[Tomb Bombadil]

I just went through Wawrinka’s profil and in his last 7 GS tournaments (USO 13 – FO 15) his results were:

SF, WON, 1ST, QF, QF, SF, WON

Pretty consistent at the slams in contrary to the rest of the season. Looks like he has a good preparation for slams.

 

[BodyServe]

It's because he plays mugs in the first few rounds of slams to find his groove, he doesn't get away with that at M1000 level.

 

[Secondeuce]

Yes, I noticed that some time ago. Wawrinka is NOT inconsistent, he consistently peaks for the majors. His prep for the slams seems to be top-notch, which can't be said for the rest of the season. Wawrinka clearly has priorities set. Also note, how all losses at majors with the exception of RG 2014 were very close and could have easily gone the other way.

RG 2014 is easily explained by the AO 14 win which brought a lot of attention and therefore distraction.

 

[ssynhtn]

To win a slam, the only thing you have to do is to find a way beat the big 4, that's what he has done.
The reason he can't be consistent in smaller tournaments is that in these micky mouse tournaments, lower ranked players are more confident to challenge top ranked players, since Wa...ka is not really an over all great player, it just happens he can't be very consistent.

 

[BodyServe]

Yes, I noticed that some time ago. Wawrinka is NOT inconsistent, he consistently peaks for the majors. His prep for the slams seems to be top-notch, which can't be said for the rest of the season. Wawrinka clearly has priorities set. Also note, how all losses at majors with the exception of RG 2014 were very close and could have easily gone the other way.

RG 2014 is easily explained by the AO 14 win which brought a lot of attention and therefore distraction.

RG 2014: plays a decent opponent 1st up and he is out. Don't buy this preparation crap, this isn't cross country skiing or some other endurance sport.

 

[doubletrollt]

It's because he plays mugs in the first few rounds of slams to find his groove, he doesn't get away with that at M1000 level.

I reckon he would gladly play a much better opponents in the first rounds at every AO and USO if instead of always being placed in Djokovic' half there since 2012, he always lands in the opposite Fedalovic' half from now on, but regrettably it's not possible even for once, 'cause they need him as fresh as possible for QF/SF to hopefully eliminate or maximally exhaust Djokovic and himself for the HC finals, in the another 6-setter, no.

So, despite his consistency at slams, HC Stanimal really underachived at the last five HC slams, because if not for him always being placed in Djokovic' half he would've made at least two more HC slam finals by now.

The same is true for Nishikori, he'll be in Djokovic' and Stanimal's half at USO/AO too, because Fedal (as against HC Stanimal) stands no chance against him there.

It would be perfect if Murray can be placed with Djok/Stan/Nishi at the next USO again too, no, but regretfully because of his seeding it probably won't be, so for the next USO/AO it's again Djok/Stan/Nishi + Cilic instead of Murray.

Fedal of course again in the other half from Djokovic at AO/USO/Wimb. as since USO'12. and Nadal as since 2008., no, bery, bery good for tennis and fans, no, just do it.

 

[Secondeuce]

RG 2014: plays a decent opponent 1st up and he is out. Don't buy this preparation crap, this isn't cross country skiing or some other endurance sport.

Then why is it emphasized by all players all the time? Good preparation is very important, like it or not. It helps with confidence as well. It's still not x-country-skiing. :shrug:

 

[BodyServe]

Then why is it emphasized by all players all the time? Good preparation is very important, like it or not. It helps with confidence as well. It's still not x-country-skiing. :shrug:

Yes it's all about confidence. Players are physically prepared during the off season to play anytime during the year. It just happens than in bo5 better prepared players are paying dividends for better conditioning which isn't the case in bO3.

In other words bO5 favours top players with a huge conditioning team around them.

 

[Secondeuce]

Well, it's not only important in the 5th set, it's important in the first set already. It determins just how intense a player is capable of playing. Must he attack on low margin with the chance of the shot going out or can he wait for a better opportunity and go for high-percentage play? How long can you keep up power and concentration in a long rally? Concentration and accuracy suffer first when a player tires.

Wawrinka himself credited his improved fitness as a major reason for his newfound success.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/stan-wawrinka-puts-french-open-victory-down-to-new-fitness-regime-10306176.html

And no, not all the preparation is done during the off-season. There have to be cycles of intense work-out, mixed with periods of relaxation right before the event to reach peak performance at a certain event. (that is if you do it clean)

 

[Tomb Bombadil]

Also note, how all losses at majors with the exception of RG 2014 were very close and could have easily gone the other way.

That's interessting. I checked it and if you go back to the US Open in 2012 he just lost against the winner or finalist except 2 times.

US12 (R16): Djokovic (Winner) 4-6 1-6 1-3 (RET)
AO13 (R16): Djokovic (Winner) 6-1 5-7 4-6 7-6(5) 10-12
FO13 (QF): Nadal (Winner) 2-6 3-6 1-6
WI13 (1st): Hewitt (R64) 4-6 5-7 3-6
US13 (SF): Djokovic (Finalist) 6-2 6-7(4) 6-3 3-6 4-6
AO14 (Won): Nadal 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3
FO14 (1st): Lopez (R16) 4-6 7-5 2-6 0-6
WI14 (QF): Federer (Finalist) 6-3 6-7(5) 4-6 4-6
US14 (QF): Nishikori (Finalist) 6-3 5-7 6-7(7) 7-6(5) 4-6
AO15 (SF): Djokovic (Winner) 6-7(1) 6-3 4-6 6-4 0-6
FO15 (WON): Djokovic 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4

 

[doubletrollt]

That's interessting. I checked it and if you go back to the US Open in 2012 he just lost against the winner or finalist except 2 times.

US12 (R16): Djokovic (Winner) 4-6 1-6 1-3 (RET)
AO13 (R16): Djokovic (Winner) 6-1 5-7 4-6 7-6(5) 10-12
FO13 (QF): Nadal (Winner) 2-6 3-6 1-6
WI13 (1st): Hewitt (R64) 4-6 5-7 3-6
US13 (SF): Djokovic (Finalist) 6-2 6-7(4) 6-3 3-6 4-6
AO14 (Won): Nadal 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3
FO14 (1st): Lopez (R16) 4-6 7-5 2-6 0-6
WI14 (QF): Federer (Finalist) 6-3 6-7(5) 4-6 4-6
US14 (QF): Nishikori (Finalist) 6-3 5-7 6-7(7) 7-6(5) 4-6
AO15 (SF): Djokovic (Winner) 6-7(1) 6-3 4-6 6-4 0-6
FO15 (WON): Djokovic 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4

Also:

AO'14 QF Stanimal-Djokovic 26 64 62 36 97

USO'14 QF Stanimal lost 5-setter to Nishi before SF with Djokovic and the perfect six consecutive HC rubbers resume with Djokovic in the last six HC slams.

So, it has always been Djokovic at HC slams for HC Stanimal to make to the finals there, Stan winning once losing four times; Fedal always together on the opposite side.

That's bery, bery interessting, no.

Nike, KiAO, uncleT and Clint would probably advise Stanimal before the next USO & AO draw roulette to ask himself "Do I feel lucky?" but regretfully screenwriter and director would not change his mind (Nishi included) as they haven't changed their mind 2008-11 with eight consecutive HC Djokovic/Federer screenplays at AO/USO and the friend of KiAO again always being placed in the opposite half of the draw, no.

 

[zjtennis]

Just to clarify it's Garcia-Lopez and not Feli Lopez.