Tennis 2016

[Caledonian Craig]

I really do hope and pray he does himself justice on the slam winning front before he retires. I do feel he merits between 5 to 10 slam wins in his career. If he can keep this momentum going I can see him winning Wimbledon again next year and perhaps the Australian Open.

[Caledonian Craig]

1 minute ago, exile said:

Off the top of my head, I'd put Andy ahead of Hoy because Hoy's is a very narrow specialist part of cycling whereas tennis is, like, a whole sport!

Maybe Jackie S is up there, though only one part of motor sport, but he did win the main championship, what, three times? 

I don't know enough about boxing. What about Jocky Wilson?

Fair points. No darts, like snooker, isn't a global sport or really played by masses across the world.

[fringo]

Jackie Stewart 3 times world champ has to be a contender (as mentioned).

[Caledonian Craig]

2 minutes ago, fringo said:

Jackie Stewart 3 times world champ has to be a contender (as mentioned).

His achievements were epic for sure. Very close to call.

[Toepoke]

Jackie Stewart was always the man to beat in terms of Scottish sporting icons. Not just for his achievements on the track but also his endeavours to improve the safety of racing.

That said I think Andy has eclipsed him now. In fact I'd cast the net further and say he's a strong contender for greatest ever sportsman from the British Isles...

 

[Barney Rubble]

14 minutes ago, Toepoke said:

Jackie Stewart was always the man to beat in terms of Scottish sporting icons. Not just for his achievements on the track but also his endeavours to improve the safety of racing.

That said I think Andy has eclipsed him now. In fact I'd cast the net further and say he's a strong contender for greatest ever sportsman from the British Isles...

 

Maggie May will never sanction it though.

Irrespective of that, well done to both Jamie and Andy. What an achievement to be world number one at any sport and for two brothers to do it simultaneously is probably a first.

And for two Scotsmen to achieve that is something that will likely never happen again in our lifetime.

So savour every moment of your achievement, Jamie and Andy, because you both damn well deserve it!!

 

[fringo]

16 minutes ago, Barney Rubble said:

Maggie May will never sanction it though.

Irrespective of that, well done to both Jamie and Andy. What an achievement to be world number one at any sport and for two brothers to do it simultaneously is probably a first.

And for two Scotsmen to achieve that is something that will likely never happen again in our lifetime.

So savour every moment of your achievement, Jamie and Andy, because you both damn well deserve it!!

 

[thplinth]

Well did not see 100% of it but I thought he looked really strong when I was watching.

Probably one of the few times I enjoyed watching him! edit and i mean that as a compliment he really looked good.

Edited November 20, 2016 by thplinth

[Orraloon]

Andy was great in the first set and looked totally in control. Although Novak did help him out a bit with loads of mistakes. It looked like he was going to waltz through the 2nd set, when he got 2 breaks up and sitting at 4-1. Then he almost let Novak back into it. He did well to finish it off in the end but I think if Novak had managed to break Andy's serve in that last game, he might have gone on to win the match? 

I think if Andy could learn how to serve as consistently as Federer and Novak can on the really crucial big points, then he could go on to really dominate over the next few years. It seems to be his biggest weakness. He just seems to lose his concentration when serving for the really big points, which makes it harder than it needs to be, both for himself and those of us watching him.

Well done Andy, fantastic achievement.

 

[86glebestreet]

Delighted for Murray, been rewarded for all the hard work he has put in,

free bar at his hotel tonight

[vanderark14]

12 hours ago, thplinth said:

He looks the best I have ever seen him. 

I posted that after the first game, he double faulted and handed Djokovic some points. After that he stepped up his game.

the guy is a legend, scotlands greatest ever sportsman as far as I am concerned.

[Parklife]

12 hours ago, biffer said:

Fantastic. Winning that tournament, end of year number one, 25 wins on the spin,  nine tournament wins this year and he beat the world number 2, 3, 4 & 5 this week. 

 

Number 6 too. Cilic has moved above Monfils in to 6th spot this week. 

 

12 hours ago, RenfrewBlue said:

Think this cements Murray as Scotlands greatest ever sportsman.  Can't think of anyone who comes close to his achievements. 

Never mind just Scotland, he's the greatest sportsman that the UK has ever produced. He's also one that'll leave a positive legacy in terms of facilities. The profile tennis has been given in the UK because of Andy has meant increased funds for the LTA and huge increases in spending on facilities and coaches. In my local area alone we now have 2 x 4 brand spanking new floodlit hardcourts that can be accessed 24 hours a day (accessed by paying online and getting an access code). 

He's a sporting legend. No doubt about it. 

11 hours ago, Caledonian Craig said:

I really do hope and pray he does himself justice on the slam winning front before he retires. I do feel he merits between 5 to 10 slam wins in his career. If he can keep this momentum going I can see him winning Wimbledon again next year and perhaps the Australian Open.

He'll be right up for the Aussie Open, no doubt. Having lost in 5 finals there, he'll be desperate to make amends. Next year also presents possibly his best ever chance of a French Open. With Djokovic questionable, Raonic not suited to Clay and Stan a year older it leaves Murray with a great chance. Completing the career grandslam is a definite possibility. 

[Rossy]

1 hour ago, Parklife said:

 

 

Never mind just Scotland, he's the greatest sportsman that the UK has ever produced. He's also one that'll leave a positive legacy in terms of facilities. The profile tennis has been given in the UK because of Andy has meant increased funds for the LTA and huge increases in spending on facilities and coaches. In my local area alone we now have 2 x 4 brand spanking new floodlit hardcourts that can be accessed 24 hours a day (accessed by paying online and getting an access code). 

He's a sporting legend. No doubt about it. 

 

Completely agree.

But it's not just that. He's a role model to kids in pretty much every respect......he knows the value of hard work, commitment and dedication. He's coped with injury and disappointment and loss, and came back fighting. He's also incredibly down to earth, humble and polite. He doesn't live his life to the excesses of these thick as shit, overpaid footballers.

Every single kid in the UK today with sporting ability...no matter what sport...should be looking at Andy Murray and trying to emulate him in every single way possible.

As pointed out above, he's already a legend.

Edited November 21, 2016 by Rossy

[Squirrelhumper]

1 hour ago, Rossy said:

Completely agree.

But it's not just that. He's a role model to kids in pretty much every respect......he knows the value of hard work, commitment and dedication. He's coped with injury and disappointment and loss, and came back fighting. He's also incredibly down to earth, humble and polite. He doesn't live his life to the excesses of these thick as shit, overpaid footballers.

Every single kid in the UK today with sporting ability...no matter what sport...should be looking at Andy Murray and trying to emulate him in every single way possible.

As pointed out above, he's already a legend.

Couldn't agree more.

[phart]

16 hours ago, biffer said:

Fantastic. Winning that tournament, end of year number one, 25 wins on the spin,  nine tournament wins this year and he beat the world number 2, 3, 4 & 5 this week. 

 

That's how you punctuate your number 1 status, wiping out the next 5 best players in a week.

Murray has kept improving, never stagnated for any major length of time outside injuries, sounds easy but so hard to do.

[phart]

2 hours ago, Rossy said:

Completely agree.

But it's not just that. He's a role model to kids in pretty much every respect......he knows the value of hard work, commitment and dedication. He's coped with injury and disappointment and loss, and came back fighting. He's also incredibly down to earth, humble and polite. He doesn't live his life to the excesses of these thick as shit, overpaid footballers.

Every single kid in the UK today with sporting ability...no matter what sport...should be looking at Andy Murray and trying to emulate him in every single way possible.

As pointed out above, he's already a legend.

Yeah just agreeing with everything that has been said (apart from greatest sportsman ever in UK, he's up there) learning from every loss, just constantly improving, even when he had that wimbledon/Olympic year , he's managed to go away and come back even better. Total dedication to his craft.

He's one of my favourite sportsman of all time. 

 

[biffer]

17 minutes ago, phart said:

Yeah just agreeing with everything that has been said (apart from greatest sportsman ever in UK, he's up there) learning from every loss, just constantly improving, even when he had that wimbledon/Olympic year , he's managed to go away and come back even better. Total dedication to his craft.

He's one of my favourite sportsman of all time. 

 

It's definitely fair to say he's our greatest current sportsman, and he has a few more years to stick his flag in the ground for greatest ever. A couple of years at number one and another three or four grand slam tournaments should do it...

[phart]

6 minutes ago, biffer said:

It's definitely fair to say he's our greatest current sportsman, and he has a few more years to stick his flag in the ground for greatest ever. A couple of years at number one and another three or four grand slam tournaments should do it...

He might very well be our greatest sportsman, just can't agree straight away as I'd need to sit and think about it. His greatest strength is his self-motivation to improve each day can also be his weakness when he is too down on himself for not living up to his high standards on court.

It's the path he took as well, just a steady ascent to the summit. Then this last week just tying a nice ribbon on it with beating the next best 5 in the year end tournament.

Lastly you got to look at the era he is number 1 in and competed in. This must be one of the golden eras for men's tennis? Maybe someone with more knowledge of the history of the game can comment? He's a special, special talent.

[biffer]

15 minutes ago, phart said:

He might very well be our greatest sportsman, just can't agree straight away as I'd need to sit and think about it. His greatest strength is his self-motivation to improve each day can also be his weakness when he is too down on himself for not living up to his high standards on court.

It's the path he took as well, just a steady ascent to the summit. Then this last week just tying a nice ribbon on it with beating the next best 5 in the year end tournament.

Lastly you got to look at the era he is number 1 in and competed in. This must be one of the golden eras for men's tennis? Maybe someone with more knowledge of the history of the game can comment? He's a special, special talent.

I meant he's our greatest active (i.e. still participating) at the moment. I can't think of anyone better. But he will have to do more to convince a lot of people about greatest ever.

One other thing to note about him is the way he returned after the back surgery. He's never talked that much about it but considering it took him 6-8 months to start to be comfortable on court again, I think it was more major than a lot of people think. To come back to this level after it is a great achievement in itself.

[dan cake]

what a 12 months its been for hibs

[Rossy]

3 hours ago, dan cake said:

what a 12 months its been for hibs

What's that got to do with a tennis thread ?

[Caledonian Craig]

Andy Murray's career has been like a Grand National as in lots of obstacles to overcome, lots of heartbreak and knock-backs but he has ploughed on to end up top of the pile.

Before his career even began he lived through the horror of the Dunblane massacre. He then had to put those horrors out of his mind and focus on tennis a few years later. Lack of backing and facilities meant he had to make the bold move and move to Spain to a tennis academy as a teenager. Next was the physicality of the sport he had to overcome fitness issues which he did by punishing training regimes. Great results followed but a series of defeats in slam finals led people to question his ability to ever win a slam. He took five painful losses and bounced back to finally crack it and win the US Open. Back problems also came upon him and he needed corrective surgery which set him back and saw him slide down the rankings. However, he worked hard and came through some dark times and came through to rediscover himself winning Wimbledon for a second time, a second Olympic Gold and an unbelievable run of 24 unbeaten matches (still on-going) to take the No 1.

For me if he does not end up with more than 5 slam wins he won't have done himself justice - he has been that good.

[sbcmfc]

Would it be Harsh to point out that Djokovic is going through a bad spell, Nadal is made of chocolate and Federer is about 50?

[Toepoke]

14 minutes ago, sbcmfc said:

Would it be Harsh to point out that Djokovic is going through a bad spell, Nadal is made of chocolate and Federer is about 50?

Probably not, the "Big 3" aren't at the strength they were. Andy has improved steadily but isn't at the same level as the others were at their peak IMO.

Can only beat what's in front of you though. Put it this way if he was 15 years older Andy would probably have retired with a major title count comfortably into double figures.

 

[biffer]

6 hours ago, sbcmfc said:

Would it be Harsh to point out that Djokovic is going through a bad spell, Nadal is made of chocolate and Federer is about 50?

However, one could turn that round and say Murray is in the best form of his life and Djokovic et al never had to deal with that before. It's so typically Scottish to immediately look to say 'ah, but...' when someone achieves something.