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Congratulations to Ernests Gulbis
37 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Finally, this oft questioned, oft criticized super talent has fulfilled his potential and reached a Grand Slam major semifinal.
He changed his game, his technqiues, his dedication, he worked hard on improving his craft and fitness, when the public and media perception of him was that he was just a silver spoon kid who was given everything… now we know Ernests Gulbis is a lot more than that. He’s reached that special echelon of elite players, to reach the final four of a major tennis tournament.
Whether he wins or not against Novak Djokovic in the semi, Gulbis will now always be remembered for making the semis of a major. In these times where the ATP Tour is so deep in talent, making a major semi is quite a memorable accomplishment. Since I started following tennis in the 90s, I can remember all the players who have semied, even the odd or forgotten ones like Filip De Wulf, Vladimir Voltchkov, Tim Henman, Ivan Ljubicic, Tommy Haas, Arnaud Clement, Seb Grosjean, Rainer Schuettler, Nicolas Kiefer, X Malisse, Sjeng Schalken, Robby Ginepri, Mikhail Youzhny, etc. And without looking to confirm, I believe Nico Lapentti, Nicolas Escude and Fernando Meligeni also made major semis.
For a guy who was mocked for his previously lousy record in major tournaments, Ernests Gulbis has shown that he is not only a “champion” (six ATP singles titles, two doubles) but also a big time superstar caliber player, perfectly capable of playing in a major final…and if things fall his way, also winning a Grand Slam major final.
Congratulations to Ernests Gulbis. No one can ever question his heart, his desire, his talent, his guts ever again.
Dan Markowitz · June 3, 2014 at 1:41 pm
I didn’t think Gulbis could beat Federer or Berdych. So I do give Gulbis a lot of credit. The few points I saw of the Gulbis-Berdych match (because TC showed almost all of the Raonic-Djoko match), Gulbis exposed Berdych’s lack of movement.
Gulbis-Djoko should be a whale of match. The best of the semis, although Nadal-Monfils would be great, too.
Amanda · June 3, 2014 at 1:47 pm
So happy for him! His fans have waited a long time for this. 🙂
loreley · June 3, 2014 at 1:48 pm
A Semifinal in a Slam is big 🙂
When I read that Bresnik said: “Physically, Ernests is a monster”, I thought maybe he can do it against Berdych.
Günther Bresnik, Gulbis’ coach, in l’Equipe on coaching him:
(After I started coaching him) “I don’t care what you do at night. You can go out and drink all night. All I want is for you to be ready from 10 to noon and after from 14.00 to 17.00.”
Ernests has a big problem with authority. He’s hard to coach because he won’t accept anything unless he’s 100% convinced it’s right. But we’re all doctors in my family, and I started medical studies. So I’ve always had contact with people with problems.
What’s more, I’m old enough to be Ernests father. Young people from the ex-Soviet Union have a different attitude to their elders. If he sees an older gentlemen, Ernests will help him, or give an older person his seat on the tram.
You know what helped me? It’s having had Becker as a player. Because, in a certain way, they resemble each other. They have the same exagerated sensitivity. And I accept certain things from Ernests because I’ve seen them work with Becker.
Physically, Ernests is a monster, the strongest I’ve ever had. He’s especially quick and very coordinated. You understand better when you talk to his parents.
When he was a kid he was always outside, always playing sports, never with a stupid computer. And now, whether he’s playing football/soccer, basketball or darts, he does it easily.
Andrew Miller · June 3, 2014 at 1:58 pm
If wawrinka effect holds gulbis wins paris.
Hans Landa · June 3, 2014 at 2:01 pm
scoop, let’s not start kissing gulbi’s woowoo just yet. nice pair of wins and yes, a SF at a GS, finally, but let’s see him go all the way and fulfill his potential – dare i say, destiny and actaully wina a GS!
Hans Landa · June 3, 2014 at 2:10 pm
andrew, i believe gulbi’s got a legit shot against djoko and possibly rafa in the final! i’d like to see him do it and win a GS! bigger shocker than wawa winning the aussie.
btw, wawa is disolving into an oblivion. definitely a 1-slam wonder, nonetheless a confirmed GS champion!
Gaurang · June 3, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Wow — did anybody see his match against Berdych? I wonder he thrashed Berdych in such a score line!!!! Was Berdych not playing his best? Or is Gulbis playing at the level of the best of the best now? If so, I think he could beat Djoko as well..
(But he wouldnt be able to beat Nadal in the finals thats for sure, even if he beats Djoker)
Andrew Miller · June 3, 2014 at 2:26 pm
Maybe berdych lost it after he and safarova split.
Gulbis is playing way above
Andrew Miller · June 3, 2014 at 2:28 pm
I know nadal the favorite. But i cant see how the crowd wont be backing a new champ
Dan Markowitz · June 3, 2014 at 2:34 pm
I’m sorry, I do think after mulling it over you have to temper Gulbis’ path to the semis somewhat. He beat Fed which is a very nice win, but Fed had twins a month ago and he’s 32. He beat Berdych who has a bad record at RG. Only once has he made it to the semis, he lost a few years ago to Robert in the first round and a couple of years ago in the first to Monfils. Reaching the quarters was only his second-best result at the French.
So for Gulbis to really step up to the big boy’s table, he’s got to beat Djoko or Nadal, and we know that won’t happen. I’d be very impressed if he beat Ferrer or Murray, too, but he most likely won’t face either of them.
Now if Gulbis beat Fed and Berdych at Wimby or the US Open I’d be impressed. But for him to really step up to the big boy’s table, I’d like to see him beat Djoko or get to the semis of either Wimby or the US Open or both. Is that too much to ask? Don’t you feel that’s a fair criteria?
Scoop Malinowski · June 3, 2014 at 2:54 pm
Dan you can pick apart any player’s path to the semis of a major, even Johnny Mac’s at Wimbledon when he was at Stanford. Very easy to find faults and discredit and downplay a major semi achievement but the fact of the matter is Gulbis won five matches in Paris which not even Vince Spadea was able to do. Gulbis has shocked the world, hold on, he just might not be done shocking the world.
Harold · June 3, 2014 at 3:05 pm
Just looked at a betting site.
Djoko is a 7-1 favorite over Gulbis. You have to put up 700 on Djoko to win a 100 dollars. If you bet Gulbis, you put up a 100 and win 450 if Ernie pulls off the upset.
I don’t bet on tennis, or any sport, but that seems like a nice price to take a flier on Ernie
Andrew Miller · June 3, 2014 at 3:29 pm
Semi is a semi! Any given day.
Dan markowitz · June 3, 2014 at 4:33 pm
You’re not suggesting Gulbis would beat Spadea in his prime, are you? Spadea beat Costa and Davy at the French.
Andrew Miller · June 3, 2014 at 5:21 pm
Dan only saying gulbis is semis and he is capable of finals. Djokokic isnt unbeatable.
Andrew Miller · June 3, 2014 at 5:21 pm
Semis is semis!
Scoop Malinowski · June 3, 2014 at 7:31 pm
It’s funny just last week Dan you were lampooning Gulbis’ results in majors, now he astonishes everyone by making a semi and you’re lampooning that too lol
Scoop Malinowski · June 3, 2014 at 7:34 pm
Yes, Gulbis is by far the more accomplished player than Spadea, who barely only won one tournament, squeaking by Keifer in Scottsdale at the end of his career. Gulbis is 6-0 in finals. I don’t think even Fed, Samp, Mac, Borg, Nadal or Agassi were 6-0 in their first six ATP singles finals. Gulbis is a very unique player, not only in his talent but his overall record. Gulbis 63 62 63 over Spadea.
Scoop Malinowski · June 3, 2014 at 7:35 pm
He does everything better than Spadea Dan. Lorely, thanks for those interviews. Good stuff.
Andrew Miller · June 3, 2014 at 8:03 pm
SpadeaScottsdale stands on its own! One of few players to beat just about everyone. We are about to see if gulbis can too it will be tough! Would like nothing better than gulbis and genieat thechampion ball.
Dan Markowitz · June 4, 2014 at 6:31 am
Oh, you know I have a fondness for Genie. Amazing her growth as she wasn’t considered on par with Robson when they were juniors.
Scoop Malinowski · June 4, 2014 at 8:45 am
Bouchard was a top ten junior Dan but she didn’t get the hype that Robson or the Russians Kromacheva and Gavrilova got. #hypehelpsorhurts?
Hans Landa · June 4, 2014 at 9:22 am
agree with dan on gulbi. let’s wait until he goes all the way before you start nibbling on his woowoo. 🙂
bjk · June 4, 2014 at 11:31 am
Has he finally fixed the forehand? Hard to believe that a player can win a GS with a fundamentally flawed stroke, and Gulbis forehand just looks funny, but maybe it gets the job done.
Andrew Miller · June 4, 2014 at 1:39 pm
Gulbis fh is strange but works. Only a few other players remind me of this. Sjeng schallkens ugly serve. Berasategui . Edberg forehand puff. Not bad company. Reminds me a little of soderling but way more outspoken. We actually need gulbis to win this thing outright. Tall order but he has come this far. Odd semifinalists can make finals.
Andrew Miller · June 4, 2014 at 1:41 pm
Bouchard steps in – love that. Takes ball well inside line and puts it well inaide the line. Unlike nadal i dont see bouchard playing with other players – no strategy of attrition out there.
Andrew Miller · June 4, 2014 at 4:16 pm
Murray wow. Monfils loses sixoh in.fifth
Gaurang · June 4, 2014 at 4:44 pm
Nice — Nadal vs Murray and Djokovic vs Gulbis.
My prediction: Nadal in 4, and Djokovic in 4 or 5.
Andrew Miller · June 4, 2014 at 5:25 pm
Murray over Nadal at french? Unlikely but not impossible. Battle of two guys playing sub par in comparison to how normally play.
How about the petkovic/halep match? like halep here but what a showing by petko. Not the worlds most beautiful game but definitely some of the games most courage.
Andrew Miller · June 5, 2014 at 12:31 am
Halep kuznetsova and monfils are all great. I hope monfil does win a slam. Murray is excellent but monfils is a showman what a great fightback from two sets down. Kuznetsova reminded me of baghdatis she really can be amazing – she wouldve done better on a hard court and i like her for Wimbledon if lisicki isnt throwing down the bog serve. And halep? Count me in as a fan. No offense to petko but i think halep will be in her first slam final. This womens finals should be phenomenal.
Andrew Miller · June 5, 2014 at 12:33 am
Nadal looked like defending champ today. He will not give.up this tournament without a war on court.
Alex Bancila · June 6, 2014 at 7:39 pm
If Nadal wins on Sunday his 9th RG title then what I am about to say below obviously becomes a moot point.
I am a huge Nadal fan and I believe he is the best ever – his mental fortitude, , will to win, resilience, physicality, ability to come back from adversity/injuries, and make adjustments throughout his career (as well as within matches) is simply unmatched. If he loses on Sunday however – and I believe he will – I do think that will never win another Major. US Open 13 will have been his last major victory,
I really (really) hope I am wrong about this.
Cheers,
Alex
Twitter: @TheAlexBancila
Scoop Malinowski · June 6, 2014 at 7:55 pm
Kind of agree Alex, the aura of invincibility will be shattered. Djokovic has the uncanny ability to dominate Rafa (7 match win streak in finals, 3 or 4 match win streak now), if he wins the first set on Rafa, it could be a steamroll. Early stages of first set will be SO important. What a match this will be. This is a “Match of the Century.”
Andrew Miller · June 6, 2014 at 8:13 pm
Nadal recalls Wilander 1990 but unlike Wilander Nadal is still competing – and doing so as the favorite – on the final sunday. He knows every inch of the Roland Garros court and that’s no small advantage, even with a crowd that’s lukewarm towards him more often. I think Sampras and Agassi have the last word here. Both said to the effect that Nadal has a stake in the GOAT discussion and probably have more work to do. We talk about Djokovic and destiny, but don’t overlook another motivation of Nadal: prove he still belongs. He wins Paris, he’s right back in the mix and in hot pursuit for the GOAT status.
http://tennis.si.com/2013/09/27/pete-sampras-roger-federer-rafael-nadal/
Alex Bancila · June 6, 2014 at 9:00 pm
Scoop, Andrew,
I don’t disagree with anything you are saying. Like I said, I really want to be wrong about both Sunday’s outcome and what I said above. Like Scoop mentioned, if Nadal loses, the aura of invincibility is shattered. Additionally, Djoker becomes to Nadal what Nadal is to Federer. The fact that Nadal destroyed Myrray today doesn’t mean anything going into Sunday’s final. Tennis is all about match-ups and the only played against whom Nadal doesn’t match-up well is Djoker. If Nadal wins he’ll have to do it with his backhand (or also with his backhand) – he won’t beat Djokovic only with his forehand. I don’t think he’ll be able to do that. Like I said, I hope I am wrong.
Bryan · June 9, 2014 at 2:50 pm
I’d been waiting for this given he’s already won two tournaments this year. Unfortunately his serve abandoned him in the 4th set and so did the match. When he was banging out 130 mph second serves it was just a matter of time before the high risk approach backfired. In any case it was a wonderful tournament for Gulbis.
Hans Landa · June 11, 2014 at 10:10 am
hi guys – i’m back. and just wanted to say “down goes djoko !” 🙂