I miss Gulbis too.

 

Such a weird unit, you never knew what you were going to get with Gulbis. That said, he had plenty of talent and tennis could certainly do with some alternative personalities, instead of the same cookie-cutter, media trained to within an inch of their lives types that we routinely get today.

 

Sadly he completely went awol after his best season (2014). He was only 26 yo there, I thought he would become a regular after RG 2014, he beat Federer in the QF and took a set from peak Djokovic in the semis. He reached the top 10 after that tournament.

Such a nice player and interesting persona. I don't miss his forehand much, as it was strong if taken on the rise, but a very breakable shot in the rallies. His backhand and 1st serve were absolute elite tho.

He really destroyed Rafa in that Rome 2013 match, just somehow couldn't take it in the finish line. Mental issues always prevented him from really becoming a top dog.

Is he still the president of Latvian Tennis Federation?

 

Not many player could handle Nadal's cross-court forehand on clay like a joke, Gulbis is one of them

 

He was a rich a-hole on tour but funny. His feud with RBA of all people was legendary (calling RBA a "spoiled princess", RBA fistpumping in his face after a victory etc.). His eagle wings fh was fugly, much like Khachanovs (thanks Bresnik).

 

I saw Gulbis at USO watching juniors, he's quite fat now.

 

least surprising development possible

 

Gulbis was the first non Jarkko Nieminen player I became a serious fan of. I can really pick the winners. However his run in 2014 I wont forget. He was an absolute beast on an extremely competitive tour. he won Nice the week before RG, won a crucial game in the final hitting only drop shot winners. Owning Fed in a tight R4 and then absolutely demolishing Berdych in the quarters. This was back when Berdychhadnt gotten double bageled by Goffin, and was a very serious player.

Just couldnt quite get into top gear in the semis. And that was it, that was the peak. At the time I thought it was the start of something, but it was fun while it lasted. When he was on peak ball bashing form, it was something beautiful to behold.

 

I miss the guy who snuffed out peak Rogie's USO record much much more.