Wimbledon 2014 final: Federer vs Djokovic

[Kieran]

The issue was, did Federer take a toilet break after the fourth?

"Totally false!" you said.

Totally true, actually.

There was no need to add what Novak was doing. I knew that too.

Now, you and I agree on several things on this thread, so I know you're probably feeling the same way about my posts here, we're like a rally that's not mixing it shots, but just plying the backhand.

What about this part of it here, because the issue is toilet breaks, and how they're abused. We agree on everything related to this. What about this part, about a solution? Personally, I think a 10 minute break after every two sets is too long anyway, and helps the players who aren't physically conditioned as well, to handle five sets.

d. Continuing along these lines, I think they should schedule official toilet and/or
whatever breaks for 10 minutes after every two sets. I am sure all the advertisers
will love this also as they can peddle more things to us during this time.
This would mean that a 3-set match will have only one comfort break
(and none if it ends in straight sets) and a 5-set match will have only two comfort
breaks (and only one for the vast majority of matches that end within 4 sets).
That will not cause a hug nuisance for the audience and we would have taken
away the ability of players to time their toilet breaks for gamesmanship.

I disagree. I think toilet breaks - if they're to be allowed - should occur only after the third set. A toilet break before then is too early. And a toilet break after the fourth set disrupts the momentum of the man who won it. I'm not really in favour of toilet breaks at all - they never used to occur, and as far as I know, the human bladder hasn't changed shape - but if they are to occur, just give them one, and penalise them for any others they take.

And that includes Rafa and Roger.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Go back and read my OP. My intention is not to list all old matches and how various
people abused the system at various times. Enough to say that the use of toilet breaks
have become too frequent and is often questionable as to whether it is actually taken
for intended purposes only. However, there is no way of enforcing that it is taken
for intended purposes only. Hence, the rules need to be changed so that toilet
breaks happen at predetermined points during the match as opposed to at player's
discretion.

As I said before, tennis being not time dictated sport, it is probably best to schedule
the breaks based on the structure of the match as opposed to scheduling it after say
2 hours or 3 hours etc.

Already the rules permit toilet breaks only at the end of a set. So, the only thing
to be determined is after which sets the breaks should be scheduled. May be we can
follow the same scheme, that they already follow for giving players for some rest
between games. Give a toilet break after the first set for 10 minutes and then
give a toilet break after third set.

This would ensure that if the match goes to distance, the last two sets
are played continuously without disrupting the momentum. This would hold good
in both 3 set matches and in 5 set matches.

 

[Kieran]

I think after the first set is too early, and ten minutes is too long, but I agree that the last two sets should be played continuously. I also wonder should they look at reverting to taking rests after every second game, as they used to - throughout the whole match: it would have meant Nole faced serving immediately after losing the fourth set, and so Roger would have maintained his momentum and the drama would be heightened.

I would also bring in penalties for players who want extra toilet breaks. As you and I both know, these so-called "comfort breaks" are more tactical than anything, most of the time...

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I think a good idea would be to have pre-determined breaks. You can say " There is a 4 minute washroom break after the second set, and the 4th set if necessary" So, everyone knows when the breaks are, and since it is pre-determined, no one can blame someone for momentum issues, and if you don't need it, you don't use it.

 

[Moxie]

I think a good idea would be to have pre-determined breaks. You can say " There is a 4 minute washroom break after the second set, and the 4th set if necessary" So, everyone knows when the breaks are, and since it is pre-determined, no one can blame someone for momentum issues, and if you don't need it, you don't use it.

This seems right. Obviously, sometimes a person has an issue, but in a sense, it should be treated like a medical issue, or fitness one. If you're sick or cramping, there's only so much tolerance should be given to allow a player to regroup. If you're not sick, then you should be able to work within the normally schedule "comfort" breaks. Has no one ever traveled on public transportation? I'm sorry, sometimes you have to wait until the opportunity presents itself. (Women excluded here, though, in fairness.)

 

[Kieran]

After Sunday's final, I'm not a fan of the break after the fourth. As I said above, it used to be that Nole would have to serve immediately after Roger won the fourth set, without a rest. I'm in favour of bringing that back. They both took toilet breaks after the second - they should change the rules so that in future the player who loses the fourth can't can't scarper away to regroup in the privacy of the cubicle.

Five set tennis is a unique test of stamina, mental endurance, momentum shifts, tactical switches. It shouldn't be made easier for them, but increasingly, it is. Go back and watch old matches - the players played on, because they knew they had no choice.

Also, I'd do away with the ballboys and ballgirls being used as waiters and waitresses, towel carriers and sun-shade holders. The towel one is disgusting. I was furious with Nadal during Halle when he was two feet from his stinking towel and he ordered the ballboy to run over from his position and pick it up for him. Now he has two of them. Children standing in hot conditions holding an umbrella over a millionaire's head must violate a law somewhere. These players are fitter than tennis players ever were, but they're getting more and more pampered too... :nono

 

[Front242]

Don't forget angry room service too "BANANA!" Yeah, the players treat the ballboys/ballgirls like $h1t. You ever see anyone say thanks, cheers or even a nod of approval to them when they hand them the stinky towels? :nono No matter what I'm doing, focused or not I still have manners towards other people.

 

[Fiero425]

Don't forget angry room service too "BANANA!" Yeah, the players treat the ballboys/ballgirls like $h1t. You ever see anyone say thanks, cheers or even a nod of approval to them when they hand them the stinky towels? :nono No matter what I'm doing, focused or not I still have manners towards other people.

More like "throwing" it at them! Saying thank you was more common decades ago! Now they aren't even looked at at times! :nono uzzled :angel:

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I totally agree with the towel issue. It is a health issue to begin with. Sweat has all sorts of crap in it that can pass to the other person. And it is not just sweat...it is saliva, mucus, even blood from a small would in the hand or whatever. I am not a doctor but this is insane...

 

[Kieran]

I don't think Roger keeps a towel at the back of the court, does he?

 

[Fiero425]

I totally agree with the towel issue. It is a health issue to begin with. Sweat has all sorts of crap in it that can pass to the other person. And it is not just sweat...it is saliva, mucus, even blood from a small would in the hand or whatever. I am not a doctor but this is insane...

I had opportunities to be a ball kid at clubs where tournaments and WTT occurred, but I couldn't do it! I'd of had to wear plastic gloves and many would find that insulting; TOUGH! lol! :lolz: :snigger :laydownlaughing

 

[Mog]

After Sunday's final, I'm not a fan of the break after the fourth. As I said above, it used to be that Nole would have to serve immediately after Roger won the fourth set, without a rest. I'm in favour of bringing that back. They both took toilet breaks after the second - they should change the rules so that in future the player who loses the fourth can't can't scarper away to regroup in the privacy of the cubicle.

Five set tennis is a unique test of stamina, mental endurance, momentum shifts, tactical switches. It shouldn't be made easier for them, but increasingly, it is. Go back and watch old matches - the players played on, because they knew they had no choice.

Also, I'd do away with the ballboys and ballgirls being used as waiters and waitresses, towel carriers and sun-shade holders. The towel one is disgusting. I was furious with Nadal during Halle when he was two feet from his stinking towel and he ordered the ballboy to run over from his position and pick it up for him. Now he has two of them. Children standing in hot conditions holding an umbrella over a millionaire's head must violate a law somewhere. These players are fitter than tennis players ever were, but they're getting more and more pampered too... :nono

Completely agree with you Kieran.
And kids holding umbrella doesn't seem right to me. And giving those stinking towels to players and even players just throw them at kids without looking at them.
Toilet breaks have become a deliberate practice at times. I did not see that 70's and 80's that much.

 

[I.Haychew]

Health-wise, I don't mind the towel thing. Pro basketball players sweat all over each other phor phorty-eight minutes and it's no big deal. I never think twice about it when I play b-ball. As phar as tennis players not thanking/being appreciative of the ball kids is concerned...Hey, it's their job. It's what they do, volunteer or not. Personally, I'd love to see the players regularly thank the ball kids. But I also understand, and accept, that the players are phocused on more important things at the moment...like THE MATCH!

That said...I'd love to see some brave ball kid intentionally throw a ball directly at the server's (Llodra's) feet (or head) or, even better, take a sweaty towel and snap the player's (Llodra's) a$$. That'd be phunny!

 

[Billie]

Will you ever forgive Llodra?:laydownlaughing:lolz:

 

[Front242]

Lol, Llodra was a great player to watch. Seems he only retired from singles and is gonna continue to play doubles. I'd hoped he'd play the rest of this season as he was very good at the Paris masters a few years ago. Surface really suited his s&v game.

 

[I.Haychew]

Will you ever forgive Llodra?:laydownlaughing:lolz:

Yes. Because of you, I now phorgive give Llodra. Phrom now on, no more ripping on Llodra.

 

[Billie]

Will you ever forgive Llodra?:laydownlaughing:lolz:

Yes. Because of you, I now phorgive give Llodra. Phrom now on, no more ripping on Llodra.

That is very nice of you. Hopefully you two don't cross paths again in Cincinnati :laydownlaughing

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Lol, Llodra was a great player to watch. Seems he only retired from singles and is gonna continue to play doubles. I'd hoped he'd play the rest of this season as he was very good at the Paris masters a few years ago. Surface really suited his s&v game.

Did he announce that he is not playing in singles anymore officially?

 

[Kieran]

[split] Wimbledon 2014 final: Federer vs Djokovic

Actually, Novak was the dominant player in every set in the Wimbledon final - and he "let Federer back in..."

 

[DarthFed]

RE: Rankings

Novak wasn't dominant in sets 1 or 3. And Roger handed him the 5th on a silver platter.