Australian Tennis Open 2010 (Ana Watch)

Shoeshine wrote:Incidentally, most of the players do seem to regard the Australian Open as their favourite Grand Slam. Wimbledon's the most important, but the Aussie is their favourite.

Understandable. It's in the most liveable city of the four, there's a minimal number of arrogant Frenchies or loud-mouthed Yanks to deal with, and the court complex is the newest, most-modern of the four.

Of course, on the downside, lots of Victorians go.

JKLever wrote:Bookies have installed Federer as favourite, probably worth a few bob on Murray the way he's been playing.

Careful, JGK tipped Murray.

Hope that Scottish c*nt loses tomorrow.

Zat wrote:Of course, on the downside, lots of Victorians go.

More of a downside is that it's the least important of the four - which may not be completely unconnected with being a players' favourite.

Chivalry Augustus wrote:Hope that Scottish c*nt loses tomorrow.

Let's hope the British player win then!

The fact that Federer is uncharactaristically making a few pre game barbs and statements towards Murray suggests to me that he's a bit worried about what the Brit is capable of.

Shoeshine wrote:

Zat wrote:And apparently some pubs in Scotland have been allowed to open at 8am to show Murray's final live.

Allowed? There's nothing to stop them opening then. The only thing they might have to get permission for (if they don't have the licence already, 'cos you can get a licence for 24 hours if you want it) is to be allowed to serve booze.

Well, not being intimately familiar with UK liquor licensing laws myself, thanks for giving us that obviously personal insight to getting pissed at 8am!

Shoeshine wrote:

Zat wrote:Of course, on the downside, lots of Victorians go.

More of a downside is that it's the least important of the four - which may not be completely unconnected with being a players' favourite.

F*cking hard to win a slam without it.

JGK wrote:

Mick Sawyer wrote:

Henry wrote:

Zat wrote:Hey Bernard Tomic, please f*ck off and play for Croatia. Australia doesn't need another petulant middling-to-slightly-better-than-average spoilt brat tennis player.

Arrogant little turd.

What is it with tennis and crazy parents? Why not golf?

also, imo tennis has long been too soft on player behaviour.

In Tomic's case TA spend tens (was reluctant to write hundreds but it could easily be) of thousands on his travel and accommodation and pay the old man $150k a year to "coach". They actually financially enduce that crazy parent. The kid has $1m in the bank. If he's any good he'll make it.

Aye - Craig Tiley should call Tomic's bluff. Can't believe the comment about how hard it was in Croatia when Bernard was growing up (although I note the hearsay in that bit).

Craig Tiley ain't got the goolies.

Is that because he's a Saffie?

JKLever wrote:

Chivalry Augustus wrote:Hope that Scottish c*nt loses tomorrow.

Let's hope the British player win then!

I knew there'd be some anti-Scot sentiment.

Fed looking very strong. Serving for the 2nd set now having already won the first..

Fed is just too good, don't worry Murray give it another 3/4 years he will be retired.

Henry wrote:The fact that Federer is uncharactaristically making a few pre game barbs and statements towards Murray suggests to me that he's a bit worried about what the Brit is capable of.

I think people read too much into those comments, it was all tongue in cheek, the whole interview Fed was just messing about. Atm Fed is looking very comfortable hardly broken a sweat, while Murray is getting a good cardio workout.

Well done Federer. Great to see the Scot lose.

How many decades is it now?

That last set tie-break was one of the best I have ever seen.

People always complained that Sampras won too many points because of his serve. Fed's first serve is better. He gets so many cheap points from it. Sampras had a better second serve.

Don't cry when you've lost FFS. Crying when you've won is permitted, not when you've lost.

As for the match, let's face it, Murray's a fabulous player, but Federer is quite possibly the greatest who's ever lived.

Federer deserves to be known as the greatests - most grand slams, is very good on all surfaces and does it nonchalantly.

He's simply a phenomenon.

One of the great sportsmen - not just tennis players - of all time.

If I ever discovered he was less noble than I think, it would crush me.

When my grandkids are old enough to understand, I am going to tell them that I am old enough to have seen Shane Warne, Roger Federer and Tiger Woods.

The Scottish guy lost then?

JGK wrote:When my grandkids are old enough to understand, I am going to tell them that I am old enough to have seen Shane Warne, Roger Federer and Tiger Woods.

I too will be able to do that now JGK.

Despite going to the Australian Open two years out of three for the past decade I hadn't seen Federer playing in the flesh. I passed up the opportunity early on thinking I'd have plenty more opportunities. I then avoided Centre Court for a couple of years, then I just got unlucky with scheduling.

I fixed that this year by going to each of the first four nights. The plan worked and I got to see Federer play his second round match.

I'll remember it for a long time - he was incredible.

Lucky you. The one time I got to Wimbledon with Centre Court tickets it rained all day. And I mean ALL day. No play whatsoever, which is surprisingly rare apparently.

JGK wrote:Fed humiliates Tsonga today.

Should be good on SUnday. I reckon Murray's got the smarts to win it though.

If the sportspeople of the world ever discover what you've been doing, I reckon they'll take out a hit on you for sure.