Ivan Ljubicic...Choke Artist?

[Tchocky]

Is Ljubicic the worst choker out there on the men's tour? He should have one, maybe two AMS titles by now. Doesn't he have one of the worst finals record currently? He barely showed up in the quarters against Roger...he didn't even look liked he care. I know it doesn't help having "Ivan" as your first name. Does he really need a whole country behind him to succeed? Don't get me wrong. I love Ljubicic's game but WTF!

 

[wildbill88AA]

in almost every tournament theres at least 63 chokers.

 

[Moose Malloy]

Nalbandian & Ljubicic are the highest profile chokers.

 

[Galactus]

One commentator remarked that Ljubicic, with the spindly legs, short white socks and cheap 'n' cheerful cap, looked exactly like some 'accidental tourist' when he played against Fed.

 

[Tchocky]

One commentator remarked that Ljubicic, with the spindly legs, short white socks and cheap 'n' cheerful cap, looked exactly like some 'accidental tourist' when he played against Fed.

I freaked out when I saw Ivan with that white cap at the start of the match. He took it off in the 2nd set but it was too late.

 

[croatian sensation]

Nalbandian & Ljubicic are the highest profile chokers.

Well, Nalbandian didn't choke at TMC if nothing else. And Ljubicic is a story of its own. He just can't win a 5-set match. I thought I was going to cry while watching him lose to Berdych in Paris. Or Baghdatis at AO. Or Nadal in Madrid.

But Ancic has even worse choke issues. Look at his finals record.

 

[BabolatFan]

chokers LoLsss

 

[LowProfile]

Kiefer has been choking something awful in finals himself. I think he's lost the last seven finals dating back to 2003.

 

[monologuist]

he's up there for biggest choker...problem is his forehand is AWFUL. He seems to have no control over it whatsoever on big points, usually hitting long when he goes for winners. Hard not to choke on big points if you can't have any confidence in your forehand. His backhand is of course stellar, but does it really matter with a forehand like that? It's like playing a lefty but without the lefty spin ...LOL.

Maybe he should switch from his Pure Drive...but then again, maybe his serve wouldn't be so dominant without it...hehe.

 

[156MPHserve]

He played damn well against Roger in the Masters Cup. Roger REALLY had to hit some impossible shots and serves to beat him.

I was hoping he'd take this and realize he can rally with the top player, but he got destroyed.

 

[Nadal_Django]

Yes, he was.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

 

[Nadal_Django]

Yeah, that tournament was Ljubicic swansong. liked the guy, but boy he was a choker, alright. Up there with Nalbandian, Ancic and Davydenko as chokers of the highest order.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

No doubt ivan modified fed's topspin BH like him...
He had a hell of a backhand
But still I have no clue how the fk did nadal lose that match

 

[mike danny]

No doubt ivan modified fed's topspin BH like him...
He had a hell of a backhand
But still I have no clue how the fk did nadal lose that final

Semifinal.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Semifinal.

My bad...
Sorry

 

[mike danny]

My bad...
Sorry

It's ok. Nadal still choked though. But Ljubicic deserved a masters title. Was just unlucky with the BO5 format in masters final back in his day. He would have won Madrid 2005 if it had been BO3 instead of BO5.

Nadal choked this one, while Ljubicic choked 2005 Madrid.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Yeah, that tournament was Ljubicic swansong. liked the guy, but boy he was a choker, alright. Up there with Nalbandian, Ancic and Davydenko as chokers of the highest order.

Don't recall Ancic choking a high-profile match.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

It's ok. Nadal still choked though. But Ljubicic deserved a masters title. Was just unlucky with the BO5 format in masters final back in his day. He would have won Madrid 2005 if it had been BO3 instead of BO5.

Nadal choked this one, while Ljubicic choked 2005 Madrid.

I swear, every time a player loses a close match it must be a choke!

 

[mike danny]

I swear, every time a player loses a close match it must be a choke!

Just trying to play devil's advocate here. But Nadal was the better player in their 2010 IW match, just like Ljubicic was the better player in their Madrid 2005 match.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Just trying to play devil's advocate here. But Nadal was the better player in their 2010 IW match, just like Ljubicic was the better player in their Madrid 2005 match.

That's true. I'd say in both matches the player who came back against disadvantage did more right than the other did wrong, though.

Early Nadal was almost unbeatable in five-setters, too. Peak Clutchdal for sure (that and 2013).

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

It's ok. Nadal still choked though. But Ljubicic deserved a masters title. Was just unlucky with the BO5 format in masters final back in his day. He would have won Madrid 2005 if it had been BO3 instead of BO5.

Nadal choked this one, while Ljubicic choked 2005 Madrid.

If I remember correctly
2005 madrid is probably nadal's only indoors title. And ljub wad playing quite good there, he should have really taken that 4th set....