Robin Soderling
Nie ważne ile będzie grał, nie ważne czy cos jeszcze kiedyś wygra, od dziś swoje miejsce w historii tenisa już ma, więc i swój temat musi miec na forum :D
Robin Bo Carl Söderling (ur. 14 sierpnia 1984 w Tibro) - tenisista szwedzki, zwycięzca turniejów zawodowych, reprezentant w Pucharze Davisa, olimpijczyk.
Jest synem prawnika. Treningi tenisowe rozpoczął w wieku 5 lat. Ma na koncie wiele sukcesów juniorskich, w 2001 triumfował w nieoficjalnych mistrzostwach świata w tej kategorii wiekowej Orange Bowl (w finale pokonał Argentyńczyka Juana Mónaco), był również mistrzem w singlu (i wicemistrzem w deblu) Europy. Sezon 2001 zakończył na 4. miejscu światowego rankingu juniorów. W tym samym roku debiutował w cyklu zawodowym ATP Tour, dopuszczony z "dziką kartą" do turnieju w Sztokholmie (odpadł w II rundzie).
W dwóch kolejnych latach regularnie poprawiał swoją pozycję w rankingu seniorskim, w 2003 awansując do pierwszej setki na świecie. W 2002 debiutował w imprezie wielkoszlemowej - przeszedł rundę na US Open. W 2003 wygrał dwa turnieje challengerowe, na Wimbledonie osiągnął III rundę (wyeliminował sensacyjnego finalistę French Open sprzed miesiąca Holendra Verkerka, odpadł z doświadczonym Brytyjczykiem Henmanem), a na koniec sezonu był w finale w Sztokholmie, gdzie nieznacznie przegrał z Amerykaninem Mardy Fishem (5:7, 6:3, 6:7). W 2004 doczekał się pierwszego turniejowego zwycięstwa - w finale w Lyonie pokonał Belga Malisse'a; przegrał w finale w Marsylii z Dominikiem Hrbatym. W 2005 wygrał turniej w Mediolanie (w finale z Radkiem Štěpánkiem). Regularne występy w 2006 - finał w Memphis przegrany do Haasa, półfinały i ćwierćfinały innych imprez - pozwoliły mu na dalszy awans w rankingu. W styczniu 2007 zajmował 23. miejsce w klasyfikacji światowej.
W grze podwójnej nie ma większych sukcesów. Najwyżej klasyfikowany był w listopadzie 2004 (jako 181. rakieta rankingu deblowego), odniósł jedno zwycięstwo w cyklu challengerowym.
Jako reprezentant Szwecji debiutował w Pucharze Davisa w lutym 2004, przegrywając z Australijczykiem Lleytonem Hewittem. W 2006 zdobył dwa punkty w meczu z Brazylią, przyczyniając się do pozostania Szwecji w najwyższej grupie rozgrywkowej Pucharu Davisa. Wygrał również dwa mecze w lutym 2007, pokonując Białorusinów Wołczkowa i Mirnego. Do lutego 2007 bilans jego występów pucharowych wynosi cztery zwycięstwa i dwie porażki, wszystkie w grze pojedynczej. Söderling wystąpił także na igrzyskach olimpijskich w Atenach w 2004, ale bez sukcesów. W grze pojedynczej odpadł w I rundzie z Hiszpanem Feliciano Lopezem, a w deblu - w parze ze starszym rodakiem Enqvistem - również w I rundzie uległ reprezentantom Izraela Erlichowi i Ramowi.
Wysoki Szwed (190 cm) jest zawodnikiem praworęcznym, z bekhendem oburęcznym. Grę opiera przede wszystkim na silnym serwisie i forhendzie. Do lutego 2007 jego zarobki zawodowe przekroczyły półtora miliona dolarów.
Dotychczasowe najlepsze wyniki w Wielkim Szlemie:
Australian Open 2R (2004)
Roland Garros 3R (2008)
Wimbledon 3R (2003, 2007)
US Open 3R (2005)
31.05.2009 - Robin Soderling pokonał Rafaela Nadala w 4r turnieju na kortach Rolanda Garrosa w Paryżu.
Został tym tenisistą, który przerwał niesamowitą serię 31 koljnych zwycięstw Rafy na kortach ziemnych w Paryżu.
Jak już Art wspomniał, dzisiejszy sukces srpawia, że Szwed stał się postacią historyczną.
Wielkie brawa i gratulacje ;)
Juz nikt nigdy nie sprawi większej sensacji w tenisie , a Szwedzi mogą być dumni z Saabów , Caroliny Kluft , meblościanek Ikei i z Robina Soderlinga . Brawo ;)
2.06.2009
Robin kontynuuje znakomita passe w Roland Garros 09 i ma szansę na zostanie kolejnym Szwedem, który wystąpi w ostatnim meczu paryskiego turnieju.
Wielkie brawa dla Robina za cały turniej, dokonał historycznego wyczynu eliminując z Roland Garros Rafaela Nadala, pokonał w drodze do finału kolejnych znakomitych graczy: Dawidienkę oraz Gonzaleza. W finale postawił opór Federerowi, na pewno nie przegrał spotkania w szatni, dzielnie walczył do samego końca.
Ciekaw jestem, czy ten turniej jest totalnie jednorazowym wyskokiem Szweda, czy też uda mu się w tym roku zrobić kilka wartościowych wyników.
Myślę, że to może być bardzo groźny rywal na trawie dla każdego.
Raczej jednorazowy wybryk. Podejrzewam ze do Wimbla jeszcze utrzyma forme i zrobi jakis dobry wynik w postaci R16, byc moze przy korzystnym losowaniu nawet 1/4. Mysle ze dzieki temu finalowi zakonczy sezon w pierwszej 15, ale na jakies prestizowe zwyciestwa, czy polfinaly/finaly Mastersów bym nie liczyl.
Zgadzam się z Bizonem. Ten wynik zapewnił mu pewne miejsce w top-15, być możę wejdzie do top-10, ale raczej głównie dzięki mniejszym eventom niż spektakularnym wynikom a'la finał WS czy wygrany Masters.
Brawa za Rg, Robin. To co zrobiłeś w 4r to niemal jak tytuł WS ;)
Zobaczymy jak sam zainteresowany zareaguje na to co zrobił w Paryżu , wielkoszlemowy finał moze zwiastowac że nadchodzi dla niego nowe - lepsze ale trzeba pamiętac że Robin zawsze był dość chwiejnej konstrukcji psychicznej , a z tego latwo sie nie wysrasta .
Doceniam to co w minionych dwoch tygodniach zrobił Soderling , ale dla mnie pozostaje męskim odpowiednikiem Vaidsovej . Wyrozniam u niego jedną ceche : mocne uderzenia i niewiele więcej plus ( minus ) slabe nerwy .
Ale jako że nie jestem typem zlosliwego kibica a wręcz życzliwym dla wszystkich , to niech mu sie wiedzie ;)
Szczerze mówiąc jakoś nie widzę Soderlinga na szybszych nawierzchniach. Porusza się słabo po korcie, nawet na wolnej cegle jak go ktoś mocniej przyciśnie, to ma problem. To co dopiero będzie na trawie czy hardzie?
Zaimponował mi Soda, najbardziej w meczu z Gonzem. Z Nadalem był underdogiem, a Rafa był nie w pełni sił; z Fednando uratował przegrany mecz, zupełnie opadając sił i to w sytuacji kiedy rywal wrócił z 0-2. Mając dość przeciętną technikę, facet wyciskał z tego ile się dało i za to mu się brawa należą; no i grał paru specjalistów od ziemi ofensywą, to powinno dać sporo do myślenia innym graczom.
jaccol55 napisał:
Szczerze mówiąc jakoś nie widzę Soderlinga na szybszych nawierzchniach. Porusza się słabo po korcie, nawet na wolnej cegle jak go ktoś mocniej przyciśnie, to ma problem. To co dopiero będzie na trawie czy hardzie?
Kuba, ale on przecież nie ma pojecia o poruszaniu się na mączce. Owszem, generalnie nie jest za szybki, ale nie w tym problem. Zero techniki ma Szwed, a na cegle to podstawa, tu się biega technicznie, nie siłowo. Zobacz na Roda, na hard i trawie jest bardzo szybki, na cegle dziecko we mgle.
Widziałeś dzisiaj, do ekstremalnych piłek Fedek się doślizgiwał i zagrywał jak chciał, Soda robił masę kroków, nie ma mowy o zmianie kierunku biegu, szybkim powrocie do środka itp. A dziś jeszcze było wyjątkowo ślisko, co dodatkowo utrudniło mu życie.
Na innych nawierzchniach będzie się zupełnie inaczej ruszał, dużo pewniej. Poza tym jego trzeba zmusić do ruchu, w całym turnieju potrafił to tylko Roger, a przecież na innych nawierzchniach ofensywne walory Robina będą mu dawać jeszcze więcej szybkik punktów niż tutaj.
Ciekawe, dołączy do czołówki, czy stoczy się przeciętność(wróci do niej)? Myślę, że wiele zależy od Normana, jesli dalej będzie trzymał go w ryzach, powinien robić niezłe wyniki.
http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis … swers.aspx
Robin odpowiada na pytania fanów ;)
#4) Bastad 2009
R32 Bye
R16 Vliegen 6-2,6-3
Q Almagro 7-5,6-3
S Vinciguerra 6-1,7-6(6)
W Monaco 6-3,7-6(4)
Już zapisał sie w historii tenisa, ale chyba jednak nie stać go na wielkie wyniki w przyszłości, wg mnie za słabo się porusza
The Net Post: Quiet man Robin Soderling is the man to beat
The Times Tennis Correspondent hears how the Swede aims to achieve his grand-slam goal, bangs the drum for further education and agrees with Lleyton Hewitt's impassioned plea for the future of tennis
Spend half an hour with Robin Soderling and it is not surprising that few in tennis can say they really know the lawyer's son from Tibro, the furniture centre of Sweden. "I'm very quiet, especially on the tour," he said. "I'm always extremely focused, I feel as if I'm in my own little world sometimes and don't see what's happening around me."
What is happening is that - the elbow problem which forced his retirement before his semi-final of the IF Stockholm Open against Marcos Baghdatis on Saturday notwithstanding - the Swede's repute among those in the know is growing at a considerable rate. He is currently No 9 in the 2009 league table on which entry for next month's Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the 02 Arena will be calculated. The top eight make it. Soderling is the man to knock over.
There has not been a Swede in the championship since 2000, the first time it was played as the Masters Cup, when Magnus Norman qualified, along with Marat Safin, Pete Sampras, Lleyton Hewitt, Alex Corretja, Gustavo Kuerten, Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Andre Agassi. Norman is now Soderling's coach; Corretja is a part-time advisor to Andy Murray and will be with the British No 1 in Valencia, Spain if his proposed return to the tour is confirmed next week.
It has taken Soderling time to make his impact; he is 25 and has been playing in grand-slam tournaments since 2002. The reason why his rise has been gradual rather than meteoric becomes clear as he reminisces. "I've had various problems with injuries, so that it was only really last year that I was able to play enough and practice enough to be able to put a run together," he said. "I finished the year at 17 in the rankings, so I knew I had a chance to getting better if I could play more."
The last and most painful of those injuries can at the end of 2007 when he hurt his left wrist against Safin in Montreal in August and did not play the rest of the year. Murray's concern? A left wrist injury. "I hope it's not exactly the same as mine because I was out for six months," Soderling said. "It was tough and I had to occupy myself by doing lots of other things, practising the serve, working on my fitness, because I couldn't hit a backhand at all."
In 2009, he has been outstanding. In all of the grand slams bar the Australian Open, he has buried his previous poor performance records to reach the final of the French Open, the last 16 at Wimbledon, the quarter-finals of the US Open (losing on each occasion to his career nemesis Roger Federer). Of course, it was in Paris where he came of age, breaking Rafael Nadal's unbeaten record at Roland Garros in the fourth round, taking Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Gonzalez out in the next two and waking up a little too late to disturb Federer's march into history in the final.
What had made his victory over Nadal all the more remarkable was that on a chill evening in Rome a few weeks earlier - with the Net Post in attendance - he had been beaten 6-1, 6-0 by the Spaniard. To say that the scoreline was a shoddy reflection on the match is an understatement. Soderling played beautifully at times, only for Nadal to play with his typically extraordinary defiance.
So how did he turn that around? "I knew that the margins had been very small in Rome and that if I could be 100 per cent focused, there was no reason why I couldn't win," he said. "Beating him was big, of course, but I was still in the tournament so I couldn't celebrate. I didn't want to beat him and fade in my next match. If it had been the final, perhaps I would have looked a bit happier about it."
Then he did reach the final, to play Federer. The record was 9-0 to the Swiss before Paris (it is 12 now). "If he beats me a 100 times in a row I will still believe I have a chance against him," Soderling said. "He always finds a way against me, he plays so fast and so aggressively, I can't get into a rhythm. In the final, I didn't play well at all. I was nervous, because it had been my dream to play a grand slam final and now here I was. I didn't get a good start but I did work my way back and then played a poor tie break. He deserved it, it was a momentous day."
The time away from the spotlight focused Soderling's mind on the need to improve his movement and physical resilience. He is a powerful physical specimen, light on his feet which is imperative when his swing is based on such a wide arc. The indoor courts suit him well and he is playing two more events (elbow permitting) in which he should secure the points to play in London.
But don't expect him to hog the headlines. "Fame doesn't interest me. I always wanted to play tennis, that's it. I'm trying every day to be a better player. I want to win the big titles. I've been to a (grand slam) final once and I'm still alive. I can do it again."
Robin Soderling To Make Barclays ATP World Tour Finals Debut
Injured Roddick forced to withdraw from tournament
Big-hitting Swede Robin Soderling will make his debut at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals after an injured Andy Roddick announced his withdrawal Tuesday. Soderling, who this year became the first man to beat Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, had been the first alternate for the world’s biggest indoor tennis tournament, which begins Sunday, 22 November, at The O2 in London.
With Soderling’s elevation, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga becomes the tournament’s first-alternate.
Soderling, who will be the first Swede to play at the season finale since Thomas Johansson in 2002, this year finished in Top 10 of the South African Airways ATP Rankings for first time, highlighted by reaching his first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros and capturing his first ATP World Tour title on clay, on home soil in Bastad. He won nine matches in his first 10 tournaments through mid-May but then turned things around by compiling a 35-9 match record over the remainder of the season, which included runs to the Roland Garros final, Wimbledon fourth round and the US Open quarter-finals (losing to Roger Federer each time).
Roddick, who had qualified for the season finale for the seventh consecutive year, injured his left knee at the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 on October 13 and has not played since. He resumed light practice this week but said that he would not be fully fit for the tournament.
“I am really disappointed to miss the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals,” Roddick said. “I love playing in London and I’ve heard so many good things about the venue. However, I have not fully recovered from my knee injury and I won’t be able to compete. One of my goals in 2010 will be to qualify for this event again.”
This year’s star-studded London line-up will feature Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro, Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Verdasco and Soderling. The doubles field comprises Nestor/Zimonjic, Bryan/Bryan, Bhupathi/Knowles, Dlouhy/Paes, Kubot/Marach, Mirnyi/Ram, Cermak/Mertinak and Fyrstenberg/Matkowski.
The draw for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals will be made Wednesday. Each of the top eight players and doubles teams will be drawn to play a minimum of three round-robin matches to determine which four players and teams advance to the knockout semi-finals.
The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals will determine which players finish the year-end No. 1s in the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings and the 2009 ATP Doubles Teams Race. Roger Federer is the front-runner to finish ATP World Tour Champion, but reigning champion Rafael Nadal can overhaul the Swiss. The 2008 year-end doubles No. 1s Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic have a strong grip on the ATP World Tour Doubles Champions title, but Bob and Mike Bryan remain within striking distance.
Soderling Among Tennis Stars To Compete For Capitala Title
Abu Dhabi, UAE, UAE (AHN) - Robin Soderling, coming off his recent conquest at the ATP year-end event in London, is looking forward to maintaining his momentum when he joins five other tennis stars at the Capitala World Tennis Championship.
The 25-year-old Swede, the first and only player to stop the reign of Spaniard Rafael Nadal in the French Open, will be vying for a rematch against Swiss champ Roger Federer in the Abu Dhabi event.
But before he can realize a rubber match against the world's best player, Soderling must get past Federer's fellow countryman, Stanislaw Wawrinka, on the opening day of event Thursday.
Prior to the Soderling-Wawrinka encounter, slated for the afternoon, world No. 6 Nikolay Davydenko will play 2008 Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the event's first match.
Nadal, seeking to re-establish his "King of Clay" reputation, is seeded to meet arch-rival Federer in the final of the six-man exhibition event.
The court venue for the event, in its second year, will be paved with Plexipave, the same surface used at the Australian Open.
It could be the perfect tuneup for the players for the season's first Grand Slam in January in Melbourne.
The tournament will be staged at the Complex in Zaved Sports City from Dec. 31- Jan. 2.
Soderling Sets Roland Garros Final Rematch With Federer
Robin Soderling set a rematch of the Roland Garros final with Roger Federer after edging Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6, 7-6 to reach the semi-finals of the Capitala World Tennis Championship, an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi.
"It's always great to play Roger and I'm looking forward to it,” said Soderling. “Even though he beat me every time, I feel like I learned something from each match, but hopefully this time I can finally win one.”
Soderling squandered a 5-1 lead in the first set against Wawrinka and a 5-4 advantage as he served for the match in the second set but was able to close out a tight victory in two tie-breaks.
“He was playing good last year and finished in the Top 10,” complimented World No. 21 Wawrinka. “But today I’m very pleased, it was a good match to start the year and I’m looking forward to the next few weeks. I will try to come back to the Top 15 (of the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings), I’m very happy with my preparation in December and with my game.”
“I feel good for the moment,” commented Soderling. “I’m trying to forget what I did last year and trying to focus on the New Year. Obviously I did great and I will try to play the same way next year. It was a great match today, very close. I felt that we both played a great match.”
Soderling enjoyed a career-best season in 2009, reaching his first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros and finishing in the Top 10 of the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings. The Swede also reached the semi-finals of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on his debut at the season finale, defeating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic en route.
The other semi-final will be an all-Spanish affair after David Ferrer broke serve to love in the last game of the match to defeat Nikolay Davydenko 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 and set up a clash with World No. 2 Nadal.
“It was a nice start to the season, beating Nikolay,” said Ferrer. “I will try my best [in the semi-finals]; Rafael is the best Spanish player in history and a nice person. I want to enjoy this match,” added the Valencia resident, who has lost his past four matches against his countryman.”
“It was an important match for me, three sets,” said Davydenko, who was playing his first match since winning the biggest trophy of his career at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November. “I was fighting every point and unfortunately made some mistakes to lose the match.”
The Russian will officially open the new season at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, beginning Monday 4th January in Doha. “For me every match I win during the next three months will bring me points and improve my ranking,” said Davydenko, who was forced to endure a spell on the sidelines early in 2009 due to a heel injury. “I am enjoying my tennis and look forward to it.”
New year, new result: Soderling upsets Federer
Robin Soderling, who has never defeated Roger Federer in 12 career attempts on the ATP World Tour, takes out the world No. 1 in three sets on Friday afternoon at the Capitala World Championship.
New Year's Day 2010 rang in with an alarmingly rare result on Thursday afternoon.
Robin Soderling, winless in 12 official tries against Roger Federer, upset the top-ranked Swiss 6-7(6), 7-6(1), 6-2 in the semifinals of the Capitala World Tennis Championship.
Soderling still has no official victories over Federer, as this is an exhibition tournament, but it still must feel good for the in-form Swede, especially considering how he did it.
The underdog dropped set one despite never facing a single break point on his own serve. Federer had to fend off one break point--at 5-5--en route to a tiebreaker, which he took 8-6 after saving one set point at 5-6 when Soderling missed a second-serve return.
Seemingly on his way to a routine straight-set triumph, Federer earned the first break of the match at 1-1 and raced out to a 3-1 lead in the second frame of play. Undeterred, Soderling broke back at 2-3 and held serve the rest of the way to force another tiebreaker.
The second-set 'breaker proved to be the turning point of the match. Soderling earned two quick mini-breaks at 1-0 and 2-0 as he cruised through the decider 7-1.
From then on it was all Soderling. The world No. 8 broke serve at 1-1 in the third with a scorching forehand pass and never looked back. He saved one break point at 2-1 and then all but put the match away with a love break at 4-2. Soderling promptly served out the proceedings with ease at 5-2, clinching a spot in the final when Federer netted a backhand return.
Soderling will face either Rafael Nadal or David Ferrer for the title. Federer will take on the Nadal-Ferrer loser in Saturday's third-place clash.
Występ Soderlinga na AO pod znakiem zapytania.
Cloud over French Open finalist Robin Soderling
Robin Soderling retires after losing the first set against Ivan Ljubicic Picture: Craig Borrow Source: Herald Sun
THERE is an injury cloud over French Open runner-up Robin Soderling ahead of next week's Australian Open at Melbourne Park
The Swede, ranked No.8 in the world, pulled out of his match at the Kooyong Classic today on omplaining of a shoulder injury.
Soderling quit after his opponent, Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, took the first set 6-4, saying his shoulder had gradually become worse the more he served.
Australian Open 2010: Robin Soderling crashes out in opening round
Swedish eighth seed Robin Soderling was fuming after he became the first top-10 casualty of the Australian Open, bowing out in the first round.
The 25-year-old looked on target for an easy win after he took the first two sets, but eventually lost to Spain's 113th-ranked Marcel Granollers 5-7, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.
Soderling made 67 unforced errors and was scathing in his assessment of his performance.
"No, I started terrible and finished terrible," he said bluntly when it was suggested things were going well early in the match. "I played a horrible match today and I am terribly disappointed.
"I didn't feel good at all and I didn't play well."
Although the fragile Swede, who has won four ATP titles, pulled out of the AAMI Classic last week because of elbow tendonitis, he said he was 100 per cent fit and that the loss had nothing to do with any injury.
Soderling said his frustration had nothing to do with his good form in 2009.
"I would have been annoyed even if I didn't play well last year," he said.
It was the third Grand Slam in a row where Soderling had faced Granollers, who is something of a doubles specialist, but the Spaniard's first ever win over the Swede.
Soderling played the 23-year-old three times last year, including the US Open and Wimbledon, winning all three matches convincingly and dropping just one set to Granollers in those matches.
Tuesday's loss continues a tough start to the year for last year's French Open finalist, having lost in the first round in Chennai and now here.
Soderling upset in round 1 shocker
Marcel Granollers produced a magnificent comeback from two sets down to send No.8 seed Robin Soderling crashing out. There were also wins for Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Marcel Granollers d. Robin Soderling 5-7, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
World No. 113 Marcel Granollers earned the first break of the match to go 3-2 up, but he surrendered the lead immediately following a dismal game. Serving to stay in the set at 5-6, Granollers played another dreadful game to gift Soderling the opening frame of play.
After a scrappy first set display, Soderling raised his level considerably in the second and broke twice to move into a 2-0 lead. He seemed to lose focus in the third set, though, and a break to love at 3-3 was enough for Granollers to take it.
Soderling was a break up in the fourth, but he lost his own serve three times and allowed Granollers to level the match. The world No. 8 managed to fight off three break points in the opening game of the final set, but he double-faulted on the fourth to hand Granollers an early edge. Although the Spaniard took an injury timeout because of a leg problem, he soon extended his lead when he broke Soderling once more.
The Swede’s game fell apart at the seams and he looked exhausted. He hit a whole host of unforced errors, but Granollers rose to the occasion magnificently. The Spaniard produced a number of sensational passing shots that left Soderling flummoxed and secured victory by firing down his eleventh ace.
#5) ATP-500 Rotterdam 2010
R1: SERRA, Florent 46 64 61
R2: SIJSLING, Igor 76(6) 62
QF: BENNETEAU, Julien 60 61
SF: DAVYDENKO, Nikolay 76(3) 64
F: YOUZHNY, Mikhail 64 20 Ret'd
Po falstarcie na AO, Soderling rozegral wreszcie dobry turniej. Przydadza mu sie z pewnoscia punkty za ten turniej, bo po RG poleci mu duzo punktow z rankingu.
Soda jeszcze raz o wielkim triumfie w 4r ostatniego RG.
Successful Soderling happy to "win ugly"
Successful Soderling happy to "win ugly" Robing Soderling admits that his tennis career has turned around since his breakthrough win over Rafael Nadal at the French Open last spring.
And the ATP No. 7 credits wise counsel from coach Magnus Norman with giving him a new way to think of his game.
Soderling showed off his big game to defeating effect with a knockout of Andy Murray to reach the Indian Wells Masters semi-final.
The Swede says that a change in his attitude is partly responsible for the success. "I've changed the way how I think a little bit. A few years ago I was very focused on playing well all the time. Now, what matters to me now is to win matches.
"It doesn't matter if I play well and win matches or play bad and win matches. You still have to win."
Soderling is happy to take the advice for former French Open finalist and one-time No. 2 Norman to heart. "Magnus taught me a lot.
"Of course he played well sometimes, but many, many times he didn't play well at all. And he told me he won the tournament in Shanghai (2000), and he said, 'I played so bad.'
"But that doesn't matter. It's not going to be there in the history books. What's gonna to be there is that he won the tournament."
Soderling says he is now a believer: "He made me believe that I can still win matches, even though if I don't play my best tennis. I try to think like that every time I practise, every time I go to the court.
"I've proved to myself that I can actually win," said the 2009 Roland Garros finalist to Roger Federer, bidding for his third title since competing in Paris.
Soderling nie zagra w Monte Carlo z powodu problemów z prawnym kolanem.
Robin pulls out of Monte Carlo
Robin pulls out of Monte Carlo due to an overstrain in his right knee.
“I’ve had some problems with my knee since the Miami tournament. The pain has just escalated the more tennis I’ve played. My doctor has now examined my knee, and I’ve made a decision of not playing next week’s tournament in Monte Carlo.”
“This is very sad since Monte Carlo is my “home tournament” and one of my favorite tournaments of the year. But now awaits one week of rest and rehabilitation, and I will hopefully be back to compete in the Barcelona tournament that starts the 19th of April.”
-Robin
Heart Of A Warrior
Robin Soderling is known for his competitive drive and powerful game, but the journey to the top has revealed a new side of Sweden’s lone wolf.
You can tell by the way that Robin Soderling walks that he is a man who knows where he is going: great big strides, arms swinging with purpose and eyes focused dead ahead. And with 195 pounds packed solidly into a 6’4” frame, he is a big-boned Swede built like a lumberjack who crushes the ball like a bare-knuckle bruiser. Robin Soderling definitely plays hardball.
Born between the two great lakes of Sweden in the small town of Tibro, Robin Soderling grew up riding his bicycle to the tennis courts each day. It was here on those chilly bike rides to and from practice that he visualised his dream of becoming a great player.
“We have had a lot of special players in Sweden,” Soderling says. “It helped me to have so many good examples.”
While Soderling paid homage to past Swedish greats, he developed his own plans for greatness. Like a lone wolf he would do it his way, and with a determination as strong as Nordic steel. Fellow Swede and good friend, Johan Brunstrom believes that those early days gave Soderling the confidence for that he is so well known.
“Robin is by far the most competitive person I have ever met in my life”
“In his age group back in Sweden there were three to four guys in the 12 & under and 13 & under that were fighting big time against each other every time they played,” Brunstrom recalls. “Robin came out on top of these battles most of the time. I think that created a big confidence from an early stage which helped a lot along the way throughout juniors and on to the pro tour.”
Guiding Robin Soderling through the juniors and into the Top 50 of the South African Airways ATP Rankings was Peter Carlsson, coach of Team Catella.
“Robin lives for his tennis tournaments,” says Carlsson. “He is really committed to being the best. Robin is the kind of guy who will do everything to win a match.”
Robin Soderling’s career could not have gotten off to a better start. At his first event as a professional, an ITF Futures in Sweden, Soderling was the last man standing. He followed that win up with a runner-up finish the very next week.
Soderling“That first tournament win just made him more hungry to win the next week,” recalls Carlsson.
Kalle Flygt played the young Soderling both weeks. “You could see that he had a very big game even at that age,” says Flygt. “His movement then was not strong, but he sure had plenty of other weapons. And he hated to lose.”
Ask anyone who has ever known him and they all say the same thing: Robin Soderling absolutely hates to lose. For he is a natural born warrior, a Viking in the truest sense of the word.
“Robin is by far the most competitive person I have ever met in my life,” says good friend and Davis Cup teammate, Robert Lindstedt. “His desire to win is just incredible.”
Joachim ‘Pim-Pim’ Johansson was with Soderling for many of the early years on Team Catella. Both wanted to be number one on the team and they pushed each other daily. According to Carlsson, “the competition was fierce. And not always healthy”.
“He was very competitive and took his own way,” remembers Johannson. “Robin does not fear anyone. This is a strength that he has had all his life. Even when he was 10 and 12 years old, he always had the feeling that he could be number one.”
There is one word that best describes Robin Soderling’s style of tennis: brutal. Smash mouth tennis at its best. His balls are propelled by a deliberate velocity that explodes off his strings like hellfire missiles. While his serve may not have the easy grace of Richard Krajicek’s or the bullwhip snap of Goran Ivanisevic, it is a bio-mechanically efficient service technique that rocks the court like a thunderbolt. Off the ground, Robin packs heavy artillery. The backhand, solid and dependable, is a clean double-handed forearm press that he can take on the rise while changing direction with a split second snap of the hips. And more than a few players have joked that he could be arrested for carrying a weapon (forehand) onto the court.
“There is one word that best describes Robin Soderling’s style of tennis: brutal”
No doubt Soderling’s game is high risk. And when that forehand is on target, it is good night, Irene. But it is a game that demands precision, or possibly perfection. That is another trait that people attribute to Robin Soderling: perfection. Nobody knows that better than Nate Ferguson, of P1Tennis, who has customised Soderling’s racquets since 2004.
“Robin is definitely a perfectionist,” Ferguson states. “And I respect him for that. When I met him he was doing a lot of tinkering with his grip, wrapping layer after layer of trainers’ tape around the end. I called it the butt cap flare. We talked about it, and the balance of the racquet a lot and Thomas Enqvist joked that trying to please Robin with his racquet was mission impossible. After a lot of going back and forth, we eventually created a special molded grip of hard foam that never changes its dimensions. And a balance that worked. Robin was happy.”
Yet for all his power and attempts at perfection, something was lacking in Soderling’s repertoire. For years he seemed to be stuck in a rut, trapped between 40 and 70 in the rankings. In fairness to Soderling, he did have some serious injuries that required intensive rehab and long periods away from competition. Former ATP World No. 2 Magnus Norman had a good idea what Soderling needed and when he got the call, he answered it like the former champ he is.
Soderling“In the past he was throwing away matches that he should have won. He was affected by the wind, spectators, by things that he could not control,” says Norman. “What I was trying to do when I took over was to change his mentality, make it a strength. But in the beginning we had a rough time together. We were talking a lot, spending a lot of time together. I am sure he was sick of hearing my voice. Then the week before the French Open, he came to me and said, ‘Now I understand. I really understand what you mean.’
“Robin is very eager to learn new things,” continues Norman. “And he is an analyst. Sometimes he comes back to me and says, ‘I don’t really agree with you. Tell me why you think that?’ Then we discuss it more and more until we both agree on a plan.”
Former World No. 1 Mats Wilander says, “He's quite confident in his own ability and I think that's why he made it to the top of the game. I think he should have been there earlier... Robin is very strong mentally and it took someone who had been there and achieved more than him. Magnus knows what he’s talking about, saying the right thing and coming from the right person.”
Soderling must have learned something from Norman, for he was about to send shockwaves through the tennis world.
“He's quite confident in his own ability and I think that's why he made it to the top of the game”
It is a few hours before the clash of two titans, Rafael Nadal and Robin Soderling in the Round of 16 match at Roland Garros. Soderling has just finished warming up and is ready to go, but Norman stops him from leaving the court and suggests one more drill. Soderling agrees and one by one, Norman feeds his charge what he loves to eat: inside out forehands.
Like a Gothic beast, Soderling’s black eyes flash with fury as he covers the advantage side of the court with alarming speed and agility for such a large man. Setting his big feet in a semi-open stance, he launches ballistic forehands across the net that explode like bomblets when hitting the court with plumes of red clay spewing up in the air. It is a stroke that looks more like a roundhouse right knock out punch than a part of a game played by gentlemen. Norman is satisfied that Robin is now ready to enter the arena that has been the undisputed throne of the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal.
Thirty-one times in thirty-one contests, the Spaniard has emerged victorious from Roland Garros. There is nothing in the air on this day that would suggest any other outcome. It would go down as a battle of man versus man, a war in the trenches between two heavy hitters. For four punishing sets, they traded blows. In the end it was the challenger, Soderling, who would eventually lift his arms in triumph while the mighty warrior Nadal was hurled to Valhalla.
Soderling“Sweden was so hungry for his success,” says Carlsson. “And Robin delivered.”
Brunstrom agrees. “I think the past one and half years he has improved mentally a lot on the court and has learned to accept that everything can’t be perfect all the time,” he says. “He has really showed that he can dig deep and come out on top in a way he didn’t do before.”
Understanding Robin Soderling the person is not as easy as understanding Robin Soderling the player. As a player there is no doubt that Soderling likes to bang – getting on top of the ball early, driving it down into the court like a hammer and nail – by doing so gaining the advantage of leverage. For his opponents, it is literally fighting an uphill battle.
But how do you figure out a man who once said to the press that he did not join the ATP World Tour to make friends? For starters, according to those who know him best, you have to be patient. Listen to what they have to say about the man ranked No. 7 in the world.
“I practised with him a lot over the years,” says Jarkko Nieminen. “When you know him better, he is more open. I think he has always been extremely talented. And he knew it himself. His own expectations were very high and that was a lot of pressure. He has been on the tour a few years, and maybe now he is more experienced he can handle the pressure. And he is putting all the little pieces together.”
“He does not come to people easily,” says Carlsson. “You have to get to know him. Once you do you can see he is a great guy. We had a really good relationship.”
“Robin is one of my best friends on the tour,” claims Robert Lindstedt. “He is really a nice guy.”
“You have to get to know him. Once you do you can see he is a great guy”
“Robin has a very strong personality,” states Norman.” You have to develop a feeling when to approach him. But he is more open now than in the past. Expectations have changed a lot. Very interesting to see how he handles the pressure.”
Fernando Verdasco and Robin Soderling are holding their trophies while standing on a raised platform on center court in Barcelona at the end of the ATP World Tour 500 tournament. The finalist Soderling has the microphone in his hand and he begins by thanking the crowd for their enthusiasm and the sponsors for their support. Though they are neck and neck in the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings, Soderling praises Verdasco.
“Congratulations, Fernando,” Soderling says. “You played great. And today you deserved to win.”
We have learned that Robin Soderling is a fiery competitor who hates to lose, but just as important we are seeing that Soderling respects how great the level is at the top of the ATP World Tour. In doing so, he exudes even more confidence, for he is man enough to admit it even though he has just gone down in three tough sets to Verdasco.
“He's ready to win a big tournament,” asserts Wilander, a winner of seven Grand Slam titles. “I think he believes he could win a big tournament and I think he's ready to win. He's matured a lot.”
It may have taken Soderling longer than he expected, but there is no doubt that he has finally arrived. And, since Roland Garros last year, he is sitting where he is most comfortable: in the driver’s seat, with one big foot on the gas pedal going full speed ahead.
RG 2010 - wywiad z Robinem po zwycięstwie w 1 rundzie
Q. A very quiet start, actually, in the tournament.
ROBIN SODERLING: Well, yeah. It was a good start, you know. It's always nice to have a quick match in the early rounds. You know, I got to hit a few balls. We had a few rallies, so it was a good match.
Q. What were the feelings being out there back a year after making your first Grand Slam final in that court?
ROBIN SODERLING: It's nice, you know. Now I don't think about it too much. That was all last year. I have to start over again. Focus on every match. But of course it's always nice to come back to a place where you did well last year. Gives you good feelings.
Q. Before the win of today, you had three losses in a row. Is there any problem with what was the problem with that three losses in a row?
ROBIN SODERLING: Oh, well, I think after Barcelona I was a little bit tired. I played many matches in the States and in Indian Wells and in Miami. Then Barcelona after that, Davis Cup was also tough. I was a little bit tired in Rome, and I think I played pretty well in Madrid. I lost to a guy who played well.
So, you know, I'm feeling pretty good, and now I feel healthy and I feel like I'm really ready to play many matches here.
Q. Do you feel under much greater pressure this year after what you have achieved this year? How have your expectations changed this year compared to last year compared to usual?
ROBIN SODERLING: Well, not really. As I said, every year is different, and that was all last year. Now I have to focus on this year. Of course I know that I can do well this year, as well, but it's not sure. There are so many good players out there. You have to play well every match, and you also need a little bit of luck.
Q. Do you like your draw?
ROBIN SODERLING: Well, I haven't actually checked so far in the draw, but, you know, it doesn't really matter, you know. Everybody can play good tennis on any day, so I have to think about myself and try to improve for every match, and if I can play well, I have a good chance to win more matches, I think.
RG 2010 - wywiad z Sodą po zwycięstwie w 2 rundzie
Q. You got off to a very good start and never really seemed to be challenged at any point. Were you surprised at how quick and seemingly easy it was?
ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah. Of course, I mean, second round of the Grand Slam, you're not expecting to win that fast. But as you said, I played well and I got off to a great start. Broke him first game and I served pretty well in the first set, so, yeah, it was a good day for me.
Q. What can you say about the condition? Was it really different from the other day? It's much slower?
ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, it was different. It was much colder and a little bit windy. So it was different. It was not the easiest day to play on, but I think I handled it pretty well.
Q. Is it difficult when you're that dominant to keep your focus?
ROBIN SODERLING: No, not really. You know, I played so many matches so I know that everything can happen. Of course, you have to keep telling yourself that you have to stay focused because otherwise it can change pretty the match can turn pretty quick.
But I think, you know, I did it all the way today. I was still very focused even to the end, and the last game when he played a little bit better, I was still I kept my focus good.
Q. You've had two short matches, pretty easy wins. Do you have a sense of how you're playing or how things might go further ahead in the tournament, or has it been hard to judge where your game is at?
ROBIN SODERLING: Well, I don't think like that. You know, I'm happy with the two wins. As I said before, it doesn't matter how I play. What matters is that I won two matches and I'm in the third round. And I will always get a new chance to play better and better for every match.
Of course, I'm feeling good. I won two matches pretty easy in straight sets, and I didn't have to run for many hours on court so far, so I feel fresh and prepared for next round.
Q. Do you remember playing a three set match lasting one hour and 11 minutes?
ROBIN SODERLING: No, I don't remember. Maybe I did, but I don't remember.
Q. I know that we are at Roland Garros. Everyone is talking about your last year and so on, but I'm Italian. I need your thoughts on Davis Cup, even if it's very far away. I'm sorry. What do you expect, I mean, that could be part of the team then? I mean, because you are the only Swede here in the men's draw. There were times when there were five or six in the top 10. Do you see any change in the future, and why the situation is so bad, I mean, in Sweden that there is only one player, men, and there are two women, if I remember well. First time there are more women than men.
ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, but I think it's pretty good for a country with only 9 million people to have a top 10 guy and two women in the main draw.
Of course it's bad if you compare to 20 years ago, but what Sweden had back then I don't think any country will have again, not even the biggest countries like France, like U.S., or Spain. So it's been very good.
I know I kind of feel we're coming back a little bit. We have a couple good juniors. Of course, it will take a while, but I think and I really hope in a few years' time we will have at least a few more players on tour again.
Q. So there is only Pim Pim Johansson who can play with you? And who else could play September?
ROBIN SODERLING: No, well, Vinciguerra played a couple matches, and he's a great player when he's healthy; same with Pim Pim. Of course we don't have that many players, but I think when we're all playing well and we're all healthy, we have a good team.
Q. You going to win?
ROBIN SODERLING: Well, we at least will try.
Wywiad z Soderlingiem po wygranym meczu 4 rundy Rg10
Q. The match with Cilic, many people, myself, we thought it would be a very close match, hard match that maybe you would end up winning. I would think you would end up winning. But it happened much faster. Unexpected score, probably. How did you feel about that? The second question is: Are you happy to face Federer again, although it's not in the final but it's in the quarters?
ROBIN SODERLING: Well, I think first question I think you're always expecting a tough match, whoever you play against. Against Cilic, we never played before, but he's a great server. Against guys like him, it's almost always tough.
But I think the conditions were a little bit tough today. It was windy; it was cold; it was tough to really get in a rhythm. But I think what was the biggest difference between us is I think I served better than him. I had more first serves in, and I was able to dictate play with my forehand a little bit more.
Second one, well, I mean, it's a quarterfinal of a Grand Slam, and I have to play either one of the top four guys. Of course it's tough to play against Roger, but it's all tough matches. I hope for a good match. It's always fun to play against him.
Q. In Abu Dhabi when you won the exhibition, you said or at least you were quoted as saying that the more times you play him, the closer you get to him. I wondered if you could talk about what your best played match against him has been, and what you did right in that match that you might take into this one.
ROBIN SODERLING: We played so many times over so many years now, so it's tough to remember. But I remember a few times I played against him when I came pretty close, especially one in Halle a couple years ago when I served and returned really well.
I think that's what you have to do against him, because of course he's the best player in the world. But even against him you will always get a few chances. Then you have to take them, because he won't give you any second opportunities.
You really have to play well in the important points, which he does so well, and that's why he's so good.
Q. A year ago you came here No. 23 seed, I believe; now you're No. 5. Tell us what is so different from a year ago. Maybe part of that is tell us about Magnus Norman and what he has done to change you at all.
ROBIN SODERLING: I don't know if I changed. I think one year ago or two years ago I think I could play really good tennis. My had highest level then was pretty much the same as now, I think.
But of course I'm winning more matches, and I think I'm winning more matches when I'm not playing my best tennis, which I didn't do so often before. That's the biggest change.
Of course, Magnus helped me a lot with a lot of things on and off the court, so he's been really good for me.
Q. You've become more consistent. Is part of that Magnus?
ROBIN SODERLING: Well, yeah. Him and also me. We work together as a team. I think we did a really good job. As I said, you know, I have many things to thank him for. He's been really helpful.
Q. I was wondering which would be a more satisfying victory for you, beating Nadal on clay or beating Federer.
ROBIN SODERLING: I don't know, you know. It depends which tournament, which round, whatever, you know.
They're both really tough players to beat. They're No. 1 and 2 in the world. Beating them, it's a great achievement, I think. I think you have to play your best tennis.
It's very difficult, but it's not impossible, which I showed and which many other players showed in the past.
Q. I think the clay court form before this tournament was maybe not the best. Have you been a little scared? And on the other hand, are you surprised now that it's going so well?
ROBIN SODERLING: Well, no. I haven't really been scared. Of course I wanted to win more matches than I did, but I think I played in finals in Barcelona, first clay court tournament, and I end up losing in a tough three sets against Verdasco, which is not a bad tournament.
Then of course I had a bad week in Rome when I didn't play well at all. But, you know, it can happen to anyone. It can happen to, you know, Roger, Rafa, everyone. They cannot play their best tennis every week.
So it's been I think overall it's been pretty good, but I think of course I wanted to have some more matches before coming into this tournament. But now I played four really good matches, and I'm feeling good.
Q. If I understand you correctly, are you saying that basically the difference between last year and this year and maybe between a top 20 player and a top 3 or 4 player, 5 player, is that you learn how to win without playing at your best level, that is, knowing how to win without being at your top level?
ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, I'd like to think so. If you look at all the top guys, they're not playing the best tennis every week. Maybe you have three or four, maybe five matches in a year where you feel like you play really, really well.
The other 50 matches you still have to win, and then all the top guys, they win a lot of matches against good players without playing the best tennis. I think that's the biggest difference between a guy ranked in the top 10 and the guy ranked in the top 30, 40.
Q. You've cracked that secret. Can you tell us how it's done? Can you give us just one example of knowing how to win when you're not...
ROBIN SODERLING: Of course, winning a lot of matches against good players gives you confidence. I think this year and also last year I won a lot of matches against really good players, so my confidence is good.
You know, in matches like this, it's very often it's a couple of points here and there which decides the match. And then the guy who has the best confidence wins the match and the points most of the time.
Q. Would you prefer quicker conditions for your next match?
ROBIN SODERLING: No, I haven't really thought about it, but I think it doesn't really matter. I think I can play well on both slow and faster surfaces and conditions. So, no, not really.
Q. You're not any more an outsider, but you're one of the top players. Does that add more confidence, or does that add more tension? Does it matter at all?
ROBIN SODERLING: No, I don't think about it that much, because, you know, doesn't matter if you're ranked 5 or 50 in the world. You still have to win the matches. On court it doesn't matter what your ranking is. You still have to win the matches. I think that's how you have to think.
Q. Has your life changed at all off the court since you've become a top 10 player?
ROBIN SODERLING: Well, no, not that much. Of course, it's been a little bit more hectic. I do more stuff outside the court, but, you know, I try to I try to live the same life.
You know, I think it's pretty similar. I still do the same things every day.
Q. You're not bothered on t