*Official* Tennis Thread

[ohtani's jacket]

Sad thing is we're being denied one of the all-time great sporting rivalries because of Nadal's shot knees. If they're this bad at 23 (?) they're unlikely to improve with the pounding they get.

Always been more of a Fed man, but Holmes needs his Moriarty.

Nadal's a tricky one. He really needs to pace himself through the season but he's so competitive that I don't think he wants to drop down the rankings. Would be interesting if he was on the same side of the draw as Federer.

I wonder what the chances of Federer defending his French Open crown are. Fed could bag a couple if Nadal's knee is a persistent problem.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Nadal's a tricky one. He really needs to pace himself through the season but he's so competitive that I don't think he wants to drop down the rankings. Would be interesting if he was on the same side of the draw as Federer.

I wonder what the chances of Federer defending his French Open crown are. Fed could bag a couple if Nadal's knee is a persistent problem.

Should really only play as many tournaments as Federer does IMO. No need to play 18+ a year when he does as well as he does.

 

[pasag]

Why did you find it boring?

Think Venus vs. Na Li showed close tennis does not equal good tennis.

Thought the match was excellent. Some excellent shots from both players and it was a delight seeing Fed's serving when under pressure.

Was very good tennis but it didn't have the scoreboard excitement to match it. Much like when these two met last time in the final. Tbh I'm a bit bored with tennis at the moment, only ever watch Fed matches. Nothing with the tennis, just find it hard to concentrate.

 

[Matt79]

"...and thanks to Channel Seven for taking their wonderful coverage live into every home in Australia."

Get ****ed, ****.

Aside from the constant cross-promotion, which was admittedly a big negative, I really enjoyed 7's coverage this year. I like Jim Courier, although that apparently puts me massively in the minority, and Henri LeConte was brillant. No Newcombe was a bonus as well.

 

[Matt79]

Nadal's a tricky one. He really needs to pace himself through the season but he's so competitive that I don't think he wants to drop down the rankings. Would be interesting if he was on the same side of the draw as Federer.

I wonder what the chances of Federer defending his French Open crown are. Fed could bag a couple if Nadal's knee is a persistent problem.

Reckon Fed could just possibly rip through a couple of French opens now that he's got the monkey off his back.

 

[irfan]

Yay, congrats to Feds - Slam No. 16. Could have had the calendar GS if he had of beaten Del Potro at last year's US.

One thing thats constantly overlooked in Federer's game is his great defensive game, Murray was pressing and had umpteen chances in the third set to take the match further but Federer defensive balls just made him play that one more shot. One of the very few players whose defensive balls don't sit up at the middle of the court but rather corrall (sp?) the opponent near the tramlines leading to the inevitable error. Reckon his defensive game is pretty close to Rafa at his peak

 

[Matt79]

That wouldn't be a calender GS, that would have been a 'Serena-slam' type thing.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

ESPN showed delayed coverage of the final here. And in all their infinite wisdom they scrolled the result across the bottom of the screen during it.

 

[BoyBrumby]

ESPN showed delayed coverage of the final here. And in all their infinite wisdom they scrolled the result across the bottom of the screen during it.

Think illiteracy was a fair assumption of their customer base tho, in all honesty.

 

[Jono]

Aside from the constant cross-promotion, which was admittedly a big negative, I really enjoyed 7's coverage this year. I like Jim Courier, although that apparently puts me massively in the minority, and Henri LeConte was brillant. No Newcombe was a bonus as well.

How was Jim Courier's commentary during Davydenko vs. Federer? I couldn't quite hear him, with Today Tonight and Home & Away playing on my TV set.

The problem with Channel 7's coverage was there was hardly any of it at key moments during the tournament.

 

[Simon]

Djokovic the big winner in the end, he's moved up to world number 2 while Rafa has fallen to 4.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Weird that I am still surprised that Sandy Roberts is such a **** - "we won't see any tears from the winner". GAGFC.

Well done Roger. The guy is such a champ. Felt for poor Andy, he was so gutted.

Yeah Sandy managed to come out with some shockers. It's embarrassing, it's a pity there's a requirement for these people to talk before we hear from the players.

 

[Son Of Coco]

"...and thanks to Channel Seven for taking their wonderful coverage live into every home in Australia."

Get ****ed, ****.

Was half expecting someone in the crowd to yell out 'buuuuullllllll****'. The coverage here in South Korea was outstanding on Star Sports, I think we got all of the televised matches in full.

 

[Jono]

Djokovic the big winner in the end, he's moved up to world number 2 while Rafa has fallen to 4.

I'm a big Novak fan, but **** me his last 5 slams are the following:

- Quarters - retired in 4
- Third round - lost in 3
- Quarters - lost in 4
- Semis - lost in 3
- Quarters - lost in 5, albeit was ill

Add the Season ending ATP Finals, where he didn't qualify past the group stage.

He's so much better than that. I guess his tactic of playing a **** load of tournaments is helping him keep his ranking. It won't help him place his name in the history books of great players though, which is where he belongs considering the game he has.

He needs to get rid of some of his family in the box as well. They get way too emotional and **** with his head.

 

[Johnners]

Yeah, despite keeping his ranking, '09 wasn't a good year for him. Less tournaments and focus on the slams

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Haha wow. I know it is the week after the Slam, but the SA Tennis Open has one of the worst fields I've seen.

FFS, Lu is seeded seven and was down as an alternate!

 

[Jono]

Yeah but its weird because you'd think Monfils or Ferrer will walk it, but watch some **** kicker knock them out.

So annoying.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Ordinarily I'd agree, but honestly can't see anyone capable of beating them in this draw. Chiudinelli?

Outside of the top four seeds, the draw would not look out of place on the Challenger circuit.

Maybe follow the girls and put the Davis Cup in the week after the Slam?

 

[Simon]

Naa there would be mass pull outs. I think if anything there should be no tournaments in the week following as anyone who was fair dinkum at the slam wont play anywhere so any tournaments will just be rubbish fields. The players all talk about an over crowded schedule etc... how bout not playing so often.

 

[Simon]

Just had a look at the draw and you're right, the majority of the draw is really bad, but it wouldnt surprise me to see someone like Nieminen win it, he's still on the come back from injury. Theres a few others outside the top seeds that could challenge like Phau and Darcis.