2021 Tennis

[Jas]

Anyone watched Break Point on Netflix?

[BobTheCharmer]

Considering the injuries and age difference I think Murray put up a really good fight against the 5th seed. I think he was only broken once or possibly twice the whole 5 sets which is incredible. But it was always going to be hard to get going again so late in the afternoon after the hype and form of last night. The time gods went against him, if they could have started the 5th I reckon he might of broke early as he had the momentum.

I fancy the Greek lad to get to the semi's now.

[Buzzo]

This was not good... Just before end set point.

[ame]https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1677074658066145281[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Agree I think that’s the best I’ve ever seen him serve. Also agree on momentum. Needs to start strong tomorrow but the Greek was flagging there.

Murray’s game is so rounded he knows how to mix it up and reads his opponent so we’ll - just needs to keep it away from that nuclear Greek forehand.

[BobTheCharmer]

Fair play Murray. I've never seen him serve better than that third set. Shame it has to go into tomorrow as the momentum was here now.

[Buzzo]

Nice 2 sets to 1 up.

Game will finish tomorrow.

[Buzzo]

Great hold. Was up against it there.

[Buzzo]

Needs to keep the ball on Tsitsipas back hand. Forehand is an absolute missile.

[Buzzo]

Murray takes the second set in a TB for 1-1 against Tsitsipas. This is going to be a late one.

[Doc_Piptorious]

The main reason I dislike Djokovic is a barely hidden one. If it had not been for him I reckon Andy Murray is on at least 4 or 5 more Slam titles.

The fact he is still effortlessly racking up Slams against these younger guys showing he will go deeper and be tougher across points, games, sets, matches and championships just illustrates the strength of the era we have just witnessed. At that level, during the latter stages it is not about talent, these guys are all incredible. It is about will you win. About playing your absolute best Tennis when you have to.

Djokovic is the best at that.

And for me it’s why Murray’s first Wimbledon title was so impressive, with the weight of history, the expectation and Djokovic stood on the other side of the net he found what it took to deliver. He showed in his second final that he could easily blow away the fodder much as Federer did at the start of his Slam winning career.

Djokovic still looks insanely fit. Which must be a worry for the young fellas, he has incredible genetics.

Actually Murray and Djokovic is an interesting comparison (tennis ability and on court mentality only of course)

I always saw Murray as sort of a Poundland Djokovic in many ways.

Which sounds like a total diss when I read it

But more for some of the reasons you said above.

Murray has fanastic deep wells of resolve at times but they seem to come and go whereas with Djokovic they seem to be almost constant. Murray can muster moments of supreme will to win, Djokovic has that built in.


Murray when fit has great physical qualities but again that comes and goes as picks up a lot of knocks/injuries whereas Djokovic seems like a machine on that front usually.


Djokovic, as a tennis player, is for me Andy Murray with all his setting edited to 99 a la in the Fifa23 player edit.

[Zapater]

All I was saying is that imo Djokovic is like Monzon in that his away from the sport personality and acts will imo overshadow his very obvious sporting qualities and his away from the sport stuff will taint his sporting achievements and be used as a way to lessen how great he was on court.


I was hardly trying to compare their away from sport actions in a way that suggested some sort of parity on that front


No idea what you mean by not having done anything to back it up if you meant Monzon. Beating men like Briscoe, Valdez, Griffith and Benvenuti (all beaten in Europe save for Briscoe) was hardly doing nothing. But I digress and do not wish to drag the thread away from tennis.

Was speaking about Tyson think I agreed with you on Monzon on your greatest middleweight discussion a couple of years ago

[Buzzo]

The main reason I dislike Djokovic is a barely hidden one. If it had not been for him I reckon Andy Murray is on at least 4 or 5 more Slam titles.

The fact he is still effortlessly racking up Slams against these younger guys showing he will go deeper and be tougher across points, games, sets, matches and championships just illustrates the strength of the era we have just witnessed. At that level, during the latter stages it is not about talent, these guys are all incredible. It is about will you win. About playing your absolute best Tennis when you have to.

Djokovic is the best at that.

And for me it’s why Murray’s first Wimbledon title was so impressive, with the weight of history, the expectation and Djokovic stood on the other side of the net he found what it took to deliver. He showed in his second final that he could easily blow away the fodder much as Federer did at the start of his Slam winning career.

Djokovic still looks insanely fit. Which must be a worry for the young fellas, he has incredible genetics.

[Doc_Piptorious]

He won his slams in a much better era than Federer too. Federer won hardly anything after 2009. Had easy runs when he won the US open and Australian opens afterwards not needing to play Djokovic being handed Cilic in the finals and beating the likes of Berdych to get there. How many times did he beat prime Nadal and Djokovic in semis/finals? Not many, that's for sure. Can't remember who but Federer also played someone **** when he won Roland Garros.

So based on that, I don't think it's even fair to compare Federer to Nadal in terms of winning things.



I don't think Djokovic is anything like Monzon. I think it also hurt Monzon that he didn't fight in America/the UK and speak English. Look to Mike Tyson, who is a convicted rapist and has a host of other controversies (most of which is also domestic violence) is loved by people. They even make flawed arguments for him being the best at all time and at his weight despite him not having done anything to nothing to back it up.

He's a misinformed idiot with too much influence away from sports, sure. He, to my knowledge doesn't attempt to murder his romantic interests. I agree with you but it shouldn't be this way. Tennis is made up basically a bunch of elitists pussies and a soft cock like Federer simply appeals to them.

Let's be honest, if Federer was Djokovic and vice versa, no one would be making the arguments for Novak like they do for Federer.

All I was saying is that imo Djokovic is like Monzon in that his away from the sport personality and acts will imo overshadow his very obvious sporting qualities and his away from the sport stuff will taint his sporting achievements and be used as a way to lessen how great he was on court.


I was hardly trying to compare their away from sport actions in a way that suggested some sort of parity on that front


No idea what you mean by not having done anything to back it up if you meant Monzon. Beating men like Briscoe, Valdez, Griffith and Benvenuti (all beaten in Europe save for Briscoe) was hardly doing nothing. But I digress and do not wish to drag the thread away from tennis.

[Zapater]

Comparing the greats is never easy, but watching how well Andy Murray could play in a final and still lose to Djokovic tells you how hard Djokovic plays to win. He seems to have next level resolve when up against it and is probably the greatest player of clutch points of all time.

The reason Roger is always so hard to argue against (ignoring his monumental tally of Slams also) is that he has to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing tennis players of the modern era. He hit some beautiful shots and has an elegance to his play that has not been seen really in this era.

But pound for pound across all surfaces and given the quality of opponent he has had to beat across all of the salon finals he has been in it has to be Djokovic. I think history will be kind to him also, he always comes across well in interview and though flawed (which genuine competitor isn’t) he is a monstrous, fearsome competitor.

Djokovic has come back from so many match points to win knockout matches, it's unbelievable. Not sure I've seen many other athletes with that kind of mental fortitude.

And yes, as a technician Federer is undoubtedly the best of the three. No disputing that he plays with class. I love the single handed backhand. I'm just of the opinion (and the stats back this up too) that Nadal and Novak are better at winning tennis matches than he is.

[Buzzo]

Comparing the greats is never easy, but watching how well Andy Murray could play in a final and still lose to Djokovic tells you how hard Djokovic plays to win. He seems to have next level resolve when up against it and is probably the greatest player of clutch points of all time.

The reason Roger is always so hard to argue against (ignoring his monumental tally of Slams also) is that he has to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing tennis players of the modern era. He hit some beautiful shots and has an elegance to his play that has not been seen really in this era.

But pound for pound across all surfaces and given the quality of opponent he has had to beat across all of the salon finals he has been in it has to be Djokovic. I think history will be kind to him also, he always comes across well in interview and though flawed (which genuine competitor isn’t) he is a monstrous, fearsome competitor.