The Tennis Thread
Discussion
JNW1 said:
It's a point of view but personally I think it would be a shame if people's final memories of Fed were of him losing to a relative unknown in the first week of a Grand Slam; going out at the top isn't obligatory but it's preferable IMHO!
Roger has made near-faultless career moves so I hope he will know when it's right for him to bow out. Hopefully he won't be worrying about what anyone else thinks while making this decision. As great as Pete Sampras was, he signed out on top and quickly faded from memory so I'd say it doesn't really matter either way. But, IMHO, he is still young and has the form to get the job done if his mind is focused. I think he'd accept not being able to be #1 due to a limited schedule if it allows him to pick up a few more slams. I'd rather win slams at 35 than be #1 with the insane schedule that's required to achieve and maintain it. While the others are physically falling apart due to their grinding, physically punishing game, Roger is 7+ years their senior and has a near-effortless form which has served him very well. Nadal has the body of an old veteran, it's just barely being held together and I can't imagine him being around at 30, not a chance. Having said that, I'd take 11 slams, millions of ££s and be quite happy to bugger off to live it up big time before the age of 30 
Maybe this has been his plan all along? 
Andy very unlikely to play in Paris. He will pass on RG without a second thought to have a shot at Wimbledon. On top of the title, the commercial value of Andy winning Wimbledon is mind-blowing, so very much in his interest to rest, recover and prepare for the grass.
Slightly O/T, just had a read through a few of the wiki bios, some of the guys have some eye-watering stats
Federer's ranking history
Justices said:
Roger has made near-faultless career moves so I hope he will know when it's right for him to bow out. Hopefully he won't be worrying about what anyone else thinks while making this decision. As great as Pete Sampras was, he signed out on top and quickly faded from memory so I'd say it doesn't really matter either way. But, IMHO, he is still young and has the form to get the job done if his mind is focused. I think he'd accept not being able to be #1 due to a limited schedule if it allows him to pick up a few more slams. I'd rather win slams at 35 than be #1 with the insane schedule that's required to achieve and maintain it. While the others are physically falling apart due to their grinding, physically punishing game, Roger is 7+ years their senior and has a near-effortless form which has served him very well. Nadal has the body of an old veteran, it's just barely being held together and I can't imagine him being around at 30, not a chance. Having said that, I'd take 11 slams, millions of ££s and be quite happy to bugger off to live it up big time before the age of 30 Maybe this has been his plan all along?
Andy very unlikely to play in Paris. He will pass on RG without a second thought to have a shot at Wimbledon. On top of the title, the commercial value of Andy winning Wimbledon is mind-blowing, so very much in his interest to rest, recover and prepare for the grass.
I know what you're saying and I understand the logic behind the revised schedule. However, the problem thus far is that the idea of playing fewer tournaments with (presumably) the aim of doing well in those he does elect to play isn't working; seems more like he just isn't match tight and is losing to lesser opponents as a consequence. Having said that I do accept it's still early days so let's see how it goes in Rome and Paris! Maybe this has been his plan all along? Andy very unlikely to play in Paris. He will pass on RG without a second thought to have a shot at Wimbledon. On top of the title, the commercial value of Andy winning Wimbledon is mind-blowing, so very much in his interest to rest, recover and prepare for the grass.
Disappointing and slightly worrying to see Murray withdraw yesterday. From the sounds of things it's the same problem that was affecting him last year and that suggests some sort of long-term underlying issue which obviously isn't great. As with Nadal, I have my doubts that Murray (or Djokovic) will be able to play to age 30 or beyond as their style of game is much more physically demanding than (say) Federer. Hope Murray is ok for Wimbledon but he seemed to be almost writing-off the prospect of playing at RG when he was interviewed yesterday....
Justices said:
There's the mental difference between the top 4 on display. Great work by both guys, Ernest will be kicking himself there.
Rafa seems right there mentally but he does appear to be making a few more unforced errors than he used to; for me his game's still not quite 100% although it's obviously still more than good enough to beat the vast majority of opponents! Also seems like Gulbis irritated Nadal with his constant requests to the umpire to go and check marks; think Rafa felt it was almost accusing him of being dishonest and he clearly wasn't happy about it in the press conference afterwards. Watched Federer play last night and he looked much more like it; Simon is far from an easy opponent but he didn't really get a look in. Given the way the draw's opened-up Fed ought really to make the final now but we'll see; in any event I hope he takes Janowicz to the cleaners as I was very unimpressed with some of his antics against Gasquet yesterday. If Nadal was unhappy with Gulbis I suspect he'd have been seething with Janowicz!
JNW1 said:
Justices said:
There's the mental difference between the top 4 on display. Great work by both guys, Ernest will be kicking himself there.
Rafa seems right there mentally but he does appear to be making a few more unforced errors than he used to; for me his game's still not quite 100% although it's obviously still more than good enough to beat the vast majority of opponents! Also seems like Gulbis irritated Nadal with his constant requests to the umpire to go and check marks; think Rafa felt it was almost accusing him of being dishonest and he clearly wasn't happy about it in the press conference afterwards. Watched Federer play last night and he looked much more like it; Simon is far from an easy opponent but he didn't really get a look in. Given the way the draw's opened-up Fed ought really to make the final now but we'll see; in any event I hope he takes Janowicz to the cleaners as I was very unimpressed with some of his antics against Gasquet yesterday. If Nadal was unhappy with Gulbis I suspect he'd have been seething with Janowicz!
yes saw the highlight of the Fed game and looking much better, I thought Simon might give him some problems a la Nishikori happily I was very wrong and yes you would expect him to get to the final now
if he does will Fed pick up some points? I think this is one of 2 masters events Fed has yet to win?
eta apart from the sirt ripping what was Janowicz up to?
Edited by chippy17 on Friday 17th May 13:25
JNW1 said:
Rafa seems right there mentally but he does appear to be making a few more unforced errors than he used to; for me his game's still not quite 100% although it's obviously still more than good enough to beat the vast majority of opponents! Also seems like Gulbis irritated Nadal with his constant requests to the umpire to go and check marks; think Rafa felt it was almost accusing him of being dishonest and he clearly wasn't happy about it in the press conference afterwards.
Watched Federer play last night and he looked much more like it; Simon is far from an easy opponent but he didn't really get a look in. Given the way the draw's opened-up Fed ought really to make the final now but we'll see; in any event I hope he takes Janowicz to the cleaners as I was very unimpressed with some of his antics against Gasquet yesterday. If Nadal was unhappy with Gulbis I suspect he'd have been seething with Janowicz!
It will be interesting to see what kind of reception Janowicz will get at RG as he downright cheated, break-point down, which more than likely would have given Gasquet a straight sets win.Watched Federer play last night and he looked much more like it; Simon is far from an easy opponent but he didn't really get a look in. Given the way the draw's opened-up Fed ought really to make the final now but we'll see; in any event I hope he takes Janowicz to the cleaners as I was very unimpressed with some of his antics against Gasquet yesterday. If Nadal was unhappy with Gulbis I suspect he'd have been seething with Janowicz!
Paire looked handy just now. 6-1 6-0 against Granollers.
chippy17 said:
eta apart from the sirt ripping what was Janowicz up to?
Gasquet a set up and has a break point at 1-1 in the second. Wins the point with a volley and heads to his seat for the changeover but Janowicz asks the umpire to come and check a mark which, in tennis terms, is miles away from where the ball landed (which was actually smack on the line). The umpire comes to check the mark and amazingly agrees with Janowicz; to Gasquet's disbelief he has to replay the point and ends-up losing the game, the set on a tie-break and ultimately the match. Ok, the umpire was also at fault on the dodgy line call but Janowicz knew full well the ball was good and basically tried to con the umpire (successfully as it turned out). He was then making exaggerated loud grunts and celebrating Gasquet errors for the rest of the match so all in all pretty unsavoury IMO.Edited by chippy17 on Friday 17th May 13:25
By way of contrast, Djokovic has just asked the umpire to over-turn a call in Berdych's favour in their quarter final - how sportsmanship should work!
JNW1 said:
chippy17 said:
eta apart from the sirt ripping what was Janowicz up to?
Gasquet a set up and has a break point at 1-1 in the second. Wins the point with a volley and heads to his seat for the changeover but Janowicz asks the umpire to come and check a mark which, in tennis terms, is miles away from where the ball landed (which was actually smack on the line). The umpire comes to check the mark and amazingly agrees with Janowicz; to Gasquet's disbelief he has to replay the point and ends-up losing the game, the set on a tie-break and ultimately the match. Ok, the umpire was also at fault on the dodgy line call but Janowicz knew full well the ball was good and basically tried to con the umpire (successfully as it turned out). He was then making exaggerated loud grunts and celebrating Gasquet errors for the rest of the match so all in all pretty unsavoury IMO.Edited by chippy17 on Friday 17th May 13:25
By way of contrast, Djokovic has just asked the umpire to over-turn a call in Berdych's favour in their quarter final - how sportsmanship should work!
i have always like that about Djoker, he applauds good shots he has always been very honorable about line calls
chippy17 said:
amazed berdych beat Djokovic
so Nadal a dead cert for another MS title?!!
Novak might be regretting giving that point up now! Novak, apart from the ridiculous 20-odd ball bouncing pre-serve routine) is now a decent sport. Something he didn't inherit from the people in his box. so Nadal a dead cert for another MS title?!!
RG going to be quite interesting this year. I am 95% sure Andy won't be playing, so Federer should be seeded #2. Not sure where they will place Nadal as he will always be the favourite. It would be wonderful for Roger to sneak a title, IMO he only had two people to get in his way. With a little luck they will be playing each other in a semi and tiring themselves out. I'm sure Roger is hoping for this scenario too.
Justices said:
Novak might be regretting giving that point up now! Novak, apart from the ridiculous 20-odd ball bouncing pre-serve routine) is now a decent sport. Something he didn't inherit from the people in his box.
RG going to be quite interesting this year. I am 95% sure Andy won't be playing, so Federer should be seeded #2. Not sure where they will place Nadal as he will always be the favourite. It would be wonderful for Roger to sneak a title, IMO he only had two people to get in his way. With a little luck they will be playing each other in a semi and tiring themselves out. I'm sure Roger is hoping for this scenario too.
It will be disappointing if Andy doesn't make it to Roland Garros but probably no great surprise. Questions is, if we were to end-up with Federer facing Nadal, would Roger really believe he can beat Rafa over 5 sets on clay? IMO he's always had the talent and ability to do so but Rafa is an amazing competitor and when things get tight he more often than not has the drop on Roger (and actually that probably applies on all surfaces not just clay). As I've said before, I'd be delighted to be proved wrong in my assertion that Roger won't win another Grand Slam but if he were to do it I think by beating Rafa in Paris is the least likely scenario!RG going to be quite interesting this year. I am 95% sure Andy won't be playing, so Federer should be seeded #2. Not sure where they will place Nadal as he will always be the favourite. It would be wonderful for Roger to sneak a title, IMO he only had two people to get in his way. With a little luck they will be playing each other in a semi and tiring themselves out. I'm sure Roger is hoping for this scenario too.
Agree with you here. But you never know, if he gets it in his head that this is the last chance to get some meaningful revenge against Rafa on his "home" court, he may well adopt an all-out attack strategy. He'll have to keep it up the entire match, so maybe the rest will serve him well. I think I will take a look at the odds on this particular outcome and get in early
Justices said:
I think I will take a look at the odds on this particular outcome and get in early
Well if Nadal wins this afternoon your odds will no doubt become more attractive; however, they will be attractive for a reason (namely that Roger isn't likely to beat Rafa over 5 sets on clay!).Christ.. after that I think the odds are going to be very good I'll stick my neck out and say Roger did that on purpose to lull Nadal into a false sense of security for Paris Does he honestly think he has got the game to win RG for the 7th time?
ETA: That haircut is not doing Roger ANY favours.
I'll stick my neck out and say Roger did that on purpose to lull Nadal into a false sense of security for Paris Does he honestly think he has got the game to win RG for the 7th time? ETA: That haircut is not doing Roger ANY favours.
Edited by Justices on Monday 20th May 07:29
Justices said:
Christ.. after that I think the odds are going to be very good I'll stick my neck out and say Roger did that on purpose to lull Nadal into a false sense of security for Paris Does he honestly think he has got the game to win RG for the 7th time?
ETA: That haircut is not doing Roger ANY favours.
Nadal certainly played well yesterday and I take nothing away from him; however, Federer was poor and played like someone who had no real belief that he could win. I thought the interview he gave in the after-match presentation spoke volumes; I can't remember the exact words he used but basically he said something to the effect that Rafa had the got the better of him today "as is usual" or "as is normal" and it just came across as the words of someone who'd just got exactly what he expected (i.e. to be beaten). Good luck to you if you want to put money on Roger to win in Paris but for him to do so I think someone else will need to remove Rafa on his behalf! I'll stick my neck out and say Roger did that on purpose to lull Nadal into a false sense of security for Paris Does he honestly think he has got the game to win RG for the 7th time? ETA: That haircut is not doing Roger ANY favours.
Edited by Justices on Monday 20th May 07:29
I actually quite like Roger's new haircut - on the evidence of yesterday I think the problem's more with what's in his head than what's on it!
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