Was this the long-awaited singles breakout by Sock?

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Not sure if Berger deserves much credit. Did Sock say anything in particular that Berger has done for upping his game? It seems the inspiration of the new girlfriend is the big difference maker for Sock. If Sock publicly credited Berger for helping his game in the last two weeks, please someone share those quotes here. (Haven't seen those quotes)

 

[Moxie]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Not sure if Berger deserves much credit. Did Sock say anything in particular that Berger has done for upping his game? It seems the inspiration of the new girlfriend is the big difference maker for Sock. If Sock publicly credited Berger for helping his game in the last two weeks, please someone share those quotes here. (Haven't seen those quotes)

Scoop, you old romantic! I can't believe you're going to credit the influence of a new girlfriend over a coach on a players game.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Yes, Sock said it was the first extended trip with his new gf. Berger has been coaching Sock for most of the year, with only lousy results to show. If Berger suddenly found the secret tonic for Sock's game don't you think Sock would have noted it or credited Berger for it?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Not sure if Berger deserves much credit. Did Sock say anything in particular that Berger has done for upping his game? It seems the inspiration of the new girlfriend is the big difference maker for Sock. If Sock publicly credited Berger for helping his game in the last two weeks, please someone share those quotes here. (Haven't seen those quotes)

OK. I get the moral of the story. One should find a new girlfriend before every major ATP tournament. :lulz2:

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

I remember seeing Berger hovering around the practice court at Sarasota Open five years ago, with shades on and racquet in hand, observing Sock and Johnson practicing, he was on Sock's side. So he's been around Sock a long time. They must have a good connection. But let's wait if Sock salutes Berger for his coaching acumen and technical adjustments. Until then the gf's inspiration gets the majority of the credit.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Camesetandmatch; We all know true love is not easy to find and to promiscuously pick up easy girls week in and week out will not have a very beneficial impact on court performance. But feel free to prove to us your theory works If Safin would have won that Aus Open with his box of four or five girlfriends, you may have a point.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Speak for yourself Joe!

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Matty; How did Berger manage to save 15% on his car insurance?

 

[herios]

Time for me to give my two cents here.
Sock will never be an elite player, but probably he will be the best the American tennis produced since Andy Roddick.
After Roddick only two players reached top 10, John Isner and Mardy Fish.
He will achieve more than them surely. Now the only question is how much he will still improve, because there is still room to grow, if he will be serious about it.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Memo to Herios: Sock is in the semis of the ATP World Tour Finals. He's officially an elite player now.

 

[herios]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Memo to Herios: Sock is in the semis of the ATP World Tour Finals. He's officially an elite player now.

I went by El Dude version of "elite" aka multiple slam winners.
Based on that for now he does not meet that criteria.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Multiple slams in doubles and Olympic gold and silver and now top ten in singles = Elite Player in my book.

 

[isabelle]

Time for me to give my two cents here.
Sock will never be an elite player, but probably he will be the best the American tennis produced since Andy Roddick.
After Roddick only two players reached top 10, John Isner and Mardy Fish.
He will achieve more than them surely. Now the only question is how much he will still improve, because there is still room to grow, if he will be serious about it.

he beat Sasha, an elite player

 

[DarthFed]

Time for me to give my two cents here.
Sock will never be an elite player, but probably he will be the best the American tennis produced since Andy Roddick.
After Roddick only two players reached top 10, John Isner and Mardy Fish.
He will achieve more than them surely. Now the only question is how much he will still improve, because there is still room to grow, if he will be serious about it.

Completely agree with this. I like Sock but I too see limited upside mostly due to his movement and backhand. That being said, Sock's shown he can be dangerous, he is still young and given this run at the end of the year he will enter 2018 with a lot of confidence. If his backhand does seriously improve to the point it's not a weakness he could make a lot more noise but I just don't see him becoming an elite player either.

 

[DarthFed]

he beat Sasha, an elite player

That's one match. Also rankings be damned this year, Sascha is not an elite player yet by any stretch. His best result at a slam was the 4th round.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

I can hear it now. Sock will win a major next year and you whiners will discredit it because of a soft draw or a lucky occurrence or some bulljive. Masters 1000 title. World Tour Finals semis...you know what's next.

 

[DarthFed]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

I can hear it now. Sock will win a major next year and you whiners will discredit it because of a soft draw or a lucky occurrence or some bulljive. Masters 1000 title. World Tour Finals semis...you know what's next.

I will gladly make a friendly bet that Sock will finish next year out of the top 10 and with no slams or MS titles. Ok?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

I can hear it now. Sock will win a major next year and you whiners will discredit it because of a soft draw or a lucky occurrence or some bulljive. Masters 1000 title. World Tour Finals semis...you know what's next.

I can say, I am willing to bet my house etc. But, it may be difficult to enforce in reality. To make sure it is not an empty talk, I am willing to make a concrete bet of $1000 that Sock will not win a GS next year. Are you ready to take it up? I promise, I will not cry foul over weak field etc. I don't care how weak the field is. Sock will not win a GS next year.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

I'd like to see what those odds are on Sock winning a major next year.

 

[DarthFed]

I doubt Vegas or anywhere else makes odds on whether a lesser known player will win a major in the upcoming year. But what would you place those odds at? If you'd give him more than 1/15 chance to win a major next year you are dreaming.