Roland Garros 2017, Paris, France, ATP GRAND SLAM

[britbox]

Delpo / Murray, the big match of the day.

 

[Carol]

Delpo / Murray, the big match of the day.

Stan/Fog could interesting too

 

[Moxie]

We can go in circles all day on this but Roger was losing to a lot of his pigeons (Fish, Roddick, Stepanakert) even before winning only 4 games in RG, and losing weakly on grass after 65 straight wins. And he also got blown out at AO by young Djokovic too, clearly he was not at the same level as previous years and that was a big part of the reason some picked Rafa to win on grass. It was clear by then Roger was there for the taking and Rafa would have the big mental edge going in. That and 2010 when Roger was slipping badly and couldn't beat anyone at that point are the only years you'd give Rafa a good chance on grass vs. him. That match in 2008 was maybe Roger's greatest failure.

A slight step down doesn't mean you can't acknowledge that Rafa was also taking a step-up, and that's why he won Wimbledon. Ebbs and flows happen in even the greatest players' careers. But you cannot say that Roger is the only one who ever lost because he wasn't in his best form. Others have been better than he was at times, and not just on the day. Actually better. Over a period of time. And you can continue to bemoan that Roger lost that Wimbledon final, but it was a great one, (no matter what you say,) and Rafa maybe just wanted it .0000001% more.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I'm sorry, but this is revisionist history. To say you only brought up the mono to combat Nadal fans is lame. If you're not looking for an excuse, you're not, but if you bring one up, you are. And to say that Roger "sucked" most of that year is to negate that he "sucked" because Rafa was better. Rafa nearly beat him at Wimbledon in '07, and a lot of pundits picked Rafa to win in Wimbledon in '08 for that reason. Like it or not, (and I know you don't,) Roger lost a tight final at Wimbledon in '08 because Nadal was that much better. You just can't admit that. At least Rafa fans admit when Djokovic was better in 2011. I've heard you make the case before that 9 matches out of 10 on grass, Roger would win. It's fine to say that, but to say that Rafa was "never special on the stuff" is sour grapes. He has 2 Wimbledons. Getting down low on the grass is hard for his tendonitis, and accounts for some part of his lack of success after. But don't think I've given up on him at Wimbledon!

I have never said that Nadal was past his peak in 2011. It was Djokovic that stole his thunder that year, and I'm pretty sure that I've copped to that. But he was maybe peak-plateau (ask El Dude about that) and coming off after his "peak" soon after. I do get the difference between peak and prime. It's worth remembering how early Nadal came up to top level, too. To my point that you're responding to, you can't admit that Rafa was owning Roger in 2008 because he'd just surpassed him at level, and yet you can hammer on about Novak owning Rafa. You're a bit deluded about Roger's 2008.

Moxie I told you how Darth is about the reasons Roger lost Wimbledon 2008 and US 09 ..those two events are not mutually exclusive..i have been there numerous of times with Darth..it comes with the territory when Rafa plays like this at a grand slam for the Anti Nadal Fed fans

 

[the AntiPusher]

A slight step down doesn't mean you can't acknowledge that Rafa was also taking a step-up, and that's why he won Wimbledon. Ebbs and flows happen in even the greatest players' careers. But you cannot say that Roger is the only one who ever lost because he wasn't in his best form. Others have been better than he was at times, and not just on the day. Actually better. Over a period of time. And you can continue to bemoan that Roger lost that Wimbledon final, but it was a great one, (no matter what you say,) and Rafa maybe just wanted it .0000001% more.

Rafa and Toni out fox Roger &Team in 08 However Roger returned the favor at A0 17..plain & simple..Rafa had No business loosing to Federer Ever at a slam tho late in their careers

 

[Moxie]

Moxie I told you how Darth is about the reasons Roger lost Wimbledon 2008 and US 09 ..those two events are not mutually exclusive..i have been there numerous of times with Darth..it comes with the territory when Rafa plays like this at a grand slam for the Anti Nadal Fed fans

LOL. I will say even Front made a brief appearance at smearing a bit. I do know that Darth bemoans the Wimbledon 2008 loss above all, and yeah, maybe the USO '09 next. But I do like puncturing holes in his arguments.

That said, Rafa is looking mighty committed to this title, eh?

 

[Moxie]

Rafa and Toni out fox Roger &Team in 08 However Roger returned the favor at A0 17..plain & simple..Rafa had No business loosing to Federer Ever at a slam tho late in their careers

Jim Courier today was praising Nadal's new tactics, especially mixing it up against the fh/bh. However, he said, v. Fed, he should just go back to pounding the BH. I agree with this.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Jim Courier today was praising Nadal's new tactics, especially mixing it up against the fh/bh. However, he said, v. Fed, he should just go back to pounding the BH. I agree with this.

Me too..especially since Rada is hitting his fh harder these days..i would fancy an encounter a meeting vs Roger if Rafa is on a grand slam 10 match winning streak , its all about confidence vs Roger regardless of whatever tactical adjustments or juiced up backhand Roger has these days

 

[the AntiPusher]

Jim Courier today was praising Nadal's new tactics, especially mixing it up against the fh/bh. However, he said, v. Fed, he should just go back to pounding the BH. I agree with this.

That's especially telling coming from Jim because he pretty much as you know written off Rafa chances to compete for majors again

 

[Moxie]

That's especially telling coming from Jim because he pretty much as you know written off Rafa chances to compete for majors again

I think all but us stalwart fans had begun to. Ha ha ha! Let's hope Rafa shows them up in 8 or 9 days. Vamos!

 

[herios]

3 next gen players are still standing: Chung, Edmund and Khachanov. Would any of them being able to make it into the second week?

 

[atttomole]

Uh?

I meant that Djokovic seems unable to control his emotions, and is now acting a bit more childishly.

 

[Front242]

Carol's not wrong. She excluded 2011, and some of Novak's benefit came from a lesser Nadal and Federer. Yes, he was excellent, but he wasn't so when they were steamrolling. I fully expect Djokovic and Murray to find their forms again, but Rafa and Roger still have enough chops to find their own, and take advantage of an opportunity.

She's wrong. I said the last few years so I'm also excluding 2011. He was way better the last few years than he has been since Wimbledon last year but of course he's benefited from the decline of Nadal and Federer. That's no secret and is no different than any other era where past slam champions have declined. Everyone gets old eventually and another player will reap the rewards and it will always be like this.

 

[Denis]

Rooting hard for Del Potro.

I just saw this clip, makes we like DP even more. Bringing in Judy Murray to the conversation

 

[Puppet Master]

This scrubby version of Murray isn't a bad matchup for anyone on clay. If DP is in decent form he wins in 4.

Vile Novak fanboy. The stuff people post here, unbelievable.

 

[kskate2]

Question, how can I delete a post? I try but I can't

A post can only be deleted within the first hour of posting. After that you need an admin to do it. Send me a pm of the post number and I can do it.

 

[Mastoor]

I bet Carlos Ramos has just entered @Mastoor's Umpire Hall of Infamy.

This guy is stupid. I hope he won't referee Nole's matches for the rest of the slam.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

I am going to a movie at 12:00 GMT so I hope I can watch some of the Murray-Delpo match before that.

 

[kskate2]

I am going to a movie at 12:00 GMT so I hope I can watch some of the Murray-Delpo match before that.

I think I'd have to reschedule my movie for eve hours. Gentle Giant/Muzz warming up now.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I meant that Djokovic seems unable to control his emotions, and is now acting a bit more childishly.

Novak has always been this way . A lot of folks have mentioned it to me but I looked past it because I liked the way he competed. I feel a,lot of Fed fans have given him a pass because recently he was the real answer to Rafael. However there's was another side to this coin, Rafa truly got the better of their encounters until 2011 before Novak became the savior protector of Roger's legacy. It's been well documented that although he tries, Novak is no where as popular with the fans as Rafa and Roger is. Rafa is in the same role as Lebron James. LBJ is chasing the so called GOAT in Jordan which makes folk of Jordan's era dislike him with a passion.