SMB Tennis thread (note there is a specific Wimbledon 22 thread)

Normally can't stand the press but that fella was spot on. The way she reacted she knew it too.

Never saw the interview but read the dialogue online.
When someone mentions the word patronise you know you’ve got them.
Can’t stand watching her play as her serve build up is annoying but did see the last set.

She just seems to be one of those players who will always have one or two better than her and currently for me doesn’t have the mentality to win a grand slam.

Probably similar to where Murray once was but she’s more a Henman to me.
 


Cant stand the Querrey's of the tennis world, they literally have nothing to give other than a big serve, but that's all they need, it's not tennis at all.

Nadal keeps doing the hard work of breaking this clown but then throws it all away on his own serve.
A lot like the South African, Kevin Smith.
A beanpole of a man, but with a booming serve, and very little else.
 
Nadal opening at 7/10 to beat Federer is quite interesting. Federer's the favourite for me.

I think the question of her bottle or lack of it, wasn't just about today's defeat.
Didn't she get rinsed recently in Paris, by a relatively unknown player, when her good form (until that match) suggested she could get to the final in Paris ?

No she didn't. She got beat off someone who's currently ranked above her and has significantly more experience than her on clay.
 
So we do have 'Fedal' on Friday, their 40th encounter, and while it's all pretty predictable and they met at the same stage of a slam just 5 weeks ago etc. this does feel a bit different with it being on the Wimbledon grass. Bookies have opened up with Nadal 8/11, Federer 11/10, so very close - I'm sure Roger was about 5/1 to beat him at Roland Garros. Federer on the court today for 2 and a half hours, Rafa 2, and Federer had about 30 mins less in his Berrettini rout than Nadal's over Sousa in the last 16, so both should be pretty fresh.

How do you see it going?
 
I think the question of her bottle or lack of it, wasn't just about today's defeat.
Didn't she get rinsed recently in Paris, by a relatively unknown player, when her good form (until that match) suggested she could get to the final in Paris ?

Been quite a few accusations being thrown at the journalist of him being sexist towards her. Things always end up going that way now unfortunately.
 
Been quite a few accusations being thrown at the journalist of him being sexist towards her. Things always end up going that way now unfortunately.
I can't quote the journo, word for word, but what I remember of the interview, I don't think he was being sexist towards her.
He questioned her lack of mental strength iirc.
 
Claimed that was her at her very best.
Like I posted yesterday, it might be a good idea for sports stars to have a short "cooling off" period, straight after losing a game, so they can compose themselves and gather their thoughts and not be so emotional when doing a post match interview.
 
So we do have 'Fedal' on Friday, their 40th encounter, and while it's all pretty predictable and they met at the same stage of a slam just 5 weeks ago etc. this does feel a bit different with it being on the Wimbledon grass. Bookies have opened up with Nadal 8/11, Federer 11/10, so very close - I'm sure Roger was about 5/1 to beat him at Roland Garros. Federer on the court today for 2 and a half hours, Rafa 2, and Federer had about 30 mins less in his Berrettini rout than Nadal's over Sousa in the last 16, so both should be pretty fresh.

How do you see it going?

Djokovic had to demand the roof stay closed last year just to give him a big advantage to help him beat Nadal, he only won by two points even with that. If Nadal plays like that again on Friday I think he will have no problem beating Federer.
 
Djokovic's path to reach a (potential) Wimbledon final will be #57, #111, #48, #66, #23 and #22 - there'll probably have been stronger ATP 250 runs than that.
Nadal, to reach Federer, has beaten #274, #43 (admittedly someone who could and should be ranked much higher), #72, #69 and #65
Federer = #86, #169, #28, #20 and #7, to be fair, his last 3 rounds have been the highest ranked player he could have faced once the draw was made.

I am looking forward to Federer-Nadal on Friday, but it kind of has felt a waste of 10 days getting to this stage, and imagine what it would look like if these 3 were injured. Zverev and Tsitsipas losing to unspectacular players in the first round in grim, especially when it is BO5, so usually less chance of a shock. Shapovalov losing to Berankis in straight sets is even worse, Thiem is pretty average away from clay, and while it wasn't amazing when Cilic and Anderson were at the top of their game given their style, at least it did offer something a bit different and a potential obstacle for the big 3 if they were having an off day. The tour is badly missing a healthy Murray and Del Potro, both looking unlikely to get back to anywhere near where they were, although saying that, Murray will probably be confident of reaching QFs and SFs if/when he returns if he avoids the big 3 early, given the nature of the rest of the field. There was Stan as well, but realistically, his slam challenging days are probably behind him as well given his age and injuries.

I can't see the US Open in 6 weeks being that much different.

Djokovic had to demand the roof stay closed last year just to give him a big advantage to help him beat Nadal, he only won by two points even with that. If Nadal plays like that again on Friday I think he will have no problem beating Federer.

Nadal has come in slightly at Bet365 this past hour or so. I certainly want the winner of that match to take the title (beating Djokovic). At least there's no sign of injury from either of them, and hopefully it will be even half as good as their last match at Wimbledon 11 years ago.
 
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So we do have 'Fedal' on Friday, their 40th encounter, and while it's all pretty predictable and they met at the same stage of a slam just 5 weeks ago etc. this does feel a bit different with it being on the Wimbledon grass. Bookies have opened up with Nadal 8/11, Federer 11/10, so very close - I'm sure Roger was about 5/1 to beat him at Roland Garros. Federer on the court today for 2 and a half hours, Rafa 2, and Federer had about 30 mins less in his Berrettini rout than Nadal's over Sousa in the last 16, so both should be pretty fresh.

How do you see it going?
1st set is crucial, Federer has to win it to have any chance of winning + all aspects of his game have to be firing like his comeback in 2017.
Fear that Nadal will do it in 3 :( his serve and attacking play has improved on his performance at Wimbledon last year.
I'd take Federer winning through rafa withdrawal right now :lol:

Final will be decided by whoever wins the 1st set, Djokovic just doesn't lose when he wins the 1st set.

Djokovic had to demand the roof stay closed last year just to give him a big advantage to help him beat Nadal, he only won by two points even with that. If Nadal plays like that again on Friday I think he will have no problem beating Federer.
This unfortunately
 
1st set is crucial, Federer has to win it to have any chance of winning + all aspects of his game have to be firing like his comeback in 2017.
Fear that Nadal will do it in 3 :( his serve and attacking play has improved on his performance at Wimbledon last year.
I'd take Federer winning through rafa withdrawal right now :lol:

Final will be decided by whoever wins the 1st set, Djokovic just doesn't lose when he wins the 1st set.


This unfortunately

I think Djokovic wins regardless, he is the only one seems to be able to get into Nadal's head and make him play badly, look what he did to him in Australia. For Federer to beat them both at 38 years old would be one of his greatest achievements even for him, just cant see it happening.

@The Bridge Lad What time will they announce the order of play for tomorrow?
 
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I think Djokovic wins regardless, he is the only one seems to be able to get into Nadal's head and make him play badly, look what he did to him in Australia. For Federer to beat them both at 38 years old would be one of his greatest achievements even for him, just cant see it happening.

@The Bridge Lad What time will they announce the order of play for tomorrow?
I haven't been watching Wimbledon at all this year but can't see
 

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