what makes his game so formidable:
1. incredible drive and hunger
2. fitness, fitness, and more fitness. he is paying his dues on the fitness front and in the training room.
3. incredible belief. he trusts his abilities and he fully believes in them.
4. problem solving. he is like a chess player out there. he is absolutely brilliant when it comes to problem solving on the tennis court.
5. coaching. he has a great coach. they truly trust each other.
more later.
He really thrives on these slow surfaces. I respect him a lot. Decent movement for his size, good mental strength (big match player), and MASSIVE groundstrokes. Of course, his groundstrokes have long takebacks so he needs the slow surfaces. But it's rare to see a one hander that thrives on slow surfaces so much!
Quite the unique player!
you are 100% spot on. he does have looping strokes but he is able to flatten them out as well.
and one other thing to note: he does not camp 100 miles behind the baseline like Rafa.
he plays fairly close to the baseline and he can take it early when he has to or feels the need to.
that is how he is able to take time away even from Djokovic.
you are 100% spot on. he does have looping strokes but he is able to flatten them out as well.
and one other thing to note: he does not camp 100 miles behind the baseline like Rafa.
he plays fairly close to the baseline and he can take it early when he has to or feels the need to.
that is how he is able to take time away even from Djokovic.
Yes although he really doesn't take off the rise that well. Especially compared to guys like Federer. He can go BH DTL off the rise incredibly well though. Needs to get into a rhythm first.
Generally he likes to come inside the baseline on shorter balls or after a few crosscourt rallies to get his rhythm.
But you are right, he does not play 3 yards behind the baseline like a certain Paella. Although even Paella doesn't do that as much these days, as his speed, court coverage, and forehand is not what it used to be.
another deal with Stan is that he is confident at the net.
he is not afraid to go forward at all. he is quite competent at the net.
another deal with Stan is that he is confident at the net.
he is not afraid to go forward at all. he is quite competent at the net.
another deal with Stan is that he is confident at the net.
he is not afraid to go forward at all. he is quite competent at the net.
He's not amazing at the net, but he's competent, and a willingness to move forward is half the battle.
agreed. he is no Federer at the net but he is competent.
also if you go in on just the right approach shots, you don't really have to all that brilliant at the net.
Everyone is looking at Rafa, Novak, Andy, and even Roger at the French Open this year.
But one simply cannot ignore Stan. He is quite capable of playing immense tennis on clay as he has shown.
He is my dark horse to take RG. Del Potro could also be dangerous by the time RG rolls around.
Respectfully,
masterclass
Everyone is looking at Rafa, Novak, Andy, and even Roger at the French Open this year.
But one simply cannot ignore Stan. He is quite capable of playing immense tennis on clay as he has shown.
He is my dark horse to take RG. Del Potro could also be dangerous by the time RG rolls around.
Respectfully,
masterclass
I could not agree more.
Stan comes alive at RG.
he has the game to do immense damage on the red clay.
he has proven that.
Well General, looks like we called it again way back in the beginning of May.
Stanimal in the final with Clay Warrior.
People should just come to Camelot to know what is going on, no?
Stan had his day, but was not God enough for Clay Warrior on a mission to pass Sampras. Still a good tournament for Stan the Man.
Respectfully,
masterclass
Stan had his day, but was not God enough for Clay Warrior on a mission to pass Sampras. Still a good tournament for Stan the Man.
Respectfully,
masterclass
make no mistake about it general:
Stan the man is very good. and I believe he is an all time great in my book.
his work is far from done.
he has the talent on loan from the gods and he has the drive and the hunger.
he has another slam left in him.
I believe his near 5 hour semifinal was a factor today.
the man is 32. recovery is less than optimal with such a grueling semifinal. he had to come back from being down 2 sets to one against Andy.
last time somebody 32 made the final was niki pilic.
44 years ago.
