Tennis 2016

The Game Room
42

[QUOTE=Dead Cat]

Either way, I agree she deserves a ban, but I don’t think she deserves comments like I saw on Facebook yesterday to the effect of “well what a surprise, a Russian athlete is on the juice”.

[/QUOTE]

Perhaps not, but a comment of ‘well what a surprise, a tennis player is on the juice’ would be v reasonable IMO.

Any sports body that has such a weak and dis-interested approach to drugs testing is giving a tacit endorsement to its athletes to get on the PEDs. This in turn is endorsed by the fanbase who want to see Novak win three five setters on the bounce then shell someone out in the final with his superior conditioning and racquet technology.
No one wants to see people failing drugs tests and ‘cheating’ - that would be a total downer and where is the incentive to make that happen? There isn’t one.

Sharapova’s IQ failure has let everyone in tennis down, from this point of view.

43

Did anyone say Association Football?

44

At least one writer on CNN writes that it mightbe a case of Gotcha!

45

Federer has pulled out of the French Open, ending his streak of 65 straight Grand Slam appearances.

He last missed a Grand Slam at the 1999 U.S. Open.

Wow. Just wow.

46

And no Rafa Nadal has pulled out.

Incidentally, Jack Nicklaus played in 146 Straight Majors in Golf. From the 1962 Masters through the 1998 US Open. Sergio Garcia has the current streak at 67. Strangely, he last missed a major in the 1999 US Open. FTR, He has not won any of them.

47

The French need to get with the plan and just build a fricking roof.

All of yesterday rained out, and today’s forecast is looking iffy.

48

To no one’s great surprise, Djokovic defeats Murray for the French Open title. He now has 12 major titles, a “career Grand Slam”, and holds all 4 major trophies.

If he can repeat as Wimbledon & US Open champion (obviously a tall order, even as the likely strong favorite in both tournaments) he’ll have a “true” Grand Slam - the first since Rod Laver in 1969. That would tie him with Nadal & Sampras at 14 major titles, and put him in reach of Federer’s best-ever 17.

But it’s interesting to note that Federer has won only 2 major tournaments since reaching Djokovic’s current age (29). Top-level tennis is a young man’s game.

49

Sharapova suspended for two years. Color me shocked—I didn’t expect her to get anywhere near that harsh a punishment. Does she retire at this point?

50

Either that or vow to fight back. I doubt she’ll win another major, though.

51

I still think Federer will end up being considered greatest of all time, but it is certainly between him and Djokovic now. I think Djokovic could be the greatest if he wins the Grand Slam this year and moves past 17 majors, but I don’t think that is going to happen.

52

What irates me is that if it was Serena Williams there’d be a completely opposite reaction from fans of tennis, I’m glad they came to this decision.

53

Why not? Even if he follows Federer in appearing to decline slightly after the age of 29 (as per Xema’s post), I think he will easily win at least another 3 majors. He seems to be in as good a shape as ever and is probably the grittiest performer ever in terms of turning losing positions around - which he doesn’t need to do most of the time. Of the current circuit, only Murray regularly forces him to play at his best, and even then not all the time. I agree he is unlikely to win the Grand Slam, but after being in denial for years (as Federer is my favourite player of all time) I have to concede Novak is quite likely to surpass him.

54

I’m not sure I understand you. What reaction do you think fans would have if it was Serena?

3 majors? Yeah, I can see that. He’ll need 6 more to pass Federer. I can see it as a possibility, but I don’t think he will.

Again, I do think it is debatable. Maybe Novak is the best of all time, but I am still leaning Federer and think that is how it will work out once both retire.

55

I’m fearing (being a Federer fan of Rabelasian proportions) that he’ll putting all his eggs in his basket for this Wimbledon. The reason why think it’s his last chance is because I wouldn’t in a snowflake’s chance in even a lukewarm kiln be putting money on him getting past the semis, and into the finals, of this Sept.'s US Open.

After that, I just can’t see him gaining any more ground. A couple seasons ago it was his back (with fortunately very rare, intermittent flare-ups), and then surgery on his meniscus earlier this year, which may not be harbingers of doom, but at least they should be taken into consideration at his age.

I would be surprised if he beats Murray again. With Nadal, definitely not on clay (although the latter’s much harder style of play is really catching up with him now). With Joker - I’ll Penpal bet anyone here that RF will never beat him again. I report that with much remorse - RF will always be in my tennis heart, even more than NJ, whom I know will exceed RF’s major tally. I predict NJ will retire with 22 majors under his belt.

Brad Gilbert, who’s maybe the “pundit” I’ll bend my ear to the most, said of RF: "Roger has to beat an opponent who is six years younger than him.”

side note: I wish Federer would resuscitate that crazy rushing-the-service-line play when returning (sometimes the 1st!) serve. Surprised he’d come up with that kamikaze, seemingly un-Federer-like play. Quite ostentatious - I wish there was an (analytics?) stat indicating its success rate. Also curious if anyone else before or after have tried it.

I wouldn’t be first in line to bet RF handily beating Nishikori and Wawrinka - I would call those matches definite toss-ups now. Some of RF’s losses this season, along with Raonic’s, have really pissed me off. I’m praying to all 4.5 points in the universe that RF’s knee will carry him through to this Wimbledon title.

Muguruza will now take over the women’s side. Watching her maintain her power against Serena at the French Open - impressive, quite formidable. Barring injuries, I can’t see anyone challenging her.
(lol and then watch her go lose the first round at Wimbledon):stuck_out_tongue:

56

Whoops, I fudged up the numbers. I think we are in agreement. If Novak does win another 6, he will definitely be the GOAT. I’d probably give it to him if he wins 5 to tie Federer, as I think the competition he was up against for most of his majors was tougher than what Federer was up against for some of his earlier ones. Less than that, and it’s still close but I’d have to favour Federer.

57

So, this Monday, the awesomest tourney of the year (uh, yeah, duh, rules over the US Open) will be under way, with the 139th Wimbledon.

The Joker and Fed are on the same side of the draw, and hopefully will meet in the semis.

brouhaha about apparel:

I think it should be made mandatory what Katie Boulter is wearing. The first photo, in particular - such wondrous, lyrical beauty, uplifting one’s spirits…I couldn’t think of a more impressive bronze athletic statue to make.

and speaking of a different kind of ‘bird’ “grin grin wink wink nudge nudge”, I thought this was pretty nifty:

58

Well ok maybe the second round?:o

Wilfred Hyde White never made errors as harebrained as Garbine Muguruza did, especially later in the second set.

I blame that she was trying to personally let me down, so accordingly I disown her parents.

I could just veg out on those wondrous grass strips of two-tone green all day.

59

I don’t know why I bother doing brackets for the Grand Slams. Hopeless. Garbiñe, why hast thou forsaken me? Damn near lost Aga yesterday, too.

60

So, in another second-round shocker…after being absent for the last two years with three wrist operations, Juan Martin Del Potro upsets Wawrinka in 4. Must admit I’d kinda forgotten about Delpo. The way he moves around so slowly between rallies and takes almost longer than Jokovic or Raonic to fucking serve, bothers me, but that booming forehand he can let off…
lol I’m sure his 165th world ranking should change dramatically.

61

Djokovic out! Wow.