Robbie Koenig: Breaking Down Federer’s Loss From The Broadcast Booth
It’s 10.30 pm in Toronto and I just got back to my hotel room after calling the Roger Federer - Gilles Simon match. If anyone was listening to the start of my commentating, I highlighted the fact that this could be a “tricky” match for Roger, and so it proved. Simon has just won Indy last week and playing with confidence, and he’s a good player. He, together with Stan Wawrinka, Marin Cilic, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga were my choices in November LAST year, to be my “outside picks” to crack the top 20…. Just waiting on Marin now to do me proud.
But getting back to this evening’s match - I’ve never seen Roger miss so many forehands, like he did in those last three games. I think, he’s just a little too impatient with it and trying to hit a big shot when perhaps it wasn’t the right moment. But when you’ve been top of the pile for so long, your self belief is immense and I’m sure he backs himself to make that shot. Unfortunately, lately, it’s letting him down.
I really enjoyed two things about him tonight - he came to the net a lot (almost 50 times), and was looking to attack the second serve - two things that everyone in the locker room believes he needs to do in order to beat Nadal….
But - and its a big BUT - he needs to approach with the backhand SLICE 95% of the time, because again tonight his topspin approach off that side cost him big time and has been doing so for a while now, and that is something that his coach, Jose Higueras, has to address more than anything else! He’s got the best slice in the game. I would love to know what he’s thinking, because I’ve commentated on so many of his matches and its glaringly obvious to me. The pictures show it too. I just can’t understand why Roger doesn’t see it…
PS: Once again, how classy is he in defeat? There’s plenty of athlete’s out there who need to take notice
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A lot of complaints about this commentator.
http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2008-07-23/550.php
Time to fire Higueras. He did nothing for his clay game (which was the reason to hire him in the first place).
And it’s also time to call it a year and come back in 2009. He looks frustrated and mentally tired. A la Hingis in 2001-2002.
“but he was crabby tonight, telling people in the stands to “Shut Up” bitching at Norm Chryst….”
Yeah he was real classy, Robbie.
Robbie Koenig is a great commentator and knows what he is talking about; I enjoy his insight and expertise!
Koening makes himself look ridiculous every time he starts clamoring for Federer to get to the net, especially against Nadal. And every time he does, Nadal beats him. Robbie: is Federer’s coming into the net ever a bad idea against Nadal, ever, since he always loses when he does it? Did you see the Net Approach stats from Wimbledon - where Federer barely won 50% of those, and the percentage dipped decisively as the match went on? Federer is NOT a Serve & Volley player, and his volleys are not instinctive muscle memory like Edberg. Federer is a power player from the baseline.
And the next time you call a Nadal match, try not to let your dialogue about it wander into the notion that Nadal’s matches are in the other guys hands, as with Andreev last night. Your comments centered in what Andreev wasn’t doing - as though the match was on his racquet and his execution was costing him the match. You need to show Nadal a lot more respect than you do.
this robbie guy is just another federer lover and nadal hater. and if you notice, every time he’s commentator for a nadal match, he’s always trying to give advice for the other player on what he thinks he needs to do against nadal and never the other way around. it’s like he sits at home late at night trying to figure out a way to beat nadal b/c he wants him to go down so much. nadal is his obsession. he never shows nadal any respect. and there’s a reason for that….nadal has really hurt his lover fed’s career and hates him for that.
Steve, i Think Nadal is awesome! ” Hate” is a strong word…. I try to disect Rafa’s game because he’s the one who’s kicking everyone’s ass!He doesn’t need to do anything different, its the other players who need to figure him out.
If you read the first blog i did for Canada, you will see how much i respect Nadal, he has a lot of humility, and in today’s day and age, that is so rare for pro athlete’s. Thats what i think is his greatest attribute.
Enjoy the tennis this week. We’ll chat again.
Steve, the 1st time Federer beat Sampras at Wimbledon he came in over 80% of the time. The guy knows how to come in…..His best match against Nadal on clay, Finals in Rome 2 years ago, he had 2 match points, he came in over 85 times in that match! I just think Fed has got so comfortable beating everyone from the back, that he’s not using that part of his game as much as did in his early years. His biggest problem at Wimbledon was that he was coming in off a topspin backhand, instead of using the slice….you tell me whats a better shot selection on grass??? Or any surface fo that matter.
As for the Andreev match, you make a valid point about me refering to Andreev a lot, but as i said to Steve (above), we know what Rafa is gonna do, the question is, what are his opponents gonna do to beat him, thats the million dollar question, and being the analyst, i try to throw out some options…
Thanks for all your feedback, i’m as big a fan as you all!!! I will try to continue to improve in all my commentary and take all your opinions on board. ( i definately don’t profess to know it all! )
Take care and Enjoy Cinci.
For too long, I’ve suffered through the nauseating, gushing fawning over Federer by the commentators, particularly JASON GOODALL AND DOUG ADLER (the official Federer cheerleaders). No offence to yourself, Robbie for I think your commentating is more balanced, pleasant, and you do have a nice sense of humour. Commentators should not show their personal biases, it is disrespectful to the fans who do not necessarily share their enthusiasm for a particular player. There are people who have not jumped on either the Federer or Nadal bandwagons, and who simply enjoy tennis and appreciate different players at all levels. Commentators, be fair and objective, please!
I’m ecstatic that tennis has taken a new dimension with the changing of the guard. It’s not about only Nadal, but other talented players who are closing the gap and now have a real chance of challenging for the top echelon of the game. Federer has been admirable in staying at the top and achieving phenomenal results for so long - I’ll grant him that - but at some stage, he will have to come down from his echelon, and there’s no disgrace in that. One thing’s for sure, I have never enjoyed watching ATP tennis as I have this year, because the one-sided domination is crumbling down - thankfully.
Love your comments, and I wish they would show your picture on the telecasts.
As our house guest in Macon, you were a serve and volleyer, so I can see why you understand why Fedderer needs to go to net to beat Nadal. He would be more successful don’t you think, if he had deeper approach shots.
Bobbie
Jade, thanks for your comments, i guess my question to you is, how can you not be mesmorised by what Federer has done for the past 4 years, what he does with a tennis ball is phenominal. Have you ever watched him play live? Do yourself a favour if you haven’t….and if you are at a Masters Series event, i’ll get you a ticket! I try to curb my enthusiasm occasionally, and remain objective but apologies if i don’t always get it right, i’ll keep working at it. And its pretty much the same for Rafa, the jid is a Phenominon!
I’ll tell you one thing though, there is No favouritism for me between Nadal and Fed (Nick and Steve above are so far off the mark ), i think they are both incredible for different reasons, but most importantly they both have class, and that will stick around with them long after their tennis days are over.
Bobbie great to here from you again! I agree with you, good deep SLICE approach shots off the backhand side for Roger.
I agree Robbie, you are a very good, gentle, balanced commentator. Although I don’t see where Goodall and Adler are excessively biased toward Federer, and I’ve watched them commentate for a long time. I think all 3 of you are good, and have different styles. Adler is probably the one that really tells it like he calls it…if it’s bad, he’ll say it’s bad, whether it’s Federer or Ferrero, and I like that in a commentator.
Thanks Robbie for your comments, which I appreciate. Perhaps I was a little over the board about Goodall and Adler - but that’s because when these two got together in the “glory” days of Federer, I heard too much about what a great ambassador, perfection impersonified he was etc - as if we needed reminding at every opportunity - and all I really wanted was for his opponent to put up a better fight. Nowadays, I can sense the sadness in Goodall when he tries to analyse what Federer is going through, and funnily enough, I actually empathise with him.
I have this thing for underdogs and whilst I respect and admire Federer’s skills and accomplishment, I never felt much enthusiasm about him inevitably winning - sorry. However, I am mesmerized by his footwork - he is so agile and light on his feet which is largely why he does not punish his body and allows him longevity in the game. Perhaps if my favourites would emulate his speed and footwork, they might achieve better results
As for Nadal, I just hope that he’s not pushing his body too hard to achieve the ultimate #1 spot. I will concede: tennis needs these two great players, hopefully for a long time to come - although a shake-up in the order of things would be good as long as it brings new and exciting challenges.