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Predict The Future Of Lukas Rosol
30 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Does he continue to play like a dynamo and win the event?
Or does he come back to planet earth and lose in straights to Kohlschreiber?
I think he’s going to beat the German and if he does it convincingly again, you have to consider that maybe just maybe this is some kind of a human comet like a Usain Bolt or Guga Kuerten, where a man just emerges out of nowhere to shockingly and suddenly dominate.
With his serve and power game, Rosol looks like he has the goods to become a top 10 player and a contender for major titles. He made it look astonishingly easy yesterday in just manhandling Nadal. John McEnroe says he “still can’t believe it.”
Rosol’s win yesterday overshadows anything and everything achieved by Harrison, Raonic, Tomic or Dimitrov. It’s funny how sports works sometimes, the hyped prospects inch along trading wins and losses, inching their ways up and down the ranks, and then this 26-year-old journeyman just pops out of nowhere to shock the world. What Rosol has done will be a giant inspiration for every player out there, they too can shock the world like Rosol just did. You better believe Benneteau was playing with extra inspiration today after seeing what happened yesterday.
I can see Rosol becoming an ATP star in singles and perhaps doubles. If his singles results struggle, I can see Rosol being asked to play doubles with Leander Paes in a year or two, and given the track record of Paes, they’ll probably win a major doubles title or two together.
For singles, I see Rosol making the top 20. I can even see him make the final next Sunday. What do you think?
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Andrew Miller · June 30, 2012 at 4:16 am
One match does not a champion make. That said I wish Rosol good luck tomorrow. I like Kohlschreib but he plays a little like Federer light without the heft.
Andrew Miller · June 30, 2012 at 4:24 am
So long as Rosol doesn’t do a racquet switch I think his career will be on the upswing. The comparison to Soderling is apt because Soderling was “talent without results” and then played disciplined tennis. Rosol may be capable of same. Proof is in the pudding: does he see this match as just another match? If so I think he makes it through.
No disrespect to Phil. I like his tennis.
Michael · June 30, 2012 at 7:06 am
“man just emerges out of nowhere to shockingly and suddenly dominate.”
No one ever has or ever will come out of nowhere in tennis and “suddenly dominate.” Tennis players take years and years to develop and they can’t do it in a vacuum. And that includes the Williams. Even those two who skipped the traditonsl junior path were highly touted by many people that either aided their development or saw them play.
As for this guy. He played out of his mind. It happens. It’s not his natural level. He’s 26. The chance of him winning is about the same as it was before — next to zero. I’ll be surprised if he gets past PK.
I don’t see a comparison with a player at the level of Soderling.
Dan Markowitz · June 30, 2012 at 11:40 am
Great debate, Scoop. I like your confidence in Rasol. And how can you not believe if you watched Rasol dismantle Nadal. He stepped up in the 5th set when a player of much greater status and experience, Benneteau (I just love writing that name. I think I’ll name my next son, not that I plan on having another, Benneteau Markowitz), drooped.
Scoop, I’d agree with Michael (there’s a scoop, huh?) that a player doesn’t just come out of nowhere, but Rasol did? Winner of one set in five first round Wimby quali matches!! If that’s not out of nowhere, what is?! And I’m going to go with you on this one. I think he beats PK, but I’m not predicting finals. I’ll take it one match at a time.
Scoop Malinowski · June 30, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Andrew I think one match, one monumental win does and will make a champion. With all he showed beating Nadal I just can’t see him slipping back to obscurity. Rosol has what it takes, I see him becoming a tough consistent scrapper similar to Stepanek. The weapons, mondset, and competitive fire are all there. THis is just the beginning for Rosol.
Scoop Malinowski · June 30, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Rosol will beat Phil handily if he plays like he did vs. Nadal. Let’s see if there’s a letdown, as many expect.
Scoop Malinowski · June 30, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Players do come out of nowhere, want some examples Michael? I’ll give you Bogomolov, Brian Baker, Oudin. Granted, none of them scored a win like Rosol did but each in their own way stunned the tennis world. Rosol looked like a dominant player against one of the all time greats of the game Nadal who is in his prime and, arguably, the best player of 2012.
Scoop Malinowski · June 30, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Dan; Baker and Rosol could be the two of the most “come out of nowhere” players of this modern era. Also always remember Jerome Haehnel beating Agassi at the French Open (but we never saw him again). Isner could also classify in this category, remember being in DC when he made it all the way to the finals, winning four matches in third set TBs along the way. It was his first or second pro event after college. I had never heard his name before. That was big by Isner but not in the league of what Rosol did to Nadal.
Dan Markowitz · June 30, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Baker is good example of player who came out of nowhere, but he was not completely unknown.
Rasol is getting his lunch handed to him by Phillip K., but actually has his first two break points now in third set.
Dan Markowitz · June 30, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Scoop,
We wanted it with our hearts, but Kohl was too good and Rasol probably not good enough and too green. Interesting match in which you have the two players to beat Nadal on grass this year.
Scoop Malinowski · June 30, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Rosol out in three sets. It wasn’t there today, he used up everything vs. Rafa. His tank was empty, he tried to fire it up again at the end of the third set with the emotions but it was too late. Kohlschreiber could be playing the best of his life now. Rosol might have used up too much energy and mojo beating Rafa and also he expended a LOT of energy on all the media attention which is a distraction. Nice insight by BG after he beat Mac in Masters, he did all the Today show and TV interviews and “lost the plot” and got smoked in his next match. This could have happened to Rosol. Still hope he learns from this and can play many many more spectacular matches like he did with Rafa, hope he’s not a one hit wonder.
loreley · June 30, 2012 at 2:14 pm
I saw only the last few minutes. But I hope, I don’t have to see that ugly tattoo that soon again.
Did you see how he acted after his loss? He stepped back on court and celebrated like he’s the winner & signed autographs while Kohlschreiber left the court quietly.
What for a kind of behaviour is that? I told you, that he sucks.
Mitch · June 30, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Rosol actually played and lost a 5 setter in doubles yesterday. That might not have been the best idea.
Steve · June 30, 2012 at 3:16 pm
The kid had a good win. Any chat about dominating tennis right now is crazy talk. Something to build on we hope.
Mitch · June 30, 2012 at 3:53 pm
How about Goffin? He’s come out of nowhere.
Andrew Miller · June 30, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Scoop, it’s hard to beat Nadal and then “get up” for the next match. Look at Federer last year, French Open. Sure, he entered the finals vs. Nadal, who has what, a 99 percent winning record at Roland Garros and a 100 percent winning record in the finals. But more than that, Federer entered after an emotional win vs. the world #1 Djokovic where he needed every ounce of emotional energy just to make it through. That no doubt sapped him enough in the early going of the finals match (losing the 1st two sets), much as it did to Djokovic this year, who also dumped the first 2 sets in the finals against the world’s greatest clay champion ever.
My point is that after a herculian, world stopping match, it’s hard to get up for the next match. Not many have done this well outside the top 5. That’s why the favorites usually have it better – they have dealt with the pressure before of winning back to back huge matches, otherwise they wouldn’t be at the top of the rankings. And even they struggle in the next match.
To me that’s a reason why some of the finals suck. The best player is the one who usually has a little bit more in the tank, who hasn’t spent it all in the earlier rounds.
Rosol’s loss is par for the course. I saw it with Baghdatis, who put up a huge effort in beating Federer in Indian Wells in 2010 only to lose next day or so to Robredo. No offense to Robredo, but he’s not Federer and you would think that Baghdatis would have taken him out after getting rid of Federer. But the conditions changed – it was a day match vs. Robredo, different from the night match vs. Federer. And after you beat a huge opponent, do you really have the energy left to do it again?
That’s what the tour is, for the most part. Players have to find a way to get up to play Phil after beating Nadal, somehow recover their mojo.
And sorry to say it but I think it’s apt. One match does not a champion make. Tour requires consistency.
Andrew Miller · June 30, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Let’s hear it for Brian Baker. Round 4, here we go.
Baker, quoted from Tennis Magazine’s article by Pete Bodo.
“”When I’m on the court I know I definitely have nerves. Closing out the match you definitely know what’s on the table, what you can accomplish. I mean, I missed a few shots at the end that I probably wouldn’t miss if it was the quarters of a challenger and not trying to get to the round of 16 at Wimbledon. It is crazy, kind of, what’s going on. But I’m still trying to stay focused on the task at hand and not get too wrapped around. Because once you do that, I think it’s tough to be able to play your best tennis once you’re happy that you’ve been there. So I’m trying to every match go in there hungry and try to win the next one instead of, I’m in the round of 16 of Wimbledon; this is awesome…I’m kind of happy being the hunter going in there.”
Dan Markowitz · June 30, 2012 at 6:51 pm
It’s a nice run by Baker, but having to beat Nieminem and Paire to get to the second week of a slam, especially when you’re not seeded, is pretty sweet draw. And now he gets to play Kohlschreiber to make the Wimby quarters. Can you say, “Sweet?”
Dan Markowitz · June 30, 2012 at 6:54 pm
Excuse me, the Round of 16. Anyone going to step and pick Fish to beat Tsonga? They played a 5-setter at the Open last year, R16 and Tsonga won 6-2 in fifth.
Andrew Miller · June 30, 2012 at 9:29 pm
I think Baker can make it to the QF if he plays the way he has in Rds 1,2,3. Big “if”.
I think Fish, coming in off almost no practice and no win streak and not much match play, is going to face quite an uphill battle. He had his chances against Tsonga when he was at full strength, and Fish is no where near full strength as of now. Believe it or not, Tsonga also has a shot at the title.
Scoop Malinowski · June 30, 2012 at 10:18 pm
Did notice that Loreley, Rosol acted exactly like the winner it was kinda funny. Love his game and fire but agree that tattoo belongs at a truck stop or a Pantera concert not Wimbledon.
Scoop Malinowski · June 30, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Mitch, Rosol probably can’t afford to pass on doubles money just yet but agree playing five sets in doubles the day after beating Nadal in the hardest match of his life was a mistake.
Scoop Malinowski · June 30, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Steve Rosol if he can put it all together and do it week in and week out showed he can be a dominant player. It takes a very special player to dominate Nadal on center court at Wimbledon. Rosol showed something not even Federer has been able to do.
Scoop Malinowski · June 30, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Fish can’t beat Tsonga in five, Tsonga is just too physically strong, it showed clearly at the US Open last year. Tsonga will beat Fish.
Steve · July 1, 2012 at 1:29 am
Scoop, this is crazy talk. As you know have to win 7 matches to get glory. The day in/day out part is too soon to tell. He did have the right attitude which is key.
I guess he had nothing left for Kohlschrieber.
Scoop Malinowski · July 1, 2012 at 2:04 am
We’ll see Steve, he could fade back to “Bolivian” (Tyson speak). Or he could become the next Stepanek or Soderling. Or win ten majors by the time he’s 32. We’ll see. Wish he didn’t play the five set doubles match the day before the Kohlschreiber match, that did not help.
loreley · July 1, 2012 at 7:22 am
@Scoop Malinowski
Federer can’t afford to act like Rosol against Nadal or any player. The media would kill him.
As I said, Rosol is always like that. Murray does bully his opponents as well. He can do what he wants on court.
Scoop Malinowski · July 1, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Yes Federer could never change his court demeanor now he is too established as a fair, classy and honorable player who competes the right way. Rosol is 26 and unaccomplished so there is a bit of desperation about him, which makes his confrontational style somewhat acceptable.
loreley · July 1, 2012 at 8:58 pm
The media must be bored of Nadal, that they accepted the style of Rosol that easily.
Tebbutt on his blog:
I was told by well-placed sources on tour that Rosol is a real jerk, widely disliked by his fellow players. A suggestion of that was visible after the match when he tossed his racquet toward at the net (and it deflected over it) as he moved forward to shake hands with Nadal.
Scoop Malinowski · July 2, 2012 at 2:39 am
Loreley, I like the idea of there being a few disliked players on the tour which makes it more interesting. Respect those guys like Rios who took the ‘me against the world’ attitude. Commend Rosol for being his own man and not following the herd. He has his own vision and he’s sticking to it. Surely Rosol has a few mates like the other Czech guys Stepanek and Berdych, among others.