Wimbledon 2013

[Cheesy]

You see it's a tad more than being a sore loser when you come to openly enjoy your rival's defeats. And also this isn't particularly about his post-defeat behaviour which we all know to be generally disgraceful (see US Open interview after Djokovic defeat in 2011) but his behaviour under unexpected pressure, as when he started aiming at his opponent at the start of the fourth set.

Don't let that stop you from labelling him the most gracious player ever though, as it simply looks like we don't have the same value systems.

The comments about the 2011 US Open are fair enough to be honest; after it Federer made a lot of excuses, called some of Djokovic's shots being down to luck and was downplaying some of his shots too, generally saying he shouldn't have lost despite the fact that he did.

Plus, he's generally a bit over the top when it comes to crying afterwards. The AO one where he lost to Nadal was almost ridiculous because he took the limelight off of the winner at a time when there wasn't too much need for excessive tears.

As I said, he's fairly humble compared to most and a number of others out there, but most gracious ever is taking it a tad too far in my opinion.

 

[Seveneric]

Who actually cares if he isn't a good loser?

Ofcourse he's not flawless, but he's not the first sport person to be a bad loser. He generally comes across as decent in all of his interviews.

Tbf all of the top 4 in Men come across as very humble and decent in their interviews.

I remember Gulbis saying that there was someone among the top 4 who was humble and polite to the press and to player's face but was a major cnut behind closed doors. Always wondered which one of them it was, my bet is on Djokovic.

 

[Ole's_toe_poke]

It doesn't irk me that he's a bad loser.

It irks me that he has this reputation of being as the poster put it "the most gracious sportsman ever" largely with no merit at all. And it isn't just Red Shorts who holds this opinion, Ive heard numerous people say the same thing.

 

[One Night Only]

I remember Gulbis saying that there was someone among the top 4 who was humble and polite to the press and to player's face but was a major cnut behind closed doors. Always wondered which one of them it was, my bet is on Djokovic.

I'd probably say Nadal... he always has a twisty face.

 

[Red Shorts]

I wasn't specifically aiming at you. But you did go over the top with this "most gracious sportsmen ever to live in the game" .

I may have gone over the top with ever ( I said one of them, not the), but as for the top players currently I'd say he is one of the most gracious tennis players in the game, definitely. He never plays up his ability like I have seen other players do, and he does have a lot of respect for his opponents. Bringing up an article where it was misinterpreted as per usual from the Daily bollocks as being a completely ungracious player doesn't convince me in the slightest. I only quoted your statement because it was the first I saw, quite a few wrote the same as you so I'm not targeting you

 

[Cheesy]

I'd probably say Nadal... he always has a twisty face.

Nadal's always struck me as being very humble towards other himself with his comments although it could be different behind closed doors I suppose. Murray can come across in a bad way when onfield sometimes, but he seems to be very well liked and respected off of it when he's relaxing or socialising.

 

[Sixpence]

I remember Gulbis saying that there was someone among the top 4 who was humble and polite to the press and to player's face but was a major cnut behind closed doors. Always wondered which one of them it was, my bet is on Djokovic.

Djokovic no doubt. Comes across as a right cnut to me. Nadal is probably the nicest, most humble guy on the entire tour.

 

[KM]

I remember Gulbis saying that there was someone among the top 4 who was humble and polite to the press and to player's face but was a major cnut behind closed doors. Always wondered which one of them it was, my bet is on Djokovic.

Djokovic is the least likely out of the four IMO. He's absolutely brilliant.

 

[Nani Nana]

I remember Gulbis saying that there was someone among the top 4 who was humble and polite to the press and to player's face but was a major cnut behind closed doors. Always wondered which one of them it was, my bet is on Djokovic.

I've seen Djokovic several times behind closed doors and find him utterly selfless.

I do believe that Gulbis is trying to make some noise with his top 4 comments of late, perhaps to disguise his own bitterness at seeing players he once beat with ease (Djokovic including at Pilic's academy in Munich) become champions while he regularly flatters to deceive in Grand Slams.

 

[Seveneric]

I'm not massive into Tennis but my mate has been going on for a while about Dimitrov. Reckons he's destined for the top.

Amazing talent, but shitty fitness for a player of his level, can't play a 4set match without cramping up. And tennis these days is like 70% athleticism

I'd probably say Nadal... he always has a twisty face.

Considering his poor grasp of English, I'd be surprised.

 

[Cheesy]

Isn't Gulbis a bit of an arse himself? I don't know too much about him but I thought I heard it mentioned once or twice that he was.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

It won't be with ease, Lisicki can match her power and serve and she is great on grass, a future Wimbledon champion for me. She also has a history of knocking out the defending French Open champion. It's the only match up that will be of interest in the women's draw as it's the only place Serena can fall. Sadly it's in the 4th Round if it happens.

Hasty to write Lisicki off i agree, semi-finalist only a couple of years ago a crowd favourite. Bartoli a past finalist progressed today, Kvitova also, and if Robson could build up some further momentum and play Serena on oneo f the show courts i reckon she could make things difficult.

 

[Zen]

If Murray was a tit....it'd be known by now. Plus he was never considered all that good with the press and celebrity side of it, just a normal kid, even if that Gulbis isn't just talking crap over the sake of a one bad moment or something, I'd doubt it'd be Murray, though he might be talking about him since he's the only I see least likely to mix with the others on tour.

Nadal/Federer seem like ultra boring people tbf.

 

[Nani Nana]

Isn't Gulbis a bit of an arse himself? I don't know too much about him but I thought I heard it mentioned once or twice that he was.

He's just out of the box in the tennis profession, his father a multimillionaire who gave him a private jet to go from tournament to tournament while still a teen.

He's not that much of a deal in terms of personality, just a bit full of himself which ended up hampering his professional career.

 

[Seveneric]

I've seen Djokovic several times behind closed doors and find him utterly selfless.

I do believe that Gulbis is trying to make some noise with his top 4 comments of late, perhaps to disguise his own bitterness at seeing players he once beat with ease (Djokovic including at Pilic's academy in Munich) become champions while he regularly flatters to deceive in Grand Slams.

I picked Djokovic because I always feel like he tries the hardest to be liked among the top players, although he seems to have toned it down a bit since 2010/2011

And I agree with you on Gulbis, he does come across as bitter and very full of himself

Isn't Gulbis a bit of an arse himself? I don't know too much about him but I thought I heard it mentioned once or twice that he was.

Not as much an arse as a bit of an immature party boy who felt he didn't have to try hard since his parents are filthy rich, he's kinda matured in the past year though

 

[Nani Nana]

I picked Djokovic because I always feel like he tries the hardest to be liked among the top players, although he seems to have toned it down a bit since 2010/2011

That is 100% true and also fairly understandable seeing as he's basically his country's most famous person by far, and his country is Serbia whose reputation was and still is heavily undermined since the Balkan wars. Whatever he does has that much more of an impact in terms of the overall image he projects of Serbian people (how many can you name outside of him ? About a couple of footballers and that's it while you know tons of Spaniards and Brits) which is not something Federer or Nadal need paying attention to.

He's genuinely a nice fella outside the court though, spent an hour next to him last month in Paris and he even answered some of my jokes and took a picture with my 6-year-old brother like it was his

 

[shaggy]

Hasty to write Lisicki off i agree, semi-finalist only a couple of years ago a crowd favourite. Bartoli a past finalist progressed today, Kvitova also, and if Robson could build up some further momentum and play Serena on oneo f the show courts i reckon she could make things difficult.

Lisicki was really good against Schiavone, definitely one of the few left, if only player left who can beat Williams.

 

[Sam]

He got this reputation of being a nice guy, but that was only when he was winning.

Bang on. Its easy to be 'gracious' when you're winning everything.

His true colours have shown in the last few years.

 

[Cutch]

That is 100% true and also fairly understandable seeing as he's basically his country's most famous person by far, and his country is Serbia whose reputation was and still is heavily undermined since the Balkan wars. Whatever he does has that much more of an impact in terms of the overall image he projects of Serbian people (how many can you name outside of him ? About a couple of footballers and that's it while you know tons of Spaniards and Brits) which is not something Federer or Nadal need paying attention to.

He's genuinely a nice fella outside the court though, spent an hour next to him last month in Paris and he even answered some of my jokes and took a picture with my 6-year-old brother like it was his

He's a fantastic personality from what i can see. He always seems to be interacting with his fans. A really likeable and funny chap.

 

[Zen]

I can probably name more Serbians than Swiss people tbf -_-

 

[TheHorse'sMouth]

I'd love to have a go on Sue Barker. There's something deeply alluring about her

 

[ghaliboy]

Sigh, for fecks sakes Rog.

 

[peterstorey]

I'd love to have a go on Sue Barker. There's something deeply alluring about her

Jesus Christ she looks like a really old lady - you'd probably shag her to bits (literally).

 

[RedSky]

Pretty mental year so far it seems.

 

[Moby]

Best. Wimbledon. Ever.

 

[swooshboy]

Best. Wimbledon. Ever.

I prefer to see the best players playing at their best. The Federer - Nadal final from a few years ago was by far the best Wimbledon ever.

The problem with these upsets is that it is extremely rare for the winner of an upset to carry their form through to the next game...and certainly to put a run of good performances together. Seems to happen all the time that someone upsets one of the top-ranked players, and then goes out in the next round to a comparative noone.

 

[Snowjoe]

Just watch now, if Murrey wins this year everyone is going to start mouthing off that he didn't win it "properly" because he didn't have to play Nadal or Federer.

 

[Cheesy]

Just watch now, if Murrey wins this year everyone is going to start mouthing off that he didn't win it "properly" because he didn't have to play Nadal or Federer.

It'd be really frustrating if people did start saying that. The fact is that Murray can only beat the opponents put in front of him and the chances are that while he's got a good draw to the final, he's either going to come up against Djokovic or another really challenging opponent like Berdych or Ferrer.

 

[Nighteyes]

Well I doubt Murray gives a shite what people say. In 10 years time no one would remember how he won it, just the fact that he won it.

 

[Snowjoe]

It'd be really frustrating if people did start saying that. The fact is that Murray can only beat the opponents put in front of him and the chances are that while he's got a good draw to the final, he's either going to come up against Djokovic or another really challenging opponent like Berdych or Ferrer.

Exactly, it's not his fault who he plays, and at the end of the day if Nadal and Federer have gone out to these players then they didn't deserve to win it anyway.

Also I just read on Murreys BBC column that he would be up for playing Serena in a match, I honestly think she wouldn't even win a game against one of the top male players, but I'd love to see it.

 

[shaggy]

It'd be really frustrating if people did start saying that. The fact is that Murray can only beat the opponents put in front of him and the chances are that while he's got a good draw to the final, he's either going to come up against Djokovic or another really challenging opponent like Berdych or Ferrer.

Murray would have beaten Tsonga and Fed anyway. He's just a better player than both of them. People are just bitter because Murray is a world class player and practically guarantees semi-finals at least in every Slam no matter his draw.

 

[Scrumpet]

People on here would say it. The media would be too busy exploding. They've been preparing the party for 77 years.

 

[ILBB15]

Djokovic no doubt. Comes across as a right cnut to me. Nadal is probably the nicest, most humble guy on the entire tour.

Novak is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He's funny, has time for everybody and most importantly he's always been very gracious in defeat.

Oh and Gulbis is an attention-whoring spoiled fecking twat. He and his comments can feck off

 

[TheBest]

Federer won the only french open, when nadal wasn't there after losing so many times against him. No one cares about that now....all that matters is that he has a career grandslam now. I don't see why you guys are bit worried about all this. Obviously if you want to analyze in terms of achievement then you will obviously rank a grandslam that murray won after beating nadal/roger and djokovic higher. Say for example had Nadal made that french final and roger finally had beaten him there then that would've been something to remember. How Roger came back again and again to finally beat Nadal. But at the end of the day...grandslam is a grandslam. Its hardly murrays fault. He is always there in the semi's.

 

[crappycraperson]

If Murray beats Novak in the final, no one would underplay it. But if Novak too falls out then many would indeed say that he won in a weak field.

 

[shaggy]

If Murray beats Novak in the final, no one would underplay it. But if Novak too falls out then many would indeed say that he won in a weak field.

Fed's won plenty of slams in a weak field, including his yearly dismantling of Roddick at Wimbledon / US Open. Yeah Roddick was a very good player, but he doesn't compare to Nadal, Djokovic or Murray, who are much tougher opponents.

 

[crappycraperson]

Fed's won plenty of slams in a weak field, including his yearly dismantling of Roddick at Wimbledon / US Open. Yeah Roddick was a very good player, but he doesn't compare to Nadal, Djokovic or Murray, who are much tougher opponents.

Yeah and a lot of people do mention that fact.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

Great hold from Garcia and much needed at the start of this set.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

Well that break ahs done for this one.

Lisiscki through in convincing fashion earlier though.

 

[Utd heap]

Dmitrov can be great to watch, what's his best surface? Alot of people talking him up lately, but i only watch the slams so can't claim to be in the know at all.