- Joined
- Aug 8, 2013
- Messages
- 1,417
- Reactions
- 172
- Points
- 63
By Scoop Malinowski
Rain was not forecast but it just about decimated day two of the 2017 US Open where only eight matches completed with five on the enclosed Ashe Stadium.
Rafael Nadal again struggled to terminate Dusan Lajovic, falling behind early 35 and then double faulting a key point to lose serve late in the first set but he eventually settled and dismissed Lajovic 76 62 62.
Nadal is sporting a bright pink shirt, head band and shoes (with white shorts) which called to mind the uproar the first pink shirt caused at the US Open about a decade ago when Dominik Hrbaty sported a pink Lotto top. Remember Lleyton Hewitt’s post-match comment after defeating Hrbaty: “I just kept telling myself, ‘You can’t lose to a bloke wearing a pink shirt.”
But pink is now an acceptable ATP color, especially since Roger Federer has worn it on a number of occasions through his career.
Another very good, funny player in press conferences back in the old days was Thomas Muster, who once was asked towards the end of his career what was the difference between him now and early in his career and he stated: “Now I have less hair and a bigger bank account.”
No players today engage in any fun or show much humor during press conferences. I spoke with former Indian star Anand Armritraj and he noted this grim truth when asked who the funniest players he’s encountered: “Nastase. Bahrami. Henri Leconte. Quite a few funny guys who are very entertaining. Unlike now [big laugh].”
Anand lives in LA now and was here with his wife Helen. Anand said he helped lead India to two Davis Cup finals in 1974 and 1987 and his best win was in Newport against John McEnroe right after McEnroe made the semis at Wimbledon as a qualifier.
I asked Jan Michael Gambill about his player Jared Donaldson’s outstanding success this year, reaching the ATP top 50 with steady, consistent results at age 20.
“He listens. He’s willing to put faith in the team that he has around him. He’s worked hard on his serve, groundstrokes, fitness, movement, his flexibility. He’s very focused on his tennis. He wants to be a top 20 player, maybe even further. He’s not afraid of anybody on the court which I think is also a big thing. He’s gonna go out and give it his all every single match. He never gives up. I’ve never seen him give up yet. If we’re talking about something that would irritate or disappoint me, as a coach, that would be one of them – a guy who goes out and tanks, gives up. I have no respect for that. And I won’t stand for that as a coach. But that doesn’t ever come into play, it’s not an issue with Jared, it’s never even been approached…He’s had some unbelievable matches in Cincinnati and Montreal. I felt like (Monday’s) match (vs Basilashvili) was incredible. Talking about his movement and being able to move dynamically around the court and hit balls out of the corners – he seems to get better every match. So I think his best match is still out there.”
I spoke with the rising young 22-year-old Indian Ramkumar Ramanathan about his beating Thiem 63 62 on grass this summer in Antalya, Turkey. “That was a proud feeling for me. I had nothing to lose. All my friends, my coach (Emilio Sanchez) were saying, You always have a chance on grass and you play well. For that I have to thank my coach who have been working with me and giving me the confidence. I think I’m there. I just have to keep working hard and the future will be hopefully good.” (Double R lost his next match after Thiem 76 in the third against Baghdatis.)
Ramanathan lost in three sets here in qualies in the second round to the still lethal Nicolas Mahut. He beat Eubanks and Lajovic in Cincy. Beat Paul and Aragone in Winnetka Challenger before losing in the final to Santillan. Ramanathan is 7-4 in ATP matches this year and ranked 155 in the world.
