# Tennis 2012 Thread
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620
**Category:** The Game Room
**Created:** [May 21, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620 "2012-05-21T16:54:10Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 6
### Author:  [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/101 "2012-06-08T23:40:34Z")
> [@Lochdale](#):
>
> That was ugly. I can see Federer retiring after this season.
People here have been saying that for a couple of years after any Federer loss to either Nadal or Djokovic. He’s the #3 player in the world and enjoys the tour. I don’t think he’ll retire until he decides doesn’t like the grind anymore.
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### Author:  [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)
#### Post date: [June 9, 2012, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/102 "2012-06-09T00:49:18Z")
> [@Lochdale](#):
>
> That was ugly. I can see Federer retiring after this season.
Why would he? He just won the year-end championship 6 months ago.
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### Author:  [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)
#### Post date: [June 9, 2012, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/103 "2012-06-09T10:38:28Z")
> [@Marley23](#):
>
> People here have been saying that for a couple of years after any Federer loss to either Nadal or Djokovic. He’s the #3 player in the world and enjoys the tour. I don’t think he’ll retire until he decides doesn’t like the grind anymore.
Meh. I think he’ll “enjoy” the tour as long as he feels he’s a real contender for the title. I don’t see him gracefully fading like Agassi. That match v. Djokovic was brutal because it made Federer look mentally weak. He made tons of unforced errors, and he couldn’t close out a set even when he was up two breaks. I’m sure it was very embarrassing for him.
It’s even more compelling that prior to the match, he was asked whether the surface would make a difference in his match v. Djokovic. He said no because great tennis players had to adapt to all conditions, and that that both of them were very good at that. And then he goes out and hits 3 balls long for the 2nd set due to the wind.
I think that when he starts getting beat prior to the quarters, he’ll retire. And I can see that happening very soon because players don’t fear him like they used to. I don’t think his ego will be able to take his inevitable downslide.
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### Author:  [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)
#### Post date: [June 9, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/104 "2012-06-09T15:39:20Z")
Oh, Maria Sharapova won. Good for her.
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### Author:  [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/105 "2012-06-10T01:41:56Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#):
>
> Question for tennis coaches and players, what needs to happen in the men’s championship match for Novak to win? Does Novak’s only chance to win come from Nadal playing badly or horribly breaking multiple limbs before the match? Or can Djokovic actually beat him if he does X, some Y, and lots of Z?
I thought this was a good read/analysis & pertinent to your query:
[**Men’s Final Preview: History beckons for two greats of the game**](http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2012-06-09/201206091339261438264.html)
That said or read, I don’t believe in jinxes or, for that matter, anything else “supernatural.” So it’ll be Rafa in straight sets – hard or easy, doesn’t matter. But he’ll win. Bet on it.
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### Author:  [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/106 "2012-06-10T04:03:46Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#):
>
> Meh. I think he’ll “enjoy” the tour as long as he feels he’s a real contender for the title.
That’s a significant issue, yes. But as far as I can tell, we haven’t even reached the stage where he can’t pull off a deep run at every major. Even though he’s a clear #3 at this point, in the last couple of decades few guys have remained consistent threats to win majors to this point in their careers. Even Agassi and Sampras were not reaching the quarters and semis at every major in the last years of their careers. And of course there’s the issue of his health. Federer’s been astoundingly healthy throughout his career, and while there’s no reason to expect that to change, it gets harder to maintain as you get older.
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### Author:  [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/107 "2012-06-10T13:17:51Z")
Djokovic is drinking is secret orange drink. That’s his secret to success. I wonder what’s in it
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### Author:  [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/108 "2012-06-10T15:17:52Z")
That rain-delay was a godsent for the Djoker. Rafa had not just broken back to take the lead but had picked-up his intensity, while Nole had shown clear signs of frustration what with getting a warning for breaking the bench with his racket during the change-over.
Still think Rafa is winning this w/out dropping a set – hopefully today as they haven’t covered the court. Meaning they expect a short break.
Vamos Rafa!
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### Author:  [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/109 "2012-06-10T15:49:15Z")
Play resumes and Rafa wastes no time breaking Novak yet again…for the second set.
6-4, 6-3…one to go for the historical 7th RG crown.
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### Author:  [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/110 "2012-06-10T16:37:37Z")
Oh oh…just got back to the match (watching Spa/Ita Eurocup) & warrior Nole stormed back from 0-2 to take the third 6-2…that’s six games in a row!
Rafa’s got a match in his hands now.
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### Author:  [@piepiepie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piepiepie)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/111 "2012-06-10T16:41:15Z")
Nadal dropped a set. Djokovic starting to get into the match more. Let’s if Rafa can close out this 4th for his 7th.
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### Author:  [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/112 "2012-06-10T16:41:45Z")
Yup, Djokovic has finally raised his game and he seems to be in control right now. He has a long way to go but at least he’s made this interesting. They’re at deuce in Nadal’s first service game of the fourth set.
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### Author:  [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/113 "2012-06-10T16:54:39Z")
Play suspended again…truth is, it should have been done a while back. Court was unplayable.
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### Author:  [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/114 "2012-06-10T16:55:36Z")
Djokovic gets the break to go up 2-0 in the fourth. _Eight games in a row against Nadal on clay._ Then Nadal finally gets on the board before they finally call another rain delay.
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### Author:  [@piepiepie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piepiepie)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/115 "2012-06-10T17:19:26Z")
Under better conditions I feel Rafa would’ve closed this out by now, but if I can see how hard it’s raining on my tv, then I don’t quite blame him for losing his shit. It must be akin to Chinese water torture out there, especially if you just dropped your first set of the tournament along with 8 games in a row.
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### Author:  [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/116 "2012-06-10T17:21:17Z")
Everything is Chinese water torture when the other guy is outplaying you and nothing is working.
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### Author:  [@piepiepie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piepiepie)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/117 "2012-06-10T17:24:08Z")
Well I think they both can relate. I don’t think Perrier will be calling Djokovic anytime soon.
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### Author:  [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/118 "2012-06-10T17:57:41Z")
> [@Marley23](#):
>
> Everything is Chinese water torture when the other guy is outplaying you and nothing is working.
Not taking any credit from the Djoker, he is tough as nails, but the way the court was playing I can see why Rafa would be totally frustrated. Novak’s flat shots were able to penetrate Rafa’s defense as he wasn’t able to slide due to the conditions; conversely, he was unable to get any top-spin on his own shots – his bread & butter – thus leaving them short and setting-up Novak for easy put-aways inside his own side of the court.
Should be a different match if they return under normal conditions.
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### Author:  [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/119 "2012-06-10T18:20:49Z")
Play resumes Monday @ 1:00 P.M. local time – weather permitting.
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### Author:  [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2012, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-2012-thread/622620/120 "2012-06-10T22:57:16Z")
“The French Open final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic was suspended in the fourth set because of rain, the first time in 39 years the tournament won’t end on a Sunday. The conclusion will air Monday morning at 7am ET on NBC Sports Network.”
What the hell is NBC Sports Network?
ARGH!
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