Tennis

by **Hobey Baker** » Fri 7/01/05 3:43 pm

Anyone watch tennis? Anyone interested in Wimbledon, US Open, French or Austrailian Opens? Agassi, Federer, Williams sisters or Maria Sharapova interest you? A place for talking tennis, its personalities, equipment and destinations.

Wimbledon update:

Federer into the finals for the third straight year. Longest winning streak since Borg. Roddick match in a rain delay.

Venus vs Davenport for the Womens championship.

by **Kessel Guy** » Fri 7/01/05 4:07 pm

I am a huge tennis guy. I grew up when nobody missed watching Wimbledon. Borg vs Mac, Mac vs Connors and the young Boris Becker were what it was all about. Sampras and Agassi followed.

Federer is the best I have ever seen. He has the whole game and moves as well as any player also. I hope Roddick makes it to the finals so we have contrasting styles.

by **Hobey Baker** » Sun 7/03/05 11:55 pm

I hope some of you closet tennis fans watched Wimbledon yesterday and today. If you watched Saturday, you probably wittnessed one of the best women's finals of all time. Venus beat Davenport in three sets, 9 - 7 in the third. If you watched today, you wittnessed an almost perfect match from the worlds number one player, Roger Federer. Federer had 45 winners and 9 unforced errors in his three set dismantling of Andy Roddick. Like Kessel guy said, he just might be the greatest player of all timeI.

If you don't watch tennis, take the time to watch Roger Federer. You will not be sorry and will be amazed at how good this guy is!

by **sherlock** » Tue 7/05/05 6:39 pm

Let me preface this by saying I am definitely NOT a tennis guy. I like to play for fun, but I don't follow the sport.

That said, Federer as the best ever? Wasn't Sampras number one in the world for most of the 90s? And I also think he won Wimbledon every year but one between like 1992 and 1999...

Maybe there is a case for Federer as the best ever, but he is only 23 right? It just seems like it is a little early...

by **Bert** » Tue 7/05/05 9:44 pm

Pete has 14 Grand Slam wins. I say he is the best. Yes people said he was boring but he could play tennis.

by **Elm Grove Gopher** » Tue 7/05/05 10:32 pm

I am not an expert, but a tennis hack. However, I think tennis is down overall. I think the Borg v Mac era was the best...Natase, Connors, Mac, Borg, Lendl....I'm sure others can come up with some more. Now there is not as much talent at the top.

In that era, no man would win 14 slam titles or be ranked #1 for that long...someone would take him out.

That being said, Federer is one of the best ever and could play with that group, but comparing stats across eras is tough in a sport like tennis.

by **Mr. W** » Tue 7/05/05 10:38 pm

Federer, much like Sampras, hasn't done anything on clay as of yet. It's still early in his career, but he's got to win the French, or at least perform well there consistently, to be considered one of the best ever. Bjorn Borg and Ivan Lendl proved they were winners on all surfaces. The power game of Sampras and Roddick vanish when they hit the clay, just like many clay court specialists cannot play their finesse game on hard and grass courts. The best ever must have a winning combination of the two styles, in my opinion.

by **Hobey Baker** » Tue 7/05/05 10:46 pm

Look, Federer is by far the greatest player of his generation and is now being compared and judged against the greats of the past. Borg and Sampras are the only other men to have won three consecutive Wimbledon titles in the last 60 years. Federer's overall game is better than Pete's. Federer is fitter and quicker than Sampras ever was. The serve obviously favors Pete.

Since June 2004, Federer is 98 - 5 (.951 winning percentage). He has won 15 titles on various grass, hard court, clay and indoor courts. Federer has won a record 21 finals matches in a row.

For those of you who don't remember, Federer beat Pete at Wimbledon to stop Sampras streak.

IMO, Federer is on his way to being the best ever.

by **Hobey Baker** » Tue 7/05/05 10:59 pm

Mr. W wrote:Federer, much like Sampras, hasn't done anything on clay as of yet. It's still early in his career, but he's got to win the French, or at least perform well there consistently, to be considered one of the best ever. Bjorn Borg and Ivan Lendl proved they were winners on all surfaces. The power game of Sampras and Roddick vanish when they hit the clay, just like many clay court specialists cannot play their finesse game on hard and grass courts. The best ever must have a winning combination of the two styles, in my opinion.

Look, Lendl did not win Wimbledon and Borg never won a US Open or an Austrailian. There have only been 4 or 5 players ever to win all the majors, the last being Andre Agassi. So winning on the different surfaces is important but doesn't make you the greatest. It is how you dominate your opponents and the players of your generation. Federer is clearly the best of his generation and only time will tell if he challenges Sampras overall record. Federer held 3 out 4 grand slams last year and has 1 this year with a chance to win two. He is 23 and already is being compared with the best ever. I like his chances!

There is a great article on ESPN (under tennis) written by Barry Lorge. He lays the case out pretty well with comments from some of the past greats.

by **Mr. W** » Tue 7/05/05 11:15 pm

So you're basically discounting the importance of clay court tennis? That's like a place kicker in the NFL who is outstanding indoors on turf, but struggles mightily outside on grass. I'd think the best kicker of all-time, whomever that may be, would be someone who could make field goals on turf and on grass.

Federer doesn't play the kind of power game that Roddick or Sampras play, but he's still fairly one-dimensional when it comes to the playing surface. I'm not saying he couldn't be the best ever, but he's got to do something on clay first.

by **Hobey Baker** » Wed 7/06/05 10:21 am

Look, Federer lost in the semi's at the French to the eventual champion, Nadal. So, I guess you are losing me with your one dimensional comments. He is 95 - 5 since June of 2004, which obviously means he has played more than one clay court tournament. I guess I just can't agree with your comment. Federer can play the groundie game or serve and volley. With his speed and fitness, clay isn't an issue. It will be tough for him to win the French, but not out of the question. Look at the last 25 years of Champions at the French and you will see some of the greats along with more no name title holders as opposed to Wimbledon, Australilian or US Open.

Sampras is considered the greatest of all time, but couldn't fight his way out a wet paper bag on the clay so what does that tell you about clay court tennis. It wasn't a factor in determining Pete's place in history.

by **Kessel Guy** » Wed 7/06/05 2:22 pm

W,

I don't know if you follow the game, but Federer is one of the greatest talents ever to play the game. Federer is 23 years old and already is being compared to the legends of the game. This guy is the real deal. He can play clay, owns grass ( he will make a run at Sampras's record) and obviously owns the hard court.

John Newcombe breaks it down this way. Serve advantage Sampras. Groundies favor Federer (especially back hand), serve return favors Federer, fitness favors Federer, court speed favors Federer and finally the volley is rated a draw.

Like Hobes said, people forget that Federer beat Sampras at Wimbledon when he was 18 or 19 years old and Sampras was at the peak of his game.

Only time will tell, but I like his chances too.

by **Hobey Baker** » Sun 8/14/05 10:20 pm

Nadal beat Agassi in three sets today to win his first hard court tournament, 6-3, 4-6,6-2.

Did anyone watch this match today?

by **Kessel Guy** » Wed 8/24/05 4:36 pm

Who is interested in the US Open? It is my favorite tennis event to watch. I love the fact that you get night matches. I love the NY crowd. I also love listening to Johnny Mac for two weeks straight. It is the best!!!

by **dock** » Wed 8/24/05 5:04 pm

I like the US open. I can lay in bed at nite and watch a little tennis before bed.

by **go4-chica** » Wed 8/24/05 10:22 pm

Andy Roddick is the Greatest Tennis Player!

Hot as Hell too, I might add! GO A-RODD!
I hate Federer! :chainsaw:

by **Beauner** » Wed 8/24/05 10:31 pm

I disagree...Anna Kournikova is the best :pelvic_thrust2:

by **GopherHockeyFan** » Thu 8/25/05 12:20 am

Beauner wrote:I disagree...Anna Kournikova is the best

meh. Shes no Maria Sharapova. Beauty and skill.

by **Hobey Baker** » Thu 8/25/05 1:34 pm

I agree with Kessel Guy about Johnny Mac. He is the best in the business in any sport. I really enjoy the evening matches.

by **go4-chica** » Fri 8/26/05 1:55 pm

I was saying that Andy Roddick was the hottest MALE tennis player!

Johnny Mac is great to listen to for those two weeks, I would agree there! :thumbup:

by **Hobey Baker** » Mon 8/29/05 11:11 am

How about Andre and Nike splitting. Andre is now with Addidas. That is like Tiger or Jordan leaving Nike. He has been identified with Nike tennis for 20 years!

by **Hobey Baker** » Tue 8/30/05 1:43 pm

US Open Tennis Action:

Agassi and Shirapova win last night in straights. Federer, Blake and Davenport win today. Roddick plays tonight a 7.

by **Kessel Guy** » Tue 8/30/05 11:05 pm

Roddick upset tonight! 7-6,7-6,7-6. It was Andy's Bday today, nice present.

by **jamwall** » Tue 8/30/05 11:53 pm

i recently saw a really intense tennis match between 2 horizontal lines!
[img]http://www.spirokeet.com/pictures/b3ta/wimbledon.gif[/img]

by **Hobey Baker** » Wed 8/31/05 1:55 pm

I want to see how Nadal does in this tourney. I think the NY crowds will love him!

by **dock** » Wed 8/31/05 9:48 pm

Hobey Baker wrote:I want to see how Nadal does in this tourney. I think the NY crowds will love him!

I'm sorry, but the leotard top with capri pants look is ridiculous. He looks like a imbecile.

by **jamwall** » Wed 8/31/05 10:21 pm

excuse me, a man wearing a leotard top and capri pants???? i'm afraid the latest trends in cattur have gotten rather out of hand!

by **Hobey Baker** » Thu 9/01/05 1:25 am

i don't care about his looks, just how he plays!

by **Hobey Baker** » Sun 9/04/05 10:52 pm

Anybody watching this weekend? Just got back from the Open and had a blast! I saw Blake beat Nadal, Agassi's win over Burdych, stayed out late in Ashe to watch Ginepri win in five against Haas, witnessed Hewett beat Dent from the 5th row and finally saw Venus win the first set.

If you ever get a chance to go, go!

by **jamwall** » Mon 9/05/05 12:58 am

Hobey Baker wrote:i don't care about his looks, just how he plays!

what if the fashion police interrupt one of his matches with tape measures and hair dryer's drawn.....and he's leading 6-2, 6-4, 3-1....what then?????????

by **Hobey Baker** » Tue 9/06/05 1:27 pm

Blake vs Agassi on Wed night, USA network.

by **Kessel Guy** » Wed 9/07/05 4:44 pm

Great article on ESPN today regarding Connors run in '91 and Agassi's run this year.

I hope Agassi wins tonight.

by **Bert** » Wed 9/07/05 5:27 pm

Go Blake

by **cavedog** » Wed 9/07/05 5:29 pm

I'll be happy with either winning...should be a good show

by **Goldy 79** » Thu 9/08/05 12:21 am

AMAZING MATCH

Agassi 3 3 6 6 7
Blake 6 6 3 3 6

by **Hobey Baker** » Thu 9/08/05 11:27 am

Agassi looked like he was done midway thru the 3rd set. That was a lot of fun to see Andre comeback. It was his first comeback (being down two sets to none at the US Open) in his 20 year career there. How much fun was it to watch Agassi break Blake to stay alive and then go on to win in the tiebreak? What a match!

by **sagard** » Thu 9/08/05 11:31 am

Hobey Baker wrote:Agassi looked like he was done midway thru the 3rd set. That was a lot of fun to see Andre comeback. It was his first comeback (being down two sets to none at the US Open) in his 20 year career there. How much fun was it to watch Agassi break Blake to stay alive and then go on to win in the tiebreak? What a match!

Was it just me or did they cut to CSI @ 3-2 in the fifth? Talk about stupidity.

by **Goldy 79** » Thu 9/08/05 11:37 am

They changed the programming over to the network stations. It shouldn't have been a shock, the announcers spoke about it on and off for 15 minutes leading up to the switch.

It just moved to channel 4.

Hobey - I could have sworn the announcers also said he had come back from 2 down at the US Open before.

by **Hobey Baker** » Thu 9/08/05 11:42 am

He has comeback down two zip in the other majors but was 0 - 12 at the US Open. It was a special night.

Hopefully Agassi can get to the finals. It will be awesome to see him play either Hewitt or Federer. Good TV!

by **Goldy 79** » Thu 9/08/05 11:57 am

Hobey Baker wrote:He has comeback down two zip in the other majors but was 0 - 12 at the US Open. It was a special night.

Hopefully Agassi can get to the finals. It will be awesome to see him play either Hewitt or Federer. Good TV!

It would be great for himto go to the finals and run either one of those guys off the court, but I just don't know if Andre has enough gas in the tank to go the distance.

by **Hobey Baker** » Thu 9/08/05 12:01 pm

Andre can beat Ginepri and Hewitt (tough groundie wars) but has minimal chance against Federer. Federer has a tough match against Nalbandian. Nalbandian has a winning record against Federer / has his number, so maybe Andre can win his third title if Nalbandian can pull the upset.

by **Demsdontgetit** » Thu 9/08/05 12:25 pm

However, it should be duely noted that Agassi is the only one that has the returning capabilities to beat Federer. Hewitt has zero chance against Federer....however, it is fun watching that little b*&^h get run around the court. I hate Hewitt with a passion. I foresee Agassi having little trouble with Genepri....straight set victory, and then Andre facing Federer in the finals. Now THAT would be a great story, to see Andre beat a man many pick to be the most successful tennis player in history.

by **Hobey Baker** » Thu 9/08/05 12:42 pm

His groundie game is capable of pushing Federer but not beating him. They went 5 sets a year ago at the Open and had a good match in Florida this year, but Federer's overall game is too big for Andre. Andre has little margin for error when he plays Roger.

Do you think the crowds will be going nuts on Sunday for this match?

by **sagard** » Thu 9/08/05 1:15 pm

Goldy 79 wrote:They changed the programming over to the network stations. It shouldn't have been a shock, the announcers spoke about it on and off for 15 minutes leading up to the switch.

DOH! That's what I get for not having the sound on.

by **Hobey Baker** » Fri 9/09/05 10:39 am

Federer cruises last night into the semis vs Hewitt. Agassi plays Ginepri.

Are we as fans pulling for the all Russian final? Sharapova vs Dimentiava. The all hottie final!

by **Goldy 79** » Fri 9/09/05 10:59 am

I don't think I could handle watching that Russian women's final

Those two ladies running around on the same court would be too much to handle
Give me a lower case d

by **Hobey Baker** » Fri 9/09/05 11:03 am

blood pressure pills or a cold shower! :dance:

by **Hobey Baker** » Sun 9/11/05 9:07 pm

I hoped a lot of you watched Agassi vs Federer after the Vikes today. The first three sets are about as good as you are ever going to see. Agassi was awesome but not good enough to handle Federer. Agassi called Federer the best he has ever played. Agassi said with Sampras you had a place to get control and put things on your own terms, with Roger, there is no such place. Federer won in four sets: 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6 -1.

by **Kessel Guy** » Tue 1/17/06 1:36 pm

Anybody watching the Austrailian Open on ESPN II? It is a good time to watch tennis becasue the matches are on from 9:30pm to 12:30 am. Did anyone see Serina get bounced?

by **Bert** » Tue 1/17/06 1:57 pm

Kessel Guy wrote:Anybody watching the Austrailian Open on ESPN II? It is a good time to watch tennis becasue the matches are on from 9:30pm to 12:30 am. Did anyone see Serina get bounced?

Umm Serina is in the 2nd round. Venus lost in the 1st

by **Kessel Guy** » Tue 1/17/06 2:04 pm

My mistake! Hewitt in a 5 setter and Hingis won.

by **Hobey Baker** » Wed 1/18/06 11:32 am

Blake and Roddick advance but fellow American Ginepri loses. Shirapova and Serena on track to play in the fourth round (both need to win 3rd round matches first).

by **Bushwood Gopher** » Thu 1/19/06 3:44 pm

Hewitt gets bounced in the 2nd round by Chela. Ouch.

by **Hobey Baker** » Fri 1/20/06 4:04 pm

Serena is done! Defending champ has bee outsted.

by **Kessel Guy** » Sat 1/21/06 1:24 pm

I have enjoyed watching the Hingis comeback. She looks good, healthy and fit. She has made the round of 16. It will be interesting becasue a lot of the top women are not in game shape or are injured.

by **Hobey Baker** » Sun 1/22/06 10:05 am

Roddick is bounced. Loses in 4 sets.

by **Hobey Baker** » Sun 1/29/06 6:26 pm

Federer wins Austrailian Open. This guy is a machine! Mauresmo wins the women's title.

Federer is half way to tying Pete's 14 Grand Slam titles.

Roger has now won 3 Grand Slams in a row. If he wins the French, will they call it the Roger Slam because he will hold all four major titles at one time but not in the same calendar year?

by **Kessel Guy** » Tue 2/07/06 10:40 pm

Anyone see Hingis knockoff Shirapova?

by **Hobey Baker** » Wed 2/15/06 9:40 am

USA advances in Davis Cup, with a 4 - 1 victory over Romania. Next up is Chile.

Anyone see that at age 47, Johnny Mac is making a comeback in an ATP tournament this week (doubles only)? He is playing doubles with Jonas Bjorkman.

by **Kessel Guy** » Fri 2/17/06 4:35 pm

Mac wins his match 6 - 3, 6 -3.

by **Hobey Baker** » Sun 2/19/06 10:27 am

I saw that Johnny Mac won his second match with Bjorkman. I used to love watching this guy play.

At age 47, John McEnroe is back in the winners circle. Bjorkman and McEnroe teamed to win the event in San Jose.

Great story and good for tennis. I hope he plays Wimbledon and the US Open (obviously he needs the right partner).

by **Kessel Guy** » Sat 3/04/06 5:06 pm

Nadal beat Federer to win Dubai. The loss ended Federer's 56 match hard court winning streak.

by **Hobey Baker** » Tue 3/14/06 1:02 pm

Did anyone see that Borg is selling his 5 Wimbeldon trophies and a couple of autograpghed raquets that he used because of financial issues? Agassi is looking at putting a group together to buy the trophies. Agassi doesn't want the trophies getting into the wrong hands. He feels that the only way to get the trophy is to win it, not buy it. Obviouly Andre is thinking of putting the trophies into a museum.

by **Kessel Guy** » Sun 4/09/06 9:22 am

Bryan brothers win to give the US a 2 -1 lead in the Davis Cup this weekend.

by **Hobey Baker** » Sun 5/14/06 4:48 pm

Nadal beats Federer again and wins his 53th straight match on the clay.

by **dock** » Sun 5/21/06 2:13 pm

Nice story/comback for Martina Hingis as she wins the Italian Open.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten

by **Hobey Baker** » Tue 5/30/06 2:23 pm

Roddick out of the French. After losing the first two sets, Roddick retired in the third with and ankle injury.

by **Ben** » Tue 5/30/06 2:30 pm

To quote the detestable Phil Jackson yet again, "Meow, meow."

Take your whoopin like a man.

by **Hobey Baker** » Wed 5/31/06 12:31 pm

Federer reaches the third round of the French Open.

by **Hobey Baker** » Wed 6/07/06 4:39 pm

Top 4 seeds reach the semi's of the French (first time since 1985). I am hoping for a Nadal v Federer final.

by **GopherRube21** » Wed 6/07/06 5:22 pm

Hobey Baker wrote:Top 4 seeds reach the semi's of the French (first time since 1985). I am hoping for a Nadal v Federer final.

I hear ya there, I am thinking we are all hoping for that final, cuz it will be one hell of a final for the French Open

by **Hobey Baker** » Fri 6/09/06 3:26 pm

French Open Final! Nadal v Federer. Sunday Morning! Even if you are not a tennis fan, check this out. It should be great viewing.

by **GopherRube21** » Fri 6/09/06 3:28 pm

Hobey Baker wrote:French Open Final! Nadal v Federer. Sunday Morning! Even if you are not a tennis fan, check this out. It should be great viewing.

We all got our wish

. . . this will be one hell of a final and like you said if your not a fan, it's still a hell of a show to see this

by **Hobey Baker** » Sat 6/10/06 9:16 am

8:00 am on NBC.

by **Hobey Baker** » Sun 6/11/06 1:13 pm

Nadal in 4 sets. Nadal was tough and kept the pressure on Federer. I thought Federer was not aggressive enough. Nadal's record vs Federer is 6 - 1. The six wins are on clay courts and the lone loss on the hard court.

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