Djokovic (1) vs Nishikori (6) - 2016 Miami Open final

[chjtennis]

They traded breaks in the 1st set and Nishi had to win that set to have any chances. Expected results, but a little surprised by 1st set. I think younger guys mentally have to get over the barrier to beat Djokovic. They can do it. The more they play Djokovic, they will finally be able to beat him more consistently. Djokovic is not quite as good as he was in 2015 or 2011, I think, but it's up to his rivals to beat him. He is still good enough to beat everyone and will not just hand the matches out.

 

[nowhereman]

Missed the match, but know what happened. Since Novak won this one, he will be guaranteed to lose at RG or maybe even another slam this year. That is unless he runs into Monfils himself, which would mean a guaranteed CYGS for him!

 

[RSH]

1) Novak's game doesn't allow his opponent to play their best most of the time. The depth of shot pushed Kei, who likes to take the ball inside the court, too far back to attack successfully (@RSH - Bodo was right, I guess. He doesn't have enough power from behind the baseline, but because he plays so much inside in in his other matches, I hadn't quite noticed).

Thanks for the observation; I'll look for his reaction to depth next time he plays. I wasn't paying much attention to tactics, because the critical thing to me when watching Nishikori against top guys is his mental approach.

5) Novak's in a league of his own right now. Only Wawa outside of grass and Fed on fast surfaces can truly take the game to him these days and belief in their own chances to do so. Everyone else has to hope for a bad day at the office for Novak - and even then, he still wins 90-95 % of the time

I think Novak is actually there for the taking. It's just no one has the mental fortitude to execute.

p.s. Why didn't Nishi try to mix up the rhythm for Novak at any point in time? No slices, hardly any approaches that weren't forced, too few body serves (which were quite effective when he hit them). Novak's loves baseline rhythm - surely, Nishi knows that by now, no?

When mentally rattled, you lose the ability to think coherently and to adapt. Federer also should know to vary the approach against Novak, but he too is seemingly incapable of changing gears.

 

[BreakPoint]

like how fed wilts in five set matches?

For Federer it's more of a mental thing. For Djokovic it's a physical thing.

Besides, Federer has won plenty of 5-set matches, even in hot and humid conditions.

 

[Russeljones]

Federer also should know to vary the approach against Novak, but he too is seemingly incapable of changing gears.

Basing this on?

 

[JumpSmash]

Ok, every time No1e wins a tournament, I read similar knee jerk reactions extolling his invincibility, that he has no competition, he will win the calendar-golden slam, etc. Why don't people try to be more rational and less emotional about these things? The fact is from the matches I saw this week and at Indian Well, Novak has been winning ugly. He is clearly vulnerable and could have lost a few of those matches. He got through some of them barely managing to win based on sheer will power. He is not playing like someone who is utterly dominant even though his results may indicate otherwise. Someone needs to catch fire and capitalize on Djokovic's vulnerability and I am afraid we will see it during the clay season.

I am very happy about his incredible records. Winning Indian Wells - Miami back to back three times is incredible. But IMHO, all that if for nought if he does not win the French this year. He absolutely should manage his schedule so that he can peak at the right time - the Roland Garros Final!

 

[3fees]

Congrats to Djokovic blnt Nishikori

Djokovic had many tools out there today working and deserved the win, for Nishikori 2nd place will do his tennis well.

Cheers
3Fees

 

[Steven]

Could you imagine getting up in the middle of the night to watch that final? How lame.

 

[veroniquem]

Miami marks the end of the winter hard season and as promised, here is the list for best hard court stats so far in 2016: service games and return games won combined, top 42 players (or players with "dominance index" of at least 100 as Meles would put it):

1- Djokovic 126.8 (89.0% SG won + 37.8% RG won)
2- Federer 120.6 (89.1 + 31.5)
3- Kyrgios 114.2 (87.8 + 26.4)
4- Murray 113.9 (84.2 + 29.7)
5- Tsonga 113.1 (90.9 + 22.2)
6- Monfils 112.6 (85 + 27.6)
7- Del Potro 112.3 (87.0 + 25.3)
8- Wawrinka 112.0 (86.4 + 25.6)
9- Raonic 111.5 (92.3 + 19.2)
10- Nishikori 111.0 (83.7 + 27.3)
11- Gasquet 110.3 (79.3 + 31.0)
12- Kuznetsov 109.9 (84.6 + 25.3), Berdych 109.9 (84.2 + 25.7), Nadal 109.9 (79.1 + 30.8)
15- Thiem 109.2 (84.2 + 25)
16- Goffin 108.2 (79.0 + 29.2)
17- Granollers 108.0 (83.0 + 25)
18- Ferrer 107.4 (82.6 + 24.8)
19- Simon 107.0 (81.7 + 25.3)
20- B-Agut 106.7 (82.7 + 24)
21- Herbert 105.7 (84.2 + 21.5), Cilic 105.7 (86.9 + 18.8)
23- Isner 105.4 (94.1 + 11.3), Tomic 105.4 (82.7 + 22.7)
25- Mannarino 105.2 (80.2 + 25), Dolgopolov 105.2 (78.0 + 27.2)
27- Kohlschreiber 105.0 (82.3 + 22.7)
28- Lopez 104.8 (83.9 + 20.9)
29- Klizan 104.6 (77.3 + 27.3)
30- Sock 104.4 (84.9 + 19.5)
31- Dimitrov 104.0 (83.0 + 21.0)
32- Chardy 103.0 (81.6 + 21.4), Baghdatis 103.0 (79.1 + 23.9)
34- Querrey 102.6 (84.8 + 17.8)
35- Haase 102.0 (78.9 + 23.1)
36- Fritz 101.9 (80.1 + 21.8)
37- Seppi 101.0 (78.4 + 22.6)
38- Zverev 100.6 (81.3 + 19.3)
39- Muller 100.5 (86.8 + 13.7)
40- Bedene 100.3 (82.1 + 18.2), Millman 100.3 (76.1 + 24.2)
42- Berankis 100.2 (70.2 + 30.0)

Amazing stats for KG! Very promising for rest of season. How low has Dimitrov fallen . Monster return stat for Djoko as usual (no, he's not declining )

 

[BlackSilver]

5) Novak's in a league of his own right now. Only Wawa outside of grass and Fed on fast surfaces can truly take the game to him these days and belief in their own chances to do so. Everyone else has to hope for a bad day at the office for Novak - and even then, he still wins 90-95 % of the time

By far worst thing I ever read from you.

 

[JonnyMac]

Famous last words ...

Your specialty. An uncanny ability to pick a loser ,....

 

[Chanwan]

By far worst thing I ever read from you.

Care to explain why? I think the Thiem match is a good example. It was FAR from a perfect Nole, yet he still walked away with it in two.
Even if the ability is there, the belief and the big-match mentality is not.

Thanks for the observation; I'll look for his reaction to depth next time he plays. I wasn't paying much attention to tactics, because the critical thing to me when watching Nishikori against top guys is his mental approach.

I think Novak is actually there for the taking. It's just no one has the mental fortitude to execute.

When mentally rattled, you lose the ability to think coherently and to adapt. Federer also should know to vary the approach against Novak, but he too is seemingly incapable of changing gears.

Cheers -
as to the 2nd paragraph, there's something to that as well yes. Both Thiem and Goffin certainly had their chances, but couldn't quite execute on the biggest points.
And yes, Fed does it too.....

 

[ForumMember]

Djokovic improved from previous rounds and Nishikori degraded. For miracle to happen reverse of both these events had to happen.

 

[5555]

Can you imagine how TheNatural, tennis_pro, TMF...feel now? It's called karma. They are paying the price for hating Djokovic and the worst is yet to come.

 

[JonnyMac]

Ok, every time No1e wins a tournament, I read similar knee jerk reactions extolling his invincibility, that he has no competition, he will win the calendar-golden slam, etc. Why don't people try to be more rational and less emotional about these things? The fact is from the matches I saw this week and at Indian Well, Novak has been winning ugly. He is clearly vulnerable and could have lost a few of those matches. He got through some of them barely managing to win based on sheer will power. He is not playing like someone who is utterly dominant even though his results may indicate otherwise. Someone needs to catch fire and capitalize on Djokovic's vulnerability and I am afraid we will see it during the clay season.

I am very happy about his incredible records. Winning Indian Wells - Miami back to back three times is incredible. But IMHO, all that if for nought if he does not win the French this year. He absolutely should manage his schedule so that he can peak at the right time - the Roland Garros Final!

More logic and sense !! On TW!!! - WTF !!!! - Mods - Ban this Person - they are talking sense. It's strictly NOT ALLOWED !

More Nonsense please from the usual suspects please ....

Oh and some more Murray hate - you can never get enough - Useless Bum, that Murray....

 

[Chanwan]

Brain game for those who haven't seen it:
"In the previous rounds leading up to the Miami final, Nishikori hit 26 per cent of his shots inside the baseline, representing aggressive groundstroke court position, plus a healthy amount of points at the net. With Djokovic leading, 6-3, 2-0 in the final, Nishikori’s normally solid court position was nowhere to be seen. The Japanese’s shots inside the baseline had been cut in half by the the Serb - from 26 per cent leading up to the final, to just 13 per cent as he trailed by a set and a break.

This is where the riddle of the World No. 1 is so hard to solve.

Nishikori will admit it was not one of better matches, but it’s always tough to put a finger on exactly why your “A” game didn’t turn up on the big stage. Djokovic has mastered the art of forcing opponents to play a level or two below their best, while at the same time, discreetly dominating the all-important 0-4 shot rally length.

Outlasting Djokovic is not the answer, as he clearly does not beat himself, and there are not enough points played in extended rallies to accumulate enough to win a match. It’s the first line of attack - the first two shots of a rally for each player - that matter the most. If you can’t win the first four shots against the World No. 1, you may as well grab the ball and hit it into stands."

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/miami-2016-final-brain-game-djokovic-nishikori

 

[Jokervich]

Ok, every time No1e wins a tournament, I read similar knee jerk reactions extolling his invincibility, that he has no competition, he will win the calendar-golden slam, etc. Why don't people try to be more rational and less emotional about these things? The fact is from the matches I saw this week and at Indian Well, Novak has been winning ugly. He is clearly vulnerable and could have lost a few of those matches. He got through some of them barely managing to win based on sheer will power. He is not playing like someone who is utterly dominant even though his results may indicate otherwise. Someone needs to catch fire and capitalize on Djokovic's vulnerability and I am afraid we will see it during the clay season.

I am very happy about his incredible records. Winning Indian Wells - Miami back to back three times is incredible. But IMHO, all that if for nought if he does not win the French this year. He absolutely should manage his schedule so that he can peak at the right time - the Roland Garros Final!

No, he's just expending the minimum amount of energy required in order to win each tournament. So it might look like he's winning ugly and has vulnerabilities, but the truth is that he's only playing in 1st gear right now. He could quite easily step it up and play in 4th or 5th gear, but why bother? He doesn't need to, because his C game is so much better than everyone's A game.

 

[Rina]

I think Novak is actually there for the taking. It's just no one has the mental fortitude to execute.
Mental fortitude is 90% of tennis game, IMO.

 

[Meles]

No, he's just expending the minimum amount of energy required in order to win each tournament. So it might look like he's winning ugly and has vulnerabilities, but the truth is that he's only playing in 1st gear right now. He could quite easily step it up and play in 4th or 5th gear, but why bother? He doesn't need to, because his C game is so much better than everyone's A game.

That explains much and looks to be spot on. Its not a magic ability. Djokovic is just lazy/conserving his body for a long haul!

 

[Meles]

I think Novak is actually there for the taking. It's just no one has the mental fortitude to execute.
Mental fortitude is 90% of tennis game, IMO.

50%. The other part is the right strategy at the right time and Djokovic is a master at pulling the levers with Becker's guidance.

Thiem is the only hope on clay if this is the case. Thiem's mental/physical lulls on his own service games probably will stop him too.

 

[Chanwan]

No, he's just expending the minimum amount of energy required in order to win each tournament. So it might look like he's winning ugly and has vulnerabilities, but the truth is that he's only playing in 1st gear right now. He could quite easily step it up and play in 4th or 5th gear, but why bother? He doesn't need to, because his C game is so much better than everyone's A game.

Which is why he is so inspiring to watch

 

[TheMusicLover]

Because he turns into a complete jellyfish when he plays Djokovic. Result NID. This match-up should be prohibited in the future. Any time Kei makes it far enough into a tournament to play Djokovic, the match should be called off. Kei is a bum vs Djokovic. The USO win was his one shining moment against him.

now that's what I call a nice rant.

Well, in hindsight - the guy that actually did "best" against Djok was... David Goffin!

 

[ANDYbhGENIUS]

But if you blow it on all the important moments its all for nought, great paycheck though for Goffin, but he should mentally grab these rare opportunities. If you do not, than the residing leader of the pack will keep ruling.

It is like an addiction, so Novak simply needs these wins to maintain and fulfill, not ours, but his own expectations and those close to him and in his team.

 

[3fees]

Novak Djokovic mastered the Miami Open presented by Itau for a third straight year and sixth overall, downing Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-3 to claim a record 28th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown.

The World No. 1 ended Rafael Nadal's six-year reign with at least a share of the Masters 1000 title lead. Nadal had first assumed the mantle from Andre Agassi in 2010. With the victory, Djokovic also passed coach Boris Becker for sole possession of 11th place in the Open Era match wins list, capturing his 714th win.

Courtesy of ATP

He won the match without hitting an Ace aceless performance.

He also has his 3rd Sunshine Double IW/Miami--2nd in a row

Cheers
3Fees

 

[JonnyMac]

Miami marks the end of the winter hard season and as promised, here is the list for best hard court stats so far in 2016: service games and return games won combined, top 42 players (or players with "dominance index" of at least 100 as Meles would put it):

1- Djokovic 126.8 (89.0% SG won + 37.8% RG won)
2- Federer 120.6 (89.1 + 31.5)
3- Kyrgios 114.2 (87.8 + 26.4)
4- Murray 113.9 (84.2 + 29.7)
5- Tsonga 113.1 (90.9 + 22.2)
6- Monfils 112.6 (85 + 27.6)
7- Del Potro 112.3 (87.0 + 25.3)
8- Wawrinka 112.0 (86.4 + 25.6)
9- Raonic 111.5 (92.3 + 19.2)
10- Nishikori 111.0 (83.7 + 27.3)
11- Gasquet 110.3 (79.3 + 31.0)
12- Kuznetsov 109.9 (84.6 + 25.3), Berdych 109.9 (84.2 + 25.7), Nadal 109.9 (79.1 + 30.8)
15- Thiem 109.2 (84.2 + 25)
16- Goffin 108.2 (79.0 + 29.2)
17- Granollers 108.0 (83.0 + 25)
18- Ferrer 107.4 (82.6 + 24.8)
19- Simon 107.0 (81.7 + 25.3)
20- B-Agut 106.7 (82.7 + 24)
21- Herbert 105.7 (84.2 + 21.5), Cilic 105.7 (86.9 + 18.8)
23- Isner 105.4 (94.1 + 11.3), Tomic 105.4 (82.7 + 22.7)
25- Mannarino 105.2 (80.2 + 25), Dolgopolov 105.2 (78.0 + 27.2)
27- Kohlschreiber 105.0 (82.3 + 22.7)
28- Lopez 104.8 (83.9 + 20.9)
29- Klizan 104.6 (77.3 + 27.3)
30- Sock 104.4 (84.9 + 19.5)
31- Dimitrov 104.0 (83.0 + 21.0)
32- Chardy 103.0 (81.6 + 21.4), Baghdatis 103.0 (79.1 + 23.9)
34- Querrey 102.6 (84.8 + 17.8)
35- Haase 102.0 (78.9 + 23.1)
36- Fritz 101.9 (80.1 + 21.8)
37- Seppi 101.0 (78.4 + 22.6)
38- Zverev 100.6 (81.3 + 19.3)
39- Muller 100.5 (86.8 + 13.7)
40- Bedene 100.3 (82.1 + 18.2), Millman 100.3 (76.1 + 24.2)
42- Berankis 100.2 (70.2 + 30.0)

Amazing stats for KG! Very promising for rest of season. How low has Dimitrov fallen . Monster return stat for Djoko as usual (no, he's not declining )

Why is Raonic only number 9 - Your stats are wrong mate !

 

[Mainad]

Why is Raonic only number 9 - Your stats are wrong mate !

Because his return games won percentage is lower than the 8 guys above him?

 

[helterskelter]

I think clay is where he looks the most vulnerable. It's also the most demanding surface as one ages.
But yeah, one of the 2 (not hard)

That's definitely true about hard. Players almost always decline last on their favorite surface.

I suppose my view that grass will be first is based on:

a) wishful thinking (I really want him to win Roland Garros at least once; I'm less bothered about whether he adds a fourth Wimbledon or not, and would quite like him to finish with at least as many US Open titles as Wimbledons).
b) the suspicion that his RG and Wimbledon records mask the fact that he's really more at comfortable on clay than he is on grass.

Anyway, we'll see - although perhaps not until 2017 or later!

 

[JumpSmash]

No, he's just expending the minimum amount of energy required in order to win each tournament. So it might look like he's winning ugly and has vulnerabilities, but the truth is that he's only playing in 1st gear right now. He could quite easily step it up and play in 4th or 5th gear, but why bother? He doesn't need to, because his C game is so much better than everyone's A game.

This is exactly what I am talking about. With all due respect, your post is not based on reality. Hitting double faults and spraying unforced errors does not conserve energy. Rather, it makes Novak to stay on court much longer than necessary expending the effort that would be better spent gearing up for Roland Garros which he has to win. Conserving energy is playing aggressive and winning matches 6-1, 6-2 at least in the early stages of tournaments. Novak is not playing in 1 gear because it is enough or he wants to. He is just simply playing very poorly making it astonishing that no one has the cajones to take him down.

 

[JonnyMac]

This is exactly what I am talking about. With all due respect, your post is not based on reality. Hitting double faults and spraying unforced errors does not conserve energy. Rather, it makes Novak to stay on court much longer than necessary expending the effort that would be better spent gearing up for Roland Garros which he has to win. Conserving energy is playing aggressive and winning matches 6-1, 6-2 at least in the early stages of tournaments. Novak is not playing in 1 gear because it is enough or he wants to. He is just simply playing very poorly making it astonishing that no one has the cajones to take him down.

Who is this new guy ?!

 

[Meles]

This is exactly what I am talking about. With all due respect, your post is not based on reality. Hitting double faults and spraying unforced errors does not conserve energy. Rather, it makes Novak to stay on court much longer than necessary expending the effort that would be better spent gearing up for Roland Garros which he has to win. Conserving energy is playing aggressive and winning matches 6-1, 6-2 at least in the early stages of tournaments. Novak is not playing in 1 gear because it is enough or he wants to. He is just simply playing very poorly making it astonishing that no one has the cajones to take him down.

Great post. So, he may be beatable? Or is he just stupid, lazy, and can't serve at the moment?

 

[veroniquem]

That's definitely true about hard. Players almost always decline last on their favorite surface.

I suppose my view that grass will be first is based on:

a) wishful thinking (I really want him to win Roland Garros at least once; I'm less bothered about whether he adds a fourth Wimbledon or not, and would quite like him to finish with at least as many US Open titles as Wimbledons).
b) the suspicion that his RG and Wimbledon records mask the fact that he's really more at comfortable on clay than he is on grass.

Anyway, we'll see - although perhaps not until 2017 or later!

I want him to win 1 RG too! His level is high on all surfaces right now but if age has any incidence at all, then clay should be where it's noticed (just like it was for Fed). Not saying it will happen this year anyway (hope not!)

 

[veroniquem]

Why is Raonic only number 9 - Your stats are wrong mate !

Ha ha ha
Don't worry, he's #2 in winning % (2016 hard)

Top 10 hard court winning % 2016:

1- Djokovic: 96.5
2- Raonic: 85
3- Federer: 80
4- Wawrinka: 78.9
5- Kyrgios: 77.7
6- Murray: 76.9
7- Thiem: 76.1
8- Nishikori: 76
9- Agut: 75 (18-6)
10- Gasquet: 75 (9-3)

Thiem and KG : newbies breaking into the big time in a very noticeable way.

 

[RSH]

Basing this on?

The lack of variety in his baseline game during the '15 YEC final, his marriage to the baseline and commitment to pace during the '16 Australian semi, the partial abandonment of the slice, and his general passivity when playing Novak. He has the tools, but I just don't see them in the losing efforts.

 

[JonnyMac]

Ha ha ha
Don't worry, he's #2 in winning % (2016 hard)

Top 10 hard court winning % 2016:

1- Djokovic: 96.5
2- Raonic: 85
3- Federer: 80
4- Wawrinka: 78.9
5- Kyrgios: 77.7
6- Murray: 76.9
7- Thiem: 76.1
8- Nishikori: 76
9- Agut: 75 (18-6)
10- Gasquet: 75 (9-3)

Thiem and KG : newbies breaking into the big time in a very noticeable way.

Phew ! Well that's a relief ! But I'm still puzzled as to why the greatest player of all time is only number 2.
Well I spose you can prove anything with Stats.....

But thanks - Seriously Very Interesting ;-)

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Ok, every time No1e wins a tournament, I read similar knee jerk reactions extolling his invincibility, that he has no competition, he will win the calendar-golden slam, etc. Why don't people try to be more rational and less emotional about these things? The fact is from the matches I saw this week and at Indian Well, Novak has been winning ugly. He is clearly vulnerable and could have lost a few of those matches. He got through some of them barely managing to win based on sheer will power. He is not playing like someone who is utterly dominant even though his results may indicate otherwise. Someone needs to catch fire and capitalize on Djokovic's vulnerability and I am afraid we will see it during the clay season.

I am very happy about his incredible records. Winning Indian Wells - Miami back to back three times is incredible. But IMHO, all that if for nought if he does not win the French this year. He absolutely should manage his schedule so that he can peak at the right time - the Roland Garros Final!

Djokovic will win the FO

 

[veroniquem]

Also with this Miami title, Djoko has now won more tier 1 on hard court than Fed: 34 vs 33!
Djokovic: 21 masters, 5 WTF, 8 slams = 34
Federer: 18 masters, 6 WTF, 9 slams = 33

Djoko about to become the undisputed hard court GOAT

 

[JumpSmash]

Who is this new guy ?!

I am a long time reader who does not post much. I just got tired of the knee jerk reactions every time No1e wins a tournament or some other player goes on a good run. I remember in 2011 when Novak beat Rafa 6 times in a row, people said it was all over and the Spaniard would never beat the Serbian ever again. We all know that turned out to be false; another emotional knee jerk reaction.

 

[JumpSmash]

Great post. So, he may be beatable? Or is he just stupid, lazy, and can't serve at the moment?

Thanks Meles. Oh yes, he is definitely beatable. I wish that were not true but I have to face the facts. He is in a little slump level wise with very uneven performances. All his DF make me cringe!

 

[abmk]

Also with this Miami title, Djoko has now won more tier 1 on hard court than Fed: 34 vs 33!
Djokovic: 21 masters, 5 WTF, 8 slams = 34
Federer: 18 masters, 6 WTF, 9 slams = 33

Djoko about to become the undisputed hard court GOAT

Congratulations. I am sure there must be plenty of articles celebrating this achievement ! Oh, wait

 

[JonnyMac]

I am a long time reader who does not post much. I just got tired of the knee jerk reactions every time No1e wins a tournament or some other player goes on a good run. I remember in 2011 when Novak beat Rafa 6 times in a row, people said it was all over and the Spaniard would never beat the Serbian ever again. We all know that turned out to be false; another emotional knee jerk reaction.

Well this place needs you. Most of time it's :

Raonic is the best ever.
It really easy to be a Jokovic fan.
Murray ( and his brother ) is/are Rubbish..... Of course.
And it's fun to live in my mothers basement.( And never leave ).

Most posts fit into the above 4 categories ....
Fresh intelligent insight ( like yours ), as you'll know, is conspicuous by it's absences.

The high posting clique mainly recycle their old posts till they all sound the same. And any new-comers soon get flamed off or are so bored they leave - Along with any intelligent posters.

Still, such are internet fora...

 

[helterskelter]

I want him to win 1 RG too! His level is high on all surfaces right now but if age has any incidence at all, then clay should be where it's noticed (just like it was for Fed). Not saying it will happen this year anyway (hope not!)

I hope not, too. In Federer's case, clay was clearly his weakest surface even before he declined, and in my view not just because of Nadal. Yes, he always did well in Hamburg, and yes, his first GS quarter-final was at Roland Garros. But in both 2003 and 2004, he did poorly at Roland Garros without any help from Nadal. In Djokovic's case, it's not so clear that he's weaker on clay than he is on grass. Perhaps he is. But it can be argued.

Anyway, let's keep our fingers crossed for a Roland Garros win for Djokovic in a couple of months time. If not this year, I think he still has a chance next year. But time is ticking along, definitely.

 

[JumpSmash]

Well this place needs you. Most of time it's :

Raonic is the best ever.
It really easy to be a Jokovic fan.
Murray ( and his brother ) is/are Rubbish..... Of course.
And it's fun to live in my mothers basement.( And never leave ).

Most posts fit into the above 4 categories ....
Fresh intelligent insight ( like yours ), as you'll know, is conspicuous by it's absences.

The high posting clique mainly recycle their old posts till they all sound the same. And any new-comers soon get flamed off or are so bored they leave - Along with any intelligent posters.

Still, such are internet fora...

Thanks for your kind words. I agree this board does get very exasperating at times including all the "should player X retire" while said player is still winning matches and getting to the latter stages of big tournaments. But I still feel TTW is one of the best places to get intelligent analysis of tennis. We just have to look for the needle of good posts in the haystack of nonsensical comments.

 

[JonnyMac]

Thanks for your kind words. I agree this board does get very exasperating at times including all the "should player X retire" while said player is still winning matches and getting to the latter stages of big tournaments. But I still feel TTW is one of the best places to get intelligent analysis of tennis. We just have to look for the needle of good posts in the haystack of nonsensical comments.

Thank you for yet more intelligent comment. Of course the 'Needle in Haystack' search is sometimes rewarded with such posts as your own.

But what saddens me is the that Newbies soon tire of the nonsense here and leave. If anyone needs to retire from here it's SOME of the old Guard with many 1000s of posts who squabble and bicker and say nothing new of any merit at all.

They know who they are. I fear they have early onset dementia because they repeat themselves - endlessly ...