ATP weeks 26-27 - Wimbledon

philwrig · Hall of fame

RE: ATP weeks 26-27 - Wimbledon

RJA · Hall of fame

philwrig wrote:
Hopefully he can play his best tennis in the final, even maybe raise his level, and we could well have a truly momentous result.
Also I think its imperative that its played outdoors and not under the roof, because those conditions are ideal for Roger.

Sadly the weather doesn't look that promising for the next few days.

S&V · Club Coach

Yes Andy looked like he was going to lose then managed to raise it a level in the 4th, very very happy

steven · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Absolutely tremendous that Andy is in the final, but was really surprised there was not more comment ( in media and here, it was almost as if the BBC in particular seemed to be avoiding it ) on how much Andy's bottle seemed to go in that 3rd set, and he never ever recovered his level of the first 2 sets when I had such confidence he would hold and get many break chances. The latter 2 sets were a hard watch.
The BBC commentators kept commenting on Tsonga having raised his game without commenting on the slump in Andy that was there in front of us. The vim and spark went out his game after that bad start to the 3rd set, no longer was there any real pop on serve and indeed on many of his groundstrokes. I wouldn't say it was a case of becoming deliberately passive in this instance, but more that he bacame hugely afflicted by nerves.
In the end it was a relieved pass of the finshing line rather than as triumphant as he would have surely liked. Though he should still clearly be congratulated on holding it together well enough to get the win against another very clearly nervous opponent.
That all said, the fact that reaching the Wimbledon final was such a huge thing and he had to face some demons in that semi, may now work in his favour. It's almost a dress rehearsal for another yet more huge occasion, and hopefully what went well and what went badly on Friday can only help for the final. The fact that it is Fed with much less expectation on Andy should help him too. On Friday it looked as if it caught up on him how much he had to lose, Sunday is all about what he has to win.
Good luck, lad !!

It didn't seem to me that Andy's bottle went in the 3rd set, just that after 2 sets playing as positively and as well as we could have asked (more than as well as necessary anyway), he had a bit of a dip and Tsonga went on a hot streak.

I was very confident after the first few games that Andy would win and didn't really get worried in the 3rd set. The only time I did suddenly realise it could all go horribly wrong was when Tsonga saved break points to get to 4-4 in the 4th and wasn't far off breaking Andy for 5-4. You could really feel a sudden tension in the stands at that point.

-- Edited by steven on Saturday 7th of July 2012 09:31:13 PM

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Has anyone managed to find a link to Andy's post semi interview ? The Wimbledon live blog talks about it but I can't find it anywhere yet. Thanks.

RBBOT · Futures qualifying

Wimbledon.com -> News -> Interviews

indiana · Tennis legend

Absolutely tremendous that Andy is in the final, but was really surprised there was not more comment ( in media and here, it was almost as if the BBC in particular seemed to be avoiding it ) on how much Andy's bottle seemed to go in that 3rd set, and he never ever recovered his level of the first 2 sets when I had such confidence he would hold and get many break chances. The latter 2 sets were a hard watch.

The BBC commentators kept commenting on Tsonga having raised his game without commenting on the slump in Andy that was there in front of us. The vim and spark went out his game after that bad start to the 3rd set, no longer was there any real pop on serve and indeed on many of his groundstrokes. I wouldn't say it was a case of becoming deliberately passive in this instance, but more that he bacame hugely afflicted by nerves.

In the end it was a relieved pass of the finshing line rather than as triumphant as he would have surely liked. Though he should still clearly be congratulated on holding it together well enough to get the win against another very clearly nervous opponent.

That all said, the fact that reaching the Wimbledon final was such a huge thing and he had to face some demons in that semi, may now work in his favour. It's almost a dress rehearsal for another yet more huge occasion, and hopefully what went well and what went badly on Friday can only help for the final. The fact that it is Fed with much less expectation on Andy should help him too. On Friday it looked as if it caught up on him how much he had to lose, Sunday is all about what he has to win.

Good luck, lad !!

indiana · Tennis legend

RJA wrote:
philwrig wrote:
Hopefully he can play his best tennis in the final, even maybe raise his level, and we could well have a truly momentous result.
Also I think its imperative that its played outdoors and not under the roof, because those conditions are ideal for Roger.

Sadly the weather doesn't look that promising for the next few days.

I'm not sure it's that big an issue. Andy has a very good indoor record. I'd prefer it played outdoors, just because that's more appropriate rather than I think it favours either player.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Let me see: tranquillisers, blood pressure pills, defibrillator, diet coke (definitely with caffeine), cushions galore - I think I'm ready for tomorrow.

Even if Andy doesn't manage it it was a magnificent effort to get to the final, and I will always support him. Pity Novak didn't knock out Federer, I think Andy might have had a better chance against him - less previous baggage. I hope Mr Lendl has got Andy's brain in the right place!

RBBOT · Futures qualifying

In preparation for tomorrow, here is some exclusive footage of the last time a Scotsman won Wimbledon.

RJA · Hall of fame

Madeline wrote:
Let me see: tranquillisers, blood pressure pills, defibrillator, diet coke (definitely with caffeine), cushions galore - I think I'm ready for tomorrow.

Even if Andy doesn't manage it it was a magnificent effort to get to the final, and I will always support him. Pity Novak didn't knock out Federer, I think Andy might have had a better chance against him - less previous baggage. I hope Mr Lendl has got Andy's brain in the right place!

I could stomach a defeat if it is in the manner of his defeat against Dojokvic in this year's Australian Open semi. If he goes down to a tame defeat then getting to the final won't have meant anything.

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

His level dropped alarmingly under the roof. Thought he played well for a lot of the 2nd set but missed chances on bps then the easy forehand that went long cost him. Murray's tennis in the 3rd and 4th sets was poor and even then he managed to waste opportunities to put pressure on Roger.

Agree that his overall performance was better than previous slam finals.

-- Edited by kundalini on Sunday 8th of July 2012 05:36:59 PM

RJA · Hall of fame

Okay Andy, this is your moment. All the heartbreak of the last few years can end here

RJA · Hall of fame

That set was torture but Andy's focus and concentration was absolute. Not a hint of negative emotion.

6-4

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

RJA wrote:
That set was torture but Andy's focus and concentration was absolute. Not a hint of negative emotion.

6-4

He needed to win it, too! His first in a Grand slam final! biggrin