Superb career, that first win at Wimbledon was immense.
not the easiest on the eye (I'm talking about his tennis style, not the fact he looks like a horse) but his defence, counterpunching and determination were outstanding.
Re: The Tennis Thread
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2024 12:27 pm
by Slick
Not sure he really got the recognition he deserved. Incredible athlete and much misunderstood
Re: The Tennis Thread
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2024 1:01 pm
by inactionman
Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2024 12:27 pm
Not sure he really got the recognition he deserved. Incredible athlete and much misunderstood
How he even came back from his injury is amazing in its own right
He could be a bit prickly but he always stood up to be counted - he was genuinely angry about all the sexist nonsense that the female players have to put up with. It could be a bit misdirected, which is where he got bit of a reputation for being taciturn - he had a pop at a commentator who asked him about being the first to defend a singles olympic title, very pointedly saying Serena had done it first (she hadn't' - she won a singles and three doubles).
Re: The Tennis Thread
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2024 1:12 pm
by robmatic
Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2024 12:27 pm
Not sure he really got the recognition he deserved. Incredible athlete and much misunderstood
I like the guy - he is a big sports nerd with a Scottish sense of humour, which people don't get.
I know this is a bullshit hypothetical but he would have won a lot more tournaments if he had been playing in a different era. Imagine him being around in the 90s when Sampras was coasting as world number 1.
Re: The Tennis Thread
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2024 1:13 pm
by Sandstorm
Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2024 12:27 pm
Not sure he really got the recognition he deserved. Incredible athlete and much misunderstood
And won majors in the incredibly competitive era of Federer, Nadal and Jockitch.
Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2024 12:27 pm
Not sure he really got the recognition he deserved. Incredible athlete and much misunderstood
I like the guy - he is a big sports nerd with a Scottish sense of humour, which people don't get.
I know this is a bullshit hypothetical but he would have won a lot more tournaments if he had been playing in a different era. Imagine him being around in the 90s when Sampras was coasting as world number 1.
This definitely had an impact, but the funny thing is I think he is less appreciated in Scotland than in England. The fact is we have very few absolutely world class athletes and before I moved back up I kind of assumed he would be front and centre, but actually the reaction to him and his achievements are pretty muted.
Re: The Tennis Thread
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2024 7:02 pm
by Big D
Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2024 12:27 pm
Not sure he really got the recognition he deserved. Incredible athlete and much misunderstood
One of Britain's greatest sportspeople.
Will always hold a special place given his ties to one of our darkest days and he's given us many great days.
Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2024 12:27 pm
Not sure he really got the recognition he deserved. Incredible athlete and much misunderstood
I like the guy - he is a big sports nerd with a Scottish sense of humour, which people don't get.
I know this is a bullshit hypothetical but he would have won a lot more tournaments if he had been playing in a different era. Imagine him being around in the 90s when Sampras was coasting as world number 1.
If it hadn’t been for the hip injury. He would have won many more over the last five years, including a few more majors in all likelihood.
I don’t think the fact he came back and competed after getting his hip replaced is appreciated enough as the astonishing achievement it is.
Re: The Tennis Thread
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2024 7:50 pm
by Big D
Slick wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2024 7:44 pm
Ah well, that’s all done.
Feeling surprisingly upset
Me too. Although my mind often wonders to Dunblane when I think of SAM and his brother. Especially sitting watching with my 10 and 8 year olds.
