The Tennis Thread

[Jetée]

I must have not been paying much attenion, though it seems that matchplay has already begun for the Australian Open (either earlier today or yesterday).

Let the recommencement of the discussions (for the new year) begin.

[Strange Famous]

Come on Andy!!

I hope I'm wrong, but it looks like Rafa is starting to throttle the life out of him.

---------- Post added at 07:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:31 PM ----------

... he's on the ropes now.

[Jetée]

I missed the live broadcast of the Tsonga/Djokovic Semi today, and only the tail end of the Murray/Nadal match was I lucky enough to catch.
I was out of my mind bummed, but at least I caught about an hour of it (the early match) through the evening re-broadcast.

Maybe I wasn't so wrong about him the last time I happened to mention him (Jo-Wilfried Tsonga), but I was prospectin' at great he could be if his skills/health/potential all coincide. Looks like it took him a few years, but I could have a new favourite player to cheer on.

The thing that I was left to ponder, as the hours slipped by, is this: it is my (grim) prediction that Federer, that once unknown teenage foreigner with a ponytail, the first time I saw him, will eventually announce his retirement in 16-18 months, even as early as one year from now. It leaves me hollow to even say that.

[Strange Famous]

I guess Tsonga just needs more consistency. He's always had that high level of energy, always had the ability to pull of incredible shots, but he also always runs a bit hot and cold. I just struggle to imagine him hitting his best form 4/5 games in a row.

With Federer, I dont know. He is still good enough to beat anyone, but he has a lot more games where he is beatable now. I suppose it comes down to what hunger he has left. I dont think he has ever quite got the same level back after he had glandular fever... that year he wasnt quite with it, and afterwards I felt he never was as untouchable as he was before... but maybe it just coincided with the rise of other players. When he's done everything, won everything... does he really have the motivation to work harder again to get back on top?

The first set Murray was beating Nadal in almost every part of the game. But the problem is, Nadal just never lets up. He keeps hitting the ball so hard, keeps getting shots that other players wouldnt, and to hit winners almost every player in the world has to play closer to the margins than they feel comfortable, and eventually the errors creep in. After the first set Nadal never looked worried, and he never reduced the level of aggression. Its sad to say, but right now Murray is just not as good a player, and its hard to see how he can beat Nadal when Nadal is at his best. And Nadal is always at his best in a Grand Slam.