Australian Tennis Open

[psgcarey]

no one interested? really? not a single tennis fan on here?

[tonym911]

Say something and I'll happily agree or disagree with you. I'm kind like that. Tell you what, I'll be even kinder by saying something myself. If Murray gets beyond the quarters I'll be amazed.

[psgcarey]

not a murray fan particularly but this is one of his better surfaces, will be interesting tough if Del Potro gets through to meet him and is fit.

will that do as a starter?

[tonym911]

Very nice. From the bits of Murray's game that I saw he looked distinctly average. I know it's difficult for him to mentally raise his game against what he considers (consciously or otherwise) to be inferior opponents but his head is going to have to be super-right out there, especially if the weather goes properly Australian. I understand his new coach isn't actually with him?

[psgcarey]

yeah his coach is not with him, I find that odd, but Murray's worst surface is clay (although learnt tennis on it) so maybe saving him for that. Why have a coach when a PS3 is more fun!

Difficult to see the Federer-Nadal domination being beaten here bar Djokovic.

[tonym911]

Don't believe Djoko has that final bit of mental fortitude to win Slams any more. I think we're about to enter a new era of Federer domination, a shorter one this time, and maybe his final one, but I think he still feels personally stung by his 'lapse' in recent times and is desperate to re-establish himself at the top, in his own mind.

[DrYazz]

tonym911 said:

Don't believe Djoko has that final bit of mental fortitude to win Slams any more. I think we're about to enter a new era of Federer domination, a shorter one this time, and maybe his final one, but I think he still feels personally stung by his 'lapse' in recent times and is desperate to re-establish himself at the top, in his own mind.

Don't forget, if Federer fails to win this Aussie Open, he will be without a grand slam title since 2003.

So, if we are about to witness a 'new era of Federer domination' (as you refer to it), he could begin it without a grand slam and not as world number 1.

[chippy17]

DrYazz said:

tonym911 said:

Don't believe Djoko has that final bit of mental fortitude to win Slams any more. I think we're about to enter a new era of Federer domination, a shorter one this time, and maybe his final one, but I think he still feels personally stung by his 'lapse' in recent times and is desperate to re-establish himself at the top, in his own mind.

Don't forget, if Federer fails to win this Aussie Open, he will be without a grand slam title since 2003.

So, if we are about to witness a 'new era of Federer domination' (as you refer to it), he could begin it without a grand slam and not as world number 1.

not sure what you mean, i think he has won a few grand slams since 2003?!

not to mention current Aus Open champ

Edited by chippy17 on Wednesday 19th January 12:30

Edited by chippy17 on Wednesday 19th January 12:41

Edited by chippy17 on Wednesday 19th January 13:21

[Skylinecrazy]

DrYazz said:

tonym911 said:

Don't believe Djoko has that final bit of mental fortitude to win Slams any more. I think we're about to enter a new era of Federer domination, a shorter one this time, and maybe his final one, but I think he still feels personally stung by his 'lapse' in recent times and is desperate to re-establish himself at the top, in his own mind.

Don't forget, if Federer fails to win this Aussie Open, he will be without a grand slam title since 2003.

Er?..

[DrYazz]

chippy17 said:

DrYazz said:

tonym911 said:

Don't believe Djoko has that final bit of mental fortitude to win Slams any more. I think we're about to enter a new era of Federer domination, a shorter one this time, and maybe his final one, but I think he still feels personally stung by his 'lapse' in recent times and is desperate to re-establish himself at the top, in his own mind.

Don't forget, if Federer fails to win this Aussie Open, he will be without a grand slam title since 2003.

So, if we are about to witness a 'new era of Federer domination' (as you refer to it), he could begin it without a grand slam and not as world number 1.

not sure what you mean, i think he has won a few grand slams since 2003?!

not to mention current Aus Open champ

Edited by chippy17 on Wednesday 19th January 12:30

Edited by chippy17 on Wednesday 19th January 12:41

Edited by chippy17 on Wednesday 19th January 13:21

Nein, nein and thrice nein.

Actually hold a Grand Slam title. What I mean is since 2003 he has always held at least 1 Grand Slam title. If he fails to retain his Aussie Title Open in a couple of weeks, he will be WITHOUT a Grand Slam title. That has not happened since 2003, such has been his level of performance in the Slams.

I hope that clarifies my point

[tonym911]

Ah yes it does. You can see why people were a bit confused though.

[tonym911]

Nice bit of sandbagging by Fed in round 1, all part of the psyche-out plan.

[Captain Flashman]

some photos of the ladies of tennis might help.

[chippy17]

Captain Flashman said:

some photos of the ladies of tennis might help.

love the way your mind works...

[chippy17]

DrYazz said:

chippy17 said:

DrYazz said:

tonym911 said:

Don't believe Djoko has that final bit of mental fortitude to win Slams any more. I think we're about to enter a new era of Federer domination, a shorter one this time, and maybe his final one, but I think he still feels personally stung by his 'lapse' in recent times and is desperate to re-establish himself at the top, in his own mind.

Don't forget, if Federer fails to win this Aussie Open, he will be without a grand slam title since 2003.

So, if we are about to witness a 'new era of Federer domination' (as you refer to it), he could begin it without a grand slam and not as world number 1.

not sure what you mean, i think he has won a few grand slams since 2003?!

not to mention current Aus Open champ

Edited by chippy17 on Wednesday 19th January 12:30

Edited by chippy17 on Wednesday 19th January 12:41

Edited by chippy17 on Wednesday 19th January 13:21

Nein, nein and thrice nein.

Actually hold a Grand Slam title. What I mean is since 2003 he has always held at least 1 Grand Slam title. If he fails to retain his Aussie Title Open in a couple of weeks, he will be WITHOUT a Grand Slam title. That has not happened since 2003, such has been his level of performance in the Slams.

I hope that clarifies my point

understand now, good point

watching him play Simon I think he is playing well, nice and relaxed. Much as I admire Nadal I am rooting for Rog

[DrYazz]

I still think Federer will win more Slams. He remains remarkably injury-free and his fitness levels do not appear to be waining.

He does not have the dominance of 3-5 years ago, but still starts all slams amongst one of the firm favourites.

My question is this..........will or could Nadal eventually surpass the number of slams Federer eventually retires with? It has been bugging me for a while.

[chippy17]

DrYazz said:

I still think Federer will win more Slams. He remains remarkably injury-free and his fitness levels do not appear to be waining.

He does not have the dominance of 3-5 years ago, but still starts all slams amongst one of the firm favourites.

My question is this..........will or could Nadal eventually surpass the number of slams Federer eventually retires with? It has been bugging me for a while.

my feeling is no, purely due to the strain he puts his body under, he will not quite reach Fed's tally, although in terms of play he is at a very similar level albeit with contrasting style

just the way Fed plays means he does not put his body under anywhere near the stress levels of Nadal, Nadal has already had basically a year out due to injury, the only time Federer has been away was when he caught a nasty flu like bug

[tonym911]

totally agree with chippy
Federer = Rolls-Royce Phantom
Nadal = Fezza 458 (brilliant, but with potential to self-combust)

[chippy17]

tonym911 said:

totally agree with chippy
Federer = Rolls-Royce Phantom
Nadal = Fezza 458 (brilliant, but with potential to self-combust)

nice I like it

Del Potro gone

what is it with Keothavong; she was nicely up playing well and then totally self destructs yet again, I mean I know how she feels as I do that sometimes but I am not in top 100! She has such potential, more talented than Baltascha but at least she is a fighter

[DrYazz]

tonym911 said:

totally agree with chippy
Federer = Rolls-Royce Phantom
Nadal = Fezza 458 (brilliant, but with potential to self-combust)

As a Ferrari owner myself, I am not too certain of that analogy. And besides, a Rolls Royce is not exactly agile. Federer is both mobile and graceful. The roller is only graceful.