Topic: Tennis 2019

[selectivememory]

Well, I guess it's worth starting a thread after Andy Murray announced his retirement. He's hoping that Wimbledon will be his final tournament, but Melbourne might be the limit for him.

I mean, it's not remotely surprising, and after recent comments I was pretty sure that he was going to retire sometime this year, but I'm still pretty sad about it.

Anyway, Aussie Open gets going on Monday. Looks like the women's side is as wide open as ever, so that should be fun. With the men it depends as usual on whether the younger players can get their act together. Probably Djokovic wins it though without much of a struggle.

[Delete Delete Delete]

He was always been on borrowed time. His ankle ligaments are hanging by a thread. The big key to Roger Federer longevity was adopting a play style that was kinda to his body than the others in the big 4, who have all destroyed themselves somewhat trying to keep up.

[Deanjam]

Well, I guess it's worth starting a thread after Andy Murray announced his retirement.

Surprised of course, but not shocked. He's looked physically buggered for a while now. Hope he can at least have a good last run at Wimbledon.

The big key to Roger Federer longevity was adopting a play style that was kinda to his body than the others in the big 4, who have all destroyed themselves somewhat trying to keep up.

Indeed. Even though he's the eldest I still wouldn't be surprised to see Fed outlast Nadal & Djokovic.

[Deanjam]

Everyone seen this winner by Dan Evans?

https://twitter.com/ATP_Tour/status/1083375470442397701

[biggytitbo]

Very sad about Murray, I thought he might still be able to come back considering what Del Potro did, getting back to the US Open final after his injury nightmares.


By a comfortable distance Britain's greatest ever sportsman imo.

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

While still having an oddly unfulfilled career.

Yep, 3 majors, a Davis Cup winner (still bizarre to think GB ever won that), and Olympic gold and will probably still be just as remembered for the many excruciating defeats against the top players and maddening capitulations against some average ones.

No doubt if he had happened to be in his mid-twenties in between 98-04 he would have cleaned up 7/8 majors in that time.

He should set up in this tournament to play ultra-aggressive tennis. Swing his arms, try not to get moved around on court and just see what happens.

[biggytitbo]

3 majors, a Davis Cup, 2 Olympic golds, world number 1 for 41 weeks, an ATP title and 14 masters is a very very long way from an unfulfilled career in an era where the 3 greatest tennis players of all time dominated.

[Beagle 2]

I've loved Andy Murray ever since I saw some banal BBC tennis presenter ask him "You really put your parents through it in that match Andy, they were so emotional up there in the crowd, what do you say to them?" and he replied "I'm not really bothered. It was obviously harder for me".

[Deanjam]

My favourite Andy moment is at the ATP finals one year the contestants were asked their biggest fear. After a bunch of replies like 'failure' 'not reaching my potential' etc Andy answered 'DEATH'.

[selectivememory]

Indeed. Even though he's the eldest I still wouldn't be surprised to see Fed outlast Nadal & Djokovic.

I don't know about Djokovic though. His only real major injury so far was in the elbow, and that could have happened to any tennis player. His style of play is obviously more brutal on the body than Federer's, but he looks in good shape at the moment considering he's the same age as Murray. Things can change very quickly of course, but I'd be surprised if he wasn't the last of those three standing, and I think he's probably got a couple of very strong years left in him. But I think Federer's going to be the oldest one on retirement.

Mind you, I've lost count of the amount of times I've written Nadal off, and he always comes back. I would have put money on him retiring before Murray just a couple of years ago.

[Deanjam]

Yes, would be silly to write any of them off really. Nadal's record of picking up injuries on hard courts over the last 18 months is worrying though. Still, he'll probably be able to compete on clay till he's 75!

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

3 majors, a Davis Cup, 2 Olympic golds, world number 1 for 41 weeks, an ATP title and 14 masters is a very very long way from an unfulfilled career in an era where the 3 greatest tennis players of all time dominated.

But then it is, because I can think of at least 3 majors that were his for the taking that he didn't take advantage of, and numerous tournaments where he lost against far lesser players.

It isn't intended as a criticism, just a fact.

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46836509

Some nice stuff

[BlodwynPig]

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46836509

Some nice stuff

Yeh, good stuff.

[bgmnts]

Will be nice not to have miserable cunt Murray whinge about his injuries.