The Tennis Thread (5 Viewers)

[RivalryofTroll]

Re: Confessions

Wtf Nadal is out...

Definitely an upset for the ages (again). However, it's not like 2012 where he lost in the 2nd round after having made the finals in the previous year.

Ever since Nadal lost to Djokovic in the 2011 Wimbledon finals, his track record at Wimbledon is:

2012: Loss to, at the time, #100 Lukas Rosol in the 2nd round.
2013: Loss to, at the time, #119 Steve Darcis in the 1st round.
2014: Loss to, at the time, #144 Nick Kyrgios in the 4th round.
2015: Loss to #102 Dustin Brown in the 2nd round.

I mean even old Federer (post 30 years old) even has a better recent track record at Roland Garros (noting clay is Federer's worst surface).

The guy was playing 1990s grass court tennis. Serve-volleying on EVERY serve basically, first serve AND second serve. I mean serve-volleying on your second serve against Nadal usually means suicide, considering how Nadal has one of the best passing shots in the game but the guy was completely clutch at the net. Since he usually held serve well, he was just smacking return of serves on Nadal's service games when trying to get the breaks. He gave Nadal no rhythm at all.

Note: Dustin Brown has actually defeated Nadal on grass before (best of 3 sets at Halle 2014 though, where the grass is faster but still).

 

[buriza]

Re: Confessions

Definitely an upset for the ages (again). However, it's not like 2012 where he lost in the 2nd round after having made the finals in the previous year.

Ever since Nadal lost to Djokovic in the 2011 Wimbledon finals, his track record at Wimbledon is:

2012: Loss to, at the time, #100 Lukas Rosol in the 2nd round.
2013: Loss to, at the time, #119 Steve Darcis in the 1st round.
2014: Loss to, at the time, #144 Nick Kyrgios in the 4th round.
2015: Loss to #102 Dustin Brown in the 2nd round.

I mean even old Federer (post 30 years old) even has a better recent track record at Roland Garros (noting clay is Federer's worst surface).

The guy was playing 1990s grass court tennis. Serve-volleying on EVERY serve basically, first serve AND second serve. I mean serve-volleying on your second serve against Nadal usually means suicide, considering how Nadal has one of the best passing shots in the game but the guy was completely clutch at the net. Since he usually held serve well, he was just smacking return of serves on Nadal's service games when trying to get the breaks. He gave Nadal no rhythm at all.

Note: Dustin Brown has actually defeated Nadal on grass before (best of 3 sets at Halle 2014 though, where the grass is faster but still).

I feel like I have to step in and say that it's not really fair to compare "old Federer" to "younger Nadal." As Nadal is a clay specialist, the longevity of his career is expected to be far less than that of other players in his time. Federer especially, who is more of a grass specialist than anything else, and is obviously the easiest surface on the body. I don't really see whatsoever how it's an upset for Nadal to have lost early in Wimbledon, especially given the past record you just highlighted. I always found it surprising that Nadal won on grass, just like how I found it surprising that Nadal won on hard. Also even if "old Federer" has a better recent track record at Roland Garros - he's still won 1, and Nadal has won 9. Remember I think Federer always will be the best male player, but things should be kept objectively, particularly when judging Nadal's performance recently.

#forevernadalfanout

 

[omni16]

Hoping Federer or Murray wins it.

Djokovic has never taken a set off (let alone win a match) on grass against Murray, so I fancy Andy's chances.

And Nadal gets knocked out by Dustin Brown (who had actually beaten Nadal before on grass - Halle 2014).

Nadal, 2 time Wimbledon champion and 5 time finalist, gets knocked out before the QFs for the 4th year in a row. Rafa on grass is turning to Sampras on clay.

In his past 3 defeats and his defeat today at Wimbledon, Rafa has lost to someone outside the top 100?! Simply, ridiculous.

Yeah, I knew he was gonna get knocked out. He's been more than consistent in being knocked out by 2nd for a looong time now..

Kinda sad. He's a great player but so many injuries they just deteriorate his game.

 

[SpiralFlex]

Re: Confessions

Black guy always wins huehue

 

[RivalryofTroll]

Re: Confessions

I feel like I have to step in and say that it's not really fair to compare "old Federer" to "younger Nadal." As Nadal is a clay specialist, the longevity of his career is expected to be far less than that of other players in his time. Federer especially, who is more of a grass specialist than anything else, and is obviously the easiest surface on the body. I don't really see whatsoever how it's an upset for Nadal to have lost early in Wimbledon, especially given the past record you just highlighted. I always found it surprising that Nadal won on grass, just like how I found it surprising that Nadal won on hard. Also even if "old Federer" has a better recent track record at Roland Garros - he's still won 1, and Nadal has won 9. Remember I think Federer always will be the best male player, but things should be kept objectively, particularly when judging Nadal's performance recently.

#forevernadalfanout

I definitely have to agree with 2015 being a case of physical burnout (also, we need to factor in his low confidence) but in 2012, 2013 and 2014, he was coming in Wimbledon as the French Open champion.

Rafa is a 2 time Wimbledon champion and has 3 additional finals, any early loss at Wimbledon (regardless of his recent track record) should still be considered an upset.

Of course, Nadal is still the clay GOAT. I mean why would we compare Federer's 1 RG to Rafa's 9 RGs?

Just that Rafa's recent exits at Wimbledon remind me of Sampras' track record at the French Open after his lone SFs run.

I think Nadal's 2015 is resembling Federer's poor 2013. It's sad when the greats start to decline.

I still think Nadal has 1 more good Wimbledon run in him before his career ends.

A Federer-Nadal encounter at Wimbledon in their retirement year (if somehow Fedal are retiring together), regardless of when they meet, would be a good end to it all but that'd 100% end up as a heartbreaker for Fed

 

[Chris_S]

Unfortunatey Nadal lost and isn't playing the tennis that everyone knows him for at the moment. I thought that after his win in Stuttgart and that ferrer pulled out and his draw opened up I really thought he was going to go deep in Wimbledon, by unfortunately it was not the case. However, being a Nadal fan for a long time I know he will come back but I think he needs a good run in a few tournaments to gain confidence and than he will make one. He encapsulated all tennis fan in his comeback in 2013 when he won 10 titles including Roland Garros and the U.S. Open. He has done it before and I will not be surprised if he will do it again and make history. Without a doubt he has another slam in him and for me it is next years French Open. Altogether, VAMOS RAFA! Btw I think Fed or Murray will win but for me it is Fed. But don't doubt Rafa as we all know he is going to come back

 

[OMGITzJustin]

kyrgios.. such a beast

 

[RivalryofTroll]

Kyrgios down 2 sets to love against Gasquet (who he actually beat last year at Wimbledon, after going 2 sets to love down as well and saving NINE match-points).

 

[OMGITzJustin]

come on kyrgios, beat this frenchman

 

[obliviousninja]

That one asian guy in the fanatics. Bahahahaha

 

[obliviousninja]

Kyrgios choked on two set points

 

[OMGITzJustin]

why the FUCK does kyrgios keep serving like that, just get the bloody second serve in OMG

 

[photastic]

Kyrgios shouldn't have tanked the 2nd set.

why the FUCK does kyrgios keep serving like that, just get the bloody second serve in OMG

Choked

 

[RivalryofTroll]

why the FUCK does kyrgios keep serving like that, just get the bloody second serve in OMG

He tried to replicate Sampras' 2nd serve at Wimbledon.

Going for big 2nd serves like Pistol Pete.

It worked quite a few times but failed him at the most important time.

Kyrgios would have had all the momentum if it went to the 5th.

 

[RivalryofTroll]

Going to watch Karlovic v Murray

Expecting at least 2 TBs.

 

[OMGITzJustin]

still fuming about kyrgios... had it right there with 2 set points, being a sport fan is stressful sometimes lol

 

[RivalryofTroll]

Karlovic can play until 45 years old at this rate.

Serve is as huge as ever and he's 36.

 

[RivalryofTroll]

still fuming about kyrgios... had it right there with 2 set points, being a sport fan is stressful sometimes lol

Tell me about it.

Federer last year had 2 break-points at 4-4 in the 5th against Djokovic.

Djokovic saves them then goes on to break Federer to win Wimbledon.

Don't even mention USO10 and USO11 where Federer blew 2 matchpoints against Djokovic in each match and lost.

 

[Recondit]

Undoubtedly the best level of tennis I have seen all year, rivaling some of Stan's performances. Federer just creaming the lines easily and striking clean winners from every difficult position he has been in. Serving extremely well, and backhand is on point.

 

[integral95]

I can only hope that Federer keeps up this perfect form, then he would have a great chance for the 8th Wimbledon title