Level of interest with Rafa & Roger out

[tented]

What is your level of interest in Wimbledon with both Rafa and Roger out in the first few days?

While Djokovic and Murray are the top two seeds, let's face it: they don't have nearly the box office pull of Rafa, and not even close to Roger.

Viewership will definitely suffer. ESPN executives have probably had minor heart attacks over the past few days.

So how about you? Are you less interested, more interested, or about the same? And why?

 

[El Dude]

Less but not by a huge amount. My excitement mounted at Rafa's loss because I thought Roger have a greater chance to win it, then after yesterday's disappointment (from Fed fan's perspective, at least!) I felt downcast. But I'm still checking the scoreboards and following my "secondary favorites" - Dimitrov, Haas, Janowicz, etc - and keeping tabs on the tournament as a whole. I'm secretly hoping for an upset to Djokovic and Ferrer sneaking by Murray and winning it all, but obviously that's a long-shot. Or at least I'd like to see Murray win one for mother country (and then, ironically, would love to see him support Scottish independence when receiving his trophy!).

There are still dramas, stories, and great matches ahead. Roger Federer is my favorite player and I'm still hoping for a resurgence from him, even if I see it as less than likely at this point, but I'm a tennis fan first, a Roger fan second, and there are lots of other players I cheer for.

 

[Riotbeard]

I voted same, but I am really enjoying it overall. I have really been enjoying all the s & v going on. Today's matches have been boring, but that has nothing to do with rafa and roger being out.

 

[Asmodeus]

Way, way, way down.

Though I accept the fact of Federer's demise and Nadal's poor grass performance, it's still not fun when they're not in the thick of it. Frankly, there's nothing I can think of as worse than a Novak-Murray final. I just don't find their matches that entertaining.

 

[El Dude]

Agree re: Novak-Andy final. At least until the 5th set, and then it will be quite entertaining. But its a slog getting there.

---

If nothing else this has been an exciting tournament due to the sheer number of upsets and withdrawals. Consider that through two rounds:

- Two of the top 5 are out
- Four of the top 10 are out
- Ten of the top 22 are out

That's remarkable.

 

[nehmeth]

I voted: more. Not that I think a Djokovic v. Murray final is something to look forward to. :sleepy: zzzzz!

But I've been enjoying watching the S&V and seeing other players shine. Even the "up and comers" are getting tested here. It's good for the game.

 

[Asmodeus]

Agree re: Novak-Andy final. At least until the 5th set, and then it will be quite entertaining. But its a slog getting there.

For me, waiting four sets to get one entertaining set is not worth it. I'd rather periodically follow the score online and if it gets to a 5th then maybe turn on the tube.

Unfortunately, they've only had one 5th (that I can remember) set so the chances of getting to the promised land of entertaining viewing seem slim. Maybe grass will be different?

Another problem I have is Murray is absolutely dull. Yes, he might make a few nice shots from time to time but the rest of it is simply uninteresting. Novak is a bit more interesting to watch but he too lacks that special something we see in Federer and Nadal.

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Agree re: Novak-Andy final. At least until the 5th set, and then it will be quite entertaining. But its a slog getting there.

---

If nothing else this has been an exciting tournament due to the sheer number of upsets and withdrawals. Consider that through two rounds:

- Two of the top 5 are out
- Four of the top 10 are out
- Ten of the top 22 are out

That's remarkable.

---

Yes, it's been a bloodbath out there.

 

[DarthFed]

The Olympic semi was an entertaining match last year. I think it's mostly the hard court matches between them that are really dull as they are basically identical players on that surface. Murray has more of an all around game on grass that he can use against Djokovic.

My level of interest is always down after Federer loses. I think that's only natural. But Novak's half should still have some very good matches in it. Murray's half is a snoozefest now.

 

[Andrew William]

Good topic Tented.

I am enjoying it about the same. While it's nice to have the 'Legends' partaking, that's not a huge detriment to my excitement level. The same story lines recycled over the years lose appeal for me. I like to see new faces rise up and hopefully one or both of the 'Next Generation' players like Dimitrov and Tomic (whom I enjoy watching) take the onus upon themselves to really make history. I'll also be keeping tabs on the S&V players like Brown and Stakhovsky. Murray and Djokovic are two of the most talented players we have in the game at the moment, and to be frank, even if Roger and Rafa were still playing, I'd say they would have a tough time of it making it past them. Wimbledon is my favorite major and I'm finding this one, while bizarre, a fresh breath of air!

Go Andy!

 

[Andrew William]

I voted: more. Not that I think a Djokovic v. Murray final is something to look forward to. :sleepy: zzzzz!

But I've been enjoying watching the S&V and seeing other players shine. Even the "up and comers" are getting tested here. It's good for the game.

Ditto buddy! (on S&V and new players taking some of the limelight)

 

[Denis]

More. More excitement and stakes are higher for those still left, real opportunities to get far at Wimbledon. And you get to watch players that you don't usually get to watch.

Stars come and go. We will have new ones that will replace Fedal. No worries. ESPN knows that too, not that I care too much about ESPN.

 

[Riotbeard]

I voted: more. Not that I think a Djokovic v. Murray final is something to look forward to. :sleepy: zzzzz!

But I've been enjoying watching the S&V and seeing other players shine. Even the "up and comers" are getting tested here. It's good for the game.

Ditto buddy! (on S&V and new players taking some of the limelight)

I am with you guys! I also think Janowicz has a good chance for a semi. I think he has the best mentality of any of the young guns. His match with Almagro will be tough (Lost in straights at the Aussie), but I think grass will favor his game compared to Almagro.

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I voted: more. Not that I think a Djokovic v. Murray final is something to look forward to. :sleepy: zzzzz!

But I've been enjoying watching the S&V and seeing other players shine. Even the "up and comers" are getting tested here. It's good for the game.

Ditto buddy! (on S&V and new players taking some of the limelight)

I am with you guys! I also think Janowicz has a good chance for a semi. I think he has the best mentality of any of the young guns. His match with Almagro will be tough (Lost in straights at the Aussie), but I think grass will favor his game compared to Almagro.

I do agree that Murray djokovic matches are boring, and they have had more than few five setters. AO 2012 and USO 2012 come to mind.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Well, there is Haas and Dimitrov...for now...I am still very upset about the Roger loss, but I will switch to do " I have no horse in the race, so just enjoy the game" mode soon. Not there yet. Still mourning...

 

[Iona16]

No doubt that Rafa and Roger going out is a blow to the tournament.

I was gutted to see Rafa go out - even though he was in Andy's half. A tournament with no Andy or Rafa is always less exciting for me. I can't say I was sorry to see Roger go out - sorry Fed fans. I was also disappointed to see Tsonga go out. I love watching him play on grass.

At this stage I don't really care who goes out. All I care about is how Andy is playing.

 

[fedfan]

Gotta admit

This really sucks

No Fed or Rafa

My interest level dropped 75%

 

[Garro]

It dropped only a little bit. I'm exited to see if Murray can take advantage of his golden chance to win Wimbledon. If he loses early it will drop a lot more.

 

[tented]

It dropped only a little bit. I'm exited to see if Murray can take advantage of his golden chance to win Wimbledon. If he loses early it will drop a lot more.

Nice to see you, Garro! I almost didn't recognize you without one of your fun avatars.

Yeah, Murray is going to receive a lot of attention now, which will only grow as the tournament continues. It's going to be a true test of his ability to stay focused, and not get distracted. I think he'll do it.

 

[Mog]

My level of interest is always down after Federer loses. I think that's only natural.

Exactly. My interest is always very low when Roger loses.
Now that he is not there I don't get nervous watching any matches.
Since Roger lost I like Murray to get his first Wimbledon and the whole England will be very happy. I think Murray has better game on grass than Djoko.
Said that may be some wild card might surprise us by winning big W.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

i'll have to go with same, even though i'll probably watch less of it - which is mostly for technical reasons, swiss TV was the only broadcaster i got (and i don't have that on the weekends anyway), so less access for me (guessing they might just show the men's SF and F now, except from afternoon broadcasts).

but yeah, Fedal out hurts my interest on one side - they're my favorites after all (although there's a couple of guys who keep growing on me more and more), so not having them around is a blow, of course.

on the other hand, the tournament getting wider open, the early rounds more relevant etc, that's great, a breath of fresh air, much appreciated, so i'm Very interested in how this one goes down. people might put this down on my lack of love for Nole (and they might be partly right), but i'd love a little turmoil era a la mid-80ies with some fresh new winners

 

[askh]

Although my interest is definitely down after Rafa's out, after a day of almost no interest, I regained some of it - for the second year in a row, I am a full-time Murray fan. I also wouldn't mind seeing Delpo do well.

Actually, my interest is most dampened by those crappy streams I have to rely on, and I will have to do so until the end. In that sense, Wimbledon is the worst tournament for me, cause in most other cases (slams and many, many small tournaments), I have an access to a TV broadcasting.