The Tennis Thread
Discussion
Excellent performance from Murray last night and a great finish to a terrific year! I didn't think Djokovic was at his best last night -infact I don't think he's been at his best since he won the French Open - but you can only beat what's in front of you and Murray did that in fine style. Hopefully he'll maintain this form in 2017 (I see no reason why not) and if he does more Grand Slam titles will surely follow....
Good to see the Australian Open taking the lead on a more equitable distribution of prize money. A healthy tour needs depth in the game and for too long now it's been the case that only a relatively small number of players can actually make a decent living from professional tennis (and as a result there's a temptation for those further down the food chain to act in an improper way just to keep going and make ends meet). I'm no socialist but this move from the Aussie Open sounds like a step in the right direction to me....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/38394152
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/38394152
matchmaker said:
MiniMan64 said:
Sir Andy really has had a good year...
That's going to annoy a few people here!
Yes, the Murray haters have started in NP&E! That's going to annoy a few people here!
...I have a thing about sports people being knighted while their career is still ongoing, it's a bit odd.
JNW1 said:
+1
In no way a comment against Andy Murray (I'm also generally a supporter) but sadly I think the honours system fell into disrepute years ago and this is just another example.....
It works both ways though, doesnt it- Honouring prole and man of the people Beckham/Murray is a nice (if unnecesary) lift for them, but it also ties the Royals, and thus the state, to their popularity. Like hiring beautiful friends to make yourself look popular.In no way a comment against Andy Murray (I'm also generally a supporter) but sadly I think the honours system fell into disrepute years ago and this is just another example.....
If the list was full of worthy unknowns noone would care.
glazbagun said:
It works both ways though, doesnt it- Honouring prole and man of the people Beckham/Murray is a nice (if unnecesary) lift for them, but it also ties the Royals, and thus the state, to their popularity. Like hiring beautiful friends to make yourself look popular.
If the list was full of worthy unknowns noone would care.
Although a member of the Royal family presents the honours it's largely politicians who determine the recipients!If the list was full of worthy unknowns noone would care.
My point - agreeing with cmoose - was that during their career a sports person is rewarded for success in their chosen event through trophies and prize money. If after their career has ended you decide to recognise their long-term contribution to the sport then fair enough and if during their career they've been doing work outside their sport which you want to recognise then also fair enough. However, a knighthood just for doing what that particular person does when they're still active in the middle of their career doesn't seem appropriate to me (even if like Andy Murray they've been doing their job very well!).
The Australian Open starts on monday. The draw: http://www.si.com/tennis/2017/01/12/australian-ope...
Melman Giraffe said:
British tennis seems to be in a good place at the moment for sure
I'm sure it will be an unpopular opinion in many quarters but I can't help but feel that the input and support of a player of Murrays quality into the Davis Cup team over the last few years has had a huge impact. MiniMan64 said:
Melman Giraffe said:
British tennis seems to be in a good place at the moment for sure
I'm sure it will be an unpopular opinion in many quarters but I can't help but feel that the input and support of a player of Murrays quality into the Davis Cup team over the last few years has had a huge impact. It's been said a lot but they've seen how hard he works, what it takes to succeed at the top level, thought "I want that success" and upped their own training and game. Edmund has been training with him in the winter, and it's rubbed off on Evans too.
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