53 replies to this topic

[The Natural]

This is my third Wimbledon thread (2008, 2010, 2011) and as the topic description says, let's discuss this year's tournament which starts in two weeks and discuss previous matches/moments in the tournament's rich history.

I fancy Rafael Nadal to win a third Wimbledon Men's Championship. Be interesting to see how Roger Federer does with his record at the championships and how Novak Djokovic will do considering he's only lost once this year. Not sure who will win the women's championship though I’d like Kim Clijsters to do it. Anyone want to predict what ensemble Roger Federer will come out in? Federer has won a blazer and a cardigan with pants in recent years.

From the present to the past and here are my random thoughts from recent Wimbledon’s.:

Not only my favourite Wimbledon match but my favourite match ever was the 2008 Wimbledon Men's final between Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal. Federer was trying to break Bjorn Borg's record of six Wimbledon wins in a row. Federer found himself two sets down, came back to win the third and fourth sets to tie the match. The fourth set had a tiebreak and the shot Nadal hit to go 8-7 up and the subsequent Championship point saved by Federer were two of the best shots you would ever hope to see back to back. There were two rain delays (this was the last Centre Court match without a roof) which meant as the fifth set went on, it was getting so dark you could see the flashes of cameras as pictures were taken. Rafael Nadal won and his celebration was great as not only did he greet his family in the family box ala Pat Cash in 1987 but also walked across the commentary roof to the Royal Box to greet the dignitaries from Spain.

While I haven't seen the match in its entirety as I wasn't born when it happened but watched a lengthy documentary on it, my second favourite Wimbledon match ever is the 1980 Wimbledon Men’s Final between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe. The highlight of that great match was THAT tiebreak. McEnroe took it but went on to lose the match which would suck.

My third favourite Wimbledon match ever is the 2001 Wimbledon Men’s Final between Goran Ivanisevic and Pat Rafter which took place on Monday due to rain. I was in pain following an operation the day before but this final perked me up. It’s a shame someone had to lose as I was a fan of both but I was rooting for Goran Ivanisevic who finally won Wimbledon and the first player to do it on a wild card.

I was gutted when Andy Roddick lost the 2009 Wimbledon’s Men Final to Roger Federer. the only time he lost his serve was at the end when he lost. I hope he wins it at some point but I think his time has gone.

My abiding memory of last year’s Wimbledon was easily the marathon match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, the fifth set tiebreak ending at an incredible 70-68! It’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen in my years of watching sport.

[Dewar]

I don't think Nadal wins this year, either Federer or Djokovic will knock him off. It will be fun to see how far Andy Murray can go as well.

[throughsilver]

I think Nadal would have to be injured not to win. He's pwned Federer regularly in major finals since reaching his peak.
Djokovic and, to a lesser extent, Murray are intriguing.

I just hope they're not all in the semi, as that would be a boring hegemony.

[The Natural]

throughsilver, on Jun 10 2011, 06:05 PM, said:

I think Nadal would have to be injured not to win. He's pwned Federer regularly in major finals since reaching his peak.

Yeah Nadal's record against Federer in Grand Slam finals is terrific. A Federer/Nadal who is better debate would be fun.

[Burgundy LaRue]

It'll be interesting to see how Djokovic plays now that his streak is over and took off time to nurse some nagging injuries.  He should make it far, and possibly all the way.

Nadal will be the favorite as the reigning champion and his amazing endurance.  Federer will always be in the hunt.  Beyond that, the field is pretty open.  Andy Murray will be around, but I don't see him getting past all three top guys and he'll likely have to play two of them.

[JohnAustin]

We're on the same page Natural in terms of favorite matches.  I'm more stoked this year because of the French final we just had.  

The only other match I'd add to my favorites list was Sampras' last Wimbledon win, I think 2000.  He had his dad there for the first time to see him play there and it was just great.  It's more of a personal favorite becuase me and my dad would watch Wimbledon and play tennis when time allowed.  

I didn't think any match could top the Goran/Rafter final a year later, but good lord the Nadal/Federer and Roddick/Federer finals did a good job of that.

[Yo-Yo's Roomie]

Hoping to Christ Federer wins this, but particularly that I don't have to look at another picture of Nadal biting into the trophy like a moron. Seriously, why does he always have to bite the trophy when he's having his picture taken?

It's really hard to look beyond the top 4 in the men's game though. Roddick has traditionally been the biggest threat outside of those 4, but is having a poor season. He could step it up on grass, but I just don't know. Soderling and Delpo are dangerous, but this is their weakest surface. Berdych came through great last year, and if anyone is going to repeat that, my money would be on Gasquet, who has finally refound his form, and is typically a fine grass court player.

For the women, the sisters are back! Which is a shame. I always like Clijsters to do well, and Sharapova is playing well again. I don't expect anything from Wozniacki, but there are any number of Eastern Europeans who could make an impact.

Three British women into the second round is a distinct possibility though, which would be nice.

[The Natural]

Burgundy LaRue, on Jun 10 2011, 06:51 PM, said:

It'll be interesting to see how Djokovic plays now that his streak is over and took off time to nurse some nagging injuries.  He should make it far, and possibly all the way.

I think he'll make the semi finals and lose. Having said that I wouldn't be surprised to see him make the final with how he's playing this year.

JohnAustin, on Jun 10 2011, 06:54 PM, said:

We're on the same page Natural in terms of favorite matches.  I'm more stoked this year because of the French final we just had.

Great minds think alike!  

JohnAustin, on Jun 10 2011, 06:54 PM, said:

The only other match I'd add to my favorites list was Sampras' last Wimbledon win, I think 2000.  He had his dad there for the first time to see him play there and it was just great.  It's more of a personal favorite becuase me and my dad would watch Wimbledon and play tennis when time allowed.

I've seen the pictures but didn't watch the match. I started getting into tenns in 2001.  

JohnAustin, on Jun 10 2011, 06:54 PM, said:

I didn't think any match could top the Goran/Rafter final a year later, but good lord the Nadal/Federer and Roddick/Federer finals did a good job of that.

The last decade and recent years has produced terrific finals. Hope that form continues.

Yo-Yo, on Jun 11 2011, 07:41 AM, said:

Hoping to Christ Federer wins this, but particularly that I don't have to look at another picture of Nadal biting into the trophy like a moron. Seriously, why does he always have to bite the trophy when he's having his picture taken?

I like that celebration possibly because it's different/corny.

Yo-Yo, on Jun 11 2011, 07:41 AM, said:

For the women, the sisters are back! Which is a shame. I always like Clijsters to do well, and Sharapova is playing well again. I don't expect anything from Wozniacki, but there are any number of Eastern Europeans who could make an impact.

Be nice to have someone not named Williams winning it.

[Yo-Yo's Roomie]

Are the press taking any interest in the fact that James Ward is in the semi-finals at Queens, and has beaten two seeded players in Wawrinka and Querry? It's not out of the realm of possibility that we could have an all-British ATP tour level final for the first time in God knows how long. I don't even recall a Henman-Rusedski tour final.

[The Natural]

Yo-Yo, on Jun 11 2011, 08:39 AM, said:

Are the press taking any interest in the fact that James Ward is in the semi-finals at Queens, and has beaten two seeded players in Wawrinka and Querry? It's not out of the realm of possibility that we could have an all-British ATP tour level final for the first time in God knows how long. I don't even recall a Henman-Rusedski tour final.

Yeah they've taken notice. Ward's on a great run.

[Yo-Yo's Roomie]

Well, good. The British press are generally rubbish when it comes to following tennis, and highlighting the accomplishments (meagre though they certainly have been) of British players (unless you're a top guy obviously- and I thought even Rusedski got short-shrifted a bit, probably because he's 'not one of ours' or something). No wonder the game is in such a sorry state.

[throughsilver]

Yo-Yo, on Jun 11 2011, 07:41 AM, said:

Hoping to Christ Federer wins this, but particularly that I don't have to look at another picture of Nadal biting into the trophy like a moron. Seriously, why does he always have to bite the trophy when he's having his picture taken?

It's his gimmick. Still less annoying than kissing it. He probably gets asked to do it at this point.

[Yo-Yo's Roomie]

Nah, kissing the trophy is classy (Bret!). Biting into it just looks stupid.

[throughsilver]

Yo-Yo, on Jun 11 2011, 11:46 AM, said:

Nah, kissing the trophy is classy (Bret!). Biting into it just looks stupid.

Classy? Surely you forget all the Man U and Chelsea scallies who've won trophies recently. ;)

[Yo-Yo's Roomie]

Well, there are exceptions that prove every rule.

Most footballers look rough as fuck anyway. They'd still be scalliwags if they were wearing a monocle, top hat and tails.

[The Magnificent 7]

I'd like to see Soderling make the semi's and upset one of the current big 3 / 4 along the way.  He's improved at Wimbledon the past few years and made the 1/4's last year I think.

Wimbledon is great...my favorite memories being young Becker taking the tournament by storm.

[The Natural]

This is incredible. The Wimbledon draw took place today and John Isner will play Nicholas Mahut in the first round, one year on from their epic war of attrition. I’d have them on Centre Court myself.

[Yo-Yo's Roomie]

Funny how things like that work out. I wouldn't expect it to be close this year, but then, I didn't give Mahut a chance last year either. I haven't looked at the draw yet, so I'll probably do that now.

I did see that Clijsters pulled out, which is a real shame.

[The Natural]

Yo-Yo, on Jun 17 2011, 11:48 AM, said:

Funny how things like that work out. I wouldn't expect it to be close this year, but then, I didn't give Mahut a chance last year either.

Yeah it's amazing to think it's going to happen one year on. Last time around was one of the most remarkable things I've watched in my years of watching sport. Even BBC Radio 5 Live carried on with their coverage choosing that fifth set over a World Cup game.

Yo-Yo, on Jun 17 2011, 11:48 AM, said:

I did see that Clijsters pulled out, which is a real shame.

I was sad to hear about that as well. With the Williams sisters not on top form, it was a really good chance for Clijsters.

[Yo-Yo's Roomie]

Really interesting draw. Nadal seems to have the toughest quarter, with Del Potro and Berdych in then. Murray's is tricky on paper. He's seeded to play Gasquet in, I think, round 4. It was only a few years ago that Murray was fighting back from two sets down against Gasquet at Wimbledon. His quarter-final opponent would be Roddick. Murray pretty much owns Roddick. Federer seems to have the easiest quarter, and Djokovic is seeded to play Soderling in his quarter-final.

Bad draw for James Ward. Llodra is the number 19 seed, and a handy grass court player.

The women's side is much more open. I was hoping the Williams' would at least be in the same half, to wipe out any potential all-Williams final. But they're not. At least there will definitely be a Brit in round two, with Naomi Broady playing Anne Keothavong.