Wimbledon & Grass Court Season

[Tommy Nooka]

They're saying this match might restart at 1pm tomorrow before the final which is scheduled for 2pm, surprised at that. 

[HibeeJibee]

5 hours ago, TheScarf said:

It absolutely should be done away with and the final set tie-break introduced. 

You still have to get a mini break in a tie break to win the set. 

Disagree entirely. Some of the greatest finals ever have gone on in the 5th, and that's what has made then epic... think of Federer-Nadal in 2008 and Federer-Roddick in 2009. Idea of any match swinging on a single bad point, or someone potentially winning without ever breaking an opponent's service game, is dreadful. At worst you could allow both players to mutually request a tie-break say at 9-9 or 12-12.

Also, although Inverdale + McInroe droned on about it, be thankful Lloyd wasn't commentating: his dream seems to be making tennis as brief and boring as possible.

[pandarilla]

Disagree entirely. Some of the greatest finals ever have gone on in the 5th, and that's what has made then epic... think of Federer-Nadal in 2008 and Federer-Roddick in 2009. Idea of any match swinging on a single bad point, or someone potentially winning without ever breaking an opponent's service game, is dreadful. At worst you could allow both players to mutually request a tie-break say at 9-9 or 12-12.

Also, although Inverdale + McInroe droned on about it, be thankful Lloyd wasn't commentating: his dream seems to be making tennis as brief and boring as possible.

Maybe for a final it could be kept?

But the damage done to the schedule, the players, and the tournament in general means they have to cap the fifth set in some way (maybe at 10-10).

[John Lambies Doos]

Kevin Anderson rubbing his hands together, here. [emoji3]

Only thing big Kev is rubbing is his head against the pillow. He's utterly fucked and we will see a one sided final come Sunday

[HibeeJibee]

1 hour ago, pandarilla said:

Maybe for a final it could be kept?

But the damage done to the schedule, the players, and the tournament in general means they have to cap the fifth set in some way (maybe at 10-10).

There have been just over 2,500 mens singles matches in the last 20 years but only in 101 matches did the 5th go on beyond the regular length; only in 41 did it go beyond 10-8 i.e. an extra half set; only in 15 did it go beyond 13-11 i.e. an extra set.

Of these 101 only 17 have fallen in the second week; only 5 beyond 9-7; only 3 beyond 13-11; but you've seen some of the great matches like Rafter-Agassi (SF) and Ivanicevic-Rafter (Final) in 2001; the Nadal-Federer / Federer-Rodick finals in 2008 / 2009; Gasquet-Wawrinka (QF) in 2015; Muller-Nadal last year.

If the fact Anderson happens to have played 2 this week causes them to dumb-down the lot it's a tragedy. It's part of the game and the drama.

[peasy23]

There have been just over 2,500 mens singles matches in the last 20 years but only in 101 matches did the 5th go on beyond the regular length; only in 41 did it go beyond 10-8 i.e. an extra half set; only in 15 did it go beyond 13-11 i.e. an extra set.

Of these 101 only 17 have fallen in the second week; only 5 beyond 9-7; only 3 beyond 13-11; but you've seen some of the great matches like Rafter-Agassi (SF) and Ivanicevic-Rafter (Final) in 2001; the Nadal-Federer / Federer-Rodick finals in 2008 / 2009; Gasquet-Wawrinka (QF) in 2015; Muller-Nadal last year.

If the fact Anderson happens to have played 2 this week causes them to dumb-down the lot it's a tragedy. It's part of the game and the drama.

Those matches wouldn't have been any less great, haven't seen anyone on here suggest that we have a tiebreak at 6-6 in the 5th, but rather play on until something like 10-10 or 12-12 then have one. Imo that would have been more dramatic yesterday as both players might have had a bit of life left in them, rather being dead on their feet for the last dozen plus games.

[Diamonds are Forever]

Said it for years but I don't understand why play starts so late on the show courts. The first match started at 1 yesterday (although it's always a bit after that after the warm-ups). Isner v Anderson was always going to be at least 4 sets, mostly with tie-breakers. That's an hour per set. They should have been banking on at least 4 hours for that, potentially looking at 5 hours. That takes you to half 5/6 o'clock. Then a 20 minute break between games and potentially another 5 setter between two guys who are known for playing long points, being slow players and being evenly matched. Again, another 4-5 hour match should have been anticipated. That takes you to pretty much your 11 o'clock curfew even without anything remarkable happening. There could still be a another couple of hours of play in the match today. Which means that even if you'd had a tie-breaker yesterday you'd have struggled to fit the full second match in anyway.

I get they would have wanted Nadal v Djokovic as a prime time match, that's fine. Just have a 'not before 5' start time should the early match go quicker than expected.

Start the show courts at 12, maybe even earlier, and just have a 'not before' start time for the last match to ensure the matches are spread through the day for TV.

[John Lambies Doos]

When's Nadal v Joker starting?

[Joey Jo Jo Junior Shabadoo]

Djokovic looking like he is back to his Terminator like best here. No easy points whatsoever.

 

ETA: Obviously stayed off the pasta last night.

[Joey Jo Jo Junior Shabadoo]

Nadal soaking. Djokovic dry as a board.

[John Lambies Doos]

Shut the f**k up about the butterfly

[John Lambies Doos]

It's a sad indictment on Ladies tennis that most be will switch off once Nadal v Joker match finishes

[Melanius Mullarkey]

1 hour ago, Joey Jo Jo Junior Shabadoo said:

Nadal soaking. Djokovic dry as a board.

Silica gel injections imo

[Joey Jo Jo Junior Shabadoo]

Gluten-free Silica gel injections imo

FTFY

[Mark Connolly]

Why is the Countess of Dumbarton wearing a linejudge's shirt?

[Tommy Nooka]

You can tell how much the fans and commentators resent having to compliment Djokovic. The guy never gets the respect he deserves at Wimbledon, regardless of who wins this match both players have been brilliant. 

[John Lambies Doos]

Standard of this match is phenomenal

[Mark Connolly]

That match would definitely have been enhanced by a tiebreak rather than those extra games.

[Tommy Nooka]

Well done Novak, anything that annoys the Wimbledon establishment is alright with me. Would have been a great final. 

[Mark Connolly]

Mon Kerber