Saturday 18 November 2017

'HEY JIM, THIS ONE'S FOR YOU'

In 2016 at the Australian Open a comment was made by Jim Courier regarding David Goffin and his supposed 'inflated' ranking which according to Jim occurred through Davis Cup Ties. You see Davis Cup matches can still gain ranking points for a player so apparently David Goffin should not have been ranked World number 14 at the time of his match with Roger Federer, according to Jim.
Now I took exception to those comments and wrote a lengthy post about where I questioned Courier's agenda.
Jim didn't get back to me.
Fast forward to this day.
What a great day for tennis in general and particularly David Goffin as he just defeated the player who caused those disparaging remarks to be said from a commentator who should know better because as we all know, in tennis things can turn around fairly quickly.
In fact since 2016 when David Goffin was ranked 14 at the time of the 2016 Australian Open I do not believe that his ranking has dropped below that number so if his ranking did somehow 'inflate' to number 14 surely it could not have stayed there if he was an 'imposter'.
Surely.
The 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 win by Goffin over Federer in London was as much a 'stick that up ya bum' Jim Courier moment as it was a victory for the 'thinking man's tennis player'. From memory I believe that the score in Melbourne in 2016 was 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to Federer and up until today's match I believe it was Federer 6, Goffin 0.
So putting that into perspective I suppose all that had to happen in London this morning was for Fed to keep doing what he has been doing for the last six matches against the little guy from Belgium. Tennis however evolves as do players and their ability to forget past results and play the ball, not the player and the reputation or even legend that go with some of them.
For David Goffin this was a win that will help every tennis player of every standard believe in themselves as he is a player who reminds me of a light weight in a heavy weight series yet comes up with a right hook to down his more fancied opponents with alarming regularity.
His win over Rafa in the first round in London proved it even before the win over Federer and though some will say, including himself, that Rafa was injured I think you only have to look at the way Goffin played that match tactically to realise he is a thinker.
To be able to with stand that many high bouncing balls from Rafa's forehand in particular and flatten them out with interest was quite outstanding to say the least. It takes a rare talent to defend that type of hitting as in Monte Carlo this year the score line was far less flattering to Goffin as Rafa destroyed him easily.
Once again Goffin has reversed a result that would have many players overawed yet the little guy refuses to be pushed around. It's brilliant, it's inspiring.
Whether he can reverse the earlier London result against Dimitrov is almost irrelevant, just to make it to the final is nothing short of outstanding.
Hey Jim Courier, David Goffin defeated Roger Federer, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, semi finals , London, 2017, year ending Tour Finals.
How's that 'inflated' ranking looking now ey Champ ????
Regards GT........

No comments:

Post a Comment