Can Janowicz Beat The Wimbledon Crowd?

Verdasco's chances against Murray in Wimbledon's quarter final are being discussed elsewhere I'm sure. But what about his chances against the the other huge and unique obstacle he will have to face. That is the Wimbledon crowd. IMO the most tricky crowd to face when they want you to lose. Just ask Gaquet, Federer at the Olympics and Nadal in his first round match this year...

Verdasco is well aware of his double challenge as he made reference to it.

"You know, of course is going to be difficult to beat him also with the crowd and everything."

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/interviews/2013-07-01/201307011372699848434.html

I looked back to see what experience he had in facing a hostile crowd and could only find two matches that could in any way compare. The AO in 2012 were Verdasco lost in 5 sets to Tomic 6-4, 7-6, 4-6, 2-6,5-7. And the Davis Cup final in 2008 (played in Argentina) were Verdasco won in 5 sets against Acususo 6-3, 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

So what are his chances? Will he crumble when he hears the roar of the crowd? How does a player practice for such an occasion?

I didn't watch. I don't like to watch ugly play and the Wimbledon crowd can play some ugly stuff. From the score it looked like Verdasco held his own for a while. However reading through the commentary I saw this from Pat Cash at a crucial point in the fourth set.

"Now Verdasco is getting frustrated. The noise of the crowd is putting him off."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23098453

I suppose it was to be expected...

--------------------------------------------

Next up for the Wimbledon crowd is Janowicz.

Unlike Verdasco Janowicz appears to have little experience of playing in front of hostile crowds. In fact I could find none. Judging from his quarter final match today it may be that he has little experience of playing in front of crowds... or indeed in front of anyone at all... The silence and absence of spectators on court one today could prove beneficial though as it allowed him to hear what he will be up against. The only noise on court one was the roar of the Wimbledon crowd on Henman Hill cheering on his next opponent. Hopefully he can build on this experience.

So what are his chances against a crowd that will be desperate for a win?

Forget the crowd, he's gonna have to find another 2 gears to beat , even on an empty stage.

This is a grudge match for Murray and he won't take any prisoners, blood will be drawn tomorrow, I hope Nando has enough of it to feed the frenzy.

Its recently become very difficult to rate a Murray opponent without being climbed into, so Ill just say

Vamos el NANDO!

Wimbledon hostile??  

I'm sure he will do fine with the crowd, they are famously polite.  

It could be worse, he could be in France.  Now there is a properly scary crowd

Hoping for a good match, always had a soft spot for Verdasco 

JubbaIsle wrote:This is a grudge match for Murray and he won't take any prisoners, blood will be drawn tomorrow, I hope Nando has enough of it to feed the frenzy.

Why's it a grudge match?

what do you mean carrie, Verdasco just loves French crowds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8aQcPHFOpg

HE
 
I've a feeling that Verdasco's 1:8 winning record, is far more of an issue than the crowd
 
Murray could be a man of West Indian decent, playing in Nando's home turf (we all know how wonderfully hospitable Spanish crowds are to the likes of myself and Lewis Hamilton  ) on a clay court and still start favourite
 
Vamos Andy!!

Mad for Chelsea wrote:what do you mean carrie, Verdasco just loves French crowds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8aQcPHFOpg

 

Mad for Chelsea wrote:what do you mean carrie, Verdasco just loves French crowds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8aQcPHFOpg

Nice
Although I enjoyed the language this is a very shameful behaviour from a pro

Mad for Chelsea wrote:what do you mean carrie, Verdasco just loves French crowds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8aQcPHFOpg

I just learned a new phrase "perder los papeles". At one stage in the video he shouts across the net to Gasquet: "Now let's see who's got more balls!" before going on to lose the match. Oops. That was the final at Nice.

If he survived Davis cup crowd in Argentina my guess is Wimbledon shouldn't be much trouble.

Well crowd is the only one that can spur him to a win otherwise he basically have no chance.

If he can find his AO09 form where he beat Murray in the quarters in 5 sets then maybe, just maybe. At least he knows he's done it before in slams but suspect his form/belief aren't what they were. It would be a massive shock to win, even if he got to serving for it I still think he'd horribly choke.

With all that crowd noise, will Fernando be able to hear the drums?

lydian wrote:If he can find his AO09 form where he beat Murray in the quarters in 5 sets then maybe, just maybe. At least he knows he's done it before in slams but suspect his form/belief aren't what they were. It would be a massive shock to win, even if he got to serving for it I still think he'd horribly choke.

An at peak Verdasco, up against a sick opponent - still took 5 sets. If we'd had some other wins, maybe. But I've never felt as confident about a Murray QF

Could come back to bite me?

banbrotam wrote:

lydian wrote:If he can find his AO09 form where he beat Murray in the quarters in 5 sets then maybe, just maybe. At least he knows he's done it before in slams but suspect his form/belief aren't what they were. It would be a massive shock to win, even if he got to serving for it I still think he'd horribly choke.

An at peak Verdasco, up against a sick opponent - still took 5 sets. If we'd had some other wins, maybe. But I've never felt as confident about a Murray QF

Could come back to bite me?

Just an observation, a sick opponent (Murray with a virus) who can play 5 sets against an opponent (Verdasco) who took Nadal to 5 sets at AO 2009.

Was Murray really sick? Not sure, would you be?

Ha ha! Julius you just can't help youself...

lydian. If he can just produce his 2013 Wimbledon form I would say he would be holding his own against the crowd.

Henman Bill. I think it's easier to cope with the crowd in Davis Cup because you have the on court support of a captain. It will still be experience for him though.

banbrotam. The article is about how Verdasco will cope with the Wimbledon crowd.

JuliusHMarx wrote:With all that crowd noise, will Fernando be able to hear the drums?

I never thought that we he could lose

(but there's no regrets)

hawkeye wrote:Verdasco's chances against Murray in Wimbledon's quarter final are being discussed elsewhere I'm sure. But what about his chances against the the other huge and unique obstacle he will have to face. That is the Wimbledon crowd. IMO the most tricky crowd to face when they want you to lose. Just ask Gaquet, Federer at the Olympics and Nadal in his first round match

  Yeah, those rowdy nutters at SW19 that clap when the umpire asks for quiet!

If Verdasco dares to start winning, I bet some hooligans will throw some strawberries onto the court. A few of them might even refuse to drink their Moët!

Bloody riff raff, I tell ya!  

Going back to the OP why is it 'unique'. It happens for French players at Roland Garros, Americans at Flushing Meadows and Aussies in Melbourne. Yes hopefully the crowd will get behind Murray and it's up to him to use that to his advantage. I'm sure there won't be a lot of negativity to Verdasco. If he plays well and gets on top he will take the crowd out of the game. Look how quiet they were when Youhzny went ahead in the second set on Wednesday. Actually they were very quiet before that as well. It was almost as if they were too polite and there just didn't seem to be any atmosphere until Murray went behind 5-2 in that set and started to fight back.

If Verdasco plays the crowd, he will lose.

legendkillarV2 wrote:If Verdasco plays the crowd, he will lose.

I think you may be correct. But that would be nothing to be ashamed of as even Federer couldn't beat the crowd once it decided it wanted to win. The Wimbledon crowd is a very difficult opponent once it is fully focused.

The crowd is not a factor in this match - its the 8:1 head-to-head in Murray's favour, and that with exception of Nadal, Murray does not lose too often against left-handers (maybe someone can give me stats?) - Verdasco's serve and big forehand don't match up particularly well to Murray's game - Murray will be picking off some of those big serves with ease and comfortably soaking up the pressure from Verdascos' forehands.

The crowd won't really be a factor until the final (presuming both Andy and Novak get there), in which case it will be a factor in lifting Murray but not in getting to Djokovic, who will also have plenty of support in crowd (though not as much as say Federer would have in match against Murray).

hawkeye wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:If Verdasco plays the crowd, he will lose.

I think you may be correct. But that would be nothing to be ashamed of as even Federer couldn't beat the crowd once it decided it wanted to win. The Wimbledon crowd is a very difficult opponent once it is fully focused.

Indeed - I mean, look at all the British Wimbledon winners over the last few decades.

MrInvisible. The crowd will be fully focused on Verdasco. It won't get ahead of itself and think of possible future matches.

Julius. The crowd is well aware of the lack of recent British winners it will not want to lose given this golden opportunity.

Hawkeye, I think you're over-egging this one somewhat. Of course spectators in a home slam focus their support on the home players, but you seem to be insinuating that its going to be a major contributory factor in this match - it won't - even if this match was being held outside the UK, Murray starts as heavy favourite on this surface.

hawkeye wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:If Verdasco plays the crowd, he will lose.

I think you may be correct. But that would be nothing to be ashamed of as even Federer couldn't beat the crowd once it decided it wanted to win. The Wimbledon crowd is a very difficult opponent once it is fully focused.

If your pointing to the Olympics, that was a partisan crowd because of the occasion and the event. Olympics.

Wimbledon the tennis event is a much different kettle of fish.

Let's be honest if the British public decided who won, Henman would be a 4 time champion

hawkeye wrote:MrInvisible. The crowd will be fully focused on Verdasco. It won't get ahead of itself and think of possible future matches.

Julius. The crowd is well aware of the lack of recent British winners it will not want to lose given this golden opportunity.

Whereas it wanted to lose the opportunity it had when Henman played Goran? Or maybe if Murray wins it will be because he's the better player. Let's face it, if the crowd hate Murray with your passion, they'll all be rooting for Verdasco.

Did we see Alex Bogdanovic being dragged to the Fourth Round by the crowd? Did it help Jeremy Bates get to the final? Did it inspire Tim to victory. No, no and no is the answer.

Sorry hawkeye but when Andy wins it will be done by his skill and will be merited. Head-to-head of 8-1 alone tells us that crowds have nothing to do with match-ups between this pair in the past.

I suspect Verdasco won't even get into a position where the crowd can become particularly animated either way. If they did then he's not the mentally strongest at handling those situations...he's no Sampras who ruthlessly put Henman to the sword a few times in front of an expectantly effervescent British crowd.

 Well they do call Wimbledon the 'Galatasaray away' of world tennis!

No doubt when Verdasco appears there will be banners with "welcome to hell" written on them! He'll be pelted by objects and songs will be chanted about his family. There may even be 'court invasions' by the rampant home support if he dares to break serve!

He'll probably need rehab for months after...

Good grief!  

JubbaIsle wrote:Forget the crowd, he's gonna have to find another 2 gears to beat , even on an empty stage.

This is a grudge match for Murray and he won't take any prisoners, blood will be drawn tomorrow, I hope Nando has enough of it to feed the frenzy.

Famous last words?

Sure Verdasco has not done much in the past but he is playing well at the moment. Surely if there is one thing this Wimbledon has taught us is it is to not take for granted a player on the day? Wimbledon always favours the underdog, and maybe if Verdasco takes it to Murray he may get some support. People like upsets and there was so much cheering for Stakhovsky and Darcis, and that was against 2 massively popular guys. The Wimbledon crowd is different to the Olympic crowd and I doubt as raucous.

Many have written Verdasco off already. Maybe they are justified but reading various 'pundits' comments today I cannot help but think its a but premature. I recall Castle's comments at the AO 09 where Verdasco came out with fighting talk and he called Versdaco an 'Idiot' if he thought he could do it and FV did!

This Wimbledon I think has maybe a couple of twists left. Actually I think Djokovic is in for a tough one today...

FedsFan wrote:

JubbaIsle wrote:Forget the crowd, he's gonna have to find another 2 gears to beat , even on an empty stage.

This is a grudge match for Murray and he won't take any prisoners, blood will be drawn tomorrow, I hope Nando has enough of it to feed the frenzy.

Famous last words?

Sure Verdasco has not done much in the past but he is playing well at the moment. Surely if there is one thing this Wimbledon has taught us is it is to not take for granted a player on the day? Wimbledon always favours the underdog, and maybe if Verdasco takes it to Murray he may get some support. People like upsets and there was so much cheering for Stakhovsky and Darcis, and that was against 2 massively popular guys. The Wimbledon crowd is different to the Olympic crowd and I doubt as raucous.

Many have written Verdasco off already. Maybe they are justified but reading various 'pundits' comments today I cannot help but think its a but premature. I recall Castle's comments at the AO 09 where Verdasco came out with fighting talk and he called Versdaco an 'Idiot' if he thought he could do it and FV did!

This Wimbledon I think has maybe a couple of twists left. Actually I think Djokovic is in for a tough one today...

 
 
You can't compare 09' for the four following reasons
 
1) Murray is a better player
2) Verdasco isn't as goood
3) Verdasco has the same mental problem as any player who is getting worse (compared to previously) and has an 8.1 losing record
4) Murray had a virus at Aus 09' QF, which resulted in him having to stay in Aus for a couple of extra days and miss the next event. Even then it still took Verdasco 5 sets. So significant was the incident that, every since then, Andy has altered his pre-Australian shedule to minimse it happening again
 
Let's be honest here, Verdasco suits Murray 100%. If the Scot could create an opposing player to meet every match - he'd choose Verdasco. OK serve, lots of power for Murray to feed off and poorish movement
 
I've never felt as relaxed about a Murray QF. Incidentally, this isn't arrogant as I was worried about Youzny and I'm pleased that the wonderfully entertaining Fernando is making a bit of comeback

banbrotam wrote:

FedsFan wrote:

JubbaIsle wrote:Forget the crowd, he's gonna have to find another 2 gears to beat , even on an empty stage.

This is a grudge match for Murray and he won't take any prisoners, blood will be drawn tomorrow, I hope Nando has enough of it to feed the frenzy.

Famous last words?

Sure Verdasco has not done much in the past but he is playing well at the moment. Surely if there is one thing this Wimbledon has taught us is it is to not take for granted a player on the day? Wimbledon always favours the underdog, and maybe if Verdasco takes it to Murray he may get some support. People like upsets and there was so much cheering for Stakhovsky and Darcis, and that was against 2 massively popular guys. The Wimbledon crowd is different to the Olympic crowd and I doubt as raucous.

Many have written Verdasco off already. Maybe they are justified but reading various 'pundits' comments today I cannot help but think its a but premature. I recall Castle's comments at the AO 09 where Verdasco came out with fighting talk and he called Versdaco an 'Idiot' if he thought he could do it and FV did!

This Wimbledon I think has maybe a couple of twists left. Actually I think Djokovic is in for a tough one today...

 
 
You can't compare 09' for the four following reasons
 
1) Murray is a better player
2) Verdasco isn't as goood
3) Verdasco has the same mental problem as any player who is getting worse (compared to previously) and has an 8.1 losing record
4) Murray had a virus at Aus 09' QF, which resulted in him having to stay in Aus for a couple of extra days and miss the next event. Even then it still took Verdasco 5 sets. So significant was the incident that, every since then, Andy has altered his pre-Australian shedule to minimse it happening again
 
Let's be honest here, Verdasco suits Murray 100%. If the Scot could create an opposing player to meet every match - he'd choose Verdasco. OK serve, lots of power for Murray to feed off and poorish movement
 
I've never felt as relaxed about a Murray QF. Incidentally, this isn't arrogant as I was worried about Youzny and I'm pleased that the wonderfully entertaining Fernando is making a bit of comeback

Yeah I bet        

I didn't watch. I don't like to watch ugly play and the Wimbledon crowd can play some ugly stuff. From the score it looked like Verdasco held his own for a while. Reading through the commentary I saw this from Pat Cash at a crucial point in the fourth set.

"Now Verdasco is getting frustrated. The noise of the crowd is putting him off."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23098453

I suppose it was to be expected...

------------------------------------------------


Next up for the Wimbledon crowd is Janowicz.

Unlike Verdasco Janowicz appears to have little experience of playing in front of hostile crowds. In fact I could find none. Judging from his quarter final match today it may be that he has little experience of playing in front of crowds... or indeed in front of anyone at all... The silence and absence of spectators on court one today could prove beneficial though as it allowed him to hear what he will be up against. The only noise on court one was the roar of the Wimbledon crowd on Henman Hill cheering on his next opponent. Hopefully he can build on this experience.

So what are his chances against a crowd that will be desperate for a win?

hawkeye wrote:I didn't watch. I don't like to watch ugly play and the Wimbledon crowd can play some ugly stuff. From the score it looked like Verdasco held his own for a while. Reading through the commentary I saw this from Pat Cash at a crucial point in the fourth set.

"Now Verdasco is getting frustrated. The noise of the crowd is putting him off."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23098453

I suppose it was to be expected...

Hmmm....poor effort HE you are definitely scraping the barrel with this one. Must try harder  

hawkeye wrote:I didn't watch. I don't like to watch ugly play and the Wimbledon crowd can play some ugly stuff. From the score it looked like Verdasco held his own for a while. Reading through the commentary I saw this from Pat Cash at a crucial point in the fourth set.

"Now Verdasco is getting frustrated. The noise of the crowd is putting him off."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23098453

I suppose it was to be expected...

------------------------------------------------


Next up for the Wimbledon crowd is Janowicz.

Unlike Verdasco Janowicz appears to have little experience of playing in front of hostile crowds. In fact I could find none. Judging from his quarter final match today it may be that he has little experience of playing in front of crowds... or indeed in front of anyone at all... The silence and absence of spectators on court one today could prove beneficial though as it allowed him to hear what he will be up against. The only noise on court one was the roar of the Wimbledon crowd on Henman Hill cheering on his next opponent. Hopefully he can build on this experience.

So what are his chances against a crowd that will be desperate for a win?

He beat Simon in the Bercy semifinals.

carrieg4 wrote:

hawkeye wrote:I didn't watch. I don't like to watch ugly play and the Wimbledon crowd can play some ugly stuff. From the score it looked like Verdasco held his own for a while. Reading through the commentary I saw this from Pat Cash at a crucial point in the fourth set.

"Now Verdasco is getting frustrated. The noise of the crowd is putting him off."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23098453

I suppose it was to be expected...

Hmmm....poor effort HE you are definitely scraping the barrel with this one.  Must try harder  

And that's saying something - hawkeye has scraped plenty of barrels.

Chydremion wrote:

He beat Simon in the Bercy semifinals.

Oh I didn't know that. At least he has some experience before he faces the beast that is the Wimbledon crowd. Although there is nothing that can quite prepare a player for the tennis equivalent of being fed to the lions...

hawkeye wrote:

Chydremion wrote:

He beat Simon in the Bercy semifinals.

Oh I didn't know that. At least he has some experience before he faces the beast that is the Wimbledon crowd. Although there is nothing that can quite prepare a player for the tennis equivalent of being fed to the lions...

If Jerzy read your posts about Murray, he'd know the Wimby crowd were letting him off lightly by comparison.

I've read some dross from HE before but this really is laughable.

Not least with commenting on something 'I didn't watch'.

You really do like attention don't you HE.

  I will take a seat here and settle back to watch hawkeye make a fool of herself.

I'll join you   

HE speaks only the truth he is the bastion of intelligence with his insight on Murray concerning his lucky career/gamesmanship/media bias.

Jerzy to win in 4

I can't believe there is any skepticism about how tricky it is to beat the partisan Wimbledon crowd. Murray however is well aware of what Verdasco faced and is hoping that Janowicz will have to face the Wimbledon crowd playing at it's scary best. Under the title - Passionate crowd can roar me into final, says Murray. This is a quote from Murray in the independent.

"When I went behind, the crowd definitely got right behind me and made a huge, huge difference," Murray said. "If they can be like that from the first point to the last in all of the matches, it makes a huge difference.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon-2013-passionate-centre-court-crowd-can-roar-me-into-the-final-on-sunday-says-andy-murray-8686338.html

Those that refuse to acknowledge that this particularly tricky opponent exists are either deluded or have their own reasons for their pretense. I'm sure Janowicz is aware of the crowds existence. Not that he has actually seen it because when he played his semi final it didn't appear. But he has heard the roar from outside on Henman Hill whilst he was playing. How will he handle his first match against it?

Aww, did the poor wittle Wimby crowd turn ugly against Wafa?
It's a beast, I tell you, it's a beast!

God knows what HE would be like infront of the US or french crowd.

Julius. I sometimes wonder if you are interested in tennis or if your interest here is limited to making sarky or amusing comments. Murray said the crowd made a HUGE, HUGE difference. Do you disagree with him? Or are you irritated that I have brought this topic up for discussion?

Luvsports. There may be similar examples from the past in other events but most of the discussion here is about an event that is happening now.

  Can somebody fetch me some more popcorn?

hawkeye I sometimes wonder if you are interested in tennis or if your interest here is limited to initiating silly threads that are either open attacks on Murray or thinly veiled attempts to denigrate his achievements.
Any sarky comments are fully merited, given the 'hostile', 'ugly crowd', 'beast' comments etc. The Wimbledon crowds are none of these.

If you want a sensible discussion on the matter, then limit yourself to sensible posts. Then it wouldn't be irritating. As it is, it doesn't irritate me as a poster, it irritates me because it shows the forum in a poor light. I think your posts reflect badly on the forum.