2019 Men's Wimbledon Championships

[herios]

Must have been a pretty decent win for Fed as Pouille can play pretty big. Now it's time to take out @kskate2 pretty boy. Roger can't let this pin up take away his glory.

3 life and death matches down, 4 to go!

Don't worry. Pretty boy's idol is Roger. He will be starstruck.

You know I could give 2 farts about your boy's legacy when it comes to my pinup.

Besides, Matteo is not a nobody.

Right on. He is one of the fastest rising young players on tour, right there after Stefanos and Felix.

 

[Moxie]

Anyone else happen to notice that Fognini is in trouble again for on-court comments? During his loss today to Sandgren, he was unhappy with the court, and appears to have said in Italian something to the effect of "I hope they put a bomb on this club." I saw him talking about it, and made some sort of apology that seemed far from convincing. Apparently, he's under some threat of suspension already for past bad behavior. Here is an article from the NYTimes in 2017, when, during the USO he was fined heavily for using sexist language against a female umpire, calling her, amongst other things, they said, a "whore." The article also makes mention of an ethnic slur he used against Krajinovic during a Wimbledon match in 2014. I'm having to rethink my renewed fandom of the Fog. It appears he really is more than a little bit of a boor.

 

[DarthFed]

I don't think it's a "feminine" view of legacy (I don't think we're talking about competition.) It's a rational person's view. Roger's all over the record books and will be forever. There is no obscurity in his future. Your view isn't a "masculine" view, it's the hysteria of a rabid fan.

In an individual sport legacy is about comparing yourself to your peers (competition). We all know the limitations comparing players of different eras but that is different when we compare players from the same era.

 

[Carol]

Anyone else happen to notice that Fognini is in trouble again for on-court comments? During his loss today to Sandgren, he was unhappy with the court, and appears to have said in Italian something to the effect of "I hope they put a bomb on this club." I saw him talking about it, and made some sort of apology that seemed far from convincing. Apparently, he's under some threat of suspension already for past bad behavior. Here is an article from the NYTimes in 2017, when, during the USO he was fined heavily for using sexist language against a female umpire, calling her, amongst other things, they said, a "whore." The article also makes mention of an ethnic slur he used against Krajinovic during a Wimbledon match in 2014. I'm having to rethink my renewed fandom of the Fog. It appears he really is more than a little bit of a boor.

 

[Moxie]

In an individual sport legacy is about comparing yourself to your peers (competition). We all know the limitations comparing players of different eras but that is different when we compare players from the same era.

Indeed. Fair point. They're all 3 in a race for the best of this era, which is an amazing one. I can understand why you're fretting about that. But long term, Fed has no worries that he's in the history books. You'd prefer that Rafa and Novak don't muddy the waters...but they have already, to some extent.

 

[brokenshoelace]

what's the chance all of them are biased in favour of Nick's talent? no other player gets their consensus in such a way, so good for you to admit that you are biased, against him.

btw who else in top 30 (or any ranking for that matter) has gone 40-60 against the big 3? fluke a couple matches I'd say is unlikely already, but he's played them like 15 times. at some point one can see why the tennis greats see Nick that way.

Free lesson, and you are welcome.

What other "special talent" has lost within the first round of a grand slam 16 straight times? To suggest that going 40/60 in a combined 15 matches or so is more significant that the abomination of 16 straight first week exits is a level of stupidity even you shouldn't be capable of.

Free lesson, you're welcome. Although at this rate I should start charging to make this worth my while.

 

[shawnbm]

Nadal looks formidable at the moment. He’s my pick to win the championship based on tennis level and attitude.

 

[tented]

Nadal looks formidable at the moment. He’s my pick to win the championship based on tennis level and attitude.

You think he would beat Novak in the final?

 

[shawnbm]

Based on his level the last two matched, yes I do, tented. His service is crackling good, his forehand is doing its usual winning duty and he is back to thumping the backhand with gusto. His confidence is sky high and he is aggressive—not passive aggressive as he has been too many years in London. He really looks impressive to me.

 

[tented]

Based on his level the last two matched, yes I do, tented. His service is crackling good, his forehand is doing its usual winning duty and he is back to thumping the backhand with gusto. His confidence is sky high and he is aggressive—not passive aggressive as he has been too many years in London. He really looks impressive to me.

I hope you’re right, my friend!

 

[shawnbm]

It is going to take superlative tenis to do Nadal in and that can only come from two players—who need not be named.

 

[shawnbm]

^ sounds like something out of Harry Potter what I wrote above about y’all know who. LOL

 

[shawnbm]

All kidding Aside, those two will have to bring their A game to have a chance at the level Rafa is imposing on his competitors.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Based on his level the last two matched, yes I do, tented. His service is crackling good, his forehand is doing its usual winning duty and he is back to thumping the backhand with gusto. His confidence is sky high and he is aggressive—not passive aggressive as he has been too many years in London. He really looks impressive to me.

I am thinking that facing and defeating Kyrgios allowed Nadal to find “that” gear. It’s like he needed that match in order for him to be mentally prepared on what’s coming at this fortnight. When he won that 3rd and 4th set against Nick, it’s like a big boulder was removed from his shoulder. Now, he’s mentally ready to to war!

 

[Moxie]

I am thinking that facing and defeating Kyrgios allowed Nadal to find “that” gear. It’s like he needed that match in order for him to be mentally prepared on what’s coming at this fortnight. When he won that 3rd and 4th set against Nick, it’s like a big boulder was removed from his shoulder. Now, he’s mentally ready to to war!

I agree that this is a certain advantage to Rafa, at this point. He has a signature win, and a huge boost in confidence. If we do get the Fedal SF, this could be the difference. Likewise to the F. Hard to think the finalist on the top half is anyone but Djokovic. For sure, he's capable of just lying in wait and then ripping the final. However, this could also be where an easy draw doesn't help him. The more "trial by fire" is in the bottom half. And, despite what Mrzz says, I don't think the most convincing player so far this tournament is Novak.

 

[atttomole]

All kidding Aside, those two will have to bring their A game to have a chance at the level Rafa is imposing on his competitors.

There is a caveat to that though. Remember what people were saying leading up to the Australian Open final this year? Nadal was in the zone, but he lost in a lopsided final. I am not saying it will be the same this time.

 

[Moxie]

There is a caveat to that though. Remember what people were saying leading up to the Australian Open final this year? Nadal was in the zone, but he lost in a lopsided final. I am not saying it will be the same this time.

Yes, but he was cruising through he draw like Novak is now. Where was his signature win? Nothing to trouble him. Unlike now. Plus AO is Joker's house. Different shuffle of the deck, I'd say.

 

[DarthFed]

Yes, but he was cruising through he draw like Novak is now. Where was his signature win? Nothing to trouble him. Unlike now. Plus AO is Joker's house. Different shuffle of the deck, I'd say.

I'm not sure I'd call Kyrgios a signature win. Nick was all serve this past match. Of course you will call it bitterness but Kyrgios could barely move he's in such poor shape now so he was not any kind of a problem from the baseline.

Rafa's form in AO looked more deadly and he especially destroyed Tsitsipas in the semis. I think by the time the finals rolled around you kind of knew Novak would tune him just because he was as deadly in the semis vs. Pouille and generally if he's playing well he destroys Nadal off clay. It is the nature of their matchup. Shawn said Novak would have to bring the A game to have a chance to beat Nadal. If that's the final I think it's the other way around, except A++ game for Rafa, serve insanely big with a high % and play first strike tennis and hope for more misses than normal. On anything slow that isn't high...it is basically Novak's house. I don't think Roger would have much of a chance in the final against him either.

 

[atttomole]

Yes, but he was cruising through he draw like Novak is now. Where was his signature win? Nothing to trouble him. Unlike now. Plus AO is Joker's house. Different shuffle of the deck, I'd say.

Its not like Nadal beat an on-fire Kyrgios. And he faced Tsonga, who could not buy a first serve. Tsonga was so languid that I won't be surprised if he retires next week. However, I agree that the win against Kyrgios might propel Nadal to the final. The surface is playing to his liking.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I agree that this is a certain advantage to Rafa, at this point. He has a signature win, and a huge boost in confidence. If we do get the Fedal SF, this could be the difference. Likewise to the F. Hard to think the finalist on the top half is anyone but Djokovic. For sure, he's capable of just lying in wait and then ripping the final. However, this could also be where an easy draw doesn't help him. The more "trial by fire" is in the bottom half. And, despite what Mrzz says, I don't think the most convincing player so far this tournament is Novak.

In a way, Nadal's win over Kyrgios reminds me of his win over Zverev in the 3rd round of 2017 AO. After that tough 5 set win, he was so energized and happy like he just won the tournament.

Also, other than the first game of the match and the 4th set tiebreaker, both Kyrgios and Nadal were playing some good quality tennis. Kyrgios settled down after the first game of the match and played well and Nadal played really well in both tiebreaks.

It is why he was so pumped up and somewhat relieved that he played well against a very tricky opponent Nick Kyrgios. He knew he had to step up and he delivered in the clutch.