Tennis 2016

[Risso]

Murray is absolutely brilliant.  Some of his returns in the last couple of rounds have been nothing sort of sensational.  What a player, what an absolute legend.  He is everything that is good about British sport in my opinion.

The LTA though, is a disgrace.  For a country like the UK to produce such a poor crop of players over the decades, despite being pretty good at most other sports just isn't on.  Football, cricket, golf, rugby, athletics, swimming, cycling, motorsport...you name it, we've held our own in all of them, with a fair depth of talent throughout.  Murray though, has been a rare one off, and the people who run tennis in this country should be ashamed.

I'd go as far as to say that Murray is the best defensive player I've ever seen, he beats players like Raonic by completely nullifying their serve and then just letting their mistakes win the game for him.  It doesn't work so well against the very best players because they naturally make fewer errors.  The edge that Lendl gives him is that he plays more aggressive shots and therefore a lot more winners.  I remember seeing some stats about it a few months back and the difference is quite stark when you look at the analysis.

I agree Paul, his returning is even better than people like Agassi who was pretty good at it. I think it would have been a very close match against Djokovic at his best today, if he'd got through. The only thing for me with Murray is that he makes a few too many unforced errors. You can get away with it to some extent against players like Raonic, but not Djokovic.

[paul_e]

I knew a girl when I was at school who was in a similar situation, used to enter tournaments all over the country and would win a fair share of them but she couldn't get any coaching and when she entered european tournaments she was totally out of her depth.

Murray seems to have got through because he spent a lot of time in Spain and because his mom was willing to push him all the way.

[Dante Lavelli]

I read today that the stint in spain cost his mum £40,000, which is a lot of money now let alone 10-15 years ago.

[Dave Cooper please]

Anyone who can return a 147mph serve and then win the point deserves everything he gets.
147mph for fucks sake!

By the way, we need to see more wheelchair tennis on the telly, it's brilliant.

[paul_e]

Anyone who can return a 147mph serve and then win the point deserves everything he gets.
147mph for fucks sake!

By the way, we need to see more wheelchair tennis on the telly, it's brilliant.

It wasn't just that he was returning them, if he was getting them back and then having a rally and winning the point that'd be one thing, but he was regularly using the return to get on top and dominate the point, that's what was truly impressive about today.

[wittonwarrior]

British Tennis  is so up itself.

Try and play singles at a club.  All  focused over the doubles game.  Far more in keeping with the tea and scones brigade.

From when I was a kid and courts available in every park to today with just the elitest game available. 

And don't get me started on Wimbledon tickets. 

[tomd2103]

Murray is absolutely brilliant.  Some of his returns in the last couple of rounds have been nothing sort of sensational.  What a player, what an absolute legend.  He is everything that is good about British sport in my opinion.

The LTA though, is a disgrace.  For a country like the UK to produce such a poor crop of players over the decades, despite being pretty good at most other sports just isn't on.  Football, cricket, golf, rugby, athletics, swimming, cycling, motorsport...you name it, we've held our own in all of them, with a fair depth of talent throughout.  Murray though, has been a rare one off, and the people who run tennis in this country should be ashamed.

I'd go as far as to say that Murray is the best defensive player I've ever seen, he beats players like Raonic by completely nullifying their serve and then just letting their mistakes win the game for him.  It doesn't work so well against the very best players because they naturally make fewer errors.  The edge that Lendl gives him is that he plays more aggressive shots and therefore a lot more winners.  I remember seeing some stats about it a few months back and the difference is quite stark when you look at the analysis.

I agree Paul, his returning is even better than people like Agassi who was pretty good at it. I think it would have been a very close match against Djokovic at his best today, if he'd got through. The only thing for me with Murray is that he makes a few too many unforced errors. You can get away with it to some extent against players like Raonic, but not Djokovic.

I do think there has been a bit of a psychological block against the big three.  He seems far more uptight and makes more mistakes when he plays them.  The difference when he plays against other players is noticeable and like today, he usually makes pretty short work of them. 

As good as his slam wins have been, his exploits in the Davis Cup last year were extra special.

[MoetVillan]

I tried to get my daughter to watch the final.  She is 5.  I said you might never see another Brit win this in your lifetime.  She looked at me and said "But Murray only won it the other year" and shrugged her shoulders and got back to aquabeads.  She is starting to sound like a Man united fan

[big 1st serve]

Well agreed,it used it be up itself,however it is changing.
There are so many more affordable opportunities for kids to have a go at well organised after school sessions.I,ll declare an interest as my eldest son is a coach & I see the time & effort he puts in with the kids.
Last week, together with a teacher they took a party of schoolchildren from Aston to the National Tennis Centre at Roehampton & then on to Wimbeldon where they got onto No 1 court & got to see Murray practicing. This was funded by a donation from The Davis Cup Legacy,so a good example of getting grass roots interest going with the kids. I started by playing on park courts in Stechford & Brookvale Park & its sad that so many park courts have been lost,however its not just tennis thats been affected. Drop me a line if your looking for a club with a more inclusive outlook, we tend to be more beer & crisps at our club,& I,ll put you in the Wimbledon ballot, for a small fee....

[Dante Lavelli]

I must admit from my perspective in London there are plenty of public courts however it does not look as if any kid can rock up and play, primarily because they're always full.  Which is a good sign but I'd love for the LTA/Sport England to tap into the enthusiasm.

[UK Redsox]

There's some public hard courts near me that are rarely used. I also recently walked past the local tennis club early on a Saturday afternoon and there was no one playing

[UK Redsox]

......I was once playing tennis with my then girlfriend on the aforementioned hard courts. I decided to leap the net but caught my foot and ended up in a heap. All very undignified

[big 1st serve]

......new balls please?

[PGW]

Forgot Davis Cup away at Serbia in Belgrade starts today.

Kyle Edmund a set up in first match & 2-0 in second.

No Andy Murray but he is there supporting.

James Ward up next.

[cdbearsfan]

Kyle Edmund wins so Britain have an unassailable 3-1 lead (not sure if they'll play the dead rubber).

Back into the Semis and nice to see England pulling their weight for a change