Posted: 3/18/17 at 11:41am
Not only did he win the Australian Open earlier this year, he's now defeated his arch-rival Rafael Nadal 3 times in a row for the first time in his career. #Inspiration
Posted: 3/18/17 at 11:42pm
He seems to have solved the problem of the high topspin Nadal forehand to his backhand which killed him for many years especially on clay. He has stepped in a little bit and hits his backhand before it kicks as high and is now nailing winners.
Updated On: 3/18/17 at 11:42 PM
Posted: 3/19/17 at 8:19am
I've also noticed that he's really going after 2nd serves directed to his backhand. The risks have paid off so far this season.
But, what's up w/ Nole? After the split with Becker, he doesn't seem to know what to do on court in terms of tactics.
Posted: 3/19/17 at 10:27am
Yep, his back hand has really improved returning and on the ground. Will be interesting seeing him play Warwinka today who IMO has the best backhand in the game. As for Novak, I don't no why he is having problems. I mean he won many majors without Becker so I can't think that is the reason. Maybe it is tennis burnout or a personal issue.
Posted: 3/19/17 at 12:33pm
Had to check w/ some of my USTA sources. Word on the street is that, after the split with Becker, Novak teamed with some spiritual adviser of dubious character so it's anybody's guess whether he'll snap out of his slump anytime soon. Boris has also intimated in print that Novak's no longer a fan of practice.
An interesting fact is that Jimmy Connors, Federer, and Novak are the only men to have claimed 2 major titles after becoming fathers since 1980. So, it seems that both Fed and Novak are poised to make even more history in the coming months.
FACTBOX-Tennis-Fathers who have won grand slam titles
Posted: 3/19/17 at 8:27pm
"An interesting fact is that Jimmy Connors, Federer, and Novak are the only men to have claimed 2 major titles after becoming fathers since 1980. So, it seems that both Fed and Novak are poised to make even more history in the coming months.An interesting fact is that Jimmy Connors, Federer, and Novak are the only men to have claimed 2 major titles after becoming fathers since 1980. So, it seems that both Fed and Novak are poised to make even more history in the coming months.
"
That is pretty neat but I think it is much more impressive to see how many women have won a Grand Slam title after becoming a mother. The only two I can think of that did that off the top of my head is Evonne Goolagong and I believe Kim Clisters.
Posted: 3/19/17 at 9:35pm
I remember watching the televised Wimbledon Ladies final when Evonne Goolagong got the better of Chris Evert in match that was plagued by a rain delay. Regardless, it remains one of Evonne's best matches against Chris who always held a slight mental edge. All the on-air talking heads were certain that Evonne would crack after the rain delay. She returned with even more resolve and completely outclassed Chris on court. I'm not sure whether Chris was married to British player John Lloyd then or not.
Congrats to
Elena Vesnina for her hard fought victory over Kutzy and to Fed for taking out the Stanimal. I really like Kutzy's game when she first hit the scene but she's a real head case who doesn't always construct her points that well.
Updated On: 3/19/17 at 09:35 PM
Posted: 3/20/17 at 9:12am
I liked the way Goolagong played and it was good to see her win that match in 1980. I think Chris Evert was married to John Lloyd at that time. Kuznetsova has won two grand Slam titles but I always thought she should have won at least 1-2 more with her talent. She can play so well and then other times you just shake your head. It was really good final yesterday, nice to see Vesnina win. The way Fed is playing now and with Murray and Djokovic hurt, he might have a shot at #1 again.
Posted: 4/3/17 at 11:21pm
By claiming the Miami Open title yesterday, Fed has now beaten Nadal 3 times on the trot for the 1st time in their storied rivalry. I can't get over Fed's willingness to improve his game at this stage in his stellar career.
If Fed should miraculously conquer the French Open underway next month his self-confidence will be through the roof at the latter two majors. We all know the damage a confident and healthy Fed can do at the majors.
Djokovic needs to get his butt back into gear. There's still much room for improvement in both the mechanics of his strokes (especially volleys) and his attitude on court. Coach Becker arguably helped him learn to impose his will on Federer, Nadal, and Murray. At their level, victory lies in the narrowest of margins.
Updated On: 4/3/17 at 11:21 PM
Posted: 4/6/17 at 8:29am
"If Fed should miraculously conquer the French Open underway next month his self-confidence will be through the roof at the latter two majors. We all know the damage a confident and healthy Fed can do at the majors."
If he could pull off winning the French, you would have to think that he might actually win the Grand Slam - lol. Grass is his favorite surface so he would have a good shot at Wimbledon and he has done very well on the hard courts so once again he would be in the mix to win US Open.
Posted: 4/6/17 at 4:49pm
Re: Fed's potential grand slam
I got a sneaking suspicion Novak is somewhere saying "not on my watch!"
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