ATP World Tour Finals - London

[don_budge]

Sentiments aside...reality is what it is.

Just before Roger Federer becomes a wistful memory from the past...like an old love that we wish to recreated in our fantasies...he may give us one last glimmer of hope. But to overcome the reality that he is up against younger competitors that are perhaps as equally talented as he is at playing the "modern game" of tennis he is going to have to have one blinding moment of white light searing into his brain. Cognitively he is going to have to assume control over the situation and understand that when he goes out onto a tennis court that is defined by some very real specific measured boundaries...he cannot afford to give up more than 10% hitting surface on his weapon of choice. Be it a Wilson or a Nike...or anything else for that matter. It is as simple as that...case closed.

In the "modern game" of tennis where once again the eyes of Big Brother are ever creeping into out lives (can you say Hawkeye) and the ball is being slammed about at a zillion miles per hour and landing within micro millimeters from the lines it only stands to reason that every time he steps out onto the tennis court with a piece of equipment that does not measure up to the oppositions...he is handicapping himself. Just the fact that he was "demoing" new alternatives leads me to believe that at least the thought has crossed his mind. Federer is on the brink of becoming obsolete. The fact that he has taken a couple of sets from Djokovic recently is no cause for celebration. But that being said...by playing out the balance of this tournament we are going to get a pretty good idea where exactly he stands in the food chain of professional tennis. This round robin format is bound to give us an interesting perspective.

Speaking of the food chain...there are two big cats that appear to be on top of it. Speaking of course of the grinning "Cheshire Cat" Djokovic and the other one...Nadal. I will not call him a Skunk anymore even though he continues to pluck at his butt on every single point which is so disturbing to me...why can he not stop it? My wife just simply says that "he has an idea". Whatever that means...it is as good of an explanation as any. I hope that someday his dirty laundry gets a thorough airing in public.

Sentiments aside...Djokovic pretty much manhandled Federer. When push came to shove Novak just simply eased it into another gear and pushed down on the accelerator as he calmly looked back at Roger in the rear view. After playing a bit of cat and mouse with the "Old Boy" for a couple of sets and a tie-breaker, he just turned on the afterburners and he was gone...going away at the end. Me too...never saw the handshake of the foregone conclusion. I suspected from the looks of things that it was going to be a matter of Federer having spent everything he had with nothing left in reserve. Djokovic then steps it up a notch and it is good night Irene.

Very impressive stuff from Djokovic as he just turns himself into the human wall that virtually nothing can penetrate. Nothing but a clear winner...and he chases everything down and hits unbelievable shots from positions on the court that the rest of us only play in our dreams. He does it consistently. I remember one point where Roger had a ball that was short in the mid-court and he walloped a forehand crosscourt with topspin into the Djokovic forehand but Novak was there to chase it down and slam it back crosscourt for a clean winner. No muss...no fuss. Roger could not even make a move at the ball. The game is too fast.

When Novak Djokovic decided in the third set that enough was enough...that was it. Enough already...good night Roger Federer. If Roger has any hopes of making one last hurrah...he must trade in Excalibur for something brand spanking new. Why hasn't Nike entered in the foray?

[klacr]

Novak Djokovic seemed to do what Roger used to be able to do...find another gear and turn on the afterburners. After the 2nd set ti-break, Djokovic just played so rock solid, not giving Roger anything. You could almost predict what was going to happen, and it did exactly that.

I do believe Federer has at least one more slam in him. However, he many need a little luck along the way, and his game to be absolutely redlining where he plays unconscious. A man of his talent is more than capable, its just a matter of stars being in alignment. I think we all agree, at their best, Djokovic and Nadal are above and beyond the rest of the game. But their rise in level can be contributed to how far Federer brought the game at his peak. It's a natural evolution of tennis' high level.

This Federer loss puts him in a hole. Must now win against Del Potro and Gasquet to have any chance at making it to the semis which he may have to face Nadal.

The other group featuring Nadal, Berdych, Wawrinka and Ferrer will be clearer today as one player will guarantee himself a spot in semis while another is eliminated. Nadal plays Wawrinka, who are both 1-0. Victory for either gives them 2-0 record and gives them a berth in semis. Ferrer vs Berdych is a must wn. Both players are 0-1. And 0-2 record would seal their fate and render them helpless.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[don_budge]

Racquet?

Kyle...what are your thoughts about the Federer equipment? The tennis raquet? I don't think that is only a matter of the stars being aligned...in which case we may just end waiting for eons. The right piece of equipment might just give instantaneous results...like it does for every other mortal on the face of the earth.

[stotty]

I do believe Federer has at least one more slam in him. However, he many need a little luck along the way, and his game to be absolutely redlining where he plays unconscious. A man of his talent is more than capable, its just a matter of stars being in alignment. I think we all agree, at their best, Djokovic and Nadal are above and beyond the rest of the game.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Klacr, the writing is on the wall here. Granted the court is against Federer as they are very slow this year; Nadal shouldn't be complaining...more rejoicing. But that said, when Djokovic hits the level he did in the third set, Federer cannot quite live with it. Even Federer's first serves were all coming back with interest in the end. And he needs to stay at 70% or over to have a shout at winning.

I cannot see Federer winning another slam, Klacr. I really can't.

My son was at the O2 watching the match live. He was amazed how spectacular Federer is to watch. He found Federer was hitting the ball harder than Djokovic (which doesn't truly come across on TV) most of the time. He was also quite taken by the quality of Federer's sliced backhands, which knife along and stay low. Djokovic really had to concentrate when they came whistling in. "Why doesn't he use it more", my son said. "Djokovic couldn't do much with it". He may have a point...but you don't want to overplay trump card I guess.

The match was tough on both players. They both have to play Del Potro yet! Nadal should canter through to the semi's as fresh as a daisy.

[julian1]

Federer hitting harder?

Your quote
"He found Federer was hitting the ball harder than Djokovic (which doesn't truly come across on TV) most of the time. "

1.It is NOT true in the case of backhands.
2.There were numerical data provided during the match yesterday for forehands.

[stotty]

Your quote
"He found Federer was hitting the ball harder than Djokovic (which doesn't truly come across on TV) most of the time. "

1.It is NOT true in the case of backhands.
2.There were numerical data provided during the match yesterday for forehands.

Probably because Federer slices more...which moves slower...so lowers the averages. I'm not a stats man myself, Julian. Sometimes they can mean a lot...often they mean nothing. When matches hang on a slender balance, stats often don't betray the essences of what happened.

[klacr]

Kyle...what are your thoughts about the Federer equipment? The tennis raquet? I don't think that is only a matter of the stars being aligned...in which case we may just end waiting for eons. The right piece of equipment might just give instantaneous results...like it does for every other mortal on the face of the earth.

This is a tough ask of me. You know don_budge I'm as big a fan of classic and tradition as you but yeah, I have to swallow my pride and not be so stubborn...He needs an equiptment change. Having any disadvantage at that level is crucial. A bigger racquet, maybe not as big a leap as 98 but maybe a 93 or 95 will be a world of difference (more mentally) than that 90 sq. in. frame he has now. It will take adjustments from Federer, and if he's willing to make those, he's willing to contend for slams.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[klacr]

Klacr, the writing is on the wall here. Granted the court is against Federer as they are very slow this year; Nadal shouldn't be complaining...more rejoicing. But that said, when Djokovic hits the level he did in the third set, Federer cannot quite live with it. Even Federer's first serves were all coming back with interest in the end. And he needs to stay at 70% or over to have a shout at winning.

I cannot see Federer winning another slam, Klacr. I really can't.

My son was at the O2 watching the match live. He was amazed how spectacular Federer is to watch. He found Federer was hitting the ball harder than Djokovic (which doesn't truly come across on TV) most of the time. He was also quite taken by the quality of Federer's sliced backhands, which knife along and stay low. Djokovic really had to concentrate when they came whistling in. "Why doesn't he use it more", my son said. "Djokovic couldn't do much with it". He may have a point...but you don't want to overplay trump card I guess.

The match was tough on both players. They both have to play Del Potro yet! Nadal should canter through to the semi's as fresh as a daisy.

Many might not be able to see Federer winning a slam, but those same people wrote off sampras as well. Especially when he lost to George Bastl at Wimbledon.

I'm not saying it will be easy or its a guarantee, but he is capable. It will take adjustments in equiptment and tactics and perhaps a little luck along the way and even, dare I say...Inspiration. Inspiration can produce impressive results, Fed just has to tap into it. When you've won 17 grand slams, you'll need to believe you still "have" what it takes. The key is to not think you "had" what it took.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[klacr]

Stan Wawrinka played a great match against Nadal...but that still wasn't enough. Two tie-break sets and Stan has still not won a set off Nadal in his career. Nadal wins 7-6, 7-6.

Tomas Berdych avenges his loss last week in quarters of Paris to David Ferrer by a score of 6-4, 6-4. Berdych won 29 of 30 of his 1st serve points, used his forehand wisely and dictated play. Would have liked to seen him put more pressure on Ferrer 2nd serve but beggars can't be choosers. Although he lost to Wawrinka on Monday, he lost in 3 sets which greatly helps his cause. Out of the 7 possible scenarios at the end of round robin play, there is only one scenario in which Stan Wawrinka could qualify...

Please follow me for a moment

Based on sets won and lost, here are the scenarios on Friday...

1) Regardless of score, if NADAL defeats BERDYCH and FERRER defeats WAWRINKA, then NADAL wins the group and BERDYCH qualifies 2nd.

***2) Regardless of score, if NADAL defeats BERDYCH and WAWRINKA defeats FERRER, then NADAL wins the group and WAWRINKA qualifies 2nd.

3) Regardless of score, if BERDYCH defeats NADAL and FERRER defeats WAWRINKA, then BERDYCH wins the group and NADAL qualifies 2nd.

4) If BERDYCH defeats NADAL in 2 sets and WAWRINKA defeats FERRER in 2 sets, then BERDYCH wins the group and ADAL qualifies 2nd.

5) If BERDYCH defeats NADAL in 2 sets and WAWRINKA defeats FERRER in 3 sets, then BERDYCH wins the group and NADAL qualifies 2nd.

6) If BERDYCH defeats NADAL in 3 sets and WAWRINKA defeats FERRER in 2 sets, then NADAL wins the group and BERDYCH qualifies 2nd.

7) If BERDYCH defeats NADAL in 3 sets and WAWRINKA defeats FERRER in 3 sets, then NADAL wins the group and BERDYCH qualifies 2nd.

I enjoy Wawrinka. I'd pay admission just to see him hit his backhand only, but sadly, loyalty will win out and Berdych may need help from Ferrer...so for the next 2 days, I'll be repeating the phrase "VAMOS DAVEEEEED!!!!"

Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

P.S. For those of you that saw the Berdych-Ferrer outcome, my apologies if one of the first thoughts in your head was "When I log onto tennisplayer.net and check forums there will be a post from klacr on Berdych".

You are beginning to get to know me.

[stotty]

don_budge, can you check the "three lines" business out with Federer? Nadal and Djokovic seem to make the three lines every darn time, Federer seems not to as much these days, especially on the forehand where he gets caught very open at times.

Your thoughts...

[julian1]

Forehands:Fed vs Djokovic

Klacr, the writing is on the wall here. Granted the court is against Federer as they are very slow this year; Nadal shouldn't be complaining...more rejoicing. But that said, when Djokovic hits the level he did in the third set, Federer cannot quite live with it. Even Federer's first serves were all coming back with interest in the end. And he needs to stay at 70% or over to have a shout at winning.

I cannot see Federer winning another slam, Klacr. I really can't.

My son was at the O2 watching the match live. He was amazed how spectacular Federer is to watch. He found Federer was hitting the ball harder than Djokovic (which doesn't truly come across on TV) most of the time. He was also quite taken by the quality of Federer's sliced backhands, which knife along and stay low. Djokovic really had to concentrate when they came whistling in. "Why doesn't he use it more", my son said. "Djokovic couldn't do much with it". He may have a point...but you don't want to overplay trump card I guess.

The match was tough on both players. They both have to play Del Potro yet! Nadal should canter through to the semi's as fresh as a daisy.

An interesting question-
what are biomechanical resons causing a forehand of Federer to be faster
than one of Djokovic?
see blog #9 of http://blog.tennisspeed.com/

[don_budge]

The Three Lines...and Winning.

don_budge, can you check the "three lines" business out with Federer? Nadal and Djokovic seem to make the three lines every darn time, Federer seems not to as much these days, especially on the forehand where he gets caught very open at times.

Your thoughts...

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/music_videos/federer_fh_not_gone/index_small.html

Thanks for asking! I hadn't noticed...but then again I have lost the habit of watching just Roger during a match lately. I remember listening to Rod Laver once say how he just watched Roger when he was playing...he didn't watch the ball or the opponent. Just Roger. Somehow Roger has been less compelling to watch as of late and you may have just hit the nail on the head. When Roger was at the top of his game he was so tough to get out of position. Just watch this video and note how even though he does not have perfect position each and every time, he "assimilates" that third line by somehow aligning himself at the very last moment. At times it may appear that the third line of his feet is achieved only just after contact with the ball. The great player that he was/is he was truly seeking pure equilibrium on each and every ball. Such a perfectionist!

So if he is struggling for this equilibrium in his matches with lesser players now it only stands for reason that his top competitors are beating him in this regard...they are getting better position on the ball more of the time than him. They are playing their shots more often from perfect balance or near to it than he is. I believe at the highest level of the game that this is the deal breaker...getting into position. All of the very best players have great shots and strokes that they can rely upon but the winner is the one who is getting into better position more of the time and dictating the play more often and more effectively.

How do you stop losing? You beat your opponent to the punch. You dictate play. That's how. Gee...maybe I should suggest to GeoffWilliams that in his "How to Stop Losing" thread. On second hand...I think I will skip it. I don't want to interrupt his train of thought. I hate it when someone interrupts me when I am listening to the birds sing anyways. Carry on!

So Roger probably has lost the infamous "half step" at this point in his career. This may be partly due to his back problems which just might be getting the better of him. But lately he seems to getting that half step back as he is once again resurrecting himself to make one last run. So much of tennis_chiro's recent analysis of his injuries, his training and his confidence level is true.

But as it stands now it looks to me as if Novak Djokovic is the gold standard. He is just so impossible to get off balance...like a slippery boxer that always seems to dodge the punch...or shrug off the potential haymaker. He's so slithery. Then...if you give him the tiniest of openings he is right there to pounce on it. Nadal too, is almost impossible to get off balance but once again it seems that it is Djokovic that has the superior ability, if only by a whisker to get in better position more of the time. This is not merely a matter of quickness as such either...but it is a rather complicated equation of factors such as strokes and tactics and movement.

For instance...you made a comment about the knifing of Roger's slice backhand also. It is true...I noticed the same thing. But that may just be a result of Djokovic forcing him to play that shot as it takes just a little less time to get into position to play the slice than the drive because the slice can be played just a tad later. But the slice backhand can be a variable in the equation that could help Roger to solve other variables...by getting Djokovic to hesitate just a bit. By getting Djokovic off balance...perhaps only in the decision making process or by getting him to commit just a bit less to his shots. It's very complicated...but it is a Question of Balance. And Energy.

Nice observation...and if Roger should regain his equilibrium in this regard he just may contend for another Slam. He played another very solid round against Richard Gasquet...straight setting him. This is exactly what he must do now...eliminate those opponents that he should eliminate in straight sets...in straight sets. He must live up to his billing first before he can make a shot at a title. Djokovic once again appears to have lived up to his billing and just may be making a case for my theory of positioning among the top players. While Del Potro is very threatening, he must have his legs under him in the final moments of a match against the slippery Djokovic otherwise he will be vulnerable until the last point is played. It appears that once again Djokovic seems to have the overdrive gear in reserve as he just turned on the afterburners against the Jolly Argentine Giant...and he was gone.

While Federer's match against Juan Martin should be highly entertaining...it is afterall the third part of the recent trilogy...Djokovic's match against Gasquet just maybe a foregone conclusion. Let's watch to see how the positioning of Federer and Del Potro match up. What the heck...let's compare Djokovic and Gasquet as well.

[stotty]

Thanks, don_budge...

But as it stands now it looks to me as if Novak Djokovic is the gold standard. He is just so impossible to get off balance...like a slippery boxer that always seems to dodge the punch...or shrug off the potential haymaker. He's so slithery. Then...if you give him the tiniest of openings he is right there to pounce on it. Nadal too, is almost impossible to get off balance but once again it seems that it is Djokovic that has the superior ability, if only by a whisker to get in better position more of the time. This is not merely a matter of quickness as such either...but it is a rather complicated equation of factors such as strokes and tactics and movement.

Thanks for clearing that one up. Much of the time this week I've been watching the footwork of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer...watching their feet line up and nothing else. I can't spot the difference between Nadal and Djokovic, but I certainly can with Federer. He gets caught off balance on the forehand more than the other two, and it's where the errors seem to creep in. There has to be some reason why is making far more errors on his forehand than he used to. It could just be his feet...or maybe as you suggest, his bad back perhaps.

Djokovic seemed to double up on his footwork in that last set with Del Potro. It started to look like very little could get past him. The urgency went right up at the start of the third.

He's unusual Djokovic. Sometimes his temperament seems to be fraying but he somehow collects himself together and raises the standard through the roof. Odd. I like seeing him most when he is a set and a break down....his back to the wall. He gets really dangerous about then.

[don_budge]

ATP World Tour in London...

He's unusual Djokovic. Sometimes his temperament seems to be fraying but he somehow collects himself together and raises the standard through the roof. Odd. I like seeing him most when he is a set and a break down....his back to the wall. He gets really dangerous about then.

Very unusual indeed. What a trait to have! Remember when it seemed as if Federer had him pinned against the mat in the semifinal of the U. S. Open and Djokovic hurled that comet of a return of serve at him. The maniacal Robert DeNiroesque face that he made.

He has that unshakable belief in himself at times...at the most critical of times. The hallmark of great champions. They have the extraordinary sense that the match is hanging in the balance and they seize the opportunities right out from under the noses of the unsuspecting opponents. He does seem very dangerous when he is behind...with him it is never over until it is truly over. The fat lady must be singing, the money must be in the bank and the horse must be securely in the barn.

I remember watching him against Murray in the finals of Wimbledon...I am convinced that something was dreadfully wrong with Djokovic on that particular day. Whether he was worn out from the epic semifinal with Del Potro is another question...but the real Djokovic never appeared until the very end of the match. You never felt that Murray had the trophy secured until it was in his hands.

With Rafael Nadal's three set victory of klacr's also ran (so far) Tomas Berdych it sets the stage for a Nadal vs. Wawrinka rematch. Gee...I wonder if Wawrinka just might have the edge here based on the revenge motivation factor and the court surface. Nadal was squawking about the hard court and this might just be why. Anybody else like to see Wawrinka pin the ears back on the Spanish Stallion? Whatever...Nadal is another very tough competitor who is never out of a match until it is over. 99.999% of the time that is...his semi with Ferrer at the Paris Indoors was an unusual spectacle.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/07/sport/tennis/tennis-djokovic-del-potro-federer/index.html

"I do believe that when you are requested for a sample, you have to give the sample. It doesn't matter how bad you feel. I'm sorry," Federer said.

"Like the test the next day for me is not a test any more because of what could have happened overnight."---Roger Federer

Roger knows the game within the game...as did Yannick Noah does.

Roger Federer has come out as the president of the players union calling for more drug testing. He knows the score, too. Last year it was Yannick making the news and the media was able to silence him as irrelevant. They cannot do that with Roger. I like the fact that he is backing up the test of Troika and not pussy footing around the issue as Djokovic is. What he says is unbelievable...winners not being tested on the spot. Why bother? Especially if they are not really interested in catching viable culprits. Don't you just love connecting the dots?

So Roger takes Center Stage against Del Potro...the Jolly Argentine Giant. This could be one huge moment for Roger or Juan Martin. One star maybe on its descent and the other rising. At any rate...potentially one hell of a match. With the winner getting a shot at the Meteoric Djokovic...he is already assured a semifinal berth, isn't he?

I watched a bit of the Nadal-Berdych match but as it was 10 PM here in Europe I opted for the bed...it was literally a snoozer for me but I will bet the Kyle was on the edge of his seat the entire match. Tough luck!

[klacr]

I watched a bit of the Nadal-Berdych match but as it was 10 PM here in Europe I opted for the bed...it was literally a snoozer for me but I will bet the Kyle was on the edge of his seat the entire match. Tough luck!

yeah. I watched. 2nd set was good. 1st and 3rd sets were far from it. That's why I've been a bit silent last 24 hours on the forum. licking my wounds.

Unlike many of the players, Berdych's season is not over. he still has a Davis Cup title to play for. Something Nadal, Federer, Del Potro, Ferrer, Murray, Gasquet, Wawrinka won't be doing. See how I was able to spin that?


Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton