*Official* Tennis Thread

[vcs]

Haven't followed tennis for years, do people think he(Novak) can get to 17?

At the pace he's setting, he'd be disappointed if he doesn't. Given his incredible fitness and the lack of an upcoming superstar to challenge him, even 20 doesn't look out of the question.

 

[vcs]

He's managed to get a winning H2H against Federer and Nadal, incredibly dominant at Masters 1000 level and at the Year End Championships, won the Davis Cup, now a Career Grand Slam, and holding all 4 simultaneously. If he was to retire tomorrow, he'd still go down as one of the top-5 ever to play the game.

 

[MW1304]

He hasn't the game or belief to beat Novak in five, Murray is a fine player but ultimately and I mean this in a nice way he is an inferior clone of Novak.

Stan showed the way to hurt Novak, is hit him off the court and paint the lines.

Murray can't do that.

I like Murray, but nobody will want to see this final again, after so many dull matches.

Thankfully with Stan, Kyrigos and Federer all ready to go, we may get a more interesting match to watch.

This was done once Novak went into gun mode in the second set.

I know what you're saying but it's all moot when these guys lose to Murray anyway, and if they can't beat Murray then how the hell are they going to get close to Djokovic?

It's also easy to forget that these two have also played some absolute belters against each other, though not for a few years now. But then Novak's pulled away from everyone else too.

 

[grecian]

Oh yes, Murray>Courier for sure.

I disagree utterly about the Courier comment TBH, it's just SOOO poor to go across eras like that and say Courier was definitly worse, we live in an era of very good players, but below that we have a lot of dross, bloody Ferrer at 33 still hanging on for dear bloody life.

As Jono says Murray has achieved loads, no reason to call him unlucky, he's in an era where his style of tennis suits the uniformity of courts. maybe it wouldn't have suited another era,who the **** knows. We also live in a time where longevity through better fitness and whatever is much more likely, Courier won his last Slam at 23. Was beaten by Pistol Pete at Wimbledon, and Edberg at the USOPen in finals, Bruguera on clay In the French where they poor opponents? Also beat Agassi and Edberg in finals, all rubbish I suppose.

 

[Pratters]

Courier was a terrific player for a smaller time which is why I rate him lower. I don't mind comparing across eras actually. I agree Courier was a terrific player. Was the world number 1 when I started watching tennis. Was such a clean, terrific player to watch.

 

[grecian]

Courier was a terrific player for a smaller time which is why I rate him lower. I don't mind comparing across eras actually. I agree Courier was a terrific player. Was the world number 1 when I started watching tennis. Was such a clean, terrific player to watch.

There's no problem comparing across era's but to definitively state someone with a better record was worse is just silly.

As I say longevity not a huge deal nowadays, everybody seems old in tennis. Yet likewise winning titles in your teens/early20s wasn't a big deal then. Totally different sport.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Courier was a terrific player for a smaller time which is why I rate him lower. I don't mind comparing across eras actually. I agree Courier was a terrific player. Was the world number 1 when I started watching tennis. Was such a clean, terrific player to watch.

Terrific post, Pratters. Terrific.

 

[vcs]

I liked Courier as well, don't get me wrong. But let's be honest, his game was rather limited apart from that inside-out forehand. Mentally he was pretty tough, though.

If you don't like the Courier argument, fine. How about Kafelnikov and Hewitt having as many Slams as Murray? Surely he's miles better than those two..

 

[Pratters]

He made wearing the cap cool for me as a kid, so he rocked.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Let's just all agree that since Leander Paes has now won 18 grand slams, he's the undisputed GOAT

 

[Jono]

surely he has a crack at Martina Hingis every time they win a Slam together, and she politely says "no thank you"

 

[vcs]

Leander Paes has beaten Sampras and Ivanisevic in singles matches. GOAT for sure.

 

[OverratedSanity]

surely he has a crack at Martina Hingis every time they win a Slam together, and she politely says "no thank you"

Can you blame him though? Would expect even Sania does it.

 

[Jono]

Mirza be dying to get with a sportsperson that actually wins stuff

 

[grecian]

I liked Courier as well, don't get me wrong. But let's be honest, his game was rather limited apart from that inside-out forehand. Mentally he was pretty tough, though.

If you don't like the Courier argument, fine. How about Kafelnikov and Hewitt having as many Slams as Murray? Surely he's miles better than those two..

Well yeah, he's got the Olympic title too, plus many more finals in slams, probably better than Safin too. Oh and definitely Stan. Rafter as well possibly, and Bruguera as I mentioned him before, would be tough for him to win on an old-style clay court though. I don't mind people using other achievements as stale-mates and even the hardness of opponents, but Slams is Slams.

Obviously there's problems pre-open era, and at times when boycotts of the game went on. Some didn't do the French or Oz.but they all ended in the 80s really.

Edit, Singles Slams are singles slams, as OS as thrown that into the ring, I used to actually rate doubles ones but nowadays hardly anyone good competes.

 

[Pratters]

Leander Paes has beaten Sampras and Ivanisevic in singles matches. GOAT for sure.

I kid you not, switched on the tv as a kid in the night. What do I see? Paes wins a point (and the match!! v Sampras!!!!!!). Thought I was dreaming.

 

[OverratedSanity]

He has a 100% winning record against Sampras too!

 

[vcs]

Do you guys remember Ramesh Krishnan and the famous Davis Cup win against France in 1993? People laughed so much at his serve and he won the deciding match on clay... France had some pretty good players at the time. It's one of my most epic tennis memories.

 

[Pratters]

What's with Indian tennis players having **** serves. Krishnan, Paes, Mirza. Bhupathi was our Srinath..

 

[Cabinet96]

Of the men to complete the career slam, Djokovic took the longest in terms of grand slams played (46), and had the longest wait in years after his first victory. Won't have anyone say he got it easy.