"The only player who can give him some trouble at the moment, it's Rafael Nadal," Ljubicic said. "I think just because he (Nadal) is a lefty, nothing else. When he (Federer) is on top of his game, there's no one out there who can give him any trouble. It depends mostly on him."
I don't have access to the full interview as it is not up on the site yet, so this is an excerpt from wire reports.
It's interesting that Ivan and Andre have mentioned this very same thing this week at IW. Obviously it's more than just the fact that Nadal is a lefty because Fed doesn't have problems with other lefties, but it seems like a lot of the players on tour believe the BIGGEST reason Nadal bothers Federer is because of the lefty FH spinning up on Federer's BH which is the only position from which he cannot attack. They believe that if Nadal had all of his other attributes/skills but were right handed, he would not bother Fed at all.
Ivan also had many nice things to say about Roger:
"I consider myself a top-five player in the world, which doesn't mean that I'm close to Roger," Ljubicic said. "I think he's really much better than I am, and probably anyone else."
He really has internalized this because he had a hangdog look about him from the first rally, a look that said, "I'm not going to win, he's too good, oh well" and Fed picked up on it right away. I foudn it strange because Ivan had really challenged him that last couple of times they played.
If I´m not wrong I remember another quote from Ivan (don´t know if it was in Shangai or before) where he said he felt like his level was close to Federer´s one. Ljubo came back to Earth today and that was nice to watch
If I´m not wrong I remember another quote of Ivan (don´t know if it was in Shangai or before) where he said he felt like his level was close to Federer´s one. Ljubo came back to Earth today and that was nice to watch
Yes, I think it after Dubai where he almost beat him and wasn't as impressed. Ivan will say whatever is on his mind at the time and that is what makes his comments interesting. I have no doubt he would probably change his tune if Nadal put a clinic on him, he would say differently, but he is going on what he has seen so far.
If I´m not wrong I remember another quote from Ivan (don´t know if it was in Shangai or before) where he said he felt like his level was close to Federer´s one. Ljubo came back to Earth today and that was nice to watch
well i think he was referring to the match itself, saying that their levels were similar. It was a close match and ivan was obviously disappointed. I really wouldnt take what he said literally.
well i think he was referring to the match itself, saying that their levels were similar. It was a close match and ivan was obviously disappointed. I really wouldnt take what he said literally.
Well, I must be wrong, as it was a written interview, English is not his first language neither is mine, but it sounded to me like a cocky assumption and it fits pretty well in the Ljubicic we know since he has climbed up the rankings, quite a big mouth to my eyes.
To give the guy credit, he has been a top 5 five player over the past 5 or 6 months, that's for sure. It was dissapointing to see him just kind of give up from the beginning today.
Comments after a loss shouldn't be taken too seriously.
Nadal puts a hell of alot of spin on the ball, which wouldn't make a difference for his opponent whether he is a righty or lefty so I'm not buying that theory.
No, it was said by Marat, as quoted in this article. Here's the complete quote:
“If he wasn't a lefty, Federer would beat him 10 times out of 10,” said the Russian. “Not many players on the tour are lefty, so every time you play against a lefty, it's completely different, with opposite spin. Also, he (Nadal) is very fast and he's a big fighter. The whole combination.”"
I don't think he was wrong in saying that he thinks he's one of the top 5 right now. He's been playing consistently well and if his opponent wasn't Federer but anybody else, he might very well be in the semis.
To give the guy credit, he has been a top 5 five player over the past 5 or 6 months, that's for sure. It was dissapointing to see him just kind of give up from the beginning today.
No he´s not, he´s been in 5 spot for a couple of weeks if I´m not wrong, I think it´s temerary to consider himself as a settled top5 and of course I can easily name 5 players that, on top of their games, are at least a class above him
Nadal puts a hell of alot of spin on the ball, which wouldn't make a difference for his opponent whether he is a righty or lefty so I'm not buying that theory.
First of all, Nadal is one hell of a player and will, in all probability, #1 someday so what I'm going to say doesn't take away from that.
If Nadal weren't left-handed, he wouldn't be able to hit the CC FH snapping the wrist which causes the ball to ride up high on Fed's BH from which he can only defensively slice. If he were right-handed, he could still hit with just as much spin, but the FH would not have the same action on it going high on Fed's BH since it would be an inside-out FH which would have a completely different look and bounce.
No he´s not, he´s been in 5 spot for a couple of weeks if I´m not wrong, I think it´s temerary to consider himself as a settled top5 and of course I can easily name 5 players that, on top of their games, are at least a class above him
Yes, people can name 5 players that have more talent and when they are on, they are better, but his results from the past 5 months speak for themselves. I don't think there are 5 players on tour with better results than him in that stretch of time. Of course, we can then go into what constitutes being in the top, what time period, etc. etc.
And concerning the topic, Ljubo, Agassi and Safin are not telling anything new. It´s pretty clear Nadal is a very bad match-up for Roger and one of the main reasons, probably the biggest one, is that cc fh Roger can´t handle. Of course that shot doesn´t makes the whole package, his defensive skills mostly do the rest. After all, tennis is all about match-ups.
^I also think it is mental toughness and intensity. Most players give up after Federer bitchslaps them around for a few games, but it doesn't bother Nadal at all. He still comes back to play the next point like he is going to win it. That has to be frustrating for any opponent, but especially an opponent who is used to players capitulating after being pushed around a bit.
Yes, people can name 5 players that have more talent and when they are on, they are better, but his results from the past 5 months speak for themselves. I don't think there are 5 players on tour with better results than him in that stretch of time. Of course, we can then go into what constitutes being in the top, what time period, etc. etc.
They make it sound like he was born blessed because he's left-handed, but he's not. Nadal choses to play left-handed, he could play right-handed just as well if he wanted to.
If they think being a lefty is such a big advantage maybe they should learn to play left-handed like Nadal did.
While they're at it, why don't they also say that federer is only number one because he knows how to do a one-handed backhand.
And many people will likely agree with both of you, but it´s not classy coming from him. Nadal, for instance, has constantly told press his main goal this season is to stay in top8 when everyone knows that´s a dead cert barrying injuries.
And concerning the topic, Ljubo, Agassi and Safin are not telling anything new. It´s pretty clear Nadal is a very bad match-up for Roger and one of the main reasons, probably the biggest one, is that cc fh Roger can´t handle. Of course that shot doesn´t makes the whole package, his defensive skills mostly do the rest. After all, tennis is all about match-ups.
Well, obviously it's not solely about Rafa being a lefthander, if it was then Nieminen and Koubek would have better records against Federer. Yes, too many forget about the match up things.
As for Ljubo, well I don't have a problem with him and as for the comments, well whether people agree or not, at least he doesn't come out cliches all the time.
They make it sound like he was born blessed because he's left-handed, but he's not. Nadal choses to play left-handed, he could play right-handed just as well if he wanted to.
If they think being a lefty is such a big advantage maybe they should learn to play left-handed like Nadal did.
While they're at it, why don't they also say that federer is only number one because he knows how to do a one-handed backhand.
I don't think they are saying that. They are saying why Nadal is a matchup problem for Federer. That's all. But analysis like this really boils down to a bunch of nothing because Nadal IS left-handed, he DOES hit that CC FH with extreme spin, and either Federer learns how to deal with it, or attack at other times, or whatever, or he will continue to lose to him.
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