2012 season random thoughts

[Roddick85]

Hi everyone

With the final slam of the season now over, I thought i'd share my thoughts about the 2012 season.

• Even thought i'm a huge Federer fan, I must admit that I never thought he'd gain so much this year, especially with the rather disappointing results at the Australian Open. I always believed he'd win another slam before he retires, but to get back to #1 is something I didn't think he'd do. I think he had a stellar 2012 season, it's always nice to see your idol win so many tournaments.
  
• Say what you will about Nadal, but his presence was clearly missed in the summer season. They're might be controversy about him, people liking him or not, but the fact is, he's an international superstar and he does bring more interest in any tournament he enters.
  
• Am I the only one that is sort of happy Andy Roddick retired at the US Open? I was a huge Roddick fan since he started his career (hence the nickname) but even I have to admit that I didn't enjoy seeing one of my idols having a hard time beating players that were ranked below him. The aspect of his game that I appreciated so much 10 years ago were pretty much gone. The serve had slowed down considerably and wasn't that big of a threat anymore and the forehand had become sub-par with that loopy forehand.
  
• I had high expectations for Tsonga in 2012, especially with his results in 2011, I thought he was going to make at least one slam final this year if not win one. At 27 years of age, he doesn't have that many years ahead of him to grab a slam, so I hope he will do better in 2013.
  
• I expected Djokovic level to go down in 2012, the odds he'd maintain his level from his unbelivable run he had in 2011 were slim. While he didn't have a bad 2012 by any stretch, I expected him to at least defend his 2 hard courts slam. Did the pressure of being #1 get to him?
  
• Murray finally winning a slam made many people happy, I might catch some heat for saying this, but i'm not one of them. His game just doesn't appeal to me and personality wise he's kind of dry. Had the wind not been a factor, i'm not convinced we would of seen the same results.
  
• What's up with the up and coming players? Of all the prospects like Raonic, Tomic, Harrison, the only one that shows any progressions is Raonic. Tomic tank job against Roddick at the US Open was awful. Doesn't this guy have any pride?
  
• Speaking of Raonic, his results in 2012 were quite good for a young player. However it will take more than a serve to win tournaments and majors. His return game is awful, his groundstrokes are very error prone as well. Just watching him play at the US Open, I couldn't believe how many balls he put in the net.
  
• Will Soderling ever come back? Not the biggest fan of the guy personnality wise, but he had an interesting game and was a top 10 guy that could trouble the top 4 sometimes. I hope he makes a strong come back in 2013.
  
• Which brings me to my last point. Am I the only one that see's a rather dark future for the ATP? Roddick's retirement made me realize that the end of the current era might be closer than we think. Who will take over once Nadal, Federer, Djokovic are all gone? The up and comer don't show any sign of brillance. Who will be the new stars? I will admit, when Federer retires, I will have less interest in the game. Sure I will still watch tennis as I love the sport more than anything, but it won't be the same.
  
  That's all.
  

 

[Tammo]

No I've thought after Fed Nadal Djok and Murray, who will the next ones be? Delpo?

 

[Russeljones]

Make a Youtube video wherein you read this out in a slow monotonous voice with The End by The Doors in the background.

 

[Vamos Rafa]

Agree that the 'next generation' were absolutely awful this year except in some cases Raonic. Agree that Tsonga under-achieved in the big tournaments (I didn't even think he played that good a Wimby). Agree that Rafa was badly missed the last few months, and that Fed probably exceeded everyone's expectations massively. Most of all, I agree that Murray winning a slam sucks, I was pretty distraught when he won the USO and I don't even like Djokovic.

Great post!

 

[RF20Lennon]

Agree with everything except Murray!

 

[Surecatch]

Hi everyone

With the final slam of the season now over, I thought i'd share my thoughts about the 2012 season.

• Even thought i'm a huge Federer fan, I must admit that I never thought he'd gain so much this year, especially with the rather disappointing results at the Australian Open. I always believed he'd win another slam before he retires, but to get back to #1 is something I didn't think he'd do. I think he had a stellar 2012 season, it's always nice to see your idol win so many tournaments.
  
• Say what you will about Nadal, but his presence was clearly missed in the summer season. They're might be controversy about him, people liking him or not, but the fact is, he's an international superstar and he does bring more interest in any tournament he enters.
  
• Am I the only one that is sort of happy Andy Roddick retired at the US Open? I was a huge Roddick fan since he started his career (hence the nickname) but even I have to admit that I didn't enjoy seeing one of my idols having a hard time beating players that were ranked below him. The aspect of his game that I appreciated so much 10 years ago were pretty much gone. The serve had slowed down considerably and wasn't that big of a threat anymore and the forehand had become sub-par with that loopy forehand.
  
• I had high expectations for Tsonga in 2012, especially with his results in 2011, I thought he was going to make at least one slam final this year if not win one. At 27 years of age, he doesn't have that many years ahead of him to grab a slam, so I hope he will do better in 2013.
  
• I expected Djokovic level to go down in 2012, the odds he'd maintain his level from his unbelivable run he had in 2011 were slim. While he didn't have a bad 2012 by any stretch, I expected him to at least defend his 2 hard courts slam. Did the pressure of being #1 get to him?
  
• Murray finally winning a slam made many people happy, I might catch some heat for saying this, but i'm not one of them. His game just doesn't appeal to me and personality wise he's kind of dry. Had the wind not been a factor, i'm not convinced we would of seen the same results.
  
• What's up with the up and coming players? Of all the prospects like Raonic, Tomic, Harrison, the only one that shows any progressions is Raonic. Tomic tank job against Roddick at the US Open was awful. Doesn't this guy have any pride?
  
• Speaking of Raonic, his results in 2012 were quite good for a young player. However it will take more than a serve to win tournaments and majors. His return game is awful, his groundstrokes are very error prone as well. Just watching him play at the US Open, I couldn't believe how many balls he put in the net.
  
• Will Soderling ever come back? Not the biggest fan of the guy personnality wise, but he had an interesting game and was a top 10 guy that could trouble the top 4 sometimes. I hope he makes a strong come back in 2013.
  
• Which brings me to my last point. Am I the only one that see's a rather dark future for the ATP? Roddick's retirement made me realize that the end of the current era might be closer than we think. Who will take over once Nadal, Federer, Djokovic are all gone? The up and comer don't show any sign of brillance. Who will be the new stars? I will admit, when Federer retires, I will have less interest in the game. Sure I will still watch tennis as I love the sport more than anything, but it won't be the same.
  
  That's all.
  

I just finished watching the ECL replay of the 2003 US Open semi final match against Nalbandian, and the final against JCF. See I didn't really follow tennis much then. My first real good look at Roddick with a discerning eye probably did not come until 2006. Back to 2003 though, I was floored at the power in Roddick's game then.........he was overpowering. I can see why people thought he was going to steamroll for a few years. His game was brutal, if not terribly athletic. What a talent he was then. He deserves, and has earned, his place in the history of the sport.

 

[tennisMVP]

I think this year will be remembered by 2 words: Andy Murray.

 

[Roddick85]

I just finished watching the ECL replay of the 2003 US Open semi final match against Nalbandian, and the final against JCF. See I didn't really follow tennis much then. My first real good look at Roddick with a discerning eye probably did not come until 2006. Back to 2003 though, I was floored at the power in Roddick's game then.........he was overpowering. I can see why people thought he was going to steamroll for a few years. His game was brutal, if not terribly athletic. What a talent he was then. He deserves, and has earned, his place in the history of the sport.

Totally agree with you. The first time I saw him play was in 2001, noticed his powerful serve right away and it didn't take long for him to become my favorite player. Sure he had an under average backhand, but his serve was so great, and his forehand was really strong and overpowering. I miss that version of Roddick. My only regret with Roddick was not being able to see him play in person at a tournament when he was in his prime.

 

[Mainad]

[*] I expected Djokovic level to go down in 2012, the odds he'd maintain his level from his unbelivable run he had in 2011 were slim. While he didn't have a bad 2012 by any stretch, I expected him to at least defend his 2 hard courts slam. Did the pressure of being #1 get to him?

He did defend the AO so 1 out of 2 is not bad and he comfortably reached the USO final and took it to the wire. His main problem has been that his stamina is not quite as phenomenally good as last year.

[*] Murray finally winning a slam made many people happy, I might catch some heat for saying this, but i'm not one of them. His game just doesn't appeal to me and personality wise he's kind of dry. Had the wind not been a factor, i'm not convinced we would of seen the same results.

I respected this (it's certainly not compulsory to like Murray or anybody else) although I personally can't understand anyone who begrudges someone winning their first Slam and breaking the Fedalovic monopoly, no matter how much you may dislike that player. But then you spoiled it with that last sentence. Unfortunately that was just silly and ill-informed. Murray was the only player not affected by the wind?? Do me a favour!!

Which brings me to my last point. Am I the only one that see's a rather dark future for the ATP? Roddick's retirement made me realize that the end of the current era might be closer than we think. Who will take over once Nadal, Federer, Djokovic are all gone? The up and comer don't show any sign of brillance. Who will be the new stars? I will admit, when Federer retires, I will have less interest in the game. Sure I will still watch tennis as I love the sport more than anything, but it won't be the same.

I think you're being overly pessimistic. We will all miss the old guard once they have gone but we got over the loss of Borg, Connors, McEnroe, Edberg, Sampras, Becker and Agassi... eventually. New stars rose to take their place and no doubt new stars will arise to take over from the present big guns.

 

[Magnetite]

I think Tsonga's inability to close the match out against Djokovic in the French Open really hurt him.

 

[snowpuppy]

I think Tsonga's inability to close the match out against Djokovic in the French Open really hurt him.

I hope he is not going down the path of Coria.

 

[Crisstti]

Yeah, that RG match could have hurt Tsonga a lot.

Of the younger players, Tomic is the one who seems to me to have more potential if he gets himself together. he's still very young also.

 

[Roddick85]

He did defend the AO so 1 out of 2 is not bad and he comfortably reached the USO final and took it to the wire. His main problem has been that his stamina is not quite as phenomenally good as last year.



I respected this (it's certainly not compulsory to like Murray or anybody else) although I personally can't understand anyone who begrudges someone winning their first Slam and breaking the Fedalovic monopoly, no matter how much you may dislike that player. But then you spoiled it with that last sentence. Unfortunately that was just silly and ill-informed. Murray was the only player not affected by the wind?? Do me a favour!!



I think you're being overly pessimistic. We will all miss the old guard once they have gone but we got over the loss of Borg, Connors, McEnroe, Edberg, Sampras, Becker and Agassi... eventually. New stars rose to take their place and no doubt new stars will arise to take over from the present big guns.

As far as Murray goes, I think it's really a matter of opinion. Even thought Djokovic and Murray are both known for they're rather defensive style, imo Djokovic has a bit more offense than Murray with his ground strokes as he usually tries to flat it out, where as Murray plays a bit safer with more top spin, hence why I thought the wind condition favored Murray a bit more. Your absolubly right, the wind was there for both of them and Djokovic should of adapted, all i'm saying is hypothetically, had they're not been wind, I think Djokovic would of pulled it off as he had played a stellar tournament till that point.

Your right about the previous generations, someone always steps up. It's just that looking at the up and coming younsters that have been identified as potential stars of tomorrow, I have yet to see someone that impresses me. Like one of the previous poster mentionned, and it someone I forgot to mention in my thoughts, Del Potro is the only one that impressed me this year, I believe in him.

When I see youngsters like Harrison or Tomic etc... that don't put much effort in they're game because they lack discipline or interest, it really makes me question where this will be going in a couple of years. I had never seen someone tank a game as bad as Tomic did at the US Open, and this guy is supposed to be the future?

 

[Crisstti]

When I see youngsters like Harrison or Tomic etc... that don't put much effort in they're game because they lack discipline or interest, it really makes me question where this will be going in a couple of years. I had never seen someone tank a game as bad as Tomic did at the US Open, and this guy is supposed to be the future?

But isn't he just 19 or something?, Federer wasn't doing much at that age either.

 

[Fedex]

As far as Murray goes, I think it's really a matter of opinion. Even thought Djokovic and Murray are both known for they're rather defensive style, imo Djokovic has a bit more offense than Murray with his ground strokes as he usually tries to flat it out, where as Murray plays a bit safer with more top spin, hence why I thought the wind condition favored Murray a bit more. Your absolubly right, the wind was there for both of them and Djokovic should of adapted, all i'm saying is hypothetically, had they're not been wind, I think Djokovic would of pulled it off as he had played a stellar tournament till that point.

There was no wind when Murray beat Djokovic in straight sets at the Wimbledon Olympics.
With the USO wind present, Djokovic took Murray to 5 sets so you could argue the wind was in Djokovic's favour.
With no wind at the AO 2012, Murray took Djokovic to a very close 5 sets and Murray is a stronger player than then.
So you could really argue that the wind made no difference to the final if anything favoured Djokovic but we know it's nonsense bs.
It's all just hot air and an excuse for the haters.
You're not one so don't get sucked into the Murray only won a slam because of the wind and this and that crap and if people say idiotic things enough times then it is construed as true so people regurgitate sh1t, and the more it's repeated the more the sheep believe.
I think you're better than that.

 

[batz]

Agree that the 'next generation' were absolutely awful this year except in some cases Raonic. Agree that Tsonga under-achieved in the big tournaments (I didn't even think he played that good a Wimby). Agree that Rafa was badly missed the last few months, and that Fed probably exceeded everyone's expectations massively. Most of all, I agree that Murray winning a slam sucks, I was pretty distraught when he won the USO and I don't even like Djokovic.

Great post!

You were? That's bloody fantastic. Makes his victory that bit sweeter knowing that folk like yourself were distraught - do you know anyone else who was crying about it?

 

[Crisstti]

There was no wind when Murray beat Djokovic in straight sets at the Wimbledon Olympics.
With the USO wind present, Djokovic took Murray to 5 sets so you could argue the wind was in Djokovic's favour.
With no wind at the AO 2012, Murray took Djokovic to a very close 5 sets and Murray is a stronger player than then.
So you could really argue that the wind made no difference to the final if anything favoured Djokovic but we know it's nonsense bs.
It's all just hot air and an excuse for the haters.
You're not one so don't get sucked into the Murray only won a slam because of the wind and this and that crap and if people say idiotic things enough times then it is construed as true so people regurgitate sh1t, and the more it's repeated the more the sheep believe.
I think you're better than that.

Yeah, there was the same nonsense about the Berdych match, as if Murray wasn't the strong favourite anyway.

 

[Roddick85]

There was no wind when Murray beat Djokovic in straight sets at the Wimbledon Olympics.
With the USO wind present, Djokovic took Murray to 5 sets so you could argue the wind was in Djokovic's favour.
With no wind at the AO 2012, Murray took Djokovic to a very close 5 sets and Murray is a stronger player than then.
So you could really argue that the wind made no difference to the final if anything favoured Djokovic but we know it's nonsense bs.
It's all just hot air and an excuse for the haters.
You're not one so don't get sucked into the Murray only won a slam because of the wind and this and that crap and if people say idiotic things enough times then it is construed as true so people regurgitate sh1t, and the more it's repeated the more the sheep believe.
I think you're better than that.

Point taken. Honestly I had completely forgotten about the 5 set match at the Australian Open this year, so in that sense you are quite right about the wind factor. I don't believe Murray won the slam only because of the wind, there's so many other factors involved. Since he got with Lendl, he certainly improved mentally, his forehand has also gotten better. Is he a better player than last year? I think so, however that doesn't make me a fan of his.

 

[Vamos Rafa]

You were? That's bloody fantastic. Makes his victory that bit sweeter knowing that folk like yourself were distraught - do you know anyone else who was crying about it?

You'll be delighted to hear I know plenty of others who were 'crying' (not literally) about Murray's victory. Is that feeling getting sweeter still?!

 

[Towser83]

There was no wind when Murray beat Djokovic in straight sets at the Wimbledon Olympics.
With the USO wind present, Djokovic took Murray to 5 sets so you could argue the wind was in Djokovic's favour.
With no wind at the AO 2012, Murray took Djokovic to a very close 5 sets and Murray is a stronger player than then.
So you could really argue that the wind made no difference to the final if anything favoured Djokovic but we know it's nonsense bs.
It's all just hot air and an excuse for the haters.
You're not one so don't get sucked into the Murray only won a slam because of the wind and this and that crap and if people say idiotic things enough times then it is construed as true so people regurgitate sh1t, and the more it's repeated the more the sheep believe.
I think you're better than that.

To be honest, wind does effect some player's games more than others. It's only natural that different games suit different conditions.

However, when Berdych struggled badly vs Murray and Djokovic seemed to completely lose it vs Ferrer, people seemed to make up their minds that the wind would hurt Djokovic much more than Murray. I do think Djokovic is naturally more attacking and that puts him at a disadvantage, but he's become adept at defending til the cows come home so I don't think there was a huge difference. Both players hit way too many unforced errors. Djokovic hit more but really what lost him the match was putting so much concentration into dealing with the conditions in the first 2 sets and losing both. Murray took a mental break in the 3rd and 4th and came back recharged. Novak lost the 1st and 2nd set in very tight fashion and so still used up all his mental reserves.

As another point though, I remember the IW 2009 final where Murray was destroyed by Nadal, a loss that was explained by many people as being so heavy because of the very windy conditions. I bet a lot of those people won't say a word about the wind in the US Open final though

 

[batz]

You'll be delighted to hear I know plenty of others who were 'crying' (not literally) about Murray's victory. Is that feeling getting sweeter still?!

Bloody right! Were none of them moved to tears?

 

[Vamos Rafa]

Bloody right! Were none of them moved to tears?

Perhaps more disappointingly for you, I don't think so. If he wins Wimby next year, then I wouldn't rule out some of them blubbing seeing as I live in the UK!

 

[batz]

Perhaps more disappointingly for you, I don't think so. If he wins Wimby next year, then I wouldn't rule out some of them blubbing seeing as I live in the UK!

That's good to know. We can discuss it in graphic detail if and when it happens.

 

[Mainad]

Novak lost the 1st and 2nd set in very tight fashion and so still used up all his mental reserves.

IMO it was his physical reserves that were used up, not his mental ones. Put simply, Djokovic ran out of gas in the 5th set. He had nothing left with which to fight a rejuvenated Murray. Murray actually won the stamina battle despite having played 5 hours more than Djokovic since the start of the tournament. To me, one of the telling differences between Djokovic 2011 and Djokovic 2012 is the decline in his stamina.

As another point though, I remember the IW 2009 final where Murray was destroyed by Nadal, a loss that was explained by many people as being so heavy because of the very windy conditions. I bet a lot of those people won't say a word about the wind in the US Open final though

That's an excellent point. I recall that Murray complained about the windy conditions at the '09 IW final but, for some unaccountable reason, people weren't willing to credit his heavy loss to Nadal to the wind factor whereas some of us seem a bit too keen to emphasise it in his wins at this year's USO! So either the wind favours him or it doesn't. You can't have your cake and eat it.

 

[kaku]

Is the "Murray only won because of the wind" the next "Roger only wins indoors" excuse?

 

[Towser83]

IMO it was his physical reserves that were used up, not his mental ones. Put simply, Djokovic ran out of gas in the 5th set. He had nothing left with which to fight a rejuvenated Murray. Murray actually won the stamina battle despite having played 5 hours more than Djokovic since the start of the tournament. To me, one of the telling differences between Djokovic 2011 and Djokovic 2012 is the decline in his stamina.



That's an excellent point. I recall that Murray complained about the windy conditions at the '09 IW final but, for some unaccountable reason, people weren't willing to credit his heavy loss to Nadal to the wind factor whereas some of us seem a bit too keen to emphasise it in his wins at this year's USO! So either the wind favours him or it doesn't. You can't have your cake and eat it.

You could be right about it being a physical issue, maybe a day off would have helped but I don't think so. On the other hand, again, plenty of people said Murray playing a set and a half on the Sunday in 2008, left him tired for the final. As with the IW 2009 wind issue, let's just have some consistency! I don't think certain players will struggle in the wind with their games, but Nadal, Djokovic and Murray all have similar abilities in defence, they don't have to rely hugely on hitting lines and total accuracy. Hence the 2009 loss in my opinion was not really about wind, and neither was the US Open final this year.

Anyway back to the point, I'm not sure why Djokovic is struggling more, but I do think it's mental as well. In the AO he was dead on his feet, but mental strength can pull you through. I think he's lost his belief a bit and can no longer fight through it. Whatever the case he definitely paid the price for losing the first 2 sets after putting a lot into them.I think if he had lost them 6-1 6-2, the 5th would have been very close, Murray probably coming through in a 5th set tiebreak :lol:

 

[Tony48]

There was no wind when Murray beat Djokovic in straight sets at the Wimbledon Olympics.
With the USO wind present, Djokovic took Murray to 5 sets so you could argue the wind was in Djokovic's favour.
With no wind at the AO 2012, Murray took Djokovic to a very close 5 sets and Murray is a stronger player than then.
So you could really argue that the wind made no difference to the final if anything favoured Djokovic but we know it's nonsense bs.
It's all just hot air and an excuse for the haters.
You're not one so don't get sucked into the Murray only won a slam because of the wind and this and that crap and if people say idiotic things enough times then it is construed as true so people regurgitate sh1t, and the more it's repeated the more the sheep believe.
I think you're better than that.

Ferrer vs Djokovic + wind: Ferrer wins first set 6-2
Ferrer vs. Djokovic - wind: Djokovic destroys Ferrer 6-1, 6-4, 6-2

The wind was definitely a factor. Not saying it's an excuse, but....it was a factor that deserves appropriate consideration.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Agree with everything except Murray!

I agree with this statement.

 

[Fedex]

Ferrer vs Djokovic + wind: Ferrer wins first set 6-2
Ferrer vs. Djokovic - wind: Djokovic destroys Ferrer 6-1, 6-4, 6-2

The wind was definitely a factor. Not saying it's an excuse, but....it was a factor that deserves appropriate consideration.

Murray vs Djokovic - no wind Wimbledon: Murray straight sets Djokovic.

Where does it end?

 

[MichaelNadal]

Im really scared to see the "next generation" of players. It seems like they are all as lame and bland as cardboard and none of them will ever step up or show any consistency.

 

[monfed]

Murray vs Djokovic - no wind Wimbledon: Murray straight sets Djokovic.

Where does it end?

Yea, but grass is Djokovic's worst surface and Murray's best/second best. So not a good comparison imo.

 

[cc0509]

Yeah, that RG match could have hurt Tsonga a lot.

Of the younger players, Tomic is the one who seems to me to have more potential if he gets himself together. he's still very young also.

Slim to nil chance on that one. Raonic >Tomic.

 

[cc0509]

But isn't he just 19 or something?, Federer wasn't doing much at that age either.

???

At 19 Federer defeated the grass king Sampras at W and he already had a few ATP wins. He was also touted by almost every tennis analyst to be a huge talent.
How can you compare a guy like Tomic to Federer at the same age? That is just silly IMO. There is NO comparison.

 

[Crisstti]

Slim to nil chance on that one. Raonic >Tomic.

I don't know, I've been way more impressed with Tomic's game, when it's on. He seems much more talented to me.

???

At 19 Federer defeated the grass king Sampras at W and he already had a few ATP wins. He was also touted by almost every tennis analyst to be a huge talent.
How can you compare a guy like Tomic to Federer at the same age? That is just silly IMO. There is NO comparison.

But did he have any big tournament wins?.

I basically just mean Tomic seems to be in big part hold back by his attitude.

 

[Fedex]

Yea, but grass is Djokovic's worst surface and Murray's best/second best. So not a good comparison imo.

Any match that Djokovic loses to Murray can only be down to Djokovic's worst surface, weather conditions, injury, gluten intollerance or tiredness.
Nothing at all to do with Murray.

 

[beast of mallorca]

Yea, but grass is Djokovic's worst surface and Murray's best/second best. So not a good comparison imo.

Either way, Djokovic did not win. So stop all theses stupid excuses, and deal with it chump.

 

[Paul Murphy]

Agree that the 'next generation' were absolutely awful this year except in some cases Raonic. Agree that Tsonga under-achieved in the big tournaments (I didn't even think he played that good a Wimby). Agree that Rafa was badly missed the last few months, and that Fed probably exceeded everyone's expectations massively. Most of all, I agree that Murray winning a slam sucks, I was pretty distraught when he won the USO and I don't even like Djokovic.

Great post!

I don't understand how anyone could begrudge Murray winning the USO.
And please, don't feel the need to enlighten me.