Are the Big Four Back? (Or is it too soon to say?)

[Riotbeard]

@ BS: To be fair, Wawrinka did win monte carlo after these posts were written, so mark down at least on accurate prediction for herios. Also outside a near win to rafa, it's not like murray has been tearing up the clay season, so out side of a deep run here, I would say more a wash than anything...

 

[Iona16]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I think when it comes to Andy at RG that people focus too much on the surface. It's never going to be Andy's favourite surface and I'm not sure he'll ever feel 100% on it but he is still an elite player. I've already seen Verdasco labelled the favourite on other sites based purely on the surface. Their h2h is 9-1 for my boy. Now he might lose tomorrow but my money is on Andy.

 

[Riotbeard]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I think when it comes to Andy at RG that people focus too much on the surface. It's never going to be Andy's favourite surface and I'm not sure he'll ever feel 100% on it but he is still an elite player. I've already seen Verdasco labelled the favourite on other sites based purely on the surface. Their h2h is 9-1 for my boy. Now he might lose tomorrow but my money is on Andy.

Andy does not have elite results on clay though. That being said, while I give nando a puncher's chance, Andy should be making it to the quarters at least.

 

[brokenshoelace]

@ BS: To be fair, Wawrinka did win monte carlo after these posts were written, so mark down at least on accurate prediction for herios. Also outside a near win to rafa, it's not like murray has been tearing up the clay season, so out side of a deep run here, I would say more a wash than anything...

A) I wasn't doing it to be "fair." I was doing it to be a jerk

B) In the very posts I quoted, I explicitly mentioned that I do NOT expect Murray to do that well on clay, including Roland Garros. However, I said that it's preposterous to claim that Fabio Fognini would be more of a factor, and of course, it ended up being true, since one is a two time slam champion and the other is...well, Fabio Fognini.

(I could swear I've had this exact same conversation with you in this thread before).

 

[brokenshoelace]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

In my defense, I disagreed with the above posts back when they were posted. That's why I actually bring them up now. It's not strictly a hindsight thing.

 

[Iona16]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I think when it comes to Andy at RG that people focus too much on the surface. It's never going to be Andy's favourite surface and I'm not sure he'll ever feel 100% on it but he is still an elite player. I've already seen Verdasco labelled the favourite on other sites based purely on the surface. Their h2h is 9-1 for my boy. Now he might lose tomorrow but my money is on Andy.

Andy does not have elite results on clay though. That being said, while I give nando a puncher's chance, Andy should be making it to the quarters at least.

Verdasco, GGL, Monfils and Murray are Rafa's potential semi-final opponents. Who do you think Rafa would least to see?

 

[Iona16]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

In my defense, I disagreed with the above posts back when they were posted. That's why I actually bring them up now. It's not strictly a hindsight thing.

Oh I know you did. I'm just laughing at hindsight in general. I love reading back match threads on Murray's site. The best one is the US Open 2012 thread when the fans were saying he'd blown it after Novak made it 2-2.

 

[nehmeth]

Verdasco, GGL, Monfils and Murray are Rafa's potential semi-final opponents. Who do you think Rafa would least like to see?

Well, he needs to get past Ferrer. But Andy played him pretty close until he imploded in Rome. I'd wager your guy is the fellow he'd like to see the least.

 

[I.Haychew]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I think when it comes to Andy at RG that people focus too much on the surface. It's never going to be Andy's favourite surface and I'm not sure he'll ever feel 100% on it but he is still an elite player. I've already seen Verdasco labelled the favourite on other sites based purely on the surface. Their h2h is 9-1 for my boy. Now he might lose tomorrow but my money is on Andy.

Andy does not have elite results on clay though. That being said, while I give nando a puncher's chance, Andy should be making it to the quarters at least.

Verdasco, GGL, Monfils and Murray are Rafa's potential semi-final opponents. Who do you think Rafa would least to see?

Kevin Anderson...







...Cut me some slack. He's all I have lepht! L:cry

 

[TennisFanatic7]

Clay is obviously Andy's weakest surface but people seem to get carried away with how poor his results actually are. Worst result at Roland Garros on his last five visits if you include this year is the last 16, which is a much better record than most players, with Nadal, Djokovic, Federer and Ferrer the only exceptions of the active guys. At this point there's no way he should accept anything less than a semi-final run for me given the way the draw has panned out.

Even on this surface he's a bigger threat to Rafa over 5 sets than Verdasco, Monfils or Garcia-Lopez. Of course I hold out very little hope of him actually beating Nadal if he gets that far though, and I wouldn't fancy his chances if it turns out to be David Ferrer either.

 

[Iona16]

Verdasco, GGL, Monfils and Murray are Rafa's potential semi-final opponents. Who do you think Rafa would least like to see?

Well, he needs to get past Ferrer. But Andy played him pretty close until he imploded in Rome. I'd wager your guy is the fellow he'd like to see the least.

I'm speaking hypothetically of course. My point is that clay credentials or not when asked who he'd least like to face I think Rafa would say Andy. Who do you think Novak would least like to play in a (hypothetical) final? Of those 4. I'd guess Andy again.

 

[Moxie]

^ Personally, I've never bought into writing off Murray because of clay. In Slams, he's a bigger threat than almost anyone, and I'm sure he's who Rafa would say he'd least like to see in the SF. However, I'm judging on form and head. Andy's gone back to some of his pre-Lendl antics, and he was his own worst enemy v. Kohly. I like Verdasco's chances because of the QF last year at Wimbledon, which will give him some confidence, along with his results this past week. If Fernando gets ahead of him, he could take him, though it's not like Verdasco is predictably reliable, either. It'll be an interesting one, I think…especially if Andy pulls his head and his game back together, realizing that he has to stop going walkabout.

 

[TennisFanatic7]

That has been the biggest worry with Andy this year, going mentally walkabout and beating himself up, losing focus and giving himself work to do to save matches. Sometimes he's given himself too much to do, like against Giraldo in Madrid and Raonic in Indian Wells.

The most confusing part is that he's acknowledged it himself in his interviews yet he's taken so long to appoint someone new and in that time he's played three Masters 1000 events and a slam, and who knows if he'll definitely have someone in place for Wimbledon? But I suppose he just wants to make sure he gets the right guy.

 

[Ricardo]

Murray was so good with Lendl, pity Ivan couldn't commit for long. Hopefully he finds someone similar, strong character and calmness under pressure and install that into him.

 

[Fiero425]

Murray was so good with Lendl, pity Ivan couldn't commit for long. Hopefully he finds someone similar, strong character and calmness under pressure and install that into him.

There are other veterans he can hire; maybe Jimmy Connors! lol! :nono :angel:

 

[Moxie]

That has been the biggest worry with Andy this year, going mentally walkabout and beating himself up, losing focus and giving himself work to do to save matches. Sometimes he's given himself too much to do, like against Giraldo in Madrid and Raonic in Indian Wells.

The most confusing part is that he's acknowledged it himself in his interviews yet he's taken so long to appoint someone new and in that time he's played three Masters 1000 events and a slam, and who knows if he'll definitely have someone in place for Wimbledon? But I suppose he just wants to make sure he gets the right guy.

Or "gal," as apparently he's considered a woman to coach him. Clearly, he needs someone he respects. I'm so surprised that, after Lendl settled him down, that he didn't take that into his post-Lendl period, even without a coach. He's sort of gone back to his old ways. I would have thought that, learning what he did from having Lendl might have created some "muscle-memory" for calm. That doesn't seem to be the case. He really does seem to need a coach that tolerates no BS or antics.

 

[Fiero425]

That has been the biggest worry with Andy this year, going mentally walkabout and beating himself up, losing focus and giving himself work to do to save matches. Sometimes he's given himself too much to do, like against Giraldo in Madrid and Raonic in Indian Wells.

The most confusing part is that he's acknowledged it himself in his interviews yet he's taken so long to appoint someone new and in that time he's played three Masters 1000 events and a slam, and who knows if he'll definitely have someone in place for Wimbledon? But I suppose he just wants to make sure he gets the right guy.

Or "gal," as apparently he's considered a woman to coach him. Clearly, he needs someone he respects. I'm so surprised that, after Lendl settled him down, that he didn't take that into his post-Lendl period, even without a coach. He's sort of gone back to his old ways. I would have thought that, learning what he did from having Lendl might have created some "muscle-memory" for calm. That doesn't seem to be the case. He really does seem to need a coach that tolerates no BS or antics.

IIRC, only Russian male pro Evgeny Kafelnikov had a female coach! Andy's mom did what she could, but he probably needs to break that and get independent help! - - - Gloria Connors started Jimmy out I guess!

 

[Moxie]

That has been the biggest worry with Andy this year, going mentally walkabout and beating himself up, losing focus and giving himself work to do to save matches. Sometimes he's given himself too much to do, like against Giraldo in Madrid and Raonic in Indian Wells.

The most confusing part is that he's acknowledged it himself in his interviews yet he's taken so long to appoint someone new and in that time he's played three Masters 1000 events and a slam, and who knows if he'll definitely have someone in place for Wimbledon? But I suppose he just wants to make sure he gets the right guy.

Or "gal," as apparently he's considered a woman to coach him. Clearly, he needs someone he respects. I'm so surprised that, after Lendl settled him down, that he didn't take that into his post-Lendl period, even without a coach. He's sort of gone back to his old ways. I would have thought that, learning what he did from having Lendl might have created some "muscle-memory" for calm. That doesn't seem to be the case. He really does seem to need a coach that tolerates no BS or antics.

IIRC, only Russian male pro Evgeny Kafelnikov had a female coach! Andy's mom did what she could, but he probably needs to break that and get independent help! - - - Gloria Connors started Jimmy out I guess!

I'm just reporting what has been rumored. I think Navratilova is one name they were tossing around there. Since it's coming to the wire, who do people think it might be? It sounds like Andy's decided, but he's just being coy about the reveal.

 

[Fiero425]

That has been the biggest worry with Andy this year, going mentally walkabout and beating himself up, losing focus and giving himself work to do to save matches. Sometimes he's given himself too much to do, like against Giraldo in Madrid and Raonic in Indian Wells.

The most confusing part is that he's acknowledged it himself in his interviews yet he's taken so long to appoint someone new and in that time he's played three Masters 1000 events and a slam, and who knows if he'll definitely have someone in place for Wimbledon? But I suppose he just wants to make sure he gets the right guy.

Or "gal," as apparently he's considered a woman to coach him. Clearly, he needs someone he respects. I'm so surprised that, after Lendl settled him down, that he didn't take that into his post-Lendl period, even without a coach. He's sort of gone back to his old ways. I would have thought that, learning what he did from having Lendl might have created some "muscle-memory" for calm. That doesn't seem to be the case. He really does seem to need a coach that tolerates no BS or antics.

IIRC, only Russian male pro Evgeny Kafelnikov had a female coach! Andy's mom did what she could, but he probably needs to break that and get independent help! - - - Gloria Connors started Jimmy out I guess!

I'm just reporting what has been rumored. I think Navratilova is one name they were tossing around there. Since it's coming to the wire, who do people think it might be? It sounds like Andy's decided, but he's just being coy about the reveal.

...and like Hingis, Martina can play mixed doubles with him and maybe acquire another Wimbledon title! lol! :clap :snigger :laydownlaughing

 

[Moxie]

That has been the biggest worry with Andy this year, going mentally walkabout and beating himself up, losing focus and giving himself work to do to save matches. Sometimes he's given himself too much to do, like against Giraldo in Madrid and Raonic in Indian Wells.

The most confusing part is that he's acknowledged it himself in his interviews yet he's taken so long to appoint someone new and in that time he's played three Masters 1000 events and a slam, and who knows if he'll definitely have someone in place for Wimbledon? But I suppose he just wants to make sure he gets the right guy.

Or "gal," as apparently he's considered a woman to coach him. Clearly, he needs someone he respects. I'm so surprised that, after Lendl settled him down, that he didn't take that into his post-Lendl period, even without a coach. He's sort of gone back to his old ways. I would have thought that, learning what he did from having Lendl might have created some "muscle-memory" for calm. That doesn't seem to be the case. He really does seem to need a coach that tolerates no BS or antics.

IIRC, only Russian male pro Evgeny Kafelnikov had a female coach! Andy's mom did what she could, but he probably needs to break that and get independent help! - - - Gloria Connors started Jimmy out I guess!

I'm just reporting what has been rumored. I think Navratilova is one name they were tossing around there. Since it's coming to the wire, who do people think it might be? It sounds like Andy's decided, but he's just being coy about the reveal.

...and like Hingis, Martina can play mixed doubles with him and maybe acquire another Wimbledon title! lol! :clap :snigger :laydownlaughing

Not so helpful in terms of what the rumors are. Anyone?