CAMELOT FANTASIES

As a Rafa fan I was over the moon with the FO win, but quickly plummeted back to earth with the Wimbledon loss. I still haven't reconciled the fact that he's now equal with Sampras, that seems surreal.

Yes, Nole needed that win bad. He's too good of a player to suffer those final jitters. He seemed to be fighting himself all match at the most inopportune times, but I'm glad he pulled it out.

Not too bad for Federer, he was so close, but things work out the way they're supposed to.

Andy's loss to Dmitrov was puzzling, especially considering his form. But, stuff happens. I hope he gets back on track because he's so nice to watch. His game fascinates me as you never know what he's going to do next. Still, he's a great player so I expect him to bounce back. Speaking of Andy, did you see the documentary they did on him? It was so awesome and really gave you a peek into his psyche and personality. I've always loved Andy's personality and am confused by those who think he doesn't exhibit it. For me, he produces it in spades, it's just understated, which is the way that I like. Anyway, it made me cry. I watched it three times in a row. It was the best documentary I've seen on a tennis player. Very well put together.

I was surprised to see Nadal go early, though not too early mind you, but still it was surprising since when all the speculations about an early loss involved both Rosol and Klizan but that didn't happen. It came quite unexpectedly against a player who was playing his first Wimbledon but of course, kyrgios was playing with no fear so that was always going to be a factor, especially at Wimbledon, where the surface favours the big and consistent server the most. I really think while grass rewards pure tennis skills, clay rewards tenacity and longevity. Hard remains somewhere in between and IMHO the most balanced surface of all. But then games like Soccer, Baseball, Cricket are all played on grass and it's really very smooth on the eye. I personally prefer grass of course and always regret there's  not enough grass events on the ATP tour..

Anyway, still, I didn't expect it this time around since Nadal didn't really dominate the clay season like he typically does and had an easier path to RG final, one would have thought he'd be able to, perhaps, make it a bit further at Wimbledon this time around. He did make the 4th round though and his early rounds weren't very easy so that should be taken into account. I feel it's the most difficult thing to do in tennis to win RG and Wimbledon back to back - mostly because of the time frame in between. It's too short. But this is also why I have so much respect for Borg who made it look so easy with his unorthodox style. But to Nadal's credit, he used to be very consistent until 2008 at Wimbledon. Of course Wimbledon is seeing a bit more competition than that these days with Nole, Murray, Del Potro, Dimitrov, Raonic etc. Not to mention, good old Federer is still going strong. I actually wanted to see a Nadal/Federer semi at Wimbledon and was eager to see if Federer was going to do something different and if he was finally going to take it to Nadal but that didn't happen, fortunately or unfortunately but the thought was intriguing. 

As to Andy, yep, you are right. Stuff does happen. Sampras did say it would be very difficult for Andy to defend his title here at Wimbledon. He had warned him way ahead. He mentioned the reason being is the fact that, it's now a completely different territory for Andy where he's no longer on the hunt of winning his first Wimbledon. But Andy is quite humble and he's given a lot of credit to Nadal for defending RG year after year after year. I did think Andy was far more into RG than Wimbledon for some reason though he seemed quite into it at Wimbledon in the first 4 rounds at first. Oh well.

Are you referring to the documentary called 'When Andy won Wimbledon'? Then yes, I've seen it. Like you I cried too. To be honest I can't watch it as many times because it makes me so emotional. There's one other documentary that made me just as emotional if not more was the one on Sampras and his retirement. One is very joyful (Andy's) and the other one was so say (Sampras'). Both leaves you crying.

I don't think people with very straight forward personality will ever get either Andy or Sampras as most of these very people find them boring. But hey, that's why we are here...to make a difference, innit.

Hi Clay. Because Andy was in Montenegro last week for Nole wedding I dont think he has started his training block yet but I might be wrong.  Probably will be Miami yes.

Yes also I am fired up and ready for Toronto.  Part of me can see Nole being very hard to beat throughout all of this hardcourt period. I think we know what we are going to get from him. It is up to the others to be special like Rafa was this time last year.

Are you sure he attended the wedding? I did see a photo of him arriving Miami or living London but I am not sure about the date. It could be either on last Saturday or Sunday.

He's keeping a very low profile given all the speculations had gone on after his Wimbledon loss. Perhaps that's a better strategy at this point. I can't wait to see him in Toronto!

Oh great to hear truth, hope you have great time at Cincy.. I understand that Cincy gives great access to the players so you may get chance to get up close and personal with a few of them. Emma at Toronto,  Truth in Cincy. Looks like Camelot have hardcourt season covered :-).

Eh, but who's covering USO? Maybe you and I should cover it since herc is too lazy and too drunk to cover it. haha. :-)

I am kidding, herc darling. I love you, you know that. I love it how you are always on the ocean.

Hi Emma. Oh believe me would love to be in New York.  I think thats my next tennis dream to be there but I don't think it will be possible to get time off work for this year.

Oh I do believe Andy was indeed in Montenegro and understand was Nole best man. In fact I think Andy has as much pressure choosing his best man for his wedding now as much as his tennis after Nole invitation :-).

Yes I agree. Time for Andy to keep out of the spotlight and work away at game quietly.

Hi Clay. Because Andy was in Montenegro last week for Nole wedding I dont think he has started his training block yet but I might be wrong.  Probably will be Miami yes.

Yes also I am fired up and ready for Toronto.  Part of me can see Nole being very hard to beat throughout all of this hardcourt period. I think we know what we are going to get from him. It is up to the others to be special like Rafa was this time last year.

oh wow anikh. so andy really was the best man at nole's wedding.


I had heard some rumors to that effect a while back.



at any rate nole is a beast on the hard courts. it is going to be hard to deal with him.

Emma's world rocks.

que pasa general anikh.



I saw some pics on twitter that suggest that Andy is training in Key Biscayne.

que pasa general anikh.

I saw some pics on twitter that suggest that Andy is training in Key Biscayne.

Indeed, herc darling. Some pictures here. Unlike Anikh, I back up my stories with pictures, you see. Muhahahahhaha :p

At the airport with a fan...



With a fan...



With the team at the gym. You can spot Momo there.