2019 Men's Wimbledon Championships

[DarthFed]

^ MonFed I don’t like so much backcourt play either, even by Fed himself, but the strings and racquets have made the game more homogeneous, I believe even more than the different grass. He is a step slower and does not hit the running forehand like a decade ago, but his service and more aggressive backhand return of service still bring him titles—to say nothing of his mental prowess still being keen. I don’t believe all is rigged—and is like to see him win SW19 again.

Fed's obvious decline doesn't have anything to do with the conditions being obnoxiously slow. Decline and all he would be a lot better on any other grass court than this one. And as we know the opposite would be true for Nadal and Djokovic.

 

[Moxie]

nick k is not as fit as he used to be..now he is 24, we can agree.

lifestyle (boozing in the pub/computer games) and lack of training have caught up with him. oh well.

Career tragically cut short.

 

[tented]

Truthfully, gun to one's head, how many people at the time thought he'd win 2 straight TBS against Kyrgios?

I will admit I was nervous when the third went to a tiebreak, wondering if Nick would begin hitting ace after ace, combined with knowing Rafa would not begin hitting ace after ace. And yes, the commentators in the US mentioned countless times before it even began that Rafa had never won a tiebreak against Kyrgios.

At the same time, Kyrgios was clearly not playing at the same level he was when he beat Rafa here several years ago (how many aces in that match, vs. the other day?) so I didn’t think Rafa was completely doomed before the first point was played. Nadal was on a mission — to beat Nick (the guy who had beat him here before, and had been making negative comments about him) and to stay in the tournament, thus not suffer yet another early loss.

Yet, even if Kyrgios had won the third set tiebreak, I wouldn’t have been panicked, because I knew Rafa would have been ready to go 5 — Nick, not so much.

 

[Fiero425]

I will admit I was nervous when the third went to a tiebreak, wondering if Nick would begin hitting ace after ace, combined with knowing Rafa would not begin hitting ace after ace. And yes, the commentators in the US mentioned countless times before it even began that Rafa had never won a tiebreak against Kyrgios.

At the same time, Kyrgios was clearly not playing at the same level he was when he beat Rafa here several years ago (how many aces in that match, vs. the other day?) so I didn’t think Rafa was completely doomed before the first point was played. Nadal was on a mission — to beat Nick (the guy who had beat him here before, and had been making negative comments about him) and to stay in the tournament, thus not suffer yet another early loss.

Yet, even if Kyrgios had won the third set tiebreak, I wouldn’t have been panicked, because I knew Rafa would have been ready to go 5 — Nick, not so much.

People mention Kyrgios' lack of training and boozing to all hours! Back in the day, that's how all the Aussie's got it done; and were proud of it! You have to go way, way back to have the work ethic students of Harry Hopman had! From Newcombe, Roche, Alexander, Case, Edmondson, Dibley, Dent, Ruffels, Warrick, & all the rest; they joked about drinking one another under the table during a tournament! The AO was almost illegitimate as a major early on in the Open Era! There was limited seeding with what seemed like a handful of outsiders while the rest of the draw was packed with Aussies! That could be hyperbole or not, but that's how I remember it! I never saw a telecast on TV until maybe the early 80's; esp. with Navratilova and Evert making the yearly pilgrimage "down under!" :whistle:

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I will admit I was nervous when the third went to a tiebreak, wondering if Nick would begin hitting ace after ace, combined with knowing Rafa would not begin hitting ace after ace. And yes, the commentators in the US mentioned countless times before it even began that Rafa had never won a tiebreak against Kyrgios.

At the same time, Kyrgios was clearly not playing at the same level he was when he beat Rafa here several years ago (how many aces in that match, vs. the other day?) so I didn’t think Rafa was completely doomed before the first point was played. Nadal was on a mission — to beat Nick (the guy who had beat him here before, and had been making negative comments about him) and to stay in the tournament, thus not suffer yet another early loss.

Yet, even if Kyrgios had won the third set tiebreak, I wouldn’t have been panicked, because I knew Rafa would have been ready to go 5 — Nick, not so much.

Did anyone notice the 'fatigue' around Nick's eyes even during the 2nd set,actually got worse in the 3rd set,he dosen't bother to train,he openly admits that,also hanging out at a pub the night before a match which sums up his attitude to the sport.Nick just wants to have fun,if that is his intention fine,though he better watch his ranking,he might have to do qualifer's to make a GS event in the future,.heaven help him,he might actually have to train.BTW when you are mentally tired it does impair your shot selection and reaction on court,some of Nicks shot selection especially in the 4th set t/breaker were below par.

 

[Carol]

He was until 11 pm in that Pub where he knows everybody goes there and they can see him. He likes that people think he is a "bad guy, he doesn't take care of himself, he doesn't care to win or not".....that's bull ****, still I remember how he was crying when he lost to Federer in the Laver Cup and how much show he likes to do when he is losing in every match. His problem is that he has talent...yeah...like everyone who plays as professional but not enough to win a MS and much less a GS, great service but not too much else besides his style is very ugly

 

[Moxie]

Did anyone notice the 'fatigue' around Nick's eyes even during the 2nd set,actually got worse in the 3rd set,he dosen't bother to train,he openly admits that,also hanging out at a pub the night before a match which sums up his attitude to the sport.Nick just wants to have fun,if that is his intention fine,though he better watch his ranking,he might have to do qualifer's to make a GS event in the future,.heaven help him,he might actually have to train.BTW when you are mentally tired it does impair your shot selection and reaction on court,some of Nicks shot selection especially in the 3rd set t/breaker were below par.

It's interesting the endless discussion over whether Nick is really talented or if he's just hiding behind lack of effort. Who knows, really, what goes on with Nick? In a New Yorker profile piece, he said that he likes Monfils' career...the guy has fun and makes a lot of money. Maybe that's all that Kyrgios is up for. You really can't make him care more than he does.

 

[Carol]

I don't think he did to be honest. Kyrgios had the most say in the outcome by mucking up those TBs but yet still it took all of what I already typed multiple times already in order for Nadal to win and just to back that up, Nadal celebrated like he'd won the whole tournament but it was a 2nd round match...

And what about Kyrgios and his box everytime he did a point, he was dancing and yelling like a wolf! of course Rafa was very happy to send him home it doesn't matter in the first, second or third round

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

Career tragically cut short.

deader than death.

 

[Moxie]

Ok, tomorrow: Nadal starts early v. Sousa. Only clay results in H2H. Sousa showing a new side of himself. But still. Probably no worries. Djokovic v. Humbert...even on Court 1, not a prayer for Humbert. Federer v. Berrettini...now this one could have some fizz. Not least because @kskate2 and her witchiness has put the whammy on Roger, in a double-down with Darth. TF grudge match.

As to the lower cards:

Nishikori v. Kukushkin
Goffin v. Verdasco
Pella v. Raonic
Querrey v. Sandgren

I got Querrey, but no idea about the others. Verdasco and Pella on oddly strong runs.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I would like the Kuku-Nishi match to go a long five sets. Never watched Berrettini so I do not know what he brings to the table.

 

[DarthFed]

I would like the Kuku-Nishi match to go a long five sets. Never watched Berrettini so I do not know what he brings to the table.

Me either, the guy seems to be doing well lately though. Roger isn't having his career potentially ruined by this guy as long as he's ready to treat these matches as life and death. Let's see if his mentality is where it needs to be.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Me either, the guy seems to be doing well lately though. Roger isn't having his career potentially ruined by this guy as long as he's ready to treat these matches as life and death. Let's see if his mentality is where it needs to be.

The truth is, I am not seeing Roger beating Rafa on these courts any more so I am not sure how upset I would be if he lost to a guy like Berrettini.

 

[DarthFed]

The truth is, I am not seeing Roger beating Rafa on these courts any more so I am not sure how upset I would be if he lost to a guy like Berrettini.

It's a bye to the finals though if Roger goes down. I will take my chances. People can mock my mentality but I'd imagine Roger's ain't too far off of it. He's worked a long time to just let Nadal ruin his career without a real fight.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

It's a bye to the finals though if Roger goes down. I will take my chances. People can mock my mentality but I'd imagine Roger's ain't too far off of it. He's worked a long time to just let Nadal ruin his career without a real fight.

Oh he will fight. It is just that his shots are not penetrating anymore on this surface. The slice does not look like it is skidding off the surface anymore. Who knows, he may even pull it off but all I am seeing is Roger trying to hit winners, rafa defending like he usually does and Roger making the error in the end. I would not be this negative if this was Cincy and this is supposed to be grass for fucks sakes...

 

[DarthFed]

Oh he will fight. It is just that his shots are not penetrating anymore on this surface. The slice does not look like it is skidding off the surface anymore. Who knows, he may even pull it off but all I am seeing is Roger trying to hit winners, rafa defending like he usually does and Roger making the error in the end. I would not be this negative if this was Cincy and this is supposed to be grass for fucks sakes...

Cincy is way way faster than this so yeah. This is more like a medium hard court which is why I think Djoker is the enormous favorite regardless of form before the final. My worry is playing RG and just predictably going down without a fight to Nadal may have helped even the field in a potential semi here.

 

[tented]

Roger isn't having his career potentially ruined by this guy as long as he's ready to treat these matches as life and death. Let's see if his mentality is where it needs to be.

I think Rafa and Roger always take their matches seriously. They’re in it to win it, otherwise they wouldn’t be there. Rafa has stated that he doesn’t enter a tournament unless he thinks he can win it; as recently as RG, Roger talked about needing to make it to Rafa in order to have a chance to win.

Think of how hard Federer fought in the 2011 RG semi against Novak, knowing before he took court that if he won, he would face Nadal — the guy who destroyed him the last time they played there in 2008. Think of how hard Rafa has played the last couple of years on hard courts to get to a SF or final against Novak, knowing these matches haven’t been going well in this period. It’s only fans who think they’re not treating them like life and death.

 

[DarthFed]

I think Rafa and Roger always take their matches seriously. They’re in it to win it, otherwise they wouldn’t be there. Rafa has stated that he doesn’t enter a tournament unless he thinks he can win it; as recently as RG, Roger talked about needing to make it to Rafa in order to have a chance to win.

Think of how hard Federer fought in the 2011 RG semi against Novak, knowing before he took court that if he won, he would face Nadal — the guy who destroyed him the last time they played there in 2008. Think of how hard Rafa has played the last couple of years on hard courts to get to a SF or final against Novak, knowing these matches haven’t been going well in this period. It’s only fans who think they’re not treating them like life and death.

There are ups and downs in terms of energy/motivation etc. I had a feeling we'd be seeing a really bad drop in play from Roger after he got back to #1 last year and not because of his age. This tournament obviously is enormous legacy-wise. This isn't anywhere near the same thing as say, this year's AO or last year's USO for Roger for many reasons but chief among them is the threat. There is an enormous difference between what almost anyone with sense currently calls the GOAT and a guy who isn't even the best of his era. That is what they are fighting for here.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It's interesting the endless discussion over whether Nick is really talented or if he's just hiding behind lack of effort. Who knows, really, what goes on with Nick? In a New Yorker profile piece, he said that he likes Monfils' career...the guy has fun and makes a lot of money. Maybe that's all that Kyrgios is up for. You really can't make him care more than he does.

Sorry this reply is a tad late I had a chiro appointment,

Remember the proverb.....You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink? that sums up Nick to me.Quite frankly I am over him,so are many sports commentators and people here in Australia,are as well.The only comparison with Monfils and Nick are they both clown around on the tennis court.Monfils is a naturally gifted athlete,where Nick is not,Monfils has never reached his full potential,most French players have good technique,though their mentality is lacking Monfils and Nick have that in common..If money is his God,I feel sorry for him,Nick at times on court dosen't want to be there,only when it suits him.

 

[tented]

There are ups and downs in terms of energy/motivation etc. I had a feeling we'd be seeing a really bad drop in play from Roger after he got back to #1 last year and not because of his age. This tournament obviously is enormous legacy-wise. This isn't anywhere near the same thing as say, this year's AO or last year's USO for Roger for many reasons but chief among them is the threat. There is an enormous difference between what almost anyone with sense currently calls the GOAT and a guy who isn't even the best of his era. That is what they are fighting for here.

They know, and they’re both taking it deadly seriously. I think one of their biggest problems going forward will be their nerves. I practically hold my breath when either of them are serving to stay in a set, for example, waiting to see if they get broken. I worry about Roger in terms of his age, and whether or not his energy can be maintained throughout a major, but also knowing he’s always taking it deadly seriously, IMO.