Weeks 10 & 11 - ATP Masters 1000 - BNP Paribas Open - Indian Wells, CA, USA (hard) - singles

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

RE: Weeks 10 & 11 - ATP Masters 1000 - BNP Paribas Open - Indian Wells, CA, USA (hard) - singles

flamingowings · All-time great

I partly agree with Jaggy (re: rose tinted posts and perspectives). The scoreline is more one sided than I thought it would be but Federer is Federer and as much as I like Kyle, he is not in Federer's league. And that's fine - Federer is exceptionally brilliant in almost everything (bar his awful challenge ratio and breakpoint conversion rate but hey - hasn't done him any harm!)

Interesting that Dan had more game (at the AO) than Kyle though.

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

I think similar to when Andy conclusively retires (I think that announcement will come in the summer), we will also finally really appreciate Federer, Nadal and Djokovic when they all go Im suspecting in the next 3-5 years. At the moment there isnt one player standing out as one who will win multiple Grand Slams mens and womens. Im all for competition at top level however I have a feeling the sport may suffer without any talisman. Its all about profile and characters at the top end.

Born2WinTennis · Club Coach

Why do you think that announcement will come in summer? I don't think that will be long enough to have attempted a comeback. His non-court rehab will take a couple of months presumably, then some light court work will take him to summer, before he probably tests his hip in practice matches. Surely it will be wise for him to give up any idea of the grass season and concentrate on a very slow build up.

indiana · Tennis legend

Indeed, and he does want to come back !

There have been vague mentions of a possible summer / Wimbledon comeback but that's fairly likely overoptimistic. He has said recently no pain but rehab is slow.

Then indeed take it slow if the tennis aim is for a few more years rather than just some last hurrah.

If he accepts that he does have to retire I feel that is further down the line unless very serious issues crop up in the meantime.

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 14th of March 2019 02:18:34 PM

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

Im just basing it on a hunch having followed him on and off the court since he started. He has a lot of other things in life other than tennis, I really dont see him playing scrambling around at the level of say Kyle, Dan and the other Brits with the risk of injury higher. I honestly feel Andy is a winner and he would be too affected mentally playing at a lower level. The other 3 as well will bow out at the top.

LordBrownof · Futures level

Jaggy1876 wrote:
Im just basing it on a hunch having followed him on and off the court since he started. He has a lot of other things in life other than tennis, I really dont see him playing scrambling around at the level of say Kyle, Dan and the other Brits with the risk of injury higher. I honestly feel Andy is a winner and he would be too affected mentally playing at a lower level. The other 3 as well will bow out at the top.

Interesting because publicly Andy has said the exact opposite. He said that he doesn't expect to come back into the top 10 but would like to get back into the top 100 or even top 50. And agree above, that the summer is way too soon. Plenty of examples (Bencic, DelPotro etc) of it taking at least a year after a long lay off before you find your adjusted top level. I expect Andy to give it time.

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

Im aware of what the poster above has said, but I really dont believe deep down Andy means that. Look at how upset he was when Novak thrashed him in the practice match up they had a couple months ago. I think he probably was feeling optimistic because of how well the operation went. Mentally hes happy with that, but well see. Id be happy for him to play, he could perhaps be good enough to be our number 1 again but I really doubt it will happen. Sometimes its better to quit while you are ahead.

indiana · Tennis legend

Oakland2002 wrote:
Easy to be overcome by Feds presence, a lot to learn from the loss from a psychological perspective but I cant see it being a long term issue.

I think there is still that diffidence, not fully believing in himself on court that will hold Kyle back relative to some younger players that have more belief and appear to have matured quicker. Fed's presence of course accepted but maybe Kyle more susceptible to being overcome.

Yes, it will more and more come ( and came quite a way last year ). Ultimately how high Kyle goes and how much he achieves will be about rather more than just the technical and he may peak later. I do think he is developing the game to be a possible top 10 player. At his best he isn't that far off already. Further develop more belief that he belongs out there and show it and be less fazed and it should be more likely.

-- Edited by indiana on Friday 15th of March 2019 06:23:39 PM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Fed gets a Bye to the final as Rafa withdraws.

flamingowings · All-time great

Bob in Spain wrote:
Fed gets a Bye to the final as Rafa withdraws.

Also won't play Miami, hopes to comes back in Monte Carlo.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

flamingowings wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:
Fed gets a Bye to the final as Rafa withdraws.
Also won't play Miami, hopes to comes back in Monte Carlo.

Heading for the clay already. Can't say I am surprised.

flamingowings · All-time great

Scotland almost, almost won against England in the 6 nations. But given that we were down spectacularly at half time, a draw I'm sure we will take...except we would have won, if not for those extra minutes.

-- Edited by flamingowings on Saturday 16th of March 2019 06:56:16 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

flamingowings wrote:
Scotland almost, almost won against England in the 6 nations. But given that we were down spectacularly at half time, a draw I'm sure we will take...except we would have won, if not for those extra minutes.

-- Edited by flamingowings on Saturday 16th of March 2019 06:56:16 PM

Crazy crazy. But why we love sport.

31-0 down in the first half and 31-7 at HT to going up 38-31 close to the end and still up as 80 minutes was up and we went into additional time*. Then England get the final try and conversion after 83 minutes for 38-38 cry

Still what a come back !!!

* BBC - it's not injury time. The clock stops for injuries. It's additional / over time until the first non penalty stoppage after the 80 minutes is up.

JonH · All-time great

flamingowings wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:
Fed gets a Bye to the final as Rafa withdraws.
Also won't play Miami, hopes to comes back in Monte Carlo.

How many times has a nadal v Fed match been scuppered by injury, real shame