FO starts at 11am here, Wimbledon 12/1pm and neither are during my uni period, rather during my holidays/exam season. I always wake up really late USO's 4pm - 5am schedule is perfect for me.
Isnt 11 AM slightly late ? And isnt having most of the good matches in the evening perfect for you ?
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by nick the greek
Me and Fed, so special. I want him to stick around as long as possible.
Isnt 11 AM slightly late ? And isnt having most of the good matches in the evening perfect for you ?
During weekends and holidays, I usually go to bed after 5am and wake up at like 2-3pm, even later if I go out the night before. When there's a good early match at Wimbledon/RG, I have to sacrifice a few hours of my sleep, often just stay in bed, turn on the TV and stay there watching.
AO is the worst in this regard tho, my sleep is replaced by little naps between matches I want to watch during those two weeks
Very interesting question. Taking into account only their talent/ability, I'd go with:
1-Federer
2-Safin
3-Nalbandian
4-Nadal
These are clearly the top 4 to me. Nadal's ability on clay alone merits inclusion high up, even if he might not be as taented on surfaces. The other three are accepted by many/most as the three most talented tennis players of the 00s, even if two of them greatly underachieved.
Djokovic is the perfect example of a player who lived up/is living up to his potential. Not quite uber talented like a Federer or Safin, but an exceptional talent himself who is extremely dedicated and supremely fit, not to mention a mental giant, and makes the most out of what he has. He's still not done yet. I mean, 5/6 years ago if you wondered how good a player Djokovic could become you'd imagine something like his current self.
Davydenko is on the other end of the spectrum here; one of the most talented shotmakers around, but no belief in himself, mental weakness. Ranking below Kolya was a bit hard, picked Murray and Hewitt because of their return of serve and amazing athletic ability, Roddick because of his huge serve. The other two, while very talented, don't have one stand out weapon so ranked them last. Below the top 3/4 (and maybe even there) it's a hightly subjective list though.
Nadal of course. He and Djokovic are by far the most likeable members in top 4.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt01
As a knowledgable tennis fan (unlike some people here), I can tell you exactly that. There are tennis players who have problems with playing indoor tennis because of the different lights, different sounds etc. compared to outdoors and Nadal is obvioulsy one of those players.
I never liked one-sided domination (tend to root for the underdog) and I started following tennis exhaustively (full season) in the years of Federer dominance, so that alone made it impossible for me to become a fan I guess.
I do respect him, his game and his achievements though. Surely the best tennis player I've seen in my lifetime.
If there was one result in tennis you'd change in history (since you started watching it) what would it be?
Who's the better player, Moutinho or Veloso?
If Benfica played Real Madrid in the CL final who would you root for?
Rivaldo or Ronaldinho?
__________________
US Open champ Murray, Nalbandian, Gulbis, Raonic, Tsonga, Llodra, Janowicz, Soderling, Rosol, Zverev, Millman, Stepanek
Who is more talented, Safin or Nalbandian? IMO, it's Nalby by a hair but Safin obviously had greater weapons.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by @Sweet Cleopatra nadal is the worst player ever he was 2 points away from winning he should retire he is ugly and i am going to sleep bye rafael nash!t i hate ur existence
1-If there was one result in tennis you'd change in history (since you started watching it) what would it be?
2-Who's the better player, Moutinho or Veloso?
3-If Benfica played Real Madrid in the CL final who would you root for?
4-Rivaldo or Ronaldinho?
1-Tough to say, unfortunately my favorite players have lost a lot of close big matches over the years I wish they had won. For Safin, I'd highlight USO 2006 vs Haas and of course AO final in 2002. But the match where I did wish I could change the outcome if I could was not that close, AO 2004 final, the title would have suited him better that year than in 2005 after such an extraordinary run. For Ancic, there's that infamous Hamburg match against Boredo and maybe also the Wimbledon semis against Roddick (although odds are he'd have lost to Federer in the final). For Del Potro, RG 2009 semis and Olympics 2012 vs Federer and DC final against Nadal. Also wish Tsonga and Berdych had won their Slam finals, but I like Nole too and Berdych never had a shot vs Rafa to begin with so... Cilic's losses to Murray in AO 2010 and USO 2012 were pretty frustrating too, as well as Tsonga's heartbreaking loss to Nole this year at RG. And I'm sure there's more...
It's hard to pick just one overall, but if forced to do so I'd maybe go with the Wimbledon 2004 semis. I'd have loved to see Ancic get a chance to play a Slam final before injury and illness terminated his career. All the other guys I mentioned either had great careers and won a Slam or still have time to do so.
2-Moutinho is better, I think. He's Portugal answer to Xavi, nowhere near as good of course.
3-Another very tough question. I'd most certainly not be watching that match; Benfica though, I have good friends who support Benfica and almost all my family does too - their reaction might be unbearable at first but I'd be happy for them. Besides, can't let Real get La Decima.
4-Rivaldo. But I'm extremely biased here, he's my favorite ever player and my hero growing up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nole Rules
Who is more talented, Safin or Nalbandian? IMO, it's Nalby by a hair but Safin obviously had greater weapons.
Safin for me, but they are both very talented and it's very close. As you said, Safin had greater weapons; amazing serve (while Nalby's has always been a liability), better FH, much more power off the ground. Nalby has a better return (although Safin's was pretty good too), better overall touch and use of angles, and his movement seems more natural, almost like Federer's.
It is very close for sure, I just feel that Safin at his full potential is that extra bit harder to stop than Nalby.
Nalby is more pleasing to watch for me. I love Marat too but I've never seen more attractive ballstriking than Nalby's ballstriking. He is one of kind. There is almost no dull moment with him. Even when he plays crap, he is more watchable than 90% of players on the tour.
I feel really sad to see such talented player ending his career without a major. It's sad really. At one point in his career he looked even more promising than Federer to many tennis fans. I'm not even a big fan of him but I'm certainly a HUGE fan of his tennis. For me, he is the most enjoyable tennis player to watch when playing well. His game is so aesthetically pleasing.
Safin, Gonzo, Delpo and Berdych are my fav to watch among the power players.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by @Sweet Cleopatra nadal is the worst player ever he was 2 points away from winning he should retire he is ugly and i am going to sleep bye rafael nash!t i hate ur existence
Nalby is more pleasing to watch for me. I love Marat too but I've never seen more attractive ballstriking than Nalby's ballstriking. He is one of kind. There is almost no dull moment with him. Even when he plays crap, he is more watchable than 90% of players on the tour.
I feel really sad to see such talented player ending his career without a major. It's sad really. At one point in his career he looked even more promising than Federer to many tennis fans. I'm not even a big fan of him but I'm certainly a HUGE fan of his tennis. For me, he is the most enjoyable tennis player to watch when playing well. His game is so aesthetically pleasing.
Safin, Gonzo, Delpo and Berdych are my fav to watch among the power players.
I agree, kind of. I was trying to make an objective talent evaluation there and Nalbandian's horrible serve (it was and still is a big liability) tips the balance for Safin imo. But I do concede that Nalby's game might be more aesthetically pleasing, when he's 'on' he's a joy to watch - he will definitely be remembered for his talent and ballstriking even without a Slam. IMO, his backhand is still the best on tour, better than Nole's (although Nole's is better as a defensive shot).
It's indeed a huge shame that such a brilliant player doesn't have a Slam while much more forgettable players have won even more than one. What he needed was JMDP's determination and work ethic; combine Nalby's talent with Del Potro's work ethic, mentality and will to succeed (and maybe his forehand) and you'd have an unstoppable Argentine tennis juggernaut, maybe even capable of toppling Federer.
Those four are awesome, I'd only add Tsonga and Ancic, although they are different - ie not strictly baseline power hitters, but more all court players, great at the net.
Sadly we don't see this type of tennis these days. I never get bored of watching this.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by @Sweet Cleopatra nadal is the worst player ever he was 2 points away from winning he should retire he is ugly and i am going to sleep bye rafael nash!t i hate ur existence
Nalbandian's BH is the best 2-handed BH of all times imo. Nole's BH is in my top 5 list for the best 2H-BH of all times.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by @Sweet Cleopatra nadal is the worst player ever he was 2 points away from winning he should retire he is ugly and i am going to sleep bye rafael nash!t i hate ur existence
Sadly we don't see this type of tennis these days. I never get bored of watching this.
Yup, their TMC final in 2005 was great too. Unfortunately, the courts have been slowed down to a point where such kind of skilled all court tennis has been made almost obsolete. Defense, movement, fitness and to a lesser extent power are the attributes rewarded by today's game - percentage tennis basically.
This was great too:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nole Rules
Nalbandian's BH is the best 2-handed BH of all times imo. Nole's BH is in my top 5 list for the best 2H-BH of all times.
Between him and Safin for me. Nole has the best backhand defense of all time, but it's nowhere near as deadly as the aforementioned two as an offensive shot.
What do you make of Borussia Dortmund? (One of my favourite teams)
What do you make of Marco Reus? (one of my favourite players atm)
What do you make of Chelsea? (another one of my favourite teams)
If Del Po was to win 1 more slam, which slam would you want it to be?
When are you getting rid of your Ferrer AV ?
How far do you think Nishikori will go in his career?
__________________
Jo Wilfried Tsonga
Del Potro-Nishikori-Brands-Paire-Shvedova-Wawrinka-Sampras-Llodra-Safin-Falla
Q&A With Mark Lenders.
Re: Q&A With Mark Lenders.
USO's 4pm - 5am schedule is perfect for me.
I want him to stick around as long as possible.
I love Marat too but I've never seen more attractive ballstriking than Nalby's ballstriking. He is one of kind. There is almost no dull moment with him. Even when he plays crap, he is more watchable than 90% of players on the tour. 
?
