What is Federer these days doing besides playing tennis?

What’s it with Andy Murray?  He has unwittingly become a trendsetter of sorts on the circuit. First he brought in Ivan Lendl to coach him and it worked.  So Djokovic and Federer brought in Becker and Stefan Edberg respectively and we still don’t know it will work but older tennis stars are coming out of their woodwork thanks to Murray’s experiment.  Then he set up 77- a sports management company to look after his brother’s and hi interests on and off the court.  This initiative is in good hands, what with Simon Fuller being in charge with business strategy.  So now we have Federer who has started Team 8, also a sports management company.  In tandem with Roger’s image it is not a crude sports management company but a boutique agency that have onboard Tony Godsick- Federer’s longtime agent and another billionaire backer.  Juan Martin Del Potro and Grigor Dimitrov aka baby Fed and Sharapova’s off court interest are the first to be managed by it.

Tony Godsick who earlier worked with International Management Group that managed Federer’s interest before they parted ways said that,” We’re trying to be a boutique agency that will manage just a small stable of iconic athletes.  We’re really going to try to be selective here. Some of the other groups, they look to sign as many players as they can and hope a few of them stick and make it, and they really go after the juniors. We’re not going to.”” The agency has its headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio.  Godsick also said that Team 8 had been created in part to give Federer a platform when he retires.  The smooth talking, suave Federer who looks just as much at home in the commercial world of wheeling-dealing and negotiation as with a tennis racket in his hand will be successful in his new role feels Godsick. “I can really sell Federer but nobody sells Roger better than Roger.

The other investors in this venture are Ian McKinnon and the billionaire financier Dirk Ziff, the eldest of the three brothers who started Ziff Brothers Investments in 1992 after their father, William, sold his publishing interests.

And Godsick 42, has the credentials.  He began working with the former No. 1 player Monica Seles when he was at IMG on a summer internship. He later represented Lindsay Davenport, Anna Kournikova and Tommy Haas.  Godsick is married to Mary Joe Fernandez, a former  French Open and Australian Open finalist with whom he has two young children. Godsick began working with Federer in 2005 when Federer returned to IMG after managing many of his own business interests for a brief stretch. 

Men's singles- Round 3 Jeremy Chardy Vs David Ferrer

Temperatures are soaring and players are falling like nine pins to the extreme heat conditions at Melbourne Park.  Federer says deal with it.  Sharapova says its is not known really what the limits of the players are.  I think it is like doing hot Yoga for a minimum of two hours and a maximum of five hours.  Inhuman really and the fact that the players are paid princely purses doesn't does not make it better while you are playing. PLay on outside courts was suspended due to soaring temperatures and matches are being playes in Hisense arena and Rod Laver arena.
COming back to Chardy V/s Ferrer, the Spaniard has won the first set 6-2.   

We have the season's first maverick

Nick Kyrgios is sparkling against the seasoned Benoit Paire of France.  While the spotlight was on Tomic who disappointingly retired with a groin injury against Nadal in first round, Kyrgios is arriving in style.  He has won the first set in a tie break, is playing calmly without squandering his cool.  The maverick sports a Mohawk cut with cornrows on either sides.  Kyrgios has power, a solid serve and fire up aces as only someone who is taller than 6ft 4 can.  He has the game. Now does he have the staying power to beat players higher up in rank?  Djokovic had to battle stamina problems in his early days when he ran into 5 setters and allegations of feigning injuries might still rankle Djokovic.  All players in top have The Game.  In fact players down the ranking along 5 to 10 have certain shots that surpass those of the top players. Some have a killer backhand, some have nuclear serves, some are better movers and some have far better volleying skills.  What differentiates the top players is that they never give up till the last ball.  They never lose till they have lost the match.  They never give up and are willing to stretch the last mile again and again reaching for balls that are whizzing past and returning them as winners.  Just when you think are tired, they reach inside their hat and pull out those extra reserves that tide them through that final lap.  The body language is always smart, shoulders never droop and slouch.  They are playing to win always.  And of course they are stronger and have more stamina to stay up for the long matches- all the time.  A lesser player will give his all in a five setter in the third round and lose in the fourth in a match of similar length. 

Back to the second set between Paire and Kyrgios.  Kyrgios has won the first set and they are five set all in the second.  Are we going in for a second tie break?

That was a cracking return from Kyrgios where all the opponent can do is watch it go by helplessly. Paire leads six games to five, Kyrgios is serving at 40-30 and there it is.  Second tie break to conclude the second set.  Who will win this one? The score read 3-3, Kyrgios serving and boom…an ace! It is 4-3.  Paire serves, Kyrgios resturn Paire pulls pulls out a brilliant drop shot.  It is 5-4.  Kyrgios serves and kboom an ace again, five all. And an ace again to pit Kygios in the lead at 6-5.  Set point for him again.  And it is two sets to love for Nick Kyrgios, 18yrs from Canberra, Australia.

To give you a brief on Kygios, he won the boys’ singles event at Aus Open 2013 and double event at Wimbledon in the same year.  He is of Greek and Malaysian descent.  To watch him play is to watch a player who brings immense to the game his immense self confidence without the burden of success and expectations.  It is refreshing to watch.  Alas the match was not to have a fairy tale ending for the 18yr old. Benoit Paire rallied to come back from two sets down and win the next three sets 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 to deny Kyrgios a place in the 3^rd round.  But Australia and world tennis has found possibly the next young thing to watch and comment on.  Here’s hoping that Kyrgios makes the progression steadily and not drops off the curve like Tomic.

And so the 2014 WTA season begins with the first Grand Slam at Melbourne Park. 

Federer come with a bigger racket head, loss in the finals at Brisbane against Lleyton Hewitt and the biggest card up his sleeve- appointment of Stefan Edberg in place of Paul Anacone. Only time will tell if it turns out to be an ace! Novak Djokovic comes in with Boris Becker to guide him and two new brand endorsements in his kitty- Peugeot and Seiko watches. 

Watching Federer’s second round match against Kavcic of Slovakia in the Hisense arena,  I am observing for any changes in Federer’s game that might be influence by Edberg.  First let’s see some of Roger’s stuff that he brings to the game regularly. Right off the bat I notice his red shoes that are Nike Vapor Tour and the light grey short that are roomier.  

Federer’s outfit- baby pink/ baby blue/ red, any soft colours that none of men’s players wear- check

Unflappability- check

Magic pores that don’t sweat- check

Lethal back hand- check so far

Winged feet down-the line backhand- check

Service- looks solid

But then the opponent is not challenging Federer.  There is nothing unpredictable or dangerous that might threaten him.

Federer serving rushing to the net, get the first volley off his feet but misses the straight down the line back hand. Aha that backhand! Play it again so that I can worship it with my tears!

And Federer serves out the last point to lead two games to love in the second set.

Kavcic breaks Federer and raises his arms as if he has won the match. I say no less. Greatness always has seeds in humble beginnings unless of course you are one of the Federer’s twins or his as yet unborn!

Kavcic serving fourth game and Federer making  up for the loss of his service game. Its love forty and Federer breaks Kavcic before I can blink my eye. Its four games to one.  Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia and the Russian commonwealth countries produce so many talented tennis players to grace the top twenty.  Serena Williams once said in her famously cringing way that is so American- there are so many povas, vics, renskas…(not the exact quote but close enough). The problem with women’s tennis is that there only pretenders and no contenders at all. Serena Williams is the queen or should I say the empress and the rest are foot soldiers. As I sais Eastern Europe produces tennis players in numbers only to populate top twenty.  They have the game obviously- Zvonareva, Radwanska, Safina, Sharapova, Kvitova, Azarenka (is learning slowly) Kutznetsova, Pironkova and the compatriots- Jankovic and Ivanovic. But mental toughness?  Serena can destroy them with her look alone.  I imagine her as the proud empress, conquering of all that she surveys and the rest are ants scurrying to get to the top of the cliff where the might one stands with the three pronged spear in her hand! Alas the rest are just no match for her power, speed, agility (oh my how she moves like a cheetah) Her presence alone I think is intimidating for most players and I am waiting for somebody who will challenge her and then we can see a riveting match.  Azarenka came close, is still coming close while Serena is moving without a backward glance. She lives in her own world- unapologetic, doing what she needs to do, never on the defensive! I was never a Serena Williams fan but have become one now and tennis is just one of the many reasons.  The major reason is that she rules and rules with her racket as well as her race! Being black in a white one’s sport must be hard and we have the stories to prove it.

Back to the game and Federer has broken Kavcic again to lead two sets to zero. I like Kavcic’s game but you can obviously see the rawness and the lack of thinking on your feet specially during net play and when Federer has hit the ball short, you won’t have a prayer if the top players are behind that ball.  Enough said, Its Federer now serving the first game of the third set. Two aces in a row

Back to the second rounder where Kavcic and Federer are tied at two games all.  Its one hour and fourteen minutes and five games into the match.  Federer has a break point but Kavcic saves it as Federer hits a forehand wide..and another down the line forehand goes wide (which should be cause for worry as he progresses to the next round).  He can get away with errors and wide and long shots against lesser players. Overall his game looks okay (okay for his standards which means his game is adequate to get him to the semi finals at least).

So far no breaks in the third set.  Kavcic has regrouped to hold his serve.  Federer leads five games to four and Kavcic will serve to stay in the match.  Its 30-15 and oh dear, Kavcic hits a regulation forehand in the net.  It is 30-30.  Federer and Kavicic both make unforced error to level score at deuce but Federer nets a forehand to hand advantage to Kavcic and one more from Federer for the score to read six games all and time for tie- break.

Federer serves and gets a cracking return from Kavcic. Its 0-1. A strong serve gets Federer struggeto return. It is 2-0.  Federer hits a cross-court wide and it 3-0.  Federer’s turn to serve.  Kavcic hits short and Federer jumps on it and hits a winner.  Ace from Federer and score tells 3-2.  Oops a double fault to leve at 3-3.  Costly fault that one!  Nerves are clearly on display here.  But Kavcic is doing really well.  Its at times like these that Federer has failed in his game. Kavicic should know and rally.  And again a missed forehand from Kavicic.  Score is 3-4.  Federer serves, Kavcic hits a backhand wide.  Federer is closing it as score reads 5-3. Oh oh, my earlier observation that Federer mishits under pressure (these days) and another unforced error to give Kavicic much needed point. And Kavcic hits a backhand in the net and another error to hand Federer the match.

Camera pans to Mirka and Edberg. Unlike Lendl, Stefan Edberg has a gentle smile and so does Federer.  Kavcic gets a round of applause and Federer stops for an on-court interview-

The crowd loves Federer.  I think more than Murray, Nadal, Djokovic, it is Federer who is the real star!

The statistics of Federer match read- zero double faults, 52 winners and first serve that stands at 76%.  On to the third round now. 

What happened to Sania Mirza?

 But is that a fair question to ask?

At least we had an Indian tennis player who captured the imagination of the people.  Young boys and girls wanted to play tennis seeing her in action.  There was also as usual a spate of babies with the names ‘Sania’ born around the time she peaked in popularity.  So far so good. She also gave it as good as she got especially to the Mullahs who wanted our Sania to play as long as she wore a Burqua, possibly also hand gloves that extended till the elbow, a veil and basically they might as well had asked her to jump in a sack in the locker room before she came on to the court.  She was brave and also knew when to stop giving sound bites as much as she knew when to sound them. So far really good.  With resource limitations and the cascading effect it has on everything- quality of training, support staff, travel, accommodation, Sania still managed to overcome these and become the possessor of a decent game.  Believe me, this is a compliment of the highest order.  It is tough anyway to pick a game no plays and knows anything about apart from something or someone called Navratilova and McEnroe.  So she did smash the ceiling that ends with cricket.  Admirable, really.

But then came a spate of injuries, involving knee, hips, wrists, that can spell doom for your game. Surgeries followed and finally at 26, Sania has admitted that it takes longer to recover and there are always niggles; that she is ready to hang up her boots soon and hopes that she can win a few more slams before that.  At 26 the same age as Maria Sharapova or Marion Bartoli is 28 or Any Murray is 26.  But again, is it fair to judge Sania Mirza vis-à-vis the world’s top players?  Absolutely not.  So I shall continue with my column and keep these players entirely at bay.  They will be mentioned henceforth for reference purposes only. 

Whenever I have watched Mirza’s game, two things strike me immediately- the number of unforced errors and her attitude/ state of mind concerning her game off the court.  Sania Mirza’s highest ranking was 27.  Her approach to ‘unforced errors’ was very surprising to say the least.  When asked about it after a defeat (where these jokers played a very prominent part), she replied that unforced errors are not important and one has to look beyond them.  And here I thought that these errors cost matches! But then again what do I know, I am just an amateur player and commentator on the game.  In one of the matches against one of the top 10 players (I forget the name), the play was really lamentable, there were no rallies, the opponent would serve, Sania would hit, the opponent would return and Sania would hit into the net or wide or long or high anywhere but within the court.  Understandably, I could see the frustration on her opponent’s face. Are you surprised?  I am not, it is like a seasoned player playing a novice or a weaker player.  The caliber of the opponents play totally puts your game off, you cannot find the rhythm, there are no rallies that help you settle down in the game and also read your rival’s game.  But then reading it not that big a problem (the game is just one line long- she is making n number of unforced errors) as much as finding your rhythm is.  Finally the tragedy of this game ended shortly, Sania’s opponent was relieved and I am sure so was Sania.  My point here is what happened to Sania’s game? How did it dip to such a level where errors started costing her matches and threatened to loom over her entire game.  That she had a strong forehand was known, that she was courageous was a given (otherwise you cannot make in this individual sport) but how about some mental mettle?  How about that determination to excel? 

I have read reports of her requesting the CM of Andhra Pradesh to grant her land to start a training academy even when she was far from retiring. If I remember right, she had just started to blossom and media had taken notice of her and she was playing well.  I have never seen her game where I can just rest assured that this is going to be a winning shot. Alas, Sania had made friends with the net.  She has since moved on to doubling her presence in life and on the court in form of marriage and doubles.  But that is even more tricky.  I have watched Bhupathi and Sania in action and it can safely be said that while Bhupathi earned some great points, Mirza squandered them with wayward tennis, But they have managed to win the French Open Mixed Double Championship. Unbelievable but true.  It makes me sad to think that a player that everything going for her was let down possible because I feel that her desire to excel let her down. When you see the Top 20 and their training, dedication to train and improve, it make you feel that you are constantly falling short regardless of the effort you take.  Age-wise, 26 yrs. hardly the age to talk about retirement and I am not confusing this with the wisdom to know when to quit.

Sania Mirza has started the eponymous tennis training academy in Hyderabad and I hope, I really do that she creates little Sanias, both boys and girls in India who will hit a mean forehand..sorry a winning forehand and who do not know the meaning of unforced errors. I hope she and her team of coaches will instill in them this desire to excel and a determination to win.  Having a great support staff does leave you to deal with your game without any burdens in your heart or head.

Good Luck Sania!  

Now that Wimbledon is over.....

Britain’s wait for an English hero was over on 7^th July and ironically it was none other than a Scotsman who brought them this glory.  For women’s tennis, it couldn’t have been a greater anti-climax as Sabine Lisicki showed none of the stehaufmaennchen attitude that she is no famous for.  I an however understand her case of nerves and it is no different from an elocution competition or a speech competition of taking part in a play where there are hundreds, thousands pair of eyes watching your every move.  Stage fright, nerves and just mental meltdown.  I lost interest when Sabine was down 1-6 to Marion Bartoli.  But a one-sided match never makes for great viewing.  My heart goes out to Lisicki and also to Marion Bartoli who has said that she wanted to hug Sabine when she shed  a tear.  This is one unusual champion- fierce but all warm hearted and one who doesn’t forget to be human on a stage where is forbidden to show any vulnerability.  Bartoli has face misogyny from BBC and we are by now used to the broadcasting corporation fielding journalist who ask stupid questions and make irrelevant remarks under the guide of ‘hamfisted’ but ‘well intended’.  In this case John Inverdale of the beeb commented "Do you think Bartoli's dad told her when she was little: 'You're never going to be a looker, you'll never be a [Maria]Sharapova, so you have to be scrappy and fight'?"  Sad, outrageous and also the fact that he didn’t think twice before spitting it on millions of viewers.  But Bartoli was equally strong to take it on her chin and fling it back calmly saying that ‘she is not looking for modelling contracts’.  I admire this calmness that is anything if not contrary to her on-court restlessness.  I love Bartoli and I wish she continues her form for as long as she plays. And I know Sabine has talent by her sheer will to stay and fight. But consistency is the key as she well knows.  You cannot beat everybody by ‘going all out’ all the time.  It will burn you before you can burn the opponent.  So here’s a toast to Sabine and Marion, tennis ‘found again’ champions and hoping to see more of them in the future.

Meanwhile what are out tennis players doing now that there is a bit of calm till the last grand slam down under?

Lisicki is back in Berlin and her schedule is chock-a-block with press commitments before she retreats to Bradenton, Florida and starts training.

The dizzying heels that Bartoli waswearing were Louboutins. She will head back to Geneva, Switzerland where she resides.  Federer was lookng forward to playing on Centre Court as late as 23^rd June and was tweeting about wanting play Gstaad Open as early as 2^nd July. I admire the spirit in this man.  There is no embarrassment in playing Ranji trophy if you cant see the balls whizzing past you. He will also play in Hamburg which is ‘favourite tournament’, never mind that he hasn’t played there in more than 4 years. This was the tournament where he got his first wild card. 

Andy Murray had 11 rackets in his kit bag.  Djokovic hosted a party after the Wimbledon for his Novak Djokovic Foundation for raising funds for underprivileged kids in Serbia.  The foundation is run by Jelena Ristic.  The gala was held at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road and guess who is the global ambassador of this foundation? None other than Sarah Ferguson or more commonly know and more likely recognised as ‘Fergie’.  Why Novak why! And I though there is nothing worse than your missed down-the-line backhands! Groan! It was a star-studded event with cocktails and dinner.Novak’s girlfriend Jelena Ristic wore a lovely black and white striped Oscar de la Renta and Djokovic looked like he stepped out of a photoshoot for GQ.  Naomi Campbell, Kate Hudson, Gerard Butler, local boy Boris Becker were there as well.  And so was Marion Bartoli in her Louboutins.  The lady doesn’t lie, she indeed loves her heels!

Vicgtoria Azarenka has bought a house in california and is currently rejuvenating by buying furniture for her new abode.  And to top all news- Our own Mahesh Bhupathi and his Globosport will team with Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment to manage Andy Murray’s commercial interests which will leave him in peace to concentrate on his core competency which is hitting balls on the court.  Bhupathi has announced that he will try and earn the rich man more riches inform of $200 million this year.  They will pursue Federer style endorsements where he will have his own personal line of clothing from Nike/ Adidas.  Well winner takes all Andy, make the most of it!

Semi Final no.1 Juan Martin del Potro V/s Novak Djokovic

1st Set, 7^th game- Its three sets all. Djokovic is serving.  We see that terrible cross court forehand from Del Potro and though Djokovic reached it, sheer power of that stroke rendered the return impossible.

Djokovic holds and is up four games to three.  Centre Court is choc- a- block and Henman hill retains its festive spirit outside. 

8^th game- Del Potro is serving.   A lame return gifts Djokovic a point and another big serve from the giant equals the score.  Djokovic hits the ball in disgust as he hits the forehand wee bit long off the baseline.   A wonderful volley from Djokovic  cuts Potro’s cross court backhand short and a well-earned point that.  The good news is both the players are playing their game without trouble. Though I see some signs of trouble in Djokovic’s down the line backhand that often catches his opponents on the wrong foot.  Twice now it has landed out.

9^th game- Dhokovic is.  Strong serves earns him 30-love.  Its 40 love now.  Djokovic’s service looking good.  Oh Oh another down the line backhand lands outside the sidelines. 7 unforced errors from Djokovic as against two from del Potro.  Potro hits a cross court backhand deep and then a down the line forehand to have Djokovic scrambling to return unsuccessfully.  But a terrific serve from Djokovic helps him hold and he now leads five games to four.

Potro serving in the 10^th game and another missed backhand, into the net it goes taking Djokovic’s tally of errors to 8, oh and one more, to 9.  Del Potro’s forehands are looking menacing with each game.  But he hits a backhand wide. Aha that forehand is good, it looked like he hit it deep so Potro moved behind the baseline but it fell way short of the baseline.  Djokovic serving the 11the game and misses oh that forehand from potro, it was over before Djokovic reached the net, Awesome crosscourt forehand but the linesman called it out and it was clearly out!
Del Potro is now serving to take the set to a tie break.  Del Potro hits a cross court backhand, seemingly unreachable if you run to hit, but Djokovic now puts his invisible skis on and slides into it and hits the backhand even as the slide continues. Extraordinary.  This is the backhand shot that I am talking about and the one that Djokovic has missed three to four times in the first set.  Long rally followed and a magnificent drop shot by Djokovic to win this one.  Potro now serving to stay in the set.  Oh oh, an error from Del potro and Djokovic ina position to break Potro.  30-40, Potro might want to hit an ace here to save a break point.  And Djokovic breaks Potro after 55 minutes takes the set 7-5.  Two errors from Del Potro proving costly.

Djokovic serving in the second set.  Looking all well ensconced. Strong forehand a good shot selection help Djokovic hold.  Djokovic leading one game to love in the second set.  That’s another backhand from Djokovic that has landed outside but it’s a return of serve so I am giving him the benefit of doubt.  And just when I thinks Del Potro’s game is dipping, he runs languidly to the ball and hits a forehand that is sharp, close to the net and come from top down at crazy speed. Ferocious!

Long tiring rallies look to be the thing of the present in this semi final. Mean rallies where the ball appears from centre of the court and lands magically at impossible nooks and crannies on the other side but the ball comes back as ever with more power and bounce and spin and trajectory that will put a missile to shame or should I say crazy ball? And del Potro clutches his knees after a seemingly endless one.  That’s great backhand from Del Potro, catching the serve early and returning as Djokovic was nowhere near the ball.  Djokovic holds his serve and now leads two games to one.  Up to this point I don’t see any serve and volleys at all. 

And as if reading my mind, De Potro comes to the net and makes himself vulnerable to a blistering forehand from Djokovic and it lands in the net (fortunately for him), 11^th or 12^th unforced error from Djokovic, the kind we see from doubles or lesser players.  Del Potro serving the 4^th game and holds.

Djokovic serving the 5^th game, fires two quick aces and is up 30 love.  Coming to the net is not really working for the players. The one time that Del Potro came, it opened up the court for Djokovic and the one time that Djokovic came del Potro won that point.  So far there have been a couple of drop shots from Djokovic, none from Del Potro, plenty of slicing and dicing and exactly one volley from Djokovic . There has been a lot of slicing primarily to give the players some breathing space when they have been at the receiving end of a shot.  It is the baseline that is dictating matters and who is able to outrun and outlast. Rallying with Djokovic is the wrong strategy. He can rally forever.  Now again as if reading my mind, Del Potro comes to the net and cuts his Djokovic’s full- on forehand with a crosscut volley. Well played and he fires an ace to level score at deuce.  A good serve and Del Potro in position to dictate the terms of the shot. Advantage.  Djokovic volleys and levels score. But a backhand hit wide earns him a break point.  Djokovic sends one into space and score is level again.  Djokovic rushes to the net again and uses the drop volley to gain him advantage.  Break point no 2.  A strong serve from Del Potro and score level again.  122 mph from the big man. 

Djokovic serving the 7^th game and a delicious forehand, on the sweet spot, on the line earns him a love 15.  What a point from Del Potro! He was well beyond the baseline when Djokovic hit a drop shot and he sprinted  to the net and flicked the ball.  Potro is now up love 40. Three break points and Del Potro breaks Djokovic for the first time.  Pumps his fists and celebrates.  Now will Djokovic come back roaring an not give Del Potro chance to leverage his break?

Its adavantage Del Potro now,  and he breaks! Del Potro now leads in the second by five games to three. Djokovic now serving to stay in the set and fires four aces in row and holds.  Will Del Potro be able to hold his serve or will Djokovic break him back?

Del Potro up at 15 love. Another goo d serve but a challenge from Djokovic.  Its 2.49 pm in London and Juan Martin del Potro takes the first set 6-4 in 44 minutes. 

Djokovic serves the first game of the third set.

A wonderful cross court from  Djokovic.  Approaching the net is not working again, And out of his hat, Djokovic hits his wonderfully nonchalant backhand down the line and on the line.  He holds comfortably. 

Del Potro serving the 2^nd game and he holds.  What has been the highlight of the match so far are the engaging rallies- long and exhausting .  testing the will of each player to reach the ball and hit it productively not just return.  Aha another interesting point.  Djokovic lobs, Del potro chases and turns around and hits a forehand, wide.  An ace down the middle and Djokovic is up 40 love. 

Djokovic serving the 5^th game of the 3^rd set and he holds after tense moments when it looked like Del Potro might break him. Del Potro serving the 6^th game, a rally of 17 strokes ends in the net and Del potro is up 15 love, in response Djokovic raises his hand as if to smash the racket….gently..nothing serious.  An error from Del potro gifts Djokovic his first point in the game.  Del potro holds after this last point of 21 shots.

Back from a half hour break, and Djokovic has won the set in a tie break that he won comfortably.  I see Del Potro tiring and he is playing the man who played the longest final (in a single day) in grand slam history- 5 hours and 57 minutes and won it against another giant- Nadal.  Are his knees troubling him? 4^th game, Djokovic is serving and he fires an ace to hold his serve.  Both are now two games all.

Del Potro serving the 5^th game in the 4^th set- and holds. 

Its 4.27 at Wimbledon and Del Potro works a beautiful forehand. 6^th game and Del Potro up love 15.  Djokovic serves down the T and score is leveled.  Djokovic hits a drop shot and Del potro runs to it comfortably but hit it out.  There is a brief smiling banter between the two players as Del Potro’s momentum carries him over to Djokovic’s side.  Djokovic holds.

7^th game- Another missed down the line backhand and he screams, looks heaven ward. 100 errors from Djokovic  forced and unforced (48 totally in the match).  And a great forehand, the ball coming above Djokovic’s shoulders.  An error from Del Potro gives Djokovic two break points. Second serve from Potro and two breaks points for Djokovic.  Defensive tennis has been abandoned and we see impossible tennis being played at this juncture,  forehands and backhand, drop shots and sliced forehand and then there are those slides from Djokovic that only he can do, barring clijsters  AND and he has the break, Djokovic breaks Del Potro and Djokovic leads 4 games to 3.  

8^th game- Djokovic serving- fires an ace and the score is 15 all. Another 122mph from Djokovic and another point in the bag.  By now Djokovic is missing those trademark backhands of his with a regularity that will delight Murray should both win their semi finals But wait, Del Potro wins a point and gets a break point and a magnificent forehand from Del Potro breaks Djokovic. Both are at 4 games each.

9^th game- Del Potro serving and a cracking return by Djokovic and one more return to send Djokovic up love 30.  But Del Potro holds and leads by five game to four.

10^th game- Djokovic serving now to stay in the set. Will it be a tie breaker in Djokovic’s favour or will it extend to a 5 set piece?

4^th set, tie break, Djokovic gets a min-break on Del Potro’s serve. He is up love 1, Djokovic serves and when a rally is in in full swing, Del Potro challenges a forehand hit by Djokovic and it is in, a costly challenge especially since he was in a position to return it.  But don’t worry, Djokovic returned the favour and Del potro won his first point of the tie break.  Djokovic is leading 4 points to 3.  Del Potro is serving to keep his dream of a Wimbledon final alive.  He hits a backhand in the corner that Djokovic returned and as he scrambled down the centre, Del POtro hit in the same spot Djokovic stumbles slips as he attempts to change direction.  Score is 4 all.  What a point! Djokovic hits deep and Del potro lobs as Djokovic  smashes and Del Potro returns and Djokovic hits a back hand volley.  Djokovic is now up 6 points to 4 and match point for him…..and this rally lasts 21 shots I think but give or take a few, the drama of this point doesn’t lessen- Djokovic  slides and lobs and Del Potro throws up his hands and racket to will the ball out and the ball lands out.  It is five points to four and Del Potro’s forehand levels the break…five points all. Please somebody check my blood pressure. And Del potro wins the 4^th set in a scintillating tie-break.

5^th set. Who will win?

1^st Game- Djokovic serving first, and holds comfortably and we are four hours and nine minutes into the match.  Djokovic is playing his 13^th consecutive grand slam final. Wow!

This is a semifinal truly worthy of a grand slam and worth every penny that has cost me for a ticket.  Del Potro’s forehand is coming good whenever he needs it, It comes at you from a height and descends suddenly like a roller coaster ride plunging into an abyss without warning. It has speed, precision, power and a finality of no-return!

Del Potro has risen to the challenge, has been a worthy opponent and has called on shots at his will. He has made Djokovic explore every inch of the court in case he has forgotten, played deftly, with certainty and not forgotten to smile! That is important. No this is not an obituary. It is only a testimony to a novel situation where  there are unfamiliar figures occupying the centre court and therefore different behaviours than we are used to.  While a Nadal or Federer or even Murray are playing, there are no smiles and no respite. Only ruthlessness and single minded pursuit of the opponent’s destruction 

It surprises me that Del potro has hit just three aces to nineteen from Djokovic.  Like the fastest of bowlers, he has probably traded speed for consistency and it has served him well.  Alarmingly less unforced errors as compared to Djokovic who is committing unforced errors like they are going out of style.

What a return, 5^th game, and Del Potro returns with a casual backhand down the line, Djokovic doesn’t bother to even make a move.  But Djokovic serves well and then rushes to the ball and finishes with a backhand down the line. Again a great serve gives him advantage. His last serve fired at 127 mph. His 21^st ace, 22^nd and counting, Djoko now up 40 -30 and game Djokovic. Djokovic leads three games to two.

It is 5.33, sky is holding well while Del Potro chomps on his banana as his physiologist massages his back and ribs.  The match is now 4 hours and 29 minutes long.

8^th game- And oh what a game what a game!.  Every joints, each skill tested to the limit, every muscle stretched in an effort to retrieve and return the yellow fluff.  Djokovic breaks Del Potro and leads by five games to three.  And here is where remains to be see as to who will blink, wil del potro come back to break Djokovic or will Djokovic hold and book his place in the finals? Or has Del Portro already blinked? But as an armchair enthusiast and a marginal player of the game it will be unfair for me to say that Del Potro blinked.  The logic being that every match has to reach its logical conclusion to make only one man the winner.  But beyond a certain point, there are no winners, there are only brave hearts!

In this match, every game has been different, dramatic, tense, and the much trodden ground around the baseline has been getting balder and balder; the surface gets slippery, Djokovic panting and serving. Djokovic hits a forehand deep so that potro has to run to out of the court to hit it and then Djokovic hits a badminton drop shot.  That was tense.  Djokovic serves, it is 30 all.  Del Potro shows no signs of nerves and plays as freely as if it were the first set and not like someone who is trying to save the match and wins a point to level the score.  That was a delicate drop shot from Djokovic.  Great serve from Djokovic and match point for him.  And he has got it, the down the line back hand delivering at last when it mattered.  The players hug and part. What a match, what a match,  Djokovic thumps his chest and roars.  What an extraordinary tennis match and a level of ferocity not seen from the gentle giant. Novak Djokovic wins to book his place in the second Wimbledon final.