Well, that was weird...

[Kieran]

Horrible match that started interestingly. Huge shock for us Rafa fans that he got injured again, we thought he'd weathered his bad luck with the blister.

Stan was badly affected too and he struggled to get composure and take advantage. Rafa couldn't move - and Stan couldn't make him move. He could in the first! But that's the pressure of playing a first GS final, and against a great champion, and then add in an injury.

A player with more experience at that level would have taken it in straights, but Stan was great in the last few games, battling nerves and the historical significance of the moment.

Stan played great in the first and Rafa was tense. I wonder if tension caused the back injury? Who can know? But Stan beat Nole and that's another sign of how great he was at this tourney. Well done to him!

I don't think he has any fans on this forum so I've nobody else to congratulate!

 

[brokenshoelace]

Per Steve Tignor, Nadal felt back pain during the warm up.

 

[Rose]

Horrible match that started interestingly. Huge shock for us Rafa fans that he got injured again, we thought he'd weathered his bad luck with the blister.

Stan was badly affected too and he struggled to get composure and take advantage. Rafa couldn't move - and Stan couldn't make him move. He could in the first! But that's the pressure of playing a first GS final, and against a great champion, and then add in an injury.

A player with more experience at that level would have taken it in straights, but Stan was great in the last few games, battling nerves and the historical significance of the moment.

Stan played great in the first and Rafa was tense. I wonder if tension caused the back injury? Who can know? But Stan beat Nole and that's another sign of how great he was at this tourney. Well done to him!

I don't think he has any fans on this forum so I've nobody else to congratulate!

I don't know any of Stan's fans either, however, Stan did a great job at the AO. But as a fan of Rafa's I was upset at yet another injury! He could have gained so much if he could have won!

 

[Kieran]

I don't think he has any fans on this forum so I've nobody else to congratulate!

I don't know any of Stan's fans either, however, Stan did a great job at the AO. But as a fan of Rafa's I was upset at yet another injury! He could have gained so much if he could have won!

Oh, Stan has plenty of fans tonight - all fans of another Swiss player, and maybe a well-known Serb.

That's normal though, it's how the game goes. Stan looked sheepish on the podium, holding the trophy, as if somebody might wake him up and say, give it back! I hope he builds on this one. Tennis needs competition and players who want to win these things. It should encourage others to leave a bit more of themselves out there on court in future, because you never know what'll happen...

 

[TsarMatt]

Stan has been a favourite of mine since I first saw him break out on the circuit in 2008. I was always very frustrated with him over the years, though. He possessed some extremely raw and gifted talent, but seldom utilized it to its fullest extent. He had a pretty dreary attitude towards the sport (as Lleyton Hewitt once verified), and, all in all, was a weak player, mentally. I always considered him a favourite, but as a fan, I never had much - if any - confidence in him. He just seemed like one of those naturally and innately gifted tennis players who would never meet their potential. Heck, even after his impressive encounter with Novak last year at AO '13, I thought it was one of those "rare" performances, much along the lines of Verdasco/Nadal in AO '09. In other words, a favourite purely because of his visually appealing game. That's about it.

But he proved me wrong. I started to see a real persistent drive in his character after that Monte Carlo win over Murray. Everything from then on in (in spite of a few hiccups) has been well above my expectations.

I have nothing but arrant adulation for Stan. Well done, sir. You deserve this thoroughly. His transformation from a mere top twenty player to a Grand Slam winner should be used as a platform for any aspiring tennis players who are wishing to take that next step in their career. Stan has overcome Murray, Nadal and Djokovic over the last twelve months to get here - to many, this is a daunting thought, but Wawrinka proved it to be possible.

 

[Moxie]

Well-said, Matt. Stan had chances v. Djokovic and v. Nadal tonight to just give over to the big guys, but he stuck to his guns.

 

[Rose]

I don't think he has any fans on this forum so I've nobody else to congratulate!

I don't know any of Stan's fans either, however, Stan did a great job at the AO. But as a fan of Rafa's I was upset at yet another injury! He could have gained so much if he could have won!

Oh, Stan has plenty of fans tonight - all fans of another Swiss player, and maybe a well-known Serb.

That's normal though, it's how the game goes. Stan looked sheepish on the podium, holding the trophy, as if somebody might wake him up and say, give it back! I hope he builds on this one. Tennis needs competition and players who want to win these things. It should encourage others to leave a bit more of themselves out there on court in future, because you never know what'll happen...

Actually since Stan has now jumped over "another Swiss player" in the rankings I'm not so sure if the "other Swiss player's fans" are really all that happy?

 

[Kieran]

Actually since Stan has now jumped over "another Swiss player" in the rankings I'm not so sure if his fans are really all that happy?

Oh, they're happy. Whenever Rafa gets injured, Roger's legacy hears ker-ching. They're very happy today, and who can blame them...

 

[Denis]

Stan has been a favourite of mine since I first saw him break out on the circuit in 2008. I was always very frustrated with him over the years, though. He possessed some extremely raw and gifted talent, but seldom utilized it to its fullest extent. He had a pretty dreary attitude towards the sport (as Lleyton Hewitt once verified), and, all in all, was a weak player, mentally. I always considered him a favourite, but as a fan, I never had much - if any - confidence in him. He just seemed like one of those naturally and innately gifted tennis players who would never meet their potential. Heck, even after his impressive encounter with Novak last year at AO '13, I thought it was one of those "rare" performances, much along the lines of Verdasco/Nadal in AO '09. In other words, a favourite purely because of his visually appealing game. That's about it.

But he proved me wrong. I started to see a real persistent drive in his character after that Monte Carlo win over Murray. Everything from then on in (in spite of a few hiccups) has been well above my expectations.

I have nothing but arrant adulation for Stan. Well done, sir. You deserve this thoroughly. His transformation from a mere top twenty player to a Grand Slam winner should be used as a platform for any aspiring tennis players who are wishing to take that next step in their career. Stan has overcome Murray, Nadal and Djokovic over the last twelve months to get here - to many, this is a daunting thought, but Wawrinka proved it to be possible.

Well said.

Same here. I only root against him when he plays Novak. He has a big game and I am sure many of us rooted for him because of it and not because of his opponent.

Edit: who are you're favorites btw Matt? Just Stan?

 

[brokenshoelace]

Stan has been a favourite of mine since I first saw him break out on the circuit in 2008. I was always very frustrated with him over the years, though. He possessed some extremely raw and gifted talent, but seldom utilized it to its fullest extent. He had a pretty dreary attitude towards the sport (as Lleyton Hewitt once verified), and, all in all, was a weak player, mentally. I always considered him a favourite, but as a fan, I never had much - if any - confidence in him. He just seemed like one of those naturally and innately gifted tennis players who would never meet their potential. Heck, even after his impressive encounter with Novak last year at AO '13, I thought it was one of those "rare" performances, much along the lines of Verdasco/Nadal in AO '09. In other words, a favourite purely because of his visually appealing game. That's about it.

But he proved me wrong. I started to see a real persistent drive in his character after that Monte Carlo win over Murray. Everything from then on in (in spite of a few hiccups) has been well above my expectations.

I have nothing but arrant adulation for Stan. Well done, sir. You deserve this thoroughly. His transformation from a mere top twenty player to a Grand Slam winner should be used as a platform for any aspiring tennis players who are wishing to take that next step in their career. Stan has overcome Murray, Nadal and Djokovic over the last twelve months to get here - to many, this is a daunting thought, but Wawrinka proved it to be possible.

Well said.

Same here. I only root against him when he plays Novak. He has a big game and I am sure many of us rooted for him because of it and not because of his opponent.

Or both

 

[Rose]

Actually since Stan has now jumped over "another Swiss player" in the rankings I'm not so sure if his fans are really all that happy?

Oh, they're happy. Whenever Rafa gets injured, Roger's legacy hears ker-ching. They're very happy today, and who can blame them...

Oh I think they are happy that Rafa was defeated don't get me wrong about that! But I don't really think they are the least bit happy that Stan is now the Swiss #1!

And it is very nice to hear from some of Stan's fans

 

[brokenshoelace]

Actually since Stan has now jumped over "another Swiss player" in the rankings I'm not so sure if his fans are really all that happy?

Oh, they're happy. Whenever Rafa gets injured, Roger's legacy hears ker-ching. They're very happy today, and who can blame them...

Oh I think they are happy that Rafa was defeated don't get me wrong about that! But I don't really think they are the least bit happy that Stan is now the Swiss #1!

They'll take the trade-off, I'm sure.

 

[Front242]

Indeed we will. Stan isn't miles ahead of Fed in points considering Fed doesn't have much to defend for basically the whole year. And 17-13 is a lot cosier than 17-14. As I said earlier, Fed and Stan will probably hit the town later for some of these.

 

[Front242]

I'd prefer naturally if Stan had won with both of them playing 100% ok and he may have done, but we'll never know.

 

[DarthFed]

Stan had overtaken Roger in the rankings before today but I'm not too upset he won. Though I'm $2,000 poorer.

 

[Kieran]

Cheers! I was feeling a bit thirsty.

 

[Front242]

Cheers! I was feeling a bit thirsty.

Tbh it looks like pi$$ :snigger

 

[Kieran]

Cheers! I was feeling a bit thirsty.

Tbh it looks like pi$$ :snigger

Prefer Guinness meself, but if it's Rafa's p1$$ I'll take it. They say it's good for ya! :emperor: :chillout:

 

[Front242]

Stan had overtaken Roger in the rankings before today but I'm not too upset he won. Though I'm $2,000 poorer.

Ah so you did have money on Nadal today as well. I thought you only had money on Nadal to beat Fed in the semi. Well, my condolences in that case but I feel your pain. I lost €2000 when Soderling took out Nadal in RG 2009 but it was a mutual feeling of annoyance and delight at the same time. Something you can probably associate with today

 

[Front242]

Cheers! I was feeling a bit thirsty.

Tbh it looks like pi$$ :snigger

Prefer Guinness meself, but if it's Rafa's p1$$ I'll take it. They say it's good for ya! :emperor: :chillout:

You'll probably wake up like this tomorrow