2016 French Open
- Thread starter LuckyBen
- Start date
Andy Murray has been trying his darnedest to leave the tournament as well, but after two five-setters he had an easier time against Ivo Karlovic today. Probably his best chance to win at Roland Garros this year - I think Djokovic is bound to get nervous at some stage, given that he's going for a) his first French Open, and b) all four slams at once. (And Murray beat Djokovic in Rome as well.)
Really sad to see a tournament without either Federer or Nadal - a window into the future, I guess.
Meanwhile, Djokovic dropped the first set to Bautista-Agut before the rain started coming down (again). Surface looks really heavy. Novak has a cupcake set of opponents till the final but the schedule is looking brutal with all these rain delays.
Meanwhile, Djokovic dropped the first set to Bautista-Agut before the rain started coming down (again). Surface looks really heavy. Novak has a cupcake set of opponents till the final but the schedule is looking brutal with all these rain delays.
Murray into the final to play Novak. Murray played his best ever Clay court match to dismantle Wawrinka in 4 sets. I hope Novak gets nervy.
Muguruza breaks, and then wins the set after Serena thwarted 3 set points against. This is a great match so far. Big hitting, big serves, lots of rallies, can't ask for more
yikes, I spoke too soon, Serena opens the 2nd losing serve at love, then Muguruza loses her serve, including three double faults
edit- and another break for Muguruza. As well played as the first set was, 2nd set is dreadful so far
edit- and another break for Muguruza. As well played as the first set was, 2nd set is dreadful so far
yes, it's gotten better once they stopped losing serve. 4-3 Muguruza serving, up a break
for a little perspective, Muguruza turned 2 years old two weeks after Serena went pro
for a little perspective, Muguruza turned 2 years old two weeks after Serena went pro
wow, Serena wards off 4 or 5 match points to stay in it. Incredible game. Muguruza serves for the match at 5-4
big win for Muguruza. She's going to win at least a few slams. Big serve, solid returns (and really sees the ball well while returning), moves decently enough
Serena's French is very good. She got really emotional in her post-match speech, the crowd treated her warmly.
Yeah big win for her, the sport desperately needs a new generation to establish themselves
I think Novak is putting himself into the GOAT discussion.
12 GS titles with a career Grand Slam. He broke through at a time Federer and Nadal were both still prominent at majors. Sure, he's had some easier pickings of late with Federer ageing and Nadal injured but Federer had an even cruiser run from 2005-2007.
At 29, if he wins another major this year, he could get to 17 even with a gradual decline in pace. And from a technical perspective, you could argue he has perhaps the most well rounded and complete game we've ever seen.
Pretty awesome to have seen arguably 3 of the greatest players of all time in such succession.
12 GS titles with a career Grand Slam. He broke through at a time Federer and Nadal were both still prominent at majors. Sure, he's had some easier pickings of late with Federer ageing and Nadal injured but Federer had an even cruiser run from 2005-2007.
At 29, if he wins another major this year, he could get to 17 even with a gradual decline in pace. And from a technical perspective, you could argue he has perhaps the most well rounded and complete game we've ever seen.
Pretty awesome to have seen arguably 3 of the greatest players of all time in such succession.
Novak on another level right now. Was hoping Murray could give this more of a go but peak Jokie is having none of it.
Not just a career Grand Slam, but all four Slams in a row - he holds all four titles right now.
Every time Andy Murray has reached a Grand Slam final, he's been up against the #1 player in the world. If he had come along in a different era, he could have had 8-10 Slams by now.
First man to do it since Laver in 1969, pretty incredible.
Also the first man to win the Australian and French back to back in 24 years, Jim Courier was the last.
It's hard to say. He has certainly taken advantage of Nadal's career being basically done at 27, and Federer being 6 years older, and running out of steam at the time Novak his his prime.
What's really strange is this great era of tennis hasn't brought a new generation into the game, instead no one has seemed to follow. It is largely the same old set of guys it has been for the last 12 years. the ATP rankings have to be the oldest they have ever been, and probably by a wide margin.
Domonic Thiem (22 #8) and Nick Krygios (21, #19) are the only players under 25 in the top 25 on the ATP rankings
18 of the top 28 are 29 or older
By comparison 2006, the peak of Federer
There were 4 25 year olds, and 10 players under 25 in the top 20.
It's a sport where Roger Federer was considered very old first time major champion, winning his first major at 21 years, 10 months 28 days .Older than almost all the greats (Laver being the big exception but a very different era)
What's amazing is most tennis players historically have been absolutely done by Nokak's age
In the last 40 years 16 of 160 grand slams contested have been won by players older than Novak
Agassi (99 French, 99 US Open, 00 Australia at at 29, 2001 Australia at Age 30, 2003 Australia at Age 32)
Andres Gomez (99 French at age 30)
Goran Ivanisevic (2001 Wimbledon at age 29)
Ivan Lendl (1990 Australia at age 29)
Jimmy Connors (82 Wimbledon at age 29, 82 US Open at age 30, 83 US Open at age 31)
Pete Sampras (02 US Open at age 31)
Petr Kondra (98 Australian at age 30)
Roger Federer (2012 Wimbledon at age 30
Stan Warwinka (2014 Australian at age 29, 2015 French at age 30)
But as tennis has somehow skipped an entire generation, Novak may well get to 17 because there is just no one out there
He's got a real good chance at the calendar slam as well. Murray is probably he biggest threat at both Wimbledon and the US Open. Federer depending on his health maybe could pose a threat. Rafa is unlikely to play Wimbledon and let's see where the wrist is at for the US Open. Stan could pose a threat depending on which Stan shows up. He's never made it past the quarters at Wimbledon but has reached the semis at the US Open.