DUN I LOVE napisał:

Robertinho napisał:

Zaraz, czy to nie ten pan który zakończył karierę w wieku 26 i to samo doradzał Fedowi po Wimblu 2008?

Tak ten sam. Również ten sam, co przed 1/2 USO 08 wskazał Rokera na Mistrza.

To również ten pan, który sprzedaje teraz majtki sygnowane swoim nazwiskiem

Wywiad po przegranym finale RG10

Q. Apart the score, what was the main difference between last year and this year, your opinion?
ROBIN SODERLING: Every match is different. The margins are very small. Of course I didn't play as good this year as I did against him last year. I didn't serve as well. I wasn't hitting the ball as clean.
It was tough today. I didn't really get into the match.

Q. From the beginning, you mean?
ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, it was tough to get into the match. You know, of course he was playing well. He was playing extremely well.
He didn't miss much, but I had to really fight today.

Q. You, yourself, you didn't feel very well?
ROBIN SODERLING: No, it was tough. Of course I can play better. I wish I could have done that, but, you know, he played great. So all credit to him.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about the Berdych match and how much that took out of you going into today's match?
ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, it was a tough match. I think all the matches I played here has been tough in different ways, you know.
It's really difficult to stay focused for two weeks playing many matches. So they're all tough, but physically I feel fine. It was okay. It's not why I lost today.

Q. There was a little incident up with the people. Somebody fell down. Did that disturb your concentration? It was a moment where you were playing, the ball was heavier maybe, but you were starting to play inside.
ROBIN SODERLING: No, no, no.

Q. In any case, do you think there was a moment where the ball was getting, let's say thicker and heavier, and you were inside? Because from outside it seemed that you could change, let's say, at the beginning of the second set.
ROBIN SODERLING: What do you mean, the ball got...

Q. The humid conditions.
ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, it was humid already from the start. So I mean, conditions were good. Of course, it was a little bit windy, but it wasn't bad at all.
So, you know, it was good for me, and I think for both of us.

Q. You said that it wasn't because of that you lost today. Why did you lose today?
ROBIN SODERLING: Because he played better than me.

Q. Second question: Did you feel that you played differently today than you have been playing the days before?
ROBIN SODERLING: How do you mean, differently?

Q. I don't know. If you have felt that you should play differently today.
ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, I lost. Of course I should have played in a different way if I wanted to win.

Q. How?
ROBIN SODERLING: You know, I know I played many matches here, and there have been both good and matches where I didn't play so good.
So overall, it's a great week. Of course, today wasn't my best match. But as I said, he played so well today.

Q. Two questions. There's a lot of matches between when you played him here last year and now, but I'm wondering if tactically you felt like he did anything different today than when you played him before. Secondly, just can you talk about the game, the long game in the second set when you had all the break points, and if that really sort of took the steam out of you.
ROBIN SODERLING: No, I think, you know, Rafa always plays kind of the same. He has more or less one game, but he does it so well it's enough to not lose a match on clay for a whole year, which is pretty good.
But as I said, you always know what to expect when you play against him. Yeah, I think in the beginning I was a little bit unlucky; I had a few break chances. I didn't take them, so then of course it was tough.
I don't think it would have changed anything.

Q. Just two questions. First, if now is all good feelings between Rafa and you. Second, if you foresee Rafa long time as No. 1.
ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, I said, I don't know, like 200 times or even more, I have nothing against Rafa. I think he's a great player.
He definitely has the chance to be No. 1 for a long time if he plays like this. On clay especially he's real difficult to beat.

Q. I think you preferred kind of rainy, humid condition. It was kind of strange weather today. It was raining, rainy morning, but kind of sunny during that match. So could you explain what kind of condition it was? I mean, it was slippy or like the ball was heavy or...
ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, it was humid, and of course it was a little bit windy. But I think the conditions were really pretty good for tennis today.

Q. Could you go into, a little bit more, the difference between your incredible win last year and the tough result today? What was the difference between the two matches?
ROBIN SODERLING: Okay. (Laughter.)
Okay. You didn't listen to the first question.

Q. I listened, but I wanted you to go into more detail.
ROBIN SODERLING: You know, every match is different, and the margins are really small. Maybe he played a little bit better. I didn't play as good as I did last year. I didn't serve so well. I wasn't hitting the ball as clean.
You know, I had some chances in the beginning, but I didn't take them. And then he won the first and then played really well in the second, so then, you know, that's about...

Q. If I could ask, the problems on converting the breakpoint opportunities you had, why such a big problem today getting conversions?
ROBIN SODERLING: I don't know. He played well. Yeah, I don't know. I have no explanation why I didn't take the break points today.

Q. Obviously you know what to expect from Rafa, but is it any real frustration when winners you would hit against anybody else he goes back and retrieves it, or have you already put that past you, you know you're gonna get that from Rafa and that's the way it is?
ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah. As I said, you know, I think everybody knows what to expect when you play against him. That's why he's so good, because he's moving so well and gets everything back.
He's a great defensive player, but also has a great offensive game, as well. He can really change defense to offense really quick. That's why he's so good.

Q. Could anyone have beaten Rafa today on that form?
ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah. I think the tennis is so tough today, so I think everybody can beat everybody on a good day.
You know, as I said, I think I can beat anybody. But when Rafa is playing like this, you need to have a really good day, which unfortunately I didn't have today.

Q. Is it more difficult for you to lose this final than last year's final?
ROBIN SODERLING: No. No, they're both tough, of course. (Laughter.) Losing a final in a Grand Slam is not great. It's not a great feeling.
But, you know, I wasn't close in any one of them. I lost straight sets last year and the same this year. It's always tougher if you lose a really, really close match.

http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/ … 12730.html

Wimbledon 2010 - Wywiad po zwycięstwie w 3 rundzie.

Q. Three rounds and you've not dropped a set yet. You must be feeling very confident about your game.

ROBIN SODERLING: Sure, I think I played against three really good players, and, as you said, I didn't drop a set yet, even though maybe I was a little bit lucky to win the third set today.

But, you know, I'm serving well; I'm hitting the ball well. So far I'm feeling really good.

Q. You're one of two players to have beaten both Roger and Rafa at Grand Slams, and obviously you've done that at Paris. Can you do it again here?

ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah. Well, did I did once, so I'm pretty confident that I can do it more times. Of course it's not easy. They're the two best players in the world. You know, you have to play really well and you have to have a really good day.

But I think if I have that, I think I have a good chance.

Q. Have you done anything different in your preparation between Paris and coming here this year?

ROBIN SODERLING: Compared to last year? No, no, the same.

Q. Is this the best you've ever played on grass?

ROBIN SODERLING: It's tough to say. Maybe I played better matches before. I think what I'm really happy with is that I played really well for three matches, nine straight sets now, without really dropping my level too much.

That's really good. I think that's what you need to do in Grand Slams where they spend over two weeks.

Q. Does the dry weather and the higher bounce help?

ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah. I think it suits me well. To me, doesn't really matter. I think I can do well in any conditions and on any surface.

Q. Is your confidence at an all‑time high now given how you've been playing?

ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, of course I feel really good and my confidence is good because I think I've been playing really well for a year or almost a year and a half now, beating a lot of good players in big matches and in big tournaments.

So confidence is good. I think that's a really big thing in this sport.

Q. Can you explain what that feels like? If you sort of put the yourself to where you were a couple years ago, can you explain how different it feels when you step on court when you are so much more confident.

ROBIN SODERLING: When I step on court and before the match doesn't feel too much different.

It's just when you come to close moments in the match and when it gets tight, you know, I think I believe more in myself. I normally play better when it really matters.

Q. So does it make you more calm?

ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, and feel more calm and I believe in myself. I feel that I can go for my shots more and be aggressive. Most of the time it helps to be aggressive in big moments.

Q. You broke Rafa's Roland Garros streak and Roger Federer's semifinals streak. Which achievement are you more proud of?

ROBIN SODERLING: I don't know. They're both really good memories for me and great victories. You know, beating Rafa in Paris, he never lost before that match.

And then always beating Roger ‑‑ they were both No. 1s at the time, so it's tough to say. But they're definitely my two biggest wins in my career.

Q. Roger you beat on the 13th try, I think, and he has lost more than usual. Is he more vulnerable right now? Why? What's the main reason?

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, I think it's really tough up in the top. You know, there are so many good players out there. There are so many players who can really play well and really compete for the bigger tournaments, like the Grand Slams. You know, Roger is No. 2 now, but of course he's one of the best players in the world. Maybe the best player of all‑time.

But you cannot win every match and you cannot win forever. You have to lose sometime. Even Roger has to do that.

Q. With Roger and Rafa having both been taken to five sets this year, is there a feeling that there's more of an opportunity for a group of players just behind them, such as yourself?

ROBIN SODERLING: No, not really just because of that. They both got through their matches. I know that anything can happen. You can play really bad one day, and then you wake up the next day playing really good.

They're both favorites. Roger is maybe the No. 1 favorite; Rafa is No. 2. A lot players can actually beat them.

Q. Can you talk a little bit how you have to adjust to play a left‑handed player? What is the main difference?

ROBIN SODERLING: Main difference is the returns, I think. The serve is coming from a different angle. It took a while today also to get used to it.

But I think even though he served well, I think I returned pretty well. There were a lot of games where I actually, you know, came pretty close with a lot 30‑Alls, 15‑30s. So I think I returned well today against left‑hander.

Q. Bjorn Borg sees you as a future No. 1. Do you see yourself that way?

ROBIN SODERLING: I haven't thought about it that much. But, of course, if you are No. 6 in the world I think you have a chance to become No. 1.

I know it's not easy. It's terribly difficult. And of course when you have players like Rafa and Roger, it makes it even more difficult.

I think if I can continue to play the way I do now and keep up my level for a long period, I think I have the chance. But, again, there are a lot of players that have the chance to become No. 1.

Q. Having beaten both of them and with their streaks, is it possible for you to put into words how much that's fueling the fire to break through against one of them in a situation like a Grand Slam?

ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, I think, you know, the first win against any player is really good. It gives you a lot confidence. To win against, you know, the world No. 1 gives you even more confidence. It will for sure make it easier to play them next time.

Q. What does an endorsement from someone like Borg mean to you?

ROBIN SODERLING: Um, of course it's nice to hear. He's a legend in tennis. You know, I think everybody knows what ‑‑ that he knows what he's talking about. He's been at the top of this game for so long. But I still have to do it. It won't happen because he says that. I still have to work hard.

But as I said, I think I have a chance if I stay healthy, if I work hard, and if I play like this.

Q. How has your life changed off court through this success?

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, I do more media stuff, but that's about it. I still feel the same. I do the same things, so it hasn't changed too much.

Q. You can still walk around unworried in Sweden, or do people approach you all the time?

ROBIN SODERLING: I haven't actually spent so much time in Sweden. But I don't think Swedes are like that. They're pointing and looking more than approach you.

Unfortunately, tennis is not so big in Sweden as it used to be. Hopefully it will become bigger now when I'm doing well. Hopefully I can inspire kids to start playing tennis again.

http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/int … 24064.html

Wimbledon 2010 - wywiad po porażce w ćwierćfinale

Q. It was a brilliant start for you. What will you say went wrong for you or what went right for Nadal?

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, I think the difference was that he returned a little bit better than me. Uhm, I was a little bit frustrated today because I didn't put many returns in.

Of course, he served pretty well. But it's not like I'm playing one of the best servers on tour. I have to at least put some more returns back in play.

Q. How was your left foot? You received some treatment at the end of the third set. Was that hampering you a bit?

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, I have a small blister on my toe. I won't die. I think I'll be fine.

Q. So it's no reason...

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, again, I had a small blister on my toe, so nothing serious.

Q. Did you think it would be more politic to wait until the end of the set, given he was about to serve?

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, it was hurting me quite a lot. I think it's better to have it fixed than play with it. Don't you think?

Q. Do you think you rushed the first set?

ROBIN SODERLING: I'm sorry?

Q. Do you think you rushed the first set, you were in a hurry?

ROBIN SODERLING: I think I started well. And, you know, in first set I was a bit lucky to win the breakpoints. During the last three sets, I had my chances. Well, in the second and the third. I didn't really take them. So I think that was the biggest difference.

Q. At the start of the second set you successfully challenged the call. Rafa was quite upset that he lost that point. Do you think that kind of fired him up that he improved after that?

ROBIN SODERLING: No. I don't know, I haven't thought about it. It was a really important point. And, you know, I had the ball in play on the breakpoint, but he played well.

I don't know if that was a change. But, again, it was a really important one for me.

Q. You had points on a lot of his service games. I think he had very few when he saved to love. Do you feel he was serving weaker than he has in the past or were you returning well, especially at the start?

ROBIN SODERLING: No, I think he served like he always does. He put a lot of first serves in. He doesn't have a huge serve, but it's pretty good, especially on grass.

I didn't return so well. I was a little bit frustrated. I think in my first three matches I returned really well. Last one and this one, not so good. So I think that was the biggest difference.

Q. Do you think, like the Ferrer match, take out of you some points of stamina? I mean, did you feel a little bit tired or not so confident after the Ferrer match?

ROBIN SODERLING: No, no. It was a long match, but yesterday I felt good in practice. And today physically I feel fine.

So, no, not really.

Q. Do you think Rafa is playing as well this year as anyone? How does he compare, his level, as in the French Open?

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, I think he's playing well. He's hitting the ball very well. Of course, he's moving well, as always.

But, you know, it's very difficult to compare how he's playing on grass compared to clay. But he's the world No. 1, and I think he's playing pretty solid tennis. He's got a good chance to win this one.

Q. You say he has a good chance to win the tournament?

ROBIN SODERLING: I think so, yeah. I think everybody still in has a good chance. But now that Roger lost, I'd pick him as the favorite.

Q. If you were to look back and check the Rafa of 2007, the long match between you guys, and the Rafa of today, what's the difference for you?

ROBIN SODERLING: In his game?

Q. Yes.

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, I think he's playing a little bit more aggressive now on faster surfaces. I'd say on clay he's playing pretty much the same. But, again, on faster surface, he's playing a little bit more aggressive.

Q. I take it would have known about the Federer result. I think it was a bit after the first set. Did that affect your match in any way because you saw he'd gone out?

ROBIN SODERLING: No, no, no (laughter).

http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/int … 31918.html

US Open 2010 - wywiad po zwycięstwie w 1 rundzie

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. That was quite a battle in the end. You must be pretty pleased to have gotten through it.

ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, of course. It was really a tough match and tough conditions. I think it was pretty hot. Of course I wanted to finish it in three when I had the match point, but as you said, I'm very pleased with the win.

Q. It must have been frustrating, because you could have finished it off when it was sort of an hour and a half...

ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, as I said, I was very close having three or four match points and couldn't finish the match, so of course I wanted to do that. But it's better to win in five than lose in five.

Q. I'm sure better than winning in five is winning in three, especially when you're beginning a fortnight tournament. But on the other hand, one can say that starting a tournament, being pushed, being pressed, and being able to prevail in five sets is not so bad a way to start, yeah?

ROBIN SODERLING: No, I think I feel pretty good physically. I mean, I had almost four good hours of practice, so it's not so bad.

Q. Are you happy with the game, happy with the way you played out there?

ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah. Well, I think I can play better, of course, but, you know, I played worse. It's okay. I've been working hard now and still working hard, so hopefully I will play better already in my next match.

Q. Do you come into this tournament feeling that expectations are higher of you now than ever before entering this particular tournament? If so...

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, no -- well, I try not to care too much about expectations. You know, I play for myself, and I know that if I play well I can do really well here. But I played for so long now that I know that every player, every opponent is dangerous, and you have to play -- you have to play well to win. I think that shows today. I played against a qualifier. I don't know his ranking, but it's not so high, and it was a very close match.

Q. Are you as confident entering this tournament as you've ever been at this time of the season?

ROBIN SODERLING: It's been a little bit up and down for me this season. I think I played really well in Paris and in Wimbledon, and then after that I didn't play so well for a couple of tournaments. But as I said, you know, I've been working hard. I played for so long now, and it's been a lot of up and downs for me. So far, it's always been better after a while when I didn't play so well, and I'm pretty sure it will come soon.

Q. Is the confidence high when you go into a Grand Slam? You talked about both Wimbledon and Roland Garros where you obviously played well. Do you then arrive at Grand Slams with an extra sort of buzz about it? Seems to bring out the best in you.

ROBIN SODERLING: I think everybody wants to do well in the Grand Slam. I'm very happy the way I've been playing in the bigger tournaments now for the last year and a half or almost two years. I think I showed that I can go very, very deep in every Grand Slam. Yeah, I think I showed that for many tournaments now. But again, you know, you have to play well, you know. I can't just go on court and not fight and not playing well. Then you will lose.

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interv … 59736.html

US Open 2010 - wywiad po zwycięstwie w 3 rundzie

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You must be very happy with the way you've been playing in this tournament. You seem to be cruising pretty much through.

ROBIN SODERLING: Except the first round. No, it's been better and better, I think. Started my first match maybe not so great, but after that I think I played two pretty good matches. And today was not easy. It was difficult conditions. I told myself before the match, It's not gonna be pretty. I think during the circumstances, I played a pretty good match.

Q. How would you say this connects to the rest of the summer on hardcourts for you?

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, I only played two tournaments, and I think, you know, I had two good wins and two losses against good players. Maybe the result hasn't been really what I wanted to, but I played some pretty good tennis, so it's been okay. It's been good preparation for this tournament.

Q. These days, when fans of Roger and Rafa look at the draw, the first thing they look for is, Where is Soderling? How does that feel?

ROBIN SODERLING: (Smiling.) Well, I think they should look for many other players, because I think there's a lot of players who can do really well. Of course, in any tournament, when Roger and Rafa is playing, they will be the favorites. But, again, I think there is many players who can actually beat them.

Q. Have you played any better this year than you did when you played against Federer in Paris?

ROBIN SODERLING: What was that?

Q. Have you played any better than you did in that match in Paris?

ROBIN SODERLING: It's tough to compare matches. It was definitely a very good match. It's tough to say if it was one of my best ones, but of course, you know, it's always difficult to play against Roger. I played him a lot of times, and I think almost except from that last match I never felt that I played well. But that's not because of me. That's because of him, because he makes you play bad. So I think it was a very good match. One of my best five matches this year.

Q. One of his last service games he hit, I think it was a service winner ultimately, but you had some problem with that. I don't know if it was a Hawk Eye issue, or a call issue. You spoke to the umpire a little bit. Do you remember that?

ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, yeah. It was a let serve. I think during the match there were a couple of strange let calls. I think she called let when not one of us heard, and it then all of a sudden she didn't call it. Yeah, I think it was the machine.

Q. When you came on the tour, what would you have thought was your best surface, and what do you think your best surface is now?

ROBIN SODERLING: Now I'm not sure. (Smiling.) When I started, I had my best results indoors and on faster surfaces. But I think last two years I played very good on all surfaces, especially on clay. So now I'm not sure anymore, which is a good thing, because I really feel like I can do well on any surface.

Q. How close to ideal do you feel this surface is to you in terms of your comfort level on the court?

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, I think it's a good surface for me. I played well here in the past. Um, the thing is that a lot of the courts are not the same. Some courts are a little bit faster. Some courts are a little bit slower. So I think some courts suits me better than other ones. But overall, I think it's pretty good for me. It's not too fast, not too slow. It's good.

Q. Why do you think this is the one Slam that Nadal has not won? You're very familiar, obviously, with his game. You've seen him on all the different surfaces. In your mind, why do you think the US Open has been particularly difficult for him?

ROBIN SODERLING: I think you should ask him. He could easily have won this one, as well. But I think it might be the fastest one, and even though he has improved his game on the fastest surfaces, I think he still is a better player on the bit slower surfaces. Maybe that is why. But I think he will definitely have a good chance to win this tournament a couple of times.

Q. If he is successful here, given his head to head with Roger, do you think it's a matter of time before he'll be looked at maybe as even greater than Roger?

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, he's still very young, and of course he needs to win a lot more matches and a lot more tournaments before he's at the same level as Roger. But if he's gonna be healthy, he for sure have a lot of more years, and he's for sure gonna be win many more tournaments. It's tough to say, but he definitely got the chance. He's got a very good game, and he also got a good game for any surface, you know. I think it shows. He won so many tournaments on all different surfaces.

Q. You have a reputation as a giant killer. I'm sure that's a pleasant one to have. Is it ever irritating? Do you feel you're ready to move on to the next level where you're a giant instead of a giant killer?

ROBIN SODERLING: Oh, no, I don't really care. I think Roger and Rafa, they're best two players in the world right now. I think it will remain like that for a couple of years. But, you know, I'm in the top 5. Of course I want to improve. I want to do better. But it's also a matter of doing well many matches, many tournaments in a row, not only ones here and there. I think you need to play at a very consistent level throughout the whole year.

Q. You go about your business very quietly. Is it getting harder to do that with the kind of attention you're getting now because of your recent results?

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, a little bit maybe. But, you know, I still feel the same, and I'm doing the same things every day: working on my game and trying not to think about other stuff. I think I've been handling it pretty well. I still want to improve, and hopefully -- I'm still not that old, so hopefully I can do that.

Q. Peter talked about how people look at where you are in the draw. Have you looked a bit ahead? Do you know what's coming possibly next round and the round after?

ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, I saw Montanes won in his match against Nishikori. I will play him in the next round, which will be a very difficult match. We played many times. We had tough matches. Yeah, I think here was the first round last year we had a tough four setter, I think. He's a good player. It's gonna be tough.

Q. Do you know what might happen the round after that?

ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah. Everybody has been telling me that since the draw came out. I'm going against Roger in the quarters. He still needs to win two more matches, and I still have to win one more. It's still far ahead.

Q. Does that bother you people have been telling you, or it's gonna happen no matter what you do?

ROBIN SODERLING: No, I mean, I'm the fifth seed, so I know I'm gonna play one of the four top guys in quarters. I mean, they're all good players, so it doesn't really matter who I'm playing.

Q. I assume you're still coached by Magnus. You appear to be very well coached. Can you just comment on the kinds of things you've been doing and how you've been maintaining this level?

ROBIN SODERLING: Ah, yeah, we've been working on many different things. I think if you look at all the top guys, they don't really have any weaknesses. They are all very complete players. That's what we've been trying to work on, you know. We've been working a lot on my footwork, on my movement around the court, and also playing a little bit more aggressive, coming to the net sometimes. It's been working, but we are still working on it, and hopefully I'm pretty sure it can improve even more.

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interv … 58325.html

#6 Paryż-Bercy 2010



R48 Bye
R32 SIMON, Gilles (FRA) 6-4 6-0
R16 WAWRINKA, Stanislas (SUI) 7-6(3) 6-3
QF   RODDICK, Andy (USA) 7-5 6-4
SF   LLODRA, Michael (FRA) 6-7(0) 7-5 7-6(6)
F     MONFILS, Gael (FRA) 6-1 7-6(1)

Jest to najlepszy turniejowy skalp Szweda w karierze. W Bercy po raz pierwszy wygrał turniej Masters. Jest pierwszym Szwedem po 10 latach, który wygrał Mastersa (ostatnim razem w 2000r. wygrał Thomas Enqvist w Cincinnati). Robin wygrał po raz 1 pierwszy w karierze więcej niż jeden turniej w sezonie (w tym roku wygrał także w Rotterdamie, na początku sezonu).

Soda na francuskim gruncie pokonał 3 Francuzów. Nieźle.

Brawo Robin! Należało się. 2-krotny finalista turnieju wielkoszlmeowego powinien mieć wygranego Mastersa.

Soderling's strictly second tier

When it comes to reflecting on the merits of different tennis players at any given time a number of people seem to stick on their hyperbole hats and jump to extremes.

Thus Roger Federer regularly bounces from being completely washed up to back to his best, while Andy Murray hovers from future multiple Grand Slam champion to a mummy's boy who is destined to live a Henman-esque Slam-less existence.

Invariably the truth lies somewhere in between. Tennis players are never as good, or as bad, as the people who passionately praise or grumble about their talents say they are.

With all that in mind, Tramlines would like to dispassionately congratulate Robin Soderling on winning his first Masters title in Paris last week and moving up to a career high ranking of fourth in the world.

However, it is just silly talk to suggest that this will precipitate an avalanche of further Masters titles and Slams from the Swede.

Soderling is not suddenly going to beat up on the big boys on a regular basis. He is what he is: an excellent, consistent, second-tier slugger in the fashion of Nikolay Davydenko, David Nalbandian, Ivan Ljubicic and Tommy Haas.

All four of those players reached the top three in the world (Haas was as high as two at one stage) without ever residing at the same elite level of Federer, Rafael Nadal and to a lesser extent Novak Djokovic and dare we even say it... Murray.

Let's stick to that comparison with Murray for a moment. Soderling has reached as many Grand Slam finals (two) as Murray and now stands above him in the rankings. He even beat the Scot quite emphatically in Indian Wells this season - the first meeting between the two in four years.

However, does anybody genuinely believe that the Swede is the better player? A more consistent player, maybe, but certainly not a better one.

You just have to look at their respective records against the current top three in the world to get a sense of things.

Soderling's combined record against the 'big three' stands at 4-24, while Murray has a 15-17 record.

Of course Murray has plenty of his own problems - lack of attacking intent, temperamental issues, the burden of a ruthless national media, lack of consistency etc - but he can, and has, reached a world class standard in the past that suggests he has Slams in him.

Soderling, though, is simply an excellent pro who still lacks that X-factor that suggests he can reach the very highest level.

Just look at who he beat to win in Paris: Gael Monfils, Michael Llodra, Andy Roddick, Stanislas Wawrinka and Gilles Simon.

A collection of has-beens and wannabes - all players you would expect Soderling to beat when he is playing at his best.

And this is what we can expect to see from the Swede for the rest of his career. He will usually beat the players he is supposed to beat and lose to the ones he is expected to fall to.

He's no Superhero - he's Robin, not Batman.

Tramlines predicts he will finish his career without a Slam - but with about $15 million in career prize money.

Poor him, eh?

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/tennis/tr … rticle/63/

BARCLAYS ATP WORLD TOUR FINALS

Soderling Comfortable With Life As A Top Player
London, England

Robin Soderling has a 56-20 match record on the season.
Robin Soderling, the leading indoor specialist in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals field, who achieved a career-high No. 4 in the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings after his BNP Paribas Masters, insists "a ranking is just a number, but it won’t change anything."

The Swede comes into the London season finale with a 20-4 indoor record over the past 12 months – seven victories more than the nearest of his fellow qualifiers, David Ferrer (13-3). He has a 56-20 match record on the season, highlighted by a second successive runner-up finish at Roland Garros.

“I feel like I’m improving and I like being a top player," said Soderling at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall on Friday. "It is what I have worked hard for. This is where I want to be. It always adds more pressure. I play many more matches now where I am a favourite. I think I have handled it well over the past couple of years.

“I’ve always liked to play indoors. Growing up in Sweden, I’ve grown up on the surface so I go into every tournament with confidence. I feel good. I think I have had a good season and been very solid and played well throughout the whole year. The past week, winning my first [ATP World Tour] Masters 1000 title was great and I did it on a pretty similar surface to the one here in London.”

Soderling, who has recovered from a stomach bug, will meet British favourite Andy Murray in the first round robin match on Sunday. The pair has met on four occasions.

“I think every match has been even against Andy, they’ve always been tough matches. Even though three of them were a few years ago, they were close. It will be tough, but it will be close. I’ll have to play well to win. It not, it will be extremely difficult.

“He moves extremely well, returns well and doesn’t give you anything. He is an extremely tough player to play against and you always have to play well to beat him.”

Soderling’s Art of Tennis self-portrait was sold at auction for $5,100 on Thursday night. He admitted, “It was really nice to create it and it was for a good cause. It makes me happy that someone wants to buy it and help Children in Need.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis … layer.aspx