We knew nobody would outplay and outdefend Novak Djokovic because nobody in the history of tennis plays that brand of tennis than the dominant Super Serbian. We knew it would be power tennis which would eventually slay Djokovic and now we have seen it happen twice this summer with Sam Querrey and last night Juan Delpo Del Potro smashed Djokovic 76 76 at the Olympics in Rio. Djokovic was playing perfect tennis but it was not enough to beat the astonishing display by Delpo who had the upper hand in the power department and continually unleashed the knockout forehands which left poor Djokovic and all onlookers of this match in absolute awe. No one can say for sure but it was arguably one of the greatest performances in the history of tennis. It was so incredible that both players openly wept on the court after the match. Have you ever seen that happen before? Both players gave it everything they had but only one man could win and that was Del Potro who looked as unbeatable as any player ever did. And now we have to wonder if the loss to Querrey has sparked a large pool of players to now believe that they too – like Querrey – can blast Djokovic off the court? (Artwork by Andres Bella)
No tags
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1 2 Next »Dan Markowitz · August 8, 2016 at 8:42 am
Stunning defeat! And you wonder if Djoko will be able to recover for Open. But he recovered after Wimby loss by winning Toronto without dropping a set! The big question still remains: who’s stepping up to beat Djoko? Certainly there’s Murray now, but no one else (could Delpo even win 7 matches in a slam anymore?) has stepped up and Fed, Wawa, Tsonga all looked like they’ve stepped down.
Scoop Malinowski · August 8, 2016 at 9:38 am
Kyrgios has the power to do it – Rosol possibly if he’s in the zone – Rafa looks like he’s lost his upper body heft – I think it will be the power striking that will eventually befall Djokovic – perhaps Fritz will have that kind of power when he’s physically fully developed at around age 22 or so –
Scoop Malinowski · August 8, 2016 at 9:40 am
But Del Potro is a different player at the OLY – he is extra inspired by the OLY for whatever reason – Delpo has said he values his OLY bronze over his US Open title which was very surprising to hear – Delpo will be tough to beat now – He looked unbeeatable – and his backhand looks as good as ever despite how average it looked earlier this year with the lost range of flexibility in the wrist which has endured three surgeries but the wrist looks perfect now –
jg · August 8, 2016 at 9:58 am
And his slice has improved as a result of being forced to use it more.
Scoop Malinowski · August 8, 2016 at 10:06 am
jg: Delpo’s slice was totally reliable as I didn’t see any errors with it – I still can’t believe how well he played – It’s interesting that Djokovic inspires players like Fed Stan Querrey Delpo and Rafa to play such awe-inspiring tennis – Djokovic inspires –
Andrew Miller · August 8, 2016 at 10:16 am
Power players can bully Djokovic. I think Djoko needs to recharge the batteries. His chances at the U.S. Open have gone down modestly.
He’s only human. Maybe they didn’t have the oxygen pods in Rio.
I find it hard to pick against the Djokovic juggernaut. I thought he’d slow down a little bit after the emotional French Open victory – I mean, that was a ridiculous victory – one of a few guys to win all four, matching Federer, Nadal, Agassi, Laver.
But maybe this gives him the time off he needs. I’m sure he’ll roll into Cincinatti and win it, then enter US Open as the favorite.
Andrew Miller · August 8, 2016 at 10:19 am
As for Del Potro, a huge victory. At least Djokovic has a bronze medal. Maybe Djokovic will be inspired in doubles. He has a tough match against Soares and Melo. I expect Soares and Melo to win it and Djokovic to go back to Monte Carlo.
But Djokovic may be like, I need a gold medal.
Scoop Malinowski · August 8, 2016 at 4:02 pm
Djokovic played his typically superb brand of tennis but Delpo was out of this world incredible – Delpo pulled a Wawrinka – it wasn’t like Djokovic was flat or off or took Delpo lightly – it’s that Delpo played tennis from another universe – Delpo played so spectacularly incredible last night I don’t think any great of the history books would have beaten the Tower of Tandil last night – that was unbeatable tennis –
Scoop Malinowski · August 8, 2016 at 4:04 pm
Andrew: Djokovic has no bronze medal – he lost the bronze to Delpo in London – Gonna be very tough to beat the Brazilians Soares and melo in Brazil – I’d rate the Brazilians as heavy favorites to beat Djokovic Zimonjic – heavy favorites – The loss last night to Delpo probably assures that Djokovic will probably never win an OLY medal –
Jg · August 8, 2016 at 7:11 pm
I’m sorry but why do these player in the olympics have their regular coaches, Serena has her French coach and she’s playing a French player, this isn’t a regular tournament, same with Becker last night, what if djoker was playing Zerev. I know the US Olympic teams employ foreign coaches, but this just seems strange, why not have Courier and Fernandez coach.
Jg · August 8, 2016 at 7:17 pm
Would also like to see in court coaching for the olympics
Jg · August 8, 2016 at 7:23 pm
Or give a college coach like Paul Goldstein a chance at coaching, it’s the olympics not the us open, there is no prize money involved, I don’t think a different coach would “ruin” a player for one tournament.
Andrew Miller · August 8, 2016 at 8:29 pm
Scoop, Djokovic has a bronze. See: Beijing 2008.
catherine bell · August 9, 2016 at 4:02 am
I heard Djokovic is skipping Cincy. Good decision if true.
Scoop Malinowski · August 9, 2016 at 8:46 am
You’re right Andrew- I forgot that –
Scoop Malinowski · August 9, 2016 at 8:49 am
Goldstein would be a fine coach if he wanted to or he could find a player who requested his service but I think he’s pretty busy heading the Stanford ship – I don’t like the on court coaching it all seems like a useless charade – most of the time the coach comes out and quacks a bunch of cliches and the player looks like she is barely listening if listening at all – the sometimes the player vents on the poor coach like Garbine blasting Sumyk with: “Tell me something I don’t know” – it all takes away from the glory of the one on one battle –
jg · August 9, 2016 at 9:54 am
yea, but Becker in the stands “coaching” Djoker in the Olympics is ridiculous, same with Serena’s coach–those coaches should have stayed home or met their players at the next tour spot. Is Lendl there for Murray?
catherine bell · August 9, 2016 at 10:33 am
Scoop – totally with you about on-court coaching. WTA would make one of their few sensible decisions if it was got rid of. As you suggest, useless or embarassing or both. 99% of the time the player knows what she has to do and is just not doing it.
(Was it Dan commented on Darren C going on at Simona in Montreal to be more aggressive and Simona just ignoring him and it turned out later she was simply too tired to be aggressive so that wasn’t much use.)
Scoop Malinowski · August 9, 2016 at 5:25 pm
Becker is Djokovic’s buddy – top players are very lonely and need good company – they are also freaks who need to be around similar ilk – Djokovic is a greater player than Becker ever was – I would guess the relation is more friend than business/coaching – And I would guess that is the way it is with most coaching situations – Andy and Lendl included –
Scoop Malinowski · August 9, 2016 at 5:38 pm
Catherine: The coaching is a silly unnecessary gimmick – it’s awkward and unnatural for the true spirit of the sport – but it does offer some interesting drama such as seeing a player verbally rip her coach like muguruza did to sumyk was embarrassing but also funny to see –
Dan markowitz · August 10, 2016 at 6:56 am
What is it w Sock? The guy cannot win in singles. Yes he had the miraculous comeback win in first round of Davis Cup versus Cilic, but the he loses in fifth rubber match to Coric. Then he goes to Rio and he looses first round to Taro Daniel! I know he said he had walking pneumonia, but how does he make do led semis w SteveJo shortly afterward? Sock just can’t seem to breakthrough at a big event in singles.
Geez NY Empire are 2-6 in WTT. They even lost when Roddick played for them last night. Christina McHale lost 5-0 to Madison Brengle. Not a good debut for PMac at the coaching helm. They should get rid of WTT. Tennis isn’t a team sport and no one cares when the players are basically unknowns.
Scoop Malinowski · August 10, 2016 at 9:10 am
mchale got trounced in like every singles match she played -the WTT email all the scores – the crowds at the Forest Hills stadium that I saw on twitter photos looked very weak – about as bad as a Hillery rally- frankly it’s surprising the WTT is still a viable operation – the mainstay teams in Binghamton and the Boston Lobsters are now extinct – Philly and Washington and the Southern Cal teams seem to be doing well or okay – I think the WTT surviving all these years is a great credit to the hard work and dedication of BJK – The fact that the WTT is still alive is what I consider a tennis miracle – Well done and credit to the WTT and BJK –
Scoop Malinowski · August 10, 2016 at 9:15 am
Sock said he is going to now concentrate on singles and lighten his doubles load – perhaps that will be the correct remedy to get Sock over the hump in singles where he has not achieved like we all expect – Sock is just one of those quirky players who can play brilliant devastating tennis but he is also capable of plenty of dud performances that leave you wondering: Is this the same guy we saw play so great the other day or last week? Rios Hrbaty Sloane Dolgopolov Paire are other talented players who are curiously inconsistent and unpredictable so Sock has plenty of company – I still expect a Sock singles explosion and the best is still to come —
Andrew Miller · August 10, 2016 at 10:18 am
Sock will be fine. U.S. peer pressure works wonders.
Andrew Miller · August 10, 2016 at 10:28 am
Two players to cheer: Big Fo and Monica Puig. Tiafoe won Granby (and how about that, against a player from El Salvador! Arevalo. That’s not something you see every day). Puig topped Muguruza at the Olympics.
Muguruza has been playng awful ball since her French Open v. Somehow these first time slam champs are playing tournaments as if they just won one huge match and then lose the next round – they win slams and then slump in regular tournaments.
You begin to see that folks like Kvitova are actually the rule not the exception. We’ll see a great performance for one tournament and then they are like, shoot, what’s next?
One reason I like Kerber. She must be playing for something other than just one big event – she wants to do it again. We cheer for Serena Williams for this reason, because of awesome performance for more than one sitting.
Andrew Miller · August 10, 2016 at 10:31 am
Scoop, one thing I love about tennis tournaments is that sometimes, on the outer courts, I’ll be one of just a few people there and it turns out to be awesome. Players don’t need stands filled – I saw that watching Johnson and Sock play doubles against Melo and Soares. Maybe 10 people in a pretty large stadium. And they STILL put on a heck of a show!
Best dubs match I’ve seen since I saw Fed play a dubs match some time back, pre Great fed days in 2003. Even then he was unreal. And there was hardly anyone in the stands in Miami that day either.
Thankfully the pros play for more than just full stadiums. If they don’t, don’t expect them to be great pros.
Andrew Miller · August 10, 2016 at 10:36 am
There you go, Arevalo is first El Salvadoran player in history to play in a slam when he played Wimbledon dubs. He and his brother are the Davis Cup team in El Salvador. Yet another reason I love tennis.
Some of these guys are the best players their countries have EVER had – ever, in history. Tiafoe may have polished him off in Granby, but the fact he was even there (and battled through the tougher side of the draw), I mean that’s just amazing.
catherine bell · August 10, 2016 at 1:20 pm
Andrew –
And then there are the players who win the routine tournaments, get carried away by their awesome victories and then flop in the big events, as though they don’t know what really makes a champion – one GS title after another – no let up and no spurious ranking.
Dan Markowitz · August 10, 2016 at 1:38 pm
What’s happened to Golubev? Saw that guy beat Dustin Brown a couple of years ago and he has one of the best one handers, but he’s doing dreadfully in the USA/Can Challengers. Brydan Klein just beat him 2 and 3.
That is a pretty amazing stat that no player has ever won two Olympic gold medals. Now Murray and Nadal both have opportunity. Do you think it’s possible Murray will now overtake Djoko? Is there anyone out there who thinks in next three years, Murray and Djoko’s relative peak years left, that Muzz will win more slams than Djoko?
I still go with Djoko. I say through 2019, Djoko wins 6 more slams to beat Fed and Murray wins 4. That leave only 3 slams left for anyone else.
Andrew Miller · August 10, 2016 at 2:09 pm
catherine, that’s true. A few guys in the u.s. have been called the “kings of the challengers” because, even if they went toe to toe with the top players on the occasions they did, they made zero headway in most events with more points. Basically, they enjoyed being kings of the challengers. For better or worse that’s where they put their chips (however unintentionally).
Again we have to keep in mind a lot of players don’t have the best coaching and don’t have that voice in their ear saying hey, you have a game and you should use it, or make this adjustment on your return of serve and see your break points in your favor mount up. Change is hard and it’s even harder – even micro-changes or “easy to do” things – when no one’s assuming that role.
It’s amazing Fish even got where he got. That’s why I like it when players reach their potential. Everyone else knows the talent, sees it, says hey if only so and so would step in on their serve – and it’s quite another thing for the player to take that up, practice it, make it part of their game. I think on Fish’s end it took (a) love & a dedicated spouse who motivated him on the diet and exercise/prep end, (b) a journalist who confronted him and say hey you’re a journeyman (c) a coach who said we’re going to get this done, get you in the top 10 for the first time in your life.
All of that really took place.
So a lot of players, probably could be even better with the right voice in their ear, training, approach on the court, etc. But delivering on that’s another matter, it requires a lot more. Acknowledging it, adopting it, making it part of their games. You can get the horse to water fine. The rest of it may not happen.
Andrew Miller · August 10, 2016 at 2:10 pm
Dan you have a lot of faith in Djokovic. No I don’t think Murray will “catch” Djokovic. I think he has it in him to gold medal it again and to add to his slam count especially with Lendl in his court.
Lendl makes Murray super Murray. Without Lendl he is “outstanding Murray” and “confounding Murray”. With him Murray is a performer.
Andrew Miller · August 10, 2016 at 2:13 pm
catherine that’s true. There’s probably few differences in mentality between the challenger champion, the small tournaments only winner, and the best in my country player. All of them already have achieved something that they see as substantial – why change that? We could even put a name on it,
“PRE RAONIC CANADA”
Scoop Malinowski · August 10, 2016 at 5:40 pm
I aw Arevalo play dubs at Sarasota or Tallahassee Challenger on the LS and he was very good – not surprised at all that he’s rising now – Doubles success is once again the springboard —
Dan Markowitz · August 10, 2016 at 7:25 pm
Please, if doubles success is the springboard to singles success how come Sock has floundered and a guy like Stepanek only reverted to doubles once his singles prowess dropped?
Scoop Malinowski · August 10, 2016 at 7:46 pm
Stepanek never gave up on singles but his doubles services are often requested by top doubles players -Sock is unique – his day will arrive – I have no doubt – see greatness in Sock – still developing –
Dan Markowitz · August 10, 2016 at 8:08 pm
Roddick looked pretty heavy in the little I saw in his match against Robert. Also, he is slicing his backhand much more. He even tried to pass Robert with his backhand slice. Shows you when your skills erode, they erode pretty quickly even though Roddick runs roughshod in the Power Shares Seniors.
Andrew Miller · August 11, 2016 at 10:34 am
Dan, dubs success can boost an already very good singles player. It’s the confidence tank. If you get a win in one area it transfers over to the other. Why? Because you’re doing something right as a player.
I’m not saying hey if you focus exclusively on doubles you’ll be the best singles player in history. Obviously that isn’t the case. But if you are say Mardy Fish, and you’ve had a good year, and then you play a relegation match for Davis Cup in, I don’t know, a country like Colombia, and because one of the Bryans is out you play doubles also and, just by chance, happen to win the day as well as the whole tie the next day – well, your doubles win was the winning point.
You take that as Mardy Fish, enter the next year, and by the end of the year you’re at your highest ever ranking.
That actually happened.
Not making this stuff up. Players get their confidence in places you’d think they wouldn’t.
Lloyd Carroll going after Fish.
Fish having to step in because Blake and Roddick opt out of Davis Cup.
A supportive home life.
Dependable practice partners.
Coaches that lead with a player’s strengths and give them new weapons from parts of their game.
And, CONFIDENCE.
Really, what separates any guy from another on tour? So much of it comes down to confidence that has a lot behind it. If you work your bleep off and don’t get wins somewhere, you’re going to leave the tour. A doubles win might be the fuse, or a reporter calling you a journeyman, or a girlfriend who says hey, you better not quit the tour, etc – their motivation comes from lots of places.
Doubles is one place that provides it to players sometimes. If you’re sloppy, like some up and coming players I’ve seen, in singles, you’re going to be sloppy in doubles. That kind of shift requires effort. But if you’re doing a lot of things right, you do need some place to spark your rise. You can get it in doubles.
Andrew Miller · August 11, 2016 at 10:36 am
Agree with Scoop re Sock. We haven’t seen his best yet, this isn’t peak Sock. But his backhand will always undermine him – who cares if he gets a slam semifinal.
He can be a slam semifinalist with an awful backhand. It happens.
Dan markowitz · August 11, 2016 at 12:40 pm
I don’t know what you guys are talking about! Sock’s not making ever a slam semis. Fritz might not Sock. I like Tiafoe’s chances of making slam semis over Sock. If Sock reaches slam semis I’ll walk across USO plaza in nothing but a pink thong.
Andrew Miller · August 13, 2016 at 2:34 pm
Kozlov-Dzumhur in the Cincy qualies. Plus a lot more. This is a good match for the Koz-and for the under-rated Dzumhur, who I think is probably king of the challengers. His name is always there at the end of challengers in Europe and North Africa.
Andrew Miller · August 13, 2016 at 2:34 pm
How about Monica Puig for the gold! Could happen – though I think Kerber has something to say about this.
Andrew Miller · August 13, 2016 at 6:53 pm
Monica Puig wins Puerto ricos first gold medal. Wow.
Andrew Miller · August 13, 2016 at 7:58 pm
Calling it for Delpo against Murray. Delpo for the gold, my prediction. The guy is playing for legacy.
Scoop Malinowski · August 13, 2016 at 8:13 pm
Dan now where you will get your ping thong? Sock can absoutely do it. China is great everyone. Love it here. So clean and modern and so much growth. We flew out to Xixing about four hours west and north of Shanghai and we literally saw hundreds of giant buidings being built. so much growth here. Amazing to see. Will go to the Shanghai arena where they play the ATP event when return to Shanghai. Can’t believe Puig won gold. Amazing things always happen in the OLY.
Scoop Malinowski · August 13, 2016 at 8:17 pm
Gaudio got his confidence when the crowd started doing the wave at the Garros final and he suddenly turned into Super Gaston and relaxed and beat Coria from two sets down. Confidence can originate from anywhere. If you are smart and receptive you can manufacture confidence from any energy source. not easy though.
catherine bell · August 14, 2016 at 3:11 am
I wonder how many of those players who pulled out of Rio citing health scares are now having regrets – a few I imagine although I bet none will admit it. 🙂
Dan Markowitz · August 14, 2016 at 6:15 am
I have to admit, Ryan who posts on this site from time to time, texted me to watch Puig play (even though I was watching Spain v Lithuania in basketball) and I was very impressed by Puig. She can really strike the ball; reminded me in her flowing style of Evonne Goolagong, and maybe a little in her looks too. Goolagong always had the tan too.
Kerber is not my favorite player to watch, too defensive, seems to re-direct the ball rather than strike it. So this is what women’s tennis has over men’s, in that the men there is a surprise, a big one, in Del Po reaching the finals, but not really because we all know he’s a great player, but for Monica Puig to win gold in the Olympics is quite extraordinary.
One more note, I will be out at the Open–as I always am–on the first day of Qualis, Tues. Aug 23. If anyone wants to engage me in any discussion regarding women’s tennis, the state of Stefan Kozlov compared to Noah Rubin, why Johnny Mac would beat Serena, I will be the one wearing the pink thong. Doesn’t everyone have a pink thong?
catherine bell · August 14, 2016 at 7:36 am
Dan – Evonne always ‘had the tan’ because she was mixed race. I hope that’s what you meant. 🙂
(can’t really see the resemblance in looks to Puig though)
For me – no one has ever played like Evonne. Her supreme backhand, the way she just floated, off the front of her feet, that maddening insouciance that you found yourself just smiling at….the way she won 2 Wimbledon’s 9 years apart….
Players like her couldn’t exist today – our loss.
BTW Centre Court in Rio was named for Maria Bueno – Brazil’s only W’don champion and another player of flowing grace. Doubt if many spectators this year would remember sho she was.
Andrew Miller · August 14, 2016 at 9:47 am
Dan likes Puig! Awesome! How about Karlovic and his second title on the year over FLopez?! Yes I agree guys like Raonic look like Chumps Capital C
Thomas Tung · August 14, 2016 at 12:45 pm
Bueno, I believe, still makes it to the US Open each year. She gets some attention, but only from those who know who she is (admittedly, I don’t even remember what she looks like nowadays, so I wouldn’t recognize her if I saw her). There was a brief interview with her on TV in one of the luxury boxes at Arthur Ashe a year or two ago.
Evonne was one of those greats who would go on a mental “walkabout”, as the press termed it, from time to time — she couldn’t summon up incredible tennis on immediate demand, but when she let it flow, it was wonderful to watch.