I don’t have the archives, but it had to be around at least 15/1.
Stan lost in the first round last year and won the tournament this year. I wonder how many people have done that and how often?
Then again, Nadal won his very first French Open, which is even more amazing. How many have won their first attempt in one of the Grand Slam tournaments?
So I learned the other day that people are now speaking of a ‘big four’ in modern tennis: Federer, Djokovic, Nadal, and Murray. I was a little surprised that Murray was included: he’s never been no. 1 in the rankings, and he’s won only two grand slams (pathetic, right?). Surely, of the four, he’s number four. What’s the consensus on this? Does it make sense to talk about a big four in modern tennis?
For awhile, those four were reaching the semis and quarters of everything. Despite now winning many Slams, Murray was always beating everyone but those three.
Now? Stan is right up there.
Predictions for Wimbledon, anyone? It’s a tough call this year.
Lleyton Hewitt just lost. Next year’s Australian Open marks the end of his career.
I predict Serena wins.
What’s gone wrong with Bouchard. I thought she was the next big thing.
One thing that gets me is that tennis is probably the only sport where its fans have a world view instead of just what is happening in their home country.
Sadly, the way she’s gone lately, I wasn’t surprised to hear about her early exit. But Halep?
I do wonder if Bouchard has some personal issues going on that haven’t come to light. She is definitely better than she’s been playing of late.
Nobody has any thoughts on Nadal losing in the 2nd round to some random German dude?
that’s four years on the run that he’s been dumped out by +100 ranked player at Wimbledon. So this was not as much of a surprise, certainly not when you consider Nadal’s form this year overall.
He could be in a slump that has no prolonged recovery but I don’t know what has changed or what has caused it but it doesn’t look good for him.
Mad props to Heather Watson. That was a great (and nervewracking) match.
Agree. Normally when Serena loses (or gets played close) it’s because she’s playing her C or D game – this time, she wasn’t perfect, but she wasn’t playing any worse than her B game (in my opinion – her A game still obliterates everyone else even at their A game), and Watson was almost good enough.
Still rooting for Serena (and Venus)!
Johnny…Johnny sigh three double faults two in the last set!
I think he need to see a shrink. His confidence is shot.
I agree that his confidence is shot. What is remarkable to me about Nadal is that he has mad skills at the net, but will not move forward. Some players stick with Plan A because Plan A is all they’ve got. For instance, Serena Williams hits the ball hard when she’s up and harder when she’s down because she doesn’t have any other game. She’s still doing well because 99% of women players cannot match up against her pace and power.
Nadal, on the other hand, has just about every shot in the book, but he rarely uses them all. The men’s game has gotten more aggressive and offensive, starting with the power serves, and Nadal’s game hasn’t kept pace because it’s a naturally defensive game. He’ll almost always break an opponent early, but then he’ll immediately get broken back because he refuses to turn up the heat when it counts. It’s almost as if his athleticism works against him because he prolongs rallies when he could end points so much earlier if he’d just move in and finish the damn point.
He’s such a ritualistic athlete, that when he gets some noise in his head, he retreats to what is comfortable…and what is comfortable is not working anymore.
Still disappointed that Heather Watson didn’t beat Serena Williams. I think Watson was close to a match point a couple of times,s he could have done it.
She couldn’t pull the trigger and lost serve. Played a great match though.
Manic Monday tomorrow yeah!!
Wtf Kevin Anderson, not that I wanted Djokovic to lose but…
Well today we see Andy Murray take on Roger Federer! This’ll be interesting - whoever wins this will probably have to take on Djokovic in the final!