Andy Murray/Tennis thread 2013

[Neil Young]

Although I've just realised he now has a 3 in 4 chance of being drawn to meet one of the top three in the quarter finals at Wimbledon so that's a shame. But it's largely because he's been injured, yes?

[Shaggy]

But there aren't really games in hand here - as I understand it the points are on a 12 month basis and you have to 'defend' your points earned in the previous year. As Ferrer did better this year than last (lost in the semis), he picked up more rankings points while Nadal won it last year so didn't pick up as many points and Ferrer moved above him. A ridiculous system IMO.

[Neil Young]

I understand how it works. It's a bit different from a league but the idea is the same, it's about consistency across the season, not the individual result.

[Shaggy]

I disagree with it - 12 months is too short IMO. Golf is done on a two-season basis, which is better. It's ludicrous that with so much credit in the bank, so many titles, that someone (like Nadal) can pick up an injury and plummet down the rankings.

[Pablo]

I find them both annoying. And Federer too. They're all great players, capable of unbelievable brilliance, but I don't like any of them. Murray's annoying too. They all seem egomaniacs but maybe that's inevitable playing an individual sport at the level they do.

Do any of you wonder about whether any of them have doped?

I do. I suspect almost all of the top tennis players have "doped" at some point if I'm honest. They are all just in too good shape. Look at Nadal now after his injury, he's back in phenomenal shape. I hope it's just pure hard work, but I can't help suspect otherwise.

I'm also massively suspicious of the Jamaican athletes, Bolt included. It would not surprise me in the slightest if it turns out they were all cheats. They've also been good at sprinting but now all of a sudden they are just totally dominant and I find it very suspicious indeed.

[Pablo]

Murray's playing at Queen's now anyway.

BBC stream: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/22869124

[Bender]

The Rain is underway Tennis has been stopped.....God Bless the Great British Summer

[mick the click]

I do. I suspect almost all of the top tennis players have "doped" at some point if I'm honest. They are all just in too good shape. Look at Nadal now after his injury, he's back in phenomenal shape. I hope it's just pure hard work, but I can't help suspect otherwise.

I'm also massively suspicious of the Jamaican athletes, Bolt included. It would not surprise me in the slightest if it turns out they were all cheats. They've also been good at sprinting but now all of a sudden they are just totally dominant and I find it very suspicious indeed.

Bollocks! I'm sure it goes on around the fringe but now with the top players - I just don't believe it.

Murray's playing at Queen's now anyway.

BBC stream: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/22869124

It's on BBC2. Murray took the first set.

[Pablo]

It's fine for you not to believe, it's just my suspicions, my own personal cynicism .

But why would it just be limited to the fringe players? And if it was wouldn't those fringe players make huge jumps up the world rankings and rapid improvement?

It would actually make more sense that the players at the top of the game are the cheats as they are the ones in the best shape and the ones showing almost superhuman endurance at times.

As we've seen in cycling and numerous other sports, the ones normally doing the doping are normally the ones that win everything

[Shaggy]

Rain ffs.

[RichC]

Murray a set down

[Shaggy]

Murray breaks second set to lead 5-3

[Shaggy]

Gone to a decider

[Buzzo]

From what I have seen so far Murray is attempting to hit more winners than ever before.

Its the only way he can hope to beat Djok/Nad/Fed. He looks in good touch.

(he has just broken Tsonga in the 3rd)

[Buzzo]

Double break in the third.