[TENNIS] The Championships, Wimbledon - 2013 GENTLEMEN EDITION (3 Viewers)

[RivalryofTroll]

The greatest tennis tournament BEGINS.

For recent grass tournaments, we have:
Murray winning the 2013 edition of Queens while Federer won the 2013 edition of Halle.

ANALYSING THE PLAYERS' CURRENT/RECENT FORM
DJOKOVIC, Novak (SRB) [1] - 2011 champion - Won the AO 2013. 2013 FO semi-finalist. Consistency at slams is VERY VERY solid. However, he is the least natural grass courter out of the BIG 4 (Him, Rafa, Roger, Andy).
MURRAY, Andy (GBR) [2] - 2012 finalist - Also won 2012 OLYMPICS GOLD on grass. 2013 AO finalist. Pulled out of FO. He, along with Nadal & Federer, are my top 3 favourites in terms of grass tournaments...
FEDERER, Roger (SUI) [3] - DEFENDING CHAMPION of 2012 edition, 7-time champion, 8 finals - 2013 AO semi-finalist. 2013 FO quarter-finalist. Despite having not so great runs in 2010 and 2011, despite having a not-so-great form for the start of 2013 until now.... one cannot count out the arguably greatest grass courter of all time... Will he surpass Sampras with an 8th title?
FERRER, David (ESP) [4] - 2013 AO semi-finalist, 2013 FO finalist --> his consistency is even greater than Roger Federer at this point in time BUT he has no firepower to win it on grass or anywhere else against the Big 4. Not really a favourite to WIN it.
NADAL, Rafael (ESP) [5] - 2-time champion, 5 finals - Having won the 2013 FO... he's going in as THE FAVOURITE. But let's not forget he lost to Lukas Rosol in the 2nd round last year.... Will he be able to complete the channel-slam (FO + Wimby combo) for the 3rd time? (Did it in 2008, 2010)
TSONGA, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) [6] - Greatest threat to the Big 4. Especially on grass. 2013 AO quarter-finalist. 2013 FO semi-finalist.
BERDYCH, Tomas (CZE) [7] - 2010 finalist - Lost in the 1st round last year but this guy can trouble Djokovic and Federer on grass...
DEL POTRO, Juan Martin (ARG) [8] - 2012 Olympics Bronze Medal (played on grass) - Bad form so far in 2013.. except for when he beat Murray and Djokovic back to back in the 2013 edition of Indian Wells Masters 1000... Lost early in AO. Pulled out of FO...

ANALYSING THE BIG 4's PROJECTED DRAW
DJOKOVIC, Novak (SRB) [1] - Easiest draw --> Berdych in QUARTERS, Ferrer in SEMIS
MURRAY, Andy (GBR) [2] - Moderate draw --> Tsonga in QUARTERS, Federer/Nadal in SEMIS
FEDERER, Roger (SUI) [3] - Toughest draw --> Nadal in QUARTERS, Murray in SEMIS
FERRER, David (ESP) [4] - Moderate draw --> Del Potro in QUARTERS, Djokovic in SEMIS
NADAL, Rafael (ESP) [5] - Toughest draw --> Federer in QUARTERS, Murray in SEMIS

ANALYSING THE DARK HORSES/THREATS
FERRER, David (ESP) [4] - His consistency alone will see him get far in the draw. Semi-finals at least in my opinion because projected quarter finals opponent - Del Potro has a poor record against him.
TSONGA, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) [6] - Serve and Volley. Grass specialist in a sense. He can upset Murray in the quarters.
BERDYCH, Tomas (CZE) [7] - Big hitting. Flat strokes. Anything like his 2010 form can see him upset Djokovic in the quarters. But even then... Ferrer (projected semis opponent) would probably trouble him... I doubt he can beat Djokovic and Ferrer (he has horrible records against both) back to back to get to the finals...

PROJECTED RUN - PREDICTIONS
DJOKOVIC, Novak (SRB) [1] - FINALS (Easy run to the finals, has 'pigeon' Ferrer in the semis... But will lose to a more supreme grass court player in the final)
MURRAY, Andy (GBR) [2] - CHAMPION (It's his time. Only player to have been in the semis or a later stage for the past 4 Wimbledons. Lost to an inspired Federer last year in the finals. Demolished Federer on the same court at the Olympics weeks later. Arguably, one of the best grass court players in recent times)
FEDERER, Roger (SUI) [3] - QUARTER-FINALS (I don't think he can overcome the Nadal-mental block... 10-20 H2H in favour of Nadal despite having a positive H2H on grass with 2-1 but he's old/declining... Despite winning last year, he got knocked out in the quarters in 2010 and 2011)
FERRER, David (ESP) [4] - SEMI-FINALS (He can beat everyone under him but not those above him - i.e. the Big 4. So I expect he will not be able to beat Novak in the semis UNLESS Novak gets upset beforehand)
NADAL, Rafael (ESP) [5] - SEMI-FINALS (However, if he beats Murray who he actually has a 3-0 H2H against at Wimbledon.... then I expect him to be CHAMPION. Only Novak's 2011 form can beat Nadal on grass... otherwise, Nadal is generally the better grass courter... He's been in 5 finals out of the last 6 Wimbledons...)
TSONGA, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) [6] - QUARTER-FINALS (Despite reaching the semis for the past two Wimbledons... I don't think he can overcome Murray... he lost to Murray in ATP Queens 2013 edition...)
BERDYCH, Tomas (CZE) [7] - QUARTER-FINALS (He holds a poor H2H record against Djokovic... Unless he conjures up his 2010 Wimbledon form which allowed him to beat Federer and Djokovic back to back... I think 'pigeon' Berdych will let Novak through)
DEL POTRO, Juan Martin (ARG) [8] - BEFORE QUARTER-FINALS (He's not consistent enough on grass and isn't in good form at the moment)

What do you guys think? Any comments/predictions?

Discuss.

[Despite my prediction, I'm rooting for Roger to win it again for an 8th Wimbledon!]

EDIT:
2013 WIMBLEDON RESULT
CHAMPION - ANDY MURRAY
RUNNER-UP - NOVAK DJOKOVIC

 

[RivalryofTroll]

Tribute for the anticipated FEDAL clash.

 

[Trebla]

Wow such a tennis nerd with all that analysis...I'm thinking Murray and Djokovic final as well

 

[OMGITzJustin]

yeah I think murray could defeat fed again, but will lose to djoko - sort like an AO repeat (are they the right groups for this scenario to occur?)

 

[Marc26]

The greatest tennis tournament BEGINS.

Wouldn't say its the greatest. Each grand slam are of equal value in my opinion. However, this one would be the most historical

FEDERER, Roger (SUI) [3] - DEFENDING CHAMPION of 2012 edition, 7-time champion, 8 finals - 2013 AO semi-finalist. 2013 FO quarter-finalist. Despite having not so great runs in 2010 and 2011, despite having a not-so-great form for the start of 2013 until now.... one cannot count out the arguably greatest grass courter of all time... Will he surpass Sampras with an 8th title?

In terms of Federer passing Sampras, he will need a lot of luck and bring his A-game.

TSONGA, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) [6] - Greatest threat to the Big 4. Especially on grass. 2013 AO quarter-finalist. 2013 FO semi-finalist.[/B]

Jo-Willy is the greatest threat to the big 4 and is on a 2 year plan with Roger Rasheed to win a slam as these are his golden days. However, while his French Open run was impressive, he did not play well in the big moments towards the end of the draw

PROJECTED RUN - PREDICTIONS
MURRAY, Andy (GBR) [2] - CHAMPION (It's his time. Only player to have been in the semis or a later stage for the past 4 Wimbledons. Lost to an inspired Federer last year in the finals. Demolished Federer on the same court at the Olympics weeks later. Arguably, one of the best grass court players in recent times)

I really disagree with this statement. I don't think Federer was inspired, he just played his game well.. And may I remind you that while Murray did demolish Federer at the Olympics, you have to remember Fed's semi-final match was basically a 5 set match. In addition, I also think that Murray's injuries will prevent him from reaching the semis.


Overall, its a pretty crap draw. It will be however a Djokovic - Nadal final again though. I make this assumption taking into account Nadal's 2013 record and Djokovic's overall consistency and easy draw.

 

[RivalryofTroll]

yeah I think murray could defeat fed again, but will lose to djoko - sort like an AO repeat (are they the right groups for this scenario to occur?)

Yep.

Murray is in Federer's half.

Basically, assuming no upsets, Federer needs to beat Nadal in the quarters to reach Murray in the semis.

Then Murray would defeat him as you say.... then Djokovic beats Murray in the final since Novak is in Ferrer's half (other half of the draw).

 

[OzKo]

Well that's Nadal gone.

 

[btx3]

yep so fed for the win? i think so

 

[WeaselPowa]

Go Warwrinka!

 

[Trebla]

Go Warwrinka!

lol

 

[RivalryofTroll]

yep so fed for the win? i think so

Yeah, he's destined to win when Nadal gets upset (see WIMBY12)

Go Warwrinka!

Go Hewitt~~~

YEAAAAHHHH RESURGENCE OF THE 2002 WIMBLEDON CHAMPION~~~

Well that's Nadal gone.

2012 --> Wins FO --> Loses to Rosol in 2nd round.

2013 --> Wins FO --> Loses to Darcis in 1st round.

 

[Marc26]

I still think Novak will win it

But I want Fed to win.

 

[RivalryofTroll]

I still think Novak will win it

But I want Fed to win.

I think both Murray and Federer can conquer Novak on grass.

Murray --> see 2012 Olympics on grass. Doing it once = belief that you can do it again.

Federer --> Vintage Fed will better be on grass - See Wimby 2012.

If this was the USO or AO, I'd say Novak will win it... but this is grass (Novak's worst surface and his movement on it is crap + awkward)... So unless he conjures up his 2011 form at Wimbledon, I'd give Roger or Andy the edge in the final.

 

[Recondit]

GOATomic will do us proud

 

[OMGITzJustin]

on ya bike nadal, but seriously.. feel bad for him

 

[Kiraken]

lol fak who even is darcis?

 

[OMGITzJustin]

yeah so true who dafuq is darcis wtf?
I really dont believe fed/djoko will lose to random people after coming off a grand slam win

 

[RivalryofTroll]

yeah so true who dafuq is darcis wtf?
I really dont believe fed/djoko will lose to random people after coming off a grand slam win

Well, it's the 2nd time it's happened.

Rosol'd last year.

Then this year...

lol fak who even is darcis?

--> Rosol

--> Rosol #2 (i.e. Darcis)

 

[RivalryofTroll]

Biggest similarity between last year Nadal upset and this year Nadal upset --> both ended with an ACE.

 

[Marc26]

Interesting read I found:

"CONTROVERSY ON ROGER FEDERER BEING "GREATEST OF ALL TIME (GOAT) TENNIS PLAYER OR RAFAEL NADAL BEING THE GOAT.......

Pretend Nadal and Federer retire tomorrow. We review the topics that would actually go into "all-time". With all things considered the Masters mean nothing when compared to the Grand Slams. Most of you cannot mention how many Masters titles Sampras and Borg have without using Google so do you honestly think Masters stats will matter for Nadal and Federer in 30-50 years?

GS titles: 17 to 12 Federer.
Years number one: 5 to 2 Federer.
Weeks number one: 302 to 102 Federer.
Consecutive weeks number one: 237 to 56 Federer.
Consecutive GS finals: 10 to 4 Federer.
Consecutive GS SF: 23 to 5 Federer.
Consecutive GS QF: 36 to 11 Federer.
Year-End Championship: 6 to 0 Federer.
Year-End Championship finals: 8 to 1 Federer.

That alone shows that Nadal is not even on the same planet as Federer. If you think h2h matters tell me the h2h of Borg/Connors or Agassi/Sampras without using Google. If it was such a factor people would know that type of stat by heart.

Then people like stating that Nadal is the youngest to complete the career number one. It is important to stress that the career number one achievement has only gained popularity because people emphasize that winning all four slams in one year is impossible. Federer has been in position to have completed this achievement 5 times. Nadal has been in position to achieve this (possibly) 2 times overall. Federer has been in the final of each slam at least 5 times respectively and he had put himself in position to have destroyed this record. The fact that he did not break this record over and over due to losing to the greatest clay court player in history should not diminish the achievement.

Within a calendar year Federer has been in all-four finals. Nadal and Djokovic cannot say the same. To really destroy the GOAT debate Federer has done this THREE times. Nadal was not very close to acheiveing this as his 4th required tournament saw him losing in the QF on two attempts. Even Djokovic has been closer than Nadal on two occasions where he reached and lost in the SF of a slam in two consecutive years. Had Djokovic won those SF matches he would have reached the final of all four slams not just once but two consecutive years in a row..which is something that Federer has already done (consecutive years).

When looking 20, 30, 50 years down the road there are no other SIGNIFICANT GOAT stats that one would review. If we take pause it is quite obvious that Federer is in a league of his own in tennis history. Unless Nadal dominates each of the categories that I have stated above he should not even be in the discussion. On paper, Djokovic is becoming a better contender for the discussion as he already has 5 slams in 3 years (and counting within this year) and has an ongoing 16 consecutive GS SF streak (Nadal 11-ended), ongoing 12 consecutive GS SF streak (Nadal 5-ended). Djokovic is also set to pass Nadal with overall weeks number one in 14 weeks.

Enough moronic posts about Nadal being GOAT. Nadal has done amazing superhuman things and his accomplishments should not be disrespected. If we pause today Nadal would go down as one of the greatest players of all time, no question! I am talking about the absolutely all-around greatest player of all-time which means we take the BIG STATS into consideration. Got that?"