Wimbledon Draw

[DarthFed]

^ Haas is very good on grass, which is why I think he could be tricky for Novak. Tommy is the better on grass, though Nole is the better, overall. And Berdych had a huge psychological win over Novak in Madrid. For a soft draw, Djokovic could have to face a couple of players who have bested him this year.

Haas is not the better player on grass...Djokovic has 1 Wimbledon and 3 semis while Haas has 1 semi. It should be a tough one for Nole though, definitely figures to be the most interesting match of round 4. I wouldn't sleep on Berdych either but he has to get to the QF first.

I'd be surprised if we don't see Novak on the final Sunday and if he plays anyone but Murray I think he wins it.

 

[Moxie]

^ Haas is very good on grass, which is why I think he could be tricky for Novak. Tommy is the better on grass, though Nole is the better, overall. And Berdych had a huge psychological win over Novak in Madrid. For a soft draw, Djokovic could have to face a couple of players who have bested him this year.

Haas is not the better player on grass...Djokovic has 1 Wimbledon and 3 semis while Haas has 1 semi. It should be a tough one for Nole though, definitely figures to be the most interesting match of round 4. I wouldn't sleep on Berdych either but he has to get to the QF first.

I'd be surprised if we don't see Novak on the final Sunday and if he plays anyone but Murray I think he wins it.

I also won't be surprised should Djokovic make the finals, of course, but I wouldn't call him a lock against any of the other big 3. Why do you think only Murray gets him?

 

[herios]

^ Haas is very good on grass, which is why I think he could be tricky for Novak. Tommy is the better on grass, though Nole is the better, overall. And Berdych had a huge psychological win over Novak in Madrid. For a soft draw, Djokovic could have to face a couple of players who have bested him this year.

Haas is not the better player on grass...Djokovic has 1 Wimbledon and 3 semis while Haas has 1 semi. It should be a tough one for Nole though, definitely figures to be the most interesting match of round 4. I wouldn't sleep on Berdych either but he has to get to the QF first.

I'd be surprised if we don't see Novak on the final Sunday and if he plays anyone but Murray I think he wins it.

Before the draw came out, the odds according to the bookies were:
1. Nole
2. Rafa
3. Andy
4. Roger

After the draw came out, the only shift occured was that Rafa's odds slipped from 2 to third (slightly), Andy's staying pretty much the same , so now the odds are poiting to a Nole - Andy final.

I think this is interesting, because is the very first time that neither Roger nor Rafa are seeded in the top 2, and are not considered the favorites to get to the final stage.
Still the caveat is that Andy is not heavily favored over Rafa, while Nole is (1/10) to reach the final.

 

[DarthFed]

^ Haas is very good on grass, which is why I think he could be tricky for Novak. Tommy is the better on grass, though Nole is the better, overall. And Berdych had a huge psychological win over Novak in Madrid. For a soft draw, Djokovic could have to face a couple of players who have bested him this year.

Haas is not the better player on grass...Djokovic has 1 Wimbledon and 3 semis while Haas has 1 semi. It should be a tough one for Nole though, definitely figures to be the most interesting match of round 4. I wouldn't sleep on Berdych either but he has to get to the QF first.

I'd be surprised if we don't see Novak on the final Sunday and if he plays anyone but Murray I think he wins it.

I also won't be surprised should Djokovic make the finals, of course, but I wouldn't call him a lock against any of the other big 3. Why do you think only Murray gets him?

Of course he wouldn't be a lock vs. Rafa or Roger but I do think he'd win. Murray is a bad matchup for Nole on grass and obviously he would have the home crowd which we know can get under Djokovic's skin. I think Murray would definitely win that final.

Murray's biggest threat is Rafa. Hate to say it but even if Roger survives to the semis I just don't see him getting past Murray this time. If Roger somehow gets to the finals without expending too much energy then he would have a very good chance vs. Nole but it's hard to picture that happening.

 

[Denis]

^ Haas is very good on grass, which is why I think he could be tricky for Novak. Tommy is the better on grass, though Nole is the better, overall. And Berdych had a huge psychological win over Novak in Madrid. For a soft draw, Djokovic could have to face a couple of players who have bested him this year.

Haas is not the better player on grass...Djokovic has 1 Wimbledon and 3 semis while Haas has 1 semi. It should be a tough one for Nole though, definitely figures to be the most interesting match of round 4. I wouldn't sleep on Berdych either but he has to get to the QF first.

I'd be surprised if we don't see Novak on the final Sunday and if he plays anyone but Murray I think he wins it.

I also won't be surprised should Djokovic make the finals, of course, but I wouldn't call him a lock against any of the other big 3. Why do you think only Murray gets him?

Of course he wouldn't be a lock vs. Rafa or Roger but I do think he'd win. Murray is a bad matchup for Nole on grass and obviously he would have the home crowd which we know can get under Djokovic's skin. I think Murray would definitely win that final.

Murray's biggest threat is Rafa. Hate to say it but even if Roger survives to the semis I just don't see him getting past Murray this time. If Roger somehow gets to the finals without expending too much energy then he would have a very good chance vs. Nole but it's hard to picture that happening.

I agree with you on the crowd, although I think it would be okay because Novak can't really expect anything else. Personally, I hope it is Rafa he will face in the finals if he makes it. Rafa is the easiest opponent for Novak of the big 4 on grass. And it's the most likely too, since Rafa will probably be able to defeat the other two.

 

[Moxie]

^ Haas is very good on grass, which is why I think he could be tricky for Novak. Tommy is the better on grass, though Nole is the better, overall. And Berdych had a huge psychological win over Novak in Madrid. For a soft draw, Djokovic could have to face a couple of players who have bested him this year.

Haas is not the better player on grass...Djokovic has 1 Wimbledon and 3 semis while Haas has 1 semi. It should be a tough one for Nole though, definitely figures to be the most interesting match of round 4. I wouldn't sleep on Berdych either but he has to get to the QF first.

I'd be surprised if we don't see Novak on the final Sunday and if he plays anyone but Murray I think he wins it.

I also won't be surprised should Djokovic make the finals, of course, but I wouldn't call him a lock against any of the other big 3. Why do you think only Murray gets him?

Of course he wouldn't be a lock vs. Rafa or Roger but I do think he'd win. Murray is a bad matchup for Nole on grass and obviously he would have the home crowd which we know can get under Djokovic's skin. I think Murray would definitely win that final.

Murray's biggest threat is Rafa. Hate to say it but even if Roger survives to the semis I just don't see him getting past Murray this time. If Roger somehow gets to the finals without expending too much energy then he would have a very good chance vs. Nole but it's hard to picture that happening.

I agree with you on the crowd, although I think it would be okay because Novak can't really expect anything else. Personally, I hope it is Rafa he will face in the finals if he makes it. Rafa is the easiest opponent for Novak of the big 4 on grass. And it's the most likely too, since Rafa will probably be able to defeat the other two.

I'm not sure why you think Rafa would be the easiest opponent for Novak. I think Roger is the most difficult match-up for him, though Darth thinks Murray is. Funnily, they've only each played him once on grass, both matches were last summer, when they split Wimbledon and they Olympics. RN and ND have played 3 times: once Novak retired, once Rafa won in straights, and once Nole won in 4, but I would argue that was also the nadir of Nadal's confidence against Djokovic that year, when Novak was beating up on him. I think Rafa has fixed that part for himself, and I think he's a superior mover on grass to Novak.

 

[Denis]

^ I knew the 'easiest' thing would tickle someone. 'Least difficult' is fine with me too. I don't think Nadal has fixed his Novak problem at all. He hasn't beaten him outside clay since 2010. Thats three years ago. And he was beaten on clay this year + barely made it to the finals at RG. Novak troubles him, like Nadal troubles Federer and Murray.

 

[Moxie]

^ I knew the 'easiest' thing would tickle someone. 'Least difficult' is fine with me too. I don't think Nadal has fixed his Novak problem at all. He hasn't beaten him outside clay since 2010. Thats three years ago. And he was beaten on clay this year + barely made it to the finals at RG. Novak troubles him, like Nadal troubles Federer and Murray.

I figured you'd settle for "least difficult," as an alt. I'm still not buying Murray as more troublesome.

Also, it's a little bit of recreating the narrative to say that Nadal hasn't beaten Djokovic off of clay since 2010. While true, they've scarcely played off of it, except 2011, the year Djokovic could barely lose, and the AO final in 2012. If you can say that Nadal barely made it to the final at RG, you can also say that Djokovic barely won the AO that year. So, if you dig into the details, it's not so damning as you make it sound. And, while I agree that Nole's game is tough on Rafa, I don't think the psychological barrier is there, anymore.

 

[Denis]

^ True, that was up to you to say. I admit it's all quite close, it's going to be interesting for sure. On Murray, I just really don't know where he is at. Big question mark. But I really expect Rafa to make it to the finals tbh. Although Roger could make a last stand.

 

[Moxie]

^ True, that was up to you to say. I admit it's all quite close, it's going to be interesting for sure. On Murray, I just really don't know where he is at. Big question mark. But I really expect Rafa to make it to the finals tbh. Although Roger could make a last stand.

Actually, a lot of question marks, right? I think that's what's got everyone so excited (and worked up.) Murray won Queens, but he was previously out with his back. Fed won Halle, his first title of the year. Rafa's made a great comeback, but he has barely played on grass in 2 years. Djokovic has had some surprising upsets this year. We'll just wait and see. Anyway, it has been fun sparring with you, Deni!

 

[Iona16]

The documentary Andy Murray: The Man Behind The Racquet aired tonight on the BBC.

With contributions from girlfriend Kim Sears, mum Judy, brother Jamie, coach Ivan Lendl, rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, tennis greats Andre Agassi and John McEnroe, and famous fans such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Kevin Spacey and James Corden.

Here it is if you want to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tDL-cfqJOo

Rafael Nadal talking about sending Murray flirtatious text messages.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dseut38-YkY&feature=youtu.be

 

[Moxie]

The documentary Andy Murray: The Man Behind The Racquet aired tonight on the BBC.

With contributions from girlfriend Kim Sears, mum Judy, brother Jamie, coach Ivan Lendl, rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, tennis greats Andre Agassi and John McEnroe, and famous fans such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Kevin Spacey and James Corden.

Here it is if you want to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tDL-cfqJOo

Rafael Nadal talking about sending Murray flirtatious text messages.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dseut38-YkY&feature=youtu.be

Loved it, Iona! Thanks. Though I could have used subtitles for a few of the meatier Scots accents. :blush:

But seriously...it really did get to the heart of the man. Very insightful. He gave over quite a lot.

 

[Iona16]

The documentary Andy Murray: The Man Behind The Racquet aired tonight on the BBC.

With contributions from girlfriend Kim Sears, mum Judy, brother Jamie, coach Ivan Lendl, rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, tennis greats Andre Agassi and John McEnroe, and famous fans such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Kevin Spacey and James Corden.

Here it is if you want to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tDL-cfqJOo

Rafael Nadal talking about sending Murray flirtatious text messages.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dseut38-YkY&feature=youtu.be

Loved it, Iona! Thanks. Though I could have used subtitles for a few of the meatier Scots accents. :blush:

But seriously...it really did get to the heart of the man. Very insightful. He gave over quite a lot.

Lol.. don't worry Moxie I sometimes struggle to understand a strong Scottish accent. You're not alone.

Glad you liked it. I have to say it had me in tears a few times. I hope people did see a different side to Andy.

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Over on tennis.com one of the writers pointed out that this would be the first slam since last year's Wimbledon that all members of the Big 4 would be in attendance. I guess today we found out that, like last year, Nadal didn't care to join the party for very long.

 

[tented]

The documentary Andy Murray: The Man Behind The Racquet aired tonight on the BBC.

With contributions from girlfriend Kim Sears, mum Judy, brother Jamie, coach Ivan Lendl, rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, tennis greats Andre Agassi and John McEnroe, and famous fans such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Kevin Spacey and James Corden.

Here it is if you want to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tDL-cfqJOo

It says the video is private, so I can't see it.

 

[tented]

The documentary Andy Murray: The Man Behind The Racquet aired tonight on the BBC.

With contributions from girlfriend Kim Sears, mum Judy, brother Jamie, coach Ivan Lendl, rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, tennis greats Andre Agassi and John McEnroe, and famous fans such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Kevin Spacey and James Corden.

Here it is if you want to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tDL-cfqJOo

It says the video is private, so I can't see it.

Iona, is this it?:

[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN416vgWaG0[/video]

 

[Iona16]

The documentary Andy Murray: The Man Behind The Racquet aired tonight on the BBC.

With contributions from girlfriend Kim Sears, mum Judy, brother Jamie, coach Ivan Lendl, rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, tennis greats Andre Agassi and John McEnroe, and famous fans such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Kevin Spacey and James Corden.

Here it is if you want to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tDL-cfqJOo

It says the video is private, so I can't see it.

Iona, is this it?:

[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN416vgWaG0[/video]

Yes, that is it. Can you view it?

 

[tented]

Yes, that is it. Can you view it?

Yes, this one I can see. The BBC probably made YouTube take down the other one, and my guess is the one I just linked to won't be around long, either. (That happens with copyrighted material.)

 

[Iona16]

I thought they might but that was quick even for the BBC.

 

[tented]

I thought they might but that was quick even for the BBC.

I just finished watching it. Great documentary. I learned a lot about him. And laughed a few times, too. Watching his physio guy get in the ice bath was hilarious, as was the anecdote about what happened on the plane flying home after the USO.