Federer, Djokovic in Action; ATP Previews

Good luck to Djoko and Fed at their respective events next week; Djoko has to get at least to the semis so sar and Duro can get their moneys’ worth!!

May 3rd, 2010 at 1:40 am

T-X friends,
Hi Jane the congenial, Duro the flag bearer, Sar, Madmax the passionate, Kimmi the absolute tennis fan, Kimo, Daniel the other Stat Sharko Bite, Ben the sensationalsafin, Skorocel, Voicemale1 the opposition voice, MMT the tennis historian, Tejuz, Veno, Grendal, Von, D. Martin, Sean, Vulcan, Gordo, huh, blah, Polo, and all other posters. Pardon me if I missed any oldies !

It’s been a while I have not written anything on tennis but am pleased to return, of course with some stats. I will be fully back around Roland Garros. For now, my down payment of the stat before the scheduled installment begins:

According to ATP, Nole’s career stat on clay is factually recorded as follows (his 74% career wins, 80% between 2006-2010 Apr., and , 81% between 2007-2010 Apr, rank among the top 3 in match percentage won in those periods, though he is far behind Rafa and Roger. Besides Rafa and Roger, no one else has better record than Nole’s “Win Percentage” on clay matches played during his career. He holds the third position, even if you count Masters on clay and RG during those same spans):

—Nole’s Career W/L: 77 wins to 28 Losses
Career Win Percentage: 74% (rounded) wins of the 102 matches played

—Since Nole’s rise in 2007 till April 2010: 59 wins to 14 losses on clay.*
Percentage: 81% wins of 59 matches played

—Including 14-4 of 2006 season, 73 wins to 18 losses*.
Percentage: 80% wins of the 91 matches played between 2006-Apr. 2010

Compare with Verdasco’s career stat
—Careers W/L: 108 wins to 64 losses.
Career Win Percentage: 63% (rounded)

Between 2007-April 2010: 49 wins to 25 losses*
percentage: 66% wins of the 74 matches played

Between 2006-April 2010: 66 wins to 34 losses*
Percentage: 66% wins of the 100 matches played

Next, compare with Tommy Robredo’s career stat on clay: 70% wins. He won 188 career matches out of 268 played. He has 1 Masters title on clay (Hamburg ’06), never a finalist, and 4 times quarter finalist at RG in the span of 12 years (between 1998-2010 Apr.). Between 2007-2010 Apr., he has 74 wins to 34 losses, i.e. 69% wins. Add to this his stat from 2006, he has 96 wins to 40, i.e. 71%.*

Next, compare with David Ferrer’s, who has 67% career win on clay. He won 174 career matches out of 258 played between 2000-2010 Apr., and he has no Masters title; Rome ’10 was his 1st Masters final, and twice quarter finalists at RG were his best. His win percentage 74 wins to 25 losses between 2007-2010 Apr, is 75%. Add his stat from 2006, 89 wins to 32 losses, i.e. 73%*.

Similarly, JC Ferrero has 66% wins on clay. He won 228 career matches out of 308 played between 1998-2010 Apr. He has no Masters finals and titles between 2004-2010 Apr, and he has not reached beyond R32 at RG since 2004.( However, he has 1 RG title, 1 RG final, 3 Masters titles on clay, and 1 Masters final, all came before 2004). His win percentage is less than 68% on clay between 2007-2010 Apr (59 wins to 28 losses). Add to this his stat from 2006, he has 77 wins to 32 losses, i.e. 71% wins. *

Conclusion:

(1) Career wins——————Nole’s 74% wins to Robredo’s 70%, Ferrer’s 67%, JC Ferrero’s 66%, and Verdasco’s 63%
(2) Between 2007-Apr. 2010 -——————Nole’s 81% wins to Robredo’s 69%, Ferrer’s 75%, JC Ferrero’s 68%, and Verdasco’s 66%*
(3) Between 2006-Apr.2010 -—————-Nole’s 80% wins, Robredo’s 71%, Ferrer’s 73%, JC Ferrero 71% and Verdasco’s 66%*

If you count only Masters Series on clay and RG, Nole’s win percentage should be higher between 2006-2010 Apr.

*Davis Cup and World Team Championship stats are not included except in the aggregate career stats because DC and WTC points did not count until last year and because they are not mandatory.

Feel free to correct me if there are statistical errors.
-————————————-
As for Nole’s winning last year’s points and retaining the no. 2 rank up until RG, I hope he does but it is not looking easy as Rafa is rising and climbing in a steadily fast pace. I also hope Rafa allows Federer to break Sampras’ record. It was devastating to read my man Del Potro might have to go through the surgery and take a long leave. I hope he does not have to go through all that. My prayers are with him.

May 3rd, 2010 at 3:02 am

I am it! Now I understand why you had to take 3 months off from tennis.x? It has taken you that long to do all your fantastic research on nole’s stats! Oh.My.God! You just blew me away with all your information! I am it! Truly, the God of tennis.x. It’s so good to see you back!

May 3rd, 2010 at 3:35 am

i am it – nice to see you back. you have been missed. it will be nice to chat with you again. as you have seen, the king of clay is back and kicking. i agree with you about delpo..i also wish him fast recovery.

looking forward to read your wonderful stats. yeah baby!

May 3rd, 2010 at 8:05 am

Now I know who to turn to for statistcis. I am it, you are it!

May 3rd, 2010 at 8:36 am

i am it – you are the man!! Thanks for all of these stats, and more importantly, how nice to see you back! You have been missed. : ) As has you man Delpo; many of us want to see him back in action too. ; )

May 3rd, 2010 at 9:02 am

No, no, people… i am it is not just a stat guy. He can be more productive! I want his live analysis, his thoughts, his real “i am it”! Come on, i am it, show us some passion, kick some but, say something about game and players without gloves… We mostly respect each others (posters among themselves, I mean) but there’s not a reason that we should be “nice” to our friend’s favs only because they’re fans of them and our friends in the same time! I want a war on the court and all the “worst” to my sports enemies, but all the best to my friends! That should be a spirit! Never bad towards players themselves, facial expressions, nation, looks and hatred of any kind, but being a fan simply must have two major poles, one of your favorite one and other one of all the others! Nobles oblige! Honor, love and fight! So my friends, prepare for war! Rafa is coming, Nole is messing, Fed is fading, Murray is in the clouds, Potro Loco with bad luck, big serving naughty American always around, so enough of being nice. I like you all, but a number 1 is at stake! Allez alleeeez…

May 3rd, 2010 at 11:04 am

well said , Duro.

May 3rd, 2010 at 11:12 am

Thank you, my fair countess. Bowing…

May 3rd, 2010 at 11:27 am

curtsy with a bow, my Lord.

May 3rd, 2010 at 11:47 am

I am it retuned with full force, a statement comeback. way to go!

I admire Duro’s passion. You must be good to have around in a fist fight! :)

May 3rd, 2010 at 12:40 pm

duro, how can you say fed is fading?

very disrespectful.

For the federer fans:

http://www.realclearsports.com/articles/2010/05/02/federer_needs_nadal_to_get_serious_96949.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/387187-roger-federer-should-we-be-worried-i-think-not

May 3rd, 2010 at 12:41 pm

Daniel, I’m a gentleman. Just words…

May 3rd, 2010 at 12:50 pm

Madmax, good articles but I don’t see how the title “Federer needs Nadal to get serious” relates to the actual article.

May 3rd, 2010 at 1:10 pm

Nice to see you back ‘i am it’. :) You are a great asset to this site indeed. :)

May 3rd, 2010 at 2:39 pm

I am it:

By the way, the best thing for me now is that I have a DP fan to finally share my sentiments with re:DP. Absolutely love your guy -Juan Martin Del Potro.

May 3rd, 2010 at 2:41 pm

you people are batshit crazy

May 3rd, 2010 at 3:30 pm

Ben,

because your title had “Federer” in it? and the article I posted was about “Federer?”. Does that make it any clearer?

May 3rd, 2010 at 3:49 pm

Madmax, I mean the article itself. It talks about the rivalry and how we could be headed towards a Fedal final at the French. The article didn’t say Nadal wasn’t serious enough for Federer. I just thought it was misleading.

May 3rd, 2010 at 4:02 pm

Maxi, disrespectful would be if I have said that Fed wasn’t the GOAT, that he wasn’t much of a player or something similar. I consider him as a true tennis artist, the best tennis player that ever played the game. OK? Now, you should reconsider your opinion on my post; is it really disrespectful to your champion, or is it your particular sensitivity when he’s mentioned the reason you found it that way. I was just referring to his latest results, you know which ones and his very probable prospects for the continuation of the season, especially the clay one. Same goes for Nole, don’t worry. The problem is, your guy has to defend something. And a beast is coming… Only his knees can screw him up, let’s face it. The ultimate competitor. No art can stop that. The beauty and delicacy of someone’s strokes certainly can’t. So is he fading? Considering his last results and comparing him to certain Spaniard – yes. Sorry.

May 3rd, 2010 at 4:17 pm

Hi Duro.

May 3rd, 2010 at 4:28 pm

Let’s call the spade a spade. Federer is fading. It does not mean that he could not turn it around and start winning again. But as of his last three tournaments, that is what it is. Federer is fading. That is not disrespecting him. That is a statement of fact which Duro said and I concur.

May 3rd, 2010 at 4:37 pm

Hi, Jane.

May 3rd, 2010 at 4:52 pm

Polo, fair enough. Is he gonna turn it around again? Of course, yes. Too good not to. He just has to wait till the grass sprouts…

May 3rd, 2010 at 4:56 pm

“Rafa is coming, Nole is messing, Fed is fading, Murray is in the clouds, Potro Loco with bad luck, big serving naughty American always around”

hahaha classic. Love it duro.

May 3rd, 2010 at 7:23 pm

and yeah Gulbis is coming to mess up all the predictions!

May 3rd, 2010 at 9:52 pm

Wow Duro – Your like a blast of ocean spray off the Pacific, both refreshing and invigorating. I appreciate candor and truth (rose colored glasses not so much) so I’ll look forward to your posts.

May 3rd, 2010 at 9:53 pm

Duro Says:

“The beauty and delicacy of someone’s strokes certainly can’t. So is he fading? Considering his last results and comparing him to certain Spaniard – yes. Sorry.”

Are you nuts? This is the Clay season, “Rafa is King of Clay”. Not Wimby, Not USO, not AO. NOT GRAND SLAMS TITLES. That is only held by the “King of All”, Fed!

Is he fading? Geez…. I’ll write him off when he stops winning slams, and by then, he is still King, even if he stops at 16 GS…

Out

May 4th, 2010 at 12:28 am

Skeezer, take it easy… Don’t go schizo on me! Am I nuts? I don’t know (an assumption to be one), but I certainly didn’t call myself skeezerweezer, you did.

And nobody wrote him off, don’t worry, just noticed a current trend, and besides, it rimes! (Fed – fading, I mean). Anyway, keep defending your champ! It’s your job here, as well as anybody’s else. That’s my main goal, to make you cheer, people! Fight!

May 4th, 2010 at 11:15 am

Anna, don’t get romantic here… There is no romanticism in passion! Just a row emotion and feeling! Fight for your beloved ones and respect everyone that deserves it.

“Blast of ocean spray…” Oh my! Almost blushing…
I might be only a spray off the Adriatic, as far as the metaphors are concerned. Thanks, anyway. Your name’s also a name of my mother, so I like you already. Cheers.

May 4th, 2010 at 11:29 am

Duro,

You’re right, I am Schizo! Sorry I did not mean you are nuts, just a way of expression here in Cali, my bad :(.

But on second thought…..

“Joe Says:

you people are batshit crazy

May 3rd, 2010 at 3:30 pm”

Well maybe we all are! Lol

May 4th, 2010 at 11:30 am

Kimmi, thanks. Do you happen to know what’s new? Murray sucks, Fed sucks, but Nole as well ha ha ha! Very rare and unusual situation! They better wake up, or the old order will come again! He’s coming, people!!! The ultimate competitor! An advise for tennis youngsters: Go to the gyms!!! The future of tennis lies in the muscles!

May 4th, 2010 at 11:38 am

Nadal doesn’t go to the gym to pump his muscles.

May 4th, 2010 at 11:40 am

skeezer, keep being such, it suits you and you’re doing it perfectly. Some spirit you got…

May 4th, 2010 at 11:42 am

Hey, devastating! He doesn’t, but do you think the others can do the same (to create those without it)? Look at my formerly devastating fav, he was pounding that ball all his life but never became nothing but skinny. If the nature doesn’t help you, the gym will!

May 4th, 2010 at 11:47 am

Tennis is a skinny man’s sport. There’s no need to bulk up in the gym. Get fit and work on endurance and stamina, but no need for large biceps.

May 4th, 2010 at 11:56 am

Long as you don’t turn into “AHNOLD”, yes the gym will help. The gym will for sure help as long as keep the shape of a tennis, basketball, or soccer shape body. But not a weight lifters body. Even Rafa “toned” down, got skinnier after he got hurt, did anyone notice?

But then again, we are saying get in the gym, but does Fed’s body look like he has done “ANY” upper body work in the gym? NOT! :)

The “Old Style” tennis body lives! :)

May 4th, 2010 at 12:00 pm

Ben,

Not to be schizo but how does Rafa produce so many more RPM’s on the ball than anyone else? Timing? Wrist? OR his swing? If it has anything to do with his swing, then wouldn’t the strength of your arm have something to do with it?

Just own up to it man, it’s the “Biceps”….lol

May 4th, 2010 at 12:07 pm

“Even Rafa “toned” down, got skinnier after he got hurt, did anyone notice?”

I thought he looks chubbier after the injury. I mean normal (2008’s Nadal) – skinny (to prevent injury) – super skinny (over do it) – got injured – chubbier (now)… I don’t know, maybe just my eyes…

May 4th, 2010 at 12:23 pm

Duro,

It’s fine. you didnt say what you said in your second post. just that fed is fading. I found that disrespectful. If you said the following:

“I was just referring to his latest results, you know which ones and his very probable prospects for the continuation of the season, especially the clay one. Same goes for Nole, don’t worry. The problem is, your guy has to defend something”.

That’s a lil bit different.

It would be as if I said to you “nole is fading”. I would never say that. am aware that fed hasnt performed as well as expected, but i see that differently to “fading”.

It’s weird actually duro. I watched his match against baghdatis, berdyche and gulbis over the weekend.

With baghdatis having 2 match points in the seconde set, then another match point in the third, it was unbelievable that he couldnt close it out.

Then again with berdyche, match point, that he couldnt close it out.

And with Gulbis 5:5 third set, that he lost the will to win. I wouldnt exactly call that fading. mental edge gone for those matches, yes. He was actually playing really well in all three matches, apart from the second set when he played Gulbis.

I suppose I was a looking for a little more analysis from you, that was all.

Anna, i think we all have rose coloured tints when it comes to our players, and i just like to see things objectively that’s all.

duro, you and i will always be fine, even when we disagree, so don’t even worry about it. hope you have a nice evening.

May 4th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

People, a round for everyone if Ben ever agrees with me in anything! Strange thing is, we’re supporting the same player ha ha ha! Ben, don’t get so serious all the time. Look at the skeezer, he’ll live 108 years!

Ezzora, it’s definitely your eyes. Ones he took his shirt off after a match (a period when he was losing almost all the time and after his parents divorced) he wasn’t just looking skinny, he was looking as he was fasting! He has a necessity for his muscles the same as Samson has for his hair.

May 4th, 2010 at 12:36 pm

Maxi, no problem. I’ll talk to you later. Have to tell you something. Don’t worry, we are fine.

May 4th, 2010 at 12:44 pm

And Maxi, Nole isn’t fading, he is melting! For almost two year now. Don’t be enamored, be in love when you assess your champ. Cheers.

May 4th, 2010 at 12:48 pm

Oh now I remember. Yes Duro, he was so thin after the injury, especially during WTF where he lost to almost everybody who entered the tournament. I think what I was trying to say was that he looks chubby now, even chubbier than the 2008 Nadal.

I think Roddick, Djokovic, Gulbis or maybe Ferdasco have a suitable body figure for tennis player.

May 4th, 2010 at 12:52 pm

Ezorra,

“I think what I was trying to say was that he looks chubby now, even chubbier than the 2008 Nadal.”

That was too funny :) Nadal = chubby and chubbier. Ha!

Maxi,

Thanks for the link from the bleacher report, good read :)

May 4th, 2010 at 1:45 pm

Sorry skeezerweezer, my English isn’t that good. I hope u understand what i was trying to say… :)

May 4th, 2010 at 1:52 pm

Duro,

do you reallllly think nole is melting? that’s a bit harsh isnt it? I just think Nole has been inconsistent, largely down to his association with Todd Martin, other than that, I think Nole is a force out there and a great player who will continue to develop. I dont see it as “melting” or “fading”. We all look at things differently, dont we.

I misinterpret things sometimes, but know that you will put me right!

What do you need to tell me?

Am working at the moment, but will be about in an hour or so.

May 4th, 2010 at 2:45 pm

Ezorra,

You don’t know me that well yet, but I like to tease now and then. I knew what you meant, just playin with ya! :)

“Chubbier”, “nuts”, “melting”, “fading”….just goes to show you that we come from different parts of the world so sometimes wording can be not what you think and sometimes it is spot on! :) It’s all good, if we give the “other” a chance to explain.

Me, I think as long as Nole doesn’t get sprinkled with water he is not going to melt ( Wizard of Oz )

:)

Out

May 4th, 2010 at 2:58 pm

Duro, have to sleep now, so waited around for a while. hopefully speak to you tomorrow. have a nice evening with fellow tennis junkies :)

May 4th, 2010 at 5:32 pm

I think Rafa lost weight after his injury to protect his knees on hardcourt, but has steadily been gaining weight (the last few months) as his knees have healed and as he’s moved toward clay (yes, I do watch the man like a hawk). Aside from the knees, I think the weight loss played a big role in Rafa’s struggle to get his game back last year.

Skeezer – Einstein would agree. Muscle mass has to contribute to the power of Rafa’s shots. I know he does do some gym work, but I think his muscles are more from nature than nurture.

May 5th, 2010 at 2:07 am

Duro – Well now I’m just embarrassed. I had no idea I knew how to bat my eyelashes like that. Embarrassed and a little empowered at the same time. I like it.

Skeezer – Commentators, analysts, etc. consider Roger to have the best body type for tennis and Rafa to have the worst because he’s considered to be SOOOOO muscular. Well I don’t see it. They are the same height (6’1″) and 1 lb. difference, Rafa being a pound heavier. There legs look equally muscular, chest and shoulders appear to be equal in size, so maybe a couple quarterpounders on Rafa’s backside, and a couple of quarterpounders in the arms (biceps), but beyond that how are they soooo different as to be the best and worst body types for tennis. During Rafa’s match on Sunday one of the commentators (Robbie I believe) said that long, lean muscles are best for tennis and then cited Andy M. as an example. Good lord, have you seen Andy’s legs….

May 5th, 2010 at 2:54 am

I don’t think Rafa’s body suits tennis. Yea, in someway it helps (specially his arm and biceps to create massive topspins) but overall i don’t it suits. the knee issues tell all!

May 5th, 2010 at 3:16 am

Maxi, sorry I couldn’t respond you right away. Later on this blog became dysfunctional as its name says, so i couldn’t do it anyway.

Do I really think what I’ve said about Nole and his melting? I’m afraid – yes. What developing? He’s stagnating and even getting worse. He lost most of his signature strokes and a major part of his mental toughness. Both of his serves, a forehand and a belief in himself. He kept his backhand, movement, improved defending skills (that’s killing me), volleying a bit and a fitness to some degree. Overall, not as he was expected to.

May 5th, 2010 at 1:10 pm

Anna,

1 lb. Weight difference and same height? Didn’t know that, thanks :). Now I wonder where are Roger’s muscles?

Regarding the “quarterpounders” reference to Rafa,

“Classic” :)

Andy’s legs? Better check with Von on that one. Von, Von, where for art thou Von?

Duro,

Thanks for the props on lasting till 108, I’ll go with that, as long as I can play tennis at 108! Love this game :)

May 5th, 2010 at 1:47 pm