Ahhh..........
Another Australian Open - another Stosur capitulation. I like her - she seems like a good sort, but her situation seems almost chronic to me.
And let's hope the Big Pealla can knock over that smelly, mouldy block of Swiss Cheese. I can't see it happening - Rafa hasn't played enough in recent times, and his knees don't give me much confidence.
VAMOS !
Have to feel sorry for Stosur, hopefully sh'll be a good coach.
Great career given her 'issues'.
It's a shame about Sam but her best seems to behind her. It's a bit like Alicia Molik in that she promised so much but couldn't deliver. Of course, Molik had a debilitating medical condition.
It's not all doom and gloom though; we seem to have some promising youngsters, Ash and Dasher are doing OK and Nick Kyrgios appears to have turned the corner ????
It's a shame about Sam but her best seems to behind her. It's a bit like Alicia Molik in that she promised so much but couldn't deliver. Of course, Molik had a debilitating medical condition.
It's not all doom and gloom though; we seem to have some promising youngsters, Ash and Dasher are doing OK and Nick Kyrgios appears to have turned the corner ????
what was it?
Stosur just cannot play hard court tennis.
She's a clay courter and hence why she's not that good at the Australian open.
what was it?
If I remember correctly, she had an inner ear infection that developed into something more serious.
The 24-year-old Melbourne-based South Australian suffers from vestibular neuronitis, which affects her balance and vision and leaves her low on energy and unable to recover from matches. The condition has plagued Molik since March when she contracted a virus, which permanently damaged her inner ear.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/tennis/alicia-moliks-run-of-ill-health-continues/2005/10/19/1129401318718.html
Stosur meanwhile simply chokes more often than not sadly, whatever the surface!
She played that match point way too safe and was hoping for an error, after that she was toast.
Stosur just cannot play hard court tennis.
She's a clay courter and hence why she's not that good at the Australian open.
She won her only grand slam at the US Open...
I think with Sam it is between her ears
entirely.
And for a girl with muscles to burn and a 'strong' serve in the scheme of women's tennis she surely loses her serve a lot...
When she tightens up everything simply collapses - her serve, her forehand and her footwork.
I don't think Sam is a "natural" tennis player - there are too many times where she plays what she has learnt as opposed to what the opponent or conditions warrant. Add an obvious mental frailty and it just doesn't work for her.
She has been amazing in all the press conferences over the years, never losing her cool, calm, polite, friendly.
i think she WAS a natural player but too many coaches tried to mold her game rather than deal with her core problem....her head, early on in her career.
She has lost entirely the ability to flatten out her serve and her ground strokes...and hence loses a lot of the power advantage she should have over most all of the other female players.
That said, she has won a Slam and beaten Serena in the process. That alone is praiseworthy.
Sam should just sit back and count her Millions ;) :D
Yeah...imagine how average you would have to be to play in the last 16 Australian Opens and remain in the world Top 20 year after year...
Here is a thought: What is she preferred clay court instead of the AO surface and hated having "the nation's hopes on her shoulders" - she just wanted to play without the "expectations"?
Despite the cynicism here, I'm pretty sure Sam is happy with her CV...
She won her only grand slam at the US Open...
I think with Sam it is between her ears
She had another appearance in a grand slam final and that was the French.
The fact she didnt get the chocolates isnt as important as she has made both finals, and only won one of them.
Yes & No WW
I would be very surprised if Sam didn't rue the fact she hasn't been able to perform down here and that she hasn't been able to perform well in the big tournaments regularly.
Also she has won more titles on hard courts than on clay (5-4). As well as made more finals (15-9), so it suggests she certainly can play hard courts.
I think she has had a great career of course and she has been the best Australian Woman in my lifetime and made the number 1 ranking. So that is superb... but that doesn't mean she has performed to her potential.
Of her 57 Grand Slam tournaments.
She has failed to make the 1/4 finals 50 times.
She has failed to make it past the 2nd round 34 times.
Calling out that she appears to have issues in big tournaments isn't saying that Sam isn't a great player. she is and has been. It is unusual though to have a Grand Slam winner and former number 1 with those numbers. The only other one off the top of my head that I can recall is Ana Ivanovic.
A look at her record shows
of her 48 Grand Slam Tournaments
She failed to make the 1/4 finals 40 times
She failed to make it past the 2nd round 16 times.
Now Ana (like Sam) had a great tennis career, but it was one that would be considered inconsistent and perhaps susceptible in big tournaments.
She had another appearance in a grand slam final and that was the French.
The fact she didnt get the chocolates isnt as important as she has made both finals, and only won one of them.
She also made the semi finals a few times at the French and the QF a couple more times at US.
I was only referencing that point as I think at her best she plays well on clay and hard courts.
As I mentioned in just a recent post above as well.
She made 24 finals in her career, 15 on hard courts, 9 on clay courts.
It again, appears to point to me that Sam struggles at times were between her ears
All great points and I generally agree.
I do find concern when the keyboard warriors start throwing out comments that she simply must have "mental health" issues (really??) and drawing ridiculous comparisons to Alana and Nick (who both have completely different background issues).
OK, she has difficult AO matches. I would imagine she is aware of that, but before we start being disrespectful to a sports person who has always handled herself publicly impeccable and actually has an amazing CV in an era dominated by Serena and co...let's give a little credit where it's due.
As a "sports forum", I reckon we need to be better than this.
What's up with Novak ?
All great points and I generally agree.
I do find concern when the keyboard warriors start throwing out comments that she simply must have "mental health" issues (really??) and drawing ridiculous comparisons to Alana and Nick (who both have completely different background issues).
OK, she has difficult AO matches. I would imagine she is aware of that, but before we start being disrespectful to a sports person who has always handled herself publicly impeccable and actually has an amazing CV in an era dominated by Serena and co...let's give a little credit where it's due.
As a "sports forum", I reckon we need to be better than this.
Who mentioned "mental health"?
Saying she's not strong mentally when the going gets tough is a long way from saying she has a mental health issue....
It's clear as day she's fragile and that affects her performances more often that not.
What's up with Novak ?
Recovering from an elbow issue. Is wearing a "sleeve" dressing and was visibly unable to use extreme power in his serving and forehand strokes. His two handed backhand was less effected due to the left arm providing more stability to the elbow, and perhaps the motion causing less issue.
Ultimately, it looks like Novak is recovering from injury, and probably wasn't ready for a tournament. It looked like he could barely serve with any power and his biggest serving effort last night was in the 180's and according to the commentators was very easy to read due to his limited ability to hit with strength and precision.
They went to great lengths explained his "slice" serve which his opponent had studied and was anticipating which is ultimately why he was beaten so easily by a relative no namer IMHO.
Yesterday, his 4th match in the space of week looked perhaps like a bridge too far.
Recovering from an elbow issue. Is wearing a "sleeve" dressing and was visibly unable to use extreme power in his serving and forehand strokes. His two handed backhand was less effected due to the left arm providing more stability to the elbow, and perhaps the motion causing less issue.
Ultimately, it looks like Novak is recovering from injury, and probably wasn't ready for a tournament. It looked like he could barely serve with any power and his biggest serving effort last night was in the 180's and according to the commentators was very easy to read due to his limited ability to hit with strength and precision.
They went to great lengths explained his "slice" serve which his opponent had studied and was anticipating which is ultimately why he was beaten so easily by a relative no namer IMHO.
Yesterday, his 4th match in the space of week looked perhaps like a bridge too far.
That said, Novak had beaten Ramos-Vinolas (sp?) in straight sets the previous round. The Spaniard around the top 20.
Meanwhile the Korean kid won the last two sets against Zverev the younger 3 and 0, conceding 5 points in the last set against the world #4.
So, his form was red hot.
And he (the Djoker) still managed a fastest serve of 196kmhr.....
That said, Novak had beaten Ramos-Vinolas (sp?) in straight sets the previous round. The Spaniard around the top 20.
Meanwhile the Korean kid won the last two sets against Zverev the younger 3 and 0, conceding 5 points in the last set against the world #4.
So, his form was red hot.
And he (the Djoker) still managed a fastest serve of 196kmhr.....
I don't want to take away anything from the Korean, but Djokovic is clearly playing under duress and wasnt at his best yesterday. 4 matches in a week with an elbow injury and he pretty much only lost on tie breakers. Its why hes considered a gun.
Ill go with what the commentators were saying. He was clearly hindered last night. Did you watch the match??
yes. And I agree he was 'hindered'....nonetheless the kid was amazing.
Maybe he'll never be (again) what he once was....?
Changing your service action is a big, big deal for anyone let alone an elite....
Yeah I think he did it as a result of the injury and to alleviate pain preventing him from his usual motion and not because he wanted to.
Anyway, it is what it is.
I think this will be the only time you see him like this, and that he'll recover in future.
yes. And I agree he was 'hindered'....nonetheless the kid was amazing.
Maybe he'll never be (again) what he once was....?
Changing your service action is a big, big deal for anyone let alone an elite....
Rocket Eade taught himself to run with a shorter gate to prevent further injury. Elite sport people can pull stuff like that off I reckon.
Rafa out with a hip injury....
Cilic was monstering him I gather. Saw very little of it.
Fed would be happy in a manner.
Hope Rafa's injury isn't too bad - the game is better with him and Djokovis fit. Murray? meh...
Rafa out with a hip injury....
Cilic was monstering him I gather. Saw very little of it.
Fed would be happy in a manner.
Hope Rafa's injury isn't too bad - the game is better with him and Djokovis fit. Murray? meh...
I'm a big Rafa fan, but that post match whinge was very poor form.
indeed.
I'm a big Rafa fan, but that post match whinge was very poor form.
Agree Paul, he's better than that.
Agree Paul, he's better than that.
Yes, the way he's comported himself throughout his career has been very good IMO. Like all of us, clearly he will have lapses of judgment from time to time, and this was certainly one of those. If he keeps having those types of whinge sessions, then clearly the end is nigh. A sure sign that he can no longer keep up.
Yes, the way he's comported himself throughout his career has been very good IMO. Like all of us, clearly he will have lapses of judgment from time to time, and this was certainly one of those. If he keeps having those types of whinge sessions, then clearly the end is nigh. A sure sign that he can no longer keep up.
After last years loss to the Fedexpress, he looked so determined to make amends this year and win the thing. Clearly frustrated by not achieving this, he lashed out at the presser. As you say, the way he has comported himself throughout his career, he has points in the bank and so I wont put him the DH (aka Tomic) category just yet.
Only a rogue seagull causing injury to the Fed will stop him getting #20 now.....
After last years loss to the Fedexpress, he looked so determined to make amends this year and win the thing. Clearly frustrated by not achieving this, he lashed out at the presser. As you say, the way he has comported himself throughout his career, he has points in the bank and so I wont put him the DH (aka Tomic) category just yet.
Two young ladies playing now, Halep and Kerber, showing more grit, guts and determination in one match than Tomic, and to a lesser extent Kyrgios, have shown in an entire career.
Great tennis from both ladies - shame that one has to lose.
Kerber can hold her head high.
Only a rogue seagull causing injury to the Fed will stop him getting #20 now.....
Berdych is hopeless. You can always rely on him to give that stinky, mouldy block of Swiss cheese an armchair ride to the final.
Blah.
Berdych is hopeless. You can always rely on him to give that stinky, mouldy block of Swiss cheese an armchair ride to the final.
Blah.
Not a Fedex fan?
Not a Fedex fan?
In the last couple of years, I've started to like him more. Prior to that, I was never a fan.
I over exaggerate in my posts. I wouldn't take them too seriously. He's a beautiful player to watch, and whilst born with prodigious talent, he's been sufficiently disciplined, smart, and dedicated to make the most of it. Well done to him.
But I prefer Rafa.
http://metro.co.uk/2017/11/27/marat-safin-explains-why-rafael-nadal-is-far-more-impressive-than-roger-federer-7110944/
http://metro.co.uk/2017/11/27/marat-safin-explains-why-rafael-nadal-is-far-more-impressive-than-roger-federer-7110944/
It is ironic that Safin, a player with as much natural talent as a Federer thinks that 'work horse' (btw I don't agree with that analogy of Nadal) is more impressive.
That would sort of be like saying Michael Chang is more impressive than Stefan Edberg. Not a great comparison because Edberg is one of the greats of tennis, but Chang never really had the natural talent of any of other slam winners I can think of from that error, but made a number of slam finals and got to #2 in the world.
To me Federer is absolutely incredible, I love watching him play. I have MASSIVE respect and admiration for Nadal also, who is one of the greatest ever. The two have been so great that it is conceivable that either one might just have won 25+ slams without the other there as there only real competition.
Federer is the is the greatest tennis player I have seen (imo) and is right up there with Tiger Woods & Michael Jordan when it comes to those players that people will talk about in 50 or 100 years time.
MIO, not sure that Safin had as much natural talent as Fed. He certainly had his fair share. But his temper and discipline were his biggest enemies, more than injuries IMO.
I understand the point he's making though, re comparing the two players.
MIO, not sure that Safin had as much natural talent as Fed. He certainly had his fair share. But his temper and discipline were his biggest enemies, more than injuries IMO.
I understand the point he's making though, re comparing the two players.
Oh I think it was 100% his temperament that cost him.
He was exceptionally talented imo, but he had nowhere near the drive and dedicated to become a great of the game
He doesn't say Nadal is better mind you.
The fact Federer went 4-0 against Nadal in 2017, at age 36 says it all to me.
I still think Federer cost himself a good few slams (which largely went Nadal's way) by steadfastly refusing to change to a bigger racquet head sooner.
He was playing with the equivalent of a wooden racquet for years. i think it was only 2012 when he finally moved to the bigger head.
So for the best part of a decade, Nadal had been using 100sqi versus Fed's 90sqi.
More control with the smaller bat granted (arguably), but a major reduction in power.
Oh I think it was 100% his temperament that cost him.
He was exceptionally talented imo, but he had nowhere near the drive and dedicated to become a great of the game
Right with you brother.
All sports are littered with talented types who don't cut it due to an unwillingness to do the (hard) yards....
Will be interesting to see whether Kyrgios ever really changes....
He doesn't say Nadal is better mind you.
The fact Federer went 4-0 against Nadal in 2017, at age 36 says it all to me.
I still think Federer cost himself a good few slams (which largely went Nadal's way) by steadfastly refusing to change to a bigger racquet head sooner.
He was playing with the equivalent of a wooden racquet for years. i think it was only 2012 when he finally moved to the bigger head.
So for the best part of a decade, Nadal had been using 100sqi versus Fed's 90sqi.
More control with the smaller bat granted (arguably), but a major reduction in power.
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2017/03/roger-federer-racquet-change-backhand-rafael-nadal-indian-wells/64840/
The change occurred in 2014 apparently.
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/17/sports/tennis/is-change-good-federer-with-new-racket-to-find-out.html (https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/17/sports/tennis/is-change-good-federer-with-new-racket-to-find-out.html)
you're right. Good read this....
I watched the first set, and I thought "bloody Chung - what an imposter and time waster. He's not even trying."
And now we know why.
Kudos the mighty Fed!!!
I'll never like Federer. He's always irritated me since he first emerged.
Kudos to him though he's a gun.
Cilic is a choker and a front runner.
Why did they close the roof last night?
Why did they close the roof last night?
The "extreme heat policy" came into effect.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open/controversial-decision-in-australian-open-final-divides-tennis-world/news-story/ba6cabafdd3fd772f7547cc9ee2d708d
The "extreme heat policy" came into effect.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open/controversial-decision-in-australian-open-final-divides-tennis-world/news-story/ba6cabafdd3fd772f7547cc9ee2d708d
Last night was hot but it was no where near as hot as what Djokovic and Monfils played in last week but anything for Roger I guess.
Last night was hot but it was no where near as hot as what Djokovic and Monfils played in last week but anything for Roger I guess.
I find it hard to believe that Cilic would complain about cooler, more pleasant conditions. What happens in a regular outdoor tournament when you play in 35+ degree heat, then you have a cool change, and the next few days are in the mid 20's ? It does happen.
Hewitt and Courier had differing opinions about who would benefit from the closed roof. JC said it would help Fed, LH said Cilic.
I find it hard to believe that Cilic would complain about cooler, more pleasant conditions. What happens in a regular outdoor tournament when you play in 35+ degree heat, then you have a cool change, and the next few days are in the mid 20's ? It does happen.
Hewitt and Courier had differing opinions about who would benefit from the closed roof. JC said it would help Fed, LH said Cilic.
Federer loves playing indoors and the faster balls would favour Cilic. I would still think Roger would have found a way to win in any conditions because he is just a better player than Cilic but he might have been playing someone better if they were given the luxuries that Roger was given.
He was being favoured before the final, that was just the icing on the cake.
Federer loves playing indoors and the faster balls would favour Cilic. I would still think Roger would have found a way to win in any conditions because he is just a better player than Cilic but he might have been playing someone better if they were given the luxuries that Roger was given.
He was being favoured before the final, that was just the icing on the cake.
Yes, I guess so. The only decent players that have given RF some real competition over the last 10 years are Djokovic and Rafa. All the others have had 5 minutes of luck or are just FedEx road kill, going back to numpties like Roddick.
if Cilic was training outdoors in the heat, then where was Fed training ?
indoors.
They were told the roof would be closed and given the opportunity to train indoor. Fed did, Cilic didn't - God knows why?!
indoors.
They were told the roof would be closed and given the opportunity to train indoor. Fed did, Cilic didn't - God knows why?!
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-2018-open-and-shut-closed-roof-surprised-federer-and-cilic-20180128-h0pnzl.html
Cilic said he was not asked if he wanted the roof closed but was consulted ahead of the decision. Both players were given the opportunity to practice indoors. Federer chose to accept the offer, Cilic did not.
Why he is the GOAT on and off the field IMO. He is indeed all class.
Roger Federer’s beautiful gesture to family of former coach who tragically passed away in 2002
The Daily Telegraph
January 29, 2018 12:13pm
ROGER Federer shows once again he’s just as much of a champion off the court with a heartwarming gesture to the family of his former coach who tragically passed away in 2002.
After lifting Australian Open title No.6 on Sunday night, a tearful Federer paid tribute to former Australian coach Peter Carter, who was tragically died in a car crash in South Africa in 2002.
“Peter Carter had the biggest impact on me in terms of my technique. That’s what so many people talk about,” Federer said.
“When they talk about my effortless style and technique, I guess. I was able to perfect in later in my life, but he [Carter] set the foundation and that’s why I’m so happy that his parents were at the finals yesterday and saw me win.
Carter’s parents Bob and Diana have been Federer’s guests of honour at every Australian Open since their son passed away 16 years ago, with the Swiss ace emailing them every December with flight details, accommodation bookings, a courtesy car and tickets for the tournament.
In an interview with The Australian in 2012, Bob said: ‘Every year we go at his cost, it’s just amazing, plane fares and courtesy cars. He really looks after us.”
“I hope he knows how much we appreciate that. He used to have us there for two weeks, but we were stuffed! It was so tiring we could hardly get home. We just go for the finals now.”
All class, Roger!
Yes, agree. Honorable gesture on RF's part.