By Jayita Belcourt
Tomic and Federer’s most recent encounter was during the Davis Cup in September last year. Federer edged the match away to secure a four sets victory 6-2, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Although the young Australian was able to steal a set from the Swiss after some inspiring play, the end result did not seem questionable. It was always Roger’s match.
5 months on, is Tomic a different player ? There is no doubt that he is. Tomic has played some tough opponents like Verdasco, Berdych and Dolgopolov in the past few weeks. Outclassing his opponents with his witty and uncanny play. Tomic has come away with some sensational wins. But is this going to be enough against the former #1 and 16 grand slam winner ?
We asked Tomic his thoughts about his last encounter with Roger, his learnings and chances of success for Sunday night…
Q. How much do you think your game has improved since you last player Roger?
Bernard Tomic: “You know, I think the first set when I played him back then I was a little bit nervous. It was hard for me. I started playing really well in the second and third and managed to get a set. I was up 3-Love in the second and lost that in a tight 7-5. Playing on grass was a bit of an advantage for me for any slice. I love this court here at Rod Laver. I think I’ve improved a lot. I keep improving, and we’ll see how it goes on Sunday.â€
Q. What do you see as your greatest strength going into that match?
Bernard Tomic : “You know, I think I can get the balls down to where Roger probably can’t use his backhand enoughâ€.. “He has one of the best forehands in the world.†… “You know I think I play really smart. Hopefully my smartness can make me win a set or two, maybe even win. I can’t guarantee. It’s Rogerâ€.
Q. What will you do to prepare for Federer? Anything specific ?
Bernard Tomic : “I don’t know if there is an answer to that question. Just pray to God. Maybe be sick or something (laugh). I got to go out there and have fun. Playing Roger, is an experience that I’ll aways remember. You know, hopefully I can play well and relax and have fun. I just have to go out there and focus, and I think I can have a good tennis match and who knows. Maybe winâ€.
Tomic was also quick to share that his confidence has come along way in the last 12 months stating that “I always knew I could play tennis really wellâ€.. “I think having played a lot of the matches and games against top players in the world over the last 12 months I saw really where my level is and where I can be if I really work hardâ€â€¦ “I keep improving and getting stronger, and I think I’ve done a good job in the last 12 monthsâ€.
He went on to state that “it’s a start of a good year for me so I can’t wait to play Rogerâ€.. “having played him before, I think I have an intense sense of what he can do and where he can hurt me, where he can’t. I got to go out there feeling good and have a go and try to win.â€.. “I think for me to play him, I think in the first set if I get up and maybe win the first set, it’s a very very important key to this match.â€â€¦ “I have to go out there and believe in myself. I’ve got the crowd on my side, and that’s all I can do.â€
Roger was quick to dismiss that the match on Sunday will be another day in the office. He described his last encounter with Tomic as “tough and tricky†and considers the young Australian as “somewhat of a mystery.â€
(Federer sketch card by artist Stephen Burkett.)
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Scoop Malinowski · January 22, 2012 at 2:09 am
Tomic sounds ready to clash with the living legend Federer and play the best match of his life. Will it be enough for victory? Perhaps this will be a parallel match to the historic Sampras-Federer Wimbledon showdown.
Gans · January 22, 2012 at 3:26 am
Jayita, nice article.
Scoop, yeah Fed-Sampras was a classic. 19-year cub vs. 29 year old lion.
And here we have 19 vs. 30.
But Tomic doesn’t play the kind of attacking game that Roger and Pete played. If you got to win Roger, you got to do one or more of the following:
– Serve Big
– Attack relentlessly on both sides
– Have huge FH or BH enough to blow him off the court
– Extreme athleticism and
– Preferably be a lefty 🙂
When I saw Tomic I didn’t see any of these except some easy power at times after slicing a million times. Fed wouldn’t be patient like Dolgo and slice back a zillion times. He would go on the offense real quick and impose his game.
That’s my take, but we will see. I will watch it later in the morning ‘live’ from my DVR.
Let’s enjoy and cheers to everyone! 🙂
Andrew Miller · January 22, 2012 at 3:42 am
Tomic doesn’t play much like Safin, Nadal, Del Potro, Djokovic or Tsonga, guys who have beaten Federer at slams.
Yep – Federer’s only lost to five players at slams since 2005. Most of the time, those losses were to Nadal. More often these days, they are to Djokovic. On occasion, a Tsonga or a Del Potro.
So where does that leave Tomic? Yeah he has a chance. Good luck, mate!
Andrew Miller · January 22, 2012 at 3:46 am
Sorry, he lost to Berdych too at one Wimbledon. Another power player.
None of the guys Berdych, Nadal, Del Potro, Djokovic, Safin, Tsonga, are really touch players, or guys who wrong foot players, etc and so forth. And Federer, whose footwork is probably better than a bailarina’s, won’t be caught off guard by Tomic. Here’s why.
Andy Murray.
Andy Murray plays the speed it up, slow it down style of play. At slams, Federer’s had Murray’s number.
So, if Tomic is as good as Murray (he’s not there yet) then he might have a shot at Federer on an off day at a slam.
Odds are on Federer. Tomic would win but it would have to be on a Federer injury.
Mitch · January 22, 2012 at 4:26 am
Counter punchers like Murray and Gilles Simon actually seem to be a match up problem for Fed. Outside of Murray’s mental lapses during those slam finals, he’s had Roger’s number.
Steve' · January 22, 2012 at 11:07 am
Fed is looking excellent in his tricky draw.
Andrew Miller · January 22, 2012 at 9:39 pm
Jayita: any chance to comment on Sabine Lisicki vs. Sharapova, or Kvitova – Ivanovic? I know that they aren’t as “high profile” matchups, but I must saw that the new guard on the WTA tour is actually pretty good! I like how they are playing.
Jayita A Belcourt · January 22, 2012 at 11:49 pm
I’m tipping Sharapova against Lisicki although i think this one is going to be a tough fight. Lisicki (ATP ranked #15) is playing some great tennis and so too is Sharapova (ATP ranked #12). The last time the players met was in the semi-finals of Wimbledon last year. Sharapova won convincinly in straight sets. Sharapova has a strong overall game with aggressive groundstokes. Lisicki played well in her last match in the 3rd round against Kuznetsova in a tough three setter. Lisicki can strike the ball well and has a strong serve. I think it’s going to be tough battle, but if Maria can maintain her poise and serves well, I’m tipping it her way.
I’m tipping Kvitova against Ivanovic.. Even though their last 3 matches have all gone Ivanovic’s way, their last encounter was back in 2009 and Kvitova has come along way since then. I just don’t see Ivanovic being strong enough today.
Andrew Miller · January 23, 2012 at 3:39 am
Jayita – expert call on Kvitova! Kvitova looked fierce and even though Ivanovic put up a 2nd set fight, Kvitova seemed pretty prepared for the win. Seems like the conditions must be piping hot – players are seeking the shade!
Will look forward to the Sharapova-Lisicki. Sounds right that Lisicki might not have the firepower to topple Sharapova.
Scoop Malinowski · January 23, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Nice recovery from Kvitova after that easy smash whiff and then Ana won ten straight points. Kvitova got it back together and closed it out in the tiebreaker. Great battle from Ana too.