The Tennis Thread
Discussion
Interesting to compare the receiving positions. Nadal was practically up against the backboard whereas Fed was about a foot behind the baseline even for Nada's first serves. Awesome to see how early he was hitting it. That forehand half-volley drive down Nadal's backhand line (from Fed's baseline!) was incredible. That plus his new serve and his new-found fitness and there is only one conclusion:
E24man said:
Well you don't often see a Tennis match, and Davis Cup Tie, win with a daft KO of the ref.
That said, the 17 y.o. Canadian player has had a very harsh lesson dealt to him by his own foolish hands.
There's no way he aimed at the umpire, I felt sorry for the young guy. Had to be defaulted tho.That said, the 17 y.o. Canadian player has had a very harsh lesson dealt to him by his own foolish hands.
bad company said:
E24man said:
Well you don't often see a Tennis match, and Davis Cup Tie, win with a daft KO of the ref.
That said, the 17 y.o. Canadian player has had a very harsh lesson dealt to him by his own foolish hands.
There's no way he aimed at the umpire, I felt sorry for the young guy. Had to be defaulted tho.That said, the 17 y.o. Canadian player has had a very harsh lesson dealt to him by his own foolish hands.
bad company said:
E24man said:
Well you don't often see a Tennis match, and Davis Cup Tie, win with a daft KO of the ref.
That said, the 17 y.o. Canadian player has had a very harsh lesson dealt to him by his own foolish hands.
There's no way he aimed at the umpire, I felt sorry for the young guy. Had to be defaulted tho.That said, the 17 y.o. Canadian player has had a very harsh lesson dealt to him by his own foolish hands.
Just hope the umpire is ok as I imagine getting a ball in the eye when it's been hit as hard as that could potentially cause damage beyond a short-term shiner....
JNW1 said:
I also felt a bit sorry for Shapovalov; it clearly wasn't intentional, he was obviously mortified by what happened and has made a very public and sincere apology. No doubt whatsoever it was the correct decision to default him and I think he himself accepts that; however, from his comments I think he'll learn from it and I hope the ITF take his reaction into account when handing-out any penalty. From the sounds of it we're not talking about a player with a fundamental attitude problem and being honest most of us who've played the game have probably at some stage whacked a ball in frustration when we've messed-up (I certainly have!); that doesn't make it right but in this particular case coming down on the lad like a tonne of bricks probably isn't necessary IMO.
Just hope the umpire is ok as I imagine getting a ball in the eye when it's been hit as hard as that could potentially cause damage beyond a short-term shiner....
Agree totally. Something very similar happened to Tim Herman at Wimbledon some years ago. Tim hit ball girl/boy, as you say we have all whacked tennis balls in sheer frustration.Just hope the umpire is ok as I imagine getting a ball in the eye when it's been hit as hard as that could potentially cause damage beyond a short-term shiner....
He was disqualified from the match but I don't recall any other penalty.
bad company said:
There's no way he aimed at the umpire, I felt sorry for the young guy. Had to be defaulted tho.
He should stick to smashing his racket. A harsh but lesson but a totally understandable rule. p.s. Did you see the umpire's eye as he walked off, looked like he'd been smacked by Frank Bruno!
RichB said:
bad company said:
There's no way he aimed at the umpire, I felt sorry for the young guy. Had to be defaulted tho.
He should stick to smashing his racket. A harsh but lesson but a totally understandable rule. p.s. Did you see the umpire's eye as he walked off, looked like he'd been smacked by Frank Bruno!
Have watched a couple of Federer's matches this week (ATP Miami) and its remarkable how well he's playing - in some respects he's not far off the Federer of 10 years ago. Tennis used to be one of those sports where players really went downhill quickly in their 30s but Fed is bucking the trend. Sure his style of play helps but what he's doing right now is amazing. Hope it continues.
tvrforever said:
Brilliant from Konta today http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39468069
Agreed. Well in. hornetrider said:
tvrforever said:
Brilliant from Konta today http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39468069
Agreed. Well in. 
Now ok so he's had an elbow injury and last year it was not much better on clay until Rome but what is Murray doing??!!
His level is awful, he's not concentrating and making bad errors....like he's not bothered if he wins or not. Its got to be the worst showing from someone who finished the year as no1 for years. His level dropped after back surgery but he was still competing. He's just lost the first set against Fognini 6-2 (yes I know he's a stumbling block for Murray) but this is different.
He's done some incredible stuff but the cv is short of two major titles still...surely thats motivation enough?
Is he burnt out after last year, content with his lot, finding other things such as his new family top of his priorities or pray just a bad patch?
Whatever it is I hope he sorts it out and quick...I don't like it.
His level is awful, he's not concentrating and making bad errors....like he's not bothered if he wins or not. Its got to be the worst showing from someone who finished the year as no1 for years. His level dropped after back surgery but he was still competing. He's just lost the first set against Fognini 6-2 (yes I know he's a stumbling block for Murray) but this is different.
He's done some incredible stuff but the cv is short of two major titles still...surely thats motivation enough?
Is he burnt out after last year, content with his lot, finding other things such as his new family top of his priorities or pray just a bad patch?
Whatever it is I hope he sorts it out and quick...I don't like it.
Murray and Djokovic have not made any major progression in their game for the last couple of years. Both Federer and Nadal have improved their backhands significantly.
Confidence has to be low with Murray and having a cagey style of play even when he's on form it's not like he can just go to smashing winners to get his confidence up. Similarities with what happened the Nadal a couple of seasons ago, opponents can definitely sniff the lack of confidence and pounce on it.
Confidence has to be low with Murray and having a cagey style of play even when he's on form it's not like he can just go to smashing winners to get his confidence up. Similarities with what happened the Nadal a couple of seasons ago, opponents can definitely sniff the lack of confidence and pounce on it.
Yep I can't put my finger on it this time but I think he will have as said one more purple patch...I can't see him being content without really giving the Aussie and French another proper bash before bowing out. However despite all this and finishing the year as no1 there were signs of problems last year....he was constantly getting broken serving for sets and matches....but generally getting broken far more than usual...he always struggled to concentrate but this was much worse.
His game is a fine balance and its been said his exceptional defensive game is a double edge sword. I also find it odd that he seems to struggle so much with his serve. as well, way more than others, his ball toss is inconsistent and often too low.
Federer keeps coming back, Nadal is working his way back to his best so I should probably have faith that Murray will do the same....I wonder if he's struggling to come to terms with Djokovic's dip in form as well.
His game is a fine balance and its been said his exceptional defensive game is a double edge sword. I also find it odd that he seems to struggle so much with his serve. as well, way more than others, his ball toss is inconsistent and often too low.
Federer keeps coming back, Nadal is working his way back to his best so I should probably have faith that Murray will do the same....I wonder if he's struggling to come to terms with Djokovic's dip in form as well.
Yep exactly that...,he rarely plays his best game....but he has enough game to beat virtually every player even when he's slightly off.
People say he's the fourth player of the big four and I would probably agree based upon numbers of titles, but when he gets all his game together including mental and balances offence and defence ( and by that I mean 60-40 in favour of offence) he is a proper handful for any of them and IMO as good as any of them...just not as many times.
He's a frustrating player to watch though even when winning titles as he's quite efficient i.e he plays the scoreboard....too often sometimes when he should be putting pedal to the metal.
As you say though what a fantastic career if nothing else does happen and its been an incredible journey to watch and support. But I'd love to see him take out the last two as he has then won it all.
I hope he pulls off a surprise this year but agree 2018 is more likely.... 2020 will probably see him wrap it up so theres still time.
People say he's the fourth player of the big four and I would probably agree based upon numbers of titles, but when he gets all his game together including mental and balances offence and defence ( and by that I mean 60-40 in favour of offence) he is a proper handful for any of them and IMO as good as any of them...just not as many times.
He's a frustrating player to watch though even when winning titles as he's quite efficient i.e he plays the scoreboard....too often sometimes when he should be putting pedal to the metal.
As you say though what a fantastic career if nothing else does happen and its been an incredible journey to watch and support. But I'd love to see him take out the last two as he has then won it all.
I hope he pulls off a surprise this year but agree 2018 is more likely.... 2020 will probably see him wrap it up so theres still time.
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