CAMELOT FANTASIES

I have been thinking.



I looked at that match point again. against dolgopolov.



I have a funny feeling that in the back of his mind and in his heart of hearts he did not really want to go on in this event.



for any number of reasons. one might be that he does not really feel ready to challenge the top guns.


he just finished losing to both andy and wawrinka. wawrinka was here and lost only today.

another reason is that he did not really want to expend the mental and physical capital since it is in limited supply at the moment.


and then there was his stupid doubles which takes away some focus from his singles.


he could have won this tournament with a little bit of preparation.


all he had to do was believe in himself a little more and put in the practice time.


and of course some work on the backhand and the return of serve would have gone a long way.

he wants out of here to go back to Mallorca and come back a little fresher and a little stronger.



bottom line: I think, in looking at the overall picture at queens, he again did not show up with proper preparation and better focus.

and again he decided--in his heart of hearts-that it was better to not worry about winning it.


there were 500 points for grabs here. he could have snatched up those points.


that was a very short inside/out forehand he hit and then he took a little stroll to the net to get passed easily.


he was up 4-2 in the decider on the slick grass. 2 games and the match was in his pocket.


another factor which is tied into this is that he wanted out. he is a bit worn out. as I said, he did not feel like spending the limited physical and mental capital to go all the way here.


now the silver lining is that at least he is healthy. so he escapes this event with no injury.



he has never been like this before. he never went to RG to defend his crown this year. that was his last stand and he walked away from it.

now he says slams are not important.


about 2 months back he said that he would at least like to get past Sampras with 15 majors.



he can still make it happen. he is an all time great and there is still little bit of time left.



all this lost belief is a direct result of his absolute refusal to work very hard and very long in practice and on the fitness front.


which in turn is a function of lost focus. he lost his relentless will to battle and win.



now I am not sure what is going to happen at Wimbledon.


the title there is surely going to one of the following:


1. murray
2. Federer
3. djokovic
4. wawrinka




I was hoping rafa would put in the preparation to perhaps sneak into the final. he just does not believe in himself because his game has dropped so much and there is not sufficient fitness and physicality.