C'mon ANDY

[El Pibe]

Now if Erin Gray had played tennis.. in silver spandex.. THAT would have been worth watching

[Mick Mac]

We are all missing the point here when comparing eras.

Subconsciously, it's actually Dan Maskell that we all miss. :)

[Otta]

Agassi was the last great "character" IMO.

I just find it all a bit dull these days, although the Federer / Nadal 5 set finals at Wimbledon were pretty amazing.

[Undisputedtruth]

El Pibe Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> "For a long time before their success, Spanish

> footballers were regarded as underachievers in

> relation to their ability."

>

> Your point?

There's a fine line between failure and success. And sometimes the most talented player/team don't always win.

Also the problem with Andy is that he was trying too hard, hence the number of slips throughout the game.

[red devil]

Undisputedtruth Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Also the problem with Andy is that he was trying

> too hard, hence the number of slips throughout the

> game.

And there's me thinking his Mum hadn't tied his laces properly...

[Alan Medic]

Nastase and Henri Laconte were high up in the character stakes IMO.

[Loz]

Undisputedtruth Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Also the problem with Andy is that he was trying

> too hard, hence the number of slips throughout the

> game.

This is true. I won Wimbledon one year by not trying at all. I didn't even enter.

They just mailed the trophy and the cheque to me.

[Sue]

Loz Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Undisputedtruth Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

>

> > Also the problem with Andy is that he was

> trying

> > too hard, hence the number of slips throughout

> the

> > game.

>

> This is true. I won Wimbledon one year by not

> trying at all. I didn't even enter.

>

> They just mailed the trophy and the cheque to me.

xxxxxxx

LOL

[Marmora Man]

red devil Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Jeremy Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Mick Mac Wrote:

> >

> --------------------------------------------------

>

> > -----

> > > I think its a pretty poor excuse that he's up

> > > against 3 world class players...

> > >

> > > Would he have fared any better in the era of

> > Borg,

> > > McEnroe and Connors ?

> >

> > Ditto Sampras/Agassi. Or even Becker and

> Edberg.

> > Would his chances have been any better when

> these

> > guys were top of the rankings?

>

> Of course there will always be good players in any

> era, but IMO what marks out the current era is the

> all round depth of quality of Fed, Rafa and

> Djokovic. It's unusual to have 3 world class

> players capable of winning on all surfaces, thus

> making it harder for Murray to win any of the

> Slams.

> Fed, Rafa and Djokovic, have each won the 4 Grand

> Slams. There are no surface specialists in that

> group. Borg never won at the US or Oz Open.

> McEnroe never won at the French or Oz Open.

> Also, in the open tennis era there have only been

> 6 players to win three or more Grand Slam singles

> titles in a calendar year...Rod Laver, Jimmy

> Connors, Mats Wilander, Roger Federer, Rafael

> Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Note the last 3...

Simon Barnes in the Times on Friday made the point, rather well I thought, that the "it's tough to be playing in the Golden Era" was false, and that if AM were to triumph in an era when the opposition were poor then the joy and satisfaction would be less.

To win at the highest level you need high level opposition - walkovers and one sided matches may, sometimes, be satisfying for the fans (vide current failure of Australia in the ODI series) for genuine enthusiasts and the sportsmen themselves it is to be among the best and beating the best that brings the satisfaction.

Mountaineers want to scale Everest, not One Tree Hill.

[Ridgley]

He has a personality after all.

['bout now]

I think Murray needs a break in a Grand Slam, once the first one is won it seems that players get propelled forward mentally after the win. Look at who Nadal, Federer and Djokovich beat to win their first major, Puerta (who), Phillipoussis and Tsonga.

Sometimes to get to the top of everest, MM ,the weather has to be in your favour.

[Atticus]

As much as I like Simon Barnes, he often searches for an editorial that is 'different' at the cost of being disingenuous. This being a classic case. Murray is a better player having had to confront these all time giants but would surely have had more success if at least one or two of them weren't ever present in this era.

[MrBen]

???? Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> ..i've still got him as another scottish loser

Second up in the cynical Murray camp. ????'s. Stick it right up you Quidsy!

['bout now]

'bout now Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I think Murray needs a break in a Grand Slam, once

> the first one is won it seems that players get

> propelled forward mentally after the win. Look at

> who Nadal, Federer and Djokovich beat to win their

> first major, Puerta (who), Phillipoussis and

> Tsonga.

>

> Sometimes to get to the top of everest, MM ,the

> weather has to be in your favour.

To follow other threads, told you!

[woodrot]

From miserable, soor faced scotch loser to 100% British Hero in a few weeks

how very fickle

['bout now]

I'd hate to be round your gaff at Christmas Woody.

[woodrot]

Xmas is banned at woodrot acres

[Jeremy]

I've always thought Andy Murray was alright. OK he comes across as a bit grumpy, and he's not exactly charismatic, but being a normal bloke is hardly a crime. He seems to wear his heart on his sleeve, there's no media savvy gloss.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Wasnt a million miles away! The Olympics was a massive lift for Muzz and that confidence carried forward last night. Fricking great achievement and now see Djocko and Murray taking those top 2 slots. Nadals game will just take its toll on his knees...

Last nights result of course now relegates me to Stirlingshires 2nd greatest sporting export!...

Help-Ma-Boab Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> He's the same age as Djocko and reckon him and

> Murray will move into the top 2 as Rodge le podge

> moves into retirement phase and Nadal knackers his

> knees and body.

>

> He's not a million miles away from a slam IMHO,

> needs to work a bit on 2nd serve and converting

> breaks when they matter. Lendl will be a good

> influence if they stick together on it. Still a

> good tourney for Murray I reckon and next year, a

> slam awaits.

>

> Feds movement yesterday was a joy to watch, but

> Murrays no slouch either.

[????]

I didn't think he had it in him. Personally I've always quite liked Murray's spikiness and I'd never trust a Scotsman who didn't hate the English football team

[Mick Mac]

Good point Quids. He got too much bad press for saying openly that he supported any team against England. If he thought it was going to surprise anyone he would not have said it. He probably thought it was a given.

[MrBen]

It pretty much is. See you at Wembley next October....

*Eyes up goal posts*

[Mick Mac]

Can you bring back the old ones pls.I'm sure I have seen the old Wembley recreated in the back garden of a posh ED semi.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Quality lawn as well...

Mick Mac Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Can you bring back the old ones pls.I'm sure I

> have seen the old Wembley recreated in the back

> garden of a posh ED semi.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Draw opening up now for Muzza...