Week 26 - The Championships, Wimbledon: R1 men's singles matches

Sheddie · administrator

RE: Week 26 - The Championships, Wimbledon: R1 men's singles matches

Count Zero · Tennis legend

with reagrds to the funding cut when the question was put to alex at the press conference he wasnt aware of it.
it could just have been an evil question that has turned into a rumor, bit like in football transfers

Sheddie · administrator

Bladetiger wrote:

I think that game is Boggo's career in a nutshell, decent player, looks capable of competing at that level but had four second serves to have a go at - two set points at 5-6 15-40 hit one into the net one long, and at 66 5-4 one long one in the net, these were gentle second serves on big points, and he looked totally unable to handle his nerves on those big points and tennis is so much about the big points, until somehow he can continue to play his best tennis when it's the big points he isnt going to ever go beyond where he is.

I remember when Jonny played Grosjean last year. Seba is past his best and the game was very close most of the way through but getting into a break point or a tie breaker and Seba suddenyl plays better tennis than he has the rest of the game, he was able to raise his game because he knew this was the moment to be absolutely at this best with Boggo at the moment the opposite happens!

Bolelli was stronger than I expected though I think a strong grass court player might show up his level for what it is so it cant be considered anything other than a decent draw and a wasted opportunity.

Hope Boggo can leave it behind him and enjoy the rest of the grass court summer but more importantly find a way to get better on the big points!!

exactly my thoughts !

Salmon · Tennis legend

Bolelli is quite good on fast surfaces. He reached the semis of the Tour event in Zagreb and that's played on Carpet.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

found a snippet from brad on lta site:
Brad Gilbert, Bogdanovics coach, was in an upbeat mood after the match. The American reflected: Alex played really well today and was very unlucky. He had set points in the first and fourth sets and only dropped his serve once in the match. Ive always believed Alex has the potential to reach the top 100 and when he produces performances like that he looks like a top 75 player.

RJA · Hall of fame

Frankly the LTA should withdraw all funding and make sure he never gets a wild card again. All the help in the world will not turn Alex into the player he could be unless he gets his head sorted. Mentally he simply isn't tough enough.

Montana Doug · Futures qualifying

I agree with Pat Cash too.....just what will giving all those Wild Cards away do for the British game?

All the talk about Alex's seven wild cards is frankly over the top imo. That was then, this is now. Look at Gilbert's opinion in the post two above this. Gilbert is an honest guy with nothing to loose. Boggo has talent and it appears (I didn't see the match) he played well today. I hope Gilbert gets more time to work with Alex, I like them both and know that Gilbert will be able to help Alex between the ears.

What a nightmare it must have been for Boggo to play so well, to have come so close and then to walk into the interview and start hearing his coach is being taken away, his LTA funding is in question....wow.....I mean wow.....I hope Boggo has a great Summer and reaches the top 100....that would make me smile much more than the clowns asking the questions.

Drew · Jun 23, 2008

Sheddie wrote:

Drew wrote:

R5 Live have reported that 'that is it with Alex and the LTA...no more funding...no more WC...and no more LTA coaches'...a bit harsh...

Really ?? Is that what they said today after his loss ? Haven't read anything about that anywhere else so could that just be 5Live mis-reporting ?

If that's the case, well knee-jerk reactions are never good and I think everyone would agree that just hanging Boggo out to dry again is not the way to go on

It was Jonathan Overand speaking live shortly after Boggo lost speaking to amongst others Pat Cash. JO was brutal in putting Boggo down and his info was very much 'insider LTA info'.

Comments like 'Brad is contracted upto the USO...but now not likely to be with AB...what a waste of money etc...'

It was good to hear Pat Cash sticking up for a fellow pro.

steven · Tennis legend

Drew wrote:

R5 Live have reported that 'that is it with Alex and the LTA...no more funding...no more WC...and no more LTA coaches'...a bit harsh...

Pat Cash commented that he did not think that is the right way to look after your own top ranked (in terms of British rankings) and that just dumping Alex was not right. He also went on to say that the lack of WC's handed out to British players was extrememly dumb.

Well Pat...we agree.

Pat Cash has said something sensible? Whatever next!

Seriously though, they'd better not have (with a jerk of the knee) hung Boggo out to dry. Yes, it was criminal how he choked away the last two sets, and that is virtually all of the reason why he's not ranked in the top 100, but he played very well at times, he kept fighting and his head didn't go down when he lost a set, which is the only thing he ever does that I can never forgive him for. It's not as if the LTA have loads of brilliant players waiting to take his place either.

I hope at the end of Tuesday, we're not looking at three defeats and wishing Boggo had got Jamie's opponent, Jamie had got Pashanski and Chris had been the 'sacrifice' against Bolelli, because I think we could have got 2/3 out of a draw like that.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

boggo press conferecne:

Q. So near and yet so far. Two set points to make it two sets all.

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: Yeah, it was a difficult match today. I felt like I was close, you know, to taking it to a decider. You know, I served pretty good. It was only one break in the whole match. It's a little disappointing after, you know, you kind of worked so hard out there. I thought I played well. I guess he deserved to win today.

Q. Is there something about Wimbledon that gets to you, because your record is obviously consistent?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: Yeah, no, not at all. I just feel like, you know, I had tough matches in the past. I've learnt a lot from playing Federer, Nadal. I had some winnable draws, as well. I felt like today was a match where it could have went both ways.

I feel like every year, you know, I'm getting better and stronger. I think it's just a matter of time, you know. It's just playing the bigger points. You know, I had two breakpoints to take it into the decider. You just never know. Also in the first set tiebreak, I had a little mini break. It's just that next step forward. He's a top 50 player. I feel I have to play the bigger points better.

Q. You're hovering on the cusp of the 250 mark in the world rankings. Do you feel you'll get another chance?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: Yeah, definitely. I've dropped down. I was 108 last year, highest. Now I'm inside 250. I feel like I'm a lot better player than 250. I feel like I'm going to finish the year definitely, you know try to get back inside the 150. Hopefully, if I play well, top hundred.

My back injury that came in Newport last year, that took a lot of confidence out of me. You know, I really struggled after that.

Q. When you say, "get another chance," do you think you should get another wild card next year?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: No. I mean, who knows. The criteria could be different. I'm getting older. I'm 24. There's youngsters coming up. So, you know, I'm not sitting here saying I need to have a wild card. Not at all. I believe I'm good enough to be top hundred and to get into the tournament with no wild card.

Q. Do you still look forward to Wimbledon?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: Yeah, definitely. I mean, you know, it's the best tournament in the whole world. Every year that comes around, you know, I think I'm lucky. All the other British guys are lucky to get this, you know, unbelievable opportunity to play at Wimbledon.

Some people kind of even just dream about playing. I've had the opportunity to do so on a lot of occasions. I just feel like, you know, I've got to bounce back from this and, you know, get back to my challenger circuit and try to win matches. I feel like if I put the effort that I did today, I don't see any reason why, you know, I can't be a top hundred player.

Q. Have you spoken to Brad since you lost?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: No, no, haven't spoken to him.

Q. How much do you think you've developed under him? Do you feel you've made progress since working with him?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: Yeah, definitely. You know, I feel like physically I'm a lot stronger. You know, we worked really hard. For the first time, you know, going I feel like if I went into the fifth set, physically I was feeling fine. You know, for me that's one step forward. Last year, I feel like, you know, playing five sets would have been a tough task physically. And now, you know, I'm a lot stronger.

You know, he's got me to try to play more aggressive. In the last, you know, three or four months, we've been working on just, you know, trying to be aggressive.

You know, it's coming along. We've been working hard. I think it's just a matter of time when the result's going to come.

Q. A lot of people are going to say obviously you've lost again today; the proof's in the pudding. Do you think that's a fair criticism of your relationship with Brad?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: No, I mean, I don't think you know, we expected to get better results, especially coming from Brad. But, you know, when you look at it, you can't expect results to come, you know, like in a few months. I think it's a long process. You know, I know I've been working really hard. He knows if I keep doing like this, it's just a matter of time until, you know, I get back there where I was, and hopefully break top hundred.

Q. I know you speak highly of Brad. He's got a great track record as a coach generally. But do you feel extra pressure having such a big name guy, given where you are in the rankings? That must surely weigh on you a bit, the fact that he's kind of there in your corner and he's costing you a lot of money.

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: Yeah, I mean, for me, I'm really thankful for the LTA. The experience has been unbelievable. Obviously, he's used to being with top players week in, week out. But I'm really surprised how, you know, he traveled to challengers with me, and he always had my back. That was something I was really surprised, you know, me coming from a challenger level, I would have thought that you know, he coached Roddick, Agassi, all these great players, and now me, who has been around this 250 mark. He's just been so supportive. He still believes that I could be a top hundred player. For me, you know, that's a huge thing.

Q. You said Brad has made you more of a hard working player, that your stamina is better. Has he actually technically improved you as a player?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: Technically, no. I feel like it's more like mentally and tactics we've been working on. Technically, I mean, I feel like, you know, my technique, when I was young, that's where we really worked hard. I feel like my technique on all strokes are pretty, you know, decent.

He just got me to, you know, kind of think a little bit more on the court, trying to use my strengths, and see what my opponent's weakness is. Just try to use my game to kind of deal with that.

Q. People sometimes look at you in defeat and say you don't look as disappointed as you might do. Can you just talk about the level of disappointment you're feeling at the moment?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: Yeah, very disappointing. But, you know, I try I'm a guy, you know, I try to keep it inside. You know, I'll kind of probably just go back in the hotel, it will stay with me for maybe two or three days, sometimes weeks. I think in the past, it's kind of cost me a little bit.

You know, I feel like, you know, after I lost this match, you know, the coaches came in and said, you know, it was a lot of positive things out there, don't get down. And I feel like in the past, you know, I got down on myself. That I think is not good. It just doesn't help me next week, the week after.

Brad has got me trying to be just, you know, positive. Even, you know, defeats, I'm going to lose so many more times this year anyway, and it's just about, you know, taking the positives out there and getting back on the court and working hard.

Q. After your loss today, we heard some reports that there was a risk that your LTA funding might be withdrawn. Were you aware of that?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: No, not at all.

Q. And so do you think the LTA should continue to support you as you try to move forward?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: I mean, that's up to them. But I've never heard I haven't heard from anyone about that at all. You know, I guess I'm going to have to speak to the coaches and they're going to have to tell me if there's anything.

Q. Do you feel yourself you can continue to get better?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: Yeah, no, I'm still enjoying it. I feel I can get better out there. You know, the day I feel like I cannot get any better, and that's maybe the day when I'm going to think, okay, maybe my time is over. But I feel like, you know, I'm still young, and there's a lot of things I can improve and get better.

Q. This time next year, do you think you will have qualified for Wimbledon as of right and won finally a match at Wimbledon, as well?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: It will be nice to win a match. You know, I think that's what I'm working towards. I'm gonna be, you know, working hard towards that. And I believe I can. You know, it's just a matter of time.

For me it's just about, you know, breaking the top hundred. I believe if I'm a top hundred player, I'll be playing bigger tournaments week in, week out, playing these guys week in, week out, so that's going to help me.

Q. There will be some celebration when you do finally win a match at Wimbledon, wouldn't it?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: It will be, definitely. It will be for me, it will be just purely that self satisfaction. All the work I've been putting in, I mean, just all to gain, I guess, from it.

Q. What deterrents do you think are in the works as to keeping British men from attaining what they can in tennis?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: I think, you know, we've been really working hard. I think there's a lot of juniors coming up. You know, I think one good positive that we're lucky to have such great coaches, you know, working behind us. Obviously, you know, the LTA has good money from obviously Wimbledon, which, you know, we can provide the good coaches and the training.

It's just a matter of, you know, the guys just working hard. You know, I believe in the future there will be a lot of, you know, good British players.

Q. Davis Cup is going to be played here in September. A, are you available for selection; and B, should John Lloyd pick you?

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: I am always available for Davis Cup. And, uhm, I guess just, you know, how my form goes after this, after Wimbledon, how many matches I win, how I'm playing. You know, I believe

Q: There was a time when you said you didn't want to play Davis Cup for Britain a few years ago.

ALEX BOGDANOVIC: No, that's only when I was injured, I think. That was for an injury. I said, you know, it's better not to pick me because I was injured then.

But definitely, I'm always available for Davis Cup. You know, it's just how I, you know, bounce back from here. You know, if I do well before the US Open qualifying, all the challengers leading up to that. John is obviously going to be following my results. He'll come out and watch me in the States.

I believe, you know, I should be part of the team. I'm a good player to be part of the team.

The Hoose · Satellite level

Interesting interview. Found myself feeling very sympathetic towards Alex - he clearly feels things very strongly.

But presumably that's the problem. If he's to adopt the Gilbert way he needs to be much more positive than that comes across, such that I shouldn't be feeling sympathy for him. I suspect Alex's personality and outlook will never change that much so is the solution to have the Brad Gilbert method shoved down his throat, so that he can at least pick up some aspects of it, or does he need a different approach? I wish I knew.

-- Edited by The Hoose at 10:10, 2008-06-24

steven · Tennis legend

That's quite a press conference to have to handle when you've just lost a close match.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

yeah it was straight aftyer and i tenk he did well.

one thing that stood out was the question about brad not improving alex's techincal game. i saw one of the papers pick up on this as a negative. but surely we never thought brad would improve alex techincal game, i dont think alex really needs that, he has every shot in the book and sometimes a few that arnt, its just a case of putting it all togther. Gilbert has never been a technical coach and it wasnt what he has built his strenght on so it is odd to expect otherwsie. i ams ure the lta werent expecting brad to do that either.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

ita also nice that he got his DC thing out the way, at the end i am sure that statement will be conviently forgetten next time the DC argument comes arond and they say he doesnt want to play vs serbia etc.

and again he confirms his commitment to the team which is nice in a way, even tho i belive it has hindered him this year.

gazzpash · Club Coach

I kind of get the feeling through this interview that maybe he had too much respect for Brad. After seeing Brad courtside yesterday he wasnt in a coaches sitting position more like a manager looking over the workers. Whether Alex is training and doing exercises and Brad just visits every now and then to check I dont know. Did annoy me that the commentators were praising Brad for leaving his post as a commentator for ESPN to watch the match - HE SHOULD BE THERE AS SOON AS BOGGO COMES OUT!!!!!!

Made me laugh reading the interview seems Alex has taken tips from Beckham with the excessive use of 'You know' :)