The Tennis Thread - Part 4

[regwec]

It's the "losing the way" thing that I find troubling. Perhaps someone will correct me, but I don't recall that (as opposed to someone literally being scared stiff) happening in the past.

 

[Iceman]

I can't remember it happening much before, at least not so quickly in succession. I've seen games where the last set has been 6-0 but the losing guy has still had a bit of fight and is just outclassed by the guy on a surge of momentum. Here it seemed like we had players who weren't quite mentally fit and prepared and aside from making a much larger than usual number of unforced errors had pretty obviously given up.

 

[raisethe3]

Congrats Fed! Missed the Fed's final due to being on vacation with no television access. Is it safe to say that Nadal will not catch up with him?? Remember he has 15 slams, but he's 31 y/o now. Sure Fed's older, both of their styles are contrast from each other. Nadal is more taxing on the body. But like I mentioned, he changed his game a bit (ie. faster serve thus enabling "free points", his flatter).

I guess we will really have to wait a few years longer to see.

 

[Iceman]

Nadal isn't going to pick up enough victories on the hard courts to close the gap quickly enough IMO.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

You know what is amazing? Fed might be #1 again soon. I am really looking forward to the US Open. The way he is playing right now, he can totally take it.

 

[Black Narcissus]

Cheerio gentlemen, just taking some tennis notes from the armchair experts on here, and want to confirm one thing. The one tennis player who did all the grunting, her name was Maria? If so, carry one lads.

Nadal is good and all that. Hurrah.

 

[Iceman]

You know what is amazing? Fed might be #1 again soon. I am really looking forward to the US Open. The way he is playing right now, he can totally take it.

That would be a crazy story and with none of the other guys in dominant form it's not impossible if he can stay fit and in this form.

Cheerio gentlemen, just taking some tennis notes from the armchair experts on here, and want to confirm one thing. The one tennis player who did all the grunting, her name was Maria? If so, carry one lads.

Nadal is good and all that. Hurrah.

Sharapova yes.

 

[Sakuraba]

The race for Year End World No. 1 is going to be interesting. Let's break it down:

I'm going to estimate that approximately 10-11,000 ranking points will suffice to finish at number one.

Current World #1 Andy Murray is NOT going to finish there. He's doomed by his god awful start to the year. He's being propped up right now based on his gold medal points (which are disappearing in a few short weeks) and he's defending five titles in the second half of the year. Andy Murray is going to need to win just about every major tournament from here on in. He needs 8,000 points and it just ain't happening.

Rafa Nadal - He's a contender in this two horse race. He's currently leading the race to London and he basically stunk it up in the summer and fall last year, so he has no points to defend. His level of play has been high, but he has a history of normally crapping out in the fall. Nadal has also given some indication that he will follow in Federer's footsteps in being selective in what events he plays in order to rest his body. Fall indoor hardcourts would seem to be his version of Federer skipping clay.

Roger Federer - He's right behind Nadal in the face to London and has even less points to defend since he didn't play any second half tournaments last year. Every win will net him points for the Year End World No. 1, which is a nice advantage to have. Historically strong in the fall indoor hardcourt season, and he'll collect in the US Open Series too. He's the early favorite over Nadal right just based on him historically being a tremendous indoor player. But will Federer drag himself to play in Roger's Cup, Basel, Shanghai, and Paris? That's a heavy load to ask for guy that has attributed his resurgence to getting lots of rest.

Novak Djokovic - ha

No one else has a realistic chance, it's going to be Nadal or Federer, and it's dead even. They are practically dead even in points and neither is defending any points going forward.

 

[Iceman]

Should be an interesting ride. Fed is probably more concerned with his chances of adding any more majors to his tally before his own body gives way or one of the other big guns refinds their best form or a new guy finally steps up for the future. I can't see him pushing himself in the smaller tournaments any more.

 

[raisethe3]

@Sakuraba- Good summary post. From my stand-point, I can see Federer winning Cincinnati or Montreal. I don't think he's going to play both, especially back to back weeks. I'd be surprised if he does. Then he'll play the US Open. He will probably win Shanghai, Swiss Indoors and finally close it out at World Tour Finals.

As for Nadal, I think he will want to avoid playing indoor HC except Swiss. I mean, come on, we all know his history of playing indoor isn't so good. I predict that Nadal will play Cincy, Montreal, US Open, Swiss Indoors (just out of respect for playing in Fed's home country) and World Tour Finals.

As for Djokovic and Murray?! Who cares, lol. I am really curious to see which young guns will step up if any.

As for the women's? Well you have Azarenka and Maria Sharapova who's back, but I don't think neither of them will make an big impact right away. The women's race is WIDE OPEN. But if Wimbledon was any telling, I think Muguruza could dominate the rest the season IF she finds a bit more consistency. I honestly think she really can dominate the women's tour. Seriously. I thought Eugenie Bouchard was going to be the real deal, but unfortunately it hasn't. But for Muguruza? I think she can do it IF she stays healthy and find consistency. What do you guys think?

 

[Sakuraba]

I can see Federer skipping Roger's Cup since he's done quite often in recent years. No way he skips Cincinnati. That's a signature event for him and serves as his tune up for the Open. Then he'll likely sit out the month of September and return at Shanghai. He'll likely play Paris, then Basel, and he's already qualified for the WTF so he'll get points there too.

So he's likely to play six events, possibly seven if he can be bothered to get off his victory tour and shows up in Canada this year.

 

[Iceman]

As for Djokovic and Murray?! Who cares, lol. I am really curious to see which young guns will step up if any.

Agreed. With the Fed and Nadal show due to end at some point in the not-too-far future, I'd rather see new guys start coming up for the future of tennis rather than a resurgence from Djok or Murray taking the next step up to start winning majors regularly.

 

[Rowsdower!]

You know what is amazing? Fed might be #1 again soon. I am really looking forward to the US Open. The way he is playing right now, he can totally take it.

Me too. Federer is the greatest of all time. I could see him winning the U.S. Open and reclaiming #1.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[regwec]

Such a lovely young woman. They should give her a cameo in the next Wonder Woman movie.

 

[Iceman]

Like the pics, congrats Garb!

And nice garb!

 

[raisethe3]

So I found out Andy Roddick got inducted to the Hall of Fame. What's the requirements for this? Or is it you win a GS and you're automatically qualified?

As for Andy Roddick, you had potential to become a multi-slam, but never came through.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Breogan]

Such a lovely young woman. They should give her a cameo in the next Wonder Woman movie.

Yes! t:
Give her some kind of labrys, and she can flip it to it's side and use it to lob back grenades or something. And use that trophy as a shield

Like the pics, congrats Garb!

And nice garb!

Anyone watching Canadian Open?
M- http://www.couperogers.com/en/schedules-and-results/draws/
W- http://www.rogerscup.com/schedules-and-results/draws/

 

[Iceman]

Those things you win probably would make really good shields actually. t:

 

[Black Narcissus]

Damn! Patty Jenkins is looking fine.

 

[raisethe3]

Lol, Fed lost to Zverev today. But no, I am not calling him the next big thing until he wins a grand slam and be more consistent.

 

[Iceman]

I wonder when he's thinking of retiring.

 

[raisethe3]

I wonder when he's thinking of retiring.

It would be surprising to be honest. Remember in the article a while ago where he stated I like to play for another 2-3 years.

 

[Iceman]

It would be surprising to be honest. Remember in the article a while ago where he stated I like to play for another 2-3 years.

Oh right, good to know. After that Wimbledon performance he certainly isn't finished just yet.