quote:

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Nobody returns serve like Andre.

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Especially when he was young. I'll betray my age by mentioning that Jimmy Conners was close.
 

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Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :
 
Not even close!
 

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Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
 
Yes, close. Not as good as Agassi, but good nonetheless.

Besides, you try having a great return of serve using a T 2000
 

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Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :
 
I enjoyed Jimmy's passion on the court.

However, if we're going to discuss the old days, I must point out that John McEnroe, at his best, was far and away the most gifted tennis player I've ever seen. Wikipedia mentions his "shot-making artistry". Oh yes. Oh yeah. Oh yeah, baby!

Let's also not forget his volleying skillz.
 

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Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
 
You will get no argument from me on that point.
 

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Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :
 
I still am amazed that people could actually hit anything with those old wood rackets. How could you put spin on the ball?
 

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Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
 
Federer is the best to watch. Nadal picks his wedgie between every shot. But Roddick and Blake are U.S. players, so they're my favs.
 

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Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :
 
"Nadal picks his wedgie between every shot."



Perhaps someone needs to introduce him to the wondrous world of boxers.
 

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Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
 

quote:

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Let's also not forget his volleying skillz.

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Or his uncontrolable rage.

I love Agassi btw, I remember watching a match where he lost to Boris Becker, I was about 7 at the time and I really enjoyed watching Agassi, I've been a fan ever since. It's too bad athletes age like everyone else.
 

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Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :
 
"Or his uncontrolable rage. [Wink] "

Not that the abuse he meted out would have been fun to absorb, but I really wonder what % of the time he was actually right about those calls. I'm guessing it was pretty high, like minimum 80%. I don't know, of course. I remember a 2nd-hand quote of his, that I heard from some tennis commentator:

"With [a particular referee], all I had to worry about was my serve." meaning, "this guy was right 100% of the time with his calls, except sometimes with serves."
 

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Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
 
I'm sure many of them were bad calls, but that's just part of the game. The other guy is getting some bad calls too.

BTW, you can get spin with a wood racket. I started out playing with a Wilson Jack Kramer Autograph.
 

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Posted by baduffer (Member # 10469) on :
 
In spite of those "shorts" I am going with Nadal.
 

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Posted by krynn (Member # 524) on :
 
i am kinda like steven. i am a big roddick fan as well, but he pisses me off sometimes when he cant keep his cool and loses games that he shouldnt. agassi waspretty amazing with all those cool trick shots and great returns. he was a great 'poster child' for tennis. federer is close. he doesnt use the trick shots as much, but can do everything else. he is never overly arrogant and plays well on all 3 surfaces, finally!
 

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Posted by JonnyNotSoBravo (Member # 5715) on :
 
Nadal, every time. Federer is without a doubt the better tennis player, maybe even the best ever, but Rafa is just more likable (perhaps because he's an underdog).
 

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Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
 
Federer is a god amongst men on that court. I hardly ever watch him anymore, because he is just too good.

If I were to rank the best athletes in the world right now, in terms of how much they dominate their sport, he would be far and away my number one.

I route for Roddick when I can, but Federer just tears him apart .
 

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Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
Connors was a class act, and is my favorite player of all time.
 

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Posted by krynn (Member # 524) on :
 
Roddick actually beat federer right before the US Open. then those two made it to the finals and roddick got killed. i think federer kind of sizes of the importance of his matches. if it isnt for a trophy or prize, he doesnt play as hard.
 

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Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
I think he plays hard all the time, but no one can stay in top form all the time.


He just manages to do it MOST of the time.
 

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Posted by krynn (Member # 524) on :
 
Looks like the both did it again! we will be able to see the clash of the two best players in singles tennis in the french open finals. i cant wait to see this match. i really want federer to get his career grand slam.

Federer is def the more tired of the two i would think going into this final. his match against davydenko was the longest match in straight sets ive seen in a semi. 7-5, followed by two tie-breakers. Nadal already has the most energy on the tour, this cant be good for Roger. i hope he gets plenty of rest so we get to see a great match. Keep in mind that federer only beat nadal on clay in a finals for the first time a month ago at the Hamburg Masters.

[ June 08, 2007, 04:43 PM: Message edited by: krynn ]
 

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Posted by krynn (Member # 524) on :
 
what a terrible first set for federer fans. he had so many chances to break and didnt capitalize on them. federer is handling the high shot to his backhand well. i just wish he would start playing a little more agressively with nadal. he cant win every point through these long rallies. nadal just has too much endurance and speed to lose in the end like that.
 

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Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
 
I've never seen Federer make so many errors. *sigh*

Fed will show Nadal at Wimbledon at least.
 

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Posted by JumboWumbo (Member # 10047) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by krynn:
nadal just has too much endurance and speed to lose in the end like that.

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