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Roger, do you think the pink shoes will do the trick against a much “wiser†Bernard Tomic?
30 Comments · Posted by Staff in Articles
By Jayita Belcourt
Roger Federer has opted for a change of fashion on the court. Pale grey top trimmed in pink. And then, bright pink shoes to top it off. And so it seems his new found fashion taste is suiting the Swiss master well. Blitzing his Russian opponent, Nikolay Davydenko in three straight sets last night, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, the 2010 Australian Open champion looked cool, stylish and relaxed.
When asked about his riveting color choice, the 31 year old insisted that he was merely having a bit of fun in the fashion department and reminisced how wearing a pink shirt at the Australian Open had certainly brought him good luck in previous years.
And perhaps Roger, you might need a bit of good luck.
Federer will go head to head against unseeded Bernard Tomic tomorrow night in the 3rd round of the Australian Open. The Australian’s explosive performance in 2013 has been the talk of the town, with the youngster claiming his first ever ATP title in Sydney and a stunning victory over Novak Djokovic in the Hopman Cup (Perth, Australia).
Tomic, looking more calm and confident than ever before, is feeling up to the task and believes that a win tomorrow night against the World’s #2 is definitely possible.
“I feel 10 out of 10, now with matches. I feel so confident. This is the perfect time to play him,†shared Tomic.
“I’m ready. I mean, I’m not going to say, you know, I don’t have the belief. I do have the belief now. It’s possible. I showed that in Perth, that you can beat these players. Now I’m going to try to beat him.â€
The ATP ranked #43, who had a dismal finish to the 2012 season, dropping 15 rankings and putting on some lack luster performances including a passionless whipping at the US Open in August at the hands of Andy Roddick, seems to have turned himself around. Attributing his new found form and zest for the game to “a lot of rest and a lot of hard work†in the off season, the Aussie seems to be playing some of the best tennis of his life.
“I worked hard. I had a few flaws in my game, and I improved that. I improved my serve a lot and my fitness. That’s why I think I’m playing good tennis on the court,†said a beaming Tomic.
“It’s amazing you know, what can happen in two months, let alone in the next year if you push yourself to improve every day.â€
So what sparked such a shift in the mindset of Tomic?
At just 20 years old, the Aussie admits that he got a “wake up call†and felt an intense hunger that he could do better with his life, and his tennis. Feeling unsatisfied with his rankings and achievements to date, Tomic now believes that its time to step up and take a grand slam title.
“All of a sudden I was 19, now I’m 20. That was in October last year. I said, look, time’s flying. I do have the talent. I can play good. But I’m not using it. So I worked hard, as much as I couldâ€, said Tomic.
“Before last year, I didn’t really have the urge to improve. I was doing well. I mean I got to 27 in the world. But I just felt that I started not training as much, not doing the right things, not committing, not focusing on the tennis court. Slowly I was sliding down. Then you know, I got a wake up call and I turned it around.â€
“I realized you know, that time does fly. If I don’t actually put in the hard work, don’t actually put in the hard work, don’t actually give 100% every day, that will cost you. Lucky I learn’t that.â€
“I want to win Grand Slams. This is a chance, and I’m going to take it onboard and we’ll see what happens on Saturday nightâ€.
So Roger, are you shaking in your boots?
Last year, moments before Federer was scheduled to go out on court against Tomic in the 4th round at the Australian Open, the ATP ranked #2 was tense, nervous and jittery. Jumping around from left to right, pumping himself up and down against the floor, the 17 time grand slam title holder looked freakishly unsettled.
I suspect tomorrows match is not going to feel any easier for Roger. With the Australian crowd wooing Tomic on, I think the maestro better embrace what’s coming and hope his lucky “pink†does some wonders.
(Photos by Jayita Belcourt)
Scoop Malinowski · January 18, 2013 at 7:01 am
Just can’t see Tomic coming up with a dud this time like last year, he’s a new man now and an upset is very very possible here. BTW, remember Sampras, at the end of his career, became unusually colorful by wearing the flashy black and red Air Jordan inspired Nike Air Oscillates at US Open? Of course, he did not win the title that year.
Steve · January 18, 2013 at 8:02 am
Now the 17 time slam winner needs luck to win a match? Root for the Tomic if you must but let’s not get crazy. As long as Fed plays like Fed he will win.
Fed is one of the few guys that can pull off pink tennis shoes. Scoop will you get a pair if Fed wins?
Scoop Malinowski · January 18, 2013 at 8:26 am
How are those Vapors Steve, I’ve never tried them? THey are very popular sellers, see a lot of players wearing them. The black and pink version does look quite good actually though I’m very content with the New Balance 1187 on hard court and the Wilson Trance Vision II for clay.
Steve · January 18, 2013 at 9:25 am
The Vapors are comfy but I’ve never owned a pair.
Harold · January 18, 2013 at 10:24 am
The Vapors are the best tennis shoe since the Oscillates..
Remember what happened to Roddick after he beat Fed at Kooyong? He got destroyed by Fed…
Still see Tomic as not a fighter by the US Open performances against Cilic and Roddick…Will believe in his epiphany when he beats a top player in a REAL tournament, not some exo in his home country
loreley · January 18, 2013 at 10:41 am
Tomic forgets that the Hopman Cup is only an exhibiton. The top guys don’t go & kill themself for a win in Hopman Cup. Same with Kooyong. Djokovic came right from Abu Dhabi exhibition & was jet-lagged when Tomic “defeated” him.
Sydney was a pretty weak tournament. Tsonga, Gasquet & Simon withdrew. Tomic’s path: Matosevic, Mayer, Nieminen, Seppi, Anderson.
Mayer said, he doesn’t know why he’s playing bad, because he prepared well in off-season.
Tignor wrote that Tomic comes along naive in presser.
Scoop Malinowski · January 18, 2013 at 11:40 am
Tomic played Djok at Wimbledon and showed then that he can mix it up with the best and he’s not far from taking down the best. Hopman Cup was just an affirmation.
Scoop Malinowski · January 18, 2013 at 11:41 am
I’m not seeing naivete in Tomic in the least, he’s young precocious rambunctious and truculent. Rumble young man Rumble!
Steve · January 18, 2013 at 1:16 pm
They’ve sandwiched Gasquet’s next match between two doubles matches on Show Court 3. He quietly moves forward. He could end up facing Tsonga.
Maybe Simon can continue to thrive in the hot conditions too. Allez!
Harold · January 19, 2013 at 9:32 am
Gotta give some props to PMac, he made a great point about how slow Tomic is coming out of the corners…He’s a horrible mover side to side, ends up reaching way too much, taking the easy way out…
Didnt fight that hard in the 3rd set again…don’t think you’re going to see too many come from 2 sets down wins for Tomic..don’t think hes physically or mentally strong enough to do that..at leastnot at thispoint in his career
Scoop Malinowski · January 19, 2013 at 9:48 am
Yeah, a lot of players, especially in the locker room, they idolize Roger. You want to pick up anything you can from this sort of a player. He is the greatest our sport’s ever had. You learn something every time you watch him. I learned something tonight as well.
You use this and you use it in a good way. It’s going to make me a better player. I’m going to keep working hard. Point by point, I’m going to get my opportunities this year again and become a better player.
Q. The choice of serving first, did you get the choice?
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah. I elected to serve considering I was serving really well the last few weeks. But that didn’t matter first service game (smiling).
Q. Not a great start. Were there a few nerves, a bit tight?
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah, with sort of him, he starts really well. That sort of player starts really well. He always puts his opponent down.
A lot of players, when you play these sort of players like Roger or Novak, you lose belief before you get into the match. 80 or 90% of players that play the top guys, like with Roger, you lose your belief.
I got in there (on court), I started to think after they mentioned all these Grand Slams leading up, Wimbledon champion six times, six times US Open champion (laughter). Then I was, Oh, crap, it’s Roger. I try to block out who’s on the other side of the net but couldn’t quite do it after that announcement.
Yeah, but then that first service game was important. I lost it. Then I was like, Oh, no.
Q. How different was your mindset going in to face Roger tonight compared with last year?
BERNARD TOMIC: A lot different. You know, I was confident that I could have pushed it. I had a lot more chances than I did last year. I played a lot better than I did last year.
Anything could have happened if I had won that important point in the tiebreak. Giving myself two or three set points would you have been huge to turn the match around.
When he needs it the most, he plays amazing. Today I didn’t hit the right shot, didn’t play the right point when I needed to. He played the right tennis.
Q. Did he say anything in particular to you after the game at the net?
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah. He said, ‘Keep going, you improved.’ Every time I played him, he mentioned, ‘Well done, Bernie, keep going, keep improving,’ which is a good thing, hearing that from somebody that’s giving some advice. Keep going, keep pushing yourself.
It’s important you take that onboard because, you know, you can become a better player when you get information off the world’s best. You take that onboard and then you can use that to work on whatever you need to work on.
Right now I need to improve. I’m going to keep improving. I’ve improved a lot. But to become someone like him, or even in that area, I’ve got to improve more.
Q. Compare this to the previous meeting.
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah. Just showed me that I’m playing better each year. You know, I’m pushing myself in the off season. That’s why I’m playing the tennis I’m playing.
He beat me. I’m satisfied with the result here in Melbourne, especially the last few weeks. Just need to see what he does this tournament. I’m backing him to win. I’m sure he has a good chance of winning.
And, yeah, it’s always a good feeling if you can lose to the champion (smiling).
Dan Markowitz · January 19, 2013 at 11:41 am
Hi, I’m in Costa Rica for 10 days so probably won’t be seeing much of the Australian Open the rest of the way. I found it interesting that they were telecasting the Del Potro/Chardy match here and not Murray. Jimmy Arias was doing the commentary. I guess the South American player gets props here.
Amazing that Del Po came back from two sets down, won third set breaker, and then lost in the fifth. Apparently, Brad Gilbert was tweeting the over/under for Del Po giving up games after the third set was 8, but BG was wrong. Good win for Chardy.
Harold, I mentioned at the beginning of the event that Tomic is not a good mover. I didn’t like the way he moves up on balls. Wonder if he’ll learn not to get Cassius Clay/like before playing a big boy again.
They should have a slam in Costa Rica. It’s beautiful here.
Scoop Malinowski · January 19, 2013 at 1:16 pm
Chardy has shown he is capable of big wins like this one over Delpo, he stunned Murray last year in the summer hard court Masters Series, in Cincy or Canada. Chardy is dangerous player.
Steve · January 19, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Harold I agree about Tomic’s movement. It was exposed last night by the great contrast to Federer’s speed & agility.
Seppi, Simon, Tsonga, Gasquet all players I love still in the mix.
Fed says the courts are play ing 10% faster. Gotta fear Raonic serving 148 regularly.
Andrew Miller · January 20, 2013 at 8:49 am
Tomic tried – he just has to keep going. If Del Potro won a slam Tomic certainly can put himself in position. I’d wager Wimbledon because points are over quicker and Wimbledon rewards creativity.
Steve · January 21, 2013 at 10:02 am
Fed actually look bored against Raonic. The Tsonga match should be very exciting though.
Scoop Malinowski · January 21, 2013 at 2:21 pm
Thought Federer would struggle or maybe even lose to Raonic, he seems to have figured out Raonic and may still be getting better as a player, which is remarkable. Only problem is Djokovic is also still getting better too.
Steve · January 21, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Djoker barely beat the #2 Swiss.
Scoop Malinowski · January 21, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Wawrinka said he played the best match – “by far” – of his career vs. Djokovic in that loss. And still lost.
Andrew Miller · January 21, 2013 at 4:46 pm
Maybe we haven’t heard the last of Stan. He’s around the “new peak” age for tennis players, which means he should still be able to go deep. Federer just likes beating the daylights out of the Raonics and Tomic’ of the world. He likes to keep it at “now’s not your time”. Unfortunately champions have to think this way and any player who makes it to the slam trophy has to be like, “well, thanks for that, but I don’t see how it’s your time, either.”
Andrew Miller · January 21, 2013 at 4:47 pm
Murray looked good in the highlights. He loves hardcourts and with no Nadal in sight I’d think he believes he can win it.
Steve · January 21, 2013 at 4:54 pm
Murray has had a sweet draw.
Mitch · January 21, 2013 at 5:15 pm
Raonic apparently had a foot injury and was considering not playing. Now things get really tough for Fed. If Djokovic has to play long, physical matches with Berdych and Ferrer, will he have the stamina to beat Fed or Murray in a final?
Scoop Malinowski · January 21, 2013 at 5:16 pm
Stan is so close so very close to being at the top tier, it’s possible he can join them after seeing his latest performance, you never know, he might want it now more than before, this loss might trigger something. it could also break his will also. We’ll see. Sometimes players lose a match like that and they never get it going again, like Baghdatis vs. Agassi at US Open, he’s never been the same since then.
Scoop Malinowski · January 21, 2013 at 5:33 pm
How bad could the foot injury have been to take Fed to a second set TB the way Fed is playing right now. Having trouble buying that one from Raonic.
Steve · January 22, 2013 at 8:05 am
Will the tennis Gods gift Murray another slam???
Scoop Malinowski · January 22, 2013 at 8:42 am
I’d be astonished if Murray won, Djokovic seems like a total lock to defend his crown.
Andrew Miller · January 23, 2013 at 9:54 am
I think Murray has a shot against Federer, he should be more fresh and should have confidence with the Olympics and US Open trophy in his pocket. I am amazed by Sloane Stephens’ win. Aint gonna lie I would LOVE to see Stephens take the title.
Steve · January 23, 2013 at 10:01 am
I had to leave at the start of the fifth set. It seemed Tsonga had all the momentum when I left. Fed was sweating and seemed plagued by a dull pain throughout but it appears some veteran moves won him the day.
So seeds 1,2,3,4 proceed.
Scoop Malinowski · January 23, 2013 at 10:38 am
Andrew did you see Sloane play Serena in Brisbane? She was very close to Serena and had Serena yelling come ons all over the place. Serena said she sees Sloane as #1 someday after that match. High praise.