posted Jul 7, 2008

BBC's loss of McEnroe to NBC is extremely costly. He is a former champion, having greatest knowledge about tennis and having experienced the identical event like the final lastnight.

Noone, if not he, is in the best position to give comments throughout the course of such a big encounter.

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posted Jul 7, 2008

Err Boris Becker was 2 sets down, to pull it back, only to then lose to Edberg in a Wimbey Final.

He should have been commentating.

Plus he hates Nadal.

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posted Jul 7, 2008

I so agree: McEnroe has become a superb commentator of tennis.
Nothing against young Henman but he doesn't compare to Mac.

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posted Jul 7, 2008

I dont think it was a "damp squib" of a final at all . The pressure of the occasion brought the errors - more so for federer that why he lost

As for the game itself
A champion and a contender went into the match
Two champions came out of it

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posted Jul 8, 2008

fabulousregas...

Mac Commentates for both the NBC and BBC every single year! NBC is where he got his break, and thats where he commentantes the mens final.

BBC didnt lose him, its just that BBC dont have the contractual agreements for Mac to Commentate for them in the Final.

and northernsoulman, I could not agree more! I said earlier this year that I think federer wouldnt win Wimbledon, and that Nadal had a good chance, but as the final set was taking place, I wondered if Fed could actually take this, having gone to so many deuces and for no cause to Nadal! I was literally biting my nails! Nadal in the end showed true spirit, but I feel sorry for Fed. He looked down and out after he missed that last shot.. The SHortest speech Ive heard him say... He had just lost his Crown and his Crowd.. He'l come back stronger next year. But maybe, as Nadal is only getting stronger, this isnt enough.

As for the US Open, I think maybe Djoko will rest his Daemons, and because Murray will have a better draw at a comfy 9th seed, I feel Murray can atleast make a Semi this year... I really do, and so far, my predictions havent failed me

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posted Jul 8, 2008

the fed/nadal final may have been the greatest in terms of quality but in terms of drama i'd go for mc/borg in 1980

the match that had me on the edge of my seat, more than any other, was sampras/agassi australia semi.

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posted Jul 8, 2008

Having watched the final, I think that Becker's post-match analysis is fairly spot on. Rafa did indeed play the better tennis throughout five sets and should have won it in 4, if he hadn't become uncharacteristically unnerved during the 4th set tiebreak.

Having said that, Roger showed a lot of grit and character to hang in there on a day when he was clearly not playing his best tennis. The fact that he lost the second set by being broken in consecutive service games attests to this fact.

He did well to make a match of it even when he was having an off-day (it seems as if Rafa is his kryptonite). Hopefully he can psychologically recover from this defeat. I think Pete Sampras may actually be able to help him come through this difficult period. Although Federer is the far more elegant player, no one is as great and determined a champion as Pete, the only exception being Rafa.

Having said all this, congrats Rafa. You worked hard enough and wanted it more. Bask in the glory of your triumph.

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posted Jul 8, 2008

Having read a few of the comments here I think that a lot of people have missed the fact that the 2nd set should have been Fed's. Although Nadal clearly played well and certainly deserved to win, we didn't see the best of both players. I think that part of Fed's problem is that he doesn't nail the coffin shut when he gets the chance. Nadal is never happy with one break - he keeps going for it and applying the pressure, and this is something that Fed did not do when he was 4-1 up in the 2nd.

On another note I find it a bit ridiculous to suggest that we now have a new era and a new dominant force in men's tennis. We can't just ignore the rankings, can we? It's all very well for people to say that this is now Rafa's time, but surely he would have to dominate to the same extent that Federer has. What if Federer does get back on the horse?
It's too soon to tell. Let's all be a bit patient and see how things pan out.

As for Murray making a semi-final - that is one prediction I would be quite happy to bet against!

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posted Jul 13, 2008

cilurnum (U5564602) Can I just say he did get to semis of the aussie open. I wouldn't say Nadal is the most complete player as of yet. but you've got to remember he's only 22

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posted Aug 3, 2008

Big congratulations to Nadal, but would have absolutely loved to see Federer win that elusive sixth consecutive title! Smashing final!

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