I must say it was quite the exciting affair. Rafael Nadal proved that he's not just a clay court phenomenon. However he ran into the Buzz saw that is Roger Federer who won his fifth straight Wimbledon and who I think deserves to hear his name as one of the best tennis players, if not the best tennis player ever. The only folks who I feel were even on his level were Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, and John McCenroe. Federer would waxed the floor with other greats like Ivan Lendl, Arthur Ash, Bjorn Borg, Pat Cash, and Jimmy Connors. What do you think?

How come only Bjorn Borg managed 5 straight Wimbledon victories before Federer then? And also 11 Grand Slam victories? You better rethink that list man.

But really it was an AMAZING game but Federer just hit another level in the 5th set and brushed past Rafael. It was also good to see Federer so emotional after winning, cos he almost NEVER show any emotion and that's fucking boring to me, like it's all to win tournament after tournament.

Last but not least, I LOOOOOVE Rafael's arms

Missed Wimbledon, but I love the game...Johnny Mac was my MAN on the courts.
I still get out there and play once every couple of weeks.

Teacher said:

Yes it was a great match!

karmatornado said:

Do you really think? With the old wooden rackets?

He's surely etching his name into the book of all time greats but I think you're doing players like Borg and Laver an injustice to make comparisons between eras.

senik said:

You have to do comparison with eras. Its unfair but they do it in all sports. Boxing, everyone sizes up Ali to todays boxers, Basketball everyone sizes up Magic, Bird, and Jordan to the players of today. People always compare the old Brazil Pele Teams and Argentina Maradona Team to the World cup teams of today. Its just common. Why not do it in tennis?

Rafa could have won. I think he played better, And the results couldn't be more tied
7-6 4-6 7-6 2-6 6-2

Next year!

karmatornado said:

That's all good. I'm all for comparisons between eras but sports like tennis and golf are a much harder proposition to compare. The true skill factors have been greatly lost (maybe too strong a word... lets go for compromised) to advancements in equipment technology in their respective fields.

Boxing, not much has changed. You could forward a weak argument regarding gloves. Footy, maybe the boots and balls however fairer era comparisons can still be very much made. Basketball... I don't know I'd have to ask the netball playing girls from my old school about that one.

PANDURITO said:

Rafa is an awesome player in his own right, however he was born at the wrong time. Kinda like how Clyde Drexler and Charles Barkley and Stockton and Malone were born for the Jordan Era. Just unfair.

senik said:

I'm saying given the same technology, raquets and playing surfaces, Federer would wax that ass. He is supremely conditioned, hits every possible shot, has a second level, and a killer instinct like no one I have seen since Sampras.

PANDURITO said:

Was that the old "Beast of Barcelona" I saw up in the family box there? It's been donkeys since I've seen him

karmatornado said:

Now come on You NEVER mentioned technology! That was the whole reasoning behind my refuting point

Don't get me wrong though, sunshine. Federer is more or less the complete "modern" player. But it's more than a little flippant to say he'd "karate kid" the floor with some of those great names you mentioned.

senik said:

That's Rafa's uncle

senik said:

I know, thats why I had to take your argument and flip it! lol Oh well you can school me on the art of cricket and convince me that the game isn't a waste of my time.

karmatornado said:

You can't impart spin on my argument! You lose! Now rack 'em up again for the next one

BTW, slag cricket off again and one of us is going to end up in jail and the other in hospital. And by the time you're out of A&E I'll just be making bail to come and kick your sorry baseballing ass ONE MORE TIME

PANDURITO said:

Aye. I went to a stag doo to the Beast's birth Island a few weeks back. Couldn't find a local in sight My mate bought the home team's away strip in black though. Quite nice

senik said:

Its all good! Hey I know that line! Hey what happened to that link with that one Indian Comedian. I wanna see that again!

karmatornado said:

Yeah, a mate of mine (cool kid, only he's a Chelski fool and know's fuck all about tennis ), his pops used to say that to him right before an ass whoopin'. The man had some lines, I tell ya'

senik said:

Wow, he must have good taste if he likes Chelsea. Oh I know that guy, he is the ultimate authority on all things tennis! But his dad was one hardcore disciplinarian! lol Do you have that link!

karmatornado said:

I'll try find it for you, young man.

BTW, you a fan of baseball?

senik said:

Yes I do like the baseball, Although I am not quite as fond of it as Football, American Football, Basketball, Boxing, Cage Fighting, Golf or Tennis. It would probably be nestled as a tie behind those sports with Ice Hockey.

Chelsea and good taste in the same sentence

karmatornado said:

Shut up! And lets imagine that baseball is like your second favourite sport (tied with roller-skating after netball, to add realism to this polemic) or whatever.

So you like baseball, huh? And you hate on cricket, huh?
Well, my old boy, get your goggles fixed onto the first Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa this Sept.!

I swear, just give it a go. View without prejudice (possibly an arduous chore if you're one of those republican types ) and son you will be hooked. It's more tactical and dynamic than baseball could ever dream to be and it'll grip you like a baby on a tit It the short, short batting blast version of the game that's taken new audiences by storm. Big hitting, tense drama, a hoot with some beers. All done in three hours or so. Take my word for it

Me!!! I watched it! What a great match!

Rafa has won me over, and I even have a Feder-bear!

To think Rafa played that well in spite of all the rain delays, back-to-back 5 set matches, his knee injury.. plus winning the French which has got to take its toll on the body... I was just amazed! He nearly won the damn thing.

Love Fed.. as always, but Rafa made a believer out of me! I can't wait for the Open!!!!!

Wooo hoooo!

And congrats to Venus!!!!!
[Edited 7/8/07 17:31pm]

Teacher said:

Yes isn't it grand!

senik said:

Here in lies the problem, I do want to give it a chance and have tried to watch. But last time I did saw this big fat out of shape guy that looked like he had no business playing the sport, playing the sport. Plus the shit lasted 8 hours and was still not over, it went to the next day!

Isel said:

Yes it was a great match. Rafa will kick his ass on the clay though.

Revolution said:

I was a huge fan of John McEnroe a well .

karmatornado said:

I think you have got to be kidding me that you put Becker and Mcenroe over Borg, Borg was the greatest tennis player of the modern era, 5 wimbledon titles in a row, the last player to back to back French and Wimbledon..which he did 3 times on the bounce i add. He was an amazing player with charisma,style and a true gentleman. Mcenroe was a spoiled brat and Becker although quality early in his career at 17 and 18 lost it by the time he was 25 whereas Brog chose to retire at the top at just 25.Sampras was a spaz one trick serve volley merchant with only 2 brain cells.

IMHO

Nice match. Nadal still has the upper hand over Federer. Nadal leads 9-5 against Federer in their match record.
[Edited 7/8/07 23:59pm]