The Wimbledon draw ceremony was held on Friday, and it set up a potential semifinal showdown between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Defending champion Andy Murray joins Novak Djokovic in the top half of the bracket.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal was dealt a nightmarish early-round draw when Wimbledon held its much-anticipated pre-tournament ceremony on Friday. After opening with Martin Klizan, Nadal could face his 2012 conqueror at the All-England Club, Lukas Rosol. Huge-serving Croat Ivo Karlovic is on course to get a shot at the top-ranked Spaniard in the third round.
If Nadal advances to the quarterfinals, which would succeed a likely fourth-round date with either Richard Gasquet or fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils, his projected opponent according to seeds would be Milos Raonic. Possible quarterfinals elsewhere in the bracket are Novak Djokovic vs. Tomas Berdych, Andy Murray vs. David Ferrer, and Stan Wawrinka vs. Roger Federer.
Both Wawrinka and Federer may first have to get past the 2010 Wimbledon marathon men. Wawrinka could meet John Isner in the fourth round, while Federer and Nicolas Mahut would square off in the last 32 if both veterans win their first two matches. Additionally, 2013 Wimbledon semifinalist Jerzy Janowicz is a possible fourth-round opponent for Federer.
Murray will kick off his title defense with the traditional Monday afternoon start on Centre Court. The third-seeded Scot will play David Goffin before possible run-ins with Roberto Bautista Agut (third round), Kevin Anderson (fourth round), and either Ferrer or Grigor Dimitrov (quarterfinals).
Djokovic is potentially in line for more meetings with recent French Open foes. The second-ranked Serb may get Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in another fourth-round match and Ernests Gulbis–whom he defeated in the Roland Garros semifinals–in the quarters. Gulbis and Berdych may collide in the fourth round after going head-to-head in the French Open quarterfinals.
The draw, as first revealed by Berdych.
Draw at the Wimbledon website.
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discuss
—Two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal was dealt a nightmarish early-round draw—
At least one persons must be exited – Fed.
Nadal gets a savage draw, Murray (the third seed, ranked fifth in the world) a draw so easy that his old mum could beat these losers. Not suggesting any skulduggery on the part of the people who drew up the list, heaven forbid (they are after all good, upright English men and women), but clearly the gods are smiling on Murray and guiding him through his first four matches!
Tennis could be saved. What about the old man’s draw? Both of them need to be out really.
Who else besides Fed (near 33) is old?
Most players in Fed’s quarter are old.
rosol, karlo, monfils, roanic?!!! really?!!! what else? :(((((
djokovic got nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody, andy and final!!!! WHAT IS WRONG WIT THESE DRAWS?????
Nadal’s draw would be bad for him even if he was in Djokovic’s spot
why is that so?
radek, simon, tsonga, berdy?! these are players whom rafa is really OK playing against!! they all give rafa good rhythm! 😐
https://twitter.com/augustazeight/status/479935256431460352/photo/1
Vamos Klizan!
Allez Lorenzi!
filter ( at 10:57 am),
Klizan is already almost 25 years old and Lorenzi – almost 33.
it’s dream draw for Fed. Easy quarter and tons of roadblocks for Rafa before he would have to play him.
Ricky (at 11:37 am),
Wasn’t S.Stakhovsky also a member of ‘a dream draw’ last year?
Bad back, you lose.
@hawkeye63 and I said it:
Fed would be in Rafa’s half;
They would stuff Rafa’s quarter and half with big hitter to ensure he does not get to meet Fed.
Anyone who does not believe the draws are rigged most likely also does not believe in global warming……….
rafaisthebest (at 10:43 am);
S.Stakhovsky got the job done last year. Who could do the job this year?
Stakhovsky
#HopeThisHelps
Lorenzi.
@augusta08 10:53 am,
Nobody, if Rafa gets taken out early.
#HopeThisHelps
Ricky Dimon ( at 10:57 am),
S.Stakhovsky is in Djoko’s quarter.
Awful luck for Rafa!
If he doesn’t get Klizanned in the first round he could well be bombarded by Karlo in the third… I kind of look forward of him meeting Rosol again
If Rafa survives the 1st week he’ll be unstoppable
I agree with this.
Always been the case at Wimby, no?
Brutal draw for Fed, Nole and Rafa..
Only Andy has it easy.
Fed?????
Only a Feddy Bear fan would think so. Couldn’t get much easier for him.
His quarter is stuffed with weak era players over 30 and clay courters.
pfft.
#DreamDraw
#YouCannotBeSerious
julien benneteau is more dangerous than Klizan, Rosol and Karlovic combined. Fed can take those players in straights any day!
#FarfromADreamDraw
abhirf ( at 12:30 pm)
10 of 12 matches Fed vs. Karlovic went to tie-breaks. (Karlovic has won 1 match).
So..
Fed beat Dr.Ivo in straights at Wimby…
Benneteau has also won against Fed. And troubled him more than Dr. Ivo has done. Fed always played those TB’s against Ivo with calm.
One? yes Three in a row? No. Not easy.
When has he ever faced three hard hitters in a row at Wimby?
#TrickQuestion
Federer has been beaten by Benneteau. Once. Paris Masters 2009. Don’t know who was the most surprised. Benny or Fed 🙂
Correction. Twice. The other was Rotterdam last year.
Conspirator’s Draw Analysis:
Congratulations to Meeee!!!!
As predicted:
– Fed in Rafa’s half (for the 5th non-clay slam in a row), a 1/32 or 3% “random” probability
– All softies in Fed’s quarters (all 30+ yrs and/or clay court specialists, e.g.,Lorenzi qualifies as both)
– Only hard hitters for Rafa (no rhythm before a Fed meeting). Rafa could meet in succession: Klizan, Rosol, Karlovic, plus Raonic in his quarter projected matchup.
Seriously Ricky, you’re on crack if you think that Nole’s first week line-up would be just as tough for Rafa.
Wimbly draw is set up as best as possible for Feddy bear with Federazzi hoping at best that Rafa goes out early and at worse little/no rhythm prior to meeting Fed.
Anyone who believes that draws are random are simply naive.
Conspirator out.
#NewOrder
Stepanek certainly is much more dangerous than all those combined..
By “all those combined” I assume you mean Klizan, Rosol, Karlovic, plus Raonic???
Over five sets, that is simply federazzi propaganda at its absolute finest.
Fedfan’s tenngrand fan is quickly losing credibility.
not Raonic..
But definitely Klizan et al.. They are not consistent enough.
Stepanek is a consistent player. A very good player at nets. Grass court suits his game.
Rafa fans are making the draw sound more fearful and brutal than it actually is..
His 1st 3 rounds are much more gettable than they appear to be. Just a bunch of pretty inconsistent players.
#RafaFansLosingCredibility
Again, not the point.
Agreed, they are not consistent individually to make deep runs themselves but it is three hard hitters in succession in an attempt that one of them will take the racquet out of Rafa’s hand.
abhirf, be honest, who’s first week section would you prefer for Fed: his own or Rafa’s?
Lorenzo-Benny-Granollers.
pfft. Seriously.
I would prefer Rafa’s section.
Hard hitting players not much tough for Fed to handle on Grass.
How would you know? He seldom plays them.
Raonic took Feddy Bear to three sets on grass twice.
Not much tough?
shhhh….Revisionism at work
Did Raonic beat him… Nope.
BTW, I didn’t talk about Raonic.
Well, you said “hard hitting players” and “not much tough”, don’t you? Or do yo. No, you did. OK. Good.
Hilarious!!!!
#Revisionism
Stepanek who hasn’t beaten Djokovic since 2006 when Nole was 18 yrs old and lost the last 10 matches since.
#BetterLateThanNever
Calm down everyone. Rosol cannot repeat his outer worldly game again and he had to do it in 5 sets against Rafa with a wonky knee. Rafa is 4:0 against Dr Ivo. It’s not an opponent Rafa would choose, but I feel Rafa will work his way round him. Apart from those 2, I don’t really see anyone else who would cause Rafa any problems. Raonic? I don’t think so.
at least someone analyzed it with a sound mind.
#ThankGod
at least you excluded yourself.
#ThankGod
^ excluded you actually
#ThankGod
^awwww abhiwf, you huwt my feewings 🙁
^^Klizan. Big hitting Klizan. He gave Rafa a scare at RG one time……
One game at a time…….
Gasquet just beat Klizan in straight sets at Eastbourne.
Don’t worry, Klizan will see Rafa across the net and become the Incredible Hulk, they all do……………
Not the point.
The point is that draws are rigged and Rafa gets no rhythm in first week on slippery grass.
Klizan will be a huge 1st round test for Rafa
It won’t be a walk in the park, that’s for sure.
Easiest first week (weak) draws in order:
1. Fed
2. Muzza
3. Nole
4. Rafa
Easiest potential 4R/QF matchups:
1. Fed (Jerzy/Coleslaw)
2 Rafa: Gasquest/Milos
3. Muzza (Fog/Ferru)
4. Nole (Tsonga/Berdy)
#WhosOnFirst
#DrawGOAT
asiest first week (weak) draws in order:
1. Muzza
2. Rafa
3. Fed
4. Nole
Easiest potential 4R/QF matchups:
1. Muzz (Fog/Ferru)
2 Rafa: Gasquest/Milos
3.Fed (Hewitt/Stan)
4. Nole (Tsonga/Berdy)
#WhosOnFirst
#DrawGOAT
Well maybe in 2003 you’d be right!
Sure Ferrer who’s made it to the last two QF at Wimby and QF or better in last 10 slams vs Coleslaw who’s never made it passed the 4th round and rusty Rusty who hasn’t made it past the 2R since 2010.
#ZeroCreditsLett
#GameOver
#YouLost
Ferru is ill no. Not sure even he will be playing.
Stan won his 1st slam and Masters in 2014, no.
Rusty has the 2nd most wins on grass among active guys. Much better than nut case Fog and Dickie Gasquet.
As you said
#YouGotZeroCreditsLeft
#GameOver
#YouLost
Not on grass. j-Stan is also sick and is useless on grass. Wimbly is on grass, remember?
Rusty? “has” being the operative word, as in has been (weak era champ).
Great use of hashtags BTW and, very original.
#NoImagination
#FederazziTrait
#ImaginationNotRequiredToDealWithDlusionists
#RafatardTrait
hahahahahahahaha
Oooooh, getting personal now. Delusional retard. Nice abhirf. Don’t worry abhirf, I won’t stoop to you level.
C’mon Ricky, let holdserve back again. Only fair, no?
Hilarious! 🙂 🙂 🙂
#LosingIt
Well, Rafatard is just as bad or good as Federazzi, no?
#DoubleStandards
So much for the so called rational Rafa fans when they just have their own imagination world?
Seriously abhirf, no double standard. Such political incorrectness and insensitivity on your part should not go unnoticed.
You have been a great fedfan here in the past but this is disappointing from you to say the least.
The term “tard” is short for the socially unacceptable and politically incorrect term “retard” and “delusional” to describe a sports fan is mimimizing the seriousness of mental illness and thus disrespects those in society unfortunately afflicted.
I wouldn’t want you as my doctor.
#NoBedsideManner
#HopeThisHelps
@hawkeye,
would you kindly do the honours of explaining the meaning of Federazzi?
‘Rafatards’ are Rafa fan groups, no.
I never called anyone a retard.
Delusional is same as having false perception and being irrational, for which Fed fans are constantly accused of on this forum.
#YouMisunderstood
Sure abhirf. No problem.
The term Federazzi is a combination of Federer and paparazzi, the group of media that are obsessed and hound over the rich and famous that hang off of and obsess about all details related to them
There is nothing insensitve nor politically incorrect about it.
The term ‘tard’ is offensive.
Rafa has got a good draw to make it to the final and probably win the title.
Lucky to have avoided Muzz, Grigor, Stan & Gulbis.
It wasn’t luck to avoid Muzz. As I said yesterday, Fed would be hand placed ever so gently in Rafa’s half.
j-Stan on grass. mmm, no. (never made it past 4th round, easy peasy for Fed but doubtful he’ll even get that far).
Dimi and Gulbis are both in the 9-16 seeds so any Top 4 player can only meet one of them not both.
BTW, Feddy Bear avoided them too, n’est-pas?
#FederazziBlind
I’m pretty sure Fed would have preferred Nole over Rafa any day.
That’s definitely not in Fed’s favour.
“Dimi and Gulbis are both in the 9-16 seeds so any Top 4 player can only meet one of them not both.” – Not rocket science to understand that. You didn’t get my point.
“BTW, Feddy Bear avoided them too, n’est-pas?” – Gulbis, yes. Dimi, not much.
Fed is hoping Rafa will go out in the first week and he’ll only have to play one of Nole or Muzz.
Not rocket science to realize Dimi and Gulbis are in Nole’s quarter.
No, I’m not a #federazzi(TM) mind-reader.
Hilarious!
Dimi in Muzza’s quarter.
Rafa lucky to avoid any of the 4 I mentioned. Not in any sequence of Round or something.
#Hope this helps
Same as fedfan.
Double standards much?
#YouLose
#YoureWelcome
Except j-Stan. Non-factor on grass, Never was, never will. He’s got a virus BTW. 15 minutes of fame are over.
And Rusty. Please, no need to discuss that weak era dinosaur.
Next.
#YouLose
#PleaseTryAgain
#ThankYouForPlaying
Stan got a virus.. WHEN??
“And Rusty. Please, no need to discuss that weak era dinosaur.”
Rafa too is a weak era player no.. So is Nole, Muzz, Berdych, Ferru, Gasquet, Stan Tsonga,etc etc..
As I said earlier on another thread, the weak era never really started and if it did then it’s still going on.
Injuries Are Causing Players To Drop Out Of Wimbledon
With the start of Wimbledon now just four days away, Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka is a major doubt for the Championships because of a mystery virus that has left him unable to do any physical preparation.
http://www.tennisnews.com/exclusive.php?pID=40316
As far as The Dreaded Weak Era (gennerally accepted by revisionist non-Federazzi) goes, I’m not surprised you think this way.
Holdserve had the perfect definition and proof of the weak era. There was no consistent player vs Fed in slam finals from 2003-06.
Today the last 35 of 37 majors are won by one of the Golden Era Top 4.
#HopeThisHelps
BTW, if he makes 2nd week, I agree with you, that’s why I have him at 2nd easiset 4R/QF behind Fed.
Rafa is 3:0 against Muzz on grass. Stan is Rafa’s poodle, forget what happened in OZ, Rafa wasnot fit. Rafa put Grigor in his place in Rome. I agree with you that Gulbis could be a handful for Rafa.
I hope Rafa back answers him.
Vamos Rafa
Also, Ivo making it to the 3rd Rd seems pretty questionable to me. It will probably be Kukukshin appearing from that part.
Again, you’ve missed the point of lining up heavy hitters first three rounds.
Fed’s path to 4th round is a joke.
There is no sense kidding ourselves. In the first week of Wimbledon, when the grass is fast and slippery it’s always dangerous in the first week. As hawkeye said, these are players who will give Rafa no rhythm and who also have big serves. So there is no way that Rafa has an easy draw in the first week. However, if the back is okay then Rafa can deal with these opponents. I remember the 2010 Wimbledon, when Rafa had to face both Haase and Petz in the early rounds. Two five setters in which he was down two sets to one. He’s going to have to be ready for these guys. It’s not about them being ranked high or being tough players per se. It’s how they match up with Rafa.
So much being made about hard hitters..
Steve Darcis was not a hard hitter. He outplayed Rafa in the rallies.
It’s not merely about hard hitters. It’s about big serving guys who do not give Rafa rhythm. It’s also about the court conditions in the first week. I always feel that the early rounds are the trickiest especially at Wimbledon for Rafa. But if Rafa’s back is okay and the knee is fine, then he can deal with it.
I am not going to worry about Karlovic unless it happens. He has to get there first. Also, I distinctly remember Rafa saying that he did not like playing him. We know how Rafa feels about this big serving robots.
The fact is : Rafa is circumspect with his movement on the Grass. He just waits for it to get eroded to get his foot in.
Bad knees. You lose.
Wimbledon has known some hard hitting champions, Philippoussis and Ivanisevic spring to mind but there have probably been many others
Sampras.
RT @bgtennisnation : “1st thing that jumps out on the Mens side of Draw Rafa got a very difficult draw”
Does BG have credibility eh, @abhirf?
Yeah, he does when he has the same opinion as yours..
Not so when he doesn’t (like in past). 🙂
BTW, I have already mentioned Rafa’s Draw to be tough in my above post.
So don’t get the thought of targetting me.
#HeadScratch
Where exactly?
Reference needed.
You’re the only non-Rafan still posting.
Who else would we target???
#TryTX
@hawkeye, here’s your reference :
abhirf
June 20, 2014 at 12:16 pm
Brutal draw for Fed, Nole and Rafa..
Only Andy has it easy.
Stopped reading after “Brutal draw for Fed”
Couldn’t stop doing the laughings for 10 minutes.
precisely NNY, I meant ‘big servers’ more than hard hitters.. no-one hits the ball harder than Rafa except for Delpo maybe
I think we are stressing too much on 1st 3 rounds and not on Rafas 4th/QF
I don’t blame you all, Rafa has been eliminated in 2nd and 1st round last 2 years and it has scared us way too much.
Its not these hitters that will trouble Rafa than Rafas own nerves and flashes of losing early last 2 years
Rafa could have faced Gulbis or Dimitrov in 4th round..he avoided them..lets be thankful.
BTW Milos has strong serve..he could trouble Rafa on grass but since its QF, I don’t give him much of a chance as courts would not play fast
BTW Fed vs Rafa in semi if they meet, who is fav? Did Rafa do better drawing Fed rather than Andy on grass? I think both are an equal challenge.
@Sanju,
I think we are in agreement that if Rafa can get through those tricky early rounds then his fourth round and quarterfinal opponents are not going to be that tough. But as we all know, it’s the early rounds that can be so difficult at Wimbledon.
I also think it’s normal for Rafa fans to be nervous about the early rounds, given what has happened with Rafa the last two years. Rafa may well be nervous because of his results the last two years.
Raonic is not beating Rafa in a best three out of five set match, no matter what the surface. If Rafa meets Fed, then by that time he will be more than match ready. I always like Rafa’s chances against Fed. But they both have to get there first.
Nor his semifinal BTW.
23-10 overall. 9-2 in slams.
I am still sticking with my dream and wish and hope of Rafa winning Wimby 2014 . I hope for Rafa Muzz final.
If my dream or hope does not realize, so what? I can always dream right 🙂
Why is no one dreaming with me though? 🙂
I hope for Rafa- Jimmy Wang final.
Wang. 🙂
Rafa fans following Rafa’s policy :
Tout every coming thing to be really difficult and hard and impossible to do when it’s obviously not the case.
#TrueRafaFans
#NotIdealToDream
What’s your point?
To make it easy for you to understand :
Take 1 match at a time.
#HopeThis Helps
Again you missed my point. I don’t disagree with the Rafa fan policy as stated! 🙂
(Please refrain from insensitive remarks towards mental illness.)
Let’s debate and have fun in good spirit. 🙂
That was a sarcastic comment that you probably didn’t get . 🙂
#NotNaturalInEnglish
No I got it and don’t disagree!
@abhirf,
Really? I have always defended your right to be here as our lone Fed fan, but I think that this so-called Rafa policy is really just nonsense. I call it as I see it. I have always said that the early rounds are the most dangerous. It’s about how any of Rafa’s prospective opponents match up with him. We know that the big serving guys are the toughest challenge, especially in the first week. It’s not big news to say that.
We have also said that Rafa’s fourth round and quarterfinal opponents are not going to be tough. So the key for me is that Rafa has to negotiate those tough early round opponents. We also know that sometimes players don’t get through to meet Rafa. Karlovic has to get there. I am not going to worry about him until it happens. Same with Rosol.
And your written English is perfect BTW.
Always topped in English Dictation Competition!! 😉
Sanju@June 20, 2014 at 1:26 pm
—Why is no one dreaming with me though?—
You ask the same question again and again and again and …
I ALWAYS expect Rafa to win!
I have dug out my DVD of Rafa vs Klizan at RG last year.
You have a DVD of Rafa Klizan?
I have no words.
You should come and look at my Rafa DVD collection. I have every match he’s won since 2009, almost, unless I was away and couldn’t record them.
I’ve just seen where how Rafa dropped his serve in the first set which was due to sloppy play by Rafa and not anything that Klizan did.
I have plenty of Rafa matches (all wins) but only vs Top 4 later rounds plus some exhos (e.g. WTF and the half-grass half clay exho) but nothing compared to your library.
I also have pre-2009 matches such as 2005 Rafa-Agassi Canada win and some older Sampras matches.
Also have 2005 Safin Fed.
I even have Sampras vs Fed at Wimby but rarely play it. Wonder why.
Of course there are many good full matches on youtube nowadays.
These days there are no easy rounds even for the ladies. Look who Serena lost to at RG.
I’ll relax and see how the draws unfold.
You won’t relax nadline. 🙂
Klizan came back from a 1 set deficit against Fognini in the Munich Final on clay, he’s a skilful player with good forehand and slice but not a big server
Rafa changed his Twitter avatar.
Even Wimbledon agrees Rafa has a tough draw!
RT @Wimbledon : “.@RafaelNadal is handed a tough draw ahead of his quest for the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2014-06-20/mens_draw.html … pic.twitter.com/pKe4KVFazu”
Pro – Rafa journos I guess :p
Non-federazzi journos.
#EndangeredSpecies
Or maybe just trying to take pressure of Andy? 😉
#BritHopesCarrier
I wish there were more federazzi here.
Poor abhirf, just like I’m sure Rafa feels a little sorry for beating Fed all the time, I feel a little sadness for the beatdown I just laid on him/her.
Naaaaah, who am I kidding!!!!
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hahahahaha!!!!!!!
#CongratulationsToMeeeeeeeeeee
#FalsePercetionsAtTheirBest
#KudosToMe
He HE HE!!! 😉 😉 😉
Well is Ricky one of those who goes by the Rafa policy? Because he said that Rafa has been dealt a nightmarish draw for the early rounds. There’s really no question about it. Now maybe guys like Rosol and Karlovic won’t get through. You never know. But Rafa is playing Klizan. That’s for sure. I always like to think that Rafa has the advantage in a best three out of five set match. We also know that Rafa typically doesn’t love playing the serving machines because he’s said so in the past.
Even I have said that Rafa has been given a brutal draw…
No. You didn’t.
@hawkeye,
not sure if you are even reading this thread.
I have already mentioned that in my 12:16 pm post. and in a reply to one of your post too.
Ah, oversight on my part because you included Fed.
#NotBrutal
#HandPicked
The only obstacle in Rafa’s path to victory is Rafa himself.
#Back
#BetweenTheEars
#NothingNew
Same true for Andy, Fed and Nole too, no..
#AllInTheHead
No, they are all very healthy, especially Muzza and Fed (Nole is fine).
Rafa is also fine and healthy..
Spoken like a good federazzi.
Back problems intermittently slowed his serve in clay season and he has edema still.
Ben Rothenberg @BenRothenberg 4h
Quick takeaway from the draw is that both Nadal and Federer are up against it early. Won’t be easy for either to make third round #Wimbledon
Lorenzi? Old fart clay-court specialist?
No.
3rd round, which one would not be easy for Feddy Bear on grass best of five exactly???
Marcel Granollers (ESP) [30]
Nicolas Mahut (FRA)
Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP)
Santiago Giraldo (COL)
You pick.
It’s clear he’s talking about Benny and Lukas!!
@abhirf, is this one of your fellow staffers?
https://twitter.com/PseudoFed/status/479986041575964672/photo/1
I’m too poor to afford a staff.. So definitely he’s not one of mine 😉
#HopeThisHelps
Ricky Dimon @RD_Tennistalk · 4h
as bad as Nadal’s draw is, it actually would be almost as bad as if he had remained the No. 1 seed.
Ricky Dimon @RD_Tennistalk · 5h
Benneteau title watch: R. Federer (SUI) in the second round
Ricky Dimon @RD_Tennistalk · 4h
John Isner vs. Nicolas Mahut, projected Wimbledon QF in the Fed-Stan section of the draw.
Ricky Dimon
@RD_Tennistalk
Nadal’s projected path: Klizan, Rosol, Karlovic, Gasquet, Raonic. Nadal’s actual path: Klizan, Paire, Dancevic, Vesely, Lajovic.
VAMMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSS RAFAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
https://twitter.com/Wimbledon/status/479981192750845952/photo/1
very nice pic, thx RITB 🙂
it’s like U. Toni is saying “I don’t even like white caps anyway..’
This thread has been up for a few hours only. Already clocked 138 comments. lol.
Yes but over half of them are Mine.
#Humb1e
Tough for Fed, Stan, Rafa and Nole on his way to Crown!
Never heard of back and knees during FO.
All of sudden…………
sabs, the classic Fedfan-abandon-ship-transfer-to-Nole-bandwagon passenger ex fedbot fangirl.
Yes. Back issues were in the media throughout french open. Took speed off his serve. Can do this on clay, but serve is essential on grass.
(Sorry you can’t read.)
Nole? No, possibly yes but probably not. He has never won a slam outside 2011 other than the Aussie Open.
#BetweenTheEars
Hawkeye is absolutely correct. Also, Rafa did say that he had a bone edema in his back. He indicated that it bothered him in the second and third rounds, but then it was better. So it’s kind of an on again, off again thing. The serve is much more important on the grass at Wimbledon. Again as hawkeye said so well, Rafa was able to take some speed off his serve on the clay and still be effective. He won’t have that luxury at Wimbledon.
sabs,
I wouldn’t celebrate just yet. A lot of tennis to be played before the final. Or how about don’t count your chickens before they are hatched? 🙂
You’ll just have to excuse sabs. Thinks edema is a famous British cross-dresser.
http://content6.flixster.com/question/56/34/80/5634804_std.jpg
No we hear about Rafa’s bad knees…in 2009 when he lost. Never stop hearing about bad knees in 2009.
That was five years ago.
Move on. Now all we hear about is Feds bad back even though it was last year. He still goes on and on and on about it.
Oh I forgot you’re a Gulbis fan. Riiiiight.
Figured out what a suffix is yet?
Pfft
I don’t believe I mentioned Federer in my above comment, but you can imagine my motivations in your own head all you want. Doesn’t really matter to me. I don’t think you’re capable of understanding that a Gulbis fan who does not enjoy watching Rafa play doesn’t fawn your beloved Federer either.
Well lets entertain that thought (for lack of a better term). Before earnESTs, what player was your favourite then ts23-10?
Only a punchbag fedbot hates Rafa and his fans like you do.
Ting!
Roddick and Isner. I hope I have a chance to prove my worthiness of a fan of those players to continue to have the honor of trading sarcastic remarks with you.
Hahaha! Haahahhaha! Tiggy just picked Serena to win Wimby……….again.
I hope he picks Novak to win……………again.
tennisabstract.com beta : 2014 Wimbledon Men’s Draw Forecast
Selected forecasts:
R64 R32 R16 QF SF F W
(1)Novak Djokovic (SRB) 95.2% 84.1% 75.5% 65.5% 53.4% 42.0% 26.2%
(3)Andy Murray (GBR) 84.4% 77.3% 61.8% 49.4% 33.2% 15.8% 7.0%
(4)Roger Federer (SUI) 91.4% 73.8% 63.8% 51.0% 32.6% 16.6% 8.9%
(2)Rafael Nadal (ESP) 93.1% 85.3% 78.3% 67.7% 56.8% 41.4% 27.9%
(5)Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 84.0% 73.8% 63.4% 48.9% 31.8% 16.4% 8.9%
http://tennisabstract.com/current/2014WimbledonMenForecast.html
NB: tennisabstract forecast a RG 2014 win for Rafa…………just saying.
Is this the grossest man in tennis……………ever??
http://i.instagram.com/p/pdZBkpEf3j/#
No.
http://i41.tinypic.com/jgocao.jpg
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01663/fed_1663105c.jpg
#NoContest
#WarningMayCauseBlindness
Wow. T-X was easy compared to this.
Well done abhirf!
BTW, just curious abhirf. WHy do you not post over there?
Abhirf and I made up over 100 of 150 posts on this thread.
#DubiousDistinction
#NoLife
#Sad
Honourable mention goes to ritb in 3rd place with an embarrassingly (to me) distant 12 posts.
#HowManyTimes!!!!!
See, it’s not just us Rafans who are kind of leery about Novak’s “injury”:
RT @Ringham7: “@DjokerNole @milosraonic Is that what you wanted — the Raonic serve testing that wrist? Wow, must be OK then.”
Why? Are they playing? Or just practising.
Do you? Or don’t you.
#TooLittleTooLate
You two were having such a good time it seemed rude to butt in on the conversation 🙂
My job is done here.
Nothing to see. Move on.
Weather looks promising for the first few days but from the weekend onwards risk of some rain on most days:
http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=uk7dayx6;page=2;type=free;ct=9616~London%20Borough%20of%20Ealing;sess=#forecast
Click at the end of the 7 day forecast to see days 8-14
Fed has hired cloud seeders in an attempt to keep the roof closed.
#Staff
Reblogged this on Tennis Abides.
Tiggy Says:
Semifinals: Murray d. Djokovic; Nadal vs. Federer
Final: Nadal d. Murray
Well played Tiggy. Well played.
#Vamos!!!!!
What’s up with Tiggy? I want him to continue picking against Rafa, it works for Rafa.
That’s just being superstitious nadline.
Unless…
🙂
Oh no, that’s the kiss of death right there………….
#GettingTiggyWithIt
Here i am analyzinng the chances of Rafael nadal in Wimbledon 2014. Since Andy murray on the first half , First half of the draw has to play on first day. So Nadal has to play his first game on second day. his first round opponent klizan is not a good grass court player . i made this comment after watching some of his videos in youtube. nadal can win this game with 70% chance. Next nadal game is on Thursday (Fourth day of the Wimbledon ) , According to the weather forecast , Chances of rain on that day is very less and centre court roof is opened. So Rafa can pass ROSOL or Paire with tight match. Next possible opponent is Karlovic ,nadal can easily pass karlovic since nadal is best against one dimensional players. So he may be throgh to the second week. Second week centre court is almost like without grass with naked soil. FRom here onwards Rafa starts his job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
70 percent chance of beating Klizan???????????
other than that, sensible comments
Is actually 93.1% chance of beating Klizan. (see tennisabstract.com beta : 2014 Wimbledon Men’s Draw Forecast above).
#YoureWelcome
#Again
The ultimate fed fanboy Jon Wertheim has picked Fed to win Wimbly.
Ah….
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
For abhirf:
Wimbledon draw winners and losers
Winners
Roger Federer: The seven-time champion is in Rafael Nadal’s half of the draw, but the seeds in his quarter shouldn’t trouble him. No. 5 seed Stan Wawrinka hasn’t made it past the second round at Wimbledon since 2009 and lost in the first round the last two years. Last year’s surprise semifinalist Jerzy Janowicz, the No. 15 seed this year, has struggled mightily over the last 12 months, and he hasn’t won three matches in a single tournament this season. John Isner, seeded ninth, has never made it past the second round at Wimbledon, despite his big serve.
That said, the biggest stumbling blocks for Federer before the semifinal could come early. He’ll play either Gilles Muller or Julien Benneteau in the second round, and both men could be dangerous here.
Losers:
Rafael Nadal: When evaluating Nadal’s draw at Wimbledon, it doesn’t matter which half of the draw he’s in or who his projected quarterfinal opponents are. It’s about who will he play in his first three rounds, when the grass is fresh, slick and quick, and hasn’t been torn up.
This year Nadal, who comes in with a three-match losing streak on grass, will have a tricky start. The No. 2 seed opens against the big hitting Martin Klizan, who finally regained some form over the clay season to score some strong wins over Fabio Fognini in Germany and Kei Nishikori at the French Open. He’s no grass court beast, but if Klizan finds his range and his serve, he can be very dangerous. Nadal could then face either Lukas Rosol (again!) or Benoit Paire in the second round, and big-serving Ivo Karlovic in the third round. Not easy.
http://tennis.si.com/2014/06/20/roger-federer-serena-williams-2014-wimbledon-draw-winners-losers/?eref=sihp
#YoureWelcome
^^^
“That said, the biggest stumbling blocks for Federer before the semifinal could come early. He’ll play either Gilles Muller or Julien Benneteau in the second round, and both men could be dangerous here.”
#MyPointExactly
#ThankYouVeryMuchForAgreeingWithMyPoint
No. You said Fed had a brutal draw, not just a potentially tough 2nd round.
According to the article above, Fed overall has a beneficial draw. Clay specialists and old folk.
#FederazziRevisionism
#YoureWelcome
#Again
I don’t think any conspiracy nuts here could hand-pick a 128 player draw that they won’t bitch about later. Lol they’re mad because Rafa isn’t playing the correct players to give him “rhythm?” (I’m especially tickled to know that now all of a sudden Lukas Rosol is a huge threat again even though they’ve spent the last 2 years putting him and his game down at every opportunity). I’m surprised holdserve hasn’t shown up yet to complain about her own bogeyman Forstmann.
Of course we are mad. Who dreamed up that draw? They know that Rafa likes to build up his rhythm gradually. What were they thinking?
Who said Rosol was a threat?
Please read more carefully (and feed your cats while your at it).
“Two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal was dealt a nightmarish early-round draw when Wimbledon held its much-anticipated pre-tournament ceremony on Friday. After opening with Martin Klizan, Nadal could face his 2012 conqueror at the All-England Club, Lukas Rosol.”
“rosol, karlo, monfils, roanic?!!! really?!!! what else? :(((((”
Or when I make a general statement (not addressing hawkspirator in any way) am I required to mention hawkspirator and quote hawkspirator specifically from now on?
Where does Ricky say Rosol is a threat.
Sorry reading comprehension is such a challenge for you ts23-10.
Ting!
If you can’t comprehend a sentence written right above you then it looks like delusional sarcastic quibs are all you’re capable of. Sigh I sometimes wish I had the time you obviously do to be on this site 24/7 to make sure I always have the last word.
Not what he said. Your interpretation.
As far as time goes, it seems you have enough to keep checking back hanging on every word.
Isner and Roddick? Hahahahahahaha. Explains your bitterness but you are still obviously a fed fanboy.
Keep checking back.
Hilarious!
#YoureWelcomeMyFan
So….now instead of defending your exposed idiotic logic about how you couldn’t dream a draw yourself you wouldn’t whine about, you’re once again doing the only thing trolls like you know how to do: try to shift attention onto me and try to make it personal.
By the way, now you’re gonna attempt to make fun of me because of who I choose to be a fan of? People like you are what’s wrong with internet forums of all kinds. I guess we found the real troll here. I used to be shocked how everybody else didn’t instantly see you for what you are, can’t say I am anymore.
Have fun. I’m off to do something far more mentally stimulating than discuss anything with you hawkspirator. I need to rearrange my sock drawer.
Wasn’t aware trolls wear socks.
Who knew.
Like I said….last word lol. That’s a pretty gibberish statement pertaining to nothing. But…if it helps you feel better about yourself and believe it helps you save face then knock yourself out.
Klizan should extend the streak to 4. I take back my earlier prediction re: Lorenzi. It will be Benneteau or Muller to get the job done.
Yours truly for better (Fedal-free) tennis,
filter
My gut reaction to Rafa’s draw was: ₩₩₩???!!!
But maybe not: Klizan really isn’t good on grass. As to Rosol: Rafa handled him easily in Doha. Why shouldn’t he handle him again in a 5 setter? Rafa could get a positive record against him, btw 😉 Karlovic has to get first to the 3rd round and Rafa has a very good record against him. Nishikori/Raonic is one of the toughest quarters out there, though. But they have to get there first. And if Rafa made it to the quarters in one piece, he is officially dangerous.
Tiggi picking Rafa doesn’t bode well, though. Apparently he belongs to the Anti-Rafa-Faction for good now. 😉
What does Bodo, the converted Rafafan, say?
@littlefoot,
You pretty much stated what I feel about Rafa’s draw. I always believe that Rafa has the advanrage in a best three out of five set match. Hanging with him isn’t easy for some of these lower ranked players. Rosol has to get there, Karlovic has to get there.
However, I differ about Raonic being tough for Rafa. I know that grass should be ideal for his game, but I don’t think he has the movement and the fitness. As for Nishi, we will have to see how he looks after this latest injury. Again as always, they have to get there. So does Rafa! We all know that once Rafa gets to the second week of a slam, he is formidable.
hawkeye63 says:
June 20, 2014 at 6:44 pm
“That’s just being superstitious nadline.
Unless…”
it’s OCD 🙂
Andy Murray says a 1st round exit would not be Mauresmo’s fault……
http://preview.tinyurl.com/ntt3m26
Is rafa playing any more match at hurlingham?
I’m glad Rafa and Andy will be playing on different days so their matches won’t clash because on the UK TV that means Andy’s match takes priority.
^^vamosrafa: No, Rafa was just scheduled for the one match. Play concluded yesterday. Rafa’s match was followed by Berdych vs Nishikori and Berdych won. Nishi lost both his matches, the other one being to Tsonga a couple of days before.
thanks a lot JP!! 🙂
Vamos Champ, you can do it!
https://twitter.com/ESPNTennis/status/480363810797387776/photo/1
#15
#Wimby#3
Really love Rafa’s colour “dashes” this summer: red kicks, red Richard Mille watch……..
#Fire
rafaisthebest (at 3:55 pm),
Rafa is colorful even near Wimbledon courts
https://twitter.com/RAFAddicted/status/480329734145204224/photo/1
^^Love it! Thanks @augusta08………..
Can’t think of a man out there who wears colour this well……..
Sadly the red shoes will be banned on the hallowed turf at Wimbledon 🙁
Nike must be asking him to showcase his cool kicks a lot (prior to entering the holy grounds). All these pics with him sporting them will help sell many.
^^I’ve been looking for them red kicks! Sadly, Nike seem to think only men wear red ‘uns….. 🙁
RT @SI_BTBaseline: “Rafael Nadal on #Wimbledon: “It’s the most dangerous tournament of the year.” Every other tournament has a lengthy lead-up.”
RT @PseudoFed: “Switzerland doing everything they can in the World Cup so they can come to watch Me next week at Wimbledon #loyal #staff”
Vamos Champ!!
https://twitter.com/Wimbledon/status/480384441832181760/photo/1
Welcome news ???????
Meanwhile Djokovic is still making a song and dance about his wrist ‘problem’.
This is what federer has to say about Rafa and his own chances of winning wimby
“I think he might be slightly more vulnerable in the early rounds,” Federer told reporters at Wimbledon on Saturday.
“This new, fresh, lush grass, we’re not quite used to it. As you go deeper in the tournament, it becomes easier to move; the ball bounces a bit higher; it becomes more what we’re used to.
“The early rounds are key for most of the top guys. We’re talking about the first two rounds in particular.
“I didn’t expect him to lose last year first round, let’s be honest. So these losses, they happen.
“I didn’t check his draw, but if he gets through that, I would think we’ll see more of what we’ve seen in the past, is my opinion.”
I feel like if things click here I should be able to win the tournament; whereas at the French I feel like I’m slightly more dependent on Rafa. He’s the only guy really,” Federer said.
“That doesn’t mean I don’t believe I can win the French either. It’s just that I know he’s been so dominant over there that it goes through him regardless; whereas on the grass or hard courts you don’t feel it as much.
“I feel like if I play my game it’s more on my racquet. As soon as that’s the case, you’re more confident in your chances.
“I feel I have a very good chance again this year.”
Fed wants to keep in touch with Rafa’s RG record. I think he’ll find that even at Wimbledon he’ll have a job beating Rafa.
@vamosrafa,
Thanks for posting Fed’s thoughts. One almost gets the sense that he thinks Rafa could get knocked out again in the early rounds. I think Rafa really wants to do well and will work to make sure that won’t happen again.
NNY,
Yes, fed thinks rafa can get knocked out early and he also thinks he’l have his chances against rafa on grass.
I have a good feeling about wimby this time. Rafa sounds positive and his body seems to be responding much better. The rest he got after Halle was also crucial and U.Toni said the same. Rafa’s forehand was scary good in the RG final. I have NEVER seen rafa hit his forehand DTL so well ! The net clearance on rafa’s forehands at Wimby is also lower (during the RG final they showed a graphic in which they compared rafa’s forehand’s net avg net clearance on clay and grass….it’s more aggressive on grass)….. So rafa’s forehand will be a huge weapon once rafa settles. The backhand will lift up and as per rafa ,he is physically feeling good so serve won’t be much of an issue…rafa’s movement and ROS only get better with practice…he’s adapt well in his early rnd matches
I think rafa will have a great run at wimby this year…
I’m relieved to learn that Roger continues still to have the games on his racquet (provided he plays his game), just as he used to (tell us about then). I’m even more relieved to learn that Roger is slightly more dependent on Rafa at RG, to win. Order is restored… in my mind. Doubts have evaporated. All is well again.
^^
Ting!
ESPN’s so-called Experts’ picks: Fed (3); Djokovic (5); Murray (3); Rafa (1)
http://espn.go.com/sports/tennis/picks
Cahill: Federer
Drysdale: Djokovic
Evert: Djokovic
Fernandez: Rafa
Gilbert: Murray
P. McEnroe: Federer
Shriver: Federer
Weissman: Djokovic
Garber: Murray
Isaacson: Djokovic
Tandon: Murray
Wilansky: Djokovic
All, except 1 (Gilbert who picks Sharapova), have Serena winning on the women’s side.
The ESPN ‘experts’ have lost what little credibility they had after RG. Mary-Jo always pick Rafa, no matter what. You go girl!
Lol….Mary jo always picks rafa…
All these experts think rafa will crash in the early rnds..look for majority of these experts to change their picks once rafa emphatically moves into week 2…
@vamosrafa,
Thanks for your thoughts on how Rafa will do at Wimbledon. I don’t want to get too carried away, but knowing that Rafa is coming into Wimbledon healthy and rested gives me a good feeling! I remember the commentators talking about Rafa’s DTL forehand in the final. That is really the key for him in so many ways. It’s proven to be especially effective against Novak. That shot alone can change the dynamic of his matches with Novak.
Do you see Rafa having trouble with the likes of Klizan, Rosol and Karlovic?
NNY..you are quite right about not getting carried away ! We all can have that tendency so its better to wait for for rafa to start performing well on the court.
I think Rafa will be very nervous in the opening round. But I think he’l handle Klizan in 3 or 4 sets max. I pick 3. Rosol (IF Rosol gets there) , won’t be able to upset rafa again. Rafa is feeling healthy and 2012 thingy aint happening again . Karlovic, lets see if Ivo gets there !
Rafa came out firing against Nishikori in the first round in 2010 to win in 3 sets but then we saw 5-set struggles against Robin Haase and Petzscher in the second and third rounds. Rafa also had knee pain after he beat Petzschner but then came out to destroy Mathieu in the 4th rnd 6-4 6-2 6-2! I also remember rafa putting up a masterclass against agassi in 2006 wwimby’s 3rd rnd! So as fed said , the first two rounds are the trickiest…I will be nervous for the first three matches though…
Last year, the biggest issue in my view was that rafa was ‘scared’ to move freely on grass. He was so hesitant ! This year, as he claims, its not the case. I want to wait but I am also feeling good…
What is your take NNY?
I like the way so many people have focussed on the prospect of Rafa meeting Rosol in the 2nd round. Rosol will be reduced to a bundle of nerves knowing he has to try to live up to the hype.
@vamosrafa,
Thanks for your thoughts. As I have said, the early rounds always make me nervous even more so at Wimbledon. So I am with you in being nervous for the first three rounds. I remember very well those matches with Haase and Petz. That’s what big serving guys can do if you bump up against them in the early rounds. Rafa wasn’t match ready and the grass was slippery. He was struggling with knee pain but somehow gutted it out in back-to-back five setters. At that point many seemed to write him off, but I knew better. What happens in the early rounds is not necessarily an indication of what will happen in the second week of Wimbledon. So I knew that if he got to the second week then he had a good shot to win in 2010.
Thanks for reminding me about Mathieu. For some reason I always forget who Rafa played after he got past Haase and Petz. I do remember him beating Nishi easily in the first round. Nishi has come far since then. It’s all about getting through those early rounds. I do not think that Rosol will have a prayer against Rafa should he get through to meet him. Rafa is healthy and will remember that defeat. It’s not happening again! Lightning does not strike twice!
I do think that the key will be Rafa being able to move well because of healthy knees!
Rafa’s first opponent, klizan is a lefty and he can hit pretty hard/flat. Rafa faced Andreas Beck in 2008 wimby’s opening rnd…he beat him 6-4 6-4 7-6 …. so I don’t think a lefty is an ideal start for rafa….Klizan will try his best not to give rafa any rhythm. Rafa usually gets his rhythm best when playing righties who engage in baseline rallies…
I cant wait to see rafa on court… I really like grass court tennis and wimby but unfortunately the last two wimbies have been bitter….It’s time to make amends
Just a media crap to garner unneccessary buzz.
The thing is that Rafa now knows what his opponents will throw at him in 1st week to try to knock him off.
If he is superstitious he’ll be remembering the fate to befall two other low ranked players who have beaten Rafa at a Slam.
Some words from Rafa
“My mentality and my motivation is always to be in top form for Wimbledon. To those who asked me if I feel extra motivation after what happened to Spain at the World Cup, I say no. You know, that’s sport, and things like this can happen. It’s not the first time that something like this happens and it won’t be the last for sure” revealed the World No.1.”
“Wimbledon is the toughest and most dangerous tournament of the year, because the surface doesn’t allow you to control the match. The first round in particular, is very dangerous”
“A the end of a tournament everybody remembers only who won the title, not who was beaten. Obviously, the fact that I won in Paris gives me a lot of confidence. I can come to Wimbledon feeling less pressure, and that’s important. Over the past two years I didn’t really really play well on this surface, but I know I can, as I did well in the past, I just have to get used to it”
More from Rafa
“I went back home. I didn’t practice tennis. I went a few days with the family, with friends. I was able to go for a party on Saturday with my friends,”
“I was able to go to the beach few days in Mallorca.”
“I am feeling better this year than last couple (of) years. Personally, I feel that I am doing things better. I am able to move myself more freely now … I’m not scared about my knee. That’s the most important thing for me,”
“It’s true that for the last couple of years I didn’t play lot of matches on grass. But I am confident that I can do it again. Not talking about win, talking about play better than what I did last couple of years on grass.”
And regarding his previous ailments in the back, specifies: “For Roland Garros was improving and so far here is not limiting me, but fear of what might happen, always’.
This is quite comforting 🙂 🙂
So much for the Big-4 as favourites.. A title here for any member of the big 4 would be a surprise even for him…be it Nole, Muzz, Fed or Rafa.
#WimbledonWideOpen
Murray winning won’t be a surprise…If rafa is seen playing fine tennis the first few matches, then rafa winning wimby won’t be ‘surprising’ at all ! Novak winning wimby, umm won’t call it surprising either ! Fed winning wimby will be surprising is one sense (due to his struggles at slam level of late) and not surprising in one sense (he is a 7 time champ dammit lol)
The dominance of the big four is better captured by the fact that no other player is given even a 0.0001% chance of winning wimby even when people have seen Stan winning Oz (yea rafa was not rafa in the final but stan did beat Oz open’s best player in the qtrs).
This is why this period has been so ‘golden’. For the umpteenth time, no one is willing to give anyone but the big 4 any chance of winning a slam
Muzza winning it would be a surprise coz of the past 8-10 months or so (though his win would be the least surprising).
Rafa’s win would be a surprise due to his recent struggles on grass.
Nole hasn’t won outside AO since 2011 and lost all type of slam finals. Grass is his weakest surface.. So his win too would be a surprise.
Fed..well he has won here 7 times. But his struggles in a best of 5 over last 18 months leaves pretty much to be desired.
So that accounts for surprisibility for each of these guys.
As for giving others a chance, I have seen and read these experts picking guys like Raonic, Nishikori, Grigor and Stan to make it to the runner-up finish. Everyone seems to agree that 1 of the 4 will catch you in the end.
Well I don’t think Novak winning Wimby will be a ‘surprise’. he is the bookies’ and most experts’ pick for now and even though he has not won a non-Aus open slam since USO 2011, I don’t think a Novak win will be a ‘surprise’ given how high quality a player he is.
Andy’s past 8-10 months are not really relevant. He has not played on grass in those months. He underwent SURGERY and has been improving with time. If he starts playing his usual wimby tennis and wins wimby, how would it be a surprise? he has had the most success on grass since 2012 !
Rafa ….well, as i said, its conditional…if rafa navigates through the opening rounds, it would not even be close to ‘surprising’ if rafa wins wimbledon. Don’t forget that rafa was struggling physically in his past two trips. It was not that he has been getting outplayed on grass by Andy,Novak or Fed , it was just that rafa was finding it hard to adapt due to poor conditioning. So if rafa wins his first 2-3 matches to get in the groove, the 2-time champion and 3 time runner-up -who is much better physically this year- will become a very very strong contender.
Federer….well a federer win would be ‘surprising’…i would agree to that…But then again, his legacy here is such that you can expect anything.
And very very few ‘experts’ are calling for a very deep run for any young gun…even if it were to happen, the winner will come from the Big 4….that has been the beauty…Except for Delpo’s and Stan’s wins in USO 09 and Oz 2012 respectively, All slams have gone the way of the Big 4 since Safin’s 2005 oz open win… This is sick dominance and is irrefutable evidence of the strength this era has experienced…it will slowly start coming to an end though and some pillars have been shaken over the last two years
@vamosrafa,
I am in complete agreement with your take on the prospects of the big four winning Wimbledon. I don’t see any dark horse winning it. Murray winning would absolutely not be a surprise. Not only did he win last year, but the year before he lost to Fed in the final. I think Murray has been targeting Wimbledon since he returned from back surgery. He did well in RG getting to the semis. That should set him up nicely for Wimbledon. His form has been improving recently.
The only reason Rafa isn’t a strong favorite is because of his results the last two years. But people should not forget that he is a five time finalist here and has won two times. He wasn’t healthy in 2012 and the knee wasn’t ready in 2013. I think it would be foolish to write him off.
Novak has won once and was a finalist again last year. So it wouldn’t be a shock to see him win. We all know Fed’s record at Wimbledon, but recently he has struggled to go deep in slams. Even the kindest of draws has not helped him. Who would have thought that the likes of Stakhovsky would have sent him packing. So in the sense that he hasn’t done anything in slams recently, in that sense it could be surprising if Fed wins.
Well.. the only reason I can figure out for Nole being the favourite seems to be his consistency to go deep over the past 10-12 slams.
Abhirf, that’s the thing ! he is very very conistent on Slam level but has come up short against players who are just better on those particular big occasions. He lost to rafa in RG 2012, to fed in wimby 2012, to Murray in USO 2012, to rafa in RG ’13, to murray in Wimby 13 and to rafa in USO’13….that’s two losses to Murray, three to rafa and one to fed…
Djokovic is the favorite perhaps because of his supreme consistency in making deep runs at slams AND because of him being the only one who is a bad matchup for Rafa. Only Novak is the man who can instill serious doubts in rafa’s mind even when rafa is playing really well. However, rafa has had his number in Grand slams. Rafa won comprehensively in RG but logic says that Novak will have a better chance against rafa at wimby even though grass is novak’s weakest surface.
Toni confirmed a few days back that WImbledon is Rafa’s second best slam ! so rafa also feels he can perform really really well at wimby, even better than he can at USO and AO…
Hmm… him being the only one to match up well against Rafa also adds up in his favour.
I have a feeling that after a really long time (maybe since AO ‘ 12) each of the 4 enter the tournament in order to prove a point hence I feel that they all are going to be really fired up and thus I expect an all big-4 SF after 2012 AO.
I think Hawkeye may have a point about rigged draws. I used to be convinced at one time that they were rigged then thought that maybe they were not. Murray had almost always been drawn against Rafa except at RG, always. This year he’s been drawn against Djoker at Wimbledon, and after watching this preview to Wimbledon, I have my suspicions why Murray is in Djokovic’s half. You have to watch the whole film to get to the clue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bw0OIswbUQ
^^@holdserve and @hawkeye made a believer out of me a long time ago, with their persuasive arguments.
I have believed for several years now that at least SOME of the draws must be rigged, and this just talking at least about the placement of the third and fourth seeds. It is likely not all slam draws are rigged, but possibly most are (as hawkeye has it I think). When Novak was placed in Roger’s half for the seventh, then eight consecutive time, and on, this was the only conclusion: the probability that it was all only random was becoming much too small, and reduced by half with each passing slam. There are a lot of arguments you can construct with stats, but this one is about as simple, straightforward and little prone to differing interpretations as they come.
I find it astonishing that people judge Rafa on grass based on his consecutive early losses at Wimbledon and Halle but give him no credit at all for his five Wimbledon finals and 2 titles plus one at Queens. Even if he lost when he was fully fit, that can’t suddenly make him unable to play on grass. Players can lose a match every time they walk on court, that does not suddenly make them bad at it for ever. Murray has won the most grass tournaments recently but he still lost in the first round at Queens.
I think they all start from scratch at Wimbledon. Winning or making the final a year ago doesn’t carry your feel for grass one year on.
In 2011, Rafa lost in his first match to Dodig in Montreal, lost in the QF to Mardy Fish in Cincy, didn’t play those tournaments in 2012 because he was out with injury but won Montreal and Cincy in 2013 .
It’s not like everyone is not crediting Rafa for his titles.
For many, Rafa at Wimby is like 2 different tournaments in 2 weeks.
In week 1 anybody playing just good tennis has a great chance of beating Rafa.
In week 2, the grass fades, ball bounces higher, Rafa then finds his feet and his opponents have to play very good tennis to knock him off.
So it’s more like he just waits and try to withstand the storm in his 1st week and gets his groove when the conditions become favourable for him.
there are two factors at play. In week 1, the nature of the court causes more problems to rafa and provides help to his opponents. The conditions are just not that conducive to rafa’s game.
But there is another factor at play. Rafa is a player who needs time to adapt to any surface ! he has talked about wimbledon being really tough for him because of the absence of any preparation time. Even if the grass stays lush green in week 2, rafa will be a bigger force even then just because playing and winning 3-4 matches on a new surface just gets him into the groove.
If rafa is playing really well, is healthy and momentum is with him, he can play well even on slick grass. He won Queens by playing pretty well throughout the week in 2008. he dismissed Agassi by putting up a masterclass in 2006 wimby’s rnd 3. He was also very good in staving off Gulbis in 2008 wimby’s second rnd. Rafa won that one in 4 sets and that was the only set he lost in his path to the final !
So there are many factors at play. by the time week 2 arrives, rafa starts to adapt to a new surface. His movement, his ROS, the trajectory on his shots all have gotten much better. The fact that the court’s nature changes a lot in week 2 starts giving a significant boost to rafa ! The baseline area becomes an anchor for him and his adaptability is taken to new heights
But the same is true for other players also, no.
There is hardly any time for anybody to get accustomed to the conditions. Last year we saw many players having really difficult time with their movement on the grass.
Abhirf, you are quiter right about this holding true for all other players. Its true that the preparation time is minimal not just for rafa but for everyone else BUT, we should keep in mind that rafa is the one amongst the big 4 who works his way into form most slowly…or to say he does it his own way…. Fed is really good at adapting quickly, esp on grass…in his presser 2 days back he reiterated that it does not take him long to find his feet on grass. Murray also finds grass pretty natural for his game….
Both novak and rafa need to adapt the most with rafa being the one who, as always, gets better and better with time the most. Note that even at RG, rafa needs time to ‘adapt’. He has played enough clay court tennis heading into RG but he becomes a diff animal by the time week 2 arrives. On clay , however, rafa gets into the groove quickly as indicated by his record at Montecarlo but apart from having more days to practice before starting the clay season, the main reason is that clay is quite natural for rafa’s game ! just like grass is for fed’s and murray’s ….
Hence, its obvious that rafa will get better in week 2 because:
1. he gets better in the second week ,esp Qtr final onward for EVERY grand slam
2.he starts adapting much better…esp the ROS and movement
3. the worn out area around the baseline provides much better stability for his feet and makes the ball bounce higher
People have talked a lot about how rafa’s forehand won him his 9th RG…the forehand DTL in particular as Novak himself pointed out that rafa’s forehand DTL was unplayable in the final. The forehand was so overwhelming that it prevents many viewers from appreciating how well many other aspects of rafa’s game worked.
Rafa’s serve throughout the final was OUTSTANDING. That was the best mix of serves I have seen from rafa against novak, ever. He kept novak guessing throughout the match and had so much variety. The pattern of attacking novak’s forehand return too much (directing ALL first serves to novak’s forehand in MC 2012 for e.g) was now an old weapon so rafa brought in variety. He went for killer body serves. He went for sliders, for kick serves to draw novak off the court on both wings . He went for powerful down the middle serves. His second serve was also pretty solid !
Rafa’s backhand started dominating novak’s forehand in the last two sets…That was the best striking I have seen from rafa’s backhand since montreal 2013…yes it was RG and clay but hey, that’s how rafa builds momentum and confidence. Last time a healthy rafa entered wimbledon with this momentum, things panned out pretty well 😉
*he did not have the same momentum /confidence in 2011
1 player I’m really missing this season is DELPO..
Probably the only guy who can challenge every member of the big 4 on a regular basis and brings out the best from them.
A real entertainer!!
Brad Gilbert @bgtennisnation · 9h
Heading to tomorrow play at Wimby the big 4 have each on a title the last 4years Muzzard 2013, Fedfan 12, Djoker. 11,and Rafa 2010
^^^^Wow. That’s neat. It’s staring you in the face but this is the first time I personally have seen it spelt out. Interestingly the last slam NOT won by the Big Four was won by the Del Potro who had reached the No.5 ranking after beating Rafa in Miami that year.
Well I just wish I could forget Coleslaw’s fluke like you did. Ok. Good.
#DontYou???
stretching Nole to 5 sets thrice in a row is no fluke that too on HC’s..
I refer to Nadal getting injured in the final.
However, Nole’s head hasn’t been right at the business of slams for quite some time. Why he’s hired BB to no avail.
It’s been wiped off my memory tape 🙂
As far as I am concerned Coleslaw was given a w/o for the title so it doesn’t count!!
@hawkeye, probably only Nole and BB can clarify us about that.
He has already stated this reason for hiring BB.
Apparently, these experts don’t feel that Muzza would defend his title..
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/06/2014-wimbledon-our-picks/51824/#.U6cDtPmSybg
thanks for sharing ,abhirf…
I am surprised very few are leaning towards Murray.The reasoning given by Ed Mcrogan is not convincing…well he barely has space to justify his pick but I really like bodo’s and tignor’s lines regarding their picks
“If we know one thing about Nadal, it’s that he’s often at his best when he’s trying to recapture or prove something. He’s had hard luck at Wimbledon for a number of years, but he’s much too good a grass-court player not to win there again.” – Peter bodo
well said, bodo… rafa’s at his killer best when trying to prove something !,indeed…
“It would be easy to write off Rafa after his early losses here the last two years, and his fairly tough draw. But he says he’s determined to right the grass ship this time, and that his knees feel much better. If he gets on a roll, who is going to stop him?” Tignor
Yes, I also wonder who’s gona stop him? If rafa gets on a roll, watch out everyone !
@vamosrafa,
I think that for once Bodo is right. What got my attention was when Rafa mentioned Wimbledon in his interview with JMac after he won RG. He doesn’t talk just for the sake of it. When he says something, it’s because he means it. Many of these so-called experts seem to have forgotten Rafas’ record at Wimbledon. The last two years were marred by injury. But you never write off a five time finalist and two time winner.
How come tiggy believes more in Rafa’s chances at Wimby, a tougher proposition than RG at the best of times, than he believed in his chances at RG? I guess he got caught up in the hype of Nole’s RG year, and lost sight of Rafa’s (usual) increasing match fitness as RG was nearing and during RG.
^^maybe Tiggy is just your run of the mill fair weather Rafan??
I just hope Rafa is still in the draw this time next week.
Vamos Rafa