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The Tennis Thread

EJWTartanSpur

SC Supporter
Jan 29, 2011
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Absolutely gutted about the news re Andy. I was lucky enough to vaguely know him through Scottish tennis circles then even more lucky to have worked closely along side him through a lot of the Davis Cup journeys. Was even on the court and in the dressing room in Belgium after the Davis Cup victory.

Just a genuine genuine guy. Relatively shy and straightforward but with a good dry humour and a heart of gold.
Essentially cut right down in his prime, I think he could have had many more Slams the last few and upcoming couple of years as well. Amazing to have the 3 he has but could have been a good few more.

Sad that he is the first to go out of the big four.

I guess my household will be Novak now, owing to the Serbian wife
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,335
54,966
Absolutely gutted about the news re Andy. I was lucky enough to vaguely know him through Scottish tennis circles then even more lucky to have worked closely along side him through a lot of the Davis Cup journeys. Was even on the court and in the dressing room in Belgium after the Davis Cup victory.

Just a genuine genuine guy. Relatively shy and straightforward but with a good dry humour and a heart of gold.
Essentially cut right down in his prime, I think he could have had many more Slams the last few and upcoming couple of years as well. Amazing to have the 3 he has but could have been a good few more.

Sad that he is the first to go out of the big four.

I guess my household will be Novak now, owing to the Serbian wife

How come?
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,335
54,966
Well played Andy, and a deserved standing ovation! One tough mofo!

Can't see him winning another two sets though.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,335
54,966
It would be a good match to go out on, but it suggests that he'll make it to Wimbledon. Or does it? Either way; classic Murray!
 

wooderz

James and SC Striker
May 18, 2006
8,766
4,507
It would be a good match to go out on, but it suggests that he'll make it to Wimbledon. Or does it? Either way; classic Murray!

This, there was no more a Murray match for him to have gone out on! Topsy turvy, he's out, he's back...

There was a note of he's not ready to retire in his speech, but that could have been match adrenaline there
 

Thewobbler

Well-Known Member
Oct 29, 2016
3,814
5,701
Well he said he needs major operation that might not work to get him back but he needs it regardless for a better quality of life. I think he will do wimbledon and call it a day.
 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,884
62,540
Three tie-breaks in four sets between Federer and Tsitsipas. Great match, so even.

I always feel a bit gutted for Federer when he loses.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,335
54,966
Three tie-breaks in four sets between Federer and Tsitsipas. Great match, so even.

I always feel a bit gutted for Federer when he loses.

Tsitsipas is a tough competitor and deserved it. Good match.
 

yusrisafri

Well-Known Member
Jun 27, 2004
6,369
7,548
Dont know whether this has been asked, but who's the GOAT? Roger, Rafa or Novak?

Always felt it was Roger, but now i dont think so anymore. His record against the other 2 is inferior, and pretty soon Rafa and possibly Novak will eclipse his no of majors.

Thoughts?
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,335
54,966
Dunno about GOAT, but right now Djokovic is head and shoulders above anyone else. Don't think I've ever seen someone dominating Rafa as he is now.

(Cue comeback)

Edit: or not. That was a stuffing. Who can beat Novak in a major this year? Even the French is looking good for him.
 
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SE Spurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 12, 2018
2,669
4,760
Dunno about GOAT, but right now Djokovic is head and shoulders above anyone else. Don't think I've ever seen someone dominating Rafa as he is now.

(Cue comeback)

Edit: or not. That was a stuffing. Who can beat Novak in a major this year? Even the French is looking good for him.


Only Injury can stop him winning at least 3 slams this year imo.
 

yusrisafri

Well-Known Member
Jun 27, 2004
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That was a masterclass. When you make one of the greatest players of all time look like an amateur, you know how majestic his performance was.
 

aliyid

Well-Known Member
Dec 28, 2004
6,944
19,926
Think all three bring different things to the GOAT debate but has to be Fed for me as he plays with such simplicity and grace in his game.

Don’t let the older version of his game take anything away from his legacy as in his prime he was a joy to watch and I learnt a lot just by watching his footwork and movement around the court.

Djokovic is an incredible talent but he feels too machine like for my liking. Rafa plays with his heart on his sleeve and would give everything on court but there’s something about him that just never quite clicked with me to move him ahead of Federer.
 

ajspurs

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2007
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31,166
Think all three bring different things to the GOAT debate but has to be Fed for me as he plays with such simplicity and grace in his game.

Don’t let the older version of his game take anything away from his legacy as in his prime he was a joy to watch and I learnt a lot just by watching his footwork and movement around the court.

Djokovic is an incredible talent but he feels too machine like for my liking. Rafa plays with his heart on his sleeve and would give everything on court but there’s something about him that just never quite clicked with me to move him ahead of Federer.

I know what you mean, but for that reason maybe it's subjective? Not that I think anyone has yet claimed his crown. I like Federer, but have always favoured Nadal or Djokovic when he goes up against them and I know it sounds like weird reasoning but I prefer the other two's game, largely because I can relate them more. More specifically, I play (or used to play) with a two-handed backhand as well, so have always favoured watching players with the same shot over players who use a one-handed backhand.

To me, Djokovic's backhand is a really beautiful shot but two-handers naturally don't look as elegant as a lot of one-handers.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,335
54,966
Think all three bring different things to the GOAT debate but has to be Fed for me as he plays with such simplicity and grace in his game.

Don’t let the older version of his game take anything away from his legacy as in his prime he was a joy to watch and I learnt a lot just by watching his footwork and movement around the court.

Djokovic is an incredible talent but he feels too machine like for my liking. Rafa plays with his heart on his sleeve and would give everything on court but there’s something about him that just never quite clicked with me to move him ahead of Federer.
I know what you mean, but for that reason maybe it's subjective? Not that I think anyone has yet claimed his crown. I like Federer, but have always favoured Nadal or Djokovic when he goes up against them and I know it sounds like weird reasoning but I prefer the other two's game, largely because I can relate them more. More specifically, I play (or used to play) with a two-handed backhand as well, so have always favoured watching players with the same shot over players who use a one-handed backhand.

To me, Djokovic's backhand is a really beautiful shot but two-handers naturally don't look as elegant as a lot of one-handers.

Rod Laver says Hi ! ;)
 

aliyid

Well-Known Member
Dec 28, 2004
6,944
19,926
Rod Laver says Hi ! ;)
And this is where the GOAT conversation always breaks down as I’m sure Fred Perry is waving frantically in the background too.

It’s impossible to compare that far cross generationally as too much has changed in the game with diet and conditioning to mean that neither would compete with the speed and power of the game nowadays.

Still amazes me that the next generation are yet to step up (both of those semi finals were embarrassingly one sided)
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,335
54,966
And this is where the GOAT conversation always breaks down as I’m sure Fred Perry is waving frantically in the background too.

It’s impossible to compare that far cross generationally as too much has changed in the game with diet and conditioning to mean that neither would compete with the speed and power of the game nowadays.

Still amazes me that the next generation are yet to step up (both of those semi finals were embarrassingly one sided)

Yes, if by GOAT we mean the greatest talent, then who is to say? Renshaw? Perry? Laver? Pancho Gonzalez? Borg? or today's big 3?

As for the next gen, that final step - to competing with and beating the big 3 - is a big one to take. But the likes of Zverev, Tsitsipas, Medvedev, Kachanov, De Minaur, Shapovalov ... they're pushing their way upwards. And don't forget that Sascha beat Federer and Djokovic in winning the O2 end of season bash; still needs to go deeper in the majors though.

I can see them overtaking Federer this season (but then I've thought that for a while!) but Rafa is still looking good and Djokovic is looking ridiculous.
 
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