So far, 2009 is failing to be the epic year I hoped for!

[kraggy]

I was very excited at the end of 2008 because I believed that 2009 was the year we would see some fantastic battles between the top 4. Nadal had a brilliant 08 , Joker showed some real talent in the first half of 08 , Murray was really solid the second half of 08 and Fed had a semi comeback with his US open win.

But the disparities between the mental states of the players is really compromising their battles now. This is fast turning into a Nadal-Murray year. This saddens me , EVEN as a huge Nadal fan. I want Nadal to beat Federer when both are playing their A game, not when Nadal is playing an A game and Fed is playing a B game!

 

[RCizzle65]

It does seem a little disappointing, Federer is starting to become a shankfest to not even Nadal, Djokovic isn't really in great form, and right now, looking at the Del Potro match in Miami, Nadal is tired, and now it's about to be the clay season. Hopefully that doesn't stop Nadal, and hopefully Murray's game on clay is good.

 

[rubberduckies]

We had the epic Australian Open final.

Federer will never be as strong off the ground against Nadal as he was that day. He was driving his backhand successfully the entire match. His ground game was on fire, and he was playing an exhausted Nadal. That is the most Federer can possibly hope for when playing his Master.

 

[charliefedererer]

So far, 2009 is failing to be the epic year I hoped for!
-I'll have to agree with you there. I had hoped to be able to play like Federer. Watching him against Djokevic, I realized I had gotten my wish.
Be careful what you wish for.

 

[Tshooter]

I thought the Australian was a great final. And it's only April. And everyone tries to peak for the majors. So we will have to wait and see. It's not out of the realm of possibility that we could come in to NY this year with a potential GS by Nadal.

He's a heavy favorite for the French and he's the defending Champ at W. If we end up there in August with Nadal chasing a slam, would that be epic enough for you ?

 

[Ripster]

Agree with OP. Instead of the big 4 all playing their best tennis, it's more like Rafa and Murray playing solid tennis and Djokovic and Fed kind of off their games. It's unfortunate because I prefer the attacking styles of Federer and Djokovic but when they're making a gizillion UE's against Rafa and Murray it's hard to watch.

Luckily it's early in the year and hopefully the rivalries will pick up.

 

[dextor]

Let's give Federer some cred. here, I know he's had a crappy year so far, but last year he only made it to the semi's in AO, this year a final.
Last year he made it to finals of FO and Wimbledon, and champion at USO. So, let's not judge so fast until the next few GS comes around.
This year compared to pre-2008 has been utter crap for him, but compared to last year it's been alright.

 

[iriraz]

We shall see how exciting 2009 will be in the bigger picture.So far only the first part of the season was completed.We saw only hardcourt tennis,and had a couple of great ones especially in the late stages of the AO.
Most of the exciting matches will be in the slams with lots of ups and downs in those best of 5 set matches.
Dunno if we will see that great matches between the top guys at the French but for sure at Wimbledon and Us Open we will have a few classics.

 

[Grizvok]

There will be some epic GS finals this year.

 

[Tony48]

Agree with OP. Instead of the big 4 all playing their best tennis, it's more like Rafa and Murray playing solid tennis and Djokovic and Fed kind of off their games. It's unfortunate because I prefer the attacking styles of Federer and Djokovic but when they're making a gizillion UE's against Rafa and Murray it's hard to watch.

Luckily it's early in the year and hopefully the rivalries will pick up.

This completely sums up how I feel. Federer's match against Novak was a disaster. And then Djokovic picked up where Federer left off when he played Murray in the final.

 

[kimbahpnam]

I think if Fed starts out like he is now and continues downward, but picks his "original" game back up towards the latter half of the season back to top form, that would make for a better epic year than if he simply cruised through the season. It's having to struggle with down periods in a career and overcoming them that make for "epic" years.

 

[raccoon1414]

OP, i could not agree more.
well i think that nadal/federer final at Aus Open was a good final, but certainly nowhere near the quality of their epic wimbledon final last year, but both players had their great points.

it is unfortunately becoming all about nadal and murray at the moment (2 of the best defensive players in the game today), and the 2 best offensive players (federer/djokovic) are really struggling, as was evidenced in indian wells and miami.

i am one who loves watching attacking tennis, hence i really was looking forward to a 'good' match between fed and djokovic, instead it turned into a battle of 'who makes less UEs'- really disappointing is putting it mildly.

as some others have said, i think some of the best matches will be in the remaining GS this year.

i like all of the top 4 players, i think if djokovic and federer can somehow pick up the level of their games, it could be great tennis later on this year, but thats a big IF.

 

[lawrence]

There will be some epic GS finals this year.

such as the FO final, when fed reveals his 2hbh and OS racket, the k110

you heard it here first! haha

 

[Leublu tennis]

Agree with OP. Instead of the big 4 all playing their best tennis, it's more like Rafa and Murray playing solid tennis and Djokovic and Fed kind of off their games. It's unfortunate because I prefer the attacking styles of Federer and Djokovic but when they're making a gizillion UE's against Rafa and Murray it's hard to watch.

Luckily it's early in the year and hopefully the rivalries will pick up.

Of the 4 top I like to watch them in this order:

Djokovic
Federer
Nadal
Murray

Suddenly the top two drop out and I am left with people whose game I don't enjoy watching. Oh, well. Its just beginning of April and I have been saying all along that Djokovic will never reach #1 unless he gets back to his 2008 form and fast. Too bad. So much promise but still a big question.

 

[SAFINATORZ]

There seems to be more competitive matches. Most of the top 10 players move thru the rounds. I would say 2009 hasn't been too shabby. The summer should be interesting.

 

[MacTheKnife]

It will get a lot more interesting when more than two guys are challenging for the #1 slot. There's still almost a 2500 pt gap between 2 and 3.

 

[alltennis9]

At times it feels like 2009 is just a precursor for a dramatic 2010. Early days yet though. . .

 

[Josherer]

Nadal and Murray (and Verdasco) have impressed me but not Fed or Djokovic.

 

[Josherer]

Oh and gotta love AZA

 

[Safinator_1]

I thought the year has been ok so far, got to see some fantastic 5 set marathons at AO, more rivalry clashes between the big 4 if Fed and Djok under perform that is their own undoing the season waits for no one

 

[JeMar]

We had the epic Australian Open final.

Federer will never be as strong off the ground against Nadal as he was that day. He was driving his backhand successfully the entire match. His ground game was on fire, and he was playing an exhausted Nadal. That is the most Federer can possibly hope for when playing his Master.

It must be so hard being you if all you can muster is rabid fanaticism. I mean... geez. If Nadal has any kind of sense at all, he wouldn't appreciate fans like you. People that are as crazy about anyone as you and some of the other Nadal fans here are the same people that eventually stab the object of their obsession because they didn't sign an autograph for them or because they are growing apart in the imaginary relationship.

Pulling for your player is well and good, but we must be sane here. When you begin to use language like that, you start to move away from a healthy affinity to a professional athlete into something darker and more worrisome. You do not have to spread your propaganda into every single thread on this board. You will enjoy the game much, much more when you get over your hate for a player that has NEVER done ANYTHING to you. Nadal doesn't care about you, Federer doesn't care about you. Why do you care so much about either one of them?

Now, I know this is kind of a lengthy reply to such a short sentence, but you know that this is the exact same kind of drivel that you post on every thread here. And, truth be told, this isn't really about you. If it were, I really wouldn't give to hoots (as I nothing you). It's about the stereotypical Nadal poster on this board.

 

[SaintClaires]

The Australian Open final makes up for all of the bad tennis so far.

 

[deltox]

im pleased with this season and the new talent showing their faces around and in the top ten.

 

[Nadal_Freak]

Wimbledon and US Open will suit Federer more. We'll see if Nadal can beat Federer there.

 

[Daized]

The interesting thing about 2009 is that Federer hasn't lost to anyone outside the top 4 this year, but still has had worst results than the other three in the top four who have. Nadal lost to Del Potro and Monfils, Murray lost to Verdasco albeit he was on fire, and Djoker lost to Gulbis, Roddick, Jarko, Tsonga, Nadal, Ferrer, and Murray.

 

[Cyan]

The interesting thing about 2009 is that Federer hasn't lost to anyone outside the top 4 this year, but still has had worst results than the other three in the top four who have. Nadal lost to Del Potro and Monfils, Murray lost to Verdasco albeit he was on fire, and Djoker lost to Gulbis, Roddick, Jarko, Tsonga, Nadal, Ferrer, and Murray.

When was the last time Fed beat a top 4 player? USO?

 

[fps]

the story of this year so far has been Nadal's relentless progress, as shown by his dousing this year's AO hot streak big hitter (Verdasco) in what would have been, were it not for the concession of the match through a double fault, one of the all-time great matches, and Federer's sad decline.

I don't know whether Federer is still feeling the effects of mono, he certainly played a great first 4 AO final sets so probably not. I don't know if he has a sore back, more likely since his serve motions lacks the spring and follow-through of 18 months ago. But I hope it's both of these, because then there's something to come back from, a level for him to get back to, that is still achievable. Without him playing well, this year will turn into a dogfight between the two best defensive players in the world. Tennis needs him back to his best.

 

[soyizgood]

Del Potro finally showed guts in beating Nadal. Murray has 3 titles. Verdasco is beginning to live up to expectations (still not winning any events though). Tsonga looks healthy and can only gain points. Might see a breakout year from Cilic. Djokovic is too good to be in such a slump while Federer is having a variety of mental issues.

Federer is no longer the king of hardcourts. That spot is vacant with Nadal and Murray looking to take claim. Will Nadal play so many clay events before the French? Djokovic won Rome so can he stand up to Nadal and Federer on this surface? Murray is not that good on clay or grass... will he prove his critics wrong? Can Tsonga play a full year healthy?

Lots of uncertainty, but at least that's reason to watch.

 

[fps]

Djokovic won Rome so can he stand up to Nadal and Federer on this surface?

Djokovic and Monfils are the only ones who I think have a proper shot at dethroning Nadal at FO. With Monfils, this may just be because I've never seen them play each other on clay. Sometimes you see a guy and think *yeah, he's good, he could beat the best!* and then he meets a top gun and they blow him away. I'd still love to see that matchup though.

 

[darkestlights]

The interesting thing about 2009 is that Federer hasn't lost to anyone outside the top 4 this year, but still has had worst results than the other three in the top four who have. Nadal lost to Del Potro and Monfils, Murray lost to Verdasco albeit he was on fire, and Djoker lost to Gulbis, Roddick, Jarko, Tsonga, Nadal, Ferrer, and Murray.

Ouch at Djoko. I've been waiting for good tennis from him since near end of last year! I guess beating Fed was an improvement..