Wimbledon 2011

[mick the click]

They have used different varieties of grass over the years and I believe they have deliberately started using 'slow' grass recently.

As for the balls being slower, the balls used at the French were lighter and therefore faster than before.

Federer liked them. Nadal hated them (but couldn't openly say so because they're made by Babolat - a main sponsor of his).

Look what happened...

[mick the click]

Just found out I'm going tomorrow courtesy of m'boy's tennis involvement.

Look out for me. I'll wave.

[Chazza]

Just found out I'm going tomorrow courtesy of m'boy's tennis involvement.

Look out for me. I'll wave.

Nice one

Will you be wearing some sort of Mick the Click paraphernalia, hats, t-shirts, giant foam hands etc?

[Fredo]

They've definitely made the balls slower over the years.

Are you saying they've genetically modified the grass?

I don't think the balls are slower, just that the grass slows it down and it bounces much more than before. It used to zip and speed up, which favoured technical players much more and made the Wimbledon the hardest Open to win.

It's much more competitive now, but Federer would have had 8 or 9 had it not been for this 'slower' surface.

[mick the click]

Nice one

Will you be wearing some sort of Mick the Click paraphernalia, hats, t-shirts, giant foam hands etc?

That'll be me.

[Arn]

I don't think the balls are slower, just that the grass slows it down and it bounces much more than before. It used to zip and speed up, which favoured technical players much more and made the Wimbledon the hardest Open to win.

It's much more competitive now, but Federer would have had 8 or 9 had it not been for this 'slower' surface.

The balls are slower but that isn't only at Wimbledon. Now you more or less can't use the serve and volley tactic because the balls are to slow. Not even on hard-court.

Federer would probably be on 20+ Grand Slams if they hadn't changed balls and made the grass and hard-courts slower.

Players like Sampras and Federer was simply almost unbeatable on hard-court and grass so they had to do something to make it more interesting.

Nadal is IMO the best player in the world because of the changes. Federer is still the most complete player but he can't use his attacking game that is the best in the world by some distance in the same way because of the slower tempo.

He had to change his game and now attacks the ball much earlier, almost on half volley many times. He had to find a way to up the tempo again.

The higher bounce fits Nadal's topspin perfectly.

[Baracus]

Watching the game today. When Fed used to hit the forearm topspin. The Ball used to zip through the air. It was so, so slow today watching the movements of the tennis balls. Viewing pleasure gone.

[Gibbo]

Is anyone watching Venus Williams Vs Date-Krumm?
Krumm is 40 years old and 3-0 up in the first set, its excellent!

[Mike]

40?

WTF is Venus wearing

[Gibbo]

Looks like me nans old net curtains This is one of the best sets of tennis Ive ever seen!

[Chazza]

I take it the roof is on, i'm about 20miles south of Wimbledon and the ****ing rain is coming down sideways

[Muddled]

40?

WTF is Venus wearing

She looks well for 40.

As for Venus, I was going to post the same - just a shame they can't make he wear a full body tracksuit or something.

[Muddled]

I can't believe a steward took a tennis ball off of a spectator!

Incredible ... it's a tennis. Ball.

[Muddled]

And Tim Henman is as annoying on commentary as he was when his face was on my TV.

He boils my piss. And oddly, sounds like a young Jack Dee.

Just no where near as funny.

[Shaggy]

Serena is about to play this woman:








Unfortunately she's had a tit reduction job. Pity.