[Mike Teevee]

is anybody listening to Five Live at the moment

they've just been going over Andre's 1992 Wimbledon win, had an interview with the great man (and also Gil Reyes)

catch it on the iPlayer if you can (chances are it might also be a Five Live podcast)

[tally]

Originally Posted by Mike Teevee

is anybody listening to Five Live at the moment

they've just been going over Andre's 1992 Wimbledon win, had an interview with the great man (and also Gil Reyes)

catch it on the iPlayer if you can (chances are it might also be a Five Live podcast)

I remember that as if it was yesterday. It was July 4th and my parents Golden Wedding Anniversary. My brother and sister-in-law threw a party at their house, but I sneaked off to be anti-social and shriek over the final.

Little did I know ( as they didn't want to spoil the 50th wedding celebrations), that my sister-in-law's father who had lived with them for a few years had died that morning and his body was still upstairs. We didn't find out until the next day.

So that final will be indelibly etched on my mind!! I'm still glad I watched Aggi win his only Wimbledon though.

[Jaccobabe]

Hopefully the weather will be good at least the first few days since they are most important...

[Mike Teevee]

Originally Posted by tally

I remember that as if it was yesterday. It was July 4th and my parents Golden Wedding Anniversary. My brother and sister-in-law threw a party at their house, but I sneaked off to be anti-social and shriek over the final.

Little did I know ( as they didn't want to spoil the 50th wedding celebrations), that my sister-in-law's father who had lived with them for a few years had died that morning and his body was still upstairs. We didn't find out until the next day.

So that final will be indelibly etched on my mind!! I'm still glad I watched Aggi win his only Wimbledon though.

oh dear that sounds very bittersweet for you tally
-----
2 Indian teams for the Olympics

what's the background to this story, why did nobody want to play with Leander Paes?

[CLL Dodge]

Originally Posted by Mike Teevee

oh dear that sounds very bittersweet for you tally
-----
2 Indian teams for the Olympics

what's the background to this story, why did nobody want to play with Leander Paes?

Some clues here:

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/SPO...3071.html?LHS-

[CLL Dodge]

Rain commentary on Eurosport.

Going to be a lot more of that over the next 2 or 3 weeks, I feel.

[Mike Teevee]

Originally Posted by CLL Dodge

Some clues here:

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/SPO...3071.html?LHS-

hmm very interesting

ah the politics of modern day tennis

[shortiefluff]

I was wondering what everyone thinks Andy's chances at Wimbledon are this year. He has now lost 2 straight grass court matches to 2 guys he should be beating. No offence to Mahut, he's a good grass court player but he's only been as high as 50 for a reason and Tipsy, who imo isnt a great grass court player. These are 2 guys he should have beaten and beaten rather easily. Im now thining that he wont do too well this year.

Roger lost to Tommy Haas, who he hadnt lost to in 10 years and now will feel less confident but as soon as he steps on the Wimbledon centre court he called he own for the last 9 years or so, his confidence will return so im sure he is fine for Wimbledon. The same with Rafa. He has lost in the quarters of Queens or Halle the last few years but still made the final being the winner in 2010 or runner up last year. He has nothing to fear and should be feeling on a high after the French win and finally beating his nemesis Novak. Speaking of him, i think Djokovic will be fine as he didnt play a warm up last year and still won, regardless of his draw being imo a relatively easy one. He has never had much success on grass until lasy year and hadnt made the final until last year but i still think he can be deemed a major threat even if he isnt playing that convincingly this year unlike last year. He luckily made the French final as he was nearly out twice especially against Tsonga. He should still be okay though.

But i all honesty can Murray get near to the final on current form as against Ferrer in the French it was worringly bad how he could hold his serve after he broke. I know he isnt a great clay courter but when he had the upper hand he let it go. Based on how Ferrer played Nadal in the semis Murray must have been rueing those missed opportunities that David gave him. Thye could be passed off as a bad day at the office but what was his excuse last week. He broke Mahut in the second set to lead but got broken straight away then finally won the tiebreak but in the 3rd the same thing happened. He broke and got broke back straight away. There is clearly some psycological problem with Andy and he wont Wimbledon playing as badly as he has done on grass so far this year.

So does anyone realistically give him a chnce this year? I dont.

[Jimmy Connors]

Originally Posted by CLL Dodge

Some clues here:

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/SPO...3071.html?LHS-

LOL, they are worse than the ladies on the WTA.

[Davser]

Wouldn't use French Open as any kind of form guide for Wimbledon. Very different surfaces.

Butu something not right with AM this last month or two. if he fulfils his seeding he will be happy.

[CLL Dodge]

Paes will be playing in his 6th Olympics, a record for a tennis player.

[Mike Teevee]

Originally Posted by shortiefluff

.....
.....

So does anyone realistically give him a chnce this year? I dont.

Andy is fourth favourite to win IMO

no different to last year, even at last year's FO he fell two sets down

he recent results aren't anything to right home about, but I don't think things will be that bad at Wimby

[tally]

Originally Posted by Mike Teevee

-----
2 Indian teams for the Olympics

what's the background to this story, why did nobody want to play with Leander Paes?

Originally Posted by CLL Dodge

Some clues here:

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/SPO...3071.html?LHS-

Blimey, I didn't know any of that. What a shame that one man can be so powerful that he can potentially damage a whole country's team.

Wasn't it Leander Paes who beat cancer and partnered Martina Navratilova to the Wimbledon mixed doubles trophy a few years back? I'd always admired him until reading that.

[tally]

Originally Posted by shortiefluff

There is clearly some psycological problem with Andy and he wont Wimbledon playing as badly as he has done on grass so far this year.

So does anyone realistically give him a chnce this year? I dont.

There's also the possibility of his back being a lot more serious a problem than he's saying. I know you can trot out excuses till the cows come home, but the way that Petch was talking at The French, he seemed to think it would harm his Wimbledon/Olympic chances as in the private conversations he and Andy had had, he'd realised it was a lot worse than just a spasm.

Back problems need a lot of rest and treatment. The trouble is you can read Andy like a book, no poker face at all, and even a niggle and you think he's at death's door! So who knows apart from the inner sanctum.

I never predict Andy's progress. It'll either jinx him or I get too involved. So I try and stay cool, calm and collected. I was physically ill for a couple of days after his "back from the brink" win over Gasquet a few years ago as I lived every point. (I have a weird condition that means I dont produce hormones to deal with stress), and boy was that stressful.
I dont think he's playing well, nor do I think he'll win but you never know.
If he doesn't win a Slam in the next year I think he and Lendl will part company.

[CLL Dodge]

Originally Posted by tally

Wasn't it Leander Paes who beat cancer and partnered Martina Navratilova to the Wimbledon mixed doubles trophy a few years back? I'd always admired him until reading that.

He "beat" cancer only by virtue of it being rediagnosed as neurocysticercosis, a parasitic brain infection.

[Mark F]

[quote=Davser;58985410
Butu something not right with AM this last month or two. if he fulfils his seeding he will be happy.[/QUOTE]

Despite the comments from Ms Wade and co about Murray trying to fake injuries do you think he really is carrying a few knocks?

He had another defeat yesterday...whilst the guy won't say it in public that must put doubts in his mind confidence wise.

[shortiefluff]

Originally Posted by Mark F

Despite the comments from Ms Wade and co about Murray trying to fake injuries do you think he really is carrying a few knocks?

He had another defeat yesterday...whilst the guy won't say it in public that must put doubts in his mind confidence wise.

I dont think he is as injured as made out as my mum has a major back problem and there is no way he would have been able to play with a spasm. My mum was angry at him for his behaviour that day and we agree with VW and TH who have slagged him off recently. I do believe he has a slight injury yes as it can be seen some times when he serves but im afraid imo he has made more of it than there is.

I believe it is all psychological with him. He knows he isnt as good as the top 3 above him and he will never beat them in the best of 5 sets to win a slam. So i think he will never win a slam until these 3 go away and as 2 are similar ages that wont happen anytime soon.

[tally]

I dont believe that at all.

Is he a whinger? Yes
Does he have mental problems in dealing with GS semis and finals? Yes
Does he make more of problems than he should? Yes.

But I'm listening to what Petch said. Andy's a lot of things but he's not a quitter, nor a faker. Haas and he have have spats in the past, while I thought Ginny was totally out of line in what she said.
The only people who know if anything is serious is Andy, his physio and his doctor.

I will not prejudge him on comments made by people I dont respect. All will soon be clear anyway.

I have recurring back and knee problems. one day I'm immobile, the next I'm up and active. But it doesn't go away. I'm a lazy cow and in my retirement I have no desire to "get up and go" I'm quite content to rest up and ice it until it eases.
But Andy is driven, he wouldn't have been World No 4 for so long if he wasn't. Those hours in Miami torturing your body, the Bishy, whatever it's called, yoga, etc mean he's one of the fittest men on tour.
So yes he could play with a bad back, if it's like mine the severity changes.

Sheesh, listen to me defending him and Wimbledon not started yet. I go on my 2 week holiday from this thread then.

[smude]

Originally Posted by tally

I dont believe that at all.

Is he a whinger? Yes
Does he have mental problems in dealing with GS semis and finals? Yes
Does he make more of problems than he should? Yes.

But I'm listening to what Petch said. Andy's a lot of things but he's not a quitter, nor a faker. Haas and he have have spats in the past, while I thought Ginny was totally out of line in what she said.
The only people who know if anything is serious is Andy, his physio and his doctor.

I will not prejudge him on comments made by people I dont respect. All will soon be clear anyway.

I have recurring back and knee problems. one day I'm immobile, the next I'm up and active. But it doesn't go away. I'm a lazy cow and in my retirement I have no desire to "get up and go" I'm quite content to rest up and ice it until it eases.
But Andy is driven, he wouldn't have been World No 4 for so long if he wasn't. Those hours in Miami torturing your body, the Bishy, whatever it's called, yoga, etc mean he's one of the fittest men on tour.
So yes he could play with a bad back, if it's like mine the severity changes.

Sheesh, listen to me defending him and Wimbledon not started yet. I go on my 2 week holiday from this thread then.

I agree with what you are saying Tally. I don't think he has been 100% this year and just hope the problems have subsided.
Comments from various parts of the media don't help. He is No 4 in the world and an amazing player. Stop knocking him and get behind him.
I think he will win a slam when we least expect it.

Just seen Max standing on Centre Court [on Eurosport] It looks amazing. I can't wait.

[tennisman]

Originally Posted by tally

I dont believe that at all.

Is he a whinger? Yes
Does he have mental problems in dealing with GS semis and finals? Yes
Does he make more of problems than he should? Yes.

But I'm listening to what Petch said. Andy's a lot of things but he's not a quitter, nor a faker. Haas and he have have spats in the past, while I thought Ginny was totally out of line in what she said.
The only people who know if anything is serious is Andy, his physio and his doctor.

I will not prejudge him on comments made by people I dont respect. All will soon be clear anyway.

I have recurring back and knee problems. one day I'm immobile, the next I'm up and active. But it doesn't go away. I'm a lazy cow and in my retirement I have no desire to "get up and go" I'm quite content to rest up and ice it until it eases.
But Andy is driven, he wouldn't have been World No 4 for so long if he wasn't. Those hours in Miami torturing your body, the Bishy, whatever it's called, yoga, etc mean he's one of the fittest men on tour.
So yes he could play with a bad back, if it's like mine the severity changes.

Sheesh, listen to me defending him and Wimbledon not started yet. I go on my 2 week holiday from this thread then.

I agree with you too.

But I'd repeat that I don't agree with those who say he 'has the game'. I have described specifically before where I think he has weaknesses (1st serve consistency and forehand dependibility) which must be addressed to give him the maximum chance of GS success in the current environment with the 3 above him.

And I've said before also, that allied to these technical issues, unless he sorts them out, then these are the things that will break down as his focus issues in the 2nd week of slams (his other issue as far as I'm concerned) kicks in.

Getting to the QF of Slams for him now is almost a breeze. But then the real tournament begins.

He has to be able to play at the highest intensity, making the right shot selections time after time with the type of ruthless execution that the 3 above him show. he has not shown an ability to do this in 2 week Slams as yet.

With a 1st serve percentage way down below the 50's (sometimes), the rest of his game is not strong enough to get him through.

Of course, I hope he wins.

But I'm quite flexible; I'll praise whoever deserves it and whoever achieves it.

[Randomguy83]

Originally Posted by tally

I dont believe that at all.

Is he a whinger? Yes
Does he have mental problems in dealing with GS semis and finals? Yes
Does he make more of problems than he should? Yes.

But I'm listening to what Petch said. Andy's a lot of things but he's not a quitter, nor a faker. Haas and he have have spats in the past, while I thought Ginny was totally out of line in what she said.
The only people who know if anything is serious is Andy, his physio and his doctor.

I will not prejudge him on comments made by people I dont respect. All will soon be clear anyway.

I have recurring back and knee problems. one day I'm immobile, the next I'm up and active. But it doesn't go away. I'm a lazy cow and in my retirement I have no desire to "get up and go" I'm quite content to rest up and ice it until it eases.
But Andy is driven, he wouldn't have been World No 4 for so long if he wasn't. Those hours in Miami torturing your body, the Bishy, whatever it's called, yoga, etc mean he's one of the fittest men on tour.
So yes he could play with a bad back, if it's like mine the severity changes.

Sheesh, listen to me defending him and Wimbledon not started yet. I go on my 2 week holiday from this thread then.

Well said Tally, Glad you are still here fighting the good fight . Have a few stories on Haas and his odious wife I will share at some point too .

[tally]

Originally Posted by Randomguy83

Well said Tally, Glad you are still here fighting the good fight . Have a few stories on Haas and his odious wife I will share at some point too .

Oh yes please. I love a good bit of bitchy goss. I completely conform to the stereotype of nosy women with nothing better to do.

[Irishguy123]

Agnieszka Radwanska at the pre Wimbledon party.... WOW
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php...type=1&theater

[Straker]

At this rate I might have a bet on AM doing a Serena (no, not abusing a line-judge or wearing tacky bling/terrible clothes but exiting in the first round).

[Jaccobabe]

So excited to see esp the womens draw, to see who Venus and Kim will meet.

Nice to see Lucic back