Year Round The Tennis Thread

[Atobe the king]

Re: The Tennis Thread

My thoughts...

HC isn't nadals best surface..but he's been getting his ass kicked since his returned..and Del Potro has got the guys number. But some of his losses were fucking pathetic. Djokovic looked like he wanted to go home during his RR match with Nadal and Nadal still lost...badly by his standard.

Nadal has fully recovered from his injury, the only thing weakened is his ego...he needs confidence.

He did okay in davis cup (Berdych on clay isn't exactly a tough opponent) but the two wins should give him confidence.

The most important part about being a number 1 player is the aura..it makes players afraid of you...Nadal was downright SCARY before federer bested him in madrid. Soderling destroyed that aura and it doesn't seem to be coming back for now.

Nadal can't afford to be so physical anymore...his injury was his body paying it's dues..the guy is 23 years old with 30 year old knees`

 

[Gecko Moria]

Re: The Tennis Thread

Australian Open started today! Most amusing part so far was probably the exhibition match to raise money for victims of the Haitian earthquake. Read more about it here.

 

[thornofcarrion]

Re: The Tennis Thread

I just thought to post here today and there I saw your post Gecko, haha. Thanks for the link. Biggest news so far, Sharapova is out and whats with Serena's new shoes. May be I think like an old timer, but I totally disapprove and dislike those so called fashion attempts in Tennis. Martina Hignis wore the long sleeves, the sleeveless shirts players wear now a days, long bermudas, etc. In nutshell, they look more entertainers than Tennis players. Sampras was an exemplary sportsman, in my humble opinion.

 

[goldb]

Re: The Tennis Thread

Yeah, they need to stop trying to take the attention away from the tennis and bringing it into the fashion and having people wonder every tournament what is Serena Williams gonna wear today?

 

[Atobe the king]

Re: The Tennis Thread

Thats never going to happen.

Don't blame serena or any other player.

Tennis like everything else in this world is a business. They are sponsored by these companies and they wear what they make them wear, they have no say in it.

Thorn i don't know why you brought up sampras' sportsmanship when that has nothing to do with how he dressed. He wore what nike made him wear just like Federer and the others.

I personally like the "fashion" aspect it really adds to rivalries (Nadals sleeveless and capris contrasted with Feds fitted polo and normal shorts) and sets individuals a part. Lets take wimbledon for example...if everyone is wearing white with out any modifications how can you even tell players apart? I like their trademarks....

I don't know any serious tennis fan who focuses on the outfits. I just like that when federers playing and the camera is panned out i can tell its fed based off of the style of clothing.

That said that first round match with Andreev gave me the chills glad he pulled through, Djoker and Murray are looking good..sad to see Soderling and Gasquet out though..

 

[thornofcarrion]

Re: The Tennis Thread

I didn't use Sportsman as in sportsmanship. He is, to me off course, an exemplary sportsman because he was simple and he was class act, a superb tennis player. As for, clothing and sponsorship, yes players do have a say. You don't see Federer wearing pirates pants and sleeveless tops, though both are sponsored by Nike. Actually, I know it for sure as my father had been involved in Tennis Federation for sometime.

Secondly, I don't completely agree with clothes are needed to differentiate among players. I, and I am sure anyone who follows Tennis round the year, can easily tell just by looking at players stance or his playing style. Clothing does tell what kind of personality the players have. A good example is Andre vs. Sampras. Andre always coming with new fashion statement, whereas Sampras used to be quite simple all the time. The contrast between them, as in the case with Nadal vs. Federer does add to the rivalry and in a way to the sports as well.

Like I said before its just personal preference. I for sure don't appreciate fashion in Tennis much. At least not what Serena is wearing, or something that Hrbaty wear few years back http://www.rediff.com/sports/2005/sep/05usopen4.htm. I am not disrespecting your opinion or them as a player. May be I don't like how Nadal is dressed up but it does not mean I don't like him as a player. TBH, he is my favorite at the moment along with Djoker (haha). yes

 

[Atobe the king]

Re: The Tennis Thread

Its cool, but is still think they don't really have a choice...like how Federer has to put on his rolex at the end of a tourney or something because Rolex sponsors him and he HAS put it on.

As for the way fed dresses...thats the simply the way Nike wants to market him. He is supposed to be the epitome of class and style hence why his outfits always match, nadal before he became 31 and was nikiefied was supposed to represent a newer generation of tennis..and thus the pirate look came about.

And as for differentiation i meant for casual fans i know my players lol, but people like say...my mom pinpoint them by how they dress. And your argument seems primarily around womens tennis. in that regard i agree....it's mostly on the womens side..the mens side is simple.

And i like the Djoker too.

 

[thornofcarrion]

Re: The Tennis Thread

Nadal getting hurt and retiring from Australian Open.....thats too bad. I think his personality brings so much to a tournament and Tennis itself. I still think either Murray or Djokovic will win. Federer is another favorite but I like to see new blood stepping up. Both, Murray and Djokovic at the moment seems to be in great form.

 

[goldb]

Re: The Tennis Thread

so far Djokovic has been going under the radar, so I guess he'll at least get to the semis. Murray was excellent today against a sub-par Nadal. I hope the injury ain't what kept him out last year. Federer wiped the floor with Hewitt who still hasn't found his game against the Swiss master. I'm hoping for either Federer or Murray cos Britains been waiting a long while for an open champion.

 

[Gecko Moria]

Re: The Tennis Thread

Well, it's the Fed Express vs. The Brit. for the championship. Obviously, my money will be on Federer (as always) in 4 sets. However, Murray has made some excellent shots in this tournament and has room to improve. He may even win a Grand Slam one day after Federer retires from tennis.

 

[goldb]

Re: The Tennis Thread

Anyone surprised with the result? I am. but only the scoreline; I thought would at least push to a 4th set, but it wasn't to be. Federer was awesome in the first 2 sets and ultimately deserves the win. Pity for Murray, so close yet so far. I hope it doesn't play on his mind too long, losing both his Grand Slam finals to Federer.

 

[KnuckleheadedNinja]

Re: The Tennis Thread

The King's reign continues. Great win by Federer. That was a lot easier than i was expecting.

And congratulation to Serena for her 5th Aussie.

 

[Atobe the king]

Re: The Tennis Thread

Murray was too shaky in the first two sets, but the end result was the same..sweet 16 FTWWW

 

[goldb]

Re: The Tennis Thread

It's the Grand Slam final experience, Federer has been in so many finals that he knows how to cope with the pressure and get the best out of himself. Murray has only been in 2 finals and carries the hopes of the British people on his shoulders which is not easy. We expect him to win every tournament he enters and that's not fair. I hope he really can win a Grand Slam this year; it'd be great if it happened to be Wimbledon too.

 

[Atobe the king]

Re: The Tennis Thread

WImby? idk...Fed and Nadal are too far ahead on natural surfaces. I'd say his best shot is USO.

And both Nadal and Fed won their First GS finals..sampras did too right?

 

[goldb]

Re: The Tennis Thread

Yeah he did. I'm saying it would be fitting if his first GS win was Wimbledon, just for the fans sake. But the easiest out of the lot are possibly Australian GS and USO, so he's got one more opportunity to go imo. The French Open is too much, you'd have to be a specialist or Federer to win.

 

[Xerneas]

Re: The Tennis Thread

I feel bad for Andy Murray. He's definitely talented enough to win a GS, and deserved one more than people like Djokovic and Del Potro. But he's gonna have to wait cause my man Fed is trying for all 4 this year. Nadal already ruined it twice before by dominating the French, and Fed is getting older - this is probably his last chance.

 

[Atobe the king]

Re: The Tennis Thread

Ughhh lots of top players playing like shit atm....fed...nole..wtf
Grats to Roddick

 

[thornofcarrion]

Re: The Tennis Thread

Ughhh lots of top players playing like shit atm....fed...nole..wtf
Grats to Roddick

Indeed it seems many top players are out of form, Nadal, Murray, Djokovic and even Federer went out early in the last 2 tournaments. Nevertheless, Roddick played well throughout the tournament, he deserved the title.

 

[Atobe the king]

Re: The Tennis Thread

Indeed it seems many top players are out of form, Nadal, Murray, Djokovic and even Federer went out early in the last 2 tournaments. Nevertheless, Roddick played well throughout the tournament, he deserved the title.

Well Nadal made both Semi's and lost a winnable match to Lubo, and an on fire Roddick...Djoker was just crappy...murray...=( and Fed...failing to close out Sera and Berdman bah