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Aug/19

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When Will Novak Djokovic Overthrow Roger Federer As The GOAT?

There’s little doubt that Roger Federer is the ‘Greatest of All-Time’ (G.O.A.T) when it comes to men’s singles tennis. The Swiss Maestro has a record 20 Grand Slam titles, including eight victories at Wimbledon, six at the Australian Open and five at Flushing Meadows. Spaniard Rafael Nadal may sit two behind him, with 18 Grand Slam titles but undoubtedly, the one to watch is Novak Djokovic who is two behind him, on 16.

The Super Serb has already won two of the three Grand Slams in men’s singles tennis this year, with victory at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Can he make it a hat-trick and retain the US Open title? The bookies seem to think so, with Djokovic the outright favourite and online, you can find the US Open tennis best odds. At the age of 32, Djokovic has age on his side and if he stays injury-free, there’s no reason why he can’t carry on playing until he’s 38 like Federer. Former World number 4 and two-time French Open runner-up Robin Soderling seems to think so, too.

Grand Slam success

Excluding 2017, when an elbow injury plagued his season, every year since 2011, Djokovic has won at least one Grand Slam title. 2011 and 2015 saw him come agonisingly close to winning all four major titles in a calendar year – with defeat in the semi-finals of the French Open in 2011 and losing the 2015 Wimbledon final to Stan Wawrinka.

On average, Djokovic wins two Grand Slams a year; more recently, the Australian and French Opens in 2016, and Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018. With this in mind, he could make it 20 Grand Slam titles by 2021 at the very earliest.

As well as his 16 titles, Djokovic has finished runner-up on nine occasions and if you look at the opponents he’s come up against in those nine matches, five are against Federer or Nadal – meaning in other circumstances, he could be on top in terms of Grand Slam titles. Across all four major tournaments, Djokovic has a win percentage of 87%, which is surprisingly higher than Federer’s overall win percentage (86%) and on-par with Nadal’s whose is also 87%.

2019 so far

As we have already discussed, Djokovic has two Grand Slam titles to his name. He beat Nadal in the final of the Australian Open (6-3, 6-2, 6-3) and successfully defended his Wimbledon title over Roger Federer, in what proved to be a thrilling final. The Serb won the longest singles final in Wimbledon history 7–6(7–5), 1–6, 7–6(7–4), 4–6, 13–12(7–3).

Away from the four major tournaments, Djokovic has had success in other ATP World Tour events, winning the Madrid Open and losing the final of the Italian Open. In the former, he defeated up-and-coming Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4; while the King of Clay was victorious on his favoured surface in Rome. He’s currently playing at the Cincinnati Open, another ATP World Tour event and another title he aims to retain.

Last year’s US Open

Despite an early scare in the first two rounds of the US Open 2018, which saw Djokovic take both contests to four sets (vs Marton Fucsovics and Tennys Sandgren), after dropping one to two unseeded opponents, he soon found his stride and went on to record straight-sets victories over all of his competitors.

The draw was kind to Djokovic, who could have quite easily found himself up against long-standing rival Federer in the quarter-finals. However, the Swiss Maestro lost to unseeded Australian John Millman. No such issues for Djokovic, who dispatched him convincingly 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. He also managed to avoid a final showdown against Nadal who lost his semi-final to Juan Martin del Potro. It meant that the two met in a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2013 Wimbledon semi-final. The Serb was triumphant that day and was victorious over the Argentine once again winning the final in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(7–4), 6-3.

Conclusion

It’s definitely a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ Djokovic overthrows Federer as G.O.A.T, in terms of Grand Slam titles anyway. One thing is for certain though, the ‘big three’ have done wonders for the sport and we hope that they continue for a few more years yet.

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104 comments

  • Hartt · August 15, 2019 at 5:31 pm

    Rublev just beat Fed in SS in one of Roger’s best tourneys. So the youngsters can beat the Big 3. I know it is very difficult to do on any consistent basis. What the youngsters need is a critical mass, so if one doesn’t beat a top player another one of them can!

    FAA has been very clear that his goal is to win Slams and be No.1. Of course he still needs a lot of experience to accomplish that. I don’t expect Félix to win big tourneys right away, but expect him to be vying for them within the next 2 years.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 15, 2019 at 5:49 pm

    Stay tuned!

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 15, 2019 at 5:52 pm

    Federer may be mentally devastated by that Wimbledon final loss to Djokovic where he had two championship points on his own serve. He downplays it but it may still be eating away at him. Those losses to his most disliked rival are the most painful of his career. You have to wonder how many more losses to Djokovic, Roger can endure. Maybe two or three more? Djokovic may actually chase Federer into retirement. I don’t see Federer ever beating Djokovic again.

  • Andrew Miller · August 15, 2019 at 6:16 pm

    Rublev played lights out on Wawrinka, who had sent an inspired Dimitrov packing. I liked the Rublev highlights. Rublev plays some Djoko ball, with a nice return of serve. Good tournament for him.

  • Andrew Miller · August 15, 2019 at 6:18 pm

    Federer will now think about how Rublev beat him and never let it happen again. The guy is ruthless. Question is, how ruthless is Rublev?

    Is he willing to learn from his victories,too, and add things to his own mental database? We’ll see…

  • Hartt · August 15, 2019 at 7:42 pm

    Andy Murray and Feli Lopez won against Ryan Harrison and Jack Sock. It went to a match TB.

  • Jeff · August 15, 2019 at 9:20 pm

    The ATP proves once again it is too weak as an entity by refusing to suspend Kyrgios. He is a repeat offender many, many times and all they do is bow to him. Fines are not enough. They need to take away his ability to play tennis and if he wants to shoot hoops so be it.

    The problem is the ATP is too much in bed with him to do it. They just named him to the Laver Cup despite him not earning it on merit. And he has too many fans who justify his behavior.

    That is all fine but it overshadows great stories like Rublev battling through injuries and vanquishing Fed. Rublev is also a Slam QF like Kyrgios.

    What I don’t want to see is a younger generation of tennis brats growing up and emulating this and it becoming the standard of the sport. I read stories of Dan and his son and how some of the kids behave badly. Why would they not if it is so marketable?

    My hope is Felix can pick up about 20 Slams and become the standard for the next generation. Otherwise the sport could be doomed.

  • Thomas Tung · August 15, 2019 at 9:55 pm

    Jeff, I’m sure you already know this, but the ATP wants to double-dip: they (desperately, it seems, since the Big 4 probably aren’t gonna be around in 5-10 years’ time) want the “casual fan/fan dollars” that come to see the “controversial kid Kyrgios”, but at the same time, they want to assuage annoyed tennis fans by giving Nick a “slap on the wrist”.

    My opinion? Since Nick hasn’t won anything of real consequence, or shown consistent excellence, he should the get the book thrown at him. Hopefully that will “encourage” him to take this “sporting job” much more seriously.

    As for comparisons to McEnroe & Connors? With those guys, you knew the tantrums were mostly a byproduct of how badly they wanted to win. You never get that from Nick.

    And so, Kyrgios’ “anger management issues” hurt, rather than help, him (unlike say, Pancho Gonzales).

  • Andrew Miller · August 15, 2019 at 10:20 pm

    Personally I’m in favor of therapy for Kyrgios. The guy’s broken and has a chip on his shoulder. Loves the praise hates everything else. Agassi was also rebellious – he even went off the deep end, but it was more of an injury plus exile.

    I’m not holding off for Kyrgios to become a model citizen and changed man. But I also don’t believe he’s going to last on tour by behaving like this. Not because the tour won’t have him, but because he won’t care enough to keep himself going.

    We all know he cares deeply. So did Agassi. But they don’t have the perspective or mentoring. The Aussie tough love approach hasn’t worked at all for Tomic, Kyrgios, or Kokkinakis. Kokki generally is just hurt rather than a jerk.

    Few excite the world like Kyrgios or let the world down like Kyrgios. Don’t worry about Khachanov, he’ll be fine. Moving on in the tournament, another deep run.

    But Kyrgios – he’s always an enigma. Only thing is at age 24, 25, he’s become a young veteran. He won’t always be this popular, or this young. He loves citing the fact he can beat anyone but he hasn’t done much at slams, whereas the best collect them like Matchbox cars.

    Pete Bodo called it Kyrgiozistan or something like that. And it’s true, you get the good and the bad. The mesmerising play you’ll never see again and the play you’d wish you never saw.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 15, 2019 at 10:53 pm

    I didn’t see this latest outburst, but defend Kyrgios, because tennis needs a controversial rebel with an unpredictable, turbulent personality. Let Nick be Nick, keep fining his violations of the rules but as long as he hurts no one, let him do his act. Pro wrestling would not be as popular if it was all good guys and heroes. There is a need for villains, black hats and controversial figures in wrestling and tennis and any sport or entertainment. We all love and hate the Nick show, it sure beats watching the Gasquet and Berdyches of the world. Too many dull players with no charisma or X factor. Accept Nick for what he is, a wild child rebel with a cause. He makes the ATP tour complete.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 15, 2019 at 10:54 pm

    Murpez are undefeated as a team I believe. The struggles continue for Sock even in doubles. The game may have passed him by.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 15, 2019 at 10:55 pm

    Possible Fed has hit the wall at 38. Hard courts get tougher and tougher. Remember he lost to Millman last year. John Millman.

  • Andrew Miller · August 16, 2019 at 12:07 am

    Kenin vs Osaka – Osaka HAS to win this.

  • Jeff · August 16, 2019 at 1:08 am

    Perhaps the solution is to create a side exhibition slot for Kyrgios and maybe his buddies like Sock and Tommy Paul to do some trick shots and clown around and break rackets and curse and spit and fight and whatnot. Heck they can even break the umpire’s chair and the net for all I care in an exhibition.

    You guys are right that the fans love to see him on the court and yes, tennis does not want to alienate the casual fan. The last thing tennis needs is losing fans. Why not give him a guaranteed 3 exhibition slots alongside the real matches? That way everybody gets what they want, tennis lovers and fans of the Kyrgios Project.

    I don’t advocate this for the Slams but regular tournaments should have a Kyrgios and friends exhibition as part of night sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. That way he gets to sleep in and go party with the Bouchards on the other two days.

  • Jeff · August 16, 2019 at 1:32 am

    I don’t believe that tennis needs personalities as people argue. What personalities do golfers have, outside of Tiger Woods? Those guys are as boring as they come and golf is popular. Tom Brady is another bore and immensely popular. Kawhi Leonard is known for his boring personality.

    I don’t see why tennis is different. Who is the bad boy of the NFL?

  • catherine · August 16, 2019 at 1:44 am

    Sloane slumps again. Halep not in good shape for US0 – achilles problem which she has had before. Svitolina peaking, or do I mean flat-lining ? Kvitova entering Bronx as a WC. More matches !
    Kerber should be in the Bronx too – putting into practice Scoop’s program.

    And Andrew – yes, Angie has cleared house before but now she’s in limbo. She doesn’t function well on her own and I’m still looking for news on a coach.

    Svitolina is playing at being a player. I find her game, and her attitude, seriously irritating.

    Kyrgios will burn out. Under pressuere he’s unstable and as for therapy, you have to admit the problem as they say, and I don’t see that working as long as Nick goes on playing and presumably gets some kind of reward, somewhere in his psyche, for those antics.

  • catherine · August 16, 2019 at 1:58 am

    Not bad entry for the Bronx – including Coco’s V’s return and Collins and Giorgi for those who want to gawp.

  • Jeff · August 16, 2019 at 2:45 am

    Here’s a question for you Catherine since I believe you root for Kerber. Obviously Angie is a HOF player as far as her Slam count, including the win over Pliskova.

    But do you think she is actually the better player than Pliskova? I am not so sure. And surely Pliskova has to win a Slam soon but we have said that for some time now. But her game is pretty damn good and I like it better than Kerber but you can’t discount Angie’s success.

  • catherine · August 16, 2019 at 5:34 am

    Jeff- I’m not really into the ‘better than’ arguments because when you reach a certain level it’s difficult to say – unless you go by the stats. In this case Angie has her 3 GSs and Pliskova as none so far, which puts Kerber ahead. I’m not a great admirer of Ka’s game but if her serve is working it’s very effective – although I don’t see her winning a Slam because she’s not a particularly good mover and that’s something opponents can capitalise on if they can break her serve.

    Of course at the moment Angie’s not winning anything and Ka’s game is holding up better so you’d have to say she’s currently the better player. I’ve always thought Angie has potential for a more varied game and I imagine Fisette thought so too but that did not work out. So many intangibles – they are both top class players with solid careers but Angie will probably be HOF before Pliskova. It’s a toss-up really.

  • catherine · August 16, 2019 at 5:48 am

    Can anyone solve the problem of Ashleigh’s height ? She’s listed by the WTA as 5’5″ but according to her she’s 5’7″. Maybe before her next match (v Sakkari who looks taller) someone could nip out there with a tape-measure and give us the true reading 🙂

  • Hartt · August 16, 2019 at 6:22 am

    Scoop, you said you did not see the Kyrgios match, so you don’t know how thoroughly unpleasant those last two sets were. I was thinking during the first set how enjoyable it was to watch Nick when he was playing well and not in a fight with the umpire. Of course that did not last. He had a nonstop rant, with lots of expletives, against Murphy, for no reason whatsoever. Than in the last few games he tanked. It was a repeat of his match against FAA, which he also lost. But this time he was even worse. At the end of the match many fans there were booing.

    That is not entertainment. I read that Cahill said he stopped watching the match because he didn’t want to see Nick self-destruct. I did watch because I wanted to see Khachanov win, but I did not enjoy the experience. As I said before, I will only watch another Kyrios match if I want to see his opponent and maybe not even then.

    One thing people aren’t talking about is how totally unfair Nick’s behaviour is to his opponent. It’s hard enough to win a tennis match without having to put so much energy just to maintain your focus. I think it contributed to Karen’s loss yesterday – he’d had to put extra mental energy into the match against Nick. You could see he did not have much left at the end of the Pouille match.

    FAA, who isn’t prone to criticizing players, was very blunt after his match with Nick. Nick had his usual ongoing rant, and Félix said it had been very difficult to maintain his focus. Once again, Nick tanked at the end of the match and then threw his racquet onto a path where people were walking. It’s a miracle no one was hit. FAA said in an interview after the match that he couldn’t be friends with someone like that.

    As I said, this is not entertainment. And officials just giving Nick fines is not enough. His behaviour, which is ongoing and not about to change, cheapens the sport.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 16, 2019 at 6:43 am

    Everyone puts too much pressure on Nick to win win win win. Nick can’t handle that pressure. Just let him be a tank then, maybe that’s the solution.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 16, 2019 at 6:44 am

    What is the Kerber Pliskova head to head?

  • catherine · August 16, 2019 at 7:45 am

    Angie leads 7/5 – most recent Ka bt her this year in Eastbourne.

  • catherine · August 16, 2019 at 7:53 am

    Scoop – anyone playing pro tennis has pressure to win win win. They learn to deal with it. If Nick can’t deal with it then he should leave the game. He will anyway if this behaviour carries on.

  • Hartt · August 16, 2019 at 8:14 am

    Even Nick’s good friend Andy Murray was critical of Nick’s behaviour in that match.

    “It wasn’t good, and I felt for Fergus as he shouldn’t have to put up with that,” Murray told BBC Sport.

    “But obviously this week, he went back to what he was doing before. You just hope he will figure it out, because a week like in Washington is really good for tennis, but last night isn’t. Hopefully he gets it figured out.”

  • Andrew Miller · August 16, 2019 at 9:21 am

    Expecting Kyrgios to be grateful is a mistake. I don’t know how Agassi matured into an elder statesman of the game. This is Kyrgios decision to make, what legacy he wants to leave. Right now his legacy is “incredible player that hates the sport and can’t come to grips with fact he has all the money and talent in the world, but has no love at all for the sport that appreciated it.”

    It’s up to him. Meanwhile guys like Rublev, etc will see him in the draw, know it’s a tough match because of the theatrics, and plan accordingly. That’s what the Khachanovs of the sport do.

    They just move on.

  • Andrew Miller · August 16, 2019 at 9:25 am

    Nice to see Venus, Kuznetsova doing well this tournament. And Keys too. Osaka SHOULD like her chances against the field – very winnable draw for her if she plays the tennis of 2018 to early 2019.

  • Harold · August 16, 2019 at 9:28 am

    Tournament promoters, and Laver Cup bosses just want asses in the seats. Dont care if people are booing, or cheering, just want their money.

    Courier asked a great question during the broadcast.” Are people turning off the match” because of NK..Tennis gets such a minimal rating, its probably impossible to know..
    Courier was having a hard time calling the match. They kept showing the head tournament ref. Guess all he was doing, was going to his NK app on his phone, and noting fineable offenses

  • Andrew Miller · August 16, 2019 at 9:31 am

    Catherine has a nice way of framing the sport, who’s playing better tennis right now.

    Generally I don’t believe Pliskova sees herself hoisting a slam trophy, and Kerber does. Kerber has developed a thirst for slam titles. Halep has too. It’s that sensation of wow I’d love to get another one of these…all I have to do is beat the field again. I’ve done it before…why not me again?

  • Andrew Miller · August 16, 2019 at 9:42 am

    I like Harold’s point of view here, of tournament promoter shamelessness. I’d also argue that the ATP likes throwing its weight around. Tennis does have an image to maintain, and if Kyrgios is reckless and harming others, even by accident, the ATP isn’t going to let that go indefinitely.

    I see what Harold’s saying and Harold’s totally right. Promoters have been behind the whole on court coaching for entertainment thing in women’s tennis, which is so laughable. It’s been amusing to see clips of Muguruza from the past basically telling off her coach during the coaching clips on court. Good job promoters!

    If promoters get their way the sport will be played on roller blades!

  • Hartt · August 16, 2019 at 9:52 am

    Lol, tennis on roller blades would be fast, and those who want the matches over quickly would be pleased. 🙂

  • catherine · August 16, 2019 at 9:55 am

    Andrew – ‘roller blades’ ? Don’t speak too soon 🙂

    As of now I feel Angie has lost her thirst, her year has been so lacklustre – and the title she really wants, Paris, must be out of her reach. Pliskova is younger than Kerber, has a much more organised kind of tennis life and doesn’t appear oppressed by the past. So I wouldn’t put a GS beyond her, or at least more titles. Angie has never won a PM event.

    BTW – Murray pulled out of USO. I’m thinking his singles days are probably over, in terms of major titles.

  • Hartt · August 16, 2019 at 10:13 am

    In my (unofficial) role as Canadian tennis correspondent, there are a couple things happening. To me, the most exciting is 16-year-old Leylah Annie Fernandez making it to the QFs of an ITF event in Vancouver. She will play Nao Hibino next. I know a young player doing well is no guarantee of future success, but I think it’s interesting to keep an eye on a few youngsters to see how they progress.

    In the same tourney, Bouchard lost in the first round to Timea Babos, now coached by Genie’s former coach, Michael Joyce. Genie had her usual pattern of winning the first set and then losing the next two.

    Bouchard is playing the qualies for the Bronx tourney. She has a tough opponent – Kanepi. Genie’s ranking was high enough to get into the USO main draw, but unless she improves it, she won’t get into the main draw of the AO.

    Shapovalov got a WC for Winston-Salem next week, as did Andy Murray. It is a surprisingly strong field for a small tourney right before the USO, with Kevin Anderson in the mix as well.

  • Andrew Miller · August 16, 2019 at 10:18 am

    Wow Hartt, I forget how players face off against both their opponents and their former coaches. Tough sport! We could even add a promoter card for the sport, such as “Watch Your Back” or “Trauma, Drama, and Drop Shots”.

    What does Joyce do after the match. Hey G, sorry? Tough sport. Every week tear up an opponent and say no hard feelings.

  • Hartt · August 16, 2019 at 10:24 am

    Catherine, Andy isn’t playing doubles at the USO so he can concentrate on his singles. He is playing Winston-Salem this week and said he plans on playing a Challenger tourney soon. It sounds like he is building slowly and carefully to getting back where he can contend for titles in big tourneys.

  • Hartt · August 16, 2019 at 10:28 am

    Timea Babos made the QFs of the Vancouver tourney. Maybe she will end up playing against Fernandez. At this stage in their careers I’d have more faith in Leylah winning against Babos than I would Genie.

  • catherine · August 16, 2019 at 10:44 am

    Andrew – Angie is often in the same draw with her former coaches – Vekic/Beltz and Azarenka/Fisette. Somehow though I can’t see Rainer Schuettler returning to the WTA.

  • Jeff · August 16, 2019 at 11:14 am

    Scoop, I think my idea of the Kyrgios slot on the ATP tour is better than just letting him tank. Give him 3 nights to entertain the crowd. You can even tell him they are all main draw matches since he is quite obviously not too bright. First-round losers can join him in the Wednesday night and Friday night “matches”. Fans are guaranteed tweeners, profanity and racket bust-ups or their money back. You can even make fans pay extra to tell him where to serve or to get cussed at or spit at.

    How is my solution not great?

  • Andrew Miller · August 16, 2019 at 11:20 am

    Off subject, which tennis writers do you all like, apart from Dan’s one of a kind Spadea book and Scoop’s living legend series?

  • Andrew Miller · August 16, 2019 at 11:25 am

    Kyrgios solution…there is no solution. Relegate him to outer courts. And get him some better friends and a better entourage.

  • Harold · August 16, 2019 at 1:06 pm

    Tournament directors will keep giving NK center courts, featured night matches, same as they still do for Maria S( cant say Shapo anymore, gotta differentiate).

    Tignor, Bodo, RP…Rothenberg, just for his annoying take on everything

  • Hartt · August 16, 2019 at 1:17 pm

    Andrew, that is an interesting question. I’ve read a lot of tennis books, but now I am reading more writing by tennis journalists.

    I especially like Chris Clarey at the NY Times and Charlie Eccleshare and Simon Briggs of the Telegraph. Eccleshare has done some excellent in-depth pieces on topics such as players’ mental health. But those are usually labeled “Premium” and there is limited access to them.

    I also like Jon Wertheim’s “Mailbag” and his reviews of Slams on SI Tennis. For Canadian tennis I go to the Tennis Canada site for Tom Tebbutt’s weekly pieces.

    I only own 3 tennis books, including a good biography of Federer by Rene Stauffer, subtitled “Quest for Perfection,” published about 9 years ago. Stauffer has a new Federer biography out, but I don’t think it has been translated into English yet. I have Steve Flink’s “The Greatest Tennis Matches of All Time.” which I still refer to from time to time. The third is Neil Harman’s “Court Confidential.” I enjoy those books that deal with one or more tennis seasons, but they aren’t very common.

    I’ve read a lot of biographies/autobiographies of tennis players, but outside of Agassi’s “Open” they aren’t exactly great reading, although I usually learn a few things about the players.

  • catherine · August 16, 2019 at 1:44 pm

    I used to read some of the books which were sent to us to review but I don’t really read tennis books at all these days and not much else outside the mainstream – Guardian Sport and any odd articles I pick up references to online. I did like Julie Heldman’s autobiography, partly because I knew her in passing and the era she’s talking about is so long ago now that she can be generally truthful about events and people.

    Michael Mewshaw’s book about women’s tennis was an exception to the bland puff which passes for a lot of tennis writing. I’ve got a short list of writers who I can’t stand but they will remain unnamed. No, Scoop, not you 🙂

    Petko is apparently penning a book of essays on various topics, but in German I imagine.

  • Harold · August 16, 2019 at 1:57 pm

    Andrew is a regular over at the SI mailbag..gets his questions answered

  • Andrew Miller · August 16, 2019 at 2:01 pm

    These books sound great. I’ve been thinking about reading some player autobiographies, but have only made my way through Agassi’s Open. I haven’t read enough of Tebbutt. Sometimes I real El Pais to understand Uncle Toni a little better or Nadal. The reporting on him in Spanish is pretty heavy. As a global superstar we look at him as Nadal, but in Spain he’s even more important if possible.

    It’s as if he leaves Spain for some breathing room. The Spanish paparazzi follow the guy everywhere! It’s interesting how the media outside the U.S. miss a lot about Nadal. He really does have the kind of entourage that Agassi had, and that Djokovic has. Like their own J Block of people that look out for Nadal. It’s a big reason why he’s grounded, because at every step others are looking out for him.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 16, 2019 at 2:54 pm

    Jeff, why not make it a Nick Kyrgios World Tour, he can hire a roster of opponents like the Washington Federers to be his foils in each city, Kozlov, DY, Sock, Smyczek, Hewitt, McEnroe, could all be signed up. Like the Harlem Globetrotters with Meadowlark Lemon. 🙂

  • Hartt · August 16, 2019 at 3:24 pm

    That is interesting about Nadal. I don’t know Spanish, but I enjoy interviews with him that have been translated into English because of course he is much more articulate in Spanish.

    One other player who has a country obsessed with him is Nishikori. He can’t live in Japan because the attention is so great. He said he will go back there when he retires. Scoop has probably seen this, but I understand there are a LOT of Japanese journalists at any tourney Kei is in.

    And of course Simona Halep has the hopes and dreams of an entire nation resting on her.

  • Harold · August 16, 2019 at 3:50 pm

  • Andrew Miller · August 16, 2019 at 3:54 pm

    Harold, yep, big Wertheim fan. My favorite SI tennis writer is SL Price, but he only writes about tennis once in a while. SI tennis coverage seems sparse. I was waiting to read a French Open write up, and didn’t see anything. Maybe I missed it.

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