Mono free Söderling

[Thedesertfox]

Hypothetically what could have mono free Söderling achieved?
IMO he was an excellent player, with brutal forehand and serve, great backhand, movement was really good for a guy that big. He did well across all surfaces. Him and Del Po could have changed history to a certain extent had they remained healthy

 

[D.Nalby12]

Competition was pretty tough the time he peaked. But had he matained his level till 2013-14 he would win Slam or two.

 

[tennislove00]

I don't think he would have won a slam (2011-2014 was one of the thoughest periods ever), especially that his best shot RG was out of question as long as Nadal was healthy.

I think he would be able to float around top5 and get couple of masters titles more.

If you put him in current era i think top3 and multiple slams would be realistic.

Great player, shame health issues ended his career early.

 

[CHillTennis]

If he had stayed around the level that he played at in 2011, I strongly believe that he would have won at least one grand slam title in 2014.

 

[CHillTennis]

I don't think he would have won a slam (2011-2014 was one of the thoughest periods ever), especially that his best shot RG was out of question as long as Nadal was healthy.

I think he would be able to float around top5 and get couple of masters titles more.

If you put him in current era i think top3 and multiple slams would be realistic.

Great player, shame health issues ended his career early.

Nadal was vulnerable at the French Open in 2013 and '14. Soderling was able to beat him in 2009. He would have had a chance to do so again in those years.

 

[Milanez82]

Nadal was vulnerable at the French Open in 2013 and '14. Soderling was able to beat him in 2009. He would have had a chance to do so again in those years.

It was a once in a lifetime performance that you don't repeat so no.

 

[TheFifthSet]

Didn’t Soderling essentially admit recently that anxiety was the main culprit rather than long mono?

 

[wangs78]

His health issues hit right after he set a new peak in performance/achievements, so it's hard to say if he would have (1) sustained that level for a few years, (2) perhaps even gotten a little better (primarily mentally) or (3) regressed the way we've seen players like Med and Thiem slip back after they achieved a big milestone (ie, win a Slam). Personally, I think he would have been a 1-2 Slam winner. He was definitely an exciting player to watch - big hitter who moved very well, especially offensively.

 

[CHillTennis]

It was a once in a lifetime performance that you don't repeat so no.

He beat Federer at Roland Garros the following year. Federer was the defending champion at RG in 2010.

Soderling also had Nadal on the ropes at Wimbledon 2010.

 

[NeutralFan]

He lost two finals in straights so i don't see him winning a slam.one upset here and there like he did in 2009 and 2010 but he's not winning any slam defeating 2 or 3 members of big 3.

 

[DSH]

Nadal was vulnerable at the French Open in 2013 and '14. Soderling was able to beat him in 2009. He would have had a chance to do so again in those years.

The postman only knocks on the door once.
Soderling made the match of his life that allowed Federer to get his only RG title.
That experience was not going to be repeated again.

 

[tennis_pro]

I thought this thread was news that he's finally over it and TTW decides whether he should still make a comeback at 38 or not.

 

[tennis_pro]

Competition was pretty tough the time he peaked. But had he matained his level till 2013-14 he would win Slam or two.

I think that's pushing it a bit. The only Slam in 2013-2014 that I could potentially see him win would be the 2014 USO, but even there Cilic was absolutely zoning. Outside of that he'd have go to through Djokovic at the AO, Nadal at the FO, the Stanimal at the AO or Djokovic/Fed/Murray at Wimbledon or peak Nadal at the USO (or Djokovic lol).

I think he peaked in 2009/2010, but overall a really solid top 10 player. He could've easily made more deep runs in the Slams or bag another Masters title or two with some luck.

Sad story, I really liked him.

 

[Third Serve]

I think the field was too strong during those years for him to win a Slam, although he could have had a couple of extra finals and even some Masters victories.

 

[NAS]

Nadal was vulnerable at the French Open in 2013 and '14. Soderling was able to beat him in 2009. He would have had a chance to do so again in those years.

Soderling would be around 30 in 2014 , I don't see how he was going to keep up with Rafa

 

[PerilousPear]

His window was slowly closing with Djokovic coming to prominence. But peak Sir Robin wiped the clay with Baldal, made him scramble for every ball in RG '09. That should tell you enough.

 

[Halba]

His window was slowly closing with Djokovic coming to prominence. But peak Sir Robin wiped the clay with Baldal, made him scramble for every ball in RG '09. That should tell you enough.

Nadal was having a serious knee injury in that match. Soderling folded so tamely to Federer In the final.

 

[PerilousPear]

Nadal was having a serious knee injury in that match. Soderling folded so tamely to Federer In the final.

Nah. He was okay and showed no signs of movement hinderance during the actual match. The knee was just a blind excuse.

 

[abmk]

Nadal was having a serious knee injury in that match. Soderling folded so tamely to Federer In the final.

Nadal didn't have any injury, let alone serious in RG 09. no report before or mention in post-match interview. moved perfectly fine in the actual match. had played very well in the 2nd round of RG 2009 and GOATed in 3rd round vs Hewitt.
Sod also crushed Davy in the match after Nadal and beat a red-hot Gonzo in the semi. A nervous 1st set in the RG 09 final yes, but played good in next 2 sets. Only Federer was GOATing in that final.

 

[kevaninho]

His window was slowly closing with Djokovic coming to prominence. But peak Sir Robin wiped the clay with Baldal, made him scramble for every ball in RG '09. That should tell you enough.

Then got straight setted, playing great, the following year against Nadal in the same tournament.

So , one has to wonder how he managed to go from playing allegedly, his best match ever, against the defending champ Nadal in 09, to being blitzed in 2010 .

Either Nadal was off his best in that match, or Soderling wasnt capable of repeating that performance.

Therefore, he was never going to take anything from Nadal again.

 

[kevaninho]

Nadal didn't have any injury, let alone serious in RG 09. no report before or mention in post-match interview. moved perfectly fine in the actual match. had played very well in the 2nd round of RG 2009 and GOATed in 3rd round vs Hewitt.
Sod also crushed Davy in the match after Nadal and beat a red-hot Gonzo in the semi. A nervous 1st set in the RG 09 final yes, but played good in next 2 sets. Only Federer was GOATing in that final.

Beating the clay god Hewitt is a sign that someone is playing their best ?

 

[kevaninho]

Nah. He was okay and showed no signs of movement hinderance during the actual match. The knee was just a blind excuse.

Yep, an ultra competitive guy, who wants to win everything, and hates losing, was just going to forfeit defending Wimbledon 2009, so made up excuses to take time off.

Sounds legit.

 

[RS]

His peak on clay was arguably 2nd highest at RG in this era other than Nadal

He was good on other surfaces but weaker than clay so hard to say for than like 1 maybe.

 

[RS]

Nadal faked his RG 09 injury?

 

[aldeayeah]

His last tournament run before retirement was a thing of beauty:

2011 Swedish Open – Men's singles - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Soderling d. Junqueira 60 61
Soderling d. Starace 63 64
Soderling d. Berdych 61 60
Soderling d. Ferrer 62 62

talk about going out with a bang

 

[President]

Soderling was one of my favorite players back in the day, but I don't see him ever winning a slam. His nerves wouldn't allow him not to choke in big matches. His movement was also not great, all of the Next Gen players for example move significantly better than he did. Great serve and groundstrokes on both wings though.

 

[aldeayeah]

He could maybe Wawrinka one slam. He was good enough IMO.

 

[aldeayeah]

Does Norman ever coach Wawa if Soda King stays mono free? Big timeline divergence there.

 

[Mainad]

Does Norman ever coach Wawa if Soda King stays mono free? Big timeline divergence there.

Söderling partied company with Norman at the end of the 2010 season just after he won his only Masters title in Paris. This was long before his health issues kicked in.

 

[Incognito]

Former Pro section?

 

[Humphrey20133]

His window was slowly closing with Djokovic coming to prominence. But peak Sir Robin wiped the clay with Baldal, made him scramble for every ball in RG '09. That should tell you enough.

Rafa lost to Soderling only twice, both of them coming in 2009 when Rafa was not up to par. Robin never beat Rafa again, and IIRC, only took a single set off of him after the YEC loss in 2009, and that was at Wimbledon in 2010. Soderling does not beat a healthy Rafa anywhere, especially on clay. Keep believing in your fantasies, but the h2h speaks for itself.

 

[aldeayeah]

Rafa lost to Soderling only twice, both of them coming in 2009 when Rafa was not up to par. Robin never beat Rafa again, and IIRC, only took a single set off of him after the YEC loss in 2009, and that was at Wimbledon in 2010. Soderling does not beat a healthy Rafa anywhere, especially on clay. Keep believing in your fantasies, but the h2h speaks for itself.

He'd have a good chance indoor too.

 

[TheFifthSet]

Rafa lost to Soderling only twice, both of them coming in 2009 when Rafa was not up to par. Robin never beat Rafa again, and IIRC, only took a single set off of him after the YEC loss in 2009, and that was at Wimbledon in 2010. Soderling does not beat a healthy Rafa anywhere, especially on clay. Keep believing in your fantasies, but the h2h speaks for itself.

I mean he probably beats many versions of a healthy Nadal indoors lol… + both of their grass BO5’s in prime Nadal years were very competitive.

 

[a10best]

It was a once in a lifetime performance that you don't repeat so no.

Soderling made the FO final again in 2010. How is that not a repeat? He was definitely not a fluke.

 

[Humphrey20133]

Soderling made the FO final again in 2010. How is that not a repeat? He was definitely not a fluke.

And what is funny is he did it by beating Federer in the quarters, playing in the very same conditions he beat Rafa in the year before. Lots of Fed fans love affair with Soderling ended after that blitzkrieg, I bet. lol.

 

[Milanez82]

Soderling made the FO final again in 2010. How is that not a repeat? He was definitely not a fluke.

I was referring to him destroying Rafa in 09,certainly one of all time performances by any player.

 

[Humphrey20133]

I was referring to him destroying Rafa in 09,certainly one of all time performances by any player.

Since when is a close, 4-set match with multiple tie breaks being destroyed? If Soderling destroyed Rafa at RG in 2009, then Rafa annihilated Soderling in the final at RG in 2010 since it was a straight-set, straightforward victory.

 

[CHillTennis]

The postman only knocks on the door once.
Soderling made the match of his life that allowed Federer to get his only RG title.
That experience was not going to be repeated again.

 

[Born_to_slice]

Since when is a close, 4-set match with multiple tie breaks being destroyed? If Soderling destroyed Rafa at RG in 2009, then Rafa annihilated Soderling in the final at RG in 2010 since it was a straight-set, straightforward victory.

Nadal also hammered Soderling in Rome 2009 60 61. 2009 Nadal's AO and Federer's FO are two of the greatest shams in tennis, imho.

 

[TheFifthSet]

Nadal also hammered Soderling in Rome 2009 60 61. 2009 Nadal's AO and Federer's FO are two of the greatest shams in tennis, imho.

How are either a sham?

At least with ‘09 FO we can salt-mine and say Federer might not have won if he faced Nadal (but seeing as he was the second best clay courter in the world at the time, it’s more than appropriate that he’d fill that vacuum). But 09 AO? That was one of Nadal’s best wins.

 

[Born_to_slice]

How are either a sham?

At least with ‘09 FO we can salt-mine and say Federer might not have won if he faced Nadal (but seeing as he was the second best clay courter in the world at the time, it’s more than appropriate that he’d fill that vacuum). But 09 AO? That was one of Nadal’s best wins.

I find it quite unrealistic that their lone AO/FO (before Nadal won in 22) would come in the same year. It's called 3 for 3 in football.

 

[Milanez82]

Since when is a close, 4-set match with multiple tie breaks being destroyed? If Soderling destroyed Rafa at RG in 2009, then Rafa annihilated Soderling in the final at RG in 2010 since it was a straight-set, straightforward victory.

You are correct, it was total annihilation.
Rafa showed who is the boss on clay.

 

[TheFifthSet]

I find it quite unrealistic that their lone AO/FO (before Nadal won in 22) would come in the same year. It's called 3 for 3 in football.

Unrealistic as in there was a nefarious agenda aiding them, or something else?

 

[RS]

Unrealistic as in there was a nefarious agenda aiding them, or something else?

Peak Djokovic vs Peak Roddick 20 matches at each slam?

 

[TheFifthSet]

Peak Djokovic vs Peak Roddick 20 matches at each slam?

C’mon man, there’s a time and place for everything

 

[RS]

C’mon man, there’s a time and place for everything

I had to test your Djokovic fandom.

 

[abmk]

Beating the clay god Hewitt is a sign that someone is playing their best ?

destroying Hewitt like that in RG 09 when their RG 06/07/10 matches were clearly closer and not destructions (when he was uninjured as opposed to supposedly injured in RG 09)
maybe you don't remember or pretend not to.
But I watched that RG 09 match vs Hewitt and Nadal was at his very best there.
ah, but of course one like you expects player to play clay God Borg in R3 of RG?
of course Nadal wasn't at his sharpest vs Soderling which can happen in a 4R match, which is why Sod was able to punish him as he did. Doesn't mean Nadal was injured in any way.

 

[a10best]

I was referring to him destroying Rafa in 09,certainly one of all time performances by any player.

Yea, anything can happen even at a player's most dominant tournament.
Fed was invincible at Wimbledon.
Rafa still is at FO but lost 3x.
Djokovic will also lose at the AO.
Age and competition always catch up.

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

Welll I like his chances better than Ruud of winning a slam. LOL. He had game so he probably would won one somewhere most likely. Peak level Stich/Kraijcek/Goran/Del Potro did. So as long as you have a deadly attack game, you got a good chance of winning the big one at least once at some point. The stars will align at least once

 

[kevaninho]

destroying Hewitt like that in RG 09 when their RG 06/07/10 matches were clearly closer and not destructions (when he was uninjured as opposed to supposedly injured in RG 09)
maybe you don't remember or pretend not to.
But I watched that RG 09 match vs Hewitt and Nadal was at his very best there.
ah, but of course one like you expects player to play clay God Borg in R3 of RG?
of course Nadal wasn't at his sharpest vs Soderling which can happen in a 4R match, which is why Sod was able to punish him as he did. Doesn't mean Nadal was injured in any way.

How were they not destructions? 2007 straight sets, with 1 breadstick. Looks pretty straight forward to me.

2010 - Straight sets, 3 / 4 / 3 . Again a routine match .

2006 - Nadal was hardly god like in the round before Hewitt, where he took 4 sets to beat Mathieu too. This also wasnt exactly peak Nadal , whereas Hewitt was still in his prime years. But losing in 4 sets is hardly a close match, cmon.

Once again, i dont claim Nadal was injured. Ive read his book, to know what was going on around the time of 09 clay season, and IMO he beats Soderling 9/10 in that arena any other year.

And my point was more towards people using Hewitt as some sort of barometer that Nadal was on fire. Hewit only got past 4R at RG on 2 occasions his whole career.
Nadal beating him the round before Soderling, does not mean that Nadal was playing his best.

Its a pretty weak point, actually, to claim that.