At The A.E.L.T.C Championships in Wimbledon SW19 on 12th July 2015, Krishna
the local tennis coach at Clapham Common municipal courts, witnessed a quiet determined revolution by the seemingly deposed King of Men's Tennis.
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Roger Federer, the undisputed Grand Slam champion, with 17 career titles,
not only in perspective demolished our very own British Andy Murray (7-5 7-5
6-4) in the semi-final round of The Championships, but in LineBallTennis - LBT
principal Krishna's opinion, signalled that 'the old dog' still has life in
him (given fortuitous circumstances of grand slam draws, surface, and
player seeding etcetra). Remember
that Federer is still number two in the official ATP World Tour ranking,
indeed if any substantiation to his longevity at the very top of men's tennis
is needed. This change of heart observation of Federer's grand
slam winning chances follows on the heels of LineBallTennis pronouncement in
September 2014 that "The
King Is Dead: The New Guard!", after disgust at his capitulation in
the 2014 U.S. Open.
The analysis behind why LineBallTennis principal believes 'King Roger' still has a winning chance at the Grand Slams are manifold. Krishna has revised his opinion and stated:
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"I
do not believe it is fantasy wishful thinking that Federer can win another
grand slam, especially on grass; or that he has just blown his last chance
losing to Novak Djokovich in the final of Wimbledon. But moreover, that the
chance and opportunity may prevail again".
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The perhaps fleeting chance to beat Novak "Nole" was excitedly
anticipated by Krishna, who had triumphantly won Wimbledon ballot tickets to
see the final day's matches on the Sunday at SW19. By the ambience on Centre
Court, the expectation or support for Federer to go all the way was applauded
by most of that exclusive tennis crowd. The crowds' urging and willing of Federer to battle was clearly
one-sided. Only out of British cordial politeness did the crowd seem to
applaud Djokvich's rally victories. Krishna had teasingly mentioned to his
Finals Day companion that he would like to put etiquette aside and really be
partisan in supporting Federer: by booing Novak's immaculate withstanding of
the 'FedEx' barrage.
Technically, Federer was attacking
and playing as aggressive game as ever, and as fans may not have witnessed
in recent years. In other words, playing his best tennis and rightly taking his
game to Novak. Novak became the tireless scampering, acrobatic retrieving and
unnervingly fearless counter-puncher. Federer seemed to inevitably to hit the
net or the excruciating tape from his aggressive flat low drives, in the
set-winning rallies, bar one. For Federer, this Wimbledon tone was different
from the word go: only hardy battle-tank Australian Sam Groth (6-4 6-4 5-7 6-2)
had taken a set off Federer before the final match. Similarly the route to the
final for Mr Djokovich was somewhat straightforward; yet in the quarter-final Kevin Anderson gave Novak a humbling shock
he will not forget in a hurry. A second day carried-on match with a one set
shoot out, especially with a giant big-server on peak performance, should have
finally undone Novak's progress in The Championship (6-7 6-7 6-1 6-4 7-5); if
not earlier after the South African lead the world number one and reigning king
2-0 in sets on the prior day. Mr Anderson will not be getting a Christmas
card or crate of champagne from the Federer camp this year, in Krishna's jovial
opinion!
To humbly acknowledge Novak Djokovich as reigning King is deserved
valour and just: with 9 singles grand slam titles it is petty and witless to
call Djokovich a 'pretender' to the crown! And especially with the other
established protagonist to the crown, Rafael Nadal stuttering with injuries and
regaining his monstrous self-belief. The margin of victory between Novak and
Roger's matches are mostly a fine line, as testified by a unique 20-20
head-to-head count in all matches, as shown on this up to date July'15 Wikipedia
page about their special rivalry. Interesting to note that after this final
encounter at Wimbledon Novak leads Federer 7-6 in head-to-head Grand Slam
matches.
One should expectantly feel there is more to come from this crescendo great rivalry
Djokovic Vs. Federer. LineBallTennis wants to be part of this s Federer
Revolution and is in early planning for a US Open tour for its clients and
friends.
p.s. Talking of mutineers and rebels to
the Crown, LineBallTennis acknowledge and hail the enormity of dread-locked
Dustin Brown, of Germany, in defeating the great Rafael Nadal (7-5 3-6 6-4
6-4), even if seeded Wimbledon number 10. The unique Dustin @DreddyTennis came into
Wimbledon main draw via the qualifiers at Roehampton. Where LBT’s Krishna greets
him frequently, after first meeting him in 2012. Dustin’s win is a coup d’état of gargantuan proportions, not mere revolution. Also, didn’t the
win draw some parallels with another
German who thirty years ago at Wimbledon, as a shy brash 17 year old, upset
the tennis establishment with his incredulous never-to-be-repeated Wimbledon
Mens Final victory. Yes you know who Krishna means: ‘The Wunder kid’ and ‘Boom
Boom’. Long rein the legends!
