Re: 2016, ATP 250: Brisbane, Doha, Chennai/Sydney, Auckland

by Tenez Wed Jan 06, 2016 12:50 pm

His 90inch racquet was good enough against his generation. Against the new one it was a clear liability. he shoudl have made the move in 2005-7 minimum. Ideally he shoudl have started with the 97inch as early as possible. He can be forgiven for not trying it up to 2007....after that it was a clear startegical mistake and a few of us have mentioned it for years here.

by Tenez Wed Jan 06, 2016 1:00 pm

Who says he can't play with a larger racquet?

2016, ATP 250: Brisbane, Doha, Chennai/Sydney, Auckland - Page 2 Sp09_big

by noleisthebest Wed Jan 06, 2016 3:22 pm

Tenez wrote:You can always see it as a change ..or a new weapon providing more power and safety.

Not many would find it hard to adapt.

Sure there is always a risk....but at 21, you are young and flexible enough to adapt or even to drop the attempt and revert back.

Federer would quickly have seen the benefits, like no-one noticed how well he adapted to new strings and bigger frame in 2002. I cannot see why a slighly bigger frame woudl have made such a difference. All his toughest competitiors of the time (Hewitt, Nalby, Safin, etc...) were on a 95 or bigger frame.

Pete mentioned how he regretted not to have adopted to bigger racquets in his late career, and I am pretty sure Fed will too.....though he might never admit it.

The change as I said was coming from slower courts and his new kind of opponents......that's what most difficult to adapt, not a new racquet which can only help you deal with those new conds and opponents.

he may have lost one or 2 slams because of it at first (if that) but woudl have gained 5 more easily.

Simple, his first slam on the tour came months after adapting to the new racquet. His display in Wimby 2003 was a real novelty in the tennis world with an array of shots whihc would not have been possible with the former racquet.

Very similar to his current game where we see shots he coudl not do with teh older racquet, well certainly not as often.

Nice post, T.
Fed did so well to adapt across three different generations of players.

Djokovic, Nadal and Murray would not be able to play/surviv with smaller racquet heads.

Racquet size and strings changes probably affected Fed's FH most.

He looks like he is still getting used to the bigger frame and exploing with it, shame time is running out for him.

Talent is still the main ingredient and rules in all eras.

by noleisthebest Wed Jan 06, 2016 3:23 pm

Tenez wrote:Who says he can't play with a larger racquet?

And that's not for the racquet size but two hands on it!

by noleisthebest Wed Jan 06, 2016 3:25 pm

Tenez wrote:His 90inch racquet was good enough against his generation. Against the new one it was a clear liability. he shoudl have made the move in 2005-7 minimum. Ideally he shoudl have started with the 97inch as early as possible. He can be forgiven for not trying it up to 2007....after that it was a clear startegical mistake and a few of us have mentioned it for years here.

Yes, and I blame Annacone for it, as he was the one advising him against it.
Just goes to show how little the so-called "experts" now.

You are in the wrong business, T, Winking

by noleisthebest Wed Jan 06, 2016 3:27 pm

Not a good day for young players. Sad

Could not find a link for Rubi-Stan, but fom occassional score checkng, looks like Rubi had trouble holding serve, which is a bit of a surprise as Stan is not the most brilliant returner and Rubi has a very good serve...

by Tenez Wed Jan 06, 2016 5:52 pm

noleisthebest wrote:Not a good day for young players.

Could not find a link for Rubi-Stan, but fom occassional score checkng, looks like Rubi had trouble holding serve, which is a bit of a surprise as Stan is not the most brilliant returner and Rubi has a very good serve...

except for Coric! Sad

Shows again how retrieving is everything nowadays.

Rubi's serve is not that great actually. He has little variety and is predictable. His returning is what let him down too.

by luvsports! Wed Jan 06, 2016 6:34 pm

Hello all.

Hope you had a good Xmas/holidays and NY.

I am bed ridden atm (3 days off work now) and could be off for a few more but I can post freely again!

by noleisthebest Wed Jan 06, 2016 6:37 pm

Tenez wrote:
noleisthebest wrote:Not a good day for young players.

Could not find a link for Rubi-Stan, but fom occassional score checkng, looks like Rubi had trouble holding serve, which is a bit of a surprise as Stan is not the most brilliant returner and Rubi has a very good serve...
except for Coric! Shows again how retrieving is everything nowadays.

Double

I still think he's almost reached a ceiling in his game.

Tenez wrote:
Rubi's serve is not that great actually. He has little variety and is predictable. His returning is what let him down too.

Yes, but it's fast and not muscled - very much like his groundstrokes.

If he was taller his seve would be the same as Raonic's, minus the nerves and hair.

Do you think it's possible for hm to loosen up and not be so dependable on his rhythm? (when on the baseline) - that would probably help his serve, too.

I hope so, as there clearly is talent.

by Tenez Wed Jan 06, 2016 6:43 pm

luvsports! wrote:Hello all.

Hope you had a good Xmas/holidays and NY.

I am bed ridden atm (3 days off work now) and could be off for a few more but I can post freely again!

Hi LS

Same here. I just went for a run to try to sweat it out.

Happy New Year indeed.

Glad to have you back!.

by Tenez Wed Jan 06, 2016 6:45 pm

noleisthebest wrote:I still think he's almost reached a ceiling in his game.

Oh no! You know too well that his shots will improve as well with time.

by Tenez Wed Jan 06, 2016 6:48 pm

noleisthebest wrote:
Rubi's serve is not that great actually. He has little variety and is predictable. His returning is what let him down too.

Yes, but it's fast and not muscled - very much like his groundstrokes.

If he was taller his seve would be the same as Raonic's, minus the nerves and hair.

Do you think it's possible for hm to loosen up and not be so dependable on his rhythm? (when on the baseline) - that would probably help his serve, too.

I hope so, as there clearly is talent.[/quote]

I think his main weakness his is behaviour on the court. He is too much of a fighter. This is where Fed is unique, gentle outside but all his aggressivity is his shots. he himself remains cool and relax. Something no other attacking player has been able to produce...except McEnroe, Edberg and a few others in patches only.

by Tenez Wed Jan 06, 2016 6:50 pm

LS, please throw your predictions on the thread I created a couple of days ago. Woudl be interesting to have you views.

I know Donald Trump won;t venture putting his as he is scared of getting it wrong. Very much a nadal fan! Winking

by noleisthebest Wed Jan 06, 2016 6:54 pm

Tenez wrote:
noleisthebest wrote:I still think he's almost reached a ceiling in his game.
Oh no! You know too well that his shots will improve as well with time.

Know but I don't want to know! Wah

by noleisthebest Wed Jan 06, 2016 7:00 pm

Tenez wrote:I think his main weakness his is behaviour on the court. He is too much of a fighter. This is where Fed is unique, gentle outside but all his aggressivity is his shots. he himself remains cool and relax. Something no other attacking player has been able to produce...except McEnroe, Edberg and a few others in patches only.

Mmmm...if that's the case, he won't change - as he is a Russian.

But he may mature...though there is a lot of pressure on young players now.

Where in the past they could start contesting for the big titles even at 18-19, now they have to wait till they are 25....or 30.

Well, he's one of the few hopefuls we have...

by noleisthebest Wed Jan 06, 2016 7:02 pm

Tenez wrote:LS, please throw your predictions on the thread I created a couple of days ago. Woudl be interesting to have you views.

I know Donald Trump won;t venture putting his as he is scared of getting it wrong. Very much a nadal fan!

Yes, no excuse LS! 2016, ATP 250: Brisbane, Doha, Chennai/Sydney, Auckland - Page 2 3700139714

And if they fail...you can blame your current illness Winking

.....

Donald Trump hates losing.

......

And what about Federer King?
He is only here to tell us he told us so!

by luvsports! Wed Jan 06, 2016 8:53 pm

Will do

.
Looking forward to ozzy open prediction game. I wanna beat my mates again as I am the current US open Champ! Big Grin

by noleisthebest Thu Jan 07, 2016 8:03 am

At least one "good" youngster doing well!

Poiille beat Goffin. Looks like he enjoys playing in Australia.

by Tenez Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:04 am

wow.....that's an achievement.....was Goffin fully fit?

by noleisthebest Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:16 am

Don't know, still can't find any working streams fir ipad.
Tennis.tv should start showing Chennai and Brisbane tomorrow.
I also read that Fed is questionable for Brisbane, apparently only trained 30mins in three days.

Hopefully just part of acclimatisation...or too many ice-creams with all those twins!

by Tenez Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:19 am

wow..what's wrong again with him?

by Tenez Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:22 am

This is not as good as tennistv but you have a bigger choice obviously

http://www.3pmstream.com/tennis-live-streaming-video.html

and it's free.

Goffin won the second set obviously he was not too bad. Good on Pouille!

by noleisthebest Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:26 am

Thanks, T. just checked but:

"Not available through Virgin Media" Wah

So annoying!
I may try with a different browser.
Can't stand this Big-brothering broadband...

by Tenez Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:48 am

oh! Glad I have not joined VM!

by noleisthebest Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:46 am

Tenez wrote:oh! Glad I have not joined VM!

Hooefully I'll be able to see some tennis tomorrow! 2016, ATP 250: Brisbane, Doha, Chennai/Sydney, Auckland - Page 2 3919515806

Did you see any of Rubi-Stan?

by raiders_of_the_lost_ark Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:02 am

Fed -Kakme underway....

by Tenez Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:21 am

noleisthebest wrote:
Tenez wrote:oh! Glad I have not joined VM!
Hooefully I'll be able to see some tennis tomorrow!

Did you see any of Rubi-Stan?

Yes I saw some of it. Rub is still too erratic and unprofessionel ....but that's perfectly normal for an 18yo. However he should learn to calm down. There is no way around it. His shots must be aggressive, not his behaviour.

by noleisthebest Thu Jan 07, 2016 12:45 pm

Tenez wrote:
noleisthebest wrote:
Tenez wrote:oh! Glad I have not joined VM!
Hooefully I'll be able to see some tennis tomorrow!

Did you see any of Rubi-Stan?
Yes I saw some of it. Rub is still too erratic and unprofessionel ....but that's perfectly normal for an 18yo. However he should learn to calm down. There is no way around it. His shots must be aggressive, not his behaviour .

I didn't notice aggressive behavior, just emotional: he gets upset with himself if he loses a point and then becomes instantaneously dejected (the baby mode - where he shows his age)...and the next moment he is back into the aggressive dragon mode puffing out his cheeks furiously, pulverising the ball (like Chardy).

This dragon mode is what I think is part of the problem: the way he plays a point atm looks like he inhales and then gets int this fire-breathing rhythm in which he is tense and focused - very much like Djokovic except that his shots are better and riskier.
And of course he is less fit so doesn't last long.

That's why I asked you yesterday if you think he can loosen.

He definitely has talent but the way he is taught to play is modern and a bit mechanical which is why he comes acrosss as a basher, too.

Once he relaxes inside and is able to play within himself from centre baseline he'll be great.

by Tenez Thu Jan 07, 2016 12:56 pm

noleisthebest wrote:

I didn't notice aggressive behavior, just emotional: he gets upset with himself if he loses a point and then becomes instantaneously dejected (the baby mode - where he shows his age)...and the next moment he is back into the aggressive dragon mode puffing out his cheeks furiously, pulverising the ball (like Chardy).

Same thing. he needs to be calmer.[/quote]

This dragon mode is what I think is part of the problem: the way he plays a point atm looks like he inhales and then gets int this fire-breathing rhythm in which he is tense and focused - very much like Djokovic except that his shots are better and riskier.
And of course he is less fit so doesn't last long.

Yes. This is what I mean. Too tensed.

That's why I asked you yesterday if you think he can loosen.

He will have too. People say federer was very emotional young. Probably, but Fed always seemed much more balanced to me. A typical Swiss.

by noleisthebest Thu Jan 07, 2016 1:04 pm

Tenez wrote:
He will have too. People say federer was very emotional young. Probably, but Fed always seemed much more balanced to me. A typical Swiss.

Yes.
And Rubi is Russian, so already an extra personal mountain to climb before he even starts...
Plus, he seems to be under some external pressure.

by noleisthebest Thu Jan 07, 2016 4:38 pm

Finally got a stream for Nadal-Kuznetsov...only to see that Nadal broke and serving at 4:3 in the 3rd...
But then Kuznetsov breaks back and is now broken again...

Nadal celebrates like he's won his 18th slam... 2016, ATP 250: Brisbane, Doha, Chennai/Sydney, Auckland - Page 2 2355573927

2016, ATP 250: Brisbane, Doha, Chennai/Sydney, Auckland - Page 2 2355573927

Serving for the match.

3588 stg spin on his FH.

by N2D2L Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:50 pm

noleisthebest wrote:
Nadal celebrates like he's won his 18th slam...

This is part of the reason why I'm such a huge fan, others just don't seem to get it for some reason.

by Tenez Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:41 am

Thiem is a very good server.

Interesting that like Chung he is challenging Cilic close. If it was not for the TB, Chung actually did better than Thiem in the first 2 sets.

by noleisthebest Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:58 am

Tenez wrote:Thiem is a very good server.

Interesting that like Chung he is challenging Cilic close. If it was not for the TB, Chung actually did better than Thiem in the first 2 sets.

Wow!
Just saw the score. Well done Domi!!! Applause

The first word that comes to me when I think of him is: clever. Then strong.

So composed a driven. Plus the SBH!

by Tenez Fri Jan 08, 2016 9:03 am

He reminds me Haas quite a bit....with a better mind probably.

by Tenez Fri Jan 08, 2016 9:05 am

Very good of Tomic too!

by noleisthebest Fri Jan 08, 2016 9:09 am

Tenez wrote:Very good of Tomic too!

Yes!
Though he gets on my nerves as a cheap crook, it's a shame for that talent to go to waste.

Shame Pouille couldn't continue his good run.

by noleisthebest Fri Jan 08, 2016 9:10 am

Tenez wrote:He reminds me Haas quite a bit....with a better mind probably.

Yes, nice all-court game, but Haas was a smoother ball-striker.
I suppose different era.

I find Thiem more aggressive - he is closer to Fed to me in that way.

by noleisthebest Fri Jan 08, 2016 9:27 am

Looks like the court is playing fast in Brisbane.
No wonder RRs are avoiding it like plague.

Funny to see Fed chosing to play almost exclusively from the baseline, I suppose it gives him valuable match practice.

No need to rush things against Dimi.

by noleisthebest Fri Jan 08, 2016 9:32 am

noleisthebest wrote:Looks like the court is playing fast in Brisbane.
No wonder RRs are avoiding it like plague.

Funny to see Fed chosing to play almost exclusively from the baseline, I suppose it gives him valuable match practice.

No need to rush things against Dimi.

So fast Fed is having to move 1-2m behind the baseline to receive the serve. Looks so weird!
The anti-SABR.

by noleisthebest Fri Jan 08, 2016 10:19 am

Good tennis.
You just can't go wrong woth two SBH-ers.

Dimi's BH still a liability, Fed wins points easily in it, esp when Dimi tries to run around it.

Also Dimi looks like an amateur at the net compared to Fed (when he tries to play S&V).
But good competitor and court coverage with those long legs.

by luvsports! Fri Jan 08, 2016 10:55 am

Surprising loss for Nishi. I remember last year Nishi destroyed Tomic in Brisbane.
Tomic has been on a good upward curve since then. Nothng spectacular but much more consistent. Nishi plateaued and gone backwards Sad

Very happy for THIIIEEEMMM!

by raiders_of_the_lost_ark Fri Jan 08, 2016 10:55 am

3rd set.. can't see any streaming.. only pressing "refresh" button on the the browser..

by luvsports! Fri Jan 08, 2016 10:56 am

Feds in a 3rd set with Dimi. Interesting.

by Tenez Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:02 am

Have you tried that one rotla?

http://www.3pmstream.com/tennis-live-streaming-video.html

Works for me.

by Tenez Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:02 am

Dimi is playing well. I am surprised he doesn't do better against others.

by raiders_of_the_lost_ark Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:14 am

Tenez wrote:Have you tried that one rotla?

http://www.3pmstream.com/tennis-live-streaming-video.html

Works for me.

Thanks for the link Tenez..Will try tomorrow.. Right now at work place.. Streaming websites are blocked here for security reasons.

by Tenez Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:18 am

noleisthebest wrote:
Tenez wrote:He reminds me Haas quite a bit....with a better mind probably.
Yes, nice all-court game, but Haas was a smoother ball-striker.
I suppose different era.

I find Thiem more aggressive - he is closer to Fed to me in that way.

Closer to Haas in my view. Like all modern players they don;t have Fed's finess....well not yet at least.

by noleisthebest Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:23 am

Bottom line, on the level playing field (SBH), Fed beats a 10 year younger player.

by Tenez Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:24 am

Dimi has still too many dips. He can play great and then pull 3 horrible shots.

That's the difference between him and the very top players. It;s all about consistency, professionalism.

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