Rome Masters 2013 (Internazionali BNL d'Italia)

[Front242]

Well Starace and Simon barely scored enough games to make a single set between them. Very glad Roger's been training hard. Looks very sharp today. Must be the new haircut.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Well done Roger. He never had it easy against Simon but today he was much sharper than his recent matches. I hope he can build on this and get in great shape for RG.

 

[El Dude]

I didn't see any of the match but a very encouraging result. Can't wait to see JJ vs. Roger. Janowicz looked tough today - I'd love to see him play Novak Djokovic in this form.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Why are people surprised about Federer/Simon? First of all, it's not true that Gilles' best surface is clay. Secondly, as a counterpuncher who seldom produces his own pace, Simon would definitely prefer a FASTER court when playing someone like Federer. I think people often make the mistake of assuming that counterpunching and defense automatically works on clay better than other surfaces, when in fact, most of the times this assumption is wrong (see Hewitt and Murray).

 

[Iona16]

I can't say that I've ever booed a player and I've seen my least favourite players live.

I'd boo Federer, but I'd do it like a ventriloquist would do it: I'd throw my voice over towards the players box so he thinks it's Mirka and the kids. Really screw him up, you know?

You really do make me laugh Kieran.

I've been at matches at the FO when they've booed Rafa. For no reason I might add.

I think one of the worst crowds I've experienced was at the World Tour Finals in London. They weren't booing a player though. It was Maradona. He was in the crowd and every single time they showed him on the big screen the crowd booed. I thought it was quite cool to see him but then again I'm a Scot. We don't have the same dislike for him as the English do.

Talking of booing.. I was reading an interview last month with Chris Kermode, ATP World Tour Final Managing Director.

http://www.thetennisspace.com/no-mystery-over-boos-for-murray-in-london/

On Murray being booed by sections of the crowd when he played Federer at last year’s Finals:

“I was sitting there when that happened. I had never seen anything like it, with a national player competing at home. It wasn’t an anti-Murray thing, it was definitely pro-Federer. We worked out why, and it’s actually quite simple. It’s actually difficult for Roger’s fans to see him en masse, and to get tickets to a tournament, as it’s not easy at Wimbledon and Basle is a relatively small venue and it’s quite corporate. So the Swiss fans come to The O2, where there are 15 sessions, and they come over for the whole week as they’re assuming that he’s going to be around in the later stages. It almost becomes a festival for them. There’s a very strong Swiss presence.”

“You also have to consider that British fans are more reserved, so they’re less likely to start chanting. In terms of Andy’s appeal, I think people are beginning to get to know him a bit more. And when they do, they see he’s actually very bright, very funny, and has got great character, and they also see that his tennis has moved up a level from a couple of years ago. He’s in unbelievable physical shape and he’s hitting the ball so hard off the ground. That incident wasn’t reflective of public opinion of Murray. Not at all. Roger is always going to be hugely supported, just because of what he has achieved in the game. And the same with Rafa. They have both huge fanbases, and quite rightly.”

 

[Moxie]

I didn't see any of the match but a very encouraging result. Can't wait to see JJ vs. Roger. Janowicz looked tough today - I'd love to see him play Novak Djokovic in this form.

They have never played before. I expect JJ to be intimidated, at some point, and I expect Roger to take a few games to figure out how to play him. The way Roger has been playing, I would think that Jerzy's run ends here.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

Why are people surprised about Federer/Simon? First of all, it's not true that Gilles' best surface is clay. Secondly, as a counterpuncher who seldom produces his own pace, Simon would definitely prefer a FASTER court when playing someone like Federer. I think people often make the mistake of assuming that counterpunching and defense automatically works on clay better than other surfaces, when in fact, most of the times this assumption is wrong (see Hewitt and Murray).

while you're right in pointing out the incorrect, frequent assumptions about clay courts and counterpunchers, i don't recall a whole lot of people saying that they think the surface favors Simon. it's just that generally, he's been a bad matchup for Roger in the past, and with the way Roger was playing, that was seen as reason to believe that this could be a close one.

as it was, Fed showed up in sharp form, and Simon didn't exactly play the match of his lifetime. and you're right - the surface was actually, in this matchup, something that Roger had going for him anyway. it showed, too - not just for the dropshot. there were a number of rubber-wall shots by Simon that Roger had plenty of time to get to.

---

I didn't see any of the match but a very encouraging result. Can't wait to see JJ vs. Roger. Janowicz looked tough today - I'd love to see him play Novak Djokovic in this form.

They have never played before. I expect JJ to be intimidated, at some point, and I expect Roger to take a few games to figure out how to play him. The way Roger has been playing, I would think that Jerzy's run ends here.

i think that's the interesting part: will JJ be intimated? when i talked about Fed enjoying to put youngsters in their place, i was of course thinking Tomic. now, for all the loudmouth that Tomic is, he actually worships Fed, and it showed in their encounters.
JJ on the other hand doesn't strike me like a particular fan of Rog. and the amount of disrespect he's shown, if it's real, might be pretty healthy and helpful in approaching this match. he doesn't seem like the guy who gets the "OMG it's roger" heeby-jeebies.
what might help Fed is the crowd, because if they're actively on his side, this might rattle JJ more than just the view of grampa Fed on the other side of the net

 

[Moxie]

Why are people surprised about Federer/Simon? First of all, it's not true that Gilles' best surface is clay. Secondly, as a counterpuncher who seldom produces his own pace, Simon would definitely prefer a FASTER court when playing someone like Federer. I think people often make the mistake of assuming that counterpunching and defense automatically works on clay better than other surfaces, when in fact, most of the times this assumption is wrong (see Hewitt and Murray).

while you're right in pointing out the incorrect, frequent assumptions about clay courts and counterpunchers, i don't recall a whole lot of people saying that they think the surface favors Simon. it's just that generally, he's been a bad matchup for Roger in the past, and with the way Roger was playing, that was seen as reason to believe that this could be a close one.

as it was, Fed showed up in sharp form, and Simon didn't exactly play the match of his lifetime. and you're right - the surface was actually, in this matchup, something that Roger had going for him anyway. it showed, too - not just for the dropshot. there were a number of rubber-wall shots by Simon that Roger had plenty of time to get to.

---

I didn't see any of the match but a very encouraging result. Can't wait to see JJ vs. Roger. Janowicz looked tough today - I'd love to see him play Novak Djokovic in this form.

They have never played before. I expect JJ to be intimidated, at some point, and I expect Roger to take a few games to figure out how to play him. The way Roger has been playing, I would think that Jerzy's run ends here.

i think that's the interesting part: will JJ be intimated? when i talked about Fed enjoying to put youngsters in their place, i was of course thinking Tomic. now, for all the loudmouth that Tomic is, he actually worships Fed, and it showed in their encounters.
JJ on the other hand doesn't strike me like a particular fan of Rog. and the amount of disrespect he's shown, if it's real, might be pretty healthy and helpful in approaching this match. he doesn't seem like the guy who gets the "OMG it's roger" heeby-jeebies.
what might help Fed is the crowd, because if they're actively on his side, this might rattle JJ more than just the view of grampa Fed on the other side of the net

---

I don't think JJ will necessarily walk onto the court intimidated, but I think that facing Roger's skills for the first time may push him back a step. And Roger has been playing very well in Rome.

 

[DarthFed]

Why are people surprised about Federer/Simon? First of all, it's not true that Gilles' best surface is clay. Secondly, as a counterpuncher who seldom produces his own pace, Simon would definitely prefer a FASTER court when playing someone like Federer. I think people often make the mistake of assuming that counterpunching and defense automatically works on clay better than other surfaces, when in fact, most of the times this assumption is wrong (see Hewitt and Murray).

I think Simon was 2-2 vs. Federer coming into the match and the 2 losses consisted of a retirement and a 5 setter at the AO after Roger crushed him in the opening 2 sets. Given Roger's form, specifically the inconsistency from the baseline, it was pretty easy to see how it could be a tough match. He did just lose easily to Kei Nishikori last week...

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I am not a fan of JJ because he is a disrespectful arrogant douche. I hope he gets destroyed tomorrow.

 

[herios]

I am not a fan of JJ because he is a disrespectful arrogant douche. I hope he gets destroyed tomorrow.

Oh, c'mon now. Who is he disrespectful towards? If you mean the fistpumps, well, many of them are doing it. The guy plays with passion. And especially "arrogant"?? You are really dissapointing me, with this Murat.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I am not a fan of JJ because he is a disrespectful arrogant douche. I hope he gets destroyed tomorrow.

Oh, c'mon now. Who is he disrespectful towards? If you mean the fistpumps, well, many of them are doing it. The guy plays with passion. And especially "arrogant"?? You are really dissapointing me, with this Murat.

JJ quote;
"
"Djokovic is fake, he shows off and acts. Federer is a guy who wants to be above everything. In this context there might be something unnatural of him, hard to feel he is one of us" said Jerzy.

One of "Us" ????....Who are you to talk about "US"??? You don't know "Us"!! You are a nobody and you are talking trash about Nole and Roger?
Shirt ripping after a second round win?
Listen I have absolutely no problem with passion, but I have no time for people who do not respect the guys that came before him, especially guys like Roger who has done so much for the game.
Sorry to disappoint you but he is a douche.

 

[Moxie]

I am not a fan of JJ because he is a disrespectful arrogant douche. I hope he gets destroyed tomorrow.

Oh, c'mon now. Who is he disrespectful towards? If you mean the fistpumps, well, many of them are doing it. The guy plays with passion. And especially "arrogant"?? You are really dissapointing me, with this Murat.

I agree with you, herios. What's a little trash-talk? And I want to see a bit of brash from the younger up-and-comers.

 

[herios]

I am not a fan of JJ because he is a disrespectful arrogant douche. I hope he gets destroyed tomorrow.

Oh, c'mon now. Who is he disrespectful towards? If you mean the fistpumps, well, many of them are doing it. The guy plays with passion. And especially "arrogant"?? You are really dissapointing me, with this Murat.

JJ quote;
"
"Djokovic is fake, he shows off and acts. Federer is a guy who wants to be above everything. In this context there might be something unnatural of him, hard to feel he is one of us" said Jerzy.

One of "Us" ????....Who are you to talk about "US"??? You don't know "Us"!! You are a nobody and you are talking trash about Nole and Roger?
Shirt ripping after a second round win?
Listen I have absolutely no problem with passion, but I have no time for people who do not respect the guys that came before him, especially guys like Roger who has done so much for the game.
Sorry to disappoint you but he is a douche.

You see, this never bothered me at all, because I know Nole is not fake and I didn't care what the youngman was babbling there.
But, sorry to rub it in, TMF ccomes across as arrogant at times. What did you think the guys said about him, after he showed up with that golden 15 on his back at Wimby 2009?

---

I am not a fan of JJ because he is a disrespectful arrogant douche. I hope he gets destroyed tomorrow.

Oh, c'mon now. Who is he disrespectful towards? If you mean the fistpumps, well, many of them are doing it. The guy plays with passion. And especially "arrogant"?? You are really dissapointing me, with this Murat.

I agree with you, herios. What's a little trash-talk? And I want to see a bit of brash from the younger up-and-comers.

I am in the same camp as you, especially iif they are good.

Watch this great point in the JJ-JWT match if you have not seen it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK2cE1qpq9Y

 

[El Dude]

I like the fact that Jerzy, of all of the younger generation, seems to have the swagger to match the skills. Milos seems like a big puppy, Grigor may be too much of a playboy, Tomic just isn't as talented, Harrison is a whiny little baby. But Jerzy is going out there and actually believes he can win - and because of that, he just might.

 

[Moxie]

I like the fact that Jerzy, of all of the younger generation, seems to have the swagger to match the skills. Milos seems like a big puppy, Grigor may be too much of a playboy, Tomic just isn't as talented, Harrison is a whiny little baby. But Jerzy is going out there and actually believes he can win - and because of that, he just might.

I don't totally agree with your run down of the young potentials, Dude, but I do like Jerzy's chances best. I said early on that he reminded me of Safin, and, out of the corner of my eye, he still does: big guy, big serve, nice mover, and lots of tricks up his sleeve. (And, yes, I've seen him smash a few racquets, though he seems to have a reasonable head on his shoulders.)

I wouldn't say that Raonic is just a "big puppy." He has game, and ambition, but he's not a great mover...he IS more of the big guy with a big serve, and may never get beyond that category, though. Dimitrov is trying to make something of his long-talked about potential. I don't know if he's "too much of a playboy." However, it is going to become boring to keep talking about him if he doesn't do more of what he did in Madrid, and soon. I think Tomic is talented, but has too many distractions in his life, which he'd better get rid of, immediately. Harrison is the one I think that isn't as talented, though, yes, I agree that he's whiny.

 

[Mastoor]

I am not a fan of JJ because he is a disrespectful arrogant douche. I hope he gets destroyed tomorrow.

Oh, c'mon now. Who is he disrespectful towards? If you mean the fistpumps, well, many of them are doing it. The guy plays with passion. And especially "arrogant"?? You are really dissapointing me, with this Murat.

JJ quote;
"
"Djokovic is fake, he shows off and acts. Federer is a guy who wants to be above everything. In this context there might be something unnatural of him, hard to feel he is one of us" said Jerzy.

One of "Us" ????....Who are you to talk about "US"??? You don't know "Us"!! You are a nobody and you are talking trash about Nole and Roger?
Shirt ripping after a second round win?
Listen I have absolutely no problem with passion, but I have no time for people who do not respect the guys that came before him, especially guys like Roger who has done so much for the game.
Sorry to disappoint you but he is a douche.

Jersey has never said that. Jersey is No1e's friend and a fan too and i don't think he ever said anything disrespectful about Federer neither. The whole thing that you quoted was someone's joke at the time.

Yes Jersey ripped off his shirt, he yelled in that match, but he wasn't disrespectful to No1e and Fed.

 

[herios]

Benoit Paire vs Marcel Granollers in the first QF, who woul've thought?
The two are ranked 36 and 37 repectively. (this is a rarirty to see in a master 000 these days).

Interesting that both could've make it into the top 32 following this event and be ranked at RG, if MG wins, but if Paire wins, h keeps Julien Benneteau in the 32 position, the guy who defeated on his way here.
Benoit looks to run away with this one as he is up 6-1, 3-0.

And it was a beatdown: 6-1, 6-0, Marcel had to be very hungry. I am impressed by Tige (Benoit's nickname), which in french means stalk.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I am not a fan of JJ because he is a disrespectful arrogant douche. I hope he gets destroyed tomorrow.

Oh, c'mon now. Who is he disrespectful towards? If you mean the fistpumps, well, many of them are doing it. The guy plays with passion. And especially "arrogant"?? You are really dissapointing me, with this Murat.

JJ quote;
"
"Djokovic is fake, he shows off and acts. Federer is a guy who wants to be above everything. In this context there might be something unnatural of him, hard to feel he is one of us" said Jerzy.

One of "Us" ????....Who are you to talk about "US"??? You don't know "Us"!! You are a nobody and you are talking trash about Nole and Roger?
Shirt ripping after a second round win?
Listen I have absolutely no problem with passion, but I have no time for people who do not respect the guys that came before him, especially guys like Roger who has done so much for the game.
Sorry to disappoint you but he is a douche.

Jersey has never said that. Jersey is No1e's friend and a fan too and i don't think he ever said anything disrespectful about Federer neither. The whole thing that you quoted was someone's joke at the time.

Yes Jersey ripped off his shirt, he yelled in that match, but he wasn't disrespectful to No1e and Fed.

That quote was widely reported, still available everywhere. How do you know JJ never said those? Did he refute it somewhere? Because my belief that he is a douche is based on that quote, not his "passion" or "swagger". My issue is "respect".
If you are not acknowledging the players before you that made the game what it is today, I have a problem with that.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

^ you have to acknowledge, while Mastoor's certainty that it's a fabrication is a bit surprising, that most of the reports on the quote aren't from the biggest sources. no agency picked it up as far as i know. i don't recall Fed or Novak being asked about it either.

not saying that it can't have happened, and since i don't speak czech i also can't re-trace possible origins in that direction, but as strongly as he supposably worded all this, you'd think that this would have more repercussions, no?