The Tennis Thread

Murray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Think after yesterday the final may well be a step beyond Murray Still he has done brilliantly this year.

 

You may be right, but I hope Andy is less pessimistic.

 

Don't get me wrong I would love to see him win, just being realistic, but you are right he cant think that way before the game

 

Yes, Federer was better than Andy Roddick. Agree with that.

 

If Federer had Nadal's injuries he'd have lot less. You can't win when injured after all.

 

Watching Raonic yesterday made me realize he is going to win Slams in the future sadly. Horrible player to watch. Comes across as a nice guy, so nothing to do with his personality. Just too many short points because of the huge serve. Total drag. I actually had my back to the match for most of it turning around for the big points.

Dominic Thiem looks like he's got a great chance as well. Unlike Raonic, he's a great player to watch.

 

Was thinking the same about Raonic.

 

Aye my personal opinion is Federer is the best tennis player I've ever seen and I go back to Sampras days when he was dominating. Agassi and Becker were also very good players. I'm sure there're plenty more brilliant players during the Sampras era I can't remember but my point is Federer came along and introduced a different way of playing the game. It was quite astonishing as I'm sure serve and volley was the dominant strategy and it wasn't very exciting a lot of the time due to it's short point nature. Of course there were some brilliant games played. I just mean in comparison I think Federer created Nadal, Djokovic and Murray. Without Federer I'm not sure they would have considered playing tennis to such a high standard. It may sound silly but it's quite a coincidence all these players arrived within the same generation? Federer, Nadal and Djokovic could well be regarded as the best of all time. Although after reading about Rod Laver I think he deserves a mention as he must've been quite exceptional.

Regarding Rafa and all other players who have been cursed with injuries it's depressing for them and us missing out on their games. I don't think it means Rafa is better than Federer though because he 'maybe' could have won so many titles. It's actually more like the opposite of that. I get the feeling Nadal pushed himself too hard too consistently and his body couldn't deal with it and it broke down. Look at Federer and how fit he has remained during his career. He has a very graceful style that must be easy on his body. This is good athletics but also good body management. If Rafa had eased up on his bombastic style he might not have won so many titles but he might also still be playing and winning titles now.

I know Djokovic changed his whole health and fitness regime when he understood what it would take to compete with Federer and Nadal at this level. And he got much better. Now he has Murray at least challenging him and fingers crossed will hopefully beat him tonight.

I thought Djokovic was going to beat Federer's record quite easily but surprisingly he can be beaten by more than just Murray. Warwrinka is an excellent player when on form and I think Del Potro might be challenging again? I'm not sure about his fitness but he's a good player.

I still think Djokovic will hold the most slam titles when he ends his career but I will also still say Federer is the best I have seen.

Nadal is also one of the greatest I've seen. He is the greatest fighter I've ever seen play the game.

I also don't like watching Raonic play, his style is so awkward to watch. I've never experienced that with a tennis player before. It's usually something an athlete is born with or acquires through hard training is the ability to move his/her body in as flexible or economical a style as possible. I wish him all the best though but please not against Andy.

Did anyone think the footballer Rivaldo had a strange style? He was good to watch though as he was one of the best in the world.

Anyway, come on Andy!!!

 

I agree with a lot of that, although Federer was a brilliant serve and volleyer at Wimbledon.

For me, Federer is an artist, Rafa and Djok are athletic artisans. Great fighters as you say, but skill wise they cant get near him.

 

We can only hope he uses that to his advantage and says to * with it and loosens up a bit. I mean it's mostly psychological with Andy anyway but you are right, his body will be needing a rest. Hopefully adrenalin kicks in and he's got one more almighty battle in him.

Djokovic will be dying to get his No.1 spot back too. I think he'll be fired up more than usual. Could be a tough one. What he did to Nishi jeez oh he's on a mission.

A real underdogs couple of weeks it feels like.

I like that, very good way of describing them.

 

This on the telly?

 

Presume youve found it already but yes. BBC2

 

Not a bad game so far. Come on Andy!!!

 

He's got to convert those sort of games into breaks.

 

Come on Andy you've got him where you want him!

Nice timing Daleer.


Ya dancer Andy!!! We said the first set was important and you've sorted it. Now for the major battle, get into him big man!

 

Muzza, won't be long till Novak plays the injury card

 

Stunning tennis from Andy so far!