If fed plays like he did yesterday today then he beats Djokovic, Fed when he plays like that beats anyone, but it's a tough ask as I think the match versus Nadal must have been very draining mentally and physically. Amazing match, Nadal played really well too, the break point at 4-5 in the fourth was huge if Nadal converted that might have been a different outcome, but Fed played the point so well. Actually almost all the big exchanges Fed just seemed to have that something extra.
Tennis 2019
- Thread starter Brophs
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I do worry for tennis after these three especially Federer and Nadal. The way to these two have performed, the icons they've become through their differing styles and their class which has garnered respect, you feel it's only downhill from this for a good while for the sport, in terms of that special appeal.
People keep harping about this being the best footy we've seen with Messi and Ronaldo, but I feel it's untrue there but definitely the case here with tennis.
Of course more competition and variety of winners has its own fun. But it has to be complimented with quality which seems hard to find with the younger lot.
People keep harping about this being the best footy we've seen with Messi and Ronaldo, but I feel it's untrue there but definitely the case here with tennis.
Of course more competition and variety of winners has its own fun. But it has to be complimented with quality which seems hard to find with the younger lot.
Thing with the Djokovic matchup is that he's a better returner than Nadal and generally I feel Federer finds it harder to damage his serve (at least in recent years) than Nadals, which is why he's a tougher prospect. I mean yesterday there was a phase where every other Federer return landed nearabout Nadals feet. It'll be tough but Federer IMO has to be just as aggresive as he was against Nadal to throw Djokovic off his game.
Problem is we won't see anyone like Federer for a long long time. He's a transitional player between two eras where you could find all court specialists like him but also had enough variety to see clash of styles.
Young guns are like robots, but also very fragile and to me lack the dedication of those three.
Williams v. Halep
I’m so torn here as to who I want to win
I’m so torn here as to who I want to win
Tennis without Novak, Federer and Nadal is going to be way way worse than football without Ronaldo and Messi. You can already see it with how average the Next Gen is.
Nadal is usually a good returner but he was awful yesterday whereas Novak will probably not return that poorly and I don't think he'll be as thrown off by the kind of returns Roger was using yesterday with Rafa. Novak will be favorite but you just never know, he's had some weak moments as well through this tournament.
Should be a great final. Serena is basically doing a Federer by making the final a couple of months before turning 38.
To put the absurdity of Serena's accomplishments in perspective - she's won over a dozen slams in multiple decades and won slams in both multiple centuries and millennia.
If she wins today, she will equal Margaret Court and is probably hoping to surpass her before she retires to ensure there are absolutely no lingering questions about her GOAT status.
Yeah it’s been great watching her still perform at that age, and also after having a kid. Plus it’s nice having an American in the final.
But Halep is probably my favorite female tennis player since Hingis. She’s a little spark plug and I’ve always enjoyed watching her play.
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That’s crazy.
If we include women in the “greatest sportsmen” argument, she’s about the only person I can think of that would unseat Federer in my opinion as the best so far in the 21st century.
I’m going with my heart on this one.
Come on Simona!
Come on Simona!
Shocking start by Serena.
Is it though? She had a similar meltdown last time she played a final here against Kerber.
Shocking as in bad. But also a little surprising. You don’t expect the best female player in history to go down by a double break. Hopefully she eases into it for the second.
Is the ball sounding really weird coming off Serena’s racket or is that just me?
Its her wrist action that makes it look like so. She's also deliberately putting more topspin on her shots for some reason, which is unusual at Wimby.
Age and childbirth hurt Serena’s footwork a lot. It was never pristine but she puts herself in bad positions much more due to the loss of agility.
Halep playing lights out . Absolutely unreal set
I'd hate to be a lineman who makes a controversial call against Serena in the 2nd set.
Halep fights like a dog for every point.
I’d honestly thought she broke a string twice in that first set.
That’s why I love her. That bulldog mentality gets me every single time.
Serena attempting to shout her way back into this match
Williams is annoying.
Hope Halep crushes her. Straight sets.
Hope Halep crushes her. Straight sets.
Serena's shouty bullshit really annoys me but I suppose that's the aim of it, to annoy her opponent too.
Angry Serena is so weird. Everytime she met a good returner in the last few years it’s like she’s annoyed that they would dare exert themselves returning her would-be winners.
The Sharapova tactic.
Halep looking the best I've ever seen her. Williams waking up though, so this could become a really good match.
Why are the commentators referring to Halep as 'Halep', but Williams as 'Serena'
Halep's surely got this.
Brillaint from Halep
Halep is sensational.
After 20 majors you get on a first name basis.
Serena is just a habit as it differentiates her from her sister.
Come on!
Halep's returns are sensational.
Long!!!
That should be match.
yeah i guess that makes sense
Halep has been brilliant, she's got to everything.
Yep, no way back for Serena surely.