Rafael Nadal Opens Title Defense Tonight In Buenos Aires; Kei Nishikori Wins 14th Straight In Memphis

Good luck to nadal

February 11th, 2016 at 8:28 am

Yeah, good luck to Nadal. Hope he takes this title

February 11th, 2016 at 4:26 pm

^^^^Me too! Hope I can find a good live stream to watch the match on my PC…….30 minutes until the match!

February 11th, 2016 at 6:32 pm

By right,rafa should win this match..their h2h is very poor..and by right he should win this tournament..and his opponent till final also got a poor record against him..no excuse whatsoever for him not to win..

February 11th, 2016 at 7:20 pm

wow, rafa stands so far back on the return.

February 11th, 2016 at 7:46 pm

I am not watching the match, but looking at the stats, there is too many breaks?

February 11th, 2016 at 8:30 pm

Pauly or Okie..say something please..how’s rafa doing?From the score,i’ll say the new rafa is playing right now..

February 11th, 2016 at 8:41 pm

Another bad thing from the stats, Rafa is winning only 55% of his first serve so far, that is not Rafa like.

February 11th, 2016 at 8:43 pm

@AndyMira….He wasn’t at his best, but he did win. If he could back up his breaks he would be out of a set a lot faster. He was down in the second set 1-4 and he battled back and won it in straights. His serve was lacking and he doesn’t win the baseline shots easy as he used to. I haven’t looked at the stats yet, but he needs to improve a lot if he is gonna win this one, imo. I personally think he is still struggling a bit.

February 11th, 2016 at 9:08 pm

Good to see Rafa win in straight sets today. Was he having stomach issues today? saw the medical staff give him something during the changeover. There was no commentary on tennis tv for that specific match.

February 11th, 2016 at 9:09 pm

@Okie..then it’s a bad news to all rafa fan..there is no way he will win FO still playing like this..

February 11th, 2016 at 9:11 pm

Rafa always starts slow. Let’s see how he is playing by the end of the tournament. He should get to the final no problem with the draw he has. Rafa is happy to get wins right now and just keep building on each win. I saw some good forehands today at points. Still needs to be more consistent. But it was good to see him hit some hard forehands at times in the second set.

February 11th, 2016 at 9:22 pm

@Dave..i don’t know ..the signs was not good..not good at all..

February 11th, 2016 at 9:37 pm

Dave, we as fans can only hope. I realize he starts slow, but he needs to get out of that mode. He gets by with those slow starts once in awhile but not always….I am anxious to see the stats. He should win this, but David is no slouch on clay himself. We will see.

Dave I wondered myself what the medicine was for too. Can only think maybe an ache or pain in his back???I will go to a site that is overseen by a girl named Miri. She is on top of Rafa News that I might not otherwise know about. The website is Nadal News.

AndyMira….I realize the season is just starting so maybe he will pick it up a notch and get rolling with more matches under his belt. I still get concerned that he isn’t backing up his breaks. Still seems he is playing a little bit with nerves……just my opinion……I wish I was a tennis authority and knew what is going on that is wrong with his game. I know his serve needs to be improved for sure…..

February 11th, 2016 at 9:45 pm

Okie..it’s good if what you or dave said happen but from what i’ve seen he is still haunted by something in his mind..and i’m not sure he got time to get rid of it before FO..

February 11th, 2016 at 10:04 pm

I don’t think the expectations should be for him to win the French Open. I never saw that as being realistic with how he has played. I just want to see him improve and be better than last year and keep progressing towards at least close to his peak form. One step at a time. Him winning the French Open if you are a Rafa fan, should be the last thing on your mind at this point. Baby steps for now. If he starts winning masters 1000’s again, than him winning or at least getting to the finals of the French Open can be discussed. It’s way to premature at this point.

February 11th, 2016 at 10:26 pm

@Dave, I don’t want to be negative, but we all know if his form isn’t better than last year, the FO will not be likely…..He is a mere shadow of his former self….movement slow and winners are not an easy task anymore….I don’t know what the answer is. If it is still between the ears, not good! He still manages to get to the ball but the put away shot is missing……He hit some good ones tonight but so did Jaun…….

February 12th, 2016 at 1:17 am

@AndyMira….I get an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think of the Frenchie……

February 12th, 2016 at 1:19 am

Wow
Nadal is playing so poorly
If he played Djokovic instead of Monaco today
It would’ve been slaughter 6-1 6-1
Nadal is playing top 100 ranked tennis
It’s sad to see him play so poorly

There is no way Nadal will make the 4th round of Roland Garros let alone make the final !

February 12th, 2016 at 4:03 am

Time to make the call for Nadal at the end of the year
No shame in retirement

February 12th, 2016 at 4:06 am

Okie..before this i have hope so high..and i’m sure you,pauly and all his fan also have hope that entering new year we will see something different from him..we already saw the glimpse of it at the end of the last year but now it seems like he take not one step backward but two..okie..you have a right to feel something in your stomach..like everybody said..as long as he refuse to get help from the outsider and do something drastic..he’ll bound to go deeper and deeper into the hole..

February 12th, 2016 at 4:50 am

For you gossip mongers, Zozza and company, Rafa had an upset stomach due to heat and humidity.
Zozza, will you ever stop your cr@p? 😡😡😡😡😡😡

February 12th, 2016 at 6:09 am

AndyMira

I’m sad … I knew Nadal was lucky to win French open 2014
After the match he wispered in uncle Toni’s ear … I had no energy left it was widely rumoured !
What did that tell all his fans ? Loss of stamina for starters which is what made Nadal the greatest grinder of all time Coz he in his prime could out grind everyone
His leg speed is gone that’s part of stamina … He is like an old sprinter with a broken body
He once said ” when my speed goes I lose confidence in my whole game ” enough said
He doesn’t have the stamina to play at high level for 5 sets that’s very apparent & he just can’t run out as many balls as he once did that’s very noticeable for sure
What can he do ?
My opinion I think it’s time to enjoy his tennis this year try new things & end his career the best possible way on a high
2017 ???
I doubt Nadal will play … He can but if he doesn’t win any majors this year he will shut shop on his career
He was the greatest clay courter of all time

February 12th, 2016 at 6:53 am

Djokovic will win the French open ?
Well let me say this … Andy Murray will be huge threat this year so will Stan the man … Nadal will just be there to sign some autographs sadly
Wawrinka said some interesting things recently
Djokovic won’t win all 4 majors … Fighting words from stan lets see if anyone can stop him ?
Don’t worry about Nadal … He’s rich & he has millions of fans it’s time for him to marry his gf & have some kids
I doubt retirement will upset him …

February 12th, 2016 at 6:58 am

Pauly

Agree with you….and Stan – while Nole will easily retain No.1 position it’s reasonable to doubt the odds re. winning all 4 majors in the same year.

February 12th, 2016 at 8:17 am

@Pauly..i agree with all you said..you know if we think deeply..rafa send his signal to us since last year..he once said that he don’t know whether he’ll be able to get another slam..he didn’t even know whether he will reach the level that awarded him 14 slams..pauly,if you look closely at rafa’s face after the humiliating defeat to novak,fognini,verdasco..you will found that 1001 emotions etched very clearly there but most noticeable was resigned..it’s almost like he knew something terrible and he didn’t know how to fix it..or that “something”was fixable..

We choose to ignore his signal all this time pauly..and we can’t blame him if something like this happen..maybe we’re in denial because we love him so much and not ready to let him go yet..maybe we’re scared to not be able to see him chase the ball on court any longer..maybe we feel anger at him because we selfishly will miss his magnificent trademark shot..maybe this maybe that.. while rafa with his battered body and dejected face don’t have anything in him to give to his beloved fans anymore..

February 12th, 2016 at 9:19 am

Nadal altough not “old” has a lot of tennis milage. He is turninh 30 in a few months and he doesn’t have the same stamina as Pauly said.

Ferrer may playba similar grinder game but he doesn’t have as many match as Nadal and not with the mental demand Nadal faced: reaching more than 90 finals in his career (think 100 maybe, not sure). Everybody knew this will happen, he would lose a bot of hos main strenght: speed and that would affect hos confidence and his aura.

Even so, he can play himaelf into form this tourney, but if he can’t win Buenos Aires, a 4 match tourney only having to potentailly beat either Ferrer, Tsonga or Almagro on the slowest clay on tour, than his decline will be complete.

February 12th, 2016 at 9:35 am

I still feel Nadal will do better this year than last year. It’s only the start of the season. Also, 4th round of the French Open? That isn’t realistic to me. His game still matches up well against Wawrinka or Federer and I think even in this form would beat both of them over a 5 set match at the French. I think he could even beat Murray over 5 sets on Clay. Djokovic, not a chance. What if Djokovic got upset at the French and Nadal didn’t have to face him? Than of course he could still win it all. So much can happen in tennis. Lots of time left in the season. Give him some time to get better. You guys are writing him off. I can’t guarantee anything, but I would be absolutely shocked if he didn’t end up earning more ranking points this year than in 2015. You can’t look at the 1st round loss at the Australian Open against a bad matchup as a decline. It’s one match. He got to the final before that. Let’s see if he gets to another final or wins this tournament. So much tennis left for him still.

February 12th, 2016 at 11:50 am

GINGER alias GILES

Will you ever forget your lover zozza ?
It’s hard for you to accept Nadal is just a mere shadow of his former self … Upset stomach wasn’t the reason he played so poorly GINGER when will you ever learn he’s finished

February 12th, 2016 at 12:19 pm

Dear Ginger aka GILES
For you gossip mongers, Zozza and company, Rafa had an upset stomach due to heat and humidity.
Zozza, will you ever stop your cr@p? 😡😡😡😡😡😡

Is this the most naive post ever ?
Trying to make excuses for a man who is close to retirement
Saying his stomach was upset ? How dumb is that ?
Open your eyes ginger & smell the Roses 😡😡😡

February 12th, 2016 at 12:26 pm

Ginger

If you think everyone on here is wrong about Nadal?
Let’s wait unto the clay season is over before we judge … If Nadal doesn’t win any big tournaments … Can you stop posting rubbish on this site Ginger ?
No one wants to read all your naive baloney … For the record most people doubt your really Nadal fan ?
Real Nadal fans know his career is nearly over so go away Ginger & support your favourite player djokovic

February 12th, 2016 at 12:33 pm

Zozza Zozza. You said you are a fan of Rafa. Fans do not speak of their favourites in the tone you are using. Are you an illiterate in which case that would explain your posts.

February 12th, 2016 at 12:34 pm

P.S. Is Zozza the name for some rare disease?

February 12th, 2016 at 12:41 pm

Dave,

His decline is three consecutive horrible Salm results outside clay: 2nd Wimby, 3rd USO and 1st AO. He needa a beyond Quarters in Garros but of he still is in 5 to 8 he has a chance of getting Murray or Djoko in Quarters. Actually only Fed in RG Quarters would be a good match up for him now. Also he could get a bad R16 or even an ealry clay expertise first week.

A lot of tennis to be played still but he is running out of time

February 12th, 2016 at 12:57 pm

Daniel,

I think it’s easier to be more objective when Rafa isn’t your favorite player, which is the case with me. I respect Paul Annocone, and I read some of his comments recently and he really believes Rafa will come back stronger, as does Nole and Federer and many other commentators have said not to be so quick to write him off. I just don’t see how Rafa will have a season as bad as last years season. I agree with you, the results at majors aren’t good at the moment, I just think that people are getting very negative after a sub-par match and stretch for that matter. I honestly don’t know if Nadal will figure everything out mentally and get close to peak form, but I feel that he will be better than last year for sure. That’s about all I feel quite convinced of, despite his first round loss in Australia.

February 12th, 2016 at 2:09 pm

@pauly….Your remark about Rafa whispering in Uncle Tony’s ear….I have that match recorded and have watched it a few times. I read where he told him he would need an IV to get fluids back in his body……conditions were rough that year. That was also the year Novak threw up on court.

February 12th, 2016 at 2:25 pm

@Dave,your words is a balm to a wounded soul,at least to my soul..i want to believe you so so much..but clay season is so important to rafa..he’s always be able to gathered ranking points at this period but with his current form i don’t even know if he will win Barcelona and if he not win it..his confidence will shot down even further..the dangerous thing right now is that rafa don’t believe he can win anything anymore..his head so messed up..that’s why he’s struggled with every player he met so far…

Against juan..he should be able to close the match with the score 62 62..but he couldn’t because the belief and self confidence play havoc in his head..this is juan who did not play tennis for 6 months!Truth to be told..rafa will suffer more bad losses if he still stubborn to get a treatment to whatever his inside problem right now..we’re not talking about physical injury anymore..we’re talking about the damage on the inside..like physical,they’re also needs to be cure..by specialist…

February 12th, 2016 at 2:35 pm

I am not writing him off by any means…..how well I remember 2013! He’s just not the Rafa he once was. We talk about his movement and being slower….and then sometimes he will race to the net and makes a play that I stand in awe of and wonder of how he just did that??? It is his mind set that I am more concerned about than anything…….We will have to wait and see. He has got to have the belief in himself that he can do it…..

February 12th, 2016 at 2:36 pm

I believe he will get back to the top 2 or 3 this year. That doesn’t mean he will win a major. But I believe he will climb up the rankings past number 5 this year. Rafa will somehow figure things out better than last year. I really believe that.

February 12th, 2016 at 3:22 pm

@Dave..thank you..

February 12th, 2016 at 3:29 pm

This guy is a Warrior, AndyMira. He has gotta be the most resilent tennis player I have ever seen in my life. He never gives up and will look for every single solution he can find and exhaust all options, before he gives up. That’s how Rafa is. So even if he never gets to the top, you can be assured he will try everything possible before he retires. That’s his character. If Rafa Fans are frustrated, imagine how frustrated Rafa is about this situation. I feel for him. The last thing he needs is people getting down on him at the moment.

February 12th, 2016 at 3:33 pm

I understand dave..but be assured he wouldn’t even know we getting down on him right now..it’s not as if he read this stuff right?We just wants to let out a few pent up emotions because we cared so much about him..if not we’re the one who has to go to the shrink and not rafa!

February 12th, 2016 at 3:43 pm

AndyMira,

Your right, It’s good to vent sometimes. It’s better than holding everything inside. On a positive note, I really liked the way Rafa played the tie break. It could have easily been 7 to 1 if that return had landed on the line. Great tie break by Rafa.

February 12th, 2016 at 3:49 pm

Dave..i don’t think he needs a tie break in the first place..he already got the break earlier and he could close up the set maybe 63 or 64 but as usual now he wasted the chance..this weakness that he needs to change..drastically..

February 12th, 2016 at 4:04 pm

How about the 2nd Set? Is this more to your liking?

February 12th, 2016 at 4:30 pm

OH YES DAVE..IT’S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NUMBER I’VE EVER SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!He!He!

February 12th, 2016 at 4:49 pm

Hey dave..thank you once again..it does feel better after chatting up with you..hmm..no wonder wealthy people pay thousands just to talk to the shrink..and i’m not that crazy!

February 12th, 2016 at 7:07 pm

Any time, Andy Mira.

February 12th, 2016 at 8:36 pm

Ginger aka GILES

Who is zozza ?
Isn’t zozza female ?
I’m Pauly I’m a MAN 😂
Ginger you need to seek some help
But why you even posting here aren’t you crazy Djokovic fan ?
Ginger you’re one very confused parrot

February 12th, 2016 at 9:11 pm

Nadal is playing second class tennis … When the day comes that he announces his retirement hopefully people will never forget Coz he was once one hell of a tennis player
Winning Argentina means little … The clay season starting in Monaco is where he must play much much better
Good luck he will need it

February 12th, 2016 at 9:14 pm

Nadal was once the fittest guy on tour … Just as fit as Thomas muster … Anyone remember him ?

February 12th, 2016 at 9:20 pm

Pauly,

Is Nadal your favorite player?

February 12th, 2016 at 9:37 pm

Hi Dave..you said rafa is not your favourite player..who is?Roger?Andy or Novak?

February 12th, 2016 at 9:45 pm

The big 4 from favorite to least favorite player.

1. Novak
2. Rafa
3. Andy
4. Roger

February 12th, 2016 at 9:48 pm

How about you?

February 12th, 2016 at 9:48 pm

Pauly doesn’t have favorite player, he is just objective tennis observer, reminds me on jamie the fortune teller who doesn’t post here anymore, or does he?;)

February 12th, 2016 at 9:49 pm

Hey Wog Boy,

I checked out the Serbian Rugby team. I have watched the past 2 world cups actually. It is an interesting sport. Did you get an opportunity to watch Peaceful Warrior yet?

February 12th, 2016 at 9:53 pm

Dave..i hope you’re not going to hate me after i listed ok?
1.Forever & ever rrrafa
2.The great Roger federer
3.The Little brother Andy
4.A very amazing & Plastic Man Novak

Now..i put andy above novak because he’s such a talented player but unfortunately a little behind from the big 3 and i think he needs our support to add more slams to his count,i put roger in 2nd place because of all his achievements and that 17 he got..and i put novak at the bottom because he so superior,so amazing and maybe he’ll reach roger 17 in the future[of course if nothing happen to him until then]so,he barely needs my support..don’t get mad ok?

February 12th, 2016 at 10:04 pm

haha. I won’t get mad. Don’t worry. Roger was my favorite player for a long time and Rafa was my least favorite for a long time. Rafa almost forced me to like him because he has such a good attitude and I really appreciate many things about him. I couldn’t help but like him in the end. I stopped liking Roger for different reasons. Won’t get into them today. As far as 2 of my favorite personalities on the court and 2 of the most humble guys I have ever seen, I would have to go with Juan Martin Delpotro and David Ferrer. I love how humble they both are. Great personalities. I still have hope for Andy Murray. I liked his attitude more before and during Lendl. I wish he would calm down a bit on court and not be his own worst enemy. Andy frustrates me at times because of that. Nole is awesome and have seen him mature and grow into a nice young man right before my eyes. What a great story he is. I don’t think anyone would have predicted after the 2010 season that we would be talking about him possibly being the greatest tennis player of all time and on his way to possibly breaking many records.

February 12th, 2016 at 10:11 pm

Dave,

They are battlers, but they are very passionate about sport, what we tried to do with bringing them in Australia was to bond them with Australian players of Serbian origin who can then play for Serbia in the next world cup which is in Australia next year. Without those players they don’t stand a chance to qualify for the WC, they are in the group with Wales and Italy, first one goes automatically (most likely Wales), second plays barrage. Reception was really good, they played few matches, one official test match, Australian players of Serbian origin got fired up, very patriotic, even they can hardly speak any Serbian words:) The boys flew back full of positive energy and nice memories, European qualifications start october, we’ll see, finger crossed.

I am still to watch the movie, but friend of mine sent me internet version of the book you were quoting until I find the proper book that I can turn the pages, I am old fashioned, I like to turn the pages, yet to read it too.

February 12th, 2016 at 10:19 pm

Dave

Long before Nadal came on the tennis scene
I was borg fan then lendl fan then Agassi fan
To see Nadal playing this poorly is something I cannot stomach 👎
But yes
Nadal
Borg
Lendl
Agassi
Now I also like Roger & Murray & Wawrinka of course
But can’t seem to warm to Djokovic

February 12th, 2016 at 10:24 pm

Dave

Long before Nadal came on the tennis scene
I was borg fan then lendl fan then Agassi fan
To see Nadal playing this poorly is something I cannot stomach 👎
But yes
Nadal
Borg
Lendl
Agassi
Now I also like Roger & Murray & Wawrinka of course
But can’t seem to warm to Djokovic

February 12th, 2016 at 10:24 pm

I am the same as you. I actually heard that they did a study about that and found that your brain retains more of the information that you read in an actual book over reading it on a computer screen. I have a nice wooden bookshelf and lots of books on it that I like to read. I am old fashioned when it comes to reading an actual book as well. Are you an actual coach for the Serbian Rugby team?

February 12th, 2016 at 10:24 pm

Dave..one thing i like about you is that you’re a very sensible,fair and square and not condemning in your analysis..by the way i agree everything with all you said..about roger..hey everybody have their own reason..and i’m sure as a fair man[is it?]you certainly have a valid one..bout andy i hope with little girl in his heart..he will more matured on court..novak also got temper and he use it in the right way..and so can andy..it’s about time he add his tally on slam not only his family!

February 12th, 2016 at 10:26 pm

Wog boy

I’m upset that Nadal is playing so poorly
But he had his time so did Roger
It’s Djokovic’s time now

February 12th, 2016 at 10:27 pm

Pauly,

That is so awesome. You and I have that in common. I am only 34 years old so Borg was gone before I started watching tennnis. But as a little boy my favorite player was Lendl and than Agassi. So we have that in common. I loved watching Agassi play. I remember him winning Wimbledon against Ivanizavic. Sorry about the spelling. That was an intense 5 set match.

February 12th, 2016 at 10:27 pm

Dave

Borg retired too early

February 12th, 2016 at 10:28 pm

Dave

I know people said Lendl had great forehand
But if you recall it was his backhand that better more reliable

February 12th, 2016 at 10:31 pm

Hmmh..i see you guys found a chemistry now..do go on..

February 12th, 2016 at 10:34 pm

Dave,

No I am not the coach, I just love the game and was one of the sponsors that helped bringing them here, I spent every single day with them until they flew back.

Pauly,

Every dog has its day, Roger had it, Rafa hada it, “even” Andy had it, Nole has it, we are just waiting for the new dog, I can’t pick one yet..

February 12th, 2016 at 10:35 pm

AndyMira,

Thank you. I really do think that having a child will change Andy’s life. It has to, or he wouldn’t be human. I really hope it helps him on the tennis court as well.

Pauly,

I know it’s super hard to be patient with the way Rafa is playing. I honestly expected a better start to the season after the way he ended 2015. I think we all did. Did you see him playing at a high level in the 2nd set? Did that give you more hope? or no? Rafa is the king of surprises. I wrote him off so many times, only to be proven wrong every time. If anyone can come back even from a longer period of adversity, it’s Rafa. That would be amazing if he did hire Agassi as his coach. I really do believe he will add someone to his coaching staff either during this season or the start of 2017. He will never fire Uncle Tony, nor should he.

February 12th, 2016 at 10:35 pm

Pauly,

Borg couldn’t stand McEnroe beating him regularly, he chickened out, of course Borg will never admit that.

February 12th, 2016 at 10:37 pm

Lendl did have a great backhand. He was rock solid.

Wog Boy,

Are you originally from Serbia?

February 12th, 2016 at 10:37 pm

@WB:

I read recently (5 years ago) an article claiming the opposite. Here it is:

http://besteversportstalk.blogspot.rs/2009/07/debunking-myths-about-bjorn-borg-john.html

February 12th, 2016 at 10:44 pm

Dave,

Yes, born in Serbia to nonSerbian father and Serbian mother. I am Serbian by choice not by birth, now calling this beautiful country, Australia, home, though my soul (spiritual) home will always be Serbia, until my last breath.

February 12th, 2016 at 10:45 pm

I was born in Canada. I am not nationalistic. I still like to know about the cultures that I come from. I never felt like I fit into the Canadian culture. I didn’t feel like I was like the German Culture, which my Grandma comes from. I didn’t feel like I was like the English or Scotish culture which is my moms side of the family. One day I found my dads original birth certificate. I noticed that the last name was Ivazic. I said why don’t we have that last name? I found out that my dad hasn’t seen his real dad since he was 3 years old. Later on I was teaching a student English who is from Serbia and he and I had similar personalities and after hearing about the culture, I realized where I got a lot of my qualities from, my grandfather who I have never met. My student told me that Ivazic sounds like a Serbian name. All I know is that my grand father is from Yugoslavia. People have told me that I look like Djokovic. I am just a bit taller than him. I can definitely relate to Djokovic as a person for sure. He has been misunderstood at times and has behaved to emotionally at times. As have I so many times growing up. But we all learn from our experiences in life. So that is my story.

February 12th, 2016 at 10:53 pm

The most cynical thing here is that Borg’s game would translated extremely well to the new racquet technology and I don’t see him losing the no 1 spot in the following years — not to Lendl, and certainly not to JMac, who was the product of the wooden era tennis, with an eastern grip, a sliced backhand, and a obsolete kind of tennis. That’s why his career at the top ended so quickly in 1985, when he was 24.

Had Borg continued to play, he would have certainly won more that 15 slams, and we would have written, right now, that he played in a weak era…

February 12th, 2016 at 10:53 pm

mat4,

We will never know the real reason, Borg was far too introvert for my liking. I prefer the one I posted. Your article is nicely written, but somhow I have feeling that the writer was more Borg fan than just neutral writer.
BTW, I am pretty sure that CF1 will like the article, it elaborates very deeply (non) importance of GS tournaments in different periods of tennis history.

February 12th, 2016 at 10:59 pm

Mat4,

I just read that article about Borg. What an interesting article. That is amazing actually. It changes how I rate the top players. There is a movie called The Royal Tenenbaum’s and I read that Luke Wilson plays a character that is supposed to depict Borg. He is depressed and there were rumors that Borg lost motivation and was depressed for a while. The movie depicts this being the case.

February 12th, 2016 at 11:13 pm

Dave,

That surname, if it is correctly written (there is Ivezic and Ivazic), exists, it would nice if you can trace where your grandfather came from and when, was it after or before the 2.WW, was your grandmather (his wife) German or also from Balkans and so on.

February 12th, 2016 at 11:17 pm

Wog Boy,

I tried before. My grandmother has refused to tell my dad anything about his dad. I don’t know why she won’t tell him anything. I can’t remember my grandfathers first name. I just know that it was a very common first name. Starts with the letter M. Madrin or something. I have no idea. You would know better than me. My grandmother was 4 years old during world war 2 I believe.

February 12th, 2016 at 11:25 pm

Wog Boy,

I am not sure of the spelling. It’s one of those 2 names for sure. Ivezic or Ivazic. Maybe his first name was Maudrid

February 12th, 2016 at 11:27 pm

If my grandmother outlives her current husband, I will probably go to her house and ask about my real grandfather at that point. I think she is scared to even talk about my real grandfather, since my step grandpa is the dominant one in the relationship. Maybe that’s why she has never been willing to say anything. I’m not sure the reason. It’s okay though. I don’t lose sleep over it. It would be cool to know my real grandfather though. Just to at least meet him. He might not even be alive at this point. He is probably around 80 years old at this point.

February 12th, 2016 at 11:32 pm

I’ve read that article before. It is a Borg sympathizer I’m afraid. I really did like Borg as a youngster, and did not appreciate Mac as much.

But I watched JMac begin to dominate Borg. Tough to say otherwise. JMac was scary good once he got over that hump (Borg).

A cool documentary has it that Borg walking away precipitated the demise of McEnroe. He needed Borg, went the thesis.

Those were the days. . .

February 12th, 2016 at 11:34 pm

Wog boy

Raonic is future number 1
He just needs better to improve his game in one area
Movement he’s still too slow
That’s why he gets beaten in rallies

February 13th, 2016 at 12:21 am

What do people think about Lukas Rosol?
Talented in my opinion
But wasted his talent

February 13th, 2016 at 12:24 am

If Nadal wins Argentina it will give him confidence
But where he needs to put in solid
Performance in my opinion

Indian wells is key to setting up good year for Nadal … That surface is high bouncing with Nadal loves so that’s the tournament I will be watching very keenly

February 13th, 2016 at 12:30 am

Borg retired early with 11 majors
I felt he could’ve won at least 5 more had he not quit so young
Maybe others don’t agree
My favourite match was Lendl vs McEnroe French open final where the ground lifted Lendl off the dirt & inspired him t win in 5 sets after trailing so badly
One of my favourite matches

February 13th, 2016 at 12:33 am

*crowd

February 13th, 2016 at 12:34 am

Rosol could have been so much better. Same goes for Klizan. Same goes for Monfils. So many players actually. I really feel like Bautista Agut will be the new Ferrer. He will peak in his late 20’s and early to mid 30’s. I really like his attitude. He will just keep getting better and better. He was within a few cm’s on matchpoint of making it to the semi-finals today.

February 13th, 2016 at 12:35 am

Worst Lendl match ever
Losing to Becker in Australian open final
Where he was winning first set easy but failed to take his chances to win the second set hence lost next 3 sets 6-4
That’s the one Lendl rued the most it got away from him
He should’ve won
Lendl won 8 majors lost 11 finals in majors

February 13th, 2016 at 12:37 am

Dave

Ferrer is champion in my opinion
But lacks the power to beat the top 4
He can win against Nadal at times
Has had chances against Djokovic also but never taken them
Never beaten Federer
Ferrer is unlucky not to win at least one major

Monfils great athlete good guy but just gets himself in trouble in games & sadly hasn’t reached him potential

February 13th, 2016 at 12:41 am

Hi okie..are up already or still in bed?

February 13th, 2016 at 4:48 am

@Matt:

Borg was also scary good, and JMac never dominated him — it’s a misconception. In 1982, also, Connors won Wimbledon and the USO, beating McEnroe in the Wimbledon final, and in Queens a few weeks before: Borg was clearly better than Jimmy.

In 1981, Borg wasn’t playing well. He lost a set in the final of Roland Garros, against Lendl. He was 0-2 against Connors, a player he used to dominate easily on grass, in the Wimbledon semi, losing the first set 6-0. He already was in an existential crisis.

JMac was a great player, and he had probably the best volley I have ever seen, with a lot of touch and feel. He made a successful transition to carbon racquet and it lead to his famous 1984, when he dominated the tour. But in 1985, the new generation, who had grown playing with oversized graphite racquets, was here and he failed to win another slam.

His game was passé, and he was the victim of the technological shift. Everybody started using a western grip, hitting hard, and the tournament system allow ducking opponents, so he wasn’t motivated to work harder. There was more money in tennis than ever, and players from the very top didn’t have to play against each other three times a week — something the old pros had to do.

But the system introduced in 1989, with mandatory masters tournaments, was the prelude to the demise of the generation of Wilander and Edberg. Racquets were 100 gr lighter, you could change their balance, and the serve became the key shot. Pete Sampras was a perfect example: he was solid at the net, but nothing more. He had a great forehand, but he seldom played it. His backhand is underrated. But he didn’t need anything of it: he could serve a match from the first to the last point.

Borg’s game was ahead of his time — at least 10 years, and it would be modern even now. He was a complete player, and a bigger graphite racquet would just help him play much better. He beat players like Roscoe Tanner on grass, and his return was exceptional, although underrated too. He could have been a presence on the tour until the shift at the beginning of the nineties.

Borg left because he was unhappy with his life, JMac fell because of technical reasons, just like Pete Sampras, who didn’t even try to adapt to new strings. While the pros from the sixties played well in their thirties, later, the technological changes shortened the careers of new generations of players.

February 13th, 2016 at 9:59 am

@AndyMira…..Yes I am up and about….got out of bed about 9 and I am now trying to find a decent thread to watch Rafa. My links have been terrible. I missed the whole first set yesterday but watched the second…..Hope he wins this thing….realize it is a 250 but with each win maybe we will see a rise in his confidence. He looked well spent yesterday, the weather must be horrible…..reminded me of Aussie conditions. Have a nice week-end!

February 13th, 2016 at 11:06 am

@Okie..i just wake up and found that rafa has just lost..now..what do you think?

February 13th, 2016 at 5:51 pm

Hey Okie..where are you?I’m dying to talk to you..

February 13th, 2016 at 7:54 pm