Last week I ventured over to The Benjamin Hotel on East 50th Street, where John Lloyd was hosting a morning meet and greet, as one of his many US Open events and festivities. On the agenda were to ask him about Facing Guillermo Vilas, his close encounters with Donald Trump and his view of the young Americans.
The three-time major champion (three mixed doubles titles with Wendy Turnbull, 1982 Roland Garros, 1983,1984 Wimbledon) is most impressed by the talented females being produced in America. “In the womens, you’ve got Coco Gauff is unbelievable. Amanda Anisimova I think is fabulous. The women’s US tennis is fantastic. Mens…I’m a big fan of Taylor Fritz. He’s 22. He played on my (World) Team Tennis team this year (Newport Beach). And I think he’s very good. I like Tiafoe. I think he’s another one that’s good. Opelka is very good. There’s a good group of players coming through.”
When asked what he thinks Fritz needs to do to take it to the next level from his current ranking of 28, the 1977 Australian Open singles finalist who reached a career high ranking of 21 in 1978 said, “He just has to get a little better in his defensive mode. He attacks brilliantly, he just has to get a little bit better defending. These days you’ve gotta have a big game but you also – if you look at Federer and Djokovic, they defend so well. They get another ball back in play. Federer is amazing. I think Taylor has to work on that a little bit better. Just defending the game as well as attacking. Get the balance right. But he’s a damn good player.”
Lloyd, winner of one career ATP singles title and two in doubles, likes the mental mindset of Fritz. “He’s a great competitor. Got a great attitude,” said the man who lost to Vitas Gerulaitis in five sets in the Aussie Open final 63 76 57 36 62. “Confident without being cocky. He’s confident in himself but he’s not an asshole. He’s not like an egomaniac. He knows what he wants and he thinks he can do it. Nothing wrong with that.”
Lloyd has served in many capacities in pro tennis. He was a Davis Cup captain for England, a senior Tour player, TV commentator who originated the “overcooked” term, husband of Chris Evert. His best result at Wimbledon was third round in 1973, 1984 and 1985, His best result at US Open was QF in 1984.
John Lloyd · Taylor Fritz · US Open 2019
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« Previous 1 2 3 Next »catherine · August 27, 2019 at 8:00 am
Scoop – why not Connors ? But I’d love to hear thoughts on what exactly a statue of Jimmy would commemorate 🙂
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 9:15 am
Fritz gets the bus. Top thirty seed. Like Querrey, who should never lose to J. Ignacio Londero, especially on a home court. Agassi got beat in first round once and he too gets the bus treatment.
Sock shouldn’t have received any wild card and this proves it, a player’s not supposed to say thanks, pocket the cash, and put in a waste of a performance. How much would Tommy Paul, among others have appreciated that chance?
Compare that with say Eubanks. Eubanks made the most of the wildcard and pushed seed Garin to the limit.
Obviously the person that didn’t deserve the wildcard is Jack Sock. It’s been said before that Sock is a lone wolf or does things his way. His way isn’t working well.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 9:22 am
We can criticize Fritz and praise Feliciano Lopez at the same time. The tape doesn’t lie, Fritz has a complete game and doesn’t play winning tennis. Compare that with Lopez who preferred to live or die out there on the edge of his racquet. That’s courageous tennis.
I’m glad Fritz has worked hard and done well for himself – he looked like the sure thing and then he became nothing, and now he’s fully committed. Good – that’s all good. But where was his killer instinct when Lopez started making his move? How did Fritz adjust to the attacking style and constant pressure?
He didn’t buckle, which is good. He also didn’t hold serve, which is bad.
Holding his serve was critical and he didn’t do that. Feliciano isn’t Murray or Nadal with the world’s best return games.
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2019 at 9:25 am
Sock’s career was started by dozens and dozens of wildcards, someone posted it all on twitter. Sock still getting the pref treatment. He did not deserve this US Open WC. Paul did. Hope Paul uses this blatant disrespect and has an excellent final three months of the year.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 9:27 am
Catherine, Kerber remains an excellent player – she lost at the tail end of three sets, against a player that was ready to upset anyone and liked her chances. Mladenovic is a hard first round match – Kerber would have “lucked out” if she had gotten Bouchard (who played hard) or Sharapova (who always plays hard), and beaten either likely easily.
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2019 at 9:27 am
Michael in the UK, Moutet was absolutely blasting the ball full power, very different from April in Tallahassee, very different. He was dead even with Goffin but just choked it at the end. Fantastic tennis from Moutet in defeat. He will be top ten.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 9:28 am
Sakkari Giorgi? What happened! 6-0 6-1.
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2019 at 9:32 am
Catherine, Connors should have had a stadium named after him. His legend is probably the most symbolic of the US Open and in particular his run in 1990 to SF at age 39 is probably the most signature moment of US Open history. Ashe Stadium really is the house that Jimbo built. Jimbo deserves to be recognized and tributed in some way at US Open. The media does not lionize and glorify him like they do Billie Jean King but his contributions to growing tennis are possibly greater and more influential than BJK. Yes BJK getting equal prize money and starting the women’s tour was major achievement but Jimmy’s popularity, charisma and achievements were also major positives for the sport.
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2019 at 9:43 am
Maybe Giorgi was still tired from the Bronx final on Saturday, which was a marathon loss to Magda Linette. Just like Hurkacz was tired yesterday vs Chardy losing in 5 sets though I did see the fifth and Chardy played superb tennis, missing one shot, hitting lines and making every volley. Hubert needed another day of rest. Looked fatigued. By the way, Saturday was a historic day for Poland tennis, Linette won Bronx, Hurkacz won Winston Salem and Kubot/Melo won Winston Salem doubles, three Polish titles in one day, a historic first.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 9:45 am
De Minaur finds passing shots somehow, he threads the needle when least expected. Shows a nice defense to offense capability. Good player to watch for sure, you get your $ worth. I consider him Medvedev Light!
Harold · August 27, 2019 at 9:48 am
Connors was an either, love him or hate him guy. Those people don’t get Stadiums named after them. Once JMac came along, Connors wasn’t the NY favorite until his run at 39. Saw tons of his USO matches in the 70’s, and 80’s, lots of NYers thought he was an A hole.
Comparing Fritz run in 250’s to Medvedev run in Masters is a joke. Roads are totally different. He’s 22, time to start making runs at Majors, especially your Major. Gilbert is right. Opelka is the one who might be top 5. Fritz, Tiafoe, and Paul( I don’t see what you guys see) should have the Steve Johnson career.
Harold · August 27, 2019 at 9:54 am
Giorgi, and Hurkacz prove that the people running Tennis are clueless. Here are pros supporting an event the week before a Major, they win it, and you screw them by sending them out on Opening day.
They need to have an agreement that all 4 finalists in the tourney prior to the Major get an extra day. The daily schedule was out so early this year..Guess they had to tell the public when little Coco was gonna be in Ashe, so the hype can start
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 9:55 am
Notable: Dzumhur, king of challengers, wins. Chardy ousts Winston Salem winner Hurkasz in five (I thought Hurkasz might have a let down after WS and his final with Paire, and he did). Coric wins in straights. TP favorite from years past Vesely sunk in five by Berankis, nice to see both of them put on a show, a four hour plus show!!! Carreno Busta keeps busting up opponents, and lives up to his billing as JC Ferrero light!
catherine · August 27, 2019 at 10:19 am
Andrew – yes of course Angie’s still a pretty good player but she hasn’t done well the second half of this season and she gets easily undermined mentally when things don’t go her way. So I think she really needs a good coach’s voice in her ear. Those third set losses are becoming her trademark.
(Fisette told a story about Angie practising at the
FO last year (when she did ok) and he was surprised to see her trying to hit a winner off the 2nd ball in a rally. That’s how her mind works sometimes.)
Re Coco G hype – from pictures I’ve seen she looks to me as if she’s over-training for a 15 year old.
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2019 at 10:37 am
Well said Harold, Hurkacz and Giorgi were treated unfairly and deserved better. Lil Coco will break the all time wildcard record if she needs them but my guess is she won’t need them.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 10:38 am
re Coco G., we’ve seen this before…let’s see how she does. As of this moment there are better US women’s players in the draw, many that did very well yesterday, and who generally put the US men’s players to shame (an assessment that also held up pretty well for yesterday, where the lower ranked players from the US outperformed and the higher ranked men’s players crashed out).
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2019 at 10:43 am
Berankis vs Vesely was the last match I saw before leaving last night, late night matches on the outer courts is one of the best parts of first week tennis. Vesely was in control, but somehow Berankis got back into it won the second and the fifth. It was somewhat heated, Vesely yelling and on the way to changeover sit Berankis glared at Vesely who did not return the eye contact. Good win for the man formerly known as Richard than Ricardis then back to Richard again, he has not done anything memorable in a couple of years, so important win for him. Next to them was Quiang Wang beating Dolehide 64 64. Want served it out and was at 40-love then blew three match points for deuce but ended up winning that final game. Then no reaction by her and stoic business signing for the Chinese who always swarm their players. Dolehide could give Morgana the kissing bandit a ride for her money. Doubt anyone will get this reference 🙂
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 10:44 am
Much as Harold is the voice of reason, players were looking for a buck in Winston Salem and paid the price this week. That’s on the player. If they prioritised the US open on their calendar (see Nadal’s decision to be injured in Cincinatti) then they would have been fine yesterday and possibly still have lost.
As for Giorgi I’m not sure this isn’t surprising. She made the treck all the way from her NYC hotel room to the US Open after competing the whole week…in the same city. A 6-1 6-0 performance is awful. Sakkari is good but not 6-1 6-0 good.
Greed works both ways. And if anyone asks Hurkasz hey was it better to play Winston Salem and then the US Open and lose? He’d probably say of course, won my first title …that doesn’t happen every day, and I’ll play some dubs and collect an extra USD $17K if I lose in addition to the sweet $58K I just won for losing first round and maybe I’ll enter mixed and grab another bundle of cash, fire my coach so I don’t have to pay him, and live large until the indoor season…
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2019 at 10:46 am
Sinner gave Stan a battle and showed he can slug it out with the big boys, more experience and respect for Sinner despite the loss. Italians are charing up the rankings and in abundance in the draws here, because I am told there are a plethora of Futures and Challengers held in Italy, giving Italians a lot of opportunity to get points and upward ranking movement.
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2019 at 10:52 am
There is no doubt now it’s Reilly Opelka who is the leader of the American Next Generation and he is on track to be better than Isner, possibly a lot better. He has beaten Isner three times this year and he’s progressed far more as a player than Isner, moves better, hits harder, goes for winners.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 10:59 am
With any luck Sinn. will equal Dzumhur…
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 11:04 am
When Opelka gets a slam QF we’ll talk about how much “better” he is than Isner. This 2nd round is best he’s ever done…and he has a third Rd of Wimbledon which of course makes him…please.
We have to throw cold water on all of this. This feels more and more like the 1986 ATP finals with commentators talking about how Wittsken is on the rise and Mayotte is hanging in there. That means that the better US players on the men’s side aren’t getting attention.
I don’t think their names are Fritz, Tiafoe, Opelka, Paul. And in 1986 they had no idea Chang, Sampras, Courier and Agassi were about to change everything.
Harold · August 27, 2019 at 11:09 am
Looking for ranking points as much as money.
Hurkacz will probably not defend his title next year now. Unless they cough up a big appearance fee..
The Tours, and the ITF, have to have an agreement giving the 4 finalists in the tourney the week before a Major some rest…
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2019 at 11:14 am
Hurkacz does not sell any tickets in America or Winston Salem yet, but he could win a major and of course that changes everything, the Poles will come out of the woodwork to support and cheer Hubert, The Polish sports fan base in America and the world is huge as the boxer Andrew Golota showed, he was a major sports attraction in America in the 90s and 2000s and his draw power in Poland was massive, one of his fights in Poland drew bigger TV ratings than the Pope’s visit TV ratings.
Harold · August 27, 2019 at 11:14 am
That group was 15, and 16 in 86..nobody knew except maybe Nick B, and Pete Fischer how good that group were going to be.
Mayotte had a great two years..There were tons of Americans in the early 80’s that were hyped to death..Theyre all at some club in Malibu,or Newport Beach, saying “ turn, racquet back, good” 8 times a day, or coaching College tennis
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 11:22 am
I like Mayotte a lot, so too Brad Gilbert. But what was interesting about the commentators is they actually called it then and there – one announced asked “is there anyone coming up like Becker, any generation that will be like a Becker or a McEnroe”, and the other commentator looked at the rankings and said, “no”. He said they were all nice players (looking at the top fifty) and mentioned how BG did well to make the ATP finals (and beat Becker, all of age 19).
But he called it correctly. As far as anyone could tell there WASN’T any up and coming player to go big at slams.
That super generation of fifteen year Olds was coming up quick, like a sneak attack on the top fifty. No one saw them coming. Harold’s totally right
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 11:34 am
Hurkacz the great one…nah. Can’t lose first round like that. At least he played hard against Chardy, who on the right day can make a run…to the second or third round.
We can’t hand out trophies for first round losses. I remember thinking wow look at how well Gimelstob competed against Krajicek here in round 2 at US Open in 1995, he must really be that good as a teenager…he beat a top hundred player in Rd 1 and sure he lost in straights to Krajicek but he competed fiercely and will be one to watch…
Gimelstob, folks. He didn’t become a superior player to his high school best.
Also coached by David Nainkin. Nainkin sounds like he specializes in getting players to play their game. And they play it…
Harold · August 27, 2019 at 11:45 am
You have to remember the monumental change in the game of tennis in the early 80’s. The switch from Wood to graphite. 14 and 15 year olds probably had to trash a style they were playing to deal with the change. People were finessing the oversized graphites in the beginning. The big hitters didnt come until 85. Connors fought the switch as long as he could. Borg tried coming back with Wood when graphite was available. Mayotte’s era was short lived by the new ability to stay back and hit passing shots by youngsters that had newfound power. Lendl pretty much the only guy who could go toe to toe with the new power.
So the mid 80’s is a weird generation to judge. Transition to graphite might have turned careers around. Serve and volley get harder
Harold · August 27, 2019 at 11:54 am
Billy Martin the coach at UCLA was a hyped junior. Al Parker, whose claim to fame ended up being, dating Tracy Austin( pre instagram, Jeff)
In the 80’s some Americans would get to the teens in the ranking then never be able to defend those points. Annacone, Fleming..
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2019 at 12:01 pm
Apparently both McEnroes are coming under fire for their lack of respect last night for Sumit Nagal, Billy Heiser the coach of Riske and others have complained that the Macs did not show Nagal enough respect, anybody like to dispute these charges or agree?
Harold · August 27, 2019 at 12:10 pm
Gilbert caught some grief on Twitter for saying Nagal will hover in the 100’s( dont quote me). He corrected his tweet pretty fast.
I dont think they were unfair. Fed did go off the boil( Fred Stolle come back) after getting up a break, and blowing the first set. Think he got pissed seeing Pammy interviewing Baldwin at 4-4 in the first and got broken. After that Fed turned it on, Nagal played ok, hit some great passes, and fought well. Had break points in the sets he lost. Hes better than Rubin imo, same size.
Riske married into the Armitraj family..just saying she might be looking too hard.
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2019 at 12:35 pm
Fratangelo is another lower ranked player who was offended by the commentary. Maybe they are just overly sensitive being journeyman struggling and take offense to any perceived slight. Or maybe they do feel it’s kind of beneath them to commentate on a one sided Fed vs qualifier match after witnessing so many of the greatest matches of the decade. Fratangelo was annoyed also when McEnroe called Lloyd Harris a journeyman type player and the South African is only 22.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 12:41 pm
Where’s the love for Gunneswaran? Because…ok, we have to stop this dead in the tracks. Players don’t get trophies for first round losses. And losing these straight sets whether you’re Svajda on the losing end of a five setter or whether your Natal after Federer figured out how to send you home or Gunneswaran who lost in…three straight sets to Medvedev with a few nice lefty shots does not matter.
I don’t care what Asian market tennis is pitching to tournaments don’t hand out trophies to players that will not even have the career of Devvarman let alone the great Vijay or doubles superman Leander Paes and don’t even get me started …
Gunneswaran is top hundred, Ramanathan and Nagal are top two hundred. Yuki Bhambri of past top hundred fame is now tied at number 966.
This is a dumb argument of no love for Nagal. If his name had a d instead of a g we’d be talking.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 12:45 pm
re Nagal as someone once said: if you can’t win based on the rules of the sport you complain.
Sorry I’m not going to praise Nagal for his glorious defeat. And Nagal himself should know better – if his camp really wants to do something special they can improve on his top two hundred ranking.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 12:49 pm
Fratangelo Fratangelo…tough sport. Harris has had an OK year, good on him for being too hundred right on the dot.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Harold that’s a great point on the wood to every other material racquet transition.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 12:53 pm
Lack of respect for Nagal. C’mon. Players earn respect – Federer “respected” his game so much he won three straight sets.
Harold · August 27, 2019 at 12:58 pm
PMac told us Nagals 2019 travel. All over the world for Challengers. His airfares have to be way more than the 37,000 hes made in tourn. earnings. They were making fun of the destinations, not Nagal
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Tsitsipas and Rublev seems like a solid match, splitting first two sets. Ostapenko makes round two, shock!
Jeff · August 27, 2019 at 1:14 pm
Correct Andrew. These players are on the Challenger circuit for a reason. Sure they can win a set here or there but that doesn’t mean much. I am sure an NCAA player could take an odd set from a pro as well.
Natal was making his Slam debut. Let’s see where his career goes. My guess is nowhere since as you say the Indian players can barely crack the top 100. It is silly to try to paint this as some breakthrough for Asian player.
I wouldn’t pay attention to Riske on her Twitter. Some crazed feminazi opinions there.
Interesting that Zverev joins Federer’s management team and now has a Twitter. He probably thinks social media rather than Slam trophies is the way to popularity.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 1:27 pm
I get worried when players confuse press coverage for results in the sport. Ryan Harrison took it personally and had staked out a position as defender of US men’s tennis to any and all reporters when he should have said no comment and been working on his game.
Isner was asked repeatedly hey how is this for US tennis and he said honestly I’m out here winning for myself, if that’s good for US tennis, great.
Harrison “had a bad string of events” where he drew seeds. So what? Bad luck…or bad job winning other kinds of events so that you have a higher rankings and don’t have to face the top seed every tournament?
At some point a player sees the light. Maybe it’s when their bank account is flashing red. Or they realise they’re not getting the Davis Cup nod. Or they have to compete for a wildcard based on tournament results rather than any other criteria. Reality knocks at the door eventually.
catherine · August 27, 2019 at 1:33 pm
Riske bt Muguruza – Garbine will be qualifying soon.
Petko advances (over Buz) and her reward is Kvitova in the next round.
Julia G did her usual 3 set Houdini act. Julia loves to make life hard for herself.
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2019 at 1:38 pm
Nagal earned his ranking, qualified and did better yesterday than Sock who came in out of shape, with a free pass wildcard and lost all three sets to Cuevas. Nagal should have been saluted for his dedication and perseverance and hard work to get to play Federer in the biggest court in the world. One guy had a career wildcarded to him, the other traveled all over the world on his own dime and probably never got a WC in his life. And now Nagal is on the edge of the top 100 or will be soon.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 1:41 pm
Muguruza…a nose ahead of Ostapenko for worst WTA champ of last four years. Not because she’s not excellent when she’s playing well – her heart’s barely in her matches. Hopefully Kuznetsova doesn’t make me eat my words!
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 1:41 pm
Nagal, here’s a trophy for qualifying.
Jeff · August 27, 2019 at 1:44 pm
Yeah it’s gotta to be a strange feeling for a guy like Natal to know that is the biggest moment of his career. It won’t get any bigger.
Golly Mugs is bad. Terrible loss.
Kerber insists coaching isn’t her issue. I do like her new A symbol though I question how many people will really buy it.
Andrew Miller · August 27, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Nagal isn’t on edge of top 100. He’s 190. Depending on his schedule next few weeks he can go spiralling past 200 or continue his climb towards the safer triple digits.
It would be great a year from now to see him either qualify again or get direct entry into the main draw.
He did well to qualify. Where he goes from here on out, depends on how much he wins from here on out.
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2019 at 2:12 pm
Nagal will be top 100 and that is a guarantee. Tsitsipas in a battle with Rublev. He has won three matches since losing to Felix at Queens including three first round exits.
catherine · August 27, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Jeff – where does Kerber say coaching isn’t her issue ? Didn’t pick that up in her press conference. If that isn’t her issue I wish she’d tell us what is.
Harold · August 27, 2019 at 2:48 pm
Giorgi getting some bad press
https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/us-open-camila-giorgi-delivers-bizarre-handshake-shove/news-story/6f370a3c19f88ae938a9d796afc16abc