ATP World Tour Finals

[Federberg]

I didn't see that result coming... I thought Novak was locked in, particularly after the semis and Murray's battle with Milos. Will have to watch the match later to catch up.

Neither did I. I actually thought that Novak was finding his way back to his old self. If he doesn't win the AO next year, then we might be looking at a post-prime Novak. I hate to say it, but at some point that discussion will have to start getting real. The second half of this year has been inexplicable. Just goes to show, this stuff suddenly happens for no real reason. That doesn't mean he doesn't still win a bucket load of slams, but maybe we shouldn't expect that Federer-esque dominance to continue anymore

 

[DarthFed]

Big time win for Murray. His first YEC and also finishes the year at #1, he's boosted the resume quite a bit this year and figures to have his best chance yet at AO next year.

 

[Moxie]

Neither did I. I actually thought that Novak was finding his way back to his old self. If he doesn't win the AO next year, then we might be looking at a post-prime Novak. I hate to say it, but at some point that discussion will have to start getting real. The second half of this year has been inexplicable. Just goes to show, this stuff suddenly happens for no real reason. That doesn't mean he doesn't still win a bucket load of slams, but maybe we shouldn't expect that Federer-esque dominance to continue anymore

I was also surprised how he seemed back to himself one day, and so off the next. Murray played very well and was focused, but Djokovic made a lot of UFEs. No one's run lasts forever. It'll be interesting to see how both start the new season.

 

[Carol]

I haven't seen the match but I'm going to see the replay soon. Muzz has deserved to win after to play against tougher opponents reaching the final with more effort and IMO he has played this tournament better than Novak

 

[Moxie]

Decent recap of what has changed for Murray...well, um, his forehand: http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016...ovic-no-1-atp-world-tour-finals-london/62530/

 

[Backhand_DTL]

I was also surprised how he seemed back to himself one day, and so off the next. Murray played very well and was focused, but Djokovic made a lot of UFEs. No one's run lasts forever. It'll be interesting to see how both start the new season.

It actually reminded me of Madrid last year where Rafa finally looked like himself in convincingly defeating Berdych in the semi final but followed it up with a really bad performance against Andy in the final.

That Novak's level of the match against Nishikori wasn't there was evident from the start as he failed to even create a break point despite Andy serving two double faults in the first game and overall having to hit a lot of second serves at the start of the match on which Novak regularly made return errors. Then after that insecurity passed into his own service games it turned really ugly until 1:4 in the second set. From then on his timing seemed to come back but some further bad errors in the last game meant the deficit he put himself into was already too big. But Andy deserves a lot of credit for playing at a solid level and serving well from the middle of the first set on as well showing a willingness to play long rallies from the start instead of trying to be overly aggressive despite his efforts of the last two months and especially this tournament and clearly legitimated his No. 1 ranking with this win.

For Novak it's a strange end to the season as during this tournament he showed that his passion for the sport and fighting spirit are returning and his top level is still there but also finally that he's still far away from being the player he was until the French Open this year and the doubts about his future as a dominant player remain. Personally he will probably be able to assess the week as a positive and might treat it as a reason to believe that a good off-season should be enough to fully get him back on track for the start of the next season.

 

[isabelle]

congrats Andy and Ivan, both of you deserve this fantastic N°1 spot

 

[Ricardo]

I haven't seen the match but I'm going to see the replay soon. Muzz has deserved to win after to play against tougher opponents reaching the final with more effort and IMO he has played this tournament better than Novak

absolutely, it was tougher draw for him to start with. also felt like he was keener than Novak, justifiably as he had more at stake....especially the number one ranking, Novak had that for long time and understandably it was less motivating for him.

 

[Ricardo]

It actually reminded me of Madrid last year where Rafa finally looked like himself in convincingly defeating Berdych in the semi final but followed it up with a really bad performance against Andy in the final.

That Novak's level of the match against Nishikori wasn't there was evident from the start as he failed to even create a break point despite Andy serving two double faults in the first game and overall having to hit a lot of second serves at the start of the match on which Novak regularly made return errors. Then after that insecurity passed into his own service games it turned really ugly until 1:4 in the second set. From then on his timing seemed to come back but some further bad errors in the last game meant the deficit he put himself into was already too big. But Andy deserves a lot of credit for playing at a solid level and serving well from the middle of the first set on as well showing a willingness to play long rallies from the start instead of trying to be overly aggressive despite his efforts of the last two months and especially this tournament and clearly legitimated his No. 1 ranking with this win.

For Novak it's a strange end to the season as during this tournament he showed that his passion for the sport and fighting spirit are returning and his top level is still there but also finally that he's still far away from being the player he was until the French Open this year and the doubts about his future as a dominant player remain. Personally he will probably be able to assess the week as a positive and might treat it as a reason to believe that a good off-season should be enough to fully get him back on track for the start of the next season.

I wouldn't say that its strange his level isn't the same as against Nishikori. First Kei didn't play well himself, and you can't use Novak's peak runs (like 2011 and up to RG this year) as his norm as players do have highs and lows.......applies to every player, Novak is no exception. Murray has been on a tear himself since Lendl joined him, how many tournaments he won since then? but i wouldn't say its in any way strange if he can't maintain that run next year, in fact he probably won't. It's good on him that he's played solid all throughout the last few months, so same can be said that his career runs won't last.

Both Murray and Novak are getting up there age-wise, it should be reasonable to expect that they would be less consistent and may have more bad losses in up coming future. Shouldn't be shocking to see that at all.

 

[Ricardo]

congrats Andy and Ivan, both of you deserve this fantastic N°1 spot

finally someone acknowledges Lendl's role here, another clear example of pre-Lendl/post-Lendl where the difference is just huge. Funny when you look back at posts where some people were so simplistic saying it's players who win the matches and the effect of coach is not so much. It's proven once again how important coaches are, often it's whats needed to turn an already very good player into an all timer.....just taking it up to that next level. Murray was a wimp before Lendl took him, and for the second time he's got amazing results after Ivan took him again. The normal Murray in this YEC wouldn't have been so strong, after the tough previous rounds he would've found a way to lose the final and finding excuse that he was tired.....which he was rightfully. But this time we see that as someone who stepped up and really gave it all he got, instead of going back to whinging and whining.

Make no mistake, Murray is still a wimp by nature and Lendl just made him to act like a man. In comparison, it's laughable how some tried to credit Mauresmo with this and that, exception there were no results under her guidance......nothing against Emily, but facts speak for themselves.

 

[britbox]

Lendl has had a huge positive impact on Murray... I do think it varies from player to player though...

I was chatting to somebody today about Kyrgios... trying to figure out who might make a positive impact as a coach....

 

[Backhand_DTL]

I wouldn't say that its strange his level isn't the same as against Nishikori. First Kei didn't play well himself, and you can't use Novak's peak runs (like 2011 and up to RG this year) as his norm as players do have highs and lows.......applies to every player, Novak is no exception. Murray has been on a tear himself since Lendl joined him, how many tournaments he won since then? but i wouldn't say its in any way strange if he can't maintain that run next year, in fact he probably won't. It's good on him that he's played solid all throughout the last few months, so same can be said that his career runs won't last.

Both Murray and Novak are getting up there age-wise, it should be reasonable to expect that they would be less consistent and may have more bad losses in up coming future. Shouldn't be shocking to see that at all.

Of course Nishikori not playing that well himself made it easier for Novak to dictate but from the start or at least since getting the first break he still had a totally different demeanor in that match and seemed energetic, self assured and like he really enjoyed himself on court for the first time in months. In the final he started sluggish with missing returns on a notable number of second serves and making errors in rallies quite early, so he made more mistakes despite hitting with a lower quality of shot and then looked resigned to defeat as soon as the free points on his serve weren't coming anymore. And since the US Open 2014 performances like that simply didn't happen with Novak in big matches but increasing age and the drive he had until the French Open being gone for now might very well mean something like that will happen more often in the future.

I also think that he entered the matches low on confidence recently but the matches against Thiem, Goffin and Nishikori showed that Novak's level can rise rapidly as soon as he gets some momentum going and creates a bit of breathing room for himself. On the other hand the matches against Bautista Agut, Cilic and Andy indicated that he is prone to breaking down when someone can stay with him for the whole match. With the effort Andy put in to get to No. 1 since the US Open a letdown in the near future also wouldn't surprise me but having the off season now should help him in avoiding that. Nevertheless it will be interesting to see if he can keep up the intensity he showed in recent weeks after reaching the desired mile stone.

 

[DarthFed]

Lendl has had a huge positive impact on Murray... I do think it varies from player to player though...

I was chatting to somebody today about Kyrgios... trying to figure out who might make a positive impact as a coach....

I'm not sure Kyrgios can be reigned in but if it's possible it figures to be a no nonsense guy like Lendl.

 

[Ricardo]

I'm not sure Kyrgios can be reigned in but if it's possible it figures to be a no nonsense guy like Lendl.

Lendl is hot property right now, imagine he leaves Murray and works with Kyrgios.....players would be laughing, as we all know what real Andy is like.

 

[teddytennisfan]

belated



CONGRATULATIONS TO ANDY MURRAY FOR A HIGHLY DESERVED
CONFIRMATION OF HIS RISE TO NUMBER ONE BY DEFEATING DEFENDING CHAMPION NOVAK DJOKOVIC!

CONGRATULATIONS ALSO TO NOVAK DJOKOVIC FOR HIS RUN TO THE FINALS.


============================

IMO: andy simply played better over-all, he competed with more intensity which was a very critical thing, i think - the old 'who wants it more' thing...

and nole still has not quite overcome some disappointments in the second half of the year and a dip in his accustomed excellence. but he'll come back and rebound from the year's second half difficulties.

in the meantime - ANDY deserves to relish his ascendance to the ''top of the world" in his career and solidify his talent's promise many in the world expected him to achieve some day and here it is.


LET'S wish the players - good rest, vacation - good holiday season and a fresh new, re-energized, re-committed New Year 2017.







!!

 

[teddytennisfan]

Lendl has had a huge positive impact on Murray... I do think it varies from player to player though...

I was chatting to somebody today about Kyrgios... trying to figure out who might make a positive impact as a coach....

pete sampras. a little bit of greek talking to will do him good.

 

[teddytennisfan]

It actually reminded me of Madrid last year where Rafa finally looked like himself in convincingly defeating Berdych in the semi final but followed it up with a really bad performance against Andy in the final.

That Novak's level of the match against Nishikori wasn't there was evident from the start as he failed to even create a break point despite Andy serving two double faults in the first game and overall having to hit a lot of second serves at the start of the match on which Novak regularly made return errors. Then after that insecurity passed into his own service games it turned really ugly until 1:4 in the second set. From then on his timing seemed to come back but some further bad errors in the last game meant the deficit he put himself into was already too big. But Andy deserves a lot of credit for playing at a solid level and serving well from the middle of the first set on as well showing a willingness to play long rallies from the start instead of trying to be overly aggressive despite his efforts of the last two months and especially this tournament and clearly legitimated his No. 1 ranking with this win.

For Novak it's a strange end to the season as during this tournament he showed that his passion for the sport and fighting spirit are returning and his top level is still there but also finally that he's still far away from being the player he was until the French Open this year and the doubts about his future as a dominant player remain. Personally he will probably be able to assess the week as a positive and might treat it as a reason to believe that a good off-season should be enough to fully get him back on track for the start of the next season.

well-said...

let us remember perspective.

IT IS very difficult to MERELY reach number one --

we can see it with andy -- how long has HE waited for it or worked for it? all his career. he is now 29-30 like nole.

NOLE has been there a full 3 years as top players -- PLUS AT LEAST number 2 prior to that - PLUS at least number 3 prior to THAT -- that is a PHENOMENAL record of excellence in my opinion -- and sooner or later THAT
IS A TOUGH ACT to follow.

 

[britbox]

 

[britbox]

 

[britbox]