Wimbledon

[Arnoldtoo]

Murray should make the final; but then Federer should have made the semi. On their day, anyone can have a great win, and there are some dangerous players left for Murray. Robredo (next for Murray) is no fool, but not great on grass. Youzhny has beaten top players but blows more cold than hot these days. Janowicz has a big game well suited to grass but is young and so far inconsistent. Gulbis has loads of talent and is playing better these days but needs to get his head right. And Stakhovsky could reproduce yesterday's form, but he's never played better so can he keep it up?

None of them is as good as Murray, but it's a funny game.

Same applies for Djokovic. He should reach the final. But in his half are still Tommy Haas, playing the best tennis of his life and beat Federer on grass last year, Lopez, who just won Eastbourne and loves grass, Gasquet, Tomic (unlikely) or Berdych, who has beaten the top players before and reached the final in 2010. Then there's Raonic (huge serve, good game for grass) Dimitrov (mini-Rog and a grand slam winner for the future) and Del Potro. Any of them can worry, and beat, anyone.

Roger didn't lose yesterday because he played shit, but because Stakhovsky played better. It's not a foregone conclusion just yet.

 

[CosmicHotspur]

Wimbledon is really topsy-turvy this year with some incredible results so far. I'm enjoying it so much more like this than when we had formulaic serve and volley players with predictable results.

Borg is still my all-time favourite and it's unlikely anyone will change how I feel about that but there certainly are some exciting players around right now. Dustin certainly threw the "How To Play Tennis" rule book out and did his own thing. And I loved it!

 

[michaelj70]

I remember some people saying that he only won the Olympics, because Federer didn't want it as much, so barely tried. I disagree entirely with that. Thing is, you still have to beat those put in front of you. Nadal didn't, Sharapova didn't.

Disagree.... For Fed it was liking being invited to Buckingham Palace and then kicking one of the corgis he was not going to beat Murray.. the Olympics tennis was / is a joke

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Disagree.... For Fed it was liking being invited to Buckingham Palace and then kicking one of the corgis he was not going to beat Murray.. the Olympics tennis was / is a joke

The only thing missing in Federer's trophy cabinet was an Olympic gold. Are you seriously suggesting he treated it any differently to any other major final?

 

[haxman]

The only thing missing in Federer's trophy cabinet was an Olympic gold. Are you seriously suggesting he treated it any differently to any other major final?

Federer is a born winner. He would have wanted that. He was just outplayed on the day.

 

[aliyid]

It's something that is always held over him that he hasn't won the "golden slam" i.e. all majors and Olympic gold. It's fascinating (as a lover of sports psychology) to look upon the Olympic final and see the difference and the impact that the crowd made on the day.

At Wimbledon finals they don't allow tickets to be sold on the day to the General Public so Center Court is filled with the corporate elite and all the posh brigade so it creates a very polite and quaint atmosphere of respect that Federer thrives in. Compare that to the Olympic final where it was nearly all general public and a loud raucous atmosphere supporting Murray and Federer had no idea what was going on. It took him out of his comfort zone and lifted Murray. I only hope that now Fed & Nadal have both gone out that the crowd can really get behind Murray and help push him over the line.

 

[DuDe]

the Olympics tennis was / is a joke

That is such an unfair statement. How much of it did you actually watch?

I was off during the entire Olympics and the standard was still very good with the top tier players; it was just the atmosphere of the matches that was "different" and more "fun".

I would say that the vibe surrounding Roger yesterday was very similar to the Olympics Final: he either didn't turn up with his 'A-Game' or he was put off early on by his opponent who didn't allow him to get into a higher gear. It had nothing to do with 'not giving a shit'.

 

[michaelj70]

That is such an unfair statement. How much of it did you actually watch?

I was off during the entire Olympics and the standard was still very good with the top tier players; it was just the atmosphere of the matches that was "different" and more "fun".

I would say that the vibe surrounding Roger yesterday was very similar to the Olympics Final: he either didn't turn up with his 'A-Game' or he was put off early on by his opponent who didn't allow him to get into a higher gear. It had nothing to do with 'not giving a shit'.

Was about the only part of the Olympics I did watch. Yes the atmosphere seemed more fun and seemed more an exhibition events rather than full blown championships. It seemed familiar to the Olympics football nobody really cared who won. It was nice Britain got another gold but did not seem like many determined players.. nothing like how Nadal played in Paris or Murray in NY or the great final in Melbourne last year.

 

[michaelj70]

That is such an unfair statement. How much of it did you actually watch?

I was off during the entire Olympics and the standard was still very good with the top tier players; it was just the atmosphere of the matches that was "different" and more "fun".

I would say that the vibe surrounding Roger yesterday was very similar to the Olympics Final: he either didn't turn up with his 'A-Game' or he was put off early on by his opponent who didn't allow him to get into a higher gear. It had nothing to do with 'not giving a shit'.

Just don't think the Olympics is a big deal for the top players. Its the charity shield, club world championships, confederation cup ... its not even the Europa league.

 

[DuDe]

Just don't think the Olympics is a big deal for the top players.

You're honestly telling me you think that top tennis players wouldn't want this as part of their trophy collection?

I'm not dissing you, I just can't see how you can rationally come to that conclusion.

 

[michaelj70]

I w

You're honestly telling me you think that top tennis players wouldn't want this as part of their trophy collection?

I'm not dissing you, I just can't see how you can rationally come to that conclusion.

Feel free to diss me... as its a bit of a stupid discussion ... All i am saying is I would much prefer to win the world cup/ a grand slam than the confederations cup/ or olympics But wouldn't chuck a lympics medal out of bed for farting ... The olympics was supposed to be for amateurs, not for multi millionaire superstars. It was a demonstration sport at the olympics for years and remains that for many ... Maybe Fed has no room in his "trophy cabinent" that you are so obsessed about and thats why he has been so shit recently

 

[DuDe]

Roof = Awesome:

Very clever engineering.

 

[joey.leone]

Just don't think the Olympics is a big deal for the top players. Its the charity shield, club world championships, confederation cup ... its not even the Europa league.

Tell that to Nadal and Agassi, who won it as part of a career 'Golden Slam'. As far as I know, they are top players. Add Serena to that aswell.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Feel free to diss me... as its a bit of a stupid discussion ... All i am saying is I would much prefer to win the world cup/ a grand slam than the confederations cup/ or olympics But wouldn't chuck a lympics medal out of bed for farting ... The olympics was supposed to be for amateurs, not for multi millionaire superstars. It was a demonstration sport at the olympics for years and remains that for many ... Maybe Fed has no room in his "trophy cabinent" that you are so obsessed about and thats why he has been so shit recently

I don't doubt that the majors are bigger for the players than the Olympics tennis. But the Olympics is a once in four years opportunity, a chance for individuals to represent their country on their own, and in London it was at Wimbledon.

Seems odd to suggest that Federer just sauntered to the final without caring about it. Yes Murray had the crowd behind him, but I think it's unfair to use that or Federer's lack of caring to belittle his achievement.

And I say this as someone who doesn't really like Murray.

 

[DuDe]

And I say this as someone who doesn't really like Murray.

Oh, why is that?

I do agree that he was somewhat petulant when he was younger, but he has matured significantly in the last few years.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Oh, why is that?

I do agree that he was somewhat petulant when he was younger, but he has matured significantly in the last few years.

I just find him quite dull as a person, which is fine, but also as a player he's not particularly exciting to watch. I'd much rather watch any of the 'big three' than Murray, but that's no slight on his ability (or his scottishness which most people seem to object to).

He's done brilliantly to even be in contention with three of the best players to ever play the game.

 

[DuDe]

Good to see Sheva in the crowd for the Novak game.

Such a shame he went to 'Chelski' and lost some credibility.

 

[Liquidator]

Murray is a very fine player who's bad luck is to be around when three such superstars are playing.

Hope he wins this time. Come on!

 

[DuDe]

I just find him quite dull as a person

You have to see these two videos, it'll probably change your mind. He's actually quite shy, apparently.

If you don't feel like watching either, at least jump to the mark I highlighted in the charity match.

Full match here and it was a load of fun.

If any of you doubt the humour of these guys then watching this will change your opinion.

There's also a 'classic' moment beginning around the 26:15 minute mark.

 

[nightgoat]

If Fed goes out will be odds on a Djokovic - Murray final

It was odds on for a Djokovic - Murray final before the start of the tournament anyway.