Wimbledon 2006

[ginapants]

i saw the replay last night..it was wierd ...he played well but it was like he was ...don't know how to say this... it was like...his eyes were sad even if he was winning he looked different than the marat i knew (at least that's what i saw) but that doesn't mean i don't love you anymore...i always will

[kuniochi]

ginapants said:

i saw the replay last night..it was wierd ...he played well but it was like he was ...don't know how to say this... it was like...his eyes were sad even if he was winning he looked different than the marat i knew (at least that's what i saw)

I think that the sadness came when he lost the third set.....he was pretty happy during the first two sets.

[legato]

emma said:

legato said:

Now he will have to take a 4-week vacation from tennis, hopefully it would be an opportunity to break the glass and bring on the real Marat, time is tiking now his ranking is sloppy and he aint 20 anymore, Marat has done an awful lot to come in here and regain fitness but it is not enough by his own standards, Nadal was also injured for 4-6 months both came in at the same time, of course marat's injury was much worse but if you look on the other side, Nadal came at Dubai only his second tournament managed to beat federer on a hard surface where Federer has got the advantage and even retain all of his previous titles, and I think that that's the spirit Marat should come in with, not fistpumping and vamos like, but just the cool cynical Marat that wee see when he is playing his A game, because Marat's A game is surelly on par with Federer's. The only thing that separates them is consitency and that what gave Roger's the advantage, in the rusedski match Marat was almost a replica of federer's game, he was calm and composed, never panicking, raised his game when needed, and took the big points, now that is a performance worthy of federer's best, but that was some time ago for federer's game, now he can even seem to play awful, struggle but manage to pull the game in straight sets and that is something he gained by consistency.Marat is still a rugged diamond compared to federer's, but if he manages to be make himeself sharp then he might create the same bang that Federe's created when he exploded on the scene and not even Roger would come close to match him. But I am affraid that if he doesnt move fast it might be too little too late for him, he is now outshadowed by federer, and now Nadal, even by roddick and hewit and his ranking isnt helping, but then if he can manage to turn it over his ranking might prove one unxpected weapon as he would easily come in the top 10 if he manages to make good results especially that he hasnt participated in any of the tournaments that he is set to play in the upcoming weeks. So It would be a very good chance, now that there is no pressure or expectations and now that he has come so close to find his A game again. It will only come to himeself if he has the will to be no 1 in the world he shall be. Only himeself can do that.

Marat started playing tennis again mid-january..... a month and a half later he's playing Davydenko for his first match since Cincinnati. Davydenko was not at his best that day, just arrived from Rotterdam and was tired, but still number 5 or 6.... and Marat beats him.... and he played good that day. Marat looked lost in the first set, but then it came back.
Marat has never done as well as this year in Indian Wells, he was amazing for the Davis Cup in Pau.... and he was amazing for 5 sets. Then there was Valencia, and he got sick..... and I think that it made him a lot sicker than we know because he's been down for a while after that.
He started playing well again at RG.... he may have lost first round there, but nobody can say that he didn't play well. And he's been playing well since then.... he's still losing but at least his game is back.
As for beeing THE guy that can beat Roger and Rafael..... Marat is not constant enough..... he can be THAT guy for a short period of time, but not on a whole year.
Marat has never been able to dominate his emotions.... he's working on that but he can't dominate them. That's one of the many things that make him so special, we know he can be amazing, but we also know that a little thing during a match can make him lose his temper and blow everything.
I know that he can come back in the top ten..... make it top 5. I know that it's gonna take time and patience, but I know that he'll come back. He may fall many more times, but he's not ready to give up.... and we're not ready to give up on him.
He doesn't have a lot of years left, but he's got plenty of time to make great things happen during those years..... and we'll be there to see them ;D

I am not saying that Marat isnt giving it his all, is comeback has been a success more or less, but he still hasnt been able to reach his best and deliver it week in week out, and I think that"As for beeing THE guy that can beat Roger and Rafael..... Marat is not constant enough..... he can be THAT guy for a short period of time, but not on a whole year."This is something that angers me a lot, "Roger and Nadal wouldnt have been there if they werent playing with consistency.Federer was a fiery racket braker just like marat, and was far less consistent, and while Marat was able to snatch many titles while still playing consistentley, federer wasnt as prolifilic when had the same attitude. So it proves that you can change, at the aussie open, Marat would still get mad, but instead he would challenge that rage into positive energy, and It is within his reach to play consistentley his A game week in week out if he puts his mind on it and I am sure he will

[iman]

hey guys i dont know what i can say thats new that none of u have already said!!

i do agree with someof you though marat had a defeated look on his face after the third set i dont know why he should have felt like this after the third because even though he lost it he was playing some excellant shots and should have taken confidence from that!!

i am too sad that wimbledon is over for him.....he must be soo gutted!!!!
and i am gutted for him!!

[legato]

iman said:

i am too sad that wimbledon is over for him.....he must be soo gutted!!!!
and i am gutted for him!!

That's a noble feeling Iman, but the only thing that could help him is to be gutted for himeself and by somebody else. NO offense to you Iman

[SAFINNO1]

emma said:

legato said:

Marat started playing tennis again mid-january..... a month and a half later he's playing Davydenko for his first match since Cincinnati. Davydenko was not at his best that day, just arrived from Rotterdam and was tired, but still number 5 or 6.... and Marat beats him.... and he played good that day. Marat looked lost in the first set, but then it came back.
Marat has never done as well as this year in Indian Wells, he was amazing for the Davis Cup in Pau.... and he was amazing for 5 sets. Then there was Valencia, and he got sick..... and I think that it made him a lot sicker than we know because he's been down for a while after that.
He started playing well again at RG.... he may have lost first round there, but nobody can say that he didn't play well. And he's been playing well since then.... he's still losing but at least his game is back.
As for beeing THE guy that can beat Roger and Rafael..... Marat is not constant enough..... he can be THAT guy for a short period of time, but not on a whole year.
Marat has never been able to dominate his emotions.... he's working on that but he can't dominate them. That's one of the many things that make him so special, we know he can be amazing, but we also know that a little thing during a match can make him lose his temper and blow everything.
I know that he can come back in the top ten..... make it top 5. I know that it's gonna take time and patience, but I know that he'll come back. He may fall many more times, but he's not ready to give up.... and we're not ready to give up on him.
He doesn't have a lot of years left, but he's got plenty of time to make great things happen during those years..... and we'll be there to see them ;D

Finally someone who speaks with some wisdom.

Legato i used to think exactly the same as you - but he will never be no 1 again with Roger or Rafa around. Marat can't play his tennis all year around - simply because he can't. or dont want to. For example he always plays poorly at Miami and IW - 2 big masters series. HIs results on clay have not been great and grass season is too short but he is coming round to the grass at Wimby and those points are alot that he misses out on and he will always lose in a tournament if he has to play Rochus, Santoro or Almagro- playes who he finds uncomfartable.

Heck we all know Marat can beat Roger (unsure bout Rafa since they've never played) but not for a whole year.

Some people are forgetting this is the real start of the season for Marat - he can only go up in the ranking, he is playing on hardcourts and he is injury free and by no means he is striking the ball as cleanly as can be . Things can only get better! - so there is no point dwelling on the past and we as fans must look forward to the future as Marat is!

He seems to be fighting in his matches- something he never did as well and we have to get used to the fact that Marat is weird - who knows what goes on in his head. That's a part of Marat that will never change and that is what we like about him. we dont know which marat will appear.

[SAFINNO1]

Post match interview with Russian Media
www.radiomayak.ru/schedules/11834/28682.html

I have translated it as best i could, please correct any mistakes

Name the decisive moments of encounter with Gonzalez.?
SAFIN: In this match i had chances to break , which i simply should have . In the third set at 4:3 i had 2 break points. which i did not take - twice I made errors which i had not made earlier . These errors influenced the result - more complexly it began to take charge of the match , although Gonzalez began to play well.

You played quality tennis in the first 2 sets, Why?
SAFIN: It played as best i could . But then in Gonzalez got mroe confidence and focussed . However, 4 a little time. i though he could not last the whole 5 sets but there was something - i did not expect that he will win up the fifth set

Gonzalez is stronger on clay or grass?
SAFIN: On clay , certainly . But in our match on the grass he played well and was always attacking the ball not allowing me to dictate as much . Although several times I played risk.y shots

The fact that Gonzalez is ranked higher , did you feel his game was of higher ranke?
SAFIN: There is no difference with me and his ranking . he can be first, tenth, and me 200 but I had a chance to win, especially on the grass, Gonzo's weaker surface grass But, unfortunately, in this match i lost in a way i would not like to have done and expected to

Are you dissatisfied with your game?
SAFIN: no, not technichally but more psychology.

Now for the future?
SAFIN: Let us look. i play in Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Washington to look forward to. my season will be made or lst there and i feel i should do well.

with whom you play play in the first rounds , does your form depend on?
SAFIN: Certainly. The difference to play in the first matches, let us say, with first seed than the tenth. i need to feel confidence. Physically I am well. But psychologicaly, confidence can appear only after matches It is necessary to play, to play and again to play - as much as possible. It cannot be left on practising . Confidence is necessary. More to me at the given moment than anything else

To clear things up Marat next tournament is in Indianapolis in 3 weeks.

This is his schedule
guyfromrussia.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=tournament&action=display&thread=1088690701&page=3#1147638603

[emma]

safinno1 said:

Finally someone who speaks with some wisdom.

Thanks Ily

[Chachou]

I hope that they were not posted before ^^

[alsl]

they were a couple of posts back ,but theres no harm posting em again..

[bia2209]

emma said:

Marat started playing tennis again mid-january..... a month and a half later he's playing Davydenko for his first match since Cincinnati. Davydenko was not at his best that day, just arrived from Rotterdam and was tired, but still number 5 or 6.... and Marat beats him.... and he played good that day. Marat looked lost in the first set, but then it came back.
Marat has never done as well as this year in Indian Wells, he was amazing for the Davis Cup in Pau.... and he was amazing for 5 sets. Then there was Valencia, and he got sick..... and I think that it made him a lot sicker than we know because he's been down for a while after that.
He started playing well again at RG.... he may have lost first round there, but nobody can say that he didn't play well. And he's been playing well since then.... he's still losing but at least his game is back.
As for beeing THE guy that can beat Roger and Rafael..... Marat is not constant enough..... he can be THAT guy for a short period of time, but not on a whole year.
Marat has never been able to dominate his emotions.... he's working on that but he can't dominate them. That's one of the many things that make him so special, we know he can be amazing, but we also know that a little thing during a match can make him lose his temper and blow everything.
I know that he can come back in the top ten..... make it top 5. I know that it's gonna take time and patience, but I know that he'll come back. He may fall many more times, but he's not ready to give up.... and we're not ready to give up on him.
He doesn't have a lot of years left, but he's got plenty of time to make great things happen during those years..... and we'll be there to see them ;D

Very well said Emma. I completely agree with you.

[lena]

thanks everyone for posting pics they are really nice ;D

BIG THANKS to Ily for translating Marats interview with radiomayak. Can't find any errors or mishits (what I understand with my russian skills )

and here some more pics , for all of us to overcome our frustations and sadness, let's looking forward. Indianapolis has given Marat a WILDCARD

[emma]

Thanks a lot Lena.... they are great!!!!

[maryb]

Wimbledon update (a bit late though ... I didn't get back from Wimbledon until after 10.30pm))

Managed to get the same spot again in the standing area. Brill view of the court.

Well, what can I say? I've just read throught the post-match comments in this thread and I think everyone's picked up on a lot of the issues surrounding it.

Marat was on unbelievable form for the first 2 sets and made some amazing shots - he even 'dived' a la Becker for some great returns. Gonzalez was totally outclassed every step of the way. Marat demonstrated why his game is superb for grass - and how he could take on Federer on the surface.

Marat's body language said it all - lots of fist pumping and grins to Peter and his team. Marat looked physically stronger and fitter than Gonzalez who was clearly finding the going tough throughout the match. Then - unbelievably (but not really when you look at his form) - he disputed a couple of calls at 4-3 in the third ... and he just wouldn't drop it. Even though he wins the game, he couldn't let it go. The umpire was getting pretty heated with him at the sit down. This went on for quite a while and naturally upset Marat's rhythm and focus - Gonzalez probably couldn't believe his luck. And rightfully so, took advantage of the lapse in concentration to win the third. The focus went completely out of the window after this.

All in all, he should have won this - and easily. He played superbly on grass - and he should take note of that for next year - but lost the plot over trivia.

Maybe it wouldn't do him any harm to use the services of a sports psychologist. The boy ain't 'mad', just passionate about his game, but he needs to get a grip before his career goes out of the window. It's fine to be passionate, but he needs to channel it properly.

Peter should book him in for a couple of sessions - would do him good.

My sympathies lie with Peter. He was clearly delighted with Marat's form - and not so with his behaviour in the third set. Marat only has himself to blame on this loss. He shouldn't just shrug it off and say he can't play on grass. That's complete nonsense - and makes me very angry to be honest. Peter has the experience to guide Marat through plenty of success again in his career - and he should listen to him. If he says 'drop it', that's exactly what he should do.

And on a final note, I've lost hard cash again!!!

Back to Wimbles tomorrow - my last day for another year. And I've got third degree burns again.

[kuniochi]

Maryb, thanks for the great reports!!!! ;D ;D ;D

Emma, so right as allways!

SAFINNO1, 10zz for the translation, I'm glad we heard something from Marat after the loss!