The Official Tennis Thread (Vol. 2024 US Open)

[Sinner]

Man, that was disappointing by Monf... put so much effort to win the 3rd and 4th only to crumble in the 5th like that... 

 

[britkicks]

Haters can hate but don't knock a real champion! Yeah yeah I know I'm bias.

 

[Sinner]

So anyway... about Murray...

I didn't like him initially cuz of the same reason... his negative attitude and whatnot... as well as his style of play... very pushy, counter-puncher, passive, etc.  I'd remember matches from a few years ago when he'd have a short ball and when most would aggressively attack, he'd push it back to continue the rally.  

While I don't consider myself to be a Murray fan, I genuinely like him now cuz of how much he's changed his game (largely due to Lendl). He's improved his conditioning (super fit now)... he's movement's improved a lot and covers a lot more court now... and while he still isn't as aggressive as I'd like to see him, he's improved that aspect of his game as well.  Overall, he's made himself a better player and you have to respect that.  Sure, he still has his fits on court (shouting, hip-grabbing and whatnot), but given how he lost to Fed at Wimbledon in '12, then came back to win the gold a few weeks later... that says a lot about him.  

 

[britkicks]

In the interests of balance I realise Murray has his flaws and I don't expect him to beat Rafa on clay in SF. But wether you like him or not you can't not respect his achievements so far. As a Brit I can't under estimate the significance of his Wimbledon win after 77 years. The pressure on him to do that was huge and as a British tennis fan for 35 years I can tell you that whatever he does from this point on he will always be the won who finally did it for us to me and therefore a sporting hero. His conditioning, fitness, tactical awareness on the court all outweigh his sometimes negative tendencies.

 

[The_Isomotion31]

after the first set. Dude went cero a ciente muy rapido...Vamos Rafa.

Common No1e....Straight set Gulbis. I want to see 6-1; 6-2; 6-1

 

[quell]

Gulbis will give Djoka a tight match, but, I think much like Wawrinka had to go through against Djoka - Gulbis needs this loss so he can come back and take down Djoka in the next 5 setter, and possibly claim a major

 

[Sinner]

Super-happy for Petko... been a bumpy ride for her...

 

[champcruthik]

Lmao these clowns watch tennis like girls watch football. Every chick is a Kapernick fan. Every guy is a Bouchard/Sharapova if they watch tennis. Neither one of them is anything to write home about.

Can only speak for myself, but I enjoy style of play first on the WTA. Looks are a bonus. I've gone on record supporting Monica Puig and Jamie Hampton to breakout in 2014, and neither is a looker.

So anyway... about Murray...

I didn't like him initially cuz of the same reason... his negative attitude and whatnot... as well as his style of play... very pushy, counter-puncher, passive, etc.  I'd remember matches from a few years ago when he'd have a short ball and when most would aggressively attack, he'd push it back to continue the rally.  

While I don't consider myself to be a Murray fan, I genuinely like him now cuz of how much he's changed his game (largely due to Lendl). He's improved his conditioning (super fit now)... he's movement's improved a lot and covers a lot more court now... and while he still isn't as aggressive as I'd like to see him, he's improved that aspect of his game as well.  Overall, he's made himself a better player and you have to respect that.  Sure, he still has his fits on court (shouting, hip-grabbing and whatnot), but given how he lost to Fed at Wimbledon in '12, then came back to win the gold a few weeks later... that says a lot about him.  

Will "Muzz" win another Slam in 2014 or 2015?

In the interests of balance I realise Murray has his flaws and I don't expect him to beat Rafa on clay in SF. But wether you like him or not you can't not respect his achievements so far. As a Brit I can't under estimate the significance of his Wimbledon win after 77 years. The pressure on him to do that was huge and as a British tennis fan for 35 years I can tell you that whatever he does from this point on he will always be the won who finally did it for us to me and therefore a sporting hero. His conditioning, fitness, tactical awareness on the court all outweigh his sometimes negative tendencies.

Congrats on that fifth set. Monfils had all the momentum and home support, just to get the bagel treatment. Robson fan?

Major kudos to "Muzz" for London in 2012 and Wimbledon, but also the breakthrough U.S. Open.

That conditioning and fitness came later under Lendl.

Gulbis will give Djoka a tight match, but, I think much like Wawrinka had to go through against Djoka - Gulbis needs this loss so he can come back and take down Djoka in the next 5 setter, and possibly claim a major

I see the match going four sets. Ernie taking the first or second, "Nole" cruises in the third and fourth sets.

 

[mfreshm]

^ Monica Puig is cute. PicaPower

Anyway I'm rooting for Sharapova. my girl Aga was eliminated too soon.

 

[firepower]

Damn, Monfils gon' Monfils I guess.

Watched the first 3 sets then went out for the football, actually thought he might do it when I checked and saw he'd won the 4th as well, but nope wasn't to be.

I've already given reasons before as to why I'm not a Murray fan, and yeah, it's mostly pretty much the same story as everyone else, his attitude early on but also the excessive British media hype... which yes, I know can't really be blamed on him per se...

It's just that when he gets compared to Alexander Fleming & John Logie Baird as one of the greatest Scotsmen in history, it makes my blood boil 

But likewise, I've also stated I respect him as a player and especially what he achieved at SW19.

 

[Sinner]

Can only speak for myself, but I enjoy style of play first on the WTA. Looks are a bonus. I've gone on record supporting Monica Puig and Jamie Hampton to breakout in 2014, and neither is a looker.Will "Muzz" win another Slam in 2014 or 2015?

I think for casual tennis-watchers, they might go for someone like Masha... cuz she's so main-stream and whatnot, but at least she's backed it up with a career-slam.  But for avid watchers, there a lot of players on the WTA who are worth watching.  In this RG alone, we've seen impressive performances by Garbine as well as Halep (who, if you've been following, has won her past 7 tournaments).  The "problem" is that she isn't as marketable as, say, Genie... hence why we're so sick of the WTA's efforts.  The bottomline is, Genie still needs to win more on a consistent basis.  I have no idea what happened to Hampton, but Puig has showed flashes of potential.  

Hmmm... tough one... I think so.  After his back-surgery, I don't think anyone knew what to expect from him, in terms of his recovery.  I certainly don't think anyone expected his RG to go so well, given that it's on clay.  Interested to see how he'll do at Queens & Wimbledon, as a defending champ.  Still got the summer hard-court swing before we can even start to look at his USO chances. 

EDIT ~ My, my... Genie came to play!  

EDIT 2 ~ 

 

[thadangerousmind]

I need Bouchard to pull it together STAT!

 

[Sinner]

Dreadful stuff by Masha today... 

  DF-ing twice on set point.  

Surprisingly tight.  

 

[champcruthik]

I need Bouchard to pull it together STAT!

Me and you, brotha. Don't worry, SP, I don't like Genie just for her looks. And she's not even my favorite WTA player, FTR.

 

[firepower]

Like I said before Maria's a slow starter... losing the 1st and then coming back has basically been her pattern over the last few months.

Still makes me nervous though.

HUGE break for Bouchard there, Maria needs to close this 2nd set out.

 

[Sinner]

It has to be said, it's nice to watch this match without any emotional-sportsfan attachment.  Stuff like this will drive people insane.  

 

[Sinner]

LOL, did not think Genie would hold there... 

 

[firepower]

Watching any sport as a neutral is always easier on the blood pressure, but hey, the emotion and stress is what we live for right? 

And as nervous as watching Masha makes me... watching Sabine is 100x more frustrating and stressful 

 

 

[Sinner]

Watching Sabine, you fear that she might get hurt... 

 

[firepower]

Also for the record since we're talking about it, I definitely watch these girls for the play and their personal stories/journeys first as much as anything. But I'd also be lying if I said I didn't think they were damn fine as well 

But (and again, as I've gone on record in this thread) ...my all time favorite player was Martina Navratilova... not a looker, but definitely an amazing woman both on & off the court.

Edit: 2nd set done!

 

[thadangerousmind]

Damn!

 

[Sinner]

Love-break for Masha to start it off... errors by Genie... nerves.

 

[champcruthik]

Watching any sport as a neutral is always easier on the blood pressure, but hey, the emotion and stress is what we live for right? 

And as nervous as watching Masha makes me... watching Sabine is 100x more frustrating and stressful   

I hurt for Rafa at the Australian, playing through pain and refusing to quit without his best stuff.

Halep in straights. Surprised Petkovic beat Errani. I had the Italian in the final.

 

[Sinner]

Huge get by Masha... brain-cramp by Genie there... 

 

[Sinner]

Oh Genie. 

Falling... and fast.  Spraying errors.