Free Swinging Federer the Clear Wimbledon Favorite

I agree with all of your picks Sean, excpet I think Serena will beat Venus. Last year Serena had the better stats overall in the final but she failed on big points. She has been wanting a piece of her sister ever since.

But who cares about the Women’s tour, right? ;)

Even though I think if the two Andys face off in the semis that Murray will come out on top, I think if Roddick has a good serving day and doesn’t mind running around a little bit more than what he’s comfortable with, I think he can pull it off.

June 21st, 2009 at 7:37 pm

This is a grass court, not exactly Murray’s favorite surface (he didn’t face anyone serious at Queens). I think Murray will lose early, contrary to expectations.

And yes, once Fed gets a couple of grass wins under his belt, I don’t think anyone in the draw can beat him, not this year.

Lendl reached 8 consecutive finals at the USO (82-89). Can federer better that at either the wimbledon (6 already) or the USO (5 so far)?

On Nadal’s knees – he wouldn’t have withdrawn unless he really had a problem. That really doesn’t bode well for him – the hard court season is still ahead. He is in a conundrum – if he changes his game substantially, he loses his biggest strength (returning everything). Otherwise he loses his knees. At 23, 6 years into the Pro tour, I don’t think he can become a different players. In a couple of years he will be over the hill already (if he isn’t over the hill already).

June 21st, 2009 at 7:47 pm

And yes, women’s tennis, who really cares…

They need to reign in on the 110 decibel shreiks. just like they need to enforece the 20 second (or 25 sec) rule between points when players try to slow it down (e.g. nadal). I think the umpires need to get some balls.

June 21st, 2009 at 7:52 pm

I saw the women’s final yesterday at Eastbourne between Wozniacki and Razzano, without the shrieks, and it was heavenly.

June 21st, 2009 at 8:13 pm

I think we should leave predictions aside and just enjoy the two weeks of glorious tennis. Predictions never worked in the AO, not even close in FO and I guarantee to be the same in Wimbledon. Let the best man win.

June 21st, 2009 at 8:29 pm

Von: I didn’t get to see the match, but a match especially a final match with neither women shrieking is rare indeed! They really do need to put restrictions on that, but I know that as long as their golden goose Maria Sharapova is still playing, they’ll not cut down on that camouflaged cheating.

I agree with Sean’s picks, although I am skeptical like Fedfan that Murray can make it deep into the tournament. If he can put in an amazing performance and overcome the EXTREME pressure, he has as decent shot to make it to the finals. If he meets Federer, though, I just can’t bet against Roger. He’s just too good on grass.

June 21st, 2009 at 8:29 pm

Mina:

It was wonderful not hearing the shrieks. After a few minutes of watching, something felt odd, and then 15 minutes later I realized, hey there’s no shrieking.

Yes, as long as the goose who’s consistently laying the golden egg (sponsors and endorsements) is still playing, the shriek rule will be put on the back burner. DeBrito told the umpire when her opponent complained, that she didn’t see them telling Sharapova about her screams. The girl has got chutzpah galore. ha ha. I think if the two should ever meet we’d see and/or hear a contest of the two screamers, and it will be an “anything you can do, I’ll do better”, type of scenario. I’ve not looked at the women’s draw, and I hope that scenario doesn’t happen at Wimby. LOL. Anyone got a pair of ear plugs?

I don’t have any predictions about the Wimby finals for both men and women, so may the best man/woman win.

Here’s an article featuring Tim Henman and his thoughts on Murray’s Wimby chances.

http://uk.yahoo-email.com/a/hBKPe$MAbKI4DB7W7qF-QyucufN/uksp19

June 21st, 2009 at 8:53 pm

Yes, Von, until some other leggy, attractive player comes on the scene and wins consistently, Sharapova is always going to get the bulk of the endorsement money and press. It also helps that she speaks English fluently with a virtually undetectable accent). Some were betting that Ana Ivanovic would be the next bombshell superstar, but her slipping ranking hasn’t allowed her to dethrone the mighty Maria just yet.

Yes, DeBrito’s comment was glib and ballsy. Lol. DeBrito’s shrieking is even more insanely annoying because it goes on for so long that it is still audible when her opponent returns the ball. THAT is definitely cheating and interference…although, I still consider any loud shrieking to be cheating whether it interferes with your opponents preparation to take her shot or not. I remember Navratilova saying that hearing the way the ball leaves your opponent’s racket can be an important indicator of the shot they are using against you – shrieking blocks your opponent’s ability to gauge that.

June 21st, 2009 at 9:09 pm

Tsonga is a big maybe.
I have not seen his Aussie Open 08 or his Paris Masters 08 form since then. He needs to really be in the zone. those French headcases! “mon dieu!” or maybe “zut alors!”

June 21st, 2009 at 9:18 pm

I agree with the analysis! If nothing goes wrong Fed will win the throphy on Sunday two weeks time. But he has to do it one match at a time, he must not look too far ahead to the final.

June 21st, 2009 at 9:44 pm

The william sisters (especially Serena) shreik like crazy too. they just need to stop that.

June 21st, 2009 at 10:12 pm

Edward says, “those French headcases! “mon dieu!” or maybe “zut alors!”

Lol – so true. They are a finicky bunch.

Kimo, Serena did “get a piece of” Venus since last year’s Wimbledon; she beat her in a rather strange match at the USO last summer. Remember? I think Venus is the better grass player, and I’d rather see her meet someone besides Serena in the final.

Sean, hope you’re right about Djokovic. I’d be thrilled if he made the semis this year.

The obvious pick here is Federer … much like Rafa was the obvious pick at the French. Let’s see if it plays out predictably or not this time. The first two slams haven’t so far so…

Finally – Happy father’s day to all the posters and writers at tennis x. Good dads are great!

June 21st, 2009 at 10:38 pm

Fedfan said;

“The william sisters (especially Serena) shreik like crazy too”

Agreed, and not in a sexy way. They are more like grunts and roars.

June 21st, 2009 at 10:38 pm

jane:

I don’t remember actually. Women’s matches are quick to fade from my memory. :)

June 21st, 2009 at 10:40 pm

There is only one the Greatest in tennis, and he is not just ordinarily favorite to win the 15th Slam, he will win in a great style. Mr. Scottish Hype or Mr. WHOEVER are destined only to get another bitter taste of defeat (probably not bitter any more because they are used it by now). The question is no longer who can beat the Greatest but the question is can any of the gutless, shameful bunch take a set off Fed and be content.
Looking at the record, only 5 of them, besides Rafa, since 2003 has taken a set off the Greatest: M Fish (2003), Hewitt (2004), Roddick (2004), Kiefer (2005), and JC Ferrero (2007).

Will the Greatest win the 6th Wimbledon title this year without dropping a set?
Or, will some coward be able to take a set off the 28-year old King this year and celebrate it as the greatest achievement of his career, maybe frame it and put it on the wall above his trophies? Which spineless would be that for this year? Should these losers be even playing tennis? Well, these miserable creatures don’t have any occupation other than tennis to earn their living so they continue to sprawl and crawl around tennis courts like leeches. How much more pathetic can this get?

June 21st, 2009 at 11:10 pm

Hey, Jane–Remember how a few weeks ago we were laughing about Roddick’s quirks and tics being (perhaps)more under control since he has a steady release for all that testosterone(i.e. Brook)? I’ve been reading his Twitter account and he announced that “Wife arrived in London. All is well!” Let’s see now if that can translate to some excellent and focused play!

June 21st, 2009 at 11:10 pm

Nothing is ever predictable, especially a tennis match. Too many imponderables….and too many pundits shooting their mouths off!!

June 21st, 2009 at 11:13 pm

Kimmi –

I agree with you – may the best man win.

That being typed, I am looking forward to seeing what happens if Ivo Karlovic and Frank Dancevic meet in the second round.

The Canadian Dancevic lost a close final match to Tursunov yesterday 6-4, 7-6 and thrives on his return. Last year he knocked out Nalbandian in the first round and grass really is his favourite surface. The problem he has is his consistency, but his 6 grass wins in a row this week may mean his back is 100% and his head is focussed.

Someone has to take out the Croatian giant – it may as well be Frankie.

June 21st, 2009 at 11:22 pm

I don’t see Kiefer going that far. Murray still only has one good result on grass and against a very weak field. Nothing against Blake but he’s not really a top player. Gulbis could give Murray way more problems than Blake did. Murray has a solid game but I think is too defensive for grass against the big hitters. Safin or Gonzalez could each give him huge problems. Last years Wimbledon was sort of Murray’s first pretty good result and he’s followed it up with some smaller wins but some of his slam results have been just average. I don’t consider him a major threat at Wimbledon until he shows he can beat strong players on grass and shows that he can win slams. This could be his big chance but with his previous results I wouldn’t pick him to win.

June 21st, 2009 at 11:30 pm

Tennis Freak –

You lose to Fed in the final you still get half a million clams. Or… you lose to him in the semis and you get a quarter of a mil. If that makes them losers sign me up.

Remember – if these guys are pathetic and not good at all then how good does Federer really have to be? Maybe, as you suggest – everyone else on the tour except for Roger and Rafa are inept. Maybe if he were here at his peak Yevgeny Kafelnikov would breeze through everyone in the draw.

Hey! maybe Fed is not that good after all. Thanks, TF – I hadn’t thought about it that way. I always thought Fed was one of the greatest to pick up a racquet but after reading your comment I think maybe he is just mediocre and everyone else is – what did you say? – a “gutless, shameful bunch”

Oh, Lord! Save me!

June 21st, 2009 at 11:31 pm

Gordo, yes Canadian Dancevic has a game to beat Karlovic but you are right he is lacking consistency. Last week was his best results since his epic win 2 years ago in the American hard courts.

I saw him play in Toronto where he won 1st set again Nadal and beat few quality players before that. He does have great aggressive game. So fingers crossed he can consistently play well at wimbledon.

June 21st, 2009 at 11:32 pm

Interesting topic on grunting. I saw an article from “timesonline” that says ITF is considering whether to make “noise hindrance” part of its code of conduct, and that this rule could be used at Wimbledon??

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article6493899.ece

**“If so, persistent grunters would forfeit points first, then a whole game and ultimately perhaps a whole match.”**

Can this really be done? If they can, it will be great. No one would want to lose a point or a game for that matter, they will all be quiet, tennis will be played the way it’s supposed to be.

**”Tennis officials are now calling foul on grunting. The problem they face is determining whether a noisy exhalation of air is natural or done on purpose to put off an opponent.”**

I wonder how they can figure that out, I believe if they ask grunters/shriekers, will get a response like Sharapova,- I think she said something like she does it naturally, its part of her game and she can’t stop. I don’t think it’s easy to determine if a player is grunting on purpose, players like Nadal, Ferrer do it all the time which seem to be more genuine but some women grunters especially Serena,Venus and sometimes Maria; (cannot speak about DeBrito because I never saw her match) I heard them so many times play without grunting, they tend to shriek louder on big points which is very strange. This shows they could actually play without it.

It’s funny because the article has compared various grunters with the amount of decibels produced; I wonder where DeBrito would fit…….
——————————————————————————–
How the grunters compare, in decibels

Lion’s roar 110
Maria Sharapova 101
Monica Seles 93.2
Serena Williams 88.9
Lindsay Davenport 88
Venus Williams 85
Victoria Azarenka 83.5
Elena Bovina 81
Anna Kournikova 78.5
Kim Clijsters 75
Elena Dementieva 73

June 21st, 2009 at 11:44 pm

Kimo says: “Agreed, and not in a sexy way. They are more like grunts and roars.”

Does it matter if if the Williams sisters are shrieking in “a sexy way” or not? Would that make it any less irritating or more tolerable? They are tennis players – not porn stars.

June 21st, 2009 at 11:47 pm

Sean,

I agree with you: even with Nadal in the draw, Fed would be the logical winner pick. But, I just can’t convince myself that Fed’s nailing down a back-to-back Channel Cup and bagging a 15. That’s too fairytale, even for Fed.

Just like I appaude Nadal’s decision to withdraw WO,I actually think an early exit may do Fed some good in long term. He’ll get off all the loads by losing early finally: all the streaks, and all the default winner picks. Then, we can talk of free swings…

I pick Roddick over Murray. And Djok over Roddick in the final. I wish a Roodick win. But WO seems favor new comers more.

Kimo,

Among “big 4”, and to this date,Djok is still the only one who ousted Fed from a slam in straight sets outside clay, even with a losing H2H.

Jane,

I replied you on previous Dan’s blog. No disrespect to Djok and his fans.

June 21st, 2009 at 11:51 pm

Gordo,
These, other than Federer and Rafa, are not only inept, they sure are a sorry lot. In 6 freaking years, aside from Rafa, only 5, you can count them in your fingers of one hand (how many are out there? Some 2000 of them are making their living out of tennis) were able to take a set off the Greatest at Wimby? How old is he? Twenty eight. Watch none will be able to take another set off me. If that does not make them miserable coward, what makes them? Their spinelessness is too visible. They cannot hide behind Federer’s greatness, not to me.

June 21st, 2009 at 11:52 pm

Mina said:

“Does it matter if if the Williams sisters are shrieking in “a sexy way” or not? Would that make it any less irritating or more tolerable?”

LOL. Well, yeah, it would.

Even though Maria grunts the loudest, it doesn’t seem to bother me.

I’m a terrible man, I know. :D

June 21st, 2009 at 11:56 pm

Kimo: LOL. As a straight woman, I guess I don’t view women’s tennis through the same filter as you do ;P

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:06 am

Mina: Hey, it’s not like women don’t swoon over either Roger or Rafa. :p

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:08 am

Tennis Freak: You are way too funny! Maybe the ‘pitiful, spineless, miserable leeches’ should all pull out of the draw and then let Mr. Federer play all by himself. I’d sure have to record history in the making even if I have to delete a few priceless recordings to accommodate that showdown. LOL.
____________________

Mina: I’m with you on straight women viewing women’s tennis. Sharapova annoys me the most with her prissy antics. First bounce the ball a few times, stop, lick her lips, look around, push the imaginary hair behind her ears, lick her lips again, bounce the ball some more, then tosses, screeches, and blasts. If it’s a let or a fault, we see the previous scenario repeated again. Is this what tennis is all about?

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:20 am

Kimo: That’s true…but I would argue that more men watch women’s tennis for the eye candy, than vice versa. Exhibit 1: the tremendous popularity of Anna Kournikova despite never having won a title. I can’t think of a male equivalent – Federer, Nadal, Roddick, Safin, Djokovic are all swoon-worthy to some women, but they’ve all won multiple titles and at least 1 Slam.

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:20 am

Von: Don’t even get me started on Sharapova – she takes AGES to serve and it comes off as prissy to me too. The one thing I will give her credit for is not wearing make-up (or wearing very little and not being really worried about it) while she plays. Jelena Jankovic, I’m looking at you. It’s not a beauty pageant. You don’t need to lightly *pat, pat, pat* your face because you are worried that your make-up will come off on the towel.

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:25 am

Well if there was anything in women’s tennis other than eye candy I’d be happy to watch it. Eye candy is all the WTA has to offer right now I’m afraid, but that’s not the main reason I watch it, it’s just the cicng on the cake.

And it’s not like I’m a Sharapova fan. I hate the fact that she stalls between points and gets away with it. I’m really pissed at her for trying to be a model and a celebrity and let her tennis go downhill. She has to remember that she’s a tennis player first and foremost. A tennis player who happens to model every now and then.

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:32 am

Mina: I’m with you, I don’t want to get started on Sharapova either, but she annoys me with that prissy lip wetting.

Jankovic badly needs the makeup, but she does crack me up with the gentle towel patting. I sometimes feel like yanking the towel from her hands and giving her face a firm wipe off — “Out, out, you damned spot” comes to mind. LOL.

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:39 am

Kimo: “Hey, it’s not like women don’t swoon over either Roger or Rafa.”

I don’t. If it’s looks we’re talking about (but I don’t swoon) then I’ll take Safin, Roddick, Lopez, Llodra, Haas, Fish and Robredo, and throw in Juan Carlos for good measure.

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:46 am

Von,
I am not “too funny.” Your tennis jokers are “too funny” in a dark sort of way. I did not say others should resign or retire. I said others should man-up, work harder, learn better, acquire more skills, and not be content with mini tournament wins, and be as good as Federer and go for majors. I have not seen that happening at Wimbledon for the last 6 years, and this year is not going to be different. No matter how much you wish, you cannot wish away the Greatest. You have to match him, point by point and play by play. And if you cannot match a 28-year old man (who is already beyond his prime time), you are gutless coward, idling your life and my time away.

I wonder if you occasionally (or willfully) suffer from some reading comprehension disorder, what do they call ADT or aphasia or whatever. Was that harsh? Dark comedy is harsh, sweetie. I raise this question because you (intentionally?) understood the opposite of what I was trying to convey. Were you trying to have a late night laugh out of my funniness?

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:53 am

Tennis Freak, your version of things does not help Federer’s case at all. it appears you have great appreciation for his tremendous gifts as a tennis player, as do many including myself, but to say everybody else is bad is tantamount to an admission of ignorance on your part regarding the men’s tour.

do you really want to be like that?

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:06 am

Tennis Freak:

I don’t want to get into a debate with you. I NEVER said you wanted for those guys to retire. I was implying that since they are considered to be so ‘spineless’, then maybe they ‘should’ all pull out of Wimby. Now how’s that for comprehension?

You’re right, maybe I do have a dark side, but I’m not showing it at your expense, nor am i seeking a late night laugh from or with you. In fact, I’m very sad that you think of the players as ‘gutless cowards’ idling their time away. If they were indeed ‘gutless cowards’ or possessed an inkling of cowardice, then they’d all give Federer a walkover, and/or retire in their matches. Instead, they ‘man up’ up and do their darnedest to give the fans their money’s worth. I honestly think they should be commended and not ridiculed by any of us, because if we were in their shoes, I doubt we’d do any better. I think we’ve been down this path before.

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:15 am

Edward,
When and where dd I say I was making a case to help Federer achieve anything? When and where did I say he needs my support? You sounded like he needs YOUR support. He has his game to support him. As talented and hard working he is, he does not even need a coach, and he needs you? For what? To win Wimbledon? Federer needs you to call people ignorant who does not share your world view? You must be kidding me. Oh, he needs you because you are so knowledgeable, a tennis whizkid, huh? Funny.
And when did I use the word “tour”?
Are you also suffering from reading comprehension disorder?

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:22 am

Von,
Thanks. They man-up and “do their darnedest” to lose, every time? Great. Ok, I get it.

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:25 am

Von,
And let me add, we should thank them for losing every damn time. I have been doing that for the freaking last six years, and maybe it’s your money’s worth, not mine and I am tired, ok?

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:28 am

Tennis Freak:

Just for the sake of argument, and I can’t believe I’m doing this, what would you do and/or say IF Federer were to be beaten at Wimby? Would you give the winner some just credit, or would he and the others still be ‘gutless cowards’ in your estimation?

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:31 am

Tennis Freak, how old are you? I’m only asking because you don’t seem to process information very well.

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:35 am

Tennis Freak – A Provocateur? Listen, I’d like to see more guys compete closely with Federer on grass too. However, it is his best surface, and it’s such a short season for others to master it. I believe it’s just a matter of time though. And I have a feeling there may be a few tighter matches for Federer this year. I could be wrong, but I suspect he’ll lose some sets. We’ll soon find out.

————–

chippydog – Of course I remember! Here’s hoping Brooke keeps Roddick’s game tic-free and free-flowing. Lots of aces and dangerous forehands, good movement and focus!

—————

Gordo – Frankie! I hope he can do a little something special this year, being a fellow Canadian. It’d be nice to see a Canadian player go a few rounds on the lawns.

————-

Twocents – will check it out. But no worries regardless; I was just wondering where the moniker came from.

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:44 am

Full, unconditional credit will go to the deserving winner, not to a loser, for sure. If, that is a BIG if, any one else does what (I cannot even write the word)? How can I envisage any one of these loser winning the whole tournament when the best of their lot are content to aim at winning one set? Remarks like “I am ready to win a Slam now” do not change a damn thing. What changes is the result. I will bow to the result, not to statements or hypotheses.

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:44 am

Edward,
The questioner of my age already reveals his maturity when faced with incomprehension. There is an old formula, when you cannot argue or you are intellectually poverty-stricken, go after his character. Are you thinking of asking next whether I am gay or straight, Christian or Muslim, male or female, white or black?

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:53 am

I am hoping for Roddick to go to the final (beating Murray in the semi), and Tsonga to finally demonstrate his mad grass court skills. With a huge serve, attacking mentality, and net game like he’s got, he should cut through the draw.

To all the ladies: the discussion about Sharapova here has been really catty. I am a guy (in case you couldn’t tell from my screenname), and I enjoy the eye candy in women’s tennis just fine, but that’s not the reason I like Sharapova.

She’s a great competitor with a never say die attitude, and that she chose to play at the French Open (where she moves like a “cow on ice,” to use her own description) after rehabbing her bum shoulder shows her dedication to the game.

Give her some credit for her tennis-just because she’s got the model looks doesn’t mean you should hold it against her. Three Grand Slams is not a bad haul for anyone and if she should retire tomorrow and decide to live off her millions for the rest of her life, she’d be fully within her rights to do so, but I expect she’ll win many more titles before she bows out.

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:30 am

Madrid:
Nadal: Happy now, Rogellio? I hate to see your tears, you know.
Fed: How dare you touch my hair in public? I almost cried!
Paris:
Nadal:Happy now, Rogellio? I did not touch your hair this time. No?
Fed: Yes, you did. You dressed as Jimmy Jump and tried that stupid cap on me. But can’t fool me. And you made me cry again!
Nadal: Oops. I thought I was pretty cool. How dare that damn security hurt my knees, you know? But I didn’t have them play your national anthem. Uncle Toni did.
Fed: Whenever I hear the Swiss anthem, I think of all the tax dollars they cost me…Whatever you do next time, don’t mess up my hair. OK?
London:
Fed: Dear Rafa, are you sure you can play Wimbledon?
Nadal: Look, Rogellio. I promise I won’t touch your hair on Centre Court, win or lose. And I’ll steal a box of Kleenex from locker room,just in case. No?
Fed: It’s not the hair, Rafa. Nike told me they only give special jacket to the one who plays the openning match on Centre Court…All Mirka’s been buying lately is baby clothes. I don’t get any new clothes any more. Nike’s my only hope.
Nadal: Ouch! My knees…I’m pulling out. I don’t want any special clothings from Nike. Thanks.

Disclaimer: all fictional.

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:56 am

steve: As one of “the ladies” I feel I need to defend myself. First off, why use the term “catty”? Some women would consider that term a sexist remark likening women to felines – I personally do not, but I’m just pointing it out.

Secondly, I have no issue with people enjoying tennis – whether it’s because of the way the players look, because of the enjoyment the game itself or because of a combination of both. The more fans that are brought to this great sport, the better. Tennis needs superstar players to bring attention to the game – Sharapova is one of them. I’m sure Nadal brought a lot new fans to the game once he started taking his shirt off in his photo shoots. Playing up an athlete’s sexuality definitely affects both genders, but I do think that women in sport are often admired primarily as sex objects first and athletes second; whereas for male athletes, it usually seems to be the other way around.

I happen to dislike Sharapova’s mannerisms on court partially because I think she does play up the sexpot image on court but more so because I think it’s a bit of gamesmanship making her opponents have to wait so long between serves. Other players (female and male) do this type of thing as well and I equally dislike it. I did not say that I dislike Sharapova’s game or think that she’s an untalented player. She obviously, is a very accomplished player and I do admire her tenacity from coming back from a serious shoulder injury. Just like admiring a player for their game, their mannerisms on court all come down to personal preference. I happen to find some of her mannerisms annoying and it has nothing to do with the fact that I’m female or she is female. It has to do with the fact that I’m a tennis fan who doesn’t happen to like certain aspects of a tennis player.

June 22nd, 2009 at 3:27 am

Twocents: Too funny! Thanks for the laugh :)

June 22nd, 2009 at 3:30 am

LOL @ twocents!

Tennis Freak- i’m a HUGE federer fan myself but you might wanna consider dialing it down a little on all the vitriol pouring on all the other players out there! Or better yet, all the way down.

June 22nd, 2009 at 5:07 am

I am a little concerned about Tennis Freak. His cryptic way of writing makes me think maybe the Zodiak killer is still out there! :)

June 22nd, 2009 at 5:12 am

two cents: thanx I will. You seem to have a very exotic lifestyle…I woder what your job is, or are you a “Great Gatsby?” One of my favourite books btw.
tennisfreaks: I assume Rafa is the only player IYO who has stepped up, therefore I wonder if you think his game was especially manufactured for that purpose, eg serve. This seems a tad Machievellian but Uncle Tony has always played his cards close to his chest, which is why I was as surprised as Sean by the recent verbals.
It’s not just guts though is it? Talent? Hard work? Application?

June 22nd, 2009 at 5:17 am

I just don’t get it why the hell they have to start the matches at Wimby at 1 pm local time? Everywhere else (whether it’s AO, FO or UO) they begin at least 2 hours sooner, but with Wimby, it’s always different… When you think there are some 20 courts in the area, they could easily have at least 10-15 completed matches just within these 2 hours, saving themselves (and the players) from such confusing situations as was the case in 2007! And then you have that stupid play-free Sunday… I mean, it’s Sunday! Everyone wants to turn off a little, so why not sit down, turn on the TV and watch some grandslam tennis?! Ah, these English traditions…

June 22nd, 2009 at 6:28 am

Skorocel, I think it’s because Wimbledon’s complex is the largest, so they can afford to start later.

Federer just walked on court. I approve of his fashion this year.

TV just played last year’s final. I didn’t catch it, I only saw the trophy presentation. Roger just looked so sad!!! I dunno if he was sadder than when he lost the AO this year, but he was barely able to talk. All my feelings of came rushing back. I was so depressed back then.

Anyhow, I’m just gonna enjoy Federer, Johnny Mac and Wimbledon right now.

We’re about to see Fed on grass folks. Enjoy ;)

June 22nd, 2009 at 8:08 am

WOW, just four points played and I’m already on cloud no. 9 :)

June 22nd, 2009 at 8:10 am

Goodbye James Blake!!!!

The American just choked a 5-0 tiebreak lead and lost 7 points in row just to add to the failures and disappointments throughout his career. James has been a top 15 player for atleast ten years now it seems and the door for him to walk through to win a major is slammed shut. His only shot is to pull off a magical miracle in Flushing Meadows are he go down as one of the greatest players never to win a major.

Roger Federer was lucky in that first set in his match but a volley error by the player from Chinese Tapei just could not get it to the tiebreaker. Federer just went up 2 sets to love as expected.

June 22nd, 2009 at 9:23 am

That “are” was supposed to be “or” he will go down…..

June 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 am

Correction: make that “at noon local time”.

June 22nd, 2009 at 9:43 am

Federer moves on to the 2nd round in straight sets.

June 22nd, 2009 at 9:54 am

Blake as one of the greatest players never to win a major? I think that’s an overstatement…

Anyway, Fed was indeed a bit lucky to win that 1st set, I agree. A netcord at 2-3, 30-30 gave him a breakpoint (which he converted), and then at 6-5, 30-30, Lu narrowly missed a winning volley, giving Fed a setpoint (which the Swiss also converted). From then on, it was more or less a standard Fed’s performance, embelished with some stunning shots like that BH winner beside the net post.

June 22nd, 2009 at 9:58 am

Grass is so beautiful ! Grass season must be longer.

June 22nd, 2009 at 10:10 am

Tennis freak, don’t be so disappointed about none being able to win more than one match off Fed on grass for six years now. May be you’d see Fed losing to someone this year at Wim, though I won’t be too happy about it except in that it happens vs Roddick.

June 22nd, 2009 at 10:14 am

F.Lopez losing 8-10 in the fifth. Wow ! This will be a sad loss for him. With his serve and volley game, one would think he should be able to go deeper on grass. oh well….

June 22nd, 2009 at 11:37 am

Almagro with a huge win in the match of the tournament!!!!!!!!

June 22nd, 2009 at 11:46 am

I actually feel bad for this guy – I mean he went down 16-14 in the 5th to Gilles Muller in Australia, alson in the first round. Oof – the arc of his progression at slams and Verdasco’s since the Davis Cup has been almost exact opposites.

June 22nd, 2009 at 11:47 am

Phil Mickelson might win this!!!

I know it’s not tennis but what a story!!!!

Ricky Barnes sucks today!!!

June 22nd, 2009 at 11:49 am

The “challengers” on Fed’s side of the draw haven’t looked very sharp thus far today: F-Lo = out, Tsonga = struggling, Soderling = slow start but picking up?

I love grass and wish this part of the season wasn’t given such short shrift.

If I could adjust the ATP calendar, I would do so as such: leave a week between the end of the FO, beginning of Wimbledon prep for players to catch their breath and/or play in a 250 grass event. Then I would make either Queens or Halle a Masters Series event, so the players could really get a feel for things and face a deep draw with all the top seeds competing. Finally, I would allow for the week of smaller tourneys/exo events that exists now before matches begin at SW19. In other words, add a week between and an MS event.

Djoko is playing now so will go watch. So far I’d like to see stronger returning to match his serves. Hope he can get through today. Benneteau will fight hard.

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm

Mina,

No problem. Glad you had some laugh.

margot,

The great Fitzgerald :-)). I’m neither wealthy New Yorker nor flashy west coast dwellers. Just a plain Texan. I do international marketing, living off airports and meetings. So lots of free mileages. Nothing fancy or exotic. I usually go to watch ATP only when it fits my biz travel. Tennis feeds my “Gatsby” hunger, I guess.

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm

Anyone have any thoughts on why, specifically, Djoko can’t seem to find his footing on grass? He’s slipping again today. Is it that he still has “clay” feet? What’s the key? Just wondering.

He’s holding his own in the first set so far, good serving overall, but this is a very tight contest already, building to a tiebreak, as Djoko can’t seem to make any inroads into Benneteau’s serve. Speaking of which, he’s using placement SO effectively. I know some people have picked Novak to make the semis but honestly I don’t know. Maybe he’ll play into form. But he has to get through this match – firsT!

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:22 pm

Not to denigrate him at all but honestly it’s just a question of work ethic and practice, the grass movement.

Roddick has NEVER been a nimble player, but he gets along fine on grass, multiple time finalist, etc. — unless someone has a better explanation, I think it’s just putting in the time and working it a lot.

Think he just needs to work on it. a lot.

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Few commentators have said the “new” grass can be slippery at times, after few rounds it gives a better grip. Federer slipped on his match today also.

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:42 pm

Thanks for reminding everyone that Gasquet is an excellent grasscourt player. I wonder what legal action he can take against the ATP if he is found innocent of his charges. It’s one thing to make him miss the French Open, where he hasn’t done much ever, but he’s missing a lot of potential ATP points and prize money by sitting out Wimbledon.

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm

Shaky, that could be true. I guess it’s certain player’s proclivities too? I mean Djoko’s movement is strong on clay but not so much on grass, whereas Roddick’s never been able to “master” clay movement (sliding) but plays well on grass.

Anyhow, Djoko’s already lost the first set, so unless he digs in, it’s bye-bye Djoko in round one, worse than last year!

Credit to Benneteau, though; he played a great first set and has the right kind of game for grass.

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm

I dunno kimmi, he looks unsure out there.

Maybe I’m reading too far into it, but he did lose the tiebreak. Hopefully he’ll turn it around and I’m totally wrong… but unless I’m mistaken, he’s not looking comfortable.

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm

like there, first service return in third game of second set, he looked like he was about to fall over, and Benneteau looked like he had him on a string the rest of the point.

Same thing in 2 more points that game. He just looks really awkward and frustrated.

June 22nd, 2009 at 12:55 pm

It’s just too sad to see Djokovic playing like this. :-( Come on Djoko please kick @$$ ! Come on Djoko, come on !!!

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:21 pm

Boy there have been a couple of belters today, and it looks like Djokovic is in a quite a fight. He has to hold serve to avoid going down 2 sets to 0. Jane, your boy Dancevic has also just started his match as well. Your head must be spinning.

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:23 pm

Yep. V. sad. And Benneteau is playing better in the second set whereas Djoko is more frustrated than ever – forehand errors galore. Djoko is not going to win. UGH! I don’t think I can continue to watch; too depressing pour moi.

I hope Murray and Roddick play well tomorrow so I have something to smile about.

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm

why on earth did novak let that passing shot go? He had an easyish putaway volley there.

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:26 pm

A couple of miseries have been dispatched home today: Blake and FeLo. Another big misery, Djokovic, is on the verge of beginning a long vacation. Looking at the level of his play today, I find it strange this guy got to the semi 2 years ago.
Is it possible to imagine that these miseries feel relieved of further pain, having earned 1st Rd. appearance money?

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:31 pm

Well, Benneteau showing a little bit of fatigue or something in the second set tiebreak, and Djoko looking a little more sure of himself as a result. But HE needs to make things happen going forward IF he wants to win 2 more sets. I am still not holding my breath. Meanwhile, on the plus side, my house is getting very clean.

Kimmi, Wozniak is out and Dancevic is already down a break in the first set, so Canucks not doing so well today so far.

Also Sharapova seems rusty. She struggled to get through.

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:35 pm

Djoko’s net game is below par. At least today it is, but I do give him credit for trying to come in. It’s time to hire a volley coach or put in extra hours on that facet of his game! It would compliment his serving, and he could use a good net game to shorten points.

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:40 pm

Oh my God, Djoko slips badly!

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:50 pm

Hi Tennis Freak, you know what I cannot figure out – whether you’re (a) a diehard Federer fan or (b) a frustrated underdog fan. Maybe you’re neither. Certainly life doesn’t reduce to two choices, nor need tennis. But you do leave me curious!

Bad fall for Benneteau. I guess Djoko is not the only one slipping; as I’ve watched this match play out, Kimmi’s point has materialized. Many of the players are slipping at these early goings, but as the grass gets worn in, I suppose that’ll lessen. In the meantime, I hope no one is seriously injured.

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:52 pm

Benneateau falls so badly, what’s happened ? Have you all seen, everybody starting from Fed to Djoko are badly slipping and falling! The courts must’ve been made a little dry, if being wet’s the reason for everyone fallin.

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:53 pm

Jane: “Meanwhile, on the plus side, my house is getting very clean”

LOL, Wozniak started very well and I had hope. Schiavone is a tough draw for first round, especially on grass. She has a difficult game, ask Henin.

Djoko is cruising now, did benneteau have an injury of some sort ?

June 22nd, 2009 at 1:59 pm

What does it mean by saying players’d slip? Fed’s not a very young man after all ! What if something bad happens to him, (GOD FORBID !!!)? What if any other player’s injured? The Wim officials should have been careful about this instead of talkin shitt!!

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:02 pm

Yeah, this Serbian kid showed some flashes of talent in a couple of key events in 2007 and 2008. It is about time the kid hire a new coach who can help him mitigate his misery. If he lets intimacy sway his business decision or if he is too stingy to invest a little bit more money in a good coach, his future will only take more down hill slide. “I am still young” is not the answer (After 25, your body is already under aging effects). Two more years of indecision and Marian Vajda will own him to stay around top 50ish in the ranking.

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:05 pm

Federer all the way, good call Randall

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:11 pm

Tennis Freak – yes I have wondered about Djoko’s coach as well. Their relationship does seem a little too cozy to me, which can be both good and bad. Somehow I think Djokovic would benefit from someone more hard-lined, someone who forces him to stay focused and to improve. “Flashes of talent” are not enough since EVERY player on the ATP tour has those!

Here, he had a fantastic lead and now it’s “slipping” away from him due to a dip in concentration; he should’ve had this set at 6-1. But at least he broke to take it 6-2. Good job Novak – one more set please; I have work to do, besides cleaning house.

Kimmi, Benneteau twisted his knee a bit but his movement seems fine now so I don’t think he’s injured.

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:11 pm

huh, I wonder if this slipping happens every year? I cannot recall, but it seems likely, if we think about it, that the grass would be slippery in the early rounds. As I said, we can only hope no one gets injured!

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:13 pm

Tennis Freak, nice seeing you venturing outside your Tennis Planet blog. You certainly bring some life to this mauseleum of tennis blogs.

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:22 pm

two cents: nice response, nice job- giving you time for tournaments, I mean.
Fed’s match started later, others had already begun.
Wonder if Daniel got in.

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm

Come on Djoko! But why did you squander 2 break points?

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm

Jane:

You are correct – slips are common in the first couple of days – mostly on the first because the grass is so green an full of moisure.

You know, I once played on a grass court that didn’t have much grass at all, and I was lucky not to split my pants. It’s very hard to stay on your feet on grass without any sort of spikes, which are of course illegal in tennis.

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:28 pm

Jane,
I am more a tennis enthusiast than a player’s fan, so that puts me in an uncharted territory, unfit and target of partisan crowds, a freak in the community of die-hard fans. Like many, I don’t begin or end a day with a prayer for a player’s win. Rather, I cross my fingers for a competitive match.
Fed and Rafa have hardly disappointed me at Wimbledon (It was unfortunate Rafa had to pull out this year). So no complaint against them here.
I have been (and I do get easily) frustrated by under performance of other seeded players. It’s more exciting to watch when underdogs challenge big dogs and help each other bring out their best, like Benneteau did in the 1st 2 sets today against Djoko but afterward collapsed.

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:30 pm

Djoko needs to work on a few things and then he can really challenge for the top, curbing his show of frustration should be on the priority list.

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:32 pm

Thanks for your response – Agree with you 100% on this Tennis Freak: “It’s more exciting to watch when underdogs challenge big dogs and help each other bring out their best”

And huh, I agree with you 100% on this also: “curbing his show of frustration should be on the priority list.”

Great points from both of you.

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:37 pm

By the way, I also like Tsonga a lot, his talent is fathomless but patience’s not there.

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:38 pm

Dan, I think warm up tournaments can help players who are not that good on grass. I also think if one loses early at FO is best to get match fit here. Somebody like Federer does not really need it, especially when he’s gone deep in FO. He is won Wimbledon without it before. William sisters have never played warm up tounaments either, and look at how many wimbledon they have collected.

June 22nd, 2009 at 2:52 pm

jane: oo no, what a bumpy ride and it’s just the FIRST round! Did not like Dan Martin’s comment re Queens and Halle either!

June 22nd, 2009 at 3:00 pm

Come on Djoko, it’s match point!!!! Oh no again squandered. :-( Again match point ! Ben Crash!!! Come on Djoko, make the most of it !

June 22nd, 2009 at 3:04 pm

Well, I knew from the moment I saw the draw that this would be a tough first round match. And if Djoko gets through, he should make it to round 3, but then he’ll face either Tipsy or Fish – both VERY dangerous on grass. I am not expecting Djoko to make the semis, like some, but if he can stay focused great.

Meanwhile Benneteau has wiped out badly again, smashing directly into the wall behind him trying to retrieve a lob, and it’s now break point. And a time out. This could throw Djok off just when he could’ve broken, but it could work both ways and throw off Benneteau. We’ll see what happens after the TO. Weird. Lots of slipping and sliding.

June 22nd, 2009 at 3:07 pm

JB hurt himself really badly. Did you see the cut? It is just a matter of point, so he will probably let Djoko finish the match, instead of retiring.

June 22nd, 2009 at 3:08 pm

YAY onto round two for Djoko! One round at a time. Let’s go for round 3 this year Djoko, at least! : ) Well fought Benneteau – nice serving and touch. Too bad for all of the slips and slops.

June 22nd, 2009 at 3:12 pm

Congratulations Mrs. Jane, Djoko won ! Congrats to vared and other Djoko fans too!

June 22nd, 2009 at 3:12 pm

jane:

the reason Novak doesn’t move well on grass is that he doesn’t move on it like it’s grass at all. He slides as if he’s still at RG. I have seen no one slide that aggressively on grass!!!

But yeah, the grass is still new and moist like it usually is for the first day or two which is making footwork very tricky, but by the third day it shouldn’t be much of a problem.

June 22nd, 2009 at 3:35 pm

It’s shame Blake lost this early, and it only shows that the field in Queen’s was very, very weak.

I bet you guys will fire back an say: “Weak? How can you say that when -insert famous names here- were playing there?”

The answer is simple: because of the shortness of the grass season, a new breed of players have emerged, the grass court specialists. Those specialists may not necessarily be ranked in the top 20, but they are the toughest competition on grass. (It’s like Coria on clay. He was no.3 but at Wimbledon didn’t do squat). Queen’s was short on grass court specialists (except for maybe Roddick, and it’s a shame he had to retire).

June 22nd, 2009 at 3:40 pm

Congratulations Mrs Jane, but it I guess is relief than rejoicing for you right now to see Djoko win this match in this way. Congrats to Vared and other Djoko fans too!

June 22nd, 2009 at 3:43 pm

Why’re my posts disappearing?

June 22nd, 2009 at 4:12 pm

The first day produced a good result for British tennis – even though it was a loss! 15 year-old Laura Robson lost to Daniela Hantuchova, which I expected, but she took the first set. That’s good considering Daniela only just missed being seeded, and is a former World No 5. And it’s not as if she’s a faded veteran; she’s only 26.

June 22nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm

The amount of slips and falls today was worrisome, but they tend to happen more so on the first days of play. But I don’t remember seeing quite so many players take major spills – the ones I saw today were Djokovic, Benneteau (visible cut on his knee), Federer, Sharapova (twice!).

Skorocel: I also don’t understand why Wimbledon starts their matches so much later than the other Slams, especially because of the tendency for more rain delays already. They used to start at 1pm so 12pm is already an improvement, but it must be irritating for the players whose matches have to be suspended due to darkness.

June 22nd, 2009 at 4:32 pm

Poor Haas, he has to come back tomorrow. I hope he comes back and win. Needs to continue his great run. Go Tommy.

June 22nd, 2009 at 4:39 pm

hopefully someone like Roddick can make it deep into the tournament. I really want Djoker to take advantage of his draw and to challenge Federer, but he still needs to get tougher. Maybe Murray’s game could make it deep in grandslams not played on hardcourt. I just don’t want this to turn into a boring walkover for Federer.

June 22nd, 2009 at 5:01 pm

Kimo,
True Djoko does not have as good foot work as the other top 3 plus a few others, and he is worse on grass, but slipping and sliding did not stop at him. He was not far worse than other players. Others were unsteady, too, even Fed did not have as firm foothold as he wanted to.

June 22nd, 2009 at 5:06 pm

Beck beat Lopez I think and Sharapova looked good.

June 22nd, 2009 at 5:42 pm

Good win for Djok. I’ll bet he’s relieved. Benneteau is no slouch. Yes I agree, no walkover for Fed. He has to earn it.

Speaking of slipping, the girl who played Azarenka retired due to a fall I think.

Now that Robson has lost will they place her in the junior’s?

June 22nd, 2009 at 6:01 pm

It’s true – very slippery out there today, which is worrisome for injuries. Hopefully it’s a little better by tomorrow.

It’s true that Djok’s win was more relief than celebration, but he and his fans can only go one round and a time and see. I don’t know what to expect given his topsy-turvy results this season. My hope is for quarters, and semis would be spectacular. I think if he can get by the winner of Fish/Tipsy, he could be okay to get to the quarters. But who knows? Schuettler could be tough; he got to the semis last year and took a set from Nadal.

Querrey and Cilic will be an interesting match – they had the exact same scores in their wins today.

June 22nd, 2009 at 6:47 pm

Skorocel:

“I just don’t get it why the hell they have to start the matches at Wimby at 1 pm local time?”

The Royal folk have their rituals to perform, and 1:00 pm is the time best suited to their Royal Highness’ schedule. Wimby is steeped in traditions just like the Royal Family. Did you not see the opening celebrations of Court 3, with H.R.H. The Duke of Kent, or it wasn’t shown on Sky Sports? I caught a few glimpses of it and I think in my mind I became British all over again. I travelled down memory lane for a few minutes, but then, I remembered the cold, grey skies, fog and rain, and am glad I’m now in Florida.

June 22nd, 2009 at 7:15 pm

What did people think of Federer’s outfit? The gold bag and vest and jacket?

June 22nd, 2009 at 7:31 pm

Kimo: “It’s shame Blake lost this early, and it only shows that the field in Queen’s was very, very weak.”

Queens has always had a deeper field of talented players than Halle, and this year was no exception. Blake would most probably not have gotten to the final had Roddick not injured himself.

I suppose Benneteau will be on the injured list with his knee. I give him kudos for playing out the match, as it was obvious he was in a lot of pain. I think an opponent with a different mindset would have retired, so he’s earned some kudos for sure. I wonder what the outcome of the match would have been had he not gotten injured.

June 22nd, 2009 at 7:33 pm

The slips and slides happened most of the time in the areas away from the painted lines, which were not player worn. I don’t think that is mainly responsible for Djokovic’s problems on grass, since he’s always had the sliding problem, as he tends to slide, even on hard-court, as if he’s playing on clay. Wasn’t it at the AO this year he turned his ankle sliding a few times? A couple of years ago there was a big ruckus between him and Adidas for the same problem on grass, which he blamed on the shoes, and it culminated with him changing shoe companies. Hence, I feel this is a Djokovic problem, more than a grass problem.

June 22nd, 2009 at 7:40 pm

margot
I´ll be arriving in London Friday, queueing on Sunday trying to get Monday (R16) tickets, hopefully!

June 22nd, 2009 at 7:52 pm

jane: Thought the military style jacket was kind of cool. Absolutely hated the vest – it didn’t fit him properly and didn’t match the theme of the jacket at all which is weird ’cause Nike is usually pretty good at coming up with cohesive looks (whether they look attractive at all is a different matter but they usually at least match). The gold bag – lordy, that thing was just plain ugly. The actual playing attire looked nice, though, as per usual for Federer.

Von: I hope Benneteau is not too seriously injured. He was very classy and sportsmanlike to continue playing despite the fact that he could have easily retired since Djokovic was going to close it out anyway.

June 22nd, 2009 at 7:54 pm

Jane,

I thing this stylish thing Fed does it´s to distract the media a little bit, and us. When I saw him enter the court, I completelly forgot about tennis for two minutes getting the clothes details.

A like the white and gold combo in his playing outfit, the rest I think is unnecessary. Djoko´s outfit looked awesome too: the red details, better than blue, and I am a blue guy! :)

June 22nd, 2009 at 7:56 pm

huh Says:
Why’re my posts disappearing?

Because you never accepted my apology. I’m out

June 22nd, 2009 at 7:57 pm

I think Djoko still wears adidas shoes. But he does tend to slide a lot on most surfaces. He’d better curb that on hard court, at least a bit – very injurious. Since Benneteau was down a match point when he slid into the wall, I think even if he hadn’t, the momentum was with Djoko. By that point in the match, he had a better read on Benneteau’s serve and he definitely seemed fresher physically. And I say this keeping in mind it was a tight match and well-contested.

June 22nd, 2009 at 7:58 pm

I liked the jacket, a lot. The vest looked kinda off-theme and frankly it didn’t belong on a tennis court, even if it is Centre Court at Wimbledon. I bet it would look great on roger at an all-white cocktail party. The bag was ok, I would have used less gold on the sides, but it’s fine just the way it is.

June 22nd, 2009 at 8:01 pm

I agree with both Mina and Daniel re: Fed’s outfit. I didn’t mind the jacket but the vest seemed ill-fitting. Once he was down to his playing outfit it was fine, with the simple gold accents. Daniel, I like how Djoko always wears mismatched wristbands. It’s kind of a trademark by now as he’s been doing it so long.

June 22nd, 2009 at 8:03 pm

Djokovic slides so agressively that I actually felt bad for the grass. I cringed at one point where he slid for about 9 feet to get to a drop-shot.

It just looks so new and GREEN, I don’t want it to look used anytime soon.

June 22nd, 2009 at 8:04 pm

jane said:

“It’s kind of a trademark by now as he’s been doing it so long.”

Nadal used to do it a lot too, except maybe at RG where he wore two bright yellow ones (although, in all honesty, his entire outfit at RG was crap).

I think when Nadal walk onto Philippe Chatrier wearing pink, men’s tennis hit a low point.

June 22nd, 2009 at 8:07 pm

The area by the center of the baseline is beginning to look a bit worn on all of the courts.

Re: the Benneteau/Djoko match outcome, I’m talking about the fall Benneteau had where he sustained a hip injury during the 3rd set, after that his performance began dipping, and Djokovic was able to get a grip on the match, and the final nail was when benneteau hit the wall. Had that first incident not happenend, it would have been a much closer match in the 3rd and 4th sets.

June 22nd, 2009 at 8:15 pm

Mina: “Von: I hope Benneteau is not too seriously injured. He was very classy and sportsmanlike to continue playing despite the fact that he could have easily retired since Djokovic was going to close it out anyway.”

I mentoned his fall because it seemed to me that there was very little concern for his injury and no mention of his sportsmanlike demeanor, since the focus was only on Djokovic and his slipping and sliding, which makes me tend to agree with Temple about the mausoleum comment.

June 22nd, 2009 at 8:21 pm

Von,
Granted Djoko is habitual to slide, how did “Djokovic problem, more than a grass problem” cause other players, including some women, slide and slip? Did you pull this out of your…?

June 22nd, 2009 at 8:30 pm

tennis freak:

Slipping is normal. sliding is not. Slipping happens by accident and is not intentional, it just happens coz the grass is still new. Sliding is habitual and can lead to slipping.

June 22nd, 2009 at 8:33 pm

Kimo,
I did not say Djoko is habitual to slip. I said he is habitual to slide.
Thanks for highlighting the distinction, though. And I agree slipping happens more on untrodden grass.

June 22nd, 2009 at 8:39 pm

As my Dad always said, the answer is what causes the problem. Hence, mouth zippered up.

Kimo: Thanks for explaining the obvious. Some players can play on the grass, and some can’t. I think I explained why the others were sliding and where on the court, they were having that problem most of the time.

June 22nd, 2009 at 8:40 pm

“Tennis Freak Says:
Jane,
I am more a tennis enthusiast than a player’s fan, so that puts me in an uncharted territory, unfit and target of partisan crowds, a freak in the community of die-hard fans.”

Uh, I don’t think so Freak, check your earlier ranting posts on God like Fed. Cowards? To other posters, players? Doesn’t matter…Please! Do you sound like a “Fan” or a “enthusiast”? If you were an “enthusiast” you would have a FAV AND respect and love for the other players trying to compete also. Hey I am all in for FED, he is my FAV but you make us FED fans sound “a little funny in the head”, so don’t take down all the other “players and posters” to make your point. I’m out.

June 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 pm

Grass is not Djoko’s best surface, but he can play pretty good on it. He served well today, with 14 aces. I don’t think he’d’ve reached Queen’s finals, Halle finals and Wimbledon semis if he couldn’t play on grass. However, that said, for sure his movement is weaker on this surface, esp than clay, and as well, he plays too defensively. Grass rewards more aggressive playing styles. I still think Djoko will have a tough time going deep here. In the past few years at Wimbledon, Benneteau has lost to Kiefer, Tsonga, and Murray (from whom he took a set), so he’s always gone out to pretty talented players here. And he played a great match against Tsonga at RG this year also; I knew he’d be a tough first round opponent. But Djoko won, so that’s what I am happy about – one round at a time. That’s all I can hope for with Djoko this year! Argh.

Looking forward to some good matches tomorrow too.

June 22nd, 2009 at 9:17 pm

“skeezerweezer Says:
If you were an ‘enthusiast’ you would have a FAV”

An enthusiast has to have a FAV? According to which rule book, if it existed? And even if existed, I don’t and would not follow that rule book. Precisely because of not following the main stream tradition (which, according to you, compels one to be caged within a personality cult) makes me a freak. I don’t have a shrine built for a player and don’t do prayers for his success. I admire Fed and Rafa because they are the zenith against whom nobody can hold a candle presently. They are so talented, strong, and hard working that they will not be requiring my support. Only the weak need support because they are weak.
As far as love for others is concerned, they are not free, and they don’t ensue for free from me. They have to earn, and each enthusiast or fan has her own standard for evaluation. Everything I said about the spineless was limited particularly to Wimbledon, not the whole ATP or ITF tour in general. In my dictionary, one who can challenge the Greatest will be rated as aspiring to be a Great, even if it were just for a short span, and will be duly recognized. As far as Wimbledon goes, aside from Rafa, nobody has been able to seriously challenge the Greatest, thus my reservation and provocation, with the hope of seeing another “tennis wins” moment, which has been mostly lacking from Wimbledon, once again aside from Fed-Rafa match. I only wish other players were as good as or trying to be as good as the Greatest.

To revert to “love for others,” I will keep my tab on you and hold you accountable whether your rule of FAV helps you sustain magnanimity when factionalism takes an adverse turn.

To conclude, your disagreement only validates my freakishness.

June 22nd, 2009 at 9:21 pm

No one said Novak “can’t” play on grass, but if he comes up against someone who has better movement on grass and a big serve, he’ll be in trouble.

He has Mardy Fish, Marin Cilic, and Tommy Haas in his quarter. On paper, he’s much better than them, and on hard and clay courts Djoko will beat them anyday, anywhere. But on grass, I’m not so sure.

Haas will be particularly dangerous, and I think he’ll give Djoko a lot of trouble.

June 22nd, 2009 at 9:26 pm

TennisFreak.

“To conclude, your disagreement only validates my freakishness.”

Nuff Said :)

June 22nd, 2009 at 9:41 pm

TennisFreak,

BTW, Do I need to quote myself again, you’re seemingly choosing what you want to read.

Skeezer,

“If you were an “enthusiast” you would have a FAV AND respect and love for the other players trying to compete also.”

Not yours:

Tennis Freak Says:
“skeezerweezer Says:
If you were an ‘enthusiast’ you would have a FAV”

??

No you don’t need to have a FAV. You don’t get it. Don’t want to. Done. On to other “interesting” posts. I’m out.

June 22nd, 2009 at 9:47 pm

Kimo,

I would forward to Haas and Djoke. Great matchup with Haas playing hot and Djoke obviously near the top. Hope for me I get to see both of them come through to meet. But that’s me :)

June 22nd, 2009 at 9:50 pm

Dan, Sean and Tennis-x Staff,

I know we all have our right to opinions up here and I for one, enjoy 99% of them. It’s awesome. But the personal attacks directed to posters, well, let’s just say some of us have communicated off this site and it is not appropriate. Stuff like “are you pulling that out of your….? ” I mean, read and pick one, you’ll find one. This is a lively GREAT site and blogs, which gets you guys a lot of hits, but maybe it’s time for a little moderation? There is a of insightful respectful stuff up here and strong opinions but can we know what pin ball machine we are playing on? Maybe a little etiquette newbie registration and rules? Something? Don’t want to see a good thing go bad. Thanks. I’m out.

June 22nd, 2009 at 10:12 pm

Von: I can’t watch the Sky Sports here in Slovakia (only Eurosport), but anyway, I can tell you that I really find some of those “traditions” a bit irritating, to say the least. I mean, if they want to make that poor guy wear the players’ luggage for another 50 years or the linesmen and umpires to wear those hilarious “retro” caps, then that’s fine… But if someone has to play for 6 straight days (as was the case in 2007) and you still don’t give a damn, then that’s too much…

June 22nd, 2009 at 10:40 pm

Interesting: Here’s an entire article dedicated to the slippery grass today:

http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE55L6LB20090622

June 22nd, 2009 at 10:43 pm

Jane,

Thanks for the link. You know the article mentioned slipping and skidding and we are up here splitting hairs ;). Here is my humble take. This is what playing on different surfaces make you a complete player. Remember all the Pro Rafa grumbles about FO being faster this year but the purists were acknowledging the different weather, colder and sometimes a little rain, making th Clay court FASTER than before. Hey they have been making that surface for decades and decades the same. So what gives? The weather, nothing else.

Now…..

Grass. The officials of Wimby have admitted to making adjustments to the surface the last few years to SLOW it down, and NOT keep with tradition. So, what is causing this DAY of slipping/skidding, sliding,,,,whatever?

I think through all or any conspiracies Sharapova might have been close to the problem….quote “The grass was damp, it was a little longer than on other courts and also it was the first match on the court,”.

Hey, that makes sense! Ever play tennis on a damp grass court? For sure what you saw today is gonna happen. So maybe the grounds keeper kept the water on a little to long….whatever. They will work it out………..I hope. I like the attitude of the players though, and that is, hey, we ALL had to play on the same stuff, so great players will adjust, other players won’t. I’m out

June 22nd, 2009 at 11:23 pm

Here’s a link offereing a closer look at Fed’s outfit (no jacket or vest though, sorry):

http://tennisconnected.com/home/2009/06/16/rafar-feds-wimbledon-gear/

June 23rd, 2009 at 12:06 am

Skorocel:

I agree with your Wimby irritation, but the Brits love pomp and circumstance, so what can I say. How’s Eurosport treating you? Are they showing enough matches and/or covering an entire match? ESPN is doing its dance, of a few minutes here and there and then feature one or two matches. But, I’ll settle for that instead of sitting at the the computer and live streaming.

June 23rd, 2009 at 12:07 am

LOL, this article is hilarious :DDD

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article6558121.ece

June 23rd, 2009 at 12:10 am

I hope Patrick McEnroe is giving serious thought to his Davis Cup team which plays Croatia on July 10th. In view of Blake’s recent patchy and/or sporadic performance, I think some reshuffling of the team would be in order. The Bryans have not been at their best either, which means Roddick will have to win both of his matches and hopefully the other win would come from the Bryans and/or Blake, Fish? here’s hoping …..

June 23rd, 2009 at 12:13 am

I received that article on Fed’s duds today from Timesonline. The Wimby dressers are on the runways, and ready for modeling. ha, ha.

Did anyone notice Gilbert’s pink hanky in his jacket breast pocket? It’s the same color as Nadal’s RG pink shirt.

June 23rd, 2009 at 12:17 am

Fed’s just a Muppet on a chain when it comes to his own dress up. All the stupid fashion things are Mirka’s deeds. Per my old non-fashion taste, unfortunately, Mirka tends to overdo it, for herself and for Fed. Enough is enough. Too much is too much.

Fed looked much better and comfortable in the simple gray jacket at his post-match presser.

June 23rd, 2009 at 12:31 am

skeezerweezer,

I endorse your appeal for some civil code. But that has to be applied across the board, to all posters, beginning with the biggest “bully,” not my word (more than one person has characterized the person in question with the label) of this site.
Let me clarify a couple of points to you.
You butted in for no reason as if you were some guardian angel for some people. I was not even talking to you. Jane asked a question, and I answered my belief. That snippet was left behind while back, and you jumped in, uninvited, as a guardian angel and self-assumed that the person in question needed your help and went after all of my posts and labeled them “ranting.” To me this is more personal attack than my questioning of that person’s illogical conclusion that held one player’s skidding responsible for all other players’ slipping on the grass. I should also have added if the so-called “who can play on grass” unfortunately can unbalance and twist their ankle on grass, there is nothing wrong with “who cannot play on grass” to slip here and there. None of these fall within the compass of what you call “personal attacks.” In basic personal attacks, you go after character (age, religion, nationality, education level, skin color, sexuality, culture, etc.) and call names. I did neither. I just used a colloquial expression to question the logic used in that conclusion.

Now you charge me with selective reading of your post. Yes, I quoted you partially at the outset, but the remaining part of the excerpt was supplied in the later part of my discussion, implicitly as well as explicitly, which you apparently failed to see, intentionally or unintentionally. In the later part, I discuss “love for other players,” and as “for their trying” (combined together, it completes your whole statement) it is covered when I said, “each enthusiast or fan has her own standard for evaluation,” i.e. evaluation of their efforts.

If you don’t like my posts (which you do possibly because they challenge you to come out of your comfort zone or self-complacent box), you don’t have any compulsion to read them. There is no need to come after me: You can please your friend by other nicer means. If you can, please don’t try to play a despot to silence a dissenting voice.

June 23rd, 2009 at 12:40 am

Well I must admit that even though I don’t care about fashion one bit (I even hate shopping for my own clothes), I get a little excited about what Fed wears at the slams, and at Wimbledon in particular.

June 23rd, 2009 at 12:47 am

daniel: good luck! If you are going for tickets second week, go early, take a sleeping bag, pray it doesn’t rain. I’m serious.
tennisfreaks: I like ideas that challenge my own, because they make me think. Perhaps, people have a problem with your use of language which is very in your face, but unlike other angry posters, your logic is clear and therefore more uncomfortable. That’s not meant to sound patronising BTW, am just thinking aloud!

June 23rd, 2009 at 1:57 am

And, Mr. G. is back.

June 23rd, 2009 at 5:10 am

No no Skeezerweezer, I’ve surely accepted your apology back then and have written to you at that point also as to how my burden is off my back. You’ve not seen it may be. So IF
possible, I’d try to find out that post where I accepted your apology .

June 23rd, 2009 at 6:25 am

Von: Eurosport isn’t showing the Wimby matches (as far as I know, they never did):-( I’m watching it on the Galaxie Sport channel, which is a pretty good coverage (some 8 hours per day), if only they weren’t switching from court to court… For example, yesterday, they were showing the Djoker vs Benneteau match, but once the 2nd set ended, they switched to Hernych vs Tipsarevic (to please the Czech viewers, since GS is a Czech channel)…

June 23rd, 2009 at 6:52 am

Boy, does Federer look silly with that RF-logo-bag :-) Ouch!

June 23rd, 2009 at 6:54 am

Skorocel:

“..if only they weren’t switching from court to court…” That’s the same problem I had with ESPN yesterday. I suppose they are all using the same feed and dancing around, fliting from one court to the other. I had thought The Tennis Channel would cover other matches, but it’s just a repeat of the ESPN broadcast, featuring the same matches. The bits and pieces of the other courts is OK, but it becomes annoying when a viewer wants to watch some specific matches. ADTHE.net is showing Wimby coverage on live streaming, but unfortunately, I can’t tape the streaming, so it’s either I sit at the computer watching streaming (which I can’t do at work) and/or watch the Tennis Channel at night and become frustrated.

June 23rd, 2009 at 7:05 am

Von,

Better start for Roddick impossible!

June 23rd, 2009 at 9:52 am

Everyone has been saying that grass rewards aggressive players who hit more winners. And I totally agree.

Then how come people are so gung-ho on Andy Murray? He plays quite defensive, gets everything back, and now is quite fit. Though he hasn’t done well on clay so far, I would think a player like him would love clay. He is not going to be able to get all the Fed winners back on grass.

Incidentally, Fed and Murray have only played on hard courts. Though 6-2 looks lopsided in favor or Murray – the truth is that Fed was injured in Shanghai, yet almost won the match. And after the Australian open, Fed really went thru a low point in his career, with a horrible hard court season. That was a heartbreaking loss. And yet all their matches went to 3 sets. So it wasn’t as is Murray steam rolled Fed. Fed choked a couple of times during his low period in March.

Fed is a totally changed man today. All credit to him for picking himself up and then persevering thru to win the French, with two five setters both times being down early on. Grass definitely rewards Fed’s game the most (he lost only 5 or 6 sets in his first 5 wimbledon wins).

I don’t see Murray beating Fed on grass. Not for a couple of years at least.

And nothing succeeds like success – and Fed is tasting success all over again. He’s got to be super confident, especially with Nadal not around (yes, he did get a bit lucky at the French).

regarding FO wins, some people have undermined Fed’s win a few weeks ago because he “didn’t beat Nadal to win it”. Well, who did? Nobody, including Nadal himself, has had to beat a player like Nadal to win the FO. What about Gaudio, Costa, Ferrero – players Fed has routinely smoked on clay at their peaks? Or Agassi, Bruguera, Muster, Guga, Courier – nobody really had to face a legendary clay courter to win their FO. Does that make their FO victory illegitimate?

federer really is like Vilas on clay. Vilas had the bad luck of running into Borg, so he just managed on FO the year Borg didn’t play.

I am glad Fed finally won the FO, so that all the stupid comparisons to sampras, mcenroe, becker, edberg can stop, as players who never won the FO – Fed has always been a class above these guys on clay, so its not fair to put them in one bracket.

Nadal, Borg, Lendl, Federer – what do they have in common? Only players with 4 consecutive French finals in the open era. Judge for yourself where Fed should be put as a clay court player. What sets Federer above all of them? He has 13 other slams too, including all the remaining 3. Now top that.

June 23rd, 2009 at 12:17 pm

BTW, my man Lendl deserves super credit. 28 slam semis, 19 finals, though only 8 slam titles, since he had to face Borg, Mcenroe, Connors, Wilander, Becker, and Edberg – ALL at THEIR peak. talk about competition. there never has been a decade like the 80s in terms of competitions. Borg, Sampras, and yes, Federer – never had to face THAT much competition. 90s was the worst.

June 23rd, 2009 at 12:21 pm

By “90s was the worst” I mean there was least competition in the 90s, in the open era.

June 23rd, 2009 at 12:22 pm

Nadal’s parents are separating. This was confirmed by Simon Barnes at the Times of London and also by Tennis Magazine. This is clearly a big deal, it has been messing with Nadal’s mind and there’s no doubt about it.

Here is the excerpt from Today’s story at thetimes.co.uk:

“Right now, such sensitive matters are on the mind of Nadal, at home in Majorca. For many weeks there have been whispers that all was not uncomplicated in the Nadal household, that his parents, Sebastian and Ana María, who hugged their son on the most joyous day of his life a year ago, had separated. Yesterday, we discovered that that was, in fact, the case, that Nadal had been playing in such a fog for the past couple of months, he should have been wearing luminous clothing. He is crushed and any fair-minded person has to be crushed for him.

Imagine what it has been like, trying to do your duty by yourself, your team and your profession and yet having to perform when your heart is elsewhere, the distressing nightly calls home, the wish that it were not so, the desire for a reconciliation.

Nadal never mentioned it, he played and hoped. He talked about resetting his body after having to withdraw from the championships with problem knees and yet he has a more difficult task, resetting his entire life. We wish him well.

If he needs help, he could ask the Murray brothers. Both have had to deal for more than half their lives with the fact that their parents, Willie and Judy, live separate lives. For Nadal to endure such a trauma at 23 will be exceedingly difficult; for the Murrays, it is something they have long adjusted to. They have turned out spectacularly well.”

June 23rd, 2009 at 12:48 pm

This really is unfortunate for Nadal, but its something he will bounce back from in a couple of months max.

The knees are still the most troubling thing for him. 5 matches in a row at one of the masters on hard court, and they could be hurting again, unless he changes his style of play. And if he changes, he is not going to win that often. He was never a big hard court player anyway.

tendinitis, anywhere, is VERY VERY bothersome. Unless detected and cured early on, it never goes away completely. A tennis elbow remains a tennis elbow for life, unless you give up tennis. Knees are even worse, since you can never rest them unless you stop walking (at least you can rest your arm in a sling).

June 23rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm

BTW, I found out that only 5 players (in the open era) have reached the finals of all 4 slams – Laver, Lendl, Edberg, Agassi, and Federer.

Only Laver, Agassi, and Federer have won all 4.

Only federer has at least 4 finals in all 4 majors.

BTW, both Lendl and Federer have at least 5 semis in all 4 majors. Lendl had 7 semis, including 2 finals, at the Wimbledon, just ran into top notch grass courters.

I think Lendl and Federer have the most well rounded resumes in the open era. Lendl had 28 slam semis (Fed is at 22) – just incredible performance.

June 23rd, 2009 at 3:18 pm

TennisFreak,

“I endorse your appeal for some civil code.”

That is good enough. Didn’t read the rest. Sorry, didn’t need to or want to. Thanks. I’m out.

June 23rd, 2009 at 8:12 pm

More on slippery grass, the three “who can play on” this surface had to say the following, but none blamed the skid king, contrary to the noble mind (who sees the draw being always fixed, and now, pursuing the same stretch of mind, sees the skid king fixing the grass slippery and causing others to stumble: Indeed, imagination par excellence !).

Venus Williams: It’s grass. You’re going to slip sometimes.

Roddick: First couple matches on grass is gonna be slippery. You know, it’s not a hard court. It’s gonna be that way.

MURRAY: It takes time to get used to after playing on the clay, ’cause you can slide into the shots. But the courts, uhm, the Centre Court, it’s quite slippy, you know, especially when the shadow comes over it.
It’s coming over much quicker than it did before because of the roof. At the back of the court, yeah, it’s slippy and it’s quite difficult to move. But, you know, I think ‑‑ all grass court tournaments the first couple of days, when, you know, no one’s played on them, the grass is normally pretty slippy. Queen’s is the same.
You know, every year I’ve played here, it’s the same. They tend to get better as the tournament goes on.

P.S.: Players who took a tumble today included Chardy, Roddick (even a ball boy fell on his face), and Safin, who took the biggest stumble.

June 23rd, 2009 at 10:02 pm

“He was never a big hard court player anyway.”

LOL! Ask Djoker or Murray what would they give for being such a poor hard court player as is Nadal :-) I bet they’d give everything! 1 AO title (+ one semi), one semifinal at UO, 2 IW titles, 1 title both in Montreal & Toronto, Olympic title, 2 times a finalist in Miami, etc. Still not enough?

June 24th, 2009 at 8:10 pm

Djoko’s pretty close to that list Skorocel: 1 AO title, one final and one semi at USO, 1 IW title, 1 Montreal title, Bronze Olympics, 1 Miami title and 1 final.

But I don’t dispute your implication – Nadal is a damn good hard court player too. He ain’t number 1 for nothing!

June 24th, 2009 at 8:32 pm

He, he (Nadal) was never a big hard court player. He is a big clay court player. But not a big hard court player. By sheer will, he won a few titles on hard courts. But more than 75% of his titles are still on clay. He is not a natural hard court player at all. He won just due to his sheer fitness, speed, and will. WIth bad knees, that takes 2 out of those 3 attributes away.Why else does he drop his performance every year after wimbledon? By september, he is usually pretty mjuch done, every year. He is also 23 now. Not exactly a teenager any more, when recoveries are quick.

June 25th, 2009 at 10:52 am

And yes, LOL, if you think Nadal is a big hard court player!

June 25th, 2009 at 10:53 am

And yes, Rafa is No 1 primarily due to his clay results, even now. Unless he wins EVERYTHING on clay, he cannot remain No 1. That’s why his No 1 ranking is in jeopardy this year (not just due to wimbledon – if he had played here, he would still have been under pressure in the hard court season because of the points he lost at Madrid and FO). 25 out of 36 titles are on clay. 4 out of his 6 slams are on clay. outside of clay, his winning percentage is below 70%. On clay, its close to 95%.

Even today, he is where he is primarily on his clay court exploits.

His two slams on grass and hard courts? In both cases, it took him a tough 5 sets to beat a 27 year old past his prime Federer. Even Hewitt and Safin have 2 slams outside of clay – Nadal is Nadal because of what he has done on clay, which is absolutely phenomenal (on clay).

And now its only going to get tougher on Nadal – he too may be past his prime. Many tennis players have peaked at 22/23 (remember Becker?), or even before.

June 25th, 2009 at 1:32 pm

Fedfan: I’m a Fedfan too, but I’m not blind to see the obvious… The truth is, of all the players on the tour, you could find, at best, three (3) who’ve had comparable (or better) results on hard within the last 52 weeks as had Nadal: Fed, Murray and Djoker. If that’s NOT enough to be a great hard-court player, then what the hell you think is? Just curious…

June 25th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

I think being no 4 in one area over just one year doesn’t qualify as being “great”. He just had 4 good tournaments on hard courts – 2 masters, olympics, and AO, over about 7 months or so. You need some consistency and results over an extended period of time to be called a “great” player. Heck, Federer’s results on clay are far superior to Nadal’s results on hard courts. I don’t see anyone calling Federer as a “great” clay court player, even though he has shown amazing consistency on clay over the last 4 years or so.

Let Nadal back up his hard court results for a couple of season, then we can truly know if it was real or just a lucky streak. Nadal is just such a phenomenal clay courter, such a fit quick guy, and so amazingly determined, that he overcomes he lack of “great” skills on other surfaces. Point is – he can’t do that forever, maybe never again.

I repeat what I said – he is not really a “BIG” hard court player. Decent, yes, Big or great, No.

June 25th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Fedfan: Federer not a great claycourter? What sport are you watching?

June 26th, 2009 at 9:29 am

“I don’t see anyone calling Federer as a “great” clay court player”

Skorocel – that’s what I said above. How did you interpret it as me saying he is not a great claycourter? That’s wrong deduction.

I have repeatedly said Fed is a top 10 claycourter in the open ear – very comparable to Vilas.

Would you say Nadal is a top 10 hard court player in the open era? Or Even top 20? Certainly not. At least not yet. Then how is Nadal a “great” hard court player, if he is not even in the top 20 listing in the open era? If you think he deserves to be in the top20 listing in the open era on hard courts, let me know, and I will list 25 players who have been much better than him on hard courts.

the term “great” can only be applied to Nadal’s game on clay, not on any other surface. Unless, of course, your standards for great are just a bit lower.

June 26th, 2009 at 12:23 pm

Fedfan: Why the need to come up with all those comparisons? I don’t mean if he’s 100th or 10th greatest hard court player in OE… That’s NOT relevant. What’s relevant is NOW. And NOW, Nadal’s clearly among the best on hard-court, if not the very best. If you think he’s not gonna hold up on this surface for too long, then fine. Personally, I don’t see any reason for that to happen – unless his knees blow up completely…

The truth is, if we count only the “true” hardcourt events (i.e. those which are played outdoors), the guy’s 2-4 vs Djokovic, 3-1 vs Fed, 3-1 vs Murray (including that recent IW whacking), 2-2 vs Roddick, and 2-1 vs Del Potro. In other words, he’s got a POSITIVE H2H against 3 out of 5 best players on this surface. Nadal’s worst surface, I should add. And there was hardly anyone else apart from these 5 who could beat him on hard in the last year or so. Even those who used to trouble him in the past – he figured them out. Tsonga, Youzhny, Berdych, Blake, Nalby – you name it. If this is not enough to call him a great player on hard, then what about Murray or Djoker?

June 26th, 2009 at 6:38 pm

So indoor hard courts are not hard courts? I think we should also narrow them by country…. LOL….

In the matches that Nadal has won, he is XX-0 against all his opponents! How about that criteria?

By your definition, we have a lot of “great” players playing today, on each surface. Well….

June 29th, 2009 at 6:44 pm

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July 3rd, 2009 at 8:16 am