Wimbledon Preview Talk

[Fiero425]

I thought Novak was going to ask for a wild card to Queens? It's a long break between RG and Wimbo this year...

He has not signed up as a regular entry guy for any warm-ups. I don't know whether he plans to ask. It would make sense to ask though. Maybe Nole fans can confirm this.

Has he ever? I can't remember, but it's not like I'm a full-time Nole fan; just someone who knows who's the best at this time! :lolz: :angel: :dodgy: Way back when, Borg never played them going back to his first win at Wimbledon in '76! He would just get extra practice in seclusion and somehow manage something incomprehensible at the time; 5 straight Wimbledon wins! :wow: :eyepop Something like that you expect just once in a tennis generation, but to have Federer do it twice at the 2 premiere top events (5 Wmbl's & 5 USO's), all you can do is shake your head! Nadal puts them in perspective with his 9 FO's, 4 and 5 win streaks respectively! This homogenized court doesn't worry me like the old choppy and slick stuff; he should be fine! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I thought Novak was going to ask for a wild card to Queens? It's a long break between RG and Wimbo this year...

He has not signed up as a regular entry guy for any warm-ups. I don't know whether he plans to ask. It would make sense to ask though. Maybe Nole fans can confirm this.

Has he ever? I can't remember, but it's not like I'm a full-time Nole fan; just someone who knows who's the best at this time! :lolz: :angel: :dodgy: Way back when, Borg never played them going back to his first win at Wimbledon in '76! He would just get extra practice in seclusion and somehow manage something incomprehensible at the time; 5 straight Wimbledon wins! :wow: :eyepop Something like that you expect just once in a tennis generation, but to have Federer do it twice at the 2 premiere top events (5 Wmbl's & 5 USO's), all you can do is shake your head! Nadal puts them in perspective with his 9 FO's, 4 and 5 win streaks respectively! This homogenized court doesn't worry me like the old choppy and slick stuff; he should be fine! :angel: :dodgy:

Reading your posts is like listening to the commentary by Chris Evert or Johnny Mac. Always, talking about old stuff. :nono Let us learn to live in the present.

 

[Fiero425]

He has not signed up as a regular entry guy for any warm-ups. I don't know whether he plans to ask. It would make sense to ask though. Maybe Nole fans can confirm this.

Has he ever? I can't remember, but it's not like I'm a full-time Nole fan; just someone who knows who's the best at this time! :lolz: :angel: :dodgy: Way back when, Borg never played them going back to his first win at Wimbledon in '76! He would just get extra practice in seclusion and somehow manage something incomprehensible at the time; 5 straight Wimbledon wins! :wow: :eyepop Something like that you expect just once in a tennis generation, but to have Federer do it twice at the 2 premiere top events (5 Wmbl's & 5 USO's), all you can do is shake your head! Nadal puts them in perspective with his 9 FO's, 4 and 5 win streaks respectively! This homogenized court doesn't worry me like the old choppy and slick stuff; he should be fine! :angel: :dodgy:

Reading your posts is like listening to the commentary by Chris Evert or Johnny Mac. Always, talking about old stuff. :nono Let us learn to live in the present.

We're old! What can we do? We talk what we know! The last time I seriously cared, played and taught was back in the 90's; sorry! It's all been a blur since with me only being able to keep up with what's going on because there are so few actually winning! :laydownlaughing - Back in the day you might have 12 GS winners in a main draw of a major! It's more likely to happen with the ladies these days in comparison to era where Martina and Chris ruled! The pendulum will swing back sooner or later, but by then I'll be "dust in the wind!" :angel: :dodgy: :blowup

 

[Moxie]

I think picking Murray as favorite here would make less sense than having Rafa favorite at the French. He's not the defending champ and has lost 8 consecutive times to Djokovic (the most of any "Big 4" match up). The only thing going for him is that he had his best clay court season ever. But the thing is, Djokovic (arguably) did too. And while it's true that his loss in Paris could be mentally damaging, he handles that type of loss much better than he did in the past.

I'm not clear why you say Djokovic handles this kind of loss better than he has in the past. He has handled it better at Wimbledon, after a loss at RG, since that's the only Major he's won twice, outside of the AO, and both times after losing a F or SF at RG.

As to Murray, I agree his chances go down if he meets Novak in the final. Depending on however else the draw shakes out, I like his chances.

 

[Kirijax]

I'm a firm supporter of House Murray, but I woukld have to out Djokovic as No. 1 and then Murray. I'm still need to see Murray actually beat Djokovic before I start picking him to win it all. But we could get another surprise winner. How about Nishikori channeling Aggasi at '92 Wimbledon?

 

[Carol]

I actually agree with you. Optimal for Novak would be Roger to take out Murray in a tough semi.

And at his level presently, unless the gods bestow an elixir from heaven, Rafa does not make it past the first week again.

Dimitrov is having a poor year... I'd like to see how he does in the lead up to Wimbledon. Maybe he can find his game on the greens.

Rafa doesn't need any elixir to pass the first week, he just need to recovery his strong mind, game and and focus and I hope he will, it's about time, the good tennis followers need him

Let's consider:

- On his best surface, he was unable to win a Masters level tournament and was comprehensively thumped in three sets on his home court at Roland Garros.

- His forehand has not been a real weapon for him, except in spurts. His serve is nowhere like it was in 2013. He'll need both on grass.


- Other players are successfully employing Novak's strategy against him.

Like Dimitrov, he will need to find some success leading up to Wimbledon or he could be an early exit again.

But also let's go to considered that Rafa after his injury/surgery was playing with a lack of confidence and also very unfocused which made that his forehand was not working so well on HC and not even on his best surface, but he has not forgot to play so when whatever he is able to recovery that main weapon named confidence then his forehand will work better and his serve probably too. He has won two Wimbledon titles which means something, isn't?. Others have played well on clay and they still have not been able to win the RG

 

[Carol]

Wimbledon this year is a little more apart of RG (well done, it's about time) I imagine that Federer, Novak, Muzz and others are going to play in Queens or Halle, so they have time to rest a little and olso to practice on grass before Wimbledon, not bad at all

 

[Moxie]

I'm a firm supporter of House Murray, but I woukld have to out Djokovic as No. 1 and then Murray. I'm still need to see Murray actually beat Djokovic before I start picking him to win it all. But we could get another surprise winner. How about Nishikori channeling Aggasi at '92 Wimbledon?

It shouldn't be forgotten that Murray won his 2 Slams at the expensive of Djokovic, including at Wimbledon. Nishikori? Why not? He has a good serve when it's on, and a serious short game at the net.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

no idea who could win Wimbledon..a fair few candidates, maybe a new winner ?.

ask me after the final and I will tell you all who won.

 

[Kieran]

He has not signed up as a regular entry guy for any warm-ups. I don't know whether he plans to ask. It would make sense to ask though. Maybe Nole fans can confirm this.

Has he ever? I can't remember, but it's not like I'm a full-time Nole fan; just someone who knows who's the best at this time! :lolz: :angel: :dodgy: Way back when, Borg never played them going back to his first win at Wimbledon in '76! He would just get extra practice in seclusion and somehow manage something incomprehensible at the time; 5 straight Wimbledon wins! :wow: :eyepop Something like that you expect just once in a tennis generation, but to have Federer do it twice at the 2 premiere top events (5 Wmbl's & 5 USO's), all you can do is shake your head! Nadal puts them in perspective with his 9 FO's, 4 and 5 win streaks respectively! This homogenized court doesn't worry me like the old choppy and slick stuff; he should be fine! :angel: :dodgy:

Reading your posts is like listening to the commentary by Chris Evert or Johnny Mac. Always, talking about old stuff. :nono Let us learn to live in the present.

I love Fiero's posts! In the thread about when did we start watching tennis, the dude weighed in as the doyen. All that old stuff is good. Too many people only started watching tennis during Fedal and think that everything before this was slow and creaky and uninteresting. But it wasn't...

 

[Fiero425]

Has he ever? I can't remember, but it's not like I'm a full-time Nole fan; just someone who knows who's the best at this time! :lolz: :angel: :dodgy: Way back when, Borg never played them going back to his first win at Wimbledon in '76! He would just get extra practice in seclusion and somehow manage something incomprehensible at the time; 5 straight Wimbledon wins! :wow: :eyepop Something like that you expect just once in a tennis generation, but to have Federer do it twice at the 2 premiere top events (5 Wmbl's & 5 USO's), all you can do is shake your head! Nadal puts them in perspective with his 9 FO's, 4 and 5 win streaks respectively! This homogenized court doesn't worry me like the old choppy and slick stuff; he should be fine! :angel: :dodgy:

Reading your posts is like listening to the commentary by Chris Evert or Johnny Mac. Always, talking about old stuff. :nono Let us learn to live in the present.

I love Fiero's posts! In the thread about when did we start watching tennis, the dude weighed in as the doyen. All that old stuff is good. Too many people only started watching tennis during Fedal and think that everything before this was slow and creaky and uninteresting. But it wasn't...

:basiate :hug :celeb: You are too kind! Thanks!

 

[Kieran]

You're welcome, brother :hug

 

[August]

Federer must be the best fast-court player since on tour. Since last year, titles at Dubai x2, Cincy, Shanghai, and Wimby final. It's on his racquet if he can play his best tennis.

Murray is paying well so should be one of the favorites too.

Djokovic beat Federer last year so he should be able to do it also this year, especially on the slower 2nd-week grass.

Raonic with his big serve can be dangerous. And if Tsonga can keep his good form from RG, he should be well-capable on grass.

Then, what about Wawrinka. He's vulnerable on grass but played well last year, troubling even Federer. Given he's beaten Djokovic on slow surfaces, I fancy his chances on a faster surface where Djokovic has less time to defend. And vs. Murray, I think he could be a similar opponent to Verdasco in 2013. Expect that Stan showed at RG he can be redlining for the entire match, I think he's got the weapons to blow Murray off the court.

And Nadal. We'll I think it's not about who can beat him but who will beat him. In his current form, he should have no business on grass.

 

[Front242]

Plus the last 2 times they played (ok a while back in 2013, but still) Wawrinka beat Murray. And Stan's even better these days.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Has he ever? I can't remember, but it's not like I'm a full-time Nole fan; just someone who knows who's the best at this time! :lolz: :angel: :dodgy: Way back when, Borg never played them going back to his first win at Wimbledon in '76! He would just get extra practice in seclusion and somehow manage something incomprehensible at the time; 5 straight Wimbledon wins! :wow: :eyepop Something like that you expect just once in a tennis generation, but to have Federer do it twice at the 2 premiere top events (5 Wmbl's & 5 USO's), all you can do is shake your head! Nadal puts them in perspective with his 9 FO's, 4 and 5 win streaks respectively! This homogenized court doesn't worry me like the old choppy and slick stuff; he should be fine! :angel: :dodgy:

Reading your posts is like listening to the commentary by Chris Evert or Johnny Mac. Always, talking about old stuff. :nono Let us learn to live in the present.

I love Fiero's posts! In the thread about when did we start watching tennis, the dude weighed in as the doyen. All that old stuff is good. Too many people only started watching tennis during Fedal and think that everything before this was slow and creaky and uninteresting. But it wasn't...

I don't have anything against Fiero or old time tennis. But, there is a time and place for everything.
When people are busy watching the current match, nobody wants to hear what JMac or Chrissy did in olden days (that does not mean they are not great or old time tennis is bad). Similarly, there has to be a suitable thread for discussing old time stuff without intruding on the topic of the thread at hand, unless it is relevant in some sense.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I hope Roger does well. By that I mean a final or a win. His slice is the key here In addition to a good serve and a forehand). The big swingers are at a disadvantage on grass unless they are amazing movers. Like Rafa was in his day when he made all the finals despite the extreme grip and the huge swing. Stan's style will not help him either, unless he plays closer to the baseline. I have never liked Nole's movement on grass, even when he won here. There is too much lunging, off balance hitting...That shows you how good a player he is though.
Murray is at home on grass. He might win this whole thing. Milos will be rusty and tentative.
I cannot think of a dark horse at all...I think the usual suspects will do well.
Rafa is a question mark. A one-two puncher can take him out early like the last couple years. Or maybe he will find his grass legs and extra time will help. Who knows. I would like him to see the second week.

 

[kro2488]

I hope Roger does well. By that I mean a final or a win. His slice is the key here In addition to a good serve and a forehand). The big swingers are at a disadvantage on grass unless they are amazing movers. Like Rafa was in his day when he made all the finals despite the extreme grip and the huge swing. Stan's style will not help him either, unless he plays closer to the baseline. I have never liked Nole's movement on grass, even when he won here. There is too much lunging, off balance hitting...That shows you how good a player he is though.
Murray is at home on grass. He might win this whole thing. Milos will be rusty and tentative.
I cannot think of a dark horse at all...I think the usual suspects will do well.
Rafa is a question mark. A one-two puncher can take him out early like the last couple years. Or maybe he will find his grass legs and extra time will help. Who knows. I would like him to see the second week.

Me too. I wouldn't mind seeing Fed win it one last time, or have some newer guy like Stakhovsky or something who plays well on grass win as well. Just have to see what happens.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

borna coric won't win, poor coric is gonna get destroyed once more,LOL!.

on the groovy green glory he is dire, he cannot play tennis on it.........yet.

 

[isabelle]

So Stan is currently the Man. But already they're sweeping up the clay and putting it back into storage. Turn on your telly, it's summer, they've moved onto grass!

We have a longer break between Paris and Wimbledon, more warm up events for players if they need. But it's all about Wimbledon, not Stuttgart, Halle or Queens. So what's your view of Wimbledon, from a distance? Where do things stand? Is the world #1 going to be a little frazzled after the huge setback in Paris, and fall again defending his title?

Will Roger, the King of Grass for this era, find a late career resurgence and with shortened snippy points, seize an 8th title, and 18th?

Andy looks good now, doesn't he? I can't see anything other than last four, at least for him.

Maybe grass will be good for Rafa, if he has good warm-ups. Maybe he'll find a decent serve and be able to compete.

Nick, Grigor, Milos, and of course Stan and Tsonga, we have a few players we'll be watching to see if they can do well there, even in sniper-mode.

What's your expectations for the tournament that's simply known as, The Championships?

Hope Muzza'll win

 

[Puppet Master]

I have an additional reason to believe that Wawrinka will play well on grass, apart from winning the FO and being in great form. Yes, he isn't that impressive on fast courts since the counter punching can really hurt him, but it isn't true that he can't take big cuts at the ball even on grass. Against Federer last year, he just faded after winning the first set, probably due to playing 3 days in a row (if I am not mistaken ). I am not saying that Stan would have won, but could have pushed Federer a lot further than he did. And god knows how scary it gets when he goes deep in a slam.
By the way, can Wawrinka get a #3 seeding at Wimbo if he were to win a warm up event? Have Murray and Stan even signed up for any at all?