2014 Wimbledon Championships...London, England

[stotty]

What a great final 4. I'm kind of looking to see Fed and Dimitrov get through also but I could see any of them winning this. It would obviously be a huge breakthrough for Raonic or Dimitrov to win this tournament. Raonic appears to have the best serve in tennis.

It's great to have the two other faces in the last four. Raonic wouldn't have been on my list of choices but Dimitrov certainly would and I'm pleased he's made it. He's is in with a shout but Djokovic won't go away as easily as Murray, that's for sure. Luckily Dimitrov vs Djokovic is on first so I'll get to see a bit of that one.

I'll miss Federer vs Raonic but it won't be a pretty match anyway.

I think Dimitrov matches up well to Djokovic. He's got the array of tools to trouble the Serb, a good sliced backhand for one.

[DougEng]

Good points

Always great to have your views, Doug. You should pop round more often.

I would be surprised if Federer didn't dissect Raonic. He loves a lumberjack's scalp. And lumberjacks come no bigger than Raonic. I'll go for Federer in four...though it will be as easy as three.

Yep, Mac and Agassi are looking wrong. You can only judge a career when it's done and dusted so let's not get involved in that one.

I've been saying Nadal should hit bigger for years. He did for 2 months after his 7 month break...from Indian Wells onwards, then retreated into his shell. His forehand was amazing for that short period...and his journeys to the net.

I agree, Stotty, 100%. Nadal's forehand is still his strength but he did retreat a bit, just like the serve when he won the US Open. Somehow he isn't quite comfy when dictating with risks. He doesn't like risks even if he might be the best player inside the baseline.

I'm sorry guys, you Halep fans.
I like Halep, but I failed to see why foot speed is critical at Wimbledon. I think couple people said Halep but we see the more obvious Genie win. The last 16 years of Wimbledon ladies champions: Serena (5), Venus (5), Lindsay Davenport, Petra Kvitova, Amelie Mauresmo, Marion Bartoli, Jana Novotna….all known for attacking all-court or big babe tennis game styles. The two without really big games in the last 20+ years were Hingis who won in 1997 and Conchita Martinez who won in 1994. Justin Henin's speed did not win her Wimbledon, neither did Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. A player like Halep has her best chance at RG or AO. Not Wimbledon. Why Radwanska (so off this year) wouldn't win Wimbledon either.

Genie's attitude is good, I don't see her being overwhelmed by the moment. She will play relaxed tennis on Saturday. But the Kvitova match could be quite even…still I think the tennis gods are smiling in her favor. Petra had an easy draw and dropped a set to Venus. Bouchard has not dropped a set and defeated 2 higher seeds and resurgent RG semifinalist. Kvitova is more likely to play a loose set which could be fatal. Genie spreads the court better and uses her size well to dictate.

Now for coaches….
Nick wins with Genie. Nick is terrific and nice to see a friend take a player through to the finals. Anyhow, much more promising than Sloane, his previous charge. Nick is the one active American coach who can take a player to the top. Roger defeated Amelie. Testosterone wins. But quite honestly, I don't think Amelie had a chance to make an impression. But I think if any contributions, she can be thoughtful, cooperative, and a good scout. She doesn't need to change Andy's game but make thoughtful observations and analysis. I'm impressed with Rasheed. He's quite frank and likes an aggressive attitude. He has Grigor playing tougher mentally and physically. At AO, he made light fun of Azarenka showing up late for practice. Typical Aussie.


Best,
Doug

[klacr]

I'd love to see Dimitrov and Federer play in the finals. The changing of the guard perhaps. Passing of the torch. Or is it the master teaching the pupil a lesson? It would be great and quite fitting that we see two players with an all court game and willingness to come to net play the finals of Wimbledon. Thats the way it should be.

Back in the early days of Wimbledon, the reigning champ was automatically given a spot to the finals and would play the winner of the challengers tournament. Well rested and ready. Imagine how many more titles Borg, McEnroe, Edberg, Becker, Sampras, Federer would have won? Maybe the '97 Wimbledon Sampras would have had to win his title back from Krajicek and handle that Dutch serve...and lose. Just a late night thought.



Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[don_budge]

From the Horses mouths...Ladies and Gentlemen

The players have all been jockeying for this position. From the very first ball of the tournament...in fact very long before that ball. A couple of the players have been here before and their experience should serve them well. A couple are here at this "step" for the first time and this is their baptism...by fire. Are they ready?

Ladies and Gentleman...who is in the post position? The drama unfolds now as the semifinals of the Championships take place today. The tournament has been everything you could have hoped for from day one. The match ups have been intriguing all tournament long.

Then there were four...all of them alone with their private thoughts. Their hopes...and their fears. Is it fate? Is it luck? It is the question that man has been asking himself since the dawn of man. Each player searches himself for the answers in this existential moment.

[don_budge]

In the words of Grigor Dimitrov...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP-bz57wC6k

To truly understand what this young thoroughbred is talking about here in this couple of minutes of interview, you would have to had been following his path for some time now. Fortunately for us here on the forum...we have.

In this short little glimpse of Grigor Dimitrov aka “Kid Galavant” we witness a young tennis player truly coming of age on the international stage at the Wimbledon Championships. He has duly served notice that he has arrived and he is a force to be reckoned with. As a rising star one of the first signs that the educated outsider or observer recognizes is that Dimitrov has a very realistic view of himself and where he stands on the food chain...of professional tennis. When he talks of the first ball that he and Murray engaged in in their match he could very well be referring to the first warm up ball. He was getting ready to win this match immediately the moment he woke up in the morning. No if’s, and’s or but’s about it. Then he makes a point of emphasizing that he was willing to stay out there all day to get it done...all five sets full machine.

You see...as Dimitrov continues, he recognizes that he has immediately cast himself into another dimension. Another level of the game as it is. He is in the semifinals of the Wimbledon Championships against the number one seed and he is going to take the court to win this match unless somehow his opponent can prove to him otherwise. He throws out almost offhandedly that there are younger players nipping at the heels of the big boys...read “older” guys here. Realistically speaking he knows that in order to be taken seriously his efforts have to be sustainable and when he is in position to do so he must challenge the top players.

Grigor uses two words that give us an indication of the level of his maturity and his acumen to get things done now...he says the words composed and patient. These two words and the overall tone of his interview indicate the hallmarks of what great tennis players are judged by. In a word...consistent highest level of performance. Consistency. Under any and all conditions. Grigor is comfortable with where he is at today...he hopes for two more matches. Hope is a nebulous word as we well know...hope and change resonates here. But this guy means every word he says...he is dead serious and he isn’t entering this race to finish second. This kind of attitude taking the court against such a wily competitor as Novak Djokovic is crucial. You need this sense of fatalism. It is simple now...just seize the day. The game has come to you...Grigor.

[don_budge]

In the words of Novak Djokovic...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7muxljSqZ4U

From Novak Djokovic’s point of view...from his perspective this is his turf and he looks at this match as it is his to win. He is telling Grigor that he is the challenger and he respects him as a challenger. He also sounds as if he has a cold...and he also sounds as if he has just a touch of doubt in his own form. He never says that he is playing really well...which is what you would hope to hear from him at this point in the tournament. Nope...he has struggled with his form and he has had some injury problems so it is natural to have some doubts at this point. A truly wily competitor even knows how to use these doubts to propel him to higher heights...higher levels of performance. Magician or mechanic? Do you have to ask at this point? It's now a question of metaphysics...therefore all of the superstition and ritual.

Novak talks about his composure at crucial moments in his match with Marin Cilic...these were potential culmination points. He had control of the match initially but he “allowed Marin back into the match”. But once he was into the match...he was down two sets to one. At which point he drew on his experience...he has been there before. Many times. Through thick and thin. Being there...a great old Peter Sellers film. Novak has indeed been there...down in five set matches before. He says he knew what he needed to do. Down two set to one...culmination point and he knew it. Know the score...when you are playing tennis and in life. From Tilden we know that you have to play to the score.

He had been studying Marin the whole time as well as trying to get his ship under control...it is what makes tennis the incredible psychological challenge that it is. He says that Marin was getting a bit tired and he wasn’t moving as well so he started moving him from side to side and varying the pace. An astute observation from perhaps the wiliest competitor in the game today...eclipsing Federer because of the age factor. It is one thing to know things...it's another to have the energy to accomplish it. Interesting to hear Novak say...that he won the match by moving his opponent around. Maneuvering him off balance instead of going for the repeated knockouts...he took him apart over the long haul. Through attrition. Death by a thousand cuts. Here’s a real tactical cue here...simple as it is. An eye opener for a great champion to declare.

So he must pay some homage to his up and coming opponent...the up and coming Dimitrov. He acknowledges that the young Grigor is a force now to be taken ever so seriously. Grigor has won on all surfaces and he has demonstrated an vast ability to adjust to different conditions. Novak even acknowledges Roger Rasheed...out of respect. He continues to emphasize the necessity of experience when you are in positions such as these...being in the semifinals at Wimbledon. Novak is pulling on all of his experience at this point. Summoning all of the things that have happened to him so that he will understand the battle conditions in advance even before they engage in that first ball in the warmup.

Djokovic is up 3-1 in their head to head but Grigor won a tough match against him in a ATP 1000 event in Madrid last year. They both know the score going into the match today. It looks to be dead even...advantage Djokovic in experience and advantage Dimitrov in hunger and youth. Possible advantage to Dimitrov in his ability to play all court tennis? Don’t underestimate your opponent...neither one of these guys are.

[don_budge]

Grigor Dimitrov vs. Novak Djokovic...keys to the match

Some of the key factors in the semifinal match between Grigor Dimitrov and Novak Djokovic.


-obviously one of the keys is going to be mental preparation...who is composed and who will be patient to go the distance

-another key aspect in this matchup is their respective service games. djokovic is a master of controlling his service game without having an obviously huge monster serve. dimitrov on the other hand has more of an aggressive serve but is this advantage negated by the djokovic return of serve. grigor absolutely must take care of his service game...this is the moment i was referring to when i was writing about him perfecting his motion. the bell tolls...for grigor to hold his serve against the best returner in the game.

-baseline game...advantage to djokovic. but only slightly. again it is the contrast of two different styles. while nobody should mistake for djokovic to be purely a defensive player...his defense is second to none. dimitrov for his part seems to be more aggressive and willing to attack...but can he pull it off statistically speaking often enough to effect the outcome. things have changed these past couple of weeks if only incrementally...this is lawn tennis...even if the lawn has been velcroed up.

-all court game on the lawn of wimbledon...this may be the deciding factor. while both players cover the court extremely well...djokovic acknowledged to be at the top of the game in this regard and perhaps dimitrov is closing the gap in this regard somewhat. but is it the ability to play the whole court going to be the deciding factor. if dimitrov can impose this part of the equation on djokovic it can only help him. if he fails to...it will mean that djokovic has dictated play. the outcome of the match may hinge on this factor.

-experience is another factor and it may have less to do with the outcome than we might think. sure...djokovic has been here before but perhaps dimitrov's maiden voyage just might inspire him. he has had kyrgios go out and take down another of the big guys right in front of him. dimitrov knows that these guys can be had if you go out and play fearlessly. beating murray in the quarters certainly added to dimitrov's positive experience of this tournament...i think that experience here in this match might just be a double edged sword. it could just work to either players advantage.

-intangible factors. i can think of only one and that is women. the women in these players lives. djokovic on one hand is looking at a life long blissful relationship with his honey bunny but as we all know that once the honeymoon is over all bets are off. he is staring matrimony in the face and i hope that it isn't serving as a distraction for him. dimitrov for his part has that screaming banshee in his corner...but for the life of me i cannot see any reason why this would work against him. don't get married...that is my only sage advice.

Classic matchup. The modern game of Djokovic...glued to the baseline for all intents and purposes. Versus the up and comer Roger Federer clone...the living proof. One handed backhand as the game endeavors to maintain at least a single solitary link to a golden era of tennis. It is the remnant of the all court game clinging to life support. I like this match...personally I don't give a damn who wins it. Oooh...I like how that sounds...moody...sounding moody. But since I am betting with my heart...I almost hope that Djokovic wins because I feel that Dimitrov might be a bit too much for the "Real Thing", should they meet in the finals. I hope that it goes five sets and deep...way deep into the fifth set. That would be the type of match that would be good for the game at this point. Don't you agree?

[stroke]

Great, very thoughtful analysis of Djokovic/Dimitrov match DB. One big advantage I see for Grigor is his slice backhand, which is more of an edge on this surface. Grigor hits his slice with a true continental grip and like Fed, can really make it bite. I also like Grigor's forehand and serve better. As much as I like Grigor's backhand, I think you have to give the nod to Novak overall. One thing Grigor needs to watch is drifting too far behind the baseline in rallies. His game looks so much like Fed's, but to me, he does not hug the baseline like Roger.

[don_budge]

John McEnroe...Grigor's slice backhand

Great, very thoughtful analysis of Djokovic/Dimitrov match DB. One big advantage I see for Grigor is his slice backhand, which is more of an edge on this surface. Grigor hits his slice with a true continental grip and like Fed, can really make it bite. I also like Grigor's forehand and serve better. As much as I like Grigor's backhand, I think you have to give the nod to Novak overall. One thing Grigor needs to watch is drifting too far behind the baseline in rallies. His game looks so much like Fed's, but to me, he does not hug the baseline like Roger.

"He drove Murray absolutely crazy with that slice backhand. The best one hand slice backhand I have seen in years!".

John McEnroe on Grigor Dimitrov's slice backhand saying what a big factor it should be in this match.

[stotty]

Great, very thoughtful analysis of Djokovic/Dimitrov match DB. One big advantage I see for Grigor is his slice backhand, which is more of an edge on this surface. Grigor hits his slice with a true continental grip and like Fed, can really make it bite.

I was saying as much yesterday. McEnroe is now agreeing with us in the commentary box. It caused Murray big problems during their quarter final. It's one of the best on the tour. I watched live at Wimbledon this year and can tell it travels like an arrow.

I don't think Grigor knows just how much of a weapon his sliced backhand is. He could undo three of the top four with it if used tactically well. Murray's forehand certainly struggles to deal with it.

Djokovic has just won the first set playing immaculately. Dimitrov hasn't employed his sliced backhand to good effect at all so far. He's throwing rocks instead...big mistake.

[don_budge]

Johnny said...

I was saying as much yesterday. McEnroe is now agreeing with us in the commentary box. It caused Murray big problems during their quarter final. It's one of the best on the tour. I watched live at Wimbledon this year and can tell it travels like an arrow.

I don't think Grigor knows just how much of a weapon his sliced backhand is. He could undo three of the top four with it if used tactically well. Murray's forehand certainly struggles to deal with it.

Djokovic has just won the first set playing immaculately. Dimitrov hasn't employed his sliced backhand to good effect at all so far. He's throwing rocks instead...big mistake.

Johnny also said that Roger Rasheed said...he would like to see Novak trying to pass Grigor all day long. He wants Grigor to attack the net.

Grigor may have had some jitters in that first set losing his serve that one time. The wind is sort of playing havoc with his head. Let's see if he can settle down a bit.

[stotty]

Johnny also said that Roger Rasheed said...he would like to see Novak trying to pass Grigor all day long. He wants Grigor to attack the net.

Grigor may have had some jitters in that first set losing his serve that one time. The wind is sort of playing havoc with his head. Let's see if he can settle down a bit.

Djokovic looks immaculate so far. He's sensed the threat and never been better focused.

I have to pop out for 30 minutes...keep me posted.

[don_budge]

The Grigor slice backhand...

Djokovic looks immaculate so far. He's sensed the threat and never been better focused.

I have to pop out for 30 minutes...keep me posted.

All of a sudden Grigor has been resorting to the slice backhand...and he breaks the Djokovic serve to break even...3-3. Let's see if he is smart enough to stick with a change in game plans...from throwing rocks to throwing darts.

Update for Stotty...Grigor breaks to serve for the set at 5-3. How quickly fortunes change.

Update for Stotty...Grigor serves it out routinely at 15...now it is Djokovic's turn to try and calm down. Quite the ebb and flow. Grigor definitely changed the tempo of the match employing the slice...as McEnroe suggested. I have always been a big proponent of the slice backhand as well.

Update for Stotty...The complexion of the match has completely changed for an immaculate Djokovic and a struggling Dimitrov. Now it is a fight...just what Grigor wants. The more physical the better.

[don_budge]

The complexion...of the slice

Update for Stotty...The complexion of the match has completely changed fro an immaculate Djokovic and a struggling Dimitrov. The pendulum has swung to Dimitrov. Now it is a fight...just what Grigor wants. The more physical the better. 2-2 third set.

At 3-3...do I detect some slightly wobbly legs in Djokovic. He holds for 4-3...nonetheless.

Grigor holds for 4-4...Djokovic shows some very uncharacteristic emotion...at one point hurling his racquet high in the air. He caught it...awkwardly.

[stotty]

Thanks for the updates, don_budge.

I'm back for 40 minutes...6-5 Djokovic.

It's hot and energy sapping out there. It will be a factor for whoever gets to the final should it go the distance.

The hot weather is making the baseline a dust bowl...in other words, very slippy.

Good to see Dimitrov finally using the slice backhand...a bit too defensively for my liking. He can knife 'em better.