822 replies to this topic

[Don Quixote]

Second-seeded Scot Andy Murray has become the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win Wimbledon, defeating top-seeded Novak Djokovic in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4, in three hours and nine minutes.

[Adam Wolff]

Awesome moment for Andy, the British fans, and tennis in general. Really enjoyable to watch.

[mweb08]

Fed lost in straight sets. It's becoming doubtful that he ever wins a major again. This is the first time he hasn't made a major final since 2002.<br /><br />Anyone watching any of the tournament?<br />

[SportsGuy]

He's done....at least as a major title contender.

[bnickle]

 His back is supposed to have been an issue this year, as well as not getting comfortable with a racket.

 

 

I mean clearly he isn't in the Top 3 guys class anymore. He's mortal. He's not that guy who is a lock to get to the quarterfinals anymore. That said, I could see him getting back to being the 4-5 ranked guy, albeit, clearly not on Nadal, Murray, or Djokovic level. An Agassi like decline. Andre was still competing and winning titles at 32-34 but he wasn't going against 3 probable HOFers in Murray, Nadal, and Djokovic.

 

 

I also could see him take the Sampras route and really cut back on his schedule. That would cause him to fall out of the Top 10-15 of the rankings but he'd still be really dangerous in the big tournaments as low seed.  

 

 

I think he is still potential a threat to win a Major but it would take some injuries from the Top 3 or one of them going down in an upset. He's not going to beat any of them at the top of their game to win a title anymore.

[bnickle]

And as far this year, its pretty obvious to say Im just waiting for the Murray-Djokovic semi and the final for one of them against Nadal.

 

 

Nadal should not have to work that hard from this point on to get to the Final.

[McNulty]

Murray just lost in the quarters to Wawrinka.  Djokovic/Nadal seems certain as the final.

[SportsGuy]

Serena all messed up because of the wind...letting it get to her.

[SportsGuy]

..and then Serena blows the doors off of her in the third set.

[bnickle]

Tommorow should be good. Nadal arguably playing his best tennis ever on hardcourt ever. Djokovic isn't at the very top of his game right now but still deservedly #1.

[SportsGuy]

Tommorow should be good. Nadal arguably playing his best tennis ever on hardcourt ever. Djokovic isn't at the very top of his game right now but still deservedly #1.

A healthy Nadal is better than Djokovic IMO.

[mweb08]

If we considered women during the best athletes of our lifetime series on the podcast, Serena would have definitely been on the list for me. She's amazing.

[SportsGuy]

Yea...best ever I think.

For me, just like Tiger, she doesn't have to win the most majors to prove that.

[Don Quixote]

A healthy Nadal is better than Djokovic IMO.

 

I've always thought so.

[bnickle]

Djokovic's level has dropped in the last year. I mean he is still great, easily a top 2-3 player but he's not the beast he was in '11-12. That Djokovic is really tough for any Rafa to beat.

 

 

That said, Rafa is starting to make a push for Federer. Yes, 8 of his 13 have come on clay but he is starting to diversify. has the career slam and now 2 each at Wimbledon and US Open. He's also and this is key ahead head to head with not only Federer but Djokovic and Murray. The 3 other dominant players of his era. He also has a ton of Masters 1000 wins. I believe a decent amount more than anyone. His resume is better than people think already and he's only 27 and 4 Slams away from tying Fed.

[mweb08]

If Nadal ends up with 1 more grand slam than Fed, but well over half his titles are at the French, does that make him the best ever?

[McNulty]

Nadal's knee could implode at any time.  He won't catch Federer.  

 

Second, that match yesterday VERY easily could have been Djoker up 2-1.  The momentum was all on his side, and Nadal pulled a miracle by turning that 0-40 game around to save a break at 4-4.

 

I wonder how different that match would be if Nadal and Djokovic had switched semi opponents.   

 

Vintage Federer > Vintage Nadal, IMO.  

[bnickle]

If Nadal ends up with 1 more grand slam than Fed, but well over half his titles are at the French, does that make him the best ever?

I think so. I mean he's still likely to have 7+ that aren't clay. He' at 5 now and its not like he hasn't been good on the other surfaces. He's not the clay court specialist some make him out to be.

 

 

Two other quick notes.

 

1. I said earlier that he has a winning record against the Big 3. I saw a stat just awhile ago that said he has a winning record against every single player in the Top 30 right now.

 

 

2. SOme might put some emphasis on this too. He has a singles gold medal, something Rodger does not have. It was won on a hardcourt as well.

[mweb08]

If Nadal ends up with 1 more grand slam than Fed, but well over half his titles are at the French, does that make him the best ever?

I think so. I mean he's still likely to have 7+ that aren't clay. He' at 5 now and its not like he hasn't been good on the other surfaces. He's not the clay court specialist some make him out to be.
 
 
Two other quick notes.
 
1. I said earlier that he has a winning record against the Big 3. I saw a stat just awhile ago that said he has a winning record against every single player in the Top 30 right now.
 
 
2. SOme might put some emphasis on this too. He has a singles gold medal, something Rodger does not have. It was won on a hardcourt as well.

He has a winning record against Fed primarily because Roger was good enough to get to him on clay, but Nadal wasn't good enough to get to Fed on other surfaces during the majority of Federer's prime.

And only 7 non French titles would be a negative for the Nadal argument. He's not just a clay court specialist now, but he was for the first 4 or so French titles.

[bnickle]

I've said this before. Federer was a more pure shotmaker. So extremely skilled in his prime whereas Rafa has been a grinder. However, his success this season on hardcourts is because he has stepped up on the baseline and started hitting more winners out of necessity to end points earlier. Low and behold he goes undefeated on hardcourt. So clearly his shotmaking is also  exceptional. If anything he probably relied on his legs and defense too much earlier in his career.

 

 

I love that Rafa has reinvented himself numerous times now and fought back against some pretty devastating injuries. His complete dominance on clay shouldn't be held against him and I think people do hold it against him.