Let’s not beat around the bush, Andy Roddick hasn’t really had a great start to 2012. The American finished 2011 as the world number 14, three months into 2012 he is ranked 34, his first time outside the top 30 since 2001! You can’t knock Roddick’s consistency in rankings but his level in tennis has continually dropped over the last few years and his early exit in Memphis and shock defeat to Denis Istomin in San Jose hasn’t restored any confidence I once had in his chances to finally win another Grand Slam.
The American had only won 2 of his previous 23 meetings with the Swiss world number 3, including their 2008 meeting in Miami, with Federer winning all 6 meetings after 2008. When the Miami draw came out, I did predict a Federer-Roddick match up, however I couldnt be more wrong about the result.
Both players started strongly on serve with Federer using a lot of slice to take the pace off of the ball and Roddick using his booming forehand, that was reminiscent of his best tennis, to save 2 break points and take them to a first set tie break. With his crushing serve Roddick was able to take the first set tiebreak and when they rose from their chairs, he seemed the fresher of the two players. The Fed Express wasn’t about to be ousted easily though, he adopted a chip and charge technique effectively and broke Roddick’s serve 3 times in the second set and seemed to have taken control of the match. The American didn’t start the third set well, a couple of unforced errors and a cross court Federer backhand had him scrambling to save 3 break points, though he managed the save all 3 and go on to break Federer’s serve in the next game. Roddick seemed very comfortable towards the end of the match and knocked out last years semi finalist!
The world number 34 said afterwards “It was kind of a game of chess, I stayed back on the returns, which is something I have not done with him often early on. He might have been a little bit surprised by it.” The swiss decided to applaud Roddick’s performance and also drew attention to the Americans ranking slide, “I feel like I lost against a former Number 1, not that I lost against a guy ranked 30 in the world, I’m happy to see Andy play really well. He’s a great champion and enjoy him while you have him. It was a great night for him and America’s tennis.”
Roddick will play 21st seed Juan Monaco in the 4th round later today, with the American winning their only previous meeting last year at Winston-Salem. If Roddick plays the way he did against Federer then I can see him setting up a potential quarters meeting with fellow American and current American number 1 Mardy Fish, but we will see whether his consistency is back or if he caught Federer on a bad day.
Heinz Guenthardt is the new Swiss Fed Cup Captain. The Swiss Tennis Federation appointed Heinz today and it will be interesting to see if he can get the leading Swiss female players to play for the team and gets some wins.
Guenthardt has a very strong background as he has coached top players like Steffi Graf, Ana Ivanovic and Andrea Petkovic.
There are a vast number of tennis shoe manufacturers out there today. So many, in fact, that the term “tennis shoe” has become a generic description for just about any footwear with a cushioned sole and a fabric or leather “non-polishing” upper. K-SWISS Tennis shoes, however, are the real deal.
Art and Ernie Brunner, two brothers from Switzerland, formed K-SWISS in Los Angeles in 1966. They had immigrated to the United States and began playing tennis. Well—they must have loved tennis because they formed their company and introduced the world’s first leather tennis shoe that same year! They named their new shoe the “Classic”—a name and product that is still available almost 50 years later. K-Swiss Tennis shoes are very popular—and designed specifically for the sport of tennis. K-Swiss has also expanded their product line to include footwear for several other sports and lifestyle activities.
K-Swiss tennis shoes are available in several designs, for men, women, and children. Most of their shoes are easily recognized from afar because of the K-Swiss “style”—multiple (5) horizontal sewn-in stripes on the sides (K-Swiss used white stripes on white leather in its early products).
K-Swiss tennis shoes have some interesting names within the Men’s Women’s and Children’s lines such as Big Shot, Defier, Tubes, Stabilor, Ultrascendor, Glaciator, Optim, Uproar, and Arvee. (whew—talk about “spellchecker” going crazy!!) But once you get acquainted with the line you will quickly realize that K-Swiss puts a lot of thought and effort in their shoe designs.
The men’s Bigshot, for example, is marketed as the “fastest tennis shoe on the market” and was tested by the P3 Sports Science Institute. It weighs only 13.5 oz. and offers a cushioned ride with its “superfoam” footbed. It offers “Guideglide” stability midsole construction and has a ballistic propulsion plate that helps keep players on the balls of their feet during play. It sole is high-abrasion rubber and the Bigshot comes with a 6-month outsole wear warranty.
Some K-Swiss Tennis shoes are also offered in a “mid” size (increased height around ankles) for players who wish for a bit more support and stability. And what’s really nice is the fact that K-Swiss Tennis Shoes are even made for what they call “little kids” (sizes 10.5 to 3)—a good thing when trying to encourage our kids to play tennis (provide good support and they look “just like” Mommy or Daddy).
So the next time you are shopping for shoes you may wish to give K-Swiss tennis shoes a tryout. Their line is huge, quality exceptional, and they are dedicated to the sport of tennis. After all, they were the “original”!
Roger Federer has had a great 2011 and he has decided to treat himself with a new house. Roger bought this villa in the Swiss Alps which cost him $17.5 million.
The Villa is being constructed in the mountains of Graubünden is built on a massive block of land measuring more than 8,000 square meters overlooking the lake of the ski resort of Lenzerheide.
Roger Federer has won his home tournament yet again in Basel. Federer had a pretty easy run to the title defeating Kei Nishikori 6-1 6-3 in the final.
“It was a perfect match for me. Now I have big hopes for Paris and London. I’m very happy, as I got better as the week went on. I definitely saved the best for last at the tournament. I played really well today in the final
I’m feeling really fit and I’m ready for more. I’m very hungry and fired up.”
p.s. Kei Nishikori played an amazing match in the semifinals in which he defeated Novak Djokovic 2-6 7-6 6-0.
Straight after the US Open everyone moves to their respective Davis Cup ties. Here is the first press conference we found and its for the Davis Cup 2011 World Group Playoff between Australia and Switzerland.
p.s. Federer wasnt there, but he is flying in on Wednesday.
Roger Federer is still wanting to play mixed doubles at the Olympics with Martina Hingis. Roger has now stated that he would speak with Martina about the possibilities of playing for Switzerland at the 2012 London Olympics.
“Might as well just see if she is available,” Federer said.
“Even if she is retired, she might think about it at least.”
Hopefully we will have some news from Martina within the next few months.
For some reason Australia has chosen to play on grass for their upcoming Davis Cup tie with Switzerland in September. This choice seems foolish considering Roger Federer is pretty much unbeatable on grass!
I can only think this is because they are going to play Tomic and Guccione who both have very large serves and their best surface is grass. However, they need to basically win 2 singles and the doubles, because they will lose 2 singles rubbers to Roger Federer.
There has been no official comment from Tennis Australia on why they select grass over the other surfaces.
The Australia-Switzerland winner will advance to the topflight World Group next year.
Stanislas Wawrinka has just split with his longtime coach Dimiti Zavialoff after his first-round loss at Wimbledon.
Posting a quality clay-court season, Wawrinka captured his second career Tour title in Casablanca before losing to Roger Federer during the fourth-round of the French Open.
Recently marrying his longtime girlfriend and having their first child, Wawrinka did not provide any reasons for the split with his coach.
“He played a central role in my career and I’m very grateful for this,” said Wawrinka.
It has been announced by Basel sports director Peter Horwald on Monday that the St. Jakobshalle venue will be undergoing renovations and will also have its name changed to Roger Federer Arena.
This is great news for Federer who im sure is still in shock about winning his 14th Grand Slam title and equaling Pete Sampras’ record.
The tennis venue hosts the Swiss Indoors tournament where Federer is a three-time defending champion. He’s expected to participate this November to defend the title.
Name: Roger Federer Country: Switzerland Birthdate: 8-Aug-81 Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland Residence: Oberwil, Switzerland Plays: Right Handed Highest Singles Ranking: 1 (2-Feb-04) Highest Doubles Ranking: 24 (9-Jun-03) Website: www.rogerfederer.com Scouting: Roger is of course one of the greatest players of all time. Roger is 5 times champion at Wimbledon and has also won the US Open and Australian Open. Thus, the French Open is the only Grand Slam to aloud this great champion.
Roger has one of the best all-round games on the tour. He has a big serve especially when it comes to big moments in the match. His movement is so fluid and has great anticipation, plus he also likes to mix up with a few serve and volley points from time to time (normally once a game and when he is leading in the game). His forehand is his stronger side and also makes the big shot with this stroke. If he does have a slight weakness is his backhand and his inability to make this shot when being rushed. If a player can stay in the ralley long enough you need to continue to work over his backhand and then try to push forward when possible and make him his a rushed passing shot.
Name: Roger Federer
