No sooner has the dust settled on the clay court season, than the world of tennis starts ramping up for the grass. Fortunately, the #SmashTalk team are on hand to digest it all.
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Vivienne Christie: La Decima for Rafael Nadal is not just one of the greatest-ever achievements in tennis, but also one of the best in sport overall. But while we celebrated a long-established superstar in Nadal, we could equally cherish the rise of women’s champion Jelena Ostapenko. The fearlessness that the Latvian displayed in wins over Sam Stosur and Caroline Wozniacki were already impressive; as she hit 54 winners in a stunning final against Simona Halep, there was an exciting sense that the 20-year-old’s best is yet to come.
Paul Moore: It’s tempting to say Rafa’s win, but I’m actually going to punt for Jelena Ostapenko. What a final! But more than that, what a breath of fresh air for the WTA. She plays entertaining tennis, refuses to fold under pressure and has a great attitude throughout. Ostapenko is exactly the kind of player the WTA has been crying out for. Just as long as she can back it up (see question three).
Leigh Rogers: It is impossible not to be happy for Rafa right? It seems 2017 is the year of the feel-good story, and Nadal certainly stayed true to that script with his super-impressive form in Paris.
DID YOU SEE? Federer – no more breaks in 2017
VC: The adjustment from clay to grass is both swift and dramatic, often proving a downfall for the game’s biggest names. Given his absence from all clay events, Roger Federer appears most likely to benefit – but I also wonder if we’ll see more players thrive on both surfaces this year? That’s especially true for the men; while Nadal could ride momentum all the way to a world No.1 return, Stan Wawrinka has signalled bold intentions by hiring Paul Annacone as his grass court coach.
PM: I think we’re going to see two things happen this grass court season:
1. Karolina Pliskova is going to claim her maiden Major title and the world No.1 spot at the same time.
2. Andy Murray is going to win his third Wimbledon. Yes, it might seem far-fetched, but Murray is on home turf and the Brits love an underdog (which he is this year). Yep, Muzza is on the for the hat-trick.
LR: Nadal’s recent form on grass is questionable, but with his confidence back he will be dangerous. Andy Murray and Marin Cilic look to be rediscovering their form, Stan’s signaled his seriousness by adding Paul Annacone to his team, three-time champion Novak Djokovic can’t be overlooked and of course there’s Roger, who skipped the clay swing to focus preparation on peaking at Wimbledon. It shapes to be the most exciting, and open, men’s Grand Slam in a number of years. As for the women’s, is it even possible to predict?
VC: Caution is natural given the struggles that followed Garbine Muguruza’s French Open breakthrough and that other first-time major champions, like Angelique Kerber and Li Na, also needed time to adjust. But it’s significant that clay is not even Ostapenko’s best surface; the junior Wimbledon champion in 2014, she lists the All England Club as her favourite venue and equally loves to compete on a hard court. While some cripple under pressure, there’s a freedom in the 20-year-old so wildly exceeding expectations. I believe we’ll see Ostapenko lift many more trophies – and some of them will be this year.
DID YOU SEE? Woodbridge – Where is the next WTA champion?
PM: By winning Wimbledon? No. By posing a threat during the hard court season, why not? Not only does she seem to have the kind of attitude that can handle the added stresses of being a Grand Slam champion, she also has the game to do so. She might not win another Major this year, but it’s hard not to see her winning something.
LR: Ostapenko’s stunning Roland Garros run was powered by her fearless spirit – but history suggests these big-hitting young players can be suspect to mental fragility after major breakthroughs (former French Open champions Ana Ivanovic and Garbine Muguruza certainly did). Let’s hope this is not the case for the Latvian.
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