Early Wimbledon Talk

[the AntiPusher]

Federer was practising with Berd today. Exhos mean nothing... it's a hit around.

Berdy probably kicked Roger's azz too like he did to Nadal yesterday, LOL

 

[Moxie]

Nobody is claiming Rosol is an elite player or anything like that. However, Rosol has actually won two ATP 250 titles, one on clay and one on hard courts. There are quite a few top 100 players who have never won a single title. So, the contention that beating Rafa at Wimbledon is his sole claim to fame is not quite correct. One always admire a player who can stand up to big guys, be it Rafa or Fed or Novak.

Fair point.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Both the upsetters Rosol and Stakhovsky qualified. Also, Taylor Frit and Daniel Brands qualified.
Rublev yet to play.

 

[Busted]

Not good scores for an exho..

He said last week he didn't like his form so ..however Moya said that his preparation has been excellent..my money is hoping Moya is correct.

Moya said the preparation was excellent - NOT his "form"... Big diff between the two...

 

[Busted]

Not so sure about that. Busted posted earlier (and I agree) that they may conveniently have it that Murray doesn't have to play Federer. Not saying it's rigged or anything I think it will be Murray and Nadal and Federer and Djokovic if they all make it that far. Going out on a limb to say Djokovic may surprise and get some decent enough form back too. Been poor too long now and can't last forever surely.

I'm not saying it's rigged either. BUT...look at Murray's last 5 matches against Roger - and his inability to break Roger's serve since 2014. Bear in mind - Andy was playing good tennis during this period and not mired in a slump like he currently is. The last time they played at Wimbledon in 2015 Roger dropped 22 aces on Andy in 3 sets - and Andy only had 1 break point opportunity - and that as in the first game of the match. So if you're a Brit? You're not going to want to see Roger in Murray's half of the draw. Roger's won 4 titles this year - 1 Slam, 2 Masters1000 and a 500 event. Andy's won 1 500 event - and crapped out in the first round of his grass warm-up. Somehow I bet...Fed'll end up in Djokovic's half.

 

[Busted]

It always makes me laugh that people think draws are rigged. (Not you, Fronty...but @Busted.) It's a 50/50 shot, so I guess we'll see on Friday. I agree that Djokovic is due for a return to form at some point, but I'm wondering if Wimbledon is too soon, given all of the chaos and how meekly he went out v. Thiem just a couple of weeks ago. Can the fire in the belly return that fast? @DarthFed made a compelling argument a while back (before the merger?) that it doesn't. He's always been slippy on grass, and lately he's been wrong-footed on all surfaces more than expected, so I'd be surprised if he totally finds himself on the grass. My 8-ball says the North American HC swing.

Baloney. I did't say the draws were rigged. I side-eye them when certain players end up in noticeably more difficult quarters than other players and the other people waltz their way to the title and everyone declares that they're playing at a level higher than they actually are because they're not being tested by better players. BUT.... never said the draws were "rigged."

 

[Busted]

Federer was practising with Berd today. Exhos mean nothing... it's a hit around.

Earlier this year at IW Mary Carillo and Paul Annacone asked Federer about Kyrgios and Fed commented that Kyrgios had beaten all the top guys - himself, Nadal, Djovkic and then paused to ask if he'd beaten Murray, too. Carillo and Annacone said, yes, in exhibition and Roger waved it off and, "That doesn't count." To me that sums up Berdych beating Nadal in a grass XO. Who cares. Berdych can rarely deliver an upset in tournaments anymore. More and more often he's on the receiving end of the upset. Mr. Quarterfinals is now Mr. 3rd Round.

 

[Carol]

The player goes to an Exhibition not thinking to win but to practice, to test by himself in different ways to see what is working better or worse but it has nothing to do with a tournament and less with a GS

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Contrary to what some may or may not believe, the draws are not rigged. Often, these days they even telecast is live and you can see it as it happens if you are suspect.

Roger and Murray being the top two contenders, not withstanding the seedings, as per the bookies and several fans, it would be nice if they end up in opposite halves though.

 

[MartyB]

Contrary to what some may or may not believe, the draws are not rigged. Often, these days they even telecast is live and you can see it as it happens if you are suspect.

Roger and Murray being the top two contenders, not withstanding the seedings, as per the bookies and several fans, it would be nice if they end up in opposite halves though.

As a Fed fan not sure which half of the draw I would want him in Murray or Djokovic? These are not normal circumstances this year so it's a tough call...I would think the same for Nadal fans. LoL

 

[kskate2]

What are We are talking about Practice..we're talking bout practice,man we're talking bout practice! We're talking bout practice, we ain't talking bout a game or match we're talking bout practice...you seen Rafa play all spring and early summer but we talking bout practice

Yes A.P. Iverson. We're talking about practice. Speaking of practice, is Kyrios playing the Boodles or does he plan to just waltz into SW19 w/ no matches whatsoever?

 

[the AntiPusher]

Moya said the preparation was excellent - NOT his "form"... Big diff between the two...

Yes..very true

 

[the AntiPusher]

Yes A.P. Iverson. We're talking about practice. Speaking of practice, is Kyrios playing the Boodles or does he plan to just waltz into SW19 w/ no matches whatsoever?

Question...Who is under the most pressure to win Wimbledon...a 36 year 18 times GS winner, the world's number two who is has the best record this year and recently won his tenth gs title at RG...the defending champion Murray or the former number one who held the that position for the majority of the past 3-4 years. I should have probably made this a thread but I am traveling this week and only have my iPad

 

[kskate2]

Question...Who is under the most pressure to win Wimbledon...a 36 year 18 times GS winner, the world's number two who is has the best record this year and recently won his tenth gs title at RG...the defending champion Murray or the former number one who held the that position for the majority of the past 3-4 years. I should have probably made this a thread but I am traveling this week and only have my iPad

I think they all have an equal share of the expectation pie. They all have something to prove.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I think they all have an equal share of the expectation pie. They all have something to prove.

I think Fed has the most pressure since he is the heavy favorite

 

[Moxie]

Question...Who is under the most pressure to win Wimbledon...a 36 year 18 times GS winner, the world's number two who is has the best record this year and recently won his tenth gs title at RG...the defending champion Murray or the former number one who held the that position for the majority of the past 3-4 years. I should have probably made this a thread but I am traveling this week and only have my iPad

Fun question. And a good point that each of the Big 4 have a lot at stake, for different reasons. Darth, I believe, would tell you that Roger can't rest on #18, that he has to keep the eyes on the prize, and one more Wimbledon is exactly what the legacy wants. Plus, even Roger has told us that: he laid off the clay season to focus on grass. Gauntlet down. Therefore, most pressure is on Roger.

I'd say, and I hope this isn't too lamely diffused, that it's equal and different for the other 3. Rafa is coming in as with the best record of the year, but the worst recent record at Wimbledon. He'll want to win, but a QF finish for him is a good result. However, he can't really afford to go out again early at Wimbledon, so that's his pressure.

Novak and Andy are both looking at salvaging their years to date. Murray is defending the title, and he's British, so the pressure will always be huge. Arguably he's under the most of the two. However, Novak is a recent #1, and he's seen as being in free-fall. He's got to feel pressure for a quality finish.

I'd say: Most pressure is on Roger, second most on Andy, then Novak and Rafa.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Fun question. And a good point that each of the Big 4 have a lot at stake, for different reasons. Darth, I believe, would tell you that Roger can't rest on #18, that he has to keep the eyes on the prize, and one more Wimbledon is exactly what the legacy wants. Plus, even Roger has told us that: he laid off the clay season to focus on grass. Gauntlet down. Therefore, most pressure is on Roger.

I'd say, and I hope this isn't too lamely diffused, that it's equal and different for the other 3. Rafa is coming in as with the best record of the year, but the worst recent record at Wimbledon. He'll want to win, but a QF finish for him is a good result. However, he can't really afford to go out again early at Wimbledon, so that's his pressure.

Novak and Andy are both looking at salvaging their years to date. Murray is defending the title, and he's British, so the pressure will always be huge. Arguably he's under the most of the two. However, Novak is a recent #1, and he's seen as being in free-fall. He's got to feel pressure for a quality finish.

I'd say: Most pressure is on Roger, second most on Andy, then Novak and Rafa.

I rank Rafa pressure higher because of what happened at AO this year and having a title at Wimbledon legitimizes his claim as being one of the all time great's not just a clay court specialist AO coupled with RG would've put him one behind Federer 's grand slams titles..Fed, Rafa, Murray/Djoker

 

[Moxie]

I rank Rafa pressure higher because of what happened at AO this year and having a title at Wimbledon legitimizes his claim as being one of the all time great's not just a clay court specialist AO coupled with RG would've put him one behind Federer 's grand slams titles..Fed, Rafa, Murray/Djoker

Rafa has 2 Wimbledon titles. I think the one he needs most to make his claim across surfaces is a 2nd AO, (i.e., double career slam.) His pressure is a QF finish or better. Which I still see as a challenge. As I said, I think it's a coin-flip between the other 3, but Murray and Djokovic have loads more to prove at Wimbledon, and Nadal can survive a lesser finish.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa has 2 Wimbledon titles. I think the one he needs most to make his claim across surfaces is a 2nd AO, (i.e., double career slam.) His pressure is a QF finish or better. Which I still see as a challenge. As I said, I think it's a coin-flip between the other 3, but Murray and Djokovic have loads more to prove at Wimbledon, and Nadal can survive a lesser finish.

You are not giving much credence in the number 18, its paramount to Nadal's legacy. 18-15 compared to 17-16 at age 31 is something that has to be on his mind. El dude said that he felt that Rafa wanted to be number one again, I stated that it wasn't a priority and earlier this month Rafa confirmed my sentiments. The only thing left is grand slam titles especially non RG titles..A Wimbledon title will help heal the open wound from loosing AO especially to Roger. That was like an "and one" for Roger , a two point basket plus a free throw. A qtr final means nothing when you are the soon to be number one ranked player by osmosis meaning he has so many points that he gains after the US open. However, so does Roger, darn it.

 

[Moxie]

Your question was who has the most pressure at this Wimbledon. I think I made a dispassionate answer. If you're going to make it about the race to most titles by the time they retire, between Roger and Rafa, then clearly there is more pressure on Rafa. But that is a different question. And, obviously I want Rafa to win, in any case.