The Tennis Thread 2013

[Mango]

It's always such a good match between these two. It sucks there has to be a winner Djokovic will be well rested. I actually think he'll be kind of flat, while Murray will have the momentum going in. It should be a great one.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by moon

Took longer than it should have but always great to see Federer lose.

Why's that?

Anyways as good as Murray was today, Nole is at another level on top of that. Can't wait to watch Andy whine endlessly as ball after ball flies past him in a couple days.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

Why's that?

Anyways as good as Murray was today, Nole is at another level on top of that. Can't wait to watch Andy whine endlessly as ball after ball flies past him in a couple days.

Because I don't like Federer.

He comes off as a d-bag whenever I have heard him talk, I was a fan of Sampras so don't like the talk of him being better than him and I am sick of hearing Federer fans try to come up with pre-emptive excuses as to why it wouldn't really count if Nadal ended up with more majors than him at the end of their careers.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by moon

Because I don't like Federer.

He comes off as a d-bag whenever I have heard him talk, I was a fan of Sampras so don't like the talk of him being better than him and I am sick of hearing Federer fans try to come up with pre-emptive excuses as to why it wouldn't really count if Nadal ended up with more majors than him at the end of their careers.

ok, fair enough. the complaint that he sounds arrogant during interviews is something I understand, even if I don't agree with. the Sampras thing is also valid, nobody likes when their favorite player is compared negatively to another. but that last one, about Fed fans making up excuses if Nadal ever had more majors, that's a new one to me. If Nadal somehow does achieve that feat (I don't see how), then I willingly crown him GOAT.

I have no problem admitting that a big reason I'm a Djokovic fan is because he helped prevent Nadal from approaching that GOAT status. but also his game is as devastating as any I've ever seen, and I'll take his over-celebrations at the end of long matches over Murray's incessant facial contortions after every point anytime.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

but that last one, about Fed fans making up excuses if Nadal ever had more majors, that's a new one to me. If Nadal somehow does achieve that feat (I don't see how), then I willingly crown him GOAT.

I have heard people saying it won't be as valid because Fed won his over the US, Wimbledon and Australian showing he was good on all surfaces while Nadal has built up his on Clay artificially boosting his total and having him as a specialist that relies on the French titles and not enough winning on other surfaces.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by moon

I have heard people saying it won't be as valid because Fed won his over the US, Wimbledon and Australian showing he was good on all surfaces while Nadal has built up his on Clay artificially boosting his total and having him as a specialist that relies on the French titles and not enough winning on other surfaces.

The past six months without him has made me realize how much I miss Nadal. His spirit, attitude and never die mentality on the court is lacking on the tour right now.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by Mango

The past six months without him has made me realize how much I miss Nadal. His spirit, attitude and never die mentality on the court is lacking on the tour right now.

i just want him back so that one side of the draw isn't a trip to Chuck E. Cheese for one of the big 4, in this current case Djoker. whoever spent money to watch that pathetic semi against Ferrer, I feel sorry for them. the way these matchups work, having an even number of real contenders just works better.

that being said, unless Nadal runs the table again in the clay season to defend all his points, or the FO does a custom seeding, he's going to end up 5th or below and bust the hell out of the brackets. one of the other big guns is going to be real pissed to see that they're meeting him in the quarters.

[Rjcsjc62]

For gamblers...

Novak is a 3.5 game favorite, or -172 to win the final.

I think the best 2 players ended up here, should be a great final.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Yeah I'd agree it's hard to say anyone other than the two best players are playing Sunday. I'd take Djokivic at this point, but I really think Murray has closed the gap considerably in just the last 8-10 months. With how tough these guys are to out it'll either be a straight set romp or a 5 set marathon.

[GirlySports]

pretty sure the FO will do custom seeding for a 7 time champion! If not they should move the tournament somewhere else.

[polak]

Boo-urns.

Must have been an epic one though.

As for the Nadal I thing, I wouldn't say his Grand slams don't count if he passed Federer (don't see it happening though, people quickly forget how Federer won literally EVERYTHING (that wasn't the French) at his peak) but it'd be hard to crown him GOAT if 90% of his slams were French. But either way I don't think they will be, if he gets back to form.

He has shown that he can win on all surfaces.

[fundmark19]

Did anyone else fail miserably staying up? I was so strong then start of match boom passed out woke up during second set tie breaker saw that epic Fed shot off the Murray smash then boom passed out 6 am time to get up for work.

[GirlySports]

I did not even try, missed the entire match.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by polak

Boo-urns.

Must have been an epic one though.

As for the Nadal I thing, I wouldn't say his Grand slams don't count if he passed Federer (don't see it happening though, people quickly forget how Federer won literally EVERYTHING (that wasn't the French) at his peak) but it'd be hard to crown him GOAT if 90% of his slams were French. But either way I don't think they will be, if he gets back to form.

He has shown that he can win on all surfaces.

Since Rafa owns a career slam he can't really be called a true specialist, since that implies not being very good on the surfaces you're not specialized in. But none of the other big 4 are as disproportionately strong on a particular court type as he is.

when he comes back though, he's facing a Novak at his peak and a Murray quickly reaching it. both have the combination of offense and defense on both wings that gave Rafa fits during that long losing streak to Djokovic. especially since he's explicitly said he wants to curb his hard court play long term, the percentage of his future titles on clay might be even higher than before.

after all their careers are done, people will pay less attention to the details and just look at the raw title counts. the accusations that Roger benefitted from a "weak" generation will fade, as will complaints that Rafa was a clay stat padder.

[spiteface]

we need rafa back!

anyways, andy is coming into form and djok is like freakin dhalsim from street fighter out there. should be a good final, prob 5 setter.

[Machiavelli]

nm

[Mango]

Very good women's final today. It definitely wasn't a cakewalk for Azarenka.

Almagro just pulled out of the Davis Cup.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by Mango

Very good women's final today. It definitely wasn't a cakewalk for Azarenka.

Almagro just pulled out of the Davis Cup.

Azarenka takes fake timeout for nerves/choking last match and wins. Li takes real timeouts for ankle/head injuries and loses. Proof that the tennis gods haven't yet grasped how karma is supposed to work.

Anyhow, combat to the death begins tonight. Insane highlights are in store.

[fundmark19]

Are you kidding almagro pulls out of Davis cup! This is a great job by the tennis gods

[GirlySports]

so for Spain it's now Granollers and who?