Tennis Forever

From Stefi's FB wall about Andy's win at Wimbledon!

What a HUGE well deserved and well earned win for the newly crowned Wimbledon champion Andy Murray! Murray stayed focused throughout the final and continued to play aggressively even when Djokovic tried changing things up. Djokovic's semifinal two days before - the longest in Wimbledon history - seemed to have left him less than 100% physically. The crowd, the city, the country all seemed to be wanting and believing in Andy to go all the way, especially in that incredible last game of the match. I must say it has been a privilege watching Andy over the years, persevere over the challenges of having to beat arguably the 3 greatest players of all time. I believe his achievements have only just begun. What a win for tennis to see the big 3 in the game suddenly become the big 4. Can't wait to see Andy's game thrive off this accomplishment, he is going to get better as a result. One deep breathe for tennis and here comes the US Open!

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Originally Posted by omega

Only your hatred towards Fed is showing up!!
When I say earlier era it is about 90's which even Fed was not part of. So please understand what is being said....

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உங்களோட புரிதல் அப்படி இருக்கையில் நான் எப்படி பொறுப்பாக முடியும்? Federer-க்கு சரியான போட்டியே இந்த எரா ஆட்டக் காரர்களே! அதுதான் என் அபிப்ராயம். இந்த எராவிலும் முன்னிலையில் இருந்தாரே Federer. அப்புறம் என்ன!

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Originally Posted by venkkiram

உங்களோட புரிதல் அப்படி இருக்கையில் நான் எப்படி பொறுப்பாக முடியும்? Federer-க்கு சரியான போட்டியே இந்த எரா ஆட்டக் காரர்களே! அதுதான் என் அபிப்ராயம். இந்த எராவிலும் முன்னிலையில் இருந்தாரே Federer. அப்புறம் என்ன!

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OK...If you say so..

Thanks a ton Aravind for bringing in a discussion that gives an opportunity to bring to the forefront, a long lost art in Tennis - Serve and Volley. For some one who lost interest in watching tennis a couple of years after Pete Sampras called it quits, the happenings for the good part of the last 8 years have done nothing to ignite the interest back.

As we grew up watching the likes of Borris Becker, Pete Sampras, Ivanisevic, Micheal Stich, Richard Krajicek, Pat Rafter, Tim Henman and Mark Philippoussis execute the art in enthralling fashion, the Andre Agassi influenced generation (as someone has mentioned) is hard to take.

The same generation of women's tennis saw players like of Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, and co fight from the baseline with the exception of probably Jana Navotna. For me the difference between men's and women's game those days was S&V. A powerful service followed by an ability to quickly close out a point was the men's game to me.

Pete Sampras, was undoubtably my favorite. It was joy to watch him counter the agility of Agassi, the guile of a Pat Rafter or the brute force/power of an Ivanisevic or a Krajicek.

Apart from a handful of games involving Roger, i haven't followed the game enough to actively compare/discuss the two era's.

Would be following the discussion with keen interest though :). Thanks once again Aravind.

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Originally Posted by CEDYBLUE

Thanks a ton Aravind for bringing in a discussion that gives an opportunity to bring to the forefront, a long lost art in Tennis - Serve and Volley. For some one who lost interest in watching tennis a couple of years after Pete Sampras called it quits, the happenings for the good part of the last 8 years have done nothing to ignite the interest back.

As we grew up watching the likes of Borris Becker, Pete Sampras, Ivanisevic, Micheal Stich, Richard Krajicek, Pat Rafter, Tim Henman and Mark Philippoussis execute the art in enthralling fashion, the Andre Agassi influenced generation (as someone has mentioned) is hard to take.

The same generation of women's tennis saw players like of Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, and co fight from the baseline with the exception of probably Jana Navotna. For me the difference between men's and women's game those days were S&V. A powerful service followed by an ability to quickly close out a point was the men's game to me.

Pete Sampras, was undoubtably my favorite.

Apart from a handful of games involving Roger, i haven't followed the game enough to actively compare/discuss the two era's.

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Unfortunately this era followers think its just easy piecy to S&V...Little they know that, if this era players had that ability they would love to finish the point quick (atleast for half of the time). They simply lack it & the slowness of all the surfaces have just killed that art!!

You are absolutely right, the macho in watching ATP has long gone & it is almost like watching WTA (with all the grunts & two handed ball bashing with no variety)..

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Originally Posted by venkkiram

Federer with Nadal, Djoko, Andy, Ferrer, Del Porto, Berdych >>>>> Federer with any old Era

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IMO, this is Fed's era. The old era that you are referring to was way-too short with only the ageing Sampras (he almost retired immediately) /Agassi and only the likes of Roddick/Hewitt/Safin to challenge. Nothing to take away from his wins during that period, he clearly had the best all-round game to taken on any type of player, but it's just that it was too short IMO to call it an era.

Fed's era started with the likes of Andy Roddick and it still goes on.

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Originally Posted by CEDYBLUE

IMO, this is Fed's era. The old era that you are referring to was way-too short with only the ageing Sampras (he almost retired immediately) /Agassi and only the likes of Roddick/Hewitt/Safin to challenge. Nothing to take away from his wins during that period, he clearly had the best all-round game to taken on any type of player, but it's just that it was too short IMO to call it an era.

Fed's era started with the likes of Andy Roddick and it still goes on.

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+1...

Somdev fighting it out against Seppi. He's lost the first set 7-6. But the play in the tie breaker was great. Hope he keeps up the fight.

Haven't watched Sampras period tennis to participate in the discussion. Started watching tennis in early 00 only.

I have played tennis for almost 4 years when I was in US (remba perusa lam illa namma oorla tennis ball cricket veladura range-ku). Based on my experience S&V is an art and baseline is profession. To enjoy the game go for volley. More risk and more satisfaction. To win the game stand behind the baseline, put the ball in other court and wait for things to happen. We considered people who can play decent at net as a good player, as only very few were able to do that. It took almost two years for everyone in my area (almost all started playing at the same time) to just win few points in a set at net. I am not saying rallies are easy to play. It has its own difficulties. But

S&V - Sachin's straight drive / Dravid's extra cover drive ... Baseline game - Gayle's monstrous sixer / Dhoni's helicopter shot ...

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Originally Posted by venkkiram

என்ன பெரிய பழைய எரா? நாங்களும்தான் பார்த்தோமே! ஆண்டி ராடிக் என்ற செத்த பாம்பையே எம்பூட்டு நாளா அடிச்சிக்கிட்டு இருந்தார்னு! ஆண்களுக்கான டென்னிஸில் இப்போ உள்ள போட்டி/பலம்/நுட்பம் வேற எந்த எராவிலுமே காண முடியாது!

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former # 1 , known for his fast serves , 32 career titles, grand slam winner , 3 time Wimbledon finalist == setha baambu. Nalla vela Andy Roddick - ku tamizh theriyaathu.