CAMELOT FANTASIES

I saw the highlights.


he is not really playing all that well.

1. still playing too far back

2. has lost considerable power on his strokes

3. does not move well

4. still dropping the ball too short too often.


that is what allowed steve Johnson to stay close.



I saw some improvement in the backhand and he returned a little better. he still has a long way to go as he will find out soon enough.


they are really going to push him around until he can get his game back.


I don't know what you do about lost/diminished physicality and fitness: it is affecting his power and his movement. as well as his staying power out there.


there is a way out: he has to get a little closer to the baseline and try to strike the ball a bit earlier.

but I don't know if he is willing to do that.


he gets one more easy match and then it is going to get rough. he has to dig very deep and try to grab this title.


I know Rafa keeps saying it is a matter of confidence. maybe he is just trying to be politically correct as they say.


he is not as fit and strong as he used to be. his demanding style saps his energy much sooner.

he is not able to fight tooth and nail for every point like he used to.



this is not something new: he starting losing the long rally long ago.

he used to win the majority of long rallies when he was fit and physical.



his returns and his shots have considerably diminished pace.  and on top of that, he is dropping them short.

I hope he can find a way to take this title anyway. it will help a great deal.


he just has to get down to business and focus like hell. he  just has to find a way anyway.


that is his biggest challenge for now.

I actually replied to this post yesterday, but I guess it didn't take. I don't remember everything I said, except this.

I wasn't surprised that Nick beat Federer, because Federer had such a short turnaround time coming from that title win last week. So to play someone who's swinging for the fences while you're still getting adjusted to the atmosphere is a big ask, for anybody. What was surprising was how well Federer was handling everything and how close he was to actually winning that match. Federer continues to amaze. I'm sure he wasn't too upset considering all the mitigating factors.

Nick is the real deal and he loves the big stage. That's a deadly combination. The only thing that can stop him is himself and all the breaks that he takes. Otherwise, it looks like he's headed straight for the top and I don't say that about many people.

Dmitrov, IMO, while a great talent, doesn't necessarily have the belief. He's working on it, but Nick naturally has that belief and that might skyrocket him past Grigor. Raonic, while he's improving steadily it's hard for me to see him actually winning a major, but I applaud his effort.

Kokkinakis is one I'm keeping my eye on too. So far he hasn't adjusted to the tour as quickly as many as many projected, but he's got major skills.