reasons why i limit my visits here because i refuse to spend my time going back and forth day in and day out over the same nonsense when realistically none of it affects the outcome. people are free to believe whatever they want, but i know who holds the future. we will see what happens all in due time!


Danny Morris Says:

#meltdown no.34365466


jane Says:

I guess J.K. Rowling was in the Royal Box for Nole’s match – missed that.


Kimberly Says:

I have always liked Wog Boy—just didn’t like the post how Rafa fans hate Nole because of the 7 finals yada yada ya when Nadal just came out on the winning end of an epic match between the two. And for the record I hope Novak does win one year in Roland Garros. Just not while Nadal is still playing.

He can crash out early in GS for all I care as long as he wins one a year (9 years in a row, yay!)! But of course his disappearance takes something away from Wimbledon for me. And I say I want a lesser player to win to protect Nadal in the points race. But in reality, nobody wants to watch a grand slam final minus stars——I mean, if the final is Steve Darcis v. Gasquet does anyone care. Root for too many upsets and you get a stale tournament. Too be honest, as much as I love Daveed Ferrer it is better for Delpo to get through to give a more blockbuster feel to that semi. And I would like to watch Federer play Murray. So of course, its good for me if the tournament turned into upset city, but I also want to watch amazing tennis, and of course stars.


SG1 Says:

I think Rafa’s in a little trouble right now. His knee problems seem chronic. Age doesn’t make these kind of injuries any better. This has been going on for a year now. Perhaps a lot longer. He likely won’t play much over the next couple of months.

When his health is good, there is pretty much no one in the world that is better across all the surfaces. I think he’s the best volleyer out there. His groundies are beyond reproach. His serve is effective. The issue is movement. This is a huge part of his game and always has been. Take any part of that away and he loses some of his edge. His movement intimidated other players. Right now, he can’t move the way he did before and other players are taking advantage of it.


Wog boy Says:

Kimberly,

I think you overreacted since none of my posts was about you, Lulu Iberica and other Rafa fans that I never had problems before and we use to have nice coversations until new lot of Rafa fans arrived in a last six or so months. If you read my posts again it is quite clear who I am targeting and why. I said “…It takes much more than few frustrated Rafa fans..” meaning ones that were badmouthed Nole since his loss Delpo at IW and more so Haas at Miami, the posters I had blew with and don’t have ant respect for them whatsoever.
I just answered Bojana who asked me if I gone for good from TX becouse of those few Rafa fans that had a go at me. I explained Bojana that it takes more then those few to kick me out of TX. As you know I didn’t post anything during and after Rafa match since I don’t take joy in doing that, but I do take joy in making people paying for what they did or said to me or my favorite, I prefer old testament where revenge is legitimate for a difference of new testament. I think my Jewish friends were smart, they sold us new one but kept old testament for them. I am with them on that one, I stick with old one.


SG1 Says:

I hope Rafa can get his knee issues solved. It would be unfortunate if his career was shortened by injury. There has never been a better competitor (maybe in any sport) than Nadal. He is respected by his peers and the tennis greats who came before him. That’s about as good a compliment as there is for a tennis player.


metan Says:

Lol . Danny Moris is acting like skeezer deputy hunting down every poster and troller intimidating them to say some thing nice and fitted with their point of view. Mirror mirror tell me who is the greatest between those two????

Your guys man is on top the world!!! Learn to grown up ????


Syam Lee Says:

Hope to see Rafa back in the hardcourt swing and playing in the 2nd week of US Open. Vamos Rafa!!!


Wog boy Says:

I remember some of those Rafa fans that I don’t get along were praising Bolettiri few threads back, I wonder if they agree with him on this one. This is also for Nole fans, if it was already posted just disregard it.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/straightsets/2013/06/24/bollettieri-calls-djokovic-the-games-most-complete-player-ever


Humble Rafa Says:

Lol . Danny Moris is acting like skeezer deputy hunting down every poster and troller intimidating them to say some thing nice and fitted with their point of view. Mirror mirror tell me who is the greatest between those two????

Skeezer is Danny. Same guy posting under 2 names. Don’t for this BS.


Kimberly Says:

I agreed with him in 2007 and still do. The first time my husband and I really saw Djokovic play we said the same thing. But I’m not and never have been a Bolleteri fan.


jamie Says:

Wimbledon champ this year will be the winner of Federer-Murray SF.


skeezer Says:

HR, RFF, TennisZod,
you’re losin it. u accusing other posters about using multiple monikers? everyone knows i don’t do that. after all, i like some kind if credibility, good or bad. i have questioned the use of multiple monikers in the past. for what purpose other than to hide? u are the best at using it for that purpose. its well seen.


tennismonger Says:

I’ve said it before – the “Muster-ization” of Nadal’s career is well underway.

Unlike Muster, Nadal was not in a car wreck, but the excessive mileage over the course of his career has exacted its own damage.

Meanwhile, if I were a Fed-fanatic, I wouldn’t get too excited. Sure he’s the arguable GOAT & current boss @ SW17 but he sure looked ordinary @ RG.

The other shoe could drop inside of week 1.


courbon Says:

@ Wog Boy: You are back! I have not seen you for a while but I was also not much around (my dad is with me for 3 months so we play Yamb in the evenings !)
Sometimes gets tiresome on this blog with constant bikering and stupidity…Hope you are well and thanks for the link


skeezer Says:

@tennismonger

Lol! With regards to Fed and there fans there is no expectations here. Sure the draw looks a little sweeter, but if he loses he loses. His mark of 17 Slams among many other all time records is already established. Its not like he is 27 and in his PRIME.

;)


Wog boy Says:

courbon,

No probs, anytime. I am OK, still kicking, thanks for asking. Yamb, I havent played it since I left country. We use to play it unti sunrise. Say hello to your father and behave yourself, don’t drink to much. Did he bring you some home made brandy?


skeezer Says:

@wog boy,

“Lulu Iberica and other Rafa fans that I never had problems before and we use to have nice coversations until new lot of Rafa fans arrived in a last six or so months. ”

Don’t forget the other nice ones e.g.: Kimberly!

Anyways, I here ya on that! I would just say lay low and enjoy. Most of those types have already ran away with there tail between there legs.

The BOTTOM LINE(pun) is your man is still in , and those types got there due, a humiliating loss in the prime of ones career in the first round of a Slam. I am sure they went out to the local store and bought extra tissue and Sangria. So happy for them.


TennisZod Says:

Who else believe Nole win this Wimbledon? I dont care if Federer or Murray, Nole beat them for second Wimbledon. Follow by a Tarzan style celebration! Nole win this for sure. Anyone dont agree is not know tennis.


Wog boy Says:

skeezer,

You made me go back to check my post and I didn’t forget Kimberly if you read full sentence. That was my point to Kimberly. Maybe it is written little bit upside down but you don’t expect better from me,, do you?;) Don’t take it out of context:

“I think you overreacted since none of my posts was about you, Lulu Iberica and other Rafa fans that I never had problems before and we use to have nice coversations …”

You see, I said “… you, Lulu Iberica and other Rafa fans…”

You are right, BOTTOM LINE, my man is still in, for how long we will see, so far no “walkabouts”.


courbon Says:

@ Wog Boy: He got me Wiljamovka…I like that one.My dad drives me mad but I forgive him- being 84 of age, he can talk gibberish.He is like a character from ‘Ko to tamo peva’….
back to tennis. Novak looks quite good and he looks focused, so we will see.Shame Nadal is out-I wanted the re-match with Novak.Its 5:40am here and I better go to work-speak to you later


Wog boy Says:

Ok Frenchie,

Go, make some money so you can take your old man around and show him France, but don’t take him to Pigalle.


mem Says:

skeezer,

it never ceases to amaze me how nadal has this great power over you and doesn’t even know you. the anguish that you exhibits on a daily basis is beyond belief, especially since this is only a sport. what do you hope to gain? i can’t imagine how tormenting that must be. i can see why you never appear to be happy. seriously, you might need to examine yourself. i hope you can find some peace!


TennisZod Says:

@Wog Boy, thank for post at 8.26 pm and link you share. Nole truly is best both side, forehand and backhand. He become a force of nature. That why he beat Nadal even in clay. I honestly think he is the most complete tennis player (legend) of all time. Even Federer have weakness, Nadal outside clay many weakness but Nole great in all surface. I believe he become true Goat when he retire. Some Wimbledon centre court grass to eat before lifting the trophy.


TennisZod Says:

“HR, RFF, TennisZod,
you’re losin it.”

skeezer, I am not RFF or HR. They sad Nadal lost. I rejoice like you when Nadal lose.


skeezer Says:

mem,

“how nadal has this great power over you ”

Now that is a statement not for me my dear, but for YOU.

I am good with my own power.


Bada Bing Says:

Skeezer and Wog boy, don’t listen to tenniszod and others. I think maybe Danny is correct when he says they are all from another site.
Anyhow, for me it is Go Nole


mem Says:

skeezer,

in all seriousness, your behavior is quite disturbing! who spends this amount of time badmouthing and hating someone who doesn’t even know you exist? what normal person does that? it’s not like you do it every once in a while, but you have been doing it for years on a regular basis. i have been visiting this site for at least four years, maybe longer and you were behaving the same way when i arrived here. honestly, only a person with some mental issues would be entangled in a web of resentment and bitterness of this magnitude and to think it’s directed toward a player that you have no connection to. it’s scary! im not sure what you are capable of doing. no normal person carries on like you do over a game. like i said, i hope you can find some peace!


skeezer Says:

mem,

Behavior disturbing? And does he know YOU exist? haha…ROFL, you’ve spent to much time at TT. Now there is a place of “disturbing behavior”.

Here, the ridiculous disturbing behavior has been from your own kind. Just take a chiil pill and take your lickin’s. Too much Rafa boasting from “your clan” has come home to roost. Trashing all players “except Rafa”, mocking, spewing venom, sayin how Rafa is looking great and will conquer all and look out everbody he is a comin…………uh…..what? Instead of a Home Run, Rafa tried to “bunt” and failed at that.

Mem, best to just say you all were wrong, Rafa isn’t THAT good, and call it a day. Maybe he should call Borg and say “Sorry”.


mem Says:

skeezer,

like i said, i hope you can find some peace! good luck!


skeezer Says:

mem,

I am good. In all fairness, you are a great Rafa cheerleader, one of the best. But imho u don’t need to p!ss on Nole or Fed to prove his greatness. You know you have done this. I agree he probably will surprise us all again soon. Hang in there. He’s not done yet(maybe).

#weallhaveourfavs
#RG#9?


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Skeezer #GS#13?lol hopefully?


TennisZod Says:

mem,

what is wrong with a little anti-Nadal? For four years? So? Not every person the same in earth. You think different, I think different, skeezer think different. You think Rafa so good everywhere but we think he not so good in grass and hardcourts. He also drink from two water bottles and pick his butt all time. I dont like that style. Be a man like Nole and break racquets but no a*s touching in public.
Rafa fans also say Fed and Nole not so good when your idol beat our heroes. But that not true. Everybody know Federer have 17 GS. Nadal beat him 20 times so? He not beat his 17 GS. Nadal also beat Nole 20 times but Nadal beat Nole many times before Nole become force of nature in 2011. Then Nole is beating Nadal everywhere even in his beloved dirt. skeezer is real tennis/Roger fan, how can he like Nadal???? Maybe 1 GS champion Murray fans like Nadal but Nole fans and Roger fans most no like Nadal. Maybe you Rafans frustrated and behave not good because your hero beat by world no.135 Steve Darcis :D
but maybe he win next clay tournament. French Open 2014 is book for Nole. Then Nadal have no GS except his 12. Ajde Nole!


TennisZod Says:

Bada Bing, you parent of Wog Boy and skeezer? No? You dont control who they listen to or not listen. I am peaceful Nole fan and dont want no trouble. You is sound like crazy Nadal fan!


Alex Says:

^Lol, stick to one personality per moniker pls, starting to read like a bad case of alzheimer’s.


Giles Says:

http://alturl.com/zkzyp
Zod. I posted this for you previously and I feel the need to post it again just in case you overlooked it. Look at the scoreboard first. Your joker had a chance to win but blew it. Oh dear! Will he get another opportunity? Who knows, but my money is on Rafa should they cross swords again at Roland Garros! All you can do is hope and pray.


Alex Says:

Ive been visiting this site for some time, I absolutely love Skeezers presence here. Sure there will be a few sour worms here and there, most of us are very happy with Skeez. Most people that don’t like Skeezer are Fanatics that reciêved a good verbal hiding! A deserved one.

This is not a dictatorship, you cant go around treating people (and there Favs) like dirt and expect to get away scot-free! With out the likes of Skeezer this site would be overrun in no time, most of us should count our blessings. That amongst the delusional, multiple personalities and rude shameless individuals, Skeezer remains.

All these Rafanatics that are engrossed by the exuberance of there own verbal dung flinger! Cant take it wen justice is served.

Ok, need to go.

Have a nice day Skeezer…and Giles.


Giles Says:

@mem. Excellent posts. It is a real shame we have to put up with types like skeezer the geezer, but hey as they say, we can’t all have a perfect life. He is a screwed up little man!!


Wog boy Says:

@4:05am

I thought you are smarter than that, but than again I was wrong since you are just a groupie that sleeps around. You are actually talking to one of yours, Rafa fans and not Nole fans. Nole fan would never ever write that way. You are too shallow to understand why Nole fan wouldn’t write like that pretender write. Have fun with so called Nole fan, occasionally you can take your Rafa blinkers off, you know you are allowed to do that, don’t you? When you are in paddock you can take them off.


TennisZod Says:

Giles, next time Nole win. You put money on Rafa, you become poor. You not see who got out in rd 1 Wimbledon? Right. Rafa Nadal.


TennisZod Says:

Wog Boy, g’daay, mate! Nice to see Nole support coming from down under. He rule that world, 4 AO! In January next year become 5. Dont worry, Nole win RG next year. Then we laugh at Rafa fans again.
#nolefam


Wog boy Says:

G’day mate,

Have fun with greasy Giles;)


Margot Says:

Oh Lol, I thought there was a certain familiarity in that patronising prose:
Dinosaur Dave
Came out of his cave
Blinked in the light
Had a great fright
For while he’d been a-dreaming of the GOAT
Cor blimey, women had got the vote
Dinosaur Dave
creep back to your cave
But don’t be too blue
The world has changed, but so can you.
@miraclescanhappen.com
@ the DA
Well fancy that! Knock me down with a feather! So glad I know now.
PS Don’t you just love it when people tell you what you think?
Hey there Andy Murray! Go! Go! Go!


Wog boy Says:

Bada Bing,

Thanks for the link, great reading.


grendel Says:

@SG1 -“. I think he’s the best volleyer out there” [Nadal].

I don’t agree at all. Nadal is perhaps the most EFFICIENT volleyer, and he also has a nice instinct as to when to come to the net. But he is not an inspirational volleyer as, for example, Murray and Federer can be. Best volley I’ve seen all year was Murray’s against Tsonga at Queens, which I have talked about here before. That kind of volleying is outside of Nadal’s range.

In Wog Boy’s link, Bolliteri says:”He’s improved his second serve” (referring to Murray).

Really?


bojana Says:

Wog boy,

I was not around TX yesterday but today I would like to tell You that I am glad that You are OK and that You had nice vacation.
I must be missing these postings from our people,but I know that they are wrong.
Any way I am happy You are back.
I am OK too,I finish studying for this year.Now I am buying the presents for family and friends and going back to Kragujevac. Our deal still on,only I am little worried about Your wife,I do not want to make her sad.
Back to tennis. I think toO that Federer and Marrey were better than Nole on the grass last year,so probably they have more chances than Nole this year,but who knows.
Federer’s fans want eighth Wimbledon title for many reasons,very much. Marrey’s fans want first title there as much.What to say about us Nole’s fans,after Paris we want it too very much.
So let the best player to win it in the peace.

Wog boy, I would like to say some thing to one poster that You tried to explain Your post to me,this is not in Your defense because You do not need that from me it is just how I feel.

Kimberly,

I am Nole’s fan and I post very rarely hear,once in the while,more to get in touch with Wog boy or to read what Nole’s fans say.I really do not want to offend any body,but some people do not know to stop some time.
YES,it was very painful when Nole lost in Paris. There were many reasons why it was too painful at least for me.The most because of Jelena Gencic.I did not want to read anything on the TX for many days. Finally when I came back guess what I had to read first.It was Your post asking where Nole’s fans hiding.Do not get me wrong You could post what ever You want but do not tell me that You did not want to add little of salt to the wound.Second just think as not Rafa’s fan and say what is more offending from one or two.

1.pack of hyenas,rat,clown,idiot,petty chump,sour fool,dankey….to be said to human being or:

2.I mean their man lost to our man eight finals…

For me number one is saying more about person that posted it then about other people. And if You are thinking that number two is more offending than it is Your problem.

ANEL BOJANA


bojana Says:

Murray,not Marrey sorry for my English….


Wog boy Says:

Bojana,

Thanks, I am so jealous of you. I wish I can go but I cannot. To visit “Manastir Vraćevšnica” and enjoy peace and serenity of the place. Šumadija is in my heart, enjoy it.


bojana Says:

Wog boy,

For sure I will visit manastir Vracevsnica and Your Gruza,I am more from Levac: Raletinac,Sarinac,Kalenic
I was last year with my friends in GUCA one of the most beautiful places in Serbia, during “sabor u Guci”. What to say too much of everything: music,food’alcohol,people,youth,heat,love,noise,
family,friends…..SRBIJA

AJDE NOLE


jamie Says:

@TennisZod

Nole will win RG in 2015 BUT in 2014 Nadal will win his last RG title.


SG1 Says:

Hey Grendel,

I’m not saying Nadal is the best volleyer ever because he’s obviously not in the league of all the great Australians, Mac and Edberg. But, I just don’t see any of the other players today as being any better than Nadal at net. He really knows what he’s doing up there. Do Federer and Murray look more natural around net? Sure. But, do they actually execute the volley itself better than Nadal? Not so sure about that. Fed has a nice drop volley. But, when he has to punch that volley, he’s not nearly as effective a some of the greats at net. With Murray, it’s hard to tell. He has beautiful feel but spends a lot of his time scrambling side to side at the baseline.

And Nadal’s been to the Wimby final 5 times. He knows what to do at net. It’s easy to dismiss his net game because his game is, for lack of a better word, ugly. He has plays with an extreme forehand grip and plays with two hands from the other wing. However, unlike other clay court pigeons of the past, he can change his grip at net making him very effective when he’s volleying. Uncle Tony has built him into a complete player.

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