Murray Upset, Djokovic Retirement Causes Chaos; Federer Cruising at Wimbledon

by Staff | July 12th, 2017, 3:03 pm
  • 104 Comments

An upset of world No. 1 Andy Murray and the retirement of former No. 1 and champion Novak Djokovic left Wimbledon in chaos on Wednesday, and Roger Federer sitting in the catbird seat.
ADHEREL
Murray, bothered by a hip injury, was dismissed in five sets by Wimbledon giant-killer Sam Querrey 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-1.

“I didn’t start my best but kept with it and kept swinging and I hit my groove in the fourth and fifth sets,” said Querrey, who last year at the All England Club beat another world No. 1 in Djokovic. “It feels great and it’s a dream come true…to get to a semifinal and have it happen at Wimbledon makes it a bit more special.”

By the fourth set Murray was noticeably limping, grimacing and complaining to his players’ box.


“The whole tournament I’ve been a little bit sore,” Murray told reporters. “But I tried my best right to the end, gave everything I had. I’m proud about that.”

Querrey in the semifinals will face Marin Cilic, who ended the run of unseeded Rafa-killer Gilles Muller in five sets 3-6, 7-6(6), 7-5, 5-7, 6-1.

“What was very tough was the beginning of the fifth set,” said Muller after Cilic advanced to his first Wimbledon semifinal. “He played a phenomenal game in the beginning to break me. It was tough to take that because that’s not the way you want to start out a fifth set, especially if you just won the fourth, run behind the score all the time. He was just too good at the end.”

The second semifinal was lined-up after wins by Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych.

Berdych advanced when Djokovic retired trailing 7-6(2), 2-0, citing an elbow injury. Djokovic could have reclaimed the No. 1 ranking after Murray’s loss.

“It’s unfortunate I have to finish the Wimbledon Grand Slam this way,” Djokovic said. “I tried to get it in the condition where I was able to play. I was able for 30 minutes to play with pain that was bearable. The serve and forehand were the shots where I could feel it the most and after that there was really no sense (in continuing).”

The 35-year-old Federer used some deft touch at the net and scalding passing shots to defeat Milos Raonic, the player who knocked him out of the semis last year, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(4) to reach a record 12th Wimbledon semifinals.

The Swiss has yet to drop a set in the tournament.

“You knew the dangers was there for one of us,” Federer said of the “Big Four”‘s disappearance. “I hope for Andy and Novak will recover in time for the American summer. I’m sure Rafa will come back very strong. I predicted that Cilic would have a good run, and he’s proving to do so. It’s nice to see different guys. I’m glad my dream run is continuing.”

Federer is now the overwhelming favorite to claim what would be a record eighth Wimbledon title.

“I can’t believe it’s 100 matches [at Wimbledon], it’s a lot but I’m very happy my body has kept me going all these years,” Federer said. “You have to make sure you average is as high as possible every day and I think I’m doing a great job this week.”

Federer is 18-6 career against Berdych, but 2-1 on grass, losing to the Czech at Wimbledon in 2010.


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104 Comments for Murray Upset, Djokovic Retirement Causes Chaos; Federer Cruising at Wimbledon

Nitesh Says:

I guess Sean Randall will come up with a “personal issue” story about Novak rather than focussing on Novak’s injury.


James Says:

Quite strange – the only one of the top 5 left in the semis is the oldest of them all. And he hasn’t had a soft draw either – with Raonic and Dimitrov as his last two opponents.

Lets see. He should get through Berdych. Maybe this is the season of revenge for him – beat Nadal at AUS, then beat Raonic at Wimby, now Berdych, maybe Cilic (who beat him at USO semi a few years ago).

I doubt if Querrey or berdych can win the title.


skeezer Says:

“,,,to reach a record 12th Wimbledon semifinals.”
12 semifinals? Ponder that!

Nice words by Fed for Murray, Novak and Rafa.


Leo Says:

@skeezer – agreed. classy words for his rivals.


skeezer Says:

Interesting comments from Novak’s post interview, he says he has been dealing with the elbow for 1 1/2 years!!
I don’t know how you recover quickly from a chronic elbow except rest for a LONG time. Will be interesting to see if he plays the summer HC season or not.


madmax Says:

Skeezer and fed fans – watch this; so funny Fed’s reaction to a question about his age!

1.5 minutes! :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozSf9wEKs50


Danica Says:

Skeez,
Nole hinted in Serbian press that he may take the rest of the season off depending on what the specialists say. Personally, I am for that.


skeezer Says:

Danica,
I would second that. Tennis elbow has ruined many a tennis player as they try to play through it, then it becomes a chronic issue. Only way to help it is to stop using it in tennis and do rehab. Never seen anyone get over it otherwise. He was describing the system to a “T”, hurts when he was hitting his FH and Serve. Ugh.


Humble Rafa Says:

12 semifinals? Ponder that!

10 grandslam wins or 12 semi finals. Ponder that.

Also ponder 2008.

– Fishing Humble


Wog Boy Says:

Commiserations to Andy and Nole fans. Such is life.

Nole won’t be coming back. This is the end of the road for him, everything is pointing that way, nevertheless, not a bad career.


Kimberly Says:

wog boy, why do you say that? Federer and Nadal have had down periods and came back. Nadal didn’t win a grand slam for 3 years and Federer for at least that period. Years without even a masters title. This is his first significant down period since his ascension to the top in 2011. I think it is premature to start writing him off! All he needs is one good tournament and he can catch fire. I’m not saying he will be back winning 4 grand slams in a row again but I certainly expect him to be a top contender in any event he plays in the next few years.


J-Kath Says:

Wog Boy:

Listening to you, but wonder why he engaged with AA and others if that was in his mind i.e. that type of physical difficulty which he suffered for a year and a half….


chrisford1 Says:

WB – You are beginning to sound like a bandwagoneer falling off the bandwagon.


Wog Boy Says:

Kimberly,
I really believe that problem is deeper than elbow, and that’s been for a while now. Nole had to overcome and keep overcoming things in his life and career that Rafa and Roger didn’t have to do, won’t elaborate on that but latest example is Wimbledon, at the end it caught up with him and he had enough of it, it took its toll, inner Nole that was pushing outer Nole had it and suggested to other one that it is time ti move on and enjoy green pastures, away from tennis.
Rafa and Roger are different personalities, I’ll rather compare Nole with Andy, they have much more similarities, the way they started their career together, having to overcome some problems in their lives, having married at the same time, two kids to be, two smaller dogs, even when they bomb out of tournaments they do it in similar style, brother in arms;)


Wog Boy Says:

CF1,
I think you got a wrong guy accusing of being bandwagoner, but that’s ok, I’ve heard worse.


Wog Boy Says:

JK,

That baffles me too.


RZ Says:

@J-Kath: One of the reasons why I 💗💜💙💚💛 Andy and hold him in high esteem.


skeezer Says:

“I really believe that problem is deeper than elbow, and that’s been for a while now. ”
You cannot dismiss his elbow problem he claims he has been having for a year and a half. If that is true it CAN be very detrimental to your tennis game, in all phases. You need your arm to play tennis, simply said. I do not discount Novak MAY have had other issues in his life, but this for sure impacted some if not all of his performances, depending on the flare ups when and where only him and his team knows. I would tend to believe this more than a pepe, his brother, a diet, etc. Interesting to note, and am sure WB knows, when did Novak starting having all these issues blamed on him(pepe, his brother, a diet),,,,,,,,, a year and half ago?


RZ Says:

The racquet bracket scenarios are in! Here are the possible winners:

– If Querrey and Federer reach the final, regardless of who wins the tournament, the esteemed racquet bracket champion will be Vinod
– If Querrey and Berdych reach the final, regardless of who wins the tournament, the esteemed racquet bracket champion will be Sirius
– If Cilic reaches the final, regardless of whether he plays Federer or Berdych and regardless of who wins the tournament, the esteemed racquet bracket champion will be either AM/Farah Diba or Margot depending on their responses to the tiebreak questions (How exciting! We’ve never had it comes down to the tiebreakers before).

Good luck to all!


Daniel Says:

Unless Djoko lost his passion for tennis, which I think he didn’t, him celebrting ealier in the tournament sugest he was pissed at his physcial liabiity, trying to pump himself up, can´t see this being the end of the line. Similar of what Murray does when he is pissed of at his body. It´s venting frustration out.

He just needs some time to heel, it’s bad timing, USO in less than 2 months. But sometimes it´s needed and he can be rewarded in AO 18′, the tourney he is must succesfull at.

Even injured he reached 2 starights QF. Decent result, not up to his standards, but it wasn’t 2 ealry losses back to back.


Wog Boy Says:

You don’t sack your entire team if you know you have physical problem, you address physical problem first, you don’t higher high profile coaches if you know you have physical problem, you first sort out your physical (injury) problem and then fire or hire.
Nobody is denying he has physical problems, we were stating that for quite awhile now, but coincidentally when did they start to happen and what caused them?

BTW, thank you for explaining that you can’t play tennis without an arm, that was eye opener.


Wog Boy Says:

^^ “hire” not “higher”


Wog Boy Says:

” trying to pump himself up”
That excatly right, “trying” because he knows he doesn’t have it anymore in him, doesn’t have same fire and desire that brought him to the top, where he was after last year FO.
People who pay attention on his interviews will see that as of lately, interview after interview, he keeps repeating, even not asked, that he doesn’t see his end anytime soon, or that his end is not “around the corner”…why would you say that unless…


skeezer Says:

Wow Boy,

Am not going to push you on this, I have a different observation, so be it.
Sincere commiserations for Nole’s injury and hope he gets back ASAP. Regardless of what you believe is going on, he needs to address healing that arm or the rest doesn’t matter.


chrisford1 Says:

Unlikely, but Wimbledon has produced surprise winners. Mostly on the female side like all the Slams do it seems every year, but that is apples and oranges. For the men, last shocker winner at Wimbledon was Goran Ivanesevic, I think.
Could the men produce a Bartoli over the fave? The most unlikely winner would have to be Sam Querrey, but Berdych’s career is winding down and he’s never won anything big other than a Masters 1000 in Bercy in 2005. No one expects anything of Tomas, but he has troubled Fed before. It would be a fine bookend…one that Fed denied Roddick.
And Maran Cilic is a superb player that may be due for an upset title. Last time he won big, he beat Roger in the USO semis then Nishikori in the final.


rognadfan Says:

1.5 years with an elbow injury? It seems he won paris and AO with tennis elbow.
Of course there are fans whose ear are desperate to take in anything remotely believable.

That said, this was truly unfortunate for tennis world that he caught that injury (No one knows when).

But he said it. So We must accept that Novak Djokovic won 2 consecutive slams with tennis elbow!Great


skeezer Says:

^finally proving my point. Was trying to get it out of the church but they never owned up.
“‘(No one knows when)”
Novak did. He said it.

CF1 mentions Roddick… mmm.. are you Truth?
Are we done now bringin up a weak era that never existed?


Czarlazar Says:

I believe the elbow story. It’s possible Nole either didn’t take it seriously enough at inception, or expected to be able to manage it adequately with treatment and judicious scheduling. Looking back on 2016 Wimbledon, Olympics, US Open, WTF @O2, 2017 Aussie and RG (not to mention all the springtime tourneys he didn’t win this year), it’s completely possible. It’s a matter of remission and flareups, which are often frustratingly unpredictable. That would go a long way to explaing, for example at Rome, steamrolling Thiem in SF and then getting steamrolled by Zverev in final. And maybe the melancholy Pepe thing was Nole’s way of managing his emotional distress caused by fear of never being in optimal physical health again. I don’t think a lion turns into a raccoon just because he turns vegan and wants to help his depressed loser brother. This elbow theory is way more logical and believable. Thus, for the first time in months, I’m now cautiously optimistic that Nole can get back to the top if he can overcome this injury.


Wog Boy Says:

CL,
That’s the positive way to look at it, let’s hope you are right and I am wrong, I wouldn’t mind if I am proven wrong..


AndyMira Says:

If it’s true that Novak really wants to shut his season off after this…that is a really really good news for him…in fact,he should have done that when he was bundled out from Wimby last year…what’s with the personal problems and just bagged a Novak Slam…he must be mentally and physically drained at that time…i remembered felt very surprised at that time when he chose to kept playing…i knew he’s very tired and he NEEDS a break…badly!…and i think he pay the price ever since…

All in all,what’s done is done…i wish him all the best with his recovery…and i’m really believe when he come back from a long break..fit and healthy…he will win titles again…just take a look at Rog and Rafa…all they needs is take a rest and recharge…and i wish Andy will do the same…he too needs a lotttt of rest and heal…Good luck to both of them with their recoveries…but tour will not be the same without them,that’s for sure!!

Hehe…sorry for the long post!!


Czarlazar Says:

WG: hope I’m right also. We must admit Nole had an unusually charmed existence, in terms of physical health, for many years prior to this elbow thing, so he may have taken it lightly in the beginning, only to see it get worse, and now it’s something he’ll have to deal with in a comprehensive way. His performance against Querrey at 2016 Wimbledon and Stan at 2016 USO scream “elbow problem” in hindsight. Nobody loses that much pace on his groundstrokes by accident. Pre-2016 Nole’s groundstrokes were guided missiles — precision and explosive pace in one beautiful package. And lionhearted confidence to pull it off time after time after time. That doesn’t go away overnight unless there is a damn good reason, such as an injury. I’m ready to sign onto that theory so draw up the documents.


skeezer Says:

@Czarlazar
👍


Czarlazar Says:

PS: remember the post-Querrey press conference at 2016 Wimbledon when the reporter asked Nole if he felt good physically? Nole replied “Not really,” but didn’t want to detract from Sam’s win. Classy response from a classy individual, and goes a long way to explaining a shock loss to a journeyman when Nole was on top of the world. A lot more rational explanation than excessive partying after RG.


AndyMira Says:

@RZ!!…I’m in position to be champion??Woohohoho!!…I can’t believe it!!…But,i don’t understand about the tiebreaker…U mean the difference in number of aces and the match time between me and M?Is that it?


Wog Boy Says:

Czarlazar,

Consider it signed and registered.


Czarlazar Says:

WB: Thanks — with any luck, maybe we’ll have something to celebrate in 2018!


Michael Says:

What Roger is doing at 36 reaching the semi finals of Wimbledon without losing a set is incredible, preposterous and atrocious to say the least. His movement on court at this age is like he is deliberately lying that he is over 35 as he flies with his foot faster than a 18 year old lad. His sublime but still erratic one handed backhand has now become efficacious and an embodiment of consistency and sheer unpredictability making his opponent guessing all the time.And shockingly he is now playing much better than his prime which is just amazing at this age and part of a mythical script. His touch of genius came to the fore in the tiebreak being two breaks behind, he came up with some miraculous winner and that sums up his ability as to one producing his best in adversity. If he plays like this till the finals, he is assured of SW 19 irrespective of how his opponent plays as Roger us always a class apart.


Amit Says:

These Balkan guys are sensational players, case in hand: djokovic and Cilic!!! It was very disappointing to see Novak going out with injury,Murray losing to his own injuries as well… And surprise of the year is Muller… The guy was playing cutthroat tennis!! He beat Rafa astoundingly brlliantly and also almost beat Cilic!!! However, among the remaining four,all are dangerous!! Fed is playing great.. But he can lose semi to Berdych… However,if Cilic reaches final,and plays at the level of 2014 USO,then it’d be excruciatingly tough even for Federer to beat him… Coz for all I know,Cilic is sensational, and the level he showed to beat Fed at USO 14 is unbelievable,unstoppable and unbeatable!!! I think its Cilic time at Wimbledon!! Heart rooting for Fed,but Cilic looks the best!!!


Amit Says:

Guys like JMDP and Cilic are just sensational and invincible when they are at their best!!! Cilic and Djokovic are Safin-like at their best, just like plain invincible types… And JMDP is similar!!! These guys can handle Federer!! Though Federer is true genius in his own right and plays just the best tennis that is possible.. Murray has the talent,but his damned playing style overshadows his sheer talent!!!😒😒😒


Amit Says:

I pick Cilic for Wimbledon…


Margot Says:

Feel very sad about Andy, and Nole too for that matter. Truly the tennis gods are toying with us, quite weird both of them laid low like this. And, in spite of some brave words from Andy about being ready for the USOpen, I have my doubts. He’s been very cagey about what’s really the matter, as usual. Expecting another pic from the operating theatre any time soon :'(
RZ: Heavens to Betsy….I’ve always treated that tie break thingy in a totally not bothered kind of way, but not any more!;)


Margot Says:

AM: I’m sending Clarissa over to peck your entry to pieces. It’s not too late surely…;)


AndyMira Says:

@M!!…Hahahaha!!…Feel free to do that Milady!…I don’t mind losing to u!…In fact,i’m honoured to fight with u till the end M!!…Hope we can continue our classic rivalries to USO?How’s that My Darlin’??Hehehehehawhawhaw!!!


Danica Says:

Margot,
same here. First, Rafa and Roger were out, now Andy and Nole. I wish them both to take as much time as they need, relax with their families, enjoy the addition to the families and come back stronger.

As for Novak, I am not surprised and I too believe the injury problem. Just remember that from the Fall of 2014 to Summer 2016 he was virtually playing all finals bar maybe one or two tournaments. At some point, he had to break. He said that he was lucky not to have many injuries sooner and credited his first coach, Jelena Gencic, for persisting at stretching and long warm ups before the matches.

Whatever the paths for Andy and Nole in the future are, I see just the nice and good things.


J-Kath Says:

RZ: @ 7.03pm July 12:

I saw a snip of the interview this morning – Andy’s face! – not a flicker of expression….it was hilarious.

Amit: I think Querrey will be the finalist vs.Federer….but Fed. will win.


AndyMira Says:

@M!!…I’m very sad about Andy and Novak too!…But,what’s more weird is that…last year Rog and Rafa also took the time off together…also in the 2nd part of the season…this year..both Andy and Novak..also the same time…Let’s hope that next year all 4 of them will not do crazy things and take time off together!…Urgh!!


Giles Says:

Old man cruising, indeed he is. One wonders, at the age of 36, what his secret is!
In any event, it’s Christmas in July for the old f@rt!


Willow Says:

Sorry about Novak going out like that, i had no idea the injury was that serious, if he had guts it out against T.Berd over 4 or 5 sets he might not have had much left against Roger anyway, wrist injuries can be tricky so probably best to pull out and get it sorted, i did feel for him earlier in the week, as i think after Rafa finished against Muller, they couldve played under the roof like Novak said, all a bit unfair to be honest …

I Feel a bit for Berdych, as this will seem a bit hollow and have an * next to win, nobody wouldve given him a chance against a fully fit Novak ….


Willow Says:

I Doubt Berd can beat Federer again at W, but he relishes the challenge and isnt intimidated by Federer ….


Margot Says:

Great post, Danica. x


Margot Says:

AM: Thanks darlin’. Indeed at the USOPen all will be fair in love and war. x


Willow Says:

Goes without saying how gutted i am about Andy, although Sam played out of his mind, nice guy and of the ones left, hes the one i like the most, pulling for him now, but i doubt he can beat Murray and Cilic back to back ….


Old School Says:

Very sorry to see Novak injured to this extent. A gifted player with the drive to make himself a world champ: sacrifice, incredible work ethic, inherent talent possessed by one ten millionth of one percent. When humans exceed that which is so abnormal be suspect. See Lance Armstrong, Barry Bonds. Factor in the corruption and dishonesty that has permeated social, political & economic institutions. Rules and laws are ignored or applied conveniently. The cheaters are obvious, also lauded and applauded.


Wog Boy Says:

On a lighter note, just watched on TV, I have never seen Judy Murray laughing as much as in Mrs Browns’s show, and her mother, Andy’s grandmother, is quite a lady, have a look, you won’t regret and BTW, Judy used Niole’s picture as a target to show her tenis skills:

https://youtu.be/jsf1Y0OG-0Q


Wog Boy Says:

^^ “Nole’s” not “Niole’s”


Willow Says:

I Love Mrs Browns Boys, thanks for the link Wogboy ….


Wog Boy Says:

No probs, Judy is hitting Nole on 12:50 in the link if you don’t feel like watching all 15 minutes.


Berghain Says:

The British Press is well, mmmm very ‘interesting’.
These headlines.
“DJOKO MAY GIVE TENNIS THE ELBOW”
“MURRAY’S A LOSER IN THE PAIN GAME”
“SHY 17-YEAR-OLD WITH A ‘WEAK MENTALITY’ IS NOW TWO WINS FROM GREATNESS”
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2017/07/no-pressure-after-andys-agony-papers-beg-give-us-hope-jo/67633/

Some funny stuff:
“While Federer is all rubber-wristed subtlety,” Jim White writes in The Telegraph, “Raonic is a foghorn thwack merchant.”

Anyway I hope Konta comes through,specially for J-Kath, so she can have an extra good weekend.


Berghain Says:

Lmao from the same article I quoted above.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2017/07/12/milos-raonic-vs-roger-federer-wimbledon-2017-mens-quarter-final/
“Raonic has long carried an air of the mechanical. It is not just that he looks robotic in his movement, like the world’s first animated Ken doll.”

Ok now im done :)


madmax Says:

Berghain Says:
Lmao from the same article I quoted above.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2017/07/12/milos-raonic-vs-roger-federer-wimbledon-2017-mens-quarter-final/
“Raonic has long carried an air of the mechanical. It is not just that he looks robotic in his movement, like the world’s first animated Ken doll.”

Ok now im done :)

July 13th, 2017 at 9:43 am

Wow, Berghain, a mean journalist to write about Raonic in that way, after he has suffered so much injury of late, and is a great player – that serve -it’s just super.


t4t Says:

Shocking about Djokovic’s retirement from his match. Hope he is fit by US Open.


t4t Says:

Really shocking that Djokovic had to retire from his match. Hope he recovers completely by the US


Berghain Says:

Madmax, yes definitely. Most of them are really mean. Dont get me wrong, I was just laughing at the ridiculous stuff they write.


RZ Says:

@AM, yes it’s true. You are in a good position to win, and yes, it’s the number of aces that would decide the winner…unless you and Margot chose the same number, in which case it comes down to the match time. But first, Cilic needs to reach the final.

@Margot – I know what you mean about the tiebreakers. I put less thought into those than I do the rest of the bracket.


Truth Says:

What’s wrong, skeezer?
The weak era’s now yet your church can’t accept the mention of STRONG ERA Fat Roddick?! Awwww!
Aren’t you glad that the unbanned, specially treated
servebot Roddick got in the Hall of Fame just
because he showed his face & avoided success like it was the plague?
He was a terribly fake, deluded, ignorant, stupid, jealous, forgotten nuisance to Fed. Without uttering his name, Fed lovers would be hurt…
Hope Roddick didn’t get 16 mental illnesses.
Roddick had trouble mingling with normal human beings &
not abusing the GOAT Djoker.
You’re still censoring what anyone says?
Are you Fed Church Preacher?
You’re the one that’s bitter because no one bowed down to Fed like a Roddick did.
You diminish Djoker legend’s talent level, but avoid the mention of Fed’s law breaking, dear little “friend” Roddick.


Willow Says:

I Know it wont go down very well but here goes, but i really wish Novak had guts this out, and finished the match, rather than denying Berdych a legitimate victory, after all his fans call him such a warrior, and i dont even like Berdych that much, but it takes away the win for him, and its all people are talking about, which seems unfair IMO ….


James Says:

I doubt if Djoke or Murray will come back strong in the hard court season. Both their issues are chronic, reached critical levels here this week. They are not brand new injuries. Such things don’t heal in a few weeks. If they are smart, they will do what Fed did, just bite the bullet and take the rest of the season off, six months, and come back fully healed. After all, they are both “JUST” 30.

Cilic is the most dangerous threat to Federer if they both reach the final. He has won a slam before, beaten Fed on the way to that slam, is playing darn well on grasd. Berdych has a good game, but, after all, he is Berdych. Except for a few notable wins here and there, he has never really performed consistently at the highest level.

I don’t thing Querrey has much of a shot at the title. That would be most shocking.

Federer is again in the “2014 USO” territory – only one of the big 4 left in the semi, great chance (on paper at least) to win the title, BUT….. two big 6’6″ guys, both top 10 with Big serves and power in the way. He swatted aside one (Raonic), that should also have prepared him a bit for what’s coming. Can he swat (or at least beat) the other two? Likely, but not a done deal by any stretch. At nearly 36, he could fall apart in any match.


Truth Says:

Fedal floon talks about “unfairness”. Awwww.
Maybe I should interrupt you with
your fave phrase “the era is gone. Why mention this?”

Hope you don’t feel hurt by Djoker and his fans abusing Berdych.


Margot Says:

RZ: could well be something like 3-2 but I think Cilic takes it. He is really battle hardened and has been in this situation before. And I’m pretty sure Fed takes the other one, think he’s playing too well for Berd this year. But if that is the final line up, I’m not so certain, tho had Fed in my bracket.


skeezer Says:

Querry has a great shot at getting to the final. I would not underestimate the American. He has been through the fire and ice this tournament. Only concern is the fatigue he may have from those tough 5 setters prior. If he is fresh, I suspect he will give Cilic a rough go no doubt.


skeezer Says:

Congrats to Venus btw, just wow.


steve-o Says:

Yay Venus!


Willow Says:

Was pulling for our girl Jo, but i like Venus, and happy for her, rolling back the years playing great tennis again, as for our girl sorry she lost, but a great tornament for her, i believe she is GS winning meterial too at some point ….


Kimberly Says:

#ageless
#Americaninthefinal
loveofthegame

Venus!!!!!!


J-Kath Says:

Thank you Berghain – how very kind of you to think of me. I’m sorry to confess that I’m not really a fan of Konta’s – can’t stand to watch her serve. However, it is pleasing that she is beginning to make a name for herself.


SG1 Says:

Think the Women’s final will be a humdinger.


Willow Says:

Agree about the serve J-Kath ….


J-Kath Says:

Willow:

I don’t think they could have held Nole’s match on CC after Rafa’s – they would have had to empty the entire court and then fill it again under the new additional security patterns they now deploy. That would have taken close to 2 hours. They should have had Nole on CC previously and put Roger or Andy on No.1 Court.


J-Kath Says:

Skeezer:

I also think Querrey is the finalist vs Roger.


Truth Says:

Funny how the Fed fans laugh, but when Fed is losing, they cry.
Oscar award worthy, like their idol crying hysterically.
Nothing funny about Raonic coming back from injury and they act like he’s servebot Roddick.


Willow Says:

J-Kath thats true, and i agree with you, but i think we are talking about different issues, i think the fair thing wouldve been for Novak to finish the match against Berdych rather than retire, Berdych was a set and a break up, i just think Novak shouldve just played on, it took away from the victory of Berdych, people dont care that he won, they are only talking about Novaks injury ….


madmax Says:

Willow,

You have a point…but what do you do if you are injured? Potentially ruining your long term career or to suffer the crowds and fans disappointment. Tough choice? Not really. You have to be selfish and think of the longer term plan, otherwise you just end up pleasing everyone else and not yourself. Body first.

Novak is not the sort of person who would do something like this, if it was not really serious. I don’t believe he would do this. Long gone were those days, I think, 2009? when he used to suffer from breathing problems and would retire. He is a different person/more in tuned athlete. He did the right thing, though hugely disappointing and I think Berdych would take the win, whatever way it came to him.

J-Kath, I read the article you shared, but remember, these are hypotheticals right now (completely understand your concern), but please, stay positive. I really believe in the power of positive thinking with our athletes. I absolutely believe that Andy will need a shorter period of recovery and that he will play in the USO, with no expectations – but he needs to rest. Rest is the key. He will now get that. And I hope that for the sake of all his fans, recovers quickly and well.

Keep the faith. Not wishing to detract from this, I never thought that Roger’s knee injury would allow him to come back after 6 months when I read all the stories about what was happening/going on, and hell, look at Rafa and his injuries over the years – stay positive and see what the next few weeks bring.


madmax Says:

After beating Milos Raonic in three sets on Wednesday he spared a thought for his 30-year-old rivals Murray and Djokovic. The Scot’s hip finally gave up on him in losing against Sam Querrey in five sets. The Serb retired in the second set against Berdych when an 18-month-old injury to his right elbow flared again.

“You wish them well right away, as a rival to them and a friend,” Federer said. “You want them to be healthy again. It does happen, you know. Once you hit 30, you’ve got to look back and think of how much tennis have I played, how much rest did I give my body over the years, how much training have I done, did I do enough, did I overdo it.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/13/roger-federer-favourite-wimbledon-younger-rivals-falling


Willow Says:

Hello Madmax, its just he sailed through the draw against everyone else, and was complaining about the shoulder against Mannerino yet still won comfortably without losing a set, seemed to get through all of those earlier matches easily enough too, a set and break down he retires against Berdych, and its all poor Novak, rather than been an amazing win for Berdych, i know it wont go down well, but sorry im going to change my opinion ….


Truth Says:

“Unfair FAKER! FAKER! Djoker’s not classy or interesting. I just like to take him down any chance I get.”
You’re loving every minute of this. Don’t deny it. Grind your axe, Fedal fan.
You would be perfect in the other ghastly tennis forum.

“Djoker’s the most overrated of all players! It’s a wonder that he didn’t scrape by in 5 sets against every guy ranked #50+. He should bow down to the always gentlemanly Fed.
In fact, Agassi would please Berdych and Fedal floons if he had to chance to play.
He would’ve endured 3 hours with garbage arm tendons and choked as he did against Fed in 2005!”


Amit Says:

Truth

Cool down 😜😜😜


rognadfan Says:

Amit, lets hope This False guy hasn’t killed someone!


Tony N Says:

Compare the media’s treatment of Djokovic’s loss at 2017 Wimbledon with Federer’s loss at 2010 Wimbledon (both to Berdych)

Wimbledon 2017: Read Djokovic’s interview after retiring from the match and losing to Berdych due to injury (see link).
Djokovic had played so well in the first three rounds that ESPN gave Djokovic a ‘Grade A’ for his performances. No injury was apparent.
http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2017-07-12/2017-07-12_novak_djokovic_quarterfinal.html

Yet the media were quick to give Djokovic sympathy, the benefit of the doubt, gobbled up everything he said and let him off easily in the interview. Would Djokovic have played on had he won the first set?

Not once did the media or Djokovic bother to mention Berdych’s name or his performance being a factor in Djokovic’s first set loss.


Tony N Says:

Wimbledon 2010: Read Federer’s interview after losing to Berdych due to injury (see link). Federer has never retired from an active match in his career (he holds the ATP record for this by a considerable margin). No matter how injured he was, Federer always played and competed to the bitter end instead of retiring after losing the first set. Federer had lost the first set, third set and fourth set.
http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=64595

Federer had performed poorly in the first two rounds of the tournament. Federer had come within 3 points of losing his first round match to No. 60 Alejandro Falla – after dropping the first two sets and with Falla serving for the match in the fourth set (yet just a few weeks earlier, Federer had thrashed the claycourter Falla in the French Open). In the second round, Federer then struggled in a 4 setter against No. 152 Bozoljac. Something was clearly wrong with Federer, who had been a mediocre 17-7 in his 7 tournaments since the 2010 Australian Open – until then Federer had won 4 slam titles within 6 slam finals in a row. SI’s Jon Wertheim had reported that spectators at Federer’s pre-match warm up (before the Berdych match) had said that Federer had complained about his leg even though he was doing only a light warm up before the match.

The double-standard, hypocritical media (and even Berdych) cynically speculated that Federer was making up fake excuses for his loss or speculated that Federer’s injury wasn’t much of a factor in the loss. Here were some news media headlines from that day:
“Federer blames injury after he is dethroned by steely Berdych”
“Tennis: Federer adds injury to insult Berdych”
“Federer’s a bad loser, says Berdych”
“Ungracious Federer loses at Wimbledon”
“Roger Federer blames injuries for shock quarter-final defeat”
“Beaten Roger Federer blamed defeat on back injury”
“Roger Federer’s aura is not just damaged – it is gone”

Funny how so few players retire after they win the first set. Would Djokovic have kept on playing had he won the first set tie break? Just because a player retires after losing the first set and then claims to be injured does not make his injury claims any more legitimate or honest than a player who fights to the bitter end and then reveals he had played injured when answering the media’s questions.


J-Kath Says:

Madmax:

See what you say but I was the one grumbling from the very beginning about Andy playing Wimbledon at all. His last two sets vs. Querry demonstrates he didn’t do himself any favours.
In fact he seems to have the same injury as my sister’s Rotweiler (Bruno). Bruno had one hip-leg operation 3 years ago and yesterday had another operation on his second back leg -(my sister paid ÂŁ7,000) and funnily enuf Andy’s injury sounds exactly the same. Sigh, sigh. I shall try to be positive.


madmax Says:

Truth, you seriously need to put your head in the shade.

So, in your opinion, a player should risk injury, and their long term career for a fan’s antipathy? If so, then you are no tennis fan. You just want blood, gore, guts, injjury, pain, long term damage for a top athlete?

This type of analysis really needs to be left to Novak’s doctor, not to some wanna be medic and grip reaper.

Willow, you should stick to your opinion and I understand it could look that way, I would have loved Nocak to continue. These players though, know their own body and we fans should respect that.


madmax Says:

too quick – sp. grim reaper sp. Novak. You can work it out! :-)


madmax Says:

J-Kath,

Good girl! :-) Be positive. Wait for the prognosis. There is no way that Andy would have played if he did not think he was able. Remember Rafa’s withdrawal from Wimbledon, awful, but he made the right decision when he had all the knee problems. I am not saying that Andy’s injury is any less serious, so please, don’t get me wrong, it is just we all jump to the worst conclusions when they are only possibilities. 50/50 perhaps, as per your article, so go on the side of 50 positive (plus a wish) and hope for the best.

It is only supposed fans of tennis, like Truth, who would want to wish any athlete any harm or negativity. I just don’t understand that.

Good luck!

OMG Bruno. I’m dying!


Amit Says:

J-Kath

I replied to you yesterday buddy but it got lost somewhere… I think Cilic would go to finals instead of querrey even though I would like Fed and Querrey in finals coz I don’t see Querrey beating Fed… But Cilic, if on form,is just bad news for anyone he faces!!! Cilic played sensational tennis!! Tennis though would benefit from a Fed vs Cilic,with both in form, here at Wimby,with due respect to Berdych and Sam.. But anyway,as I say,Cilic is a sensational player when on form,he plays ridiculous tennis!! And he can beat Federer.. However as a huge Fed fan, I would like Fed to win Wimbledon!!! That would be awesome!!!
And I love Venus!!! Hope she finally wins Wimbledon again…😍😍😍


Amit Says:

J-Kath

And despite Federer being called favourite,I pick Cilic to win Wimbledon as I still see Fed haircut as a bad omen..


J-Kath Says:

Amit:

Sometimes the thread vanishes – your reply must have gone with it. If Fed doesn’t win it’s obviously because of his haircut!!!!

I chose Querry to win because he’ll be so puffed up with his success over Andy, he’ll think nothing is impossible. I think Cilic gets too angry and loses focus. However, it’s anyone’s game, really.

I prefer Venus over Serena – she doesn’t make so much noise either. I think she’ll make it over the wee Spanish lass.


Willow Says:

Thankyou Tony.N, its what im alluding to although you put it much better, IMO he probably shouldve not played Berdych to begin with ….


Truth Says:

Madmax, your English isn’t very good, but this is beyond pathetic.
Learn reading in English and not reading what you want to read.
The leeway you give to your fellow Fed fan is obvious.


Tony N Says:

You’re welcome Willow.

The different treatment in the losses of the Djokovic-Berdych and Federer-Berdych matches reeks of double standards. In 2010, the news media, tennis analysts and Fed haters jumped to discount, twist and make a mountain out of Federer’s honesty and rational answers to the media’s questions. In 2017, these hypocrites gave Djokovic a free pass in accepting Novak’s answers without question. Federer at 2010 Wimbledon had played only about 65 career matches less than Djokovic today – but Federer had played at an unprecedented level of intensity in the 7 year period between 2003 Wimbledon and 2010 Australian, winning 16 slams from 22 slam finals and 25 semifinals reached out of the 28 slams in that period. Not once has Federer retired from a match in progress, despite surely playing injured many times.

Djokovic did not bother to mention his opponent Berdych even once as being a factor in his loss of the first set.

On the other hand, Federer made an effort – multiple times – to make clear Berdych’s impact on the match: “I think (Berdych) went after it. I mean, I know Berdych. I think I’ve played him 10 times already before. That’s the way he plays. I think he’s been able to play more consistent last year or so… Like I said, I think he was a bit more consistent than in the past. I lost to him in Miami this year, where it was a really tight match as well… Obviously it’s a pity that Del Potro is not around, because I think he would have a run at world No. 1 or a run at another Grand Slam. It’s unfortunate for him. But (Berdych has) been playing well, and these guys do play very well. I played these guys 10 times… No, it wasn’t that bad, like that I was just hoping to get to the finish line. I mean, once I enter the court, I am there to battle and to try to win with what I got. You know, otherwise I’m not going to walk on the court like I did once in my life prior in Bercy (Paris 1000) against Blake. But it’s nowhere close to being that bad. It’s just uncomfortable. Yeah, like I said, you can’t play freely. When you can’t play freely, that’s the kind of performance you get… Yeah, I mean, his mistakes and my mistakes. He played well when he had to. It was brutal for me. Every time he had a chance, he took it. On the breakpoints, he played great on those…. 30-All he got it on the line over and over again…. That’s his game. He took a lot of chances…. And when he had to, he was able to come up with some good stuff… Got to make your own work, please. Respect the players”

It simply stinks how unfairly the media and haters misrepresented Federer’s injury loss. If we apply the same standards as 2010 then Djokovic’s excuse for losing deserves the same cynicism (i.e., it’s fair to question Djokovic’s injury excuses). If we apply the same standards as 2017 then we accept Djokovic’s injury claims — but Federer deserves a big apology from his 2010 critics.


Truth Says:

Yawn. Nice try. No one except the crying Nadal floon read that.


Miles Says:

Tony N – I agree with you totally. In fact, after that unfair media reaction to Federer simply pointing out that he wasn’t 100% fit (even in the match against Falla, it was easy to spot how one of his thighs was heavily bandaged), Federer has never made excuses for a defeat (even when it’s been clear that he’s been hampered by an injury).

Nadal and Djokovic are treated very differently!


Colin Says:

I think it’s generally agreed that Andy and Nole are the two best retrievers in tennis, getting back impossible balls and making the opponent play one more shot.

It’s not mere coincidence that both men are injured. Unlike many fans, I enjoy those lengthy rallies, but it seems improbable the two can continue with their demanding style of play.

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