For both Roger Federer and Grigor Dimitrov, talent isn’t something relatively unknown. While many consider the Swiss master as the most talented player ever to be born on earth, the Bulgarian who reached the Australian Open quarters recently, has been tipped to carry Federer’s mantle in the years to come. His comparisons to the former World No.1 hasn’t stopped ever since he burst on to the scene by winning the junior Wimbledon and US Open titles a few years ago. And, even though the 17-times Grand Slam champion’s play has been compared to poetry in motion, magic in play, religious experience and genius at work, Dimitrov too has shown glimpses of such things, confirming that the guy is the real deal. The Similarities Nicknamed ‘Baby Fed’, ‘Mini-Federer’ and ‘Mr Showtime’, Dimitrov is rightly compared to his childhood idol Federer – both has a one-handed backhand that looks amazingly beautiful when hit with accuracy and depth. Indeed, both men possess a game that is pleasing to the eye, gives us a feel of effortlessness and is result-oriented at the same time. The two love to execute their deceptive slice, have the capacity to generate one well-placed serve after another and like to construct their points in a free-flowing manner. However, the World No.19 is yet to transform into a fully grown Federer, but he is certainly Federer in development or in the making. The Dissimilarities Despite, his innate talent Grigor is extremely fragile especially during the crucial stages of a set or a match as he becomes too nervous and generally builds a kind of self-pressure around himself to gift away the advantage which he would have gained over his rivals with some immense hard work. The best case in point is his failure to grab those two set points in his clash against the King of Clay inside the Rod Laver Arena when he had two sitters to dispatch the ball in an open court to take a two sets to one lead in that match. In contrast, Federer is hailed as the most composed man on the ATP Tour. Win or lose – he never shows his emotions and allows his racket to do most of the talking. He isn’t too perturbed by any short of criticism and believes in defying the odds with his performances both on and off court. Moreover, unlike Federer who hardly broke an ounce of energy when he was in his prime and looked extraordinarily fit, Dimitrov’s fitness levels can only be categorised as ordinary if not poor. He, still hasn’t worked on his body as a gruelling match takes out the fizz from his footsteps – he appears tired and fatigued if his matches stretch into a third hour or a fourth hour. Nonetheless, it must be acknowledged that with the appointment of Roger Rasheed as his coach, Dimitrov is making all the right moves and will surely be working on maximizing his stamina to accomplish more and more good results for himself on the men’s circuit. In the end, we would like to repeat the words of the great Pete Sampras who said that he will be surprised if Dimitrov isn’t a top-ten player at the end of the year and like him we will be surprised as well if that isn’t the case at the conclusion of 2014. Because, what we feel is that if Federer was King, Dimitrov is undoubtedly the present Prince and the Future Emperor of Men’s Tennis. To make sure, you don’t disagree with our statements, we have put up a few videos of the two players that will make you believe that what we have said above holds absolutely true. Take a look... You may be the King, but I am fast catching up to you, confirms Dimitrov with the shot of the year.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Feb 2014 20:43:39 +0000
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