Wimbledon 2013: Talking points from Day 4

The new boys still have a lot to learn

Whilst the Americans continue to wait, the eyes of the tennis faithful are still trying to find the new star in waiting to replace the fading lights of Federer and Nadal. Most are pointing at the big serving Milos Raonic and ‘baby Fed’ Grigor Dimitrov. On the evidence of their displays yesterday, they still have a long way to go before they challenge Djokovic and Murray for honours in the next two or three years.

Milos Raonic – Not his best on grass?

Raonic’s record on grass has been dreadful since his breakthrough. He lost in the first round in both his warm up tournaments this year and has never won more than one match at Wimbledon. It’s clear from this record that Raonic is just not suited to the tricky art of moving on the green turf which is understandable given his height. It’s strange because if he had played 15 years ago, he would have almost certainly made it at least to the quarter-final with his serve.

Dimitrov has the pedigree and the shot making ability to be successful but his match with Grega Zemlja showed everything that needs to be improved by the Bulgarian. His impatience and lack of concentration meant that he went for shots that were more than unnecessary and almost cost him the match – and still could. He was completely outwitted by Hewitt at Queens earlier this month, and at this point in his career, his tennis ‘brain’ is, in evolutionary terms, a pea compared to someone like Murray.