Topic: The Tennis Thread - Sponsored By Melt-downium

[S]

Maybe it's nostalgia clouding my memory, but didn't he basically play perfectly in the Wimbledon 2013 final? I remember thinking at the time, surely he's going to drop his level at some point. After the despair of the Federer final he was like a machine against Djokovic though.

The criticism of Murray's off-court character normally comes from the same sort of people who call James Milner "boring". The guy is a model professional. Sad that it's ended the way it has, but he's achieved more than any other British player has and he did it playing against the greatest players of all time.

[Ashburton]

Maybe it's nostalgia clouding my memory, but didn't he basically play perfectly in the Wimbledon 2013 final? I remember thinking at the time, surely he's going to drop his level at some point. After the despair of the Federer final he was like a machine against Djokovic though.

The criticism of Murray's off-court character normally comes from the same sort of people who call James Milner "boring". The guy is a model professional. Sad that it's ended the way it has, but he's achieved more than any other British player has and he did it playing against the greatest players of all time.

Pretty much this.  I've never been a huge fan of his as he's always been a bit of a dour Scotsman, but you have to admire his professionalism in an era where he was playing against some of the best talent to ever play the game in Djokovic and Federer.  Without those two I do wonder how many titles he might have had ended up with.

The last few years it's clear injuries have been catching up with him, a few changes of coach hasn't papered over the underlying issue that he was losing his trademark mobility - a similar end to Nadal, in a way, except he's somehow hanging on for the moment. 

Great player and British tennis other than him is in an absolute mess. Need to hopefully see the crowds get behind the new #1 and see what they can do.

[Crosby Nick]

Maybe it's nostalgia clouding my memory, but didn't he basically play perfectly in the Wimbledon 2013 final? I remember thinking at the time, surely he's going to drop his level at some point. After the despair of the Federer final he was like a machine against Djokovic though.

The criticism of Murray's off-court character normally comes from the same sort of people who call James Milner "boring". The guy is a model professional. Sad that it's ended the way it has, but he's achieved more than any other British player has and he did it playing against the greatest players of all time.

I remember him being a bit more aggressive than normal but it never felt in the bag. 2 seats up and serving for the match I think he went from 40-0 back to deuce and Djokovic had a couple of break points and even ten there was a boggling doubt he might not get over the line and something could still go wrong. It’s a bit like us this season to be honest!

[Ray K]

How do you eat Strawberries?

He's genuinely a funny bloke. I'd say he's a great hang. Another one of those Scots with that wry sense of humour and refusal to give a crap in press conferences that enabled journalists to write off as 'dour'. Reminds me of King Kenny in that way.

I mean, tell me that someone who wears this jumper doesn't have a sense of humour

[Ray K]

Always loved what Brian Phillips wrote about his US Open win in Grantland

The end of the final also, of course, saw Murray win his first Grand Slam tournament, 7-6(10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2. If you watched the match, or followed Murray through the tournament, or tuned in for essentially any single nanosecond of his career since he left his home in Scotland as a teenager to train in Barcelona, you are undoubtedly aware that, before Monday night, no British man had won a major singles title since Fred Perry in 1936, and that a certain amount of pressure accrued to highly ranked British players as a result of this decades-long drought. No big deal, really, just the guarantee that it would be the first thing anyone thought about when they looked at you, always, your entire life, and that if you didn’t win one, the fact that you didn’t would definitely go at the top of your obituary. So just obituary-level pressure. Nothing you’d really need to worry about.

[Old No7]

That press conference was a horrible watch, poor bloke is coming to terms with the end of his career & has do it in front of the press.

[Crouch Potato]

Very sad day, but i think we all knew it was coming some time this season, as there was no point carrying on.

Even losing 5% of ability due to a long term injury is going to impact massively in a sport like tennis, where you don't have a team to carry you.

The comments by that twunt Alan Brazil, sum up why i never listen to that pile of steaming shite, Talksport.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Tennis players what an absolutley massive shower of quilts

[Crosby Nick]

Dan Evans came through qualifying and has won his first round match as well. Edmund our already though, lost in straight sets to Berdych.

Murray in the first set, could well be his final match.

[clinical]

Come on Murray!

[Gerry Attrick]

This guy. This fucking guy. You can’t coach this kind of heart and determination.

[planet-terror]

What's the deal then. Can Murray not get into Wimbledon if he loses this match?

[Jm55]

What's the deal then. Can Murray not get into Wimbledon if he loses this match?

It’s not that, just that the injury is so bad he’s not confident he’ll make it that far.

[planet-terror]

It’s not that, just that the injury is so bad he’s not confident he’ll make it that far.

Ah OK. Thanks

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

It’s not that, just that the injury is so bad he’s not confident he’ll make it that far.

I think this match should give him a lot of confidence, regardless of the outcome. He has matched a very good player, and one that he would beat comfortably on grass.

[Gerry Attrick]

If Murray says he’s in a lot of pain he’s in a lot of pain but this level is excellent. He’s moving and hitting the ball almost as well as he was before the injury.

[planet-terror]

Tremendous from Murray. Great fightback that epitomises everything he's about

[Ray K]

This guy. This fucking guy. You can’t coach this kind of heart and determination.

It's a good rule of thumb to ask people if they like Andy Murray. If they don't, they're not worth bothering with.

Heart, determination, skill and brass fucking balls.  We go to a fifth.

[Millie]

I love Andy Murray

[Cheshire_Cat]

Jesus Andy ... you never make it easy on yourself, do ya?

[scouseman]

Please don't retire Andy. This match will show you that anything is still possible. Great fight from him so far to get this far 2-2. 

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

Well that point proves it. This has all been an elaborate hoax and he's not actually injured.

[Millie]

Come on Andy!

[Gerry Attrick]

His fitness is the most remarkable thing here. He hasn’t played a proper match in eons and he is fit as a fiddle.

[BarryCrocker]

Got to feel for him. Former World #1 walking around between shots like he has the worlds worst haemorrhoids. Could have easily just have given up being 2 sets down but dug deep and is now playing for it all in the 5th. Really hope it doesn't end for him here tonight.

Rodger on the other hand is ploughing through his opening match. Up 2-0 and with serve in the 3rd.

[scouseman]

Well that point proves it. This has all been an elaborate hoax and he's not actually injured.

its called the ultimate hustle 

[Peabee]

I’m gonna miss watching this fella.

[dirks digglers]

It's a good rule of thumb to ask people if they like Andy Murray. If they don't, they're not worth bothering with.

Heart, determination, skill and brass fucking balls.  We go to a fifth.

Couldn't agree more. Wonderful talent and application and guts, really sticks up for equality in the game and enjoy his droll sense of humour. He'll be missed.

[Peabee]

I hope he stays involved with the sport after retirement.

[planet-terror]

Terrific stuff

[Circa1892]

Reckon that's probably it for Murray. Unless he wants one last match or two at Wimbledon.

[Peabee]

He should retire now, so he can still walk in a few years.

He doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone.

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

I think he should play at Wimbledon. With a favourable draw, he should be able to pick up a few wins.

Even a draw like today would see him through the first round.

[planet-terror]

Shedding a tear here. Great tribute

[clinical]

Reckon he'll play at Wimbledon.

Never seen what's happening right now though.

[Peabee]

Shedding a tear here. Great tribute

Federer “i’m your biggest fan.”  Some tribute!

[Millie]

 

[scouseman]

He did say he would have another Op and see what happens. Whatever the future holds for Andy. Thank you for the memories

[Peabee]

His surgeon has said it’s doubtful he could continue until Wimbledon.

It’s not just the physical issues; once you’ve come to a point where you know you’re not going to recover from the physical problem, and know retirement is imminent, then how do you keep up the motivation and effort at the top level? Murray has the heart of a lion, but there always needs to be that motivation to drive you.  Maybe playing at Wimbledon will be that motivation, but the only other avenue is a hip replacement.

[Gerry Attrick]

Sabalenka looks like she'll take a mountain of beating. She's 3rd fav at 9/1, so I don't think she's a backable price but she'll be hard to oppose against anybody in her half of the draw. Kerber and Wozniacki are the highest ranked players and she's got the power to just hit right through either of them when she's on it.