Australian Open 2017

mickmackey1

Jan_de_Bakker wrote: »

Sorry, that was in response to a question regarding Kuerten.

so peak Kuerten v Peak Nadal ... I still think Nadal would win - on clay - my point using this match was just to show how unstoppable on clay he was at his best.

He was certainly the best but the extent of his domination was partly due to the scarcity of clay specialists imo.

Jan_de_Bakker

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

He's had a hair transplant, so within six months to a year it'll be back apparently.

Really ???

I'm always amazed at lads like Rooney, Nadal ... you think they wouldn't give a f'uck about baldness !

Chivito550

Jan_de_Bakker wrote: »

Really ???

I'm always amazed at lads like Rooney, Nadal ... you think they wouldn't give a f'uck about baldness !

Have you read Agassi's book?

walshb

Jan_de_Bakker wrote: »

Really ???

I'm always amazed at lads like Rooney, Nadal ... you think they wouldn't give a f'uck about baldness !

Of course they give a fook, and only naturally. It can be a very difficult thing to deal with, and I don't think people should be making out that it's a nothing or no big deal, nor should they be commenting on someone's appearance in a negative/disparaging fashion. I know, I am sure I have been guilty of passing personal remarks on known people. It's not nice to do.

Jan_de_Bakker

Chivito550 wrote: »

Have you read Agassi's book?

I have actually!!
Great book, but he was so vain - but even he said **** it and shaved it eventually, Rafa looks ridiculous with long hair.

yerwanthere123

Jan_de_Bakker wrote: »

Really ???

I'm always amazed at lads like Rooney, Nadal ... you think they wouldn't give a f'uck about baldness !

Of course Nadal would, his good looks have made him millions.

Chivito550

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/kieran-shannon/roger-federers-love-for-tennis-reminds-us-of-the-true-essence-of-sport-441650.html

Great piece here. It's his love of the game that sets Federer apart IMO from more ego driven stars like Bolt who wants to retire at the top.

EagererBeaver

Chivito550 wrote: »

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/kieran-shannon/roger-federers-love-for-tennis-reminds-us-of-the-true-essence-of-sport-441650.html

Great piece here. It's his love of the game that sets Federer apart IMO from more ego driven stars like Bolt who wants to retire at the top.

Yeah, Bolt hasn't achieved anything at all that would entitle him to retire without regrets ffs.

Daft statement altogether.

Chivito550

EagererBeaver wrote: »

Yeah, Bolt hasn't achieved anything at all that would entitle him to retire without regrets ffs.

Daft statement altogether.

Don't think you get my point. Bolt wouldn't continue on to be the third or fourth best. That's fine. But it means he's more into winning than the sport itself.

Federer is a fan of tennis. Watches it all the time when not playing. I recall being in a press conference at the 2011 World Championships and Bolt didn't even know who Sally Pearson was.

"That girl who won the hurdles today was impressive", or something to that extent when asked what impressed him the most in the championships.

There's a difference between loving winning, and loving the sport.

Rjd2

Watched most of the ladies, but after getting excited on reflection, it was a pretty poor reflection on the girls tour.

3 ladies in the thirties in the semi finals, one a mediocre hack like Lucic who had ran through Pliskova and others. Lucic beating Pliskova was also a very bleak moment for the slam, you know that was pretty that for Serena.

Coco's run was nice, but little else to excite when it comes to the future. Svitolina flopped, Pavly bottled it v Venus and well Pliskova lost to Lucic.

Hopefully we get some fresh faces tearing it up at the later stages in the French, another mug like Lucic ending up in the semi finals would be shameful for the tour.
Well done to Serena though, definitely an all time great, bar Lucic it was a pretty tough draw and she cruised it. Legend.

Floppybits

Actually thought Konta had a good tournament but on the whole the womens was not great. The fall away of Bouchard and mugarutza is very disappointing, they gave a bit of hope. The long standers like Radwanska, Wozniacki and a few others would need to take a long hard look at themselves especially Wozniacki. I thought after her run to the US Open final a couple of years ago that that would have been the kick she needed but no she seems happy with what she has.

Floppybits

I would also ask why are the women not hiring coaches/advisors similar to what the men are doing. Look at the gains having a someone like Becker, Lendl, Edberg, Moya, Chang and Norman have made to the top players. Can't see why the women are not following this example.

Rjd2

Floppybits wrote: »

Actually thought Konta had a good tournament but on the whole the womens was not great. The fall away of Bouchard and mugarutza is very disappointing, they gave a bit of hope. The long standers like Radwanska, Wozniacki and a few others would need to take a long hard look at themselves especially Wozniacki. I thought after her run to the US Open final a couple of years ago that that would have been the kick she needed but no she seems happy with what she has.

The Muguruzu fall off is a bit concerning, but to be fair Coco was so hot that day she would have beaten so many people.

Konta was good, but it was a bit of a shame that after doing so well, once she bumps into Serena she is totally bossed.

Gave up on Wozniacki a long time ago.

mickmackey1

And still we can't get an Irish girl anywhere near the top 1 bazillion...

Floppybits

mickmackey1 wrote: »

And still we can't get an Irish girl anywhere near the top 1 bazillion...

And probably never will unless to switch to another country that has the proper support structures in place or else has a enormously rich benefactor willing to finance them.

MisterAnarchy

Nice video compilation here of Feds backhand in the Australian open.
He improved it dramatically ,its a real thing of beauty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAYbygk-ljc