Wimbledon

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Federer's serve wasn't as good as in the past. Still good to Rafa's forehand side(up the middle,) but not up the middle to his backhand side. Weird, but true. Rafa's serve is much improved(especially in consistency.) The main thing that has changed though is that Rafa dictates the flow of the rallies. It's more Federer responding to him, than him having to respond to Federer. That's new(Federer has never let somebody control that on grass..never.) It's mainly a case of Federer being not as good. It's true that Nadal has improved, but I think the reason Rafa won was due 25% to himself, and 75% due to Federer not playing as well as he has in the past(on grass.) Federer has been decaying the last 6 or 7 months. If he can't get it done here, then I don't think he will win another major until possibly next year's Wimbledon(the truth is that he is simply in decline, and may never win another major.) I have always seen him as more of a talent than a competitor.

ALERT! ALERT! ..Andruw Jones got a base hit!!

[TheSpyder]

I think it came down to unforced errors. Nadal was just a rock. Federer played out of a few holes in amazing fashion but also made some rather poor shots coming into the net. Nadal did choke a couple times but overall was just a little bit better. Great match and recorded it starting at 9 am which means if I got 6 hours I still didn't get it all.

Oh well,

Spydal

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

I think it came down to unforced errors. Nadal was just a rock. Federer played out of a few holes in amazing fashion but also made some rather poor shots coming into the net. Nadal did choke a couple times but overall was just a little bit better. Great match and recorded it starting at 9 am which means if I got 6 hours I still didn't get it all.

Oh well,

Spydal

Federer used to finish those points off much earlier. He is not as sure of himself. Lets Rafy dictate the points now. Like I said, it's both(serve not as good, and ground game not as aggressive as it once was.) On grass, it should be Federer's power game dominating Rafy's shot-making finesse. If his power ground strokes aren't working, then it should be backed up by his aces (with his serve.) He should have a double wall of protection. Neither wall is as good as it used to be.

Federer pulled out some huge serves but all in all he
did not play his best and he knows it. Nadal's focus
is incredible for a kid that young.

I really have come to like this kid. Going up and having
the grand hugfest with his parents and coach. I wish
I had his ability to concentrate for that long. Amazing.

This could be the type of match that makes Federer
try and get better. He clearly is not as good now.
I have my doubts.

The legend of Borg is safe in my mind.

[herkhorse]

Missed the last three sets, and now wish I hadn't. Not a big tennis fan, but this was obviously great. Nadal

[ateamstupid]

Best match I've seen, and Nadal is certainly as close to Federer as he's ever been, but can we have him not crap out at a hard court slam before we give him #1? He's obviously one of the best ever on clay and a monster on grass as well, but there are two other slams he hasn't even come close to winning..

[Samarta]

There can be all kinds of spins put on why Nadal won and Federer lost, but it all boils down to missed opportunities. 1 for 12 in break point chances is the reason Federer lost. You have got to take advantage of those opportunities when you have them. The level of tennis that was played for the entire 4 hours and 48 minutes is something I haven't seen since the '80 final when Borg beat McEnroe in a 5 set thriller with the 4th set breaker going to McEnroe 22-20. That imo is the best match I've ever seen, but this ranks a close second. Let's just hope that Novak Djocovich doesn't wake up and they have another go at the Open.....

Federer hasn't been the same since he parted way with Tony Roach.

His career is at a crossroads right now and it's up to him to ditch the celebrities, get a coach, and get in the weight room and work on his conditioning.

Originally Posted by Samarta

There can be all kinds of spins put on why Nadal won and Federer lost, but it all boils down to missed opportunities. 1 for 12 in break point chances is the reason Federer lost. You have got to take advantage of those opportunities when you have them. The level of tennis that was played for the entire 4 hours and 48 minutes is something I haven't seen since the '80 final when Borg beat McEnroe in a 5 set thriller with the 4th set breaker going to McEnroe 22-20. That imo is the best match I've ever seen, but this ranks a close second. Let's just hope that Novak Djocovich doesn't wake up and they have another go at the Open.....

I was going to mention that match.
Did not to one up a great match just played, but that match was totally awesome.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by pgardn

I was going to mention that match.
Did not to one up a great match just played, but that match was totally awesome.

That was an awesome match.

The match that stays with me was Jimmy Conners coming back from 5-2 down in the 5th set against Aaron Krickstein in the US Open...on his 39th birthday.

[TheSpyder]

Not particularly on topic but tennis is a close second for me to horse racing and there is a Champions Touney 10 minutes from me put on Outback and run by by Tim Wilkison (Dr. Dirt) and have worked there every year as a driver and usher. Have got to meet Aaron Krickstein, Pat Cash, Jim Courier, Todd Martin, and many others. Sampras played last year and McEnroe the year before.

It is just too much fun to see these guys play. Watch Sampras pratice for 45 minutes with only 5 other people there and it was very cool.

Spyder

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

That was an awesome match.

The match that stays with me was Jimmy Conners coming back from 5-2 down in the 5th set against Aaron Krickstein in the US Open...on his 39th birthday.

[Samarta]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

That was an awesome match.

The match that stays with me was Jimmy Conners coming back from 5-2 down in the 5th set against Aaron Krickstein in the US Open...on his 39th birthday.

That one ranks right up there....that's the whole Open at night factor.....I remember that match well.....Jimmy had that crowd in as big a frenzy as I've ever seen at a sporting event.....

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

That was an awesome match.

The match that stays with me was Jimmy Conners coming back from 5-2 down in the 5th set against Aaron Krickstein in the US Open...on his 39th birthday.

That was a really good one for the crowd enthusiasm. Krickstein would never be considered a Borg or McEnroe, but he provided good fodder for an old man.
Its odd because I disliked Connors, McEnroe, Nasty, and Agassi.
I end up liking them all but Nasty.
McEnroe is a really good announcer. Connors and Agassi turned from
spoiled brats to super tough competitors with age for me.

Nasty. I think he still spits on people.