Does This Sound Like Robin Soderling Is Making A Comeback In 2016?

I can’t believe his mono has hung on as long as it has, that’s unreal! I’ve had two friends that have had this disease. They both lost a year of college, but eventually got well. The doctors say complete bed rest is essential. I feel for him, it’s affected him a very long time, unfortunately. He was a good tennis player. He and DelPo have both had it rough. Sad for them…..to want to do something you love and can’t…..

December 3rd, 2015 at 11:31 am

If he is over the illness, hope he does make a comeback, miss his cockiness on court when his game is on, kinda like Fabio. Bird only wishes he had the Gonads of Sod.
He’s 31, Fed is 34…why not? Hope he gives it a go.

December 3rd, 2015 at 12:38 pm

I hope he does too…..comebacks can be interesting and fun. Glad that he’s over it, and I’ll be glad when I get over my sciatica problem, 5 weeks too long!

December 3rd, 2015 at 12:48 pm

Yes Okiegal, you make some good points. Hope your sciatica is healed soon. My husband had that… very painful.

December 3rd, 2015 at 2:53 pm

Nice guy,good player,and good for some upsets against the top players,but his on court persona left me feeling a bit cold,and before im attacked its nothing to do with him beating Rafa at RG,which he more than made up for the following year,and many years afterwards anyway….

December 3rd, 2015 at 3:17 pm

Big Cyber hug…Gypsy! no one will attack you ;)

I’ll always miss Soderling but I liked him before he beat Rafa at FO.

December 3rd, 2015 at 3:21 pm

Never liked him, apart of his gamesmanship at the WTF he is also tried to cheat, here is the link:

http://youtu.be/3CnX6k0snxA

December 3rd, 2015 at 3:53 pm

Yeah Soderling is not a good guy, the dude’s a legit villain.

December 3rd, 2015 at 6:12 pm

^^ to each their own ;)

December 3rd, 2015 at 6:25 pm

@Wog Boy – that video is hilarious. Hadn’t seen it before. That mark wasn’t even close to the one where the ball bounced. I would feel more indignant but with that scoreline he could cheat all he wanted and he still wasn’t going to win (not that it makes it okay).

December 3rd, 2015 at 7:15 pm

RZ,

I like French commentators, they are legends, I didn’t understand them but you can feel that they were having a lough of their life.

December 3rd, 2015 at 7:23 pm

i always felt like soda and berd were kind of misunderstood people but maybe that’s my generous side?

anyhow, wow. i kind of just thought he was done.

December 3rd, 2015 at 8:39 pm

“Never liked him, apart of his gamesmanship at the WTF he is also tried to cheat, here is the link:”
Really? You want to go ……there? There are other top players who we could debate ” tried to cheat ” including your dear one.

December 3rd, 2015 at 9:17 pm

Bring it on.

December 3rd, 2015 at 9:28 pm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/11703909/

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2014-03-26/15296.php

Check the poll results.
—
Novak-Djokovic-risks-cheating-claims-after-Boris-Beckers-coaching-comments.html
—
There are other players….not just your dear….want to talk more about supposed cheat Sod or just move on??

December 4th, 2015 at 12:14 am

You are joking if you comparing that (which is opinion and nothing else) with what Soderling did (what was plain cheating cought on camera) something is seriously wrong with you, bring more of that “cheating” please, don’t hesistate please, eagrly awaiting for mor Nole cheating. It took you three hours to come up with that rubbish that you call cheating, maybe your dear cheated 22000 people in O2 Arena and millions around the world when he chickened out and claimed back injury, that is also opinion of majority I know (OPINION) , Soderling is not opinion and is not debatable it is called CHEATING.

December 4th, 2015 at 12:46 am

Soderling “making a comeback?” That’s about as likely as Houdini isn’t it?

December 4th, 2015 at 1:18 am

Soderling is glad that skeezer is very supportive of his comeback. When you’re returning from injury, the most important thing is skeezer’s support. The tour can be pretty hard without it.

December 4th, 2015 at 3:55 am

This racquet touch over the net was after the 2013 FO when he did the same thing against Rafa I couldn’t believe how surprised he was in the Rafa match that he lost the point…..it was like this is against the rules??? He got away with it the second time. Andy was so funny about it all and so right about the call. I think the reason Andy was nice and took it in stride is because they are so congenial with each other.. I will bet if it had been anyone else Andy would have been a little more hostile and rightfully so. That was a horrible call.

December 4th, 2015 at 6:17 am

@Pamela….I hope it is too. I have been getting around like I’m a hundred yrs old…..but I am happy to say, much better today…..yippy skippy!!!

December 4th, 2015 at 6:21 am

On Soderling and his link, there is a simple explanation, he had his eyes crossed!! What was weird he hit the ball back and it was a good shot and then he stopped playing the point. This is exactly why there should replays on clay…..

December 4th, 2015 at 6:32 am

Jalep@3.21pm December 3rd, thankyou ;)….

December 4th, 2015 at 7:02 am

Okie sorry must politely disagree,Novak touched the net against Rafa in 2013,all be it accidentaly(never cared for that match after that incident,because it tainted the win for Rafa, and its all some posters can talk about and how Novak shouldve won the match yada yada,however thats another story),anyway i digress Novak leaned over the net to hit the ball against Murray,i dont think that was intentional,and merely caught up in the moment of trying to win the point,never the less the umpire shouldve given Murray the point due to the fault,regards Soda it was blatant that the ball landed in a completely different spot,and he also played the ball anyway when he shouldve stopped there and then,IMO he didnt have a leg to stand on….

December 4th, 2015 at 8:14 am

Roger tries to challenge his own serve that was called in after he loses the point on a failed volley attempt…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teExqmzumH8

Not to mention the time he admitted to taking a bathroom break against Davydenko so he could wait for the sun to move.

December 4th, 2015 at 9:53 am

Novak is either a good actor or has made it pretty clear in several matches he has no idea what the rules are regarding the net.

Federer sometimes gets caught up in his own hubris that he does some questionable things. And Nadal is guilty of some stuff, too.

But Soderling does stuff so clearly knowingly that it’s ridiculous. That clay match is a good example. Another example, and the moment I started to really dislike him, was 2010 Wimbledon. Quarterfinals against Nadal. They split the first 2 sets. Nadal is serving for the third set. And just before Nadal starts to serve, Soderling decides he’s injured and takes an MTO. It was the most obvious BS I’ve ever seen during a match. The trainer came out and asks what’s bothering him and Soderling is just like “uhhh, I don’t know, just massage my legs.” He breaks Nadal but loses the tiebreaker and the match. Probably one of the few times I was happy to see Nadal stomp someone.

It sucks that he missed so many years due to health, but rooting for him is out of the question.

December 4th, 2015 at 10:50 am

Ben, agreed.

No comparison for me between Soderling and Berdych in terms of sportsmanship.

Soderling and Rosol, definitely.

December 4th, 2015 at 11:11 am

@Gypsy Gal

I think my post at 6:17 was misunderstood by you. I am saying in 2013 at the FO when Novak touched the net he seemed shocked when he lost the point like he didn’t realize it was a rule. The deal with Andy was a year later and he did the same thing again but didn’t lose the point. The umpire just missed it I supposed. I don’t know if I cleared this up from my end….or could be I didn’t understand your post. Not sure exactly what you disagreed on. That’s OK if we don’t agree…. we don’t sometime….but I am ready for the Aussie Open!!!!

December 4th, 2015 at 11:15 am

Ben – I believe that lack of net play and knowledge of rules and strategy of net play and regular practice and doubles play to reinforce that were all lacking from Djokovics arsenal in the past. Now with the improved serve and Beckers push to get him to net more, Novak is discovering that with work, he can do very well up there. There is also the motivation of blown critical points in the past – tops being the net touch where it was pretty clear that Djoker in the moment, was not concerned about a touch as long as he hit an unplayable volley/half smash. The touch didn’t matter the point was his if there was no play on the ball.
He had Nadal that day, let him off the hook by doing something dumb, and Djokovic is a very bright guy, so it must have really galled him.

The origins of this hole in Djokovics game appear not to be from laziness, but necessary expediency as a kid at Pilic’s Academy. Djokovic lost a couple years of formal training due to war and family financial struggles. And could not afford to do the travel for the juniors developmental circuit as much as players with sponsors or national sports associations funding them.
Pilic related that Djokovic knew he was going to make it as a baseliner, not a serve and volley type player – and focused at the Academy on what he needed to do to catch up to his peers in winning. To excel as a baseliner and make money to pay the family debts off. He developed some of the best passing shots Pilic had seen, his serve wasn’t bad, but not powerful enough to come to net behind – so net was out, and getting a better and better baseline game on all surfaces is what did the trick in him rising to the top 3 as a teen despite all the developmental tennis time he missed.
But now he is 28, and learned from Sampras and others how to schedule, how to play to win and not play to dazzle, and net play can shorten his average point time, kilometers run, and reduce wear and tear on him.
Nole 3.0 is being formed up around those goals and Nole said despite hard work, a better serve and better skills at net have been a long hard slog…but are the areas he can most improve in and get even better.

December 4th, 2015 at 11:42 am

Anyone who plays tennis for any amount of time even as a casual player understands that you cannot touch the net while the ball is in play.

December 4th, 2015 at 12:15 pm

Oh dear it’s War without Peace again…. at least re. Soderling. What about Del Potro – too late by far?

December 4th, 2015 at 1:35 pm

No Berdych/Soderling thread should be without this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eog0TaQ1o3c

Then – while looking for the above video found this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8esgapmtH2I

December 4th, 2015 at 2:05 pm

When Soderling questioned the mark where Rafa’s ball landed was crazy. I really wondered if he just got lost in the moment and really lost sight
of the ball. If he watched it on you you tube
after reading TX……… don’t you know he felt stupid?? He is a guy with an attitude on court but he had some good matches and was entertaining to watch; even when he beat Rafa at French Open. Like I said it will be interesting if he can make a comeback…..but more excited about the Gentle Giant!!

December 4th, 2015 at 2:16 pm

@Elina 12:15 Novak looked gobsmacked, I mean like it was a call that was beyond belief…like it never happened to him before and maybe it hadn’t. But I agree a player who has played as long as he has should have known. Then he did it again and got away with it. I have already said this once but was trying to drive my point home like a lot of other posters do regarding Rafa.

December 4th, 2015 at 3:14 pm

The video where Novak was mocking Rafa all in fun was so cute. Novak got close to the net then. That’s why he is the one and only Joker. Loved it when he showed his muscle…..good personality. They all have their bad moments and so do I.

December 4th, 2015 at 3:22 pm

“Anyone who plays tennis for any amount of time even as a casual player understands that you cannot touch the net while the ball is in play.’
Nor reach over the net to hit a ball before it comes over. Or touch the net with an part of your hot bod…etc.etc.
—-
Ben,
“But Soderling does stuff so clearly knowingly that it’s ridiculous”
Do you think Rafa is keenly aware all these years he has broken the time rule in between points?

December 4th, 2015 at 3:33 pm

Sod has had his issues on court, but others have had their moments to. You could say he has a flair about him also.
One thing about this guy, when he gets in warrior mode, look out. Remember he was the one guy when Rafa was THE supreme being on Clay that took him down fair and square in Rafa’s hollowed ground of FO. I’ll end with this, he does not habitually break rules or habitually tries to cheat, does he?

December 4th, 2015 at 3:39 pm

“Tries” to cheat? No, not quite Federator.

Just like Sod, Roger has flair too but it doesn’t justify the antics like taking a bathroom break to delay for the sun to move or challenging that his own serve is out after he lost the point or complaining ad nauseam as shown here…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPBwjZwpOKw

Deal with it.

December 4th, 2015 at 3:48 pm

One thing about Nadal, when he gets in warrior mode, look out. Remember he was the one guy when Roger was THE supreme being on Grass that took him down fair and square in Roger’s hollowed ground of W.

(mew)

December 4th, 2015 at 3:55 pm

^ and right on cue, the jealous one twists into a Fed contest. doh!

December 4th, 2015 at 4:00 pm

Nah, what’s good for the goose is all.

Speaking of Sod, Nadal just toyed mercilessly with him at Wimbledon with repeated amazing drop shots and volleys.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOkpZzC78aY

Sublime.

December 4th, 2015 at 4:04 pm

Soderling brazenly broke the rules or at least brazenly defiled the integrity of the game with his antics. On multiple occasions. It’s just not comparable to anything else.

Berdych is an ass, not a rule-breaker. Comparing him to Soderling is insulting.

Federer taking a bathroom break is within the rules. And as much as I like to shit on Nadal, I doubt the guy has an internal clock telling him to take more than 25 seconds or whatever. He’s not the only one, just the most high profile player who does it. What bothers me more is his complaining about it. But he’s not pointing to the wrong freaking mark on the court.

And if Nadal is purposely trying to disrupt his opponent’s rhythm, at least he’s subtle about it. Soderling goes “HEY MAN, HOLD UP, I’M TRYING TO DISRUPT YOUR MOMENTUM. WATCH ME FLAIL MY ARMS.”

December 4th, 2015 at 4:12 pm

Ben @10:50 and 4:12

That post is on target calling out, Sod, Berdy, Rafa and Fed. I agree 100%. You gave a few kind words and admitted it pained you to do so. You were honest and as a Rafa fan it’s nice to hear something positive about him once in awhile. But everything you said is exactly right about all of them.

December 4th, 2015 at 5:35 pm

^^^ a few kind words about Rafa….should have said..

December 4th, 2015 at 5:37 pm

Goosey gander scenario….

December 4th, 2015 at 5:39 pm

“I doubt the guy has an internal clock telling him to take more than 25 seconds or whatever.”

This makes no sense. He is a professional tennis player. He should know the rules inside and out as long as he has played, and frankly, he does. Things like taking the proper “time” should be completely instinctive by now as long as he has played on tour.
You get to the line, you bounce the ball once or twice, you start your motion. What is an internal clock have to do with it?

Also, being subtle about it or in your face now are two different animals? How you do it doesn’t matter it’s they are the same if you break a rule.

Not defending Sod here so much as to point out that other players have/ are doing it. Maybe some just don’t like “HOW” he does it.
Get it.

December 4th, 2015 at 5:46 pm

You’re just generalizing Nadal. You’ve been provided with specific examples of Soderling cheating. Either way, 2 wrongs don’t make a right. I don’t see how Nadal taking extra time between points justifies Soderling deliberately pointing to the wrong mark or taking a completely BS MTO.

I hope Soderling gets healthy and comes back and gets his ass kicked by players who don’t need to resort to these kinds of antics to win matches.

December 4th, 2015 at 6:03 pm

Ben,
Quite the contrary, you’re singling out Sod for cheating. So it is pointed out here by posting a few vids. We can all scour the Internet to find other players who have cheated, I mean…really?
Like here:

http://www.latinospost.com/articles/28882/20131002/rafael-nadal-admits-cheating-during-u-s-open-2013-tennis.htm

There is much more out there on other players ( ok even not Nadal )but I am not going to re – scour the Internet with more Nadal or others……. but trying to point out that Sod’s cheating is worse or better or more in your face is calling it wrong.
I guess it is the eye of the beholder what “deliberately cheating” is. Like I said, not defending Sods actions, it is what it is, it’s not fair to drag him down that hole when others have done it. Nothing to do with 2 wrongs don’t make a right. It’s all wrong if any player break the rules.

December 4th, 2015 at 7:39 pm

O my word. I cannot believe Skeezer and Ben are not on the same page! This has to be a first. Ben and Skeezer’s tag-team combo always brought good old memories of Tito Santana and Rick Martel (WWF if you remember). This is just a one-off incident though; I believe the combo will be back at their very best soon in 2016. Even the Bryan brothers can get into an argument with each other occasionally.

Go Soderling ! Go skeezer-Ben tag-team duo !

December 4th, 2015 at 8:17 pm

Roger admitted to cheating by admitting the bathroom break was to wait for the sun to move.

He also called out the tournament director when he wasn’t allowed to challenge that his own serge was out after he’d lost the point..

December 4th, 2015 at 8:36 pm

Rover broke the time violation rule exceeding 25 seconds against Novak after a long point at WTF.

I’ve also heard him *gasp* grunt occasionally.

Oh the horrors.

December 4th, 2015 at 8:40 pm

elina,
Just a quick question;
How many times has Roger cheated according to your account? Especially the “so called” bathroom break where in Ben so duly noted was within the rules?
After I have answered your supposed fallicies over the awarded multi sportsmen of the year, we’ll then focus on your Love’s habitual breaking of the rules, and in fact had/has been penalized by the ATP as a result.
Whoops…must be a conspiracy……no?
Oh the horrors…

December 4th, 2015 at 8:53 pm

The difference Rogerator is that Roger’s were intentional.

December 4th, 2015 at 8:58 pm

Don’t agree with that rafafanatic. But you do agree that Rafa admitted and a result got fined, as well as numerous habitual other infractions.
Oops..oh yeah..conspiracy.

December 4th, 2015 at 9:03 pm

Intentional? Sure! But within the rules.
As I recall he used bathroom break (legal) to allow time to go by for the shade/sun factor. Ok, he used a legit rule to gain an advantage for him. It’s not cheating, he was within the rules. Get over it. Not like taking too much time, or getting on court coaching…..and admitting it.
Now shall we talk more about you Love or you done?

December 4th, 2015 at 9:12 pm

Players can try to cheat all they want but the officials are supposed to prevent that by sticking to and promulgating the rules. If players do it right under the officials’s noses and let’s it pass then, it should be considered as allowed as per the official and cannot really be considered cheating. If people are unhappy about cheating, then go after the officials. Tennis is the worst when it comes to rules promulgation.

December 4th, 2015 at 9:18 pm

The difference is that Roger has intentionally abused the rules more than Nadal has. deal with it.

Shamon

December 4th, 2015 at 9:47 pm

Now you’re just groping, reaching, wishful reasoning. You’re joikin right? Come up with hard evidence comparisan or just own up.
Keep believin the and drinkin the koolaid of the rafafanical. I’ll stick to the facts. 17. 34. And the all time greatest tennis sportsmen. There is no comparisan.
Heee hee.

December 4th, 2015 at 10:33 pm

” They all have their bad moments and so do I.”

that’s well said, okie.
we could all remember that.

December 4th, 2015 at 11:39 pm

Well if we are going to say Novak let Rafa of the hook in that overated match in 2013,well we could also say as been said a million times already, Rafa let Novak of the hook as he was serving for the match in the fourth set, the match had no buisness even going to a fifth set anyway….

December 5th, 2015 at 4:42 am

skeezer Says:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/11703909/

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2014-03-26/15296.php

Check the poll results.
—
Novak-Djokovic-risks-cheating-claims-after-Boris-Beckers-coaching-comments.html
—
There are other players….not just your dear….want to talk more about supposed cheat Sod or just move on??

December 4th, 2015 at 12:14 am

Skeezer, first link doesn’t work.

Second one, clearly Novak’s racquet was over the net and the point should have gone to Murray.

May be Novak didn’t see it in the heat of the moment, when he was playing that shot, you are concentrating as you know, But the point should definitely have gone to Murray.

No question.

December 5th, 2015 at 5:00 am

When you posting Djoker’s video clips in which you think “he should have lost points”, it’s only fair to post some clips where it was the opposite, especially since there is WAY more such occasion when Djoker showed extreme sportsmanship, arguably more than any of top players usually exhibit:

Example #1: Fourth set, on serve 5-5, A-40 – definitely not a blowout score. The umpire calls point to be replayed, the opponent accepts the decision, but Djoker doesn’t and overrules the umpire and gives the point to opponent making it 5-5, 40-40…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPvlqjxFQqs

Example #2: It’s 40-40 and the opponent’s return was called out. The umpire call point to be replayed, but Djoker refuses and instead gives the point to the opponent making it a break point at 40-A…
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/2015/11/15/20/49/djokovic-sportingly-gives-up-point-in-miami-win

I could probably find more examples if I tried. Djoker does this more often than Fed, Rafa or Murray, yet folks here seems to be reluctant to acknowledge that…

December 5th, 2015 at 6:10 am

Im not saying Novak doesnt show great sportsmanship,but come on all players can do that and look like saints especially when the stakes are not that high….

December 5th, 2015 at 6:44 am

Travis,

Be a bit more discerning here. Unless Soderling really had some dust in his eye, or looking at something from the corner of his eye, he clearly, without question, got the spot wrong.

Novak’s racquet was clearly over the net. Who knows whether he knew that at the time, he would have been “in the moment”.

Very easy to judge when none of us are on court playing a match.

Gypsy,
You are right!

December 5th, 2015 at 7:15 am

Are you people blind or playing stupid? Nole never denied, for the nanosecond, that his racquet went over the net, it was up to chair umpire to give the point to Andy, he stuffed up, on the other hand Soderling was cheating, plainly cheating for everybody to see, pointing at the mark that was 2m away from the real one and even calling head umpire (or whatever his title is) to continue arguing and cheating. How on earth can anybody in there right mind compare these two incidents?

December 5th, 2015 at 7:31 am

Clear from Murray’s reaction that he thought it an unbelievable response from the umpire.

He wasn’t laughing because he had a sense of humour either. He was laughing because he couldn’t believe the umpire didn’t see it.

December 5th, 2015 at 7:33 am

Did joker make those ” heroic” gestures in a match where he thought for a nanosecond he would lose? I bet not. It was probably an unimportant match against one of his muppets.
That incident against Andy was clearly cheating. Andy was in a winning position before the incident but instead ended up losing the match.

December 5th, 2015 at 7:53 am

Apparently, “proof” constitutes “broken” (read non-existent) links on the inter webs.

Better work on that topspin Rogerator.

December 5th, 2015 at 10:16 am

What blows is also this:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2013/03/12/top-players-dont-know-the-rules-bnp-paribas-open/1980117/

Ben posted this way way back but it is kinda relevant in this discussion. Hard to grasp that some have been on the tour all these years and still don’t know the rules ( or maybe they just want to be ignorant? ).

Regardless, Sod didn’t need to know the rules, the ball bounces where it bounces. Unless he thinks in is out and out is in.

December 5th, 2015 at 11:06 am

Hi Okie,i think i did misunderstand your earlier post somewhat,anyway no matter ;)….

December 5th, 2015 at 12:12 pm

@elina 4:04

Thanks for that link. I had never seen it before. Rafa did lots of amazing drop shots and the ones Robin did return Rafa was there and back at him. I am sure that a Robin fan could come up with some great shots from him in that same match as well. I love you tube. It is full of amazing shots from all the players.

December 5th, 2015 at 12:45 pm

Why pick over them with a nit-comb? There really isn’t much difference in the best of them vs the worst — which is opinion anyway.

We’ll all have our opinions and from time to time (maybe) modify them one way or another. Can’t help but notice that some fans do have a gift for carrying a grudge!

Right now, I can’t think of a tennis player who is evil enough to consider a villain. Immature and troll-ish on court at times? sure.

Players I miss in the ATP: Robin Soda Pop Soderling, The Great Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Gonzo Fena Forehando Gonzalez, David Nalbanian, and Juan Martin del Potro.

December 5th, 2015 at 12:57 pm

Hi Jalep you always make alot of sense….

December 5th, 2015 at 1:02 pm

Hi Gypsy :) “Always making sense” is maybe a stretch but thanks!
Hope all is well with you.

Maybe it’s time to make some picks? End of 2016 season top ten ATP/WTA?

December 5th, 2015 at 1:09 pm

Jalep just wanted to say thanks,as i really enjoyed your links especially the one of Roger impersonating Rafa was hilarious and made me lol…. ;)….

December 5th, 2015 at 1:10 pm

@Jalep…..Will agree with GiGi, you always do make since! Refreshing!

December 5th, 2015 at 1:15 pm

@Lodhi……I’m shocked too that Ben and Skeezer have been having a go at each other, they are usually on the same page……kinda of like a mutual admiration society…..admiring each other’s post…..but not on this thread!

December 5th, 2015 at 1:21 pm

My Gosh, you gals. Pretty sure there’s a few here that will disagree but I’ll take your votes! ;)

Yeah, I thought Roger grunting at the exho was very refreshing – Wish he’d grunt more. Use as a tactic in real competition as out of character gamesmanship and ‘cheating’ lol…

December 5th, 2015 at 1:23 pm

When I first started watching Rafa I thought time between points was 30 seconds. LOL He played slow for years which would be maybe 8 yrs? Was it 2013 or 2014 when they started cracking down on the time limit Can I have an Amen out when they should have done it when Rafa started his career but they didn’t. It has been a real tough adjustment for his game. I am not trying to take up for him because he knows the rules but I am putting the blame on the officials for letting him by with it. Novak was slow and methodical too.
I don’t know if early in Rafa’s career if the player’s complained about it so much, but they do now because they are well aware how playing at a faster pace has affected Rafa’s game.

December 5th, 2015 at 1:32 pm

^^^^^Can I have an Amen out there?? Should have been my last sentence…..im try to figure out I managed to do that….dang I’m good!! :)

December 5th, 2015 at 1:35 pm

OOPS Jalep, I know it is sense and not since. I do have a high school education and one year of college…….but have Senior moment every now and then but not a high school senior moment!! LOL

December 5th, 2015 at 1:39 pm

Amen, Okie! It’s not even Sunday :D

Rafa’s time wasting doesn’t bother me like it used to. Have modified my opinion about the behavior over the years because I feel he’s not overtly trying to annoy, irritate, interfere with his opponent in most cases; however, Rafa is too smart and aware to be oblivious to the impact of his behavior at all times (imo). It could be a partially useful strategy, but I withhold judgement and leave it to the umpires. Serving is stressful to him in general and he’ll go over time limits.

As we see in Elina’s video link – Rafa gets avenges Soda Pop’s insult with his racquet!

2009 Soderling vs Rafa WTF match is a favorite classic.

December 5th, 2015 at 1:52 pm

@Jalep…..Good post. I don’t think he goes through his ritual to put his opponent’s off. I think it’s his focus to get his mind set getting ready to serve. You are so right, his serve is a stressful part of his game. He is very nervous about it and more so now since he has to hurry because of the crack down. I get so nervous too. He will lose an important point some day, and it won’t be pretty for him. I am wondering if he practices with the time rule in mind?? If he doesn’t he should. Uncle T needs a stop watch with a device to give him a heads up. He is so much better than he used to be…..but not good enough if he is 1 second over…..But I say they should clock him the first time in the match when he does it, but they don’t!

December 5th, 2015 at 2:09 pm

Since this is a rare Soderling thread, I’m posting this in case there’s anyone else missing Robin’s tennis – maybe skeezer? Soda Pop really did have his moments of greatness. No annoying music and the picture is clear!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4MVm0Zx8RY

December 5th, 2015 at 2:09 pm

awesome links mr. cab driver. that wimbledon match with steps was a tense one too. actually those two have played some amazing matches over the years, but my favourite will always be their 2007 USO marathon, in which novak won 7-6, 6-7, 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 after 4 hours and 44 minutes – and then they hugged. :) sometimes it’s those early round matches that are the most magical.

December 5th, 2015 at 2:10 pm

jalep, i loved robin’s stance on his forehand – it was always like he’d open up to hit on and then time would stop for a fraction of a second before – WHUMP!

December 5th, 2015 at 2:11 pm

Robin hit hard!! Some of his shots reminded me of DelPo.

December 5th, 2015 at 2:23 pm

I think ill give Jaleps link a miss,it was bad enough the first time i saw that match,the WTFs doesnt hold many happy moments as a Rafa fan for me lol….

December 5th, 2015 at 2:31 pm

^Meant to add that particular year^….

December 5th, 2015 at 2:33 pm

But i enjoyed Elinas link,and the FO in 2010….

December 5th, 2015 at 2:43 pm

GG, I understand.There’s no antics and the Rafa highlights are good from that 2009 WTF. Rafa ran into red hot Robin on indoor hc – one of Robin’s best venues and moments.

jane – Soda had pop on that forehand and yes, he made time stand strangely still for a fraction of a second – Gulbis’ forehand has a bit of that illusion. Davydenko vs Delpo – indulge me, forgive me but Kolya was truly GREAT in that final and in the semi-final vs Federer WTF 2009 – Federer loses in 3 to magnificent Kolya!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_z0xMd52J0

This one – in the final vs Delpo, Kolya’s crazy skill, anticipation, taking the ball so early, attacking…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlHrEbgIq0E

And…Davydenko beat Rafa that WTF too! Amazing tennis. Wish Kei and Goffin would study and try to imitate Davy – we need mo’ Davy!

December 5th, 2015 at 2:55 pm

yes, jalep and davy had such interesting movement around the court too. actually it’s HIS movement that kind of reminds me of a videogame – frogger, an old videogame, to be specific – the way he could deak and waltz his way forward shifting this way and that.

miss nalby too. always loved nalby.

oh and i total agree about slight resemblance between soda’s and ernie’s wonderful-wacky-birdlike forehands. someone should make a CGI video in which gulbis opens up to hit a forehand but then ascends upwards and FLIES away instead. with one of his perfect smiles. :D

December 5th, 2015 at 3:17 pm

Jalep that was indeed some of the best tennis i ever saw Davey play,and the 2009 USO was some of the best tennis i ever saw Delpo play,nice to see such fantastic tennis from other players outside the elite group,two of the great under achievers in the game shame really….

December 5th, 2015 at 3:21 pm

When bored, I go to you tube a lot. Some amazing stuff there. I especially like to watch the “amazing shots” ones. There are so many from all the top players. Entertaining!! I like to watch Tennis Tirades and funny moments in tennis and players changing their attire on court…..funny! What is amazing about that they are very efficient at doing it. Is that something that they practice????

December 5th, 2015 at 3:34 pm

Davy troubled Rafa’s game. I imagine when he was on Rafa’s side of the draw he probably said eek!!
(like Margot) :)

December 5th, 2015 at 3:37 pm

He hops and dodges; covers the court fast twitching frog-legged speedy…can see it, jane. It’s different than Kei or Goffin court coverage but maybe they could take some inspiration?

Another personality mentioned I miss, Fernando Gonzalez, intrepid and stylish tennis warrior:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBOeQayp26A

Okie, didn’t mean to run out on you…had to get outside before it’s too late. Yeah, Davy shrunk from Federer more than Rafa, imo, but for a smaller player, Davy could be formidable…also that’s what I liked about Gonzo and Nalby. Soderling is misunderstood – he’s really just a good guy with a strange sense of humor ;)
lol, one never knows…

December 5th, 2015 at 6:32 pm

Could be the dimples, though…complete sucker for dimples ;) Soderling/Davydenko

December 5th, 2015 at 6:45 pm