AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Melbourne, ATP GRAND SLAM

[Vince Evert]

Well this match proves Milos has some ways to go in the psychology department. Unbelievable choke in the second set TB. Also his volleys were poor , apart from the last few games in the second. Seriously It will be a shame if he is unable to reach his potential.

 

[Moxie]

John McEnroe, who worked with Milos, says he carries a lot of anxiety. He says he will settle for nothing less than a Major, and it weighs on him. And not to forget he had some thigh/groin injury. Oh, and he was playing one of the all-time greats...

 

[Vince Evert]

Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal - the renaissance champions. Another final with the two, BRING IT ON !!!

 

[Vince Evert]

John McEnroe, who worked with Milos, says he carries a lot of anxiety. He says he will settle for nothing less than a Major, and it weighs on him. And not to forget he had some thigh/groin injury. Oh, and he was playing one of the all-time greats...

McEnroe really should keep quiet about certain stuff, particularly if he is to coach Raonic again.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Not saying this as a pessimistic fan, but Dimitrov worries me. He's playing so well, he's beaten Nadal the last time they played (wouldn't put too much stock in that), and despite the lopsided head to head, most of Nadal's wins against him have been real struggles.

Grigor may not have Milos' serve, but he moves so much better. One issue with Nadal for the past few years has been that he's much more prone to missing in long rallies, even when he's in control. He'll need to be really sharp.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal - the renaissance champions. Another final with the two, BRING IT ON !!!

I want this so bad.

 

[Moxie]

Not to get a

I want this so bad.

Haha...Ditto.

 

[Vince Evert]

Not saying this as a pessimistic fan, but Dimitrov worries me. He's playing so well, he's beaten Nadal the last time they played (wouldn't put too much stock in that), and despite the lopsided head to head, most of Nadal's wins against him have been real struggles.

Grigor may not have Milos' serve, but he moves so much better. One issue with Nadal for the past few years has been that he's much more prone to missing in long rallies, even when he's in control. He'll need to be really sharp.

Is the second semifinal going to be a day or night SF ? If it is day than that would be to Nadal's advantage, one feels.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Is the second semifinal going to be a day or night SF ? If it is day than that would be to Nadal's advantage, one feels.

If I recall correctly in the AO, semi finals are played on different days and both are night matches. Not sure if they've changed that recently.

 

[Moxie]

Not saying this as a pessimistic fan, but Dimitrov worries me. He's playing so well, he's beaten Nadal the last time they played (wouldn't put too much stock in that), and despite the lopsided head to head, most of Nadal's wins against him have been real struggles.

Grigor may not have Milos' serve, but he moves so much better. One issue with Nadal for the past few years has been that he's much more prone to missing in long rallies, even when he's in control. He'll need to be really sharp.

I hear your caution, but there is also that Rafa is happier playing someone he can rally with. Dimitrov has the one-hander, and I'm not sure how much his newborn commitment to not being a flake will hold up in a long tussle with Nadal. And I expect it to be long. But agreed...Rafa will have to be tidy and sharp.

 

[Moxie]

If I recall correctly in the AO, semi finals are played on different days and both are night matches. Not sure if they've changed that recently.

Stan and Roger are a night match tomorrow. Can't see why that would be different for the 2nd semi.

 

[Moxie]

Speaking of...I think Oz is the only Major where they play the SFs on different days. Does anyone else have a problem with that?

 

[Moxie]

McEnroe really should keep quiet about certain stuff, particularly if he is to coach Raonic again.

I don't think it's exactly a secret. He wears a mouth guard to keep him from grinding his teeth. And he liked that sleeve so much, he kept it on for months.

 

[britbox]

McEnroe really should keep quiet about certain stuff, particularly if he is to coach Raonic again.

I can't remember what it was - an article or a video, but I remember the point being made that players are reluctant to share their innermost thoughts and fears with a lot of coaches because once the coach moves on then it can be used against them... and it's more of a coaching merry-go-round than yesteryear... it's unusual to see a coach/mentor work with a player for many years like you had with Borg/Bergelin, Edberg/Pickard etc.. Nadal is one of the few exceptions and it's kind of different with a family member... unless you're Floyd Mayweather Senior.

 

[Vince Evert]

well yeah what happens if the second semifinal is a 5 set four hour marathon while the winner of the first semifinal has three days rest and more preparation time.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Three one-handed backhands in the semis.

 

[Moxie]

I can't remember what it was - an article or a video, but I remember the point being made that players are reluctant to share their innermost thoughts and fears with a lot of coaches because once the coach moves on then it can be used against them... and it's more of a coaching merry-go-round than yesteryear... it's unusual to see a coach/mentor work with a player for many years like you had with Borg/Bergelin, Edberg/Pickard etc.. Nadal is one of the few exceptions and it's kind of different with a family member... unless you're Floyd Mayweather Senior.

And there's social media. Becker, who seems to be campaigning to get his job back, was still tweeting advice to Novak. Any wonder Rafa sticks with Uncle Toni?

 

[Moxie]

Three one-handed backhands in the semis.

Speaking of throwbacks.

 

[Vince Evert]

Speaking of...I think Oz is the only Major where they play the SFs on different days. Does anyone else have a problem with that?

YOu're right. SF should be on the same day, even if one is at day and the other at night.

 

[Vince Evert]

And there's social media. Becker, who seems to be campaigning to get his job back, was still tweeting advice to Novak. Any wonder Rafa sticks with Uncle Toni?

sour grapes isn't he?