The Tennis Thread

[Nu-Eclipse]

Yeah man, you're always correct. If you say I'm wrong, I must be. Everything thing I said made no sense at all and I was just babbling on. You're the authority on everything tennis.

Meh. One of the reasons I stopped posting in the football thread, people with tunnel vision. I will leave it at that and move on. Hilarious stuff.

Good luck with the Europa League.

Seriously? You have to be joking, right?

When did I say that I was a Tennis authority? When did I say that you made no sense and that you were babbling? When did I say I was always correct? I mean, you have to be kidding with this response, right? What's hilarious is your clear dementia about all of this. All this because of your seeming problem with trading ideas on here with someone who decided to buck the current Forum trend and come with facts for a change?

And then you top it off with a jibe about The Europa League, as if that's really going to reduce me to floods of tears? Really? Classy stuff. Bravo, take a bow. Maybe I had it wrong, maybe the Footie thread is better off without you?

Seems like you're the one with tunnel vision...and you're one of the Mods. Breath-takingly scary stuff, indeed.

In all seriousness, get over yourself. And then get some professional help.

[ezee ryder]

No, you didn't reply with facts. You might think that your opinion is fact but it is not. But hey, what do I know right? Arrogantly stating that I am wrong, implying I need professional help and suffer from some form of dementia. Yeah that is really classy stuff too eh? Meh.

Yeah maybe the football threads are a better place without me posting. Hmm. Besides a handful of decent people (they know who they are), there is an immense amount of intelligent and balanced conversation from everyone else right?!

Finally, just because I am a moderator doesn't mean I am not allowed to have an opinion or reply back to someone. That's a pretty lame dig. By all means though, if you have a problem with what I said please feel free to report it to forum admin.

[Nu-Eclipse]

No, you didn't reply with facts. You might think that your opinion is fact but it is not. But hey, what do I know right? Arrogantly stating that I am wrong, implying I need professional help and suffer from some form of dementia. Yeah that is really classy stuff too eh? Meh.

Yeah maybe the football threads are a better place without me posting. Hmm. Besides a handful of decent people (they know who they are), there is an immense amount of intelligent and balanced conversation from everyone else right?!

Finally, just because I am a moderator doesn't mean I am not allowed to have an opinion or reply back to someone. That's a pretty lame dig. By all means though, if you have a problem with what I said please feel free to report to it to forum admin.

(*sigh*)

Whatever. Not sure where it was that I said that you weren't allowed to have an opinion or reply back to someone due to you being a Moderator...but by all means, carry on with twisting the words in my posts. You've pretty much done it time and again throughout this entire argument, so why stop now?

Anyhoo...vain attempt to pull this Thread back on-topic coming. Boris Becker and Tim Henman discuss today's Australian Open Men's final here.

[NemesiS]

Good to see some constructive debate on here......

Going "back" to the match. I didn't think Murray turned up tbh. He looked almost beaten before hit the first ball. He made far too many unforced errors and his first serve was severely lacking which had a knock on effect to the rest of his game.

Federer had it far too easy with Murrays first serves either faulting or being far to easy to return. Murray really only got into his stride in the third by which time it was too late. A break up, he should have served out for the third set and blew it. He didn't mix his play up, never really tried to get to the net to pressurise federer and played far too defensively with some negative tactics. Had he brought in the same game which took him to the final or the one he uses to beat federer in 3 set matches then he may have had a chance (but over 5 sets i'm not sure). Personally, i think he bottled it. His time will definately come and maybe this year as he has got the lot, but he just needs refinement and another opponent on the other side of the net over 5.

====

Federer tho is something else. After about 4-5 games in the first, he suddenly stepped it up and blew Murray away. Some of the shots he made during the match and in rallies were simply breathtaking and i simply don't believe Murray could have beaten him on this form regardless of whether he had brought his A-game or not.

Federer on top his game is untouchable imho. He glides round the court like he's floating and produces winners that make your jaw drop. After he had Glandular Fever 2 years ago or so, it has taken him till now to get back to top level fitness which we saw over the tournament.

In this form he far too good for anyone on the tour and even if he doesn't produce he's still too good for just about everyone else. Only Nadal on his game has the measure of him and personally, i think he could be finished.

Federer is 28 now and is absolutely at the pinnacle of his powers and while he stays fit he's just going to keep winning as his game is just too good. 16 Slams and counting is simply astonishing and he isn't finished yet. He could in all probability put the slam record out of sight for all time. I certainly don't think any player will get near to it in my lifetime. For him to still be almost effortlessly swatting away all comers in the current generation of players is a testament to just how good he really is. Yes he gets beaten from time to time, especially on clay, but thats to be expected. No one is perfect, even federer.

But he never gets injured, never looks tired, i just don't know how he does it. He's a freak of nature that sport throws up every now and again, like Ali, Woods and Jordan etc. To keep winnning slam after slam takes more than talent and fitness, its something else. Some players win one then fade away like Djokovic. Potro may do the same as may Murray. Only Nadal could have threatened but injuries have done for him. But federer keeps winning. He has nothing left to play for other than his legacy (and possibly the olympics) and still his level remains the same. Almost untouchable.

At the end of the day he is a magnificent player and imo the greatest of all time, and we should enjoy watching him while he's still operating as he won't be around for too much longer.

The only good thing is that when he finally does hang up his racket, tennis will have a level playing field again

[Extra Terrestrial]

Oohhh... And there was me thinking I had a dozen or so posts to read about the match itself...

Yes, Nemesis is right.

Murray's first serve was close to appauling at times and even when he looked like he was getting back into the match - especially during the third set - he let himself down by not being able to take advantage of his break points. He had more than one opportunity to win the third set back time and time again but... Maybe it just wasn't his day, or maybe Federer was far too good once again.

I felt sorry for Murray when he had trouble fighting back his tears; it was nice to see the more human side of him as he is often a moody character on (and off) the court. Federer is right about one thing though, Murray's time will come as he is too good a player to not win a Grand Slam at some point in the (not too distance) future.

Until the French Open then... And I hope to be there watching the tennis in person too!













It's great being a backpacker...!

[NemesiS]

Nice pics mate

Looks like federers moonwalking on the baseline.

I might bet the french myself this year, fingers crossed and my mate who is a coach has sorted tickets for Wimbledon

[Number45]

Looks like Murray is struggling out there? Anyone watching it?

[Number45]

Woot, he's pulled a set back. Clearly my negativity gave him the impetus he needed!

[prinnysquad]

Big comeback there. In the first two sets he looked awful and spent most of the time grimacing and looking shagged out.

Better fitness won the day though.

[Number45]

Great stuff, really pleased for him. It must have been all the harder with the crowd in his face too.

I really REALLY hope he wins a Grand Slam one day. Hopefully he'll either get to the final and find that he's playing someone that's 'beatable' for him or he'll hit the final against a big player and just raise his game that notch or two that he seems to be able to do occasionally.

[Nu-Eclipse]

Good to see Rafa win at Roland Garros on Sunday - he was in inspired form against Robin Soderling and needed that French Open win to regain his confidence. He moved as well and as injury-free as I've seen him in years. Let's hope he stays that way.

It will be very interesting to see how he plays the grass court season. He might feel that Queen's Club & Wimbledon are unfinished business in his mind, but surely the main priority for him (if there was one) would be Flushing Meadows later this year and an assault on the US Open to seal the Grand Slam?

[Number45]

So, is he going to be able to scrape through? Proper opening day upset on the cards!

[toythatkills]

Anyone watching Mahut/Isner? Don't worry if you're not, as long as you're home sometime in the next three days you should catch the end.

Amazing scenes

[Flabio]

41 games all in the final set? Bloody hell...

[Jebus]

I had to blink several times, I thought my vision had gone.

Insanity.