Tennis

[Stavros]

I try to follow tennis and not just once a year when Wimbledon comes around. I don't expect Andy Murray to win a grand slam in the near future, because Nadal -when fit- and Federer are still a league superior to him. I don't like Djokovic but he is hard to guage and his erratic play makes him a possible winner at Wimbledon, although this year I expect to see Nadal and Federer in the final.

What puzzles me is the aparent decline of American tennis -Roddick is a pale shadow of the player he was, and was limited anyway; but other than Mardy Fish and a couple of others, there don't seem to be any strong men coming through, and ins spite of the Williams' sisters success few women are emerging too, Melanie Oudin seems to be the next hope. Australia too has not produced a significant talent in the last 20 years other than Hewitt and Rafter when they used to produce world class players every year.

[robertlouis]

I'm a serious and reasonably good standard tennis player whose idols were always the touch players and artists rather than the deadly dull cannon-fire back court merchants who came in with Borg and now dominate the game. Federer and to a lesser extent Murray have the all-court game to emulate the likes of McEnroe, Edberg and Becker in that sense, but otherwise its essentially bang-bang till someone gets tired or makes a mistake. I find Nadal impressive and hugely admire both his commitment and power, but he's not, and never will be Federer, the most complete player I've ever seen. Hell, I'd have Roger's babies if he asked me.

The women's game is even worse. The best matches to watch nowadays for tactical variation, entertainment and technique are the doubles by a long way.

However, I'll still be glued to the box for the next fortnight and everything else can go to hell!

[Transgenderdate]

Well, Americans have really never dominated the game in recent times for the simple reason that we have so many other sports here and tennis isn't very popular amongst most middle-American kids like other sports are.

[Stavros]

Hell, I'd have Roger's babies if he asked me.

Sounds painful, possibly life-threatening activity!!

I thought tennis was solidly middle class in America, like golf...ah well...

[robertlouis]

Well, Americans have really never dominated the game in recent times for the simple reason that we have so many other sports here and tennis isn't very popular amongst most middle-American kids like other sports are.

And the Williams sisters don't dominate the women's game? :confused:

It isn't just men who play, you know.

[Stavros]

Andy Murray, the 'British No1'...Andy Murray, the best hope 'the British' have of having a grand slam champion...last time I looked he was a Scot, and as I have never met a Scot who claimed to anything other than, well, a SCOT, why do we persist with this pseudo-romantic tosh? He is not going to win Wimbledon, and quite frankly, I don't care.

Today's match between Kimiko Date-Krum and Venus Williams was great to watch, Kimiko is 40 years old and was beaten by her own errors and Williams' dynamite serves, but for artistry and a subtle reading of the game, I would have preferred to see the Japanese win -I never liked Sampras, and to me the Americans are mostly power serving brutals following his example. So there!

[Transgenderdate]

The Williams sister's are the exception. How many other women are from the USA on tour? 2?

[Stavros]

There were at least 10 women from the US other than Serena and Venus this week at Wimbledon, most have now been eliminated -they were not seeded but I assume they are somewhere in the top 100 world rankings; Melanie Oudin looked good a few years ago but seems to have lost her momentum.

[robertlouis]

Andy Murray, the 'British No1'...Andy Murray, the best hope 'the British' have of having a grand slam champion...last time I looked he was a Scot, and as I have never met a Scot who claimed to anything other than, well, a SCOT, why do we persist with this pseudo-romantic tosh? He is not going to win Wimbledon, and quite frankly, I don't care.



Thanks Stavros. I'm a Scot and find Andy Murray's adoption by the English media for two weeks every year nauseating and hypocritical in the extreme. Nor have I ever met an English person who understands, sympathises or gives a damn about the psychology and motivation of someone from Scotland, Wales, or Ireland. Centuries of independence snuffed out by political expediency in 1707. England hasn't been colonised since 1066.

Back to the tennis - Murray is by far the best player the UK and it's constituent parts have produced in living memory. He's just really unfortunate to be playing in an era which features arguably two of the greatest players ever, and he'll be past his own prime by the time that they decline. He has it in him to win grand slams, but he needs to beat his mental demons first.

And I'll add that only in the UK could a player as gifted and tough as Tim Henman ever have become a figure of fun and scorn. Best career Wimbledon stats of his time except for Sampras and Federer - no shame in that.

Oh well, back to the circus tomorrow.

[SammiValentine]

Andy Murray, the 'British No1'...Andy Murray, the best hope 'the British' have of having a grand slam champion...last time I looked he was a Scot, and as I have never met a Scot who claimed to anything other than, well, a SCOT, why do we persist with this pseudo-romantic tosh? He is not going to win Wimbledon, and quite frankly, I don't care.


is it not great britain in the davis cup ?? if so then British hope is entirely correct term for the media wank fest lol if its england,scotland , wales like football then yea good point - dont know why we do it - hard to imagine our media tossing off over a scottish gootball side before a world cup as a our "best hope" etc..lol.;-)

[SammiValentine]

p/s i hate tennis but at the end of Wimbledon there is a consolation and that lovely feeling... that it is now 2 weeks closer to KICK OFF!!!!!!! get in. x

[nlo85]

if Murrary wins he's British, if he loses he's Scottish

[robertlouis]

is it not great britain in the davis cup ?? if so then British hope is entirely correct term for the media wank fest lol if its england,scotland , wales like football then yea good point - dont know why we do it - hard to imagine our media tossing off over a scottish gootball side before a world cup as a our "best hope" etc..lol.;-)

Careful missy - you're in for a spanking. Or if I get angry, I might jist pit the heid oan you. :dancing:

And you do know that whenever Scotland get to the finals of a competition we buy day returns just in case? :(

[robertlouis]

p/s i hate tennis but at the end of Wimbledon there is a consolation and that lovely feeling... that it is now 2 weeks closer to KICK OFF!!!!!!! get in. x

Err, right...

I agree with the media circus, but love playing the game, always have, always will.

[Prospero]

I know a guy who still plays most days - and he is 97

[robertlouis]

I know a guy who still plays most days - and he is 97

Dammit Prospero, you've blown my cover!

[Stavros]

I think Tim Henman was a better player than Murray -he was a much more subtle and diverse player than Murray, but on the other hand it was his moment to win something like Wimbledon, the era between Sampras and Federer: I suppose one of the great 'What if's' of sporting history would be, what if rain had not delayed the semi-final with Ivanisevic, and would Henman have beaten Pat Rafter -? I don't have anything against the Scots, its the hype that sickens me.

[SammiValentine]

henman? ha ha ha ha ha ha!

[robertlouis]

henman? ha ha ha ha ha ha!

You want that spanking, don't you? :dancing:

[robertlouis]

I think Tim Henman was a better player than Murray -he was a much more subtle and diverse player than Murray, but on the other hand it was his moment to win something like Wimbledon, the era between Sampras and Federer: I suppose one of the great 'What if's' of sporting history would be, what if rain had not delayed the semi-final with Ivanisevic, and would Henman have beaten Pat Rafter -? I don't have anything against the Scots, its the hype that sickens me.

Henman was the last of the great tradition of serve and volley players that had otherwise come to an end with the graceful Swede, Stefan Edberg. On his day Tim had a sublime touch at the net - there was no better volleyer in the game.

Desperately unlucky, and as I said before, only in this bloody country would he be seen as a symbol of perennial failure. Wankers who have no understanding of how the game is played and the ludicrous pressure put on any Brit during the two weeks of Wimbledon.

I still think Murray will win a Grand Slam, but I don't expect it to be at Wimbledon. Grass isn't his best surface. His best chance will be primarily at the US and after that the Australian.

[SammiValentine]

You want that spanking, don't you? :dancing:

he was crap innit.

:ignore:

[robertlouis]

he was crap innit.

:ignore:


Right, Missy, time for that spanking. I'll bring my racket and give you the full benefit of my topspin backhand..... :dancing:

My overheads are pretty nifty too. :wiggle:

And I'm not boasting, but my second service is just as hard as my first.

Christ, doubles entendres about tennis.......

[SammiValentine]

hahaha what if its a err double fault !

p.s he was crap surely... actually i dont know what am talking about tbh . did he ever win anything??? (apart from a raffle) curious! xx

[robertlouis]

hahaha what if its a err double fault !

p.s he was crap surely... actually i dont know what am talking about tbh . did he ever win anything??? (apart from a raffle) curious! xx

Sod that. Do you want this spanking or not?

Actually, I used to drive past Timbo's parents' house in Oxfordshire as a short cut to avoid the morning jams on the A34. You could easily get most of the Wimbledon complex in the grounds.

[SammiValentine]

spankings are always good :D

[robertlouis]

spankings are always good :D

I can always use my Lowden Jumbo.

That's a guitar, in case you're worried.....:dancing:

[SammiValentine]

Advantage McEnroe!

[Stavros]

I have noted a curious trend among some women players: three in particular: Sharapova and the Williams sisters -they start out slow, unable to dominate the game and look vulnerable to defeat, then seem to wake up, and either win in three sets or take the first on a tie-break and demolish the opponent in the second set. It reminds of some of the finest racehorses who linger half-way through the field or even at the back until they reach the 3-furlong marker, then turn on a tap of energy and sail past the others as if they never existed. I don't think Laura Robson is mature enough to defeat Sharapova, but she did play well at least. Can't yet decide who will win the women's this year.

[robertlouis]

I have noted a curious trend among some women players: three in particular: Sharapova and the Williams sisters -they start out slow, unable to dominate the game and look vulnerable to defeat, then seem to wake up, and either win in three sets or take the first on a tie-break and demolish the opponent in the second set. It reminds of some of the finest racehorses who linger half-way through the field or even at the back until they reach the 3-furlong marker, then turn on a tap of energy and sail past the others as if they never existed. I don't think Laura Robson is mature enough to defeat Sharapova, but she did play well at least. Can't yet decide who will win the women's this year.

I agree with your primary point, Stavros, although I think it's true to say that one thing which clearly differentiates the very top players from the rest is their ability to step up a gear in quality and consistency when needs must - look at all the times Federer turns things in his favour, especially on serve.

It hasn't really caught fire yet, although there have been some high quality matches, with today's Djokovic vs Bagdhatis the pick of the bunch.

Still, next week should be interesting. Federer looks the strongest of the top four men, and I have a sneaky feeling Venus Williams might win the women's. Could be worth a double punt at Ladbrokes!

[Stavros]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/jun/26/olympics-2012-rousing-music-wimbledon

Apparently the Olympics wants to be different and introduce players with musical fanfares...as if it wasn't bad enough squirming with embarrassment when Sue Barker at Wimbledon interviews players just after they have been defeated (and really just want to have a shower and go home)...next question: which fanfare goes with which players?

Federer -Overture to William Tell
Nadal -Eviva Espana!
Murray -Flowers of the Forest, inevitably played on the bagpipes by a burly bloke with a beard and kilt....either that or Send in the Clowns..
Djokovic -? Send in the Clowns?

Venus Williams -Diamonds are a girl's best friend
Serena Williams -California Girl

[Prospero]

Sharapova - The Volga Boatmen

[Stavros]

Ha Ha!! But is Maria very Russian these days? Doesn't she spend most of her time in the US? And she's been there most of the last 10 years...

[robertlouis]

Ha Ha!! But is Maria very Russian these days? Doesn't she spend most of her time in the US? And she's been there most of the last 10 years...

Yes, the soundtrack to Miami Vice would probably be a better fit.

But after today's surprises in the women's singles, with both Williams sisters and Wozniacki going out, Sharapova is certainly the strongest player on paper at least left in the draw. However, there are some feisty players left in there - this could be a more entertaining contest than I thought it would be.

In the men's, the top four are all looking very good, and Murray was majestic today, his best match so far.

Tsonga against Federer looks the tastiest of the men's quarters, but I expect the top four to be still standing in the semis.

Bit hot for Wimbers today too - tennis at 30C+ is no joke.

[Stavros]

Sharapova looks unbeatable, but I wonder why Wozniacki is No 1 when she never seems to win anything; I guess its the way the points mount up. Dont know enough about the other women anyway.

If Nadal can't continue, and if Federer beats Tsonga, he should go all the way, but the interested wild card here is Tomic -either he is about to crumble or just keep improving....can Lopez beat Murray?

[robertlouis]

Sharapova looks unbeatable, but I wonder why Wozniacki is No 1 when she never seems to win anything; I guess its the way the points mount up. Dont know enough about the other women anyway.

If Nadal can't continue, and if Federer beats Tsonga, he should go all the way, but the interested wild card here is Tomic -either he is about to crumble or just keep improving....can Lopez beat Murray?

It's like Dinara Safina, sister of Marat Safin, who was No 1 for a while and never won a slam. Still, Lisicki is feisty enough to give Sharapova a run for her money. If as expected, it's Sharapova vs Azarencka in the final, it will be a highly-efficient, baseline and groundstroke driven, bloody boring gruntfest.

Men's on current form looks like Federer and Nadal again, which won't draw any complaints from me. Those two have never produced a less than enthralling encounter in a Grand Slam final.

[SammiValentine]

is it nearly over yet?!?! x

[robertlouis]

is it nearly over yet?!?! x


....as the actress said to the bishop. LOL

[SammiValentine]

tennis is a load of balls !!!!!

*runs away from robert*

[Prospero]

I remember when Sharapova won the finals - and the BBC played out their coverage with images of her set to Maria by Blondie. It was an exhilarating close to an exhilarating game. Sharapova is still gorgeous despite the grunting.

[robertlouis]

tennis is a load of balls !!!!!

*runs away from robert*


Come back you minx! I still owe you that spanking!

BTW, great afternoon of gents singles quarters in progress with a couple of shocks possible.

[SammiValentine]

Come back you minx! I still owe you that spanking!

BTW, great afternoon of gents singles quarters in progress with a couple of shocks possible.

the only shock is if i stay awake for a full Set :)

[StlyeMeCunty]

Well... Im already pissed because both Williams sisters are out of the womans draw! They just need to get it together and have a nice string of play. I remember the first time I saw Serena play at a tournament that I went to. It was also her first tournament back after a knee issue, when she had been out for a long time. She didn't win that tournament either, though sheee wont the night match that we saw. The girls can do a good job for most players coming off no match play, but they need to get in a groove to do well for them! :wiggle::wiggle:

[Stavros]

I don't understand the inability of Federer to overcome Tsonga's challenge -there has always been a moment when Federer loses focus, and he seemed unbeatable in the first two sets -is it age? Has he reached a point beyond which he can no longer summon the juices or the will to win? I am not taking anything away from Tsonga's wonderful performance -and I doubt he will get to the final, but has Federer now been eclipsed?

[robertlouis]

the only shock is if i stay awake for a full Set :)

I've heard those rumours too.......:twisted:

[robertlouis]

Tsonga vs Djokovic should be a great match. Too close to call.

I'd love to see Murray beat Nadal, but it's hard to see. I remember all too well the anticlimax in the exact same match-up this time last year when Nadal won in straight sets.

Oh well, playing in a match tomorrow night for my club. So that makes TWO Scottish tennis players. :)

I'm ranked 14,972,555 in the world.

Which makes me the British no 4!

[SammiValentine]

can i open my eyes now.

is it over ?!?!

[robertlouis]

can i open my eyes now.

is it over ?!?!


......as the actress said to the bishop, for a second time! :dancing:

[Prospero]

Fantastic. Two finals. Two brand new champions. Two great games. Sorry to see the lovely grunting Maria Sharapova go out and the likeable Nadal. But its good to get new faces.

Oh and Sammi - you CAN open your eyes now.

[robertlouis]

Fantastic. Two finals. Two brand new champions. Two great games. Sorry to see the lovely grunting Maria Sharapova go out and the likeable Nadal. But its good to get new faces.

Oh and Sammi - you CAN open your eyes now.

Agree with your summation, Prospero. Ladies' final was ok, gents was excellent. I've seen people outplay Nadal before, but never outPOWERplay him the way Djokovic did today. To use the genuine meaning of a ludicrously over-employed and much abused word, it was awesome.

And it's great to see a Scottish champion at last......



Well, doesn't Djokovic mean "son of a Scot" in Serbo-Croat? :whistle:

Oh yes, you can stop bumping into things now, Sammi!