CAMELOT FANTASIES

Oh I want to clarify something before I forget, when I said this thread is all about me and Andy, I was kidding of course. Anything goes of course and it's least about me and myself. Andy is however another matter. I prefer to talk about him here than on the other thread that is more related to Andy. I just like doing everything in one place. Saves time.

I think it was something like this. What do you think?

they look too simplistic to me emma. I am sure he can do better.




 



oh wait. I just had a second look. I think you are spot on.


the ones in the middle do look cool. I am beginning to like them already.

I forgot to mention, I watched a bit of Sampras vs Agassi match the other day and once again thoroughly enjoyed the contrast they brought in to the game. Sampras, of course, wouldn't S&V the whole time as he was equally comfortable at staying back, but it was just so nice to see the volleys at the net by him.

It's so sad that an entire aspect of the game is now entirely missing from today's game. Very sad.

Amazing match, amazing players and amazing atmosphere. Nothing can beat this.



This is probably one of the reasons why I enjoy Llorda vs Murray matches a great deal - perhaps the most. Not only it's a contrast that brings back memories, but it also forces Murray to come to the net as often as possible and it also brings out the wonderful side of Andy's game - his game at the net. He's got such wonderful hands. He so belongs to the 90s.

its the evolution of the sport emma.

they just cant make a living serving and volleying anymore.

llodra is a great net player but his success came mostly at home (france) on indoor fast courts. and he did not face anybody like nole who would have demolished him from the backcourt.


llodra also was successful in doubles because he could volley.

there is not a single player out there who can compete at the top level in singles serving and volleying today. they can try but they wont win any titles.

what is needed today is a rock solid movement, bullet proof ground game, and then also the ability to attack and finish the points at the net.

the war on the courts today has to be waged from the backcourt.

its the evolution of the sport emma.

they just cant make a living serving and volleying anymore.

llodra is a great net player but his success came mostly at home (france) on indoor fast courts. and he did not face anybody like nole who would have demolished him from the backcourt.


llodra also was successful in doubles because he could volley.

there is not a single player out there who can compete at the top level in singles serving and volleying today. they can try but they wont win any titles.

what is needed today is a rock solid movement, bullet proof ground game, and then also the ability to attack and finish the points at the net.

the war on the courts today has to be waged from the backcourt.

What evaluation? The baseline game has always been there since the dawn of tennis - it's nothing new. Volleys are also the same part of the same game. Baseline is safe, volleys are of risk. They require natural skill. You must have a great serve to begin with followed by equally great volley. Today's players don't possess a great serve let alone volleys. They stick to the baseline because it's much safer. Plus, baseline game can be learned unlike volleys. Volleys require a great sense of the net and the right approaches.

Agassi was an out an out baseliner and yet Sampras wasn't at all afraid to come to the net half the times. If Sampras were to play today, he would have come just as much against any baseliner - be it Federer or Nadal or Nole or Murray etc. He was very comfortable at the net as well at the baseline, so he would have adjusted his game accordingly - whatever required at that point basically.

If a player doesn't spend half the time of a match at the net, you can't call him an all courter. You can say 'oh, I've seen him being successful at the net in the past' but that's not good enough. First, the sample size is too small but more importantly, if you didn't play half the times at the net and if you weren't consistent and if your results aren't based on all aspects of the game, then you are not an all court player. It's a myth that Federer is an all court player simply because he's never proved it. He didn't spend half his career playing at the net. Anything else anyone insists will be pure assumptions on his part, simply put. There's virtually no evidence to prove it.

So anyway herc, don't say it's the evaluation of the sport. That's utter rubbish. The game itself didn't change much. If it changed then it changed for the worse since players aren't brave enough to play at the net so they ditched it altogether. What truly changed are the tangibles - like slowing down the surface, racquet technology, balls, physical aspects etc.

Even though talented enough but today's players are less skilled than yesterday's players - make no mistake on that. Yes, they have taken the baseline game to a new level but that's all they did. They suck at serving great and at the net, they are simply dire. So they had no choice but to focus on the only game they knew and work on that. And yes, fitness is a major part now since these mindless long rallies require heavy fitness so they had to work on that too.

Tennis is essentially a sport of skills - anything else takes the second place. Tennis is also the most intelligent game in physical sports so taking it to wrestling level is like taking it to a new low.

Is this Nadal's? I don't get it. Is this supposed to be bulls horn? Quite evil looking if I am to be honest.



While I like Federer's logo as it has the class and style but it's also pompous. It feels contrived.



I like Nole's the best - for the simple reason that it's not too obvious. 

So Andy won't be playing any tennis until Madrid. That's a long time. This whole month in fact. I take it he'll take this time to decide on the coach as well. Wonder who it will be. Hopefully it's not going to be a female figure and not someone who's already been his coach. I don't think a familiar face will add anything new to Andy's mentally and his game.

I think I am going to open a Twitter account to communicate with Andy. He doesn't have to reply back as long as he reads it.

Andy Murray on Oxford street today. I like what he's wearing and his hair looks great too.



And his new kit for the clay season. I guess I'll have to see it in real time to really like it. Right now, I feel indifferent. lol

I am not absolutely sure Andy clay doesn't interest much though he pretends to like it lol but nothing comes from the heart. On other hand, he just glows when he sees grass and loves hard too. Very parallel to Sampras in this regard. They have another similarity. Both can't be bothered with the lesser ranked players and typically tend to play as good as they need to. Andy goes one step further and gives a lackluster performance more often than not. lol. Sampras would just go for one break in each set and since he had a great set of serves, he'd typically get it. Andy had to of course had to pay the price for it a few times. But when they are faced with players who are best in the business, they tend to bring their best as well. Both thrive on a great atmosphere as well. Big crowd, big occasion etc. Of course Andy is not even half way there as Sampras but it's interesting to notices common things between them.

But I'd rather Andy takes each of his opponent very seriously. I don't think he can afford not to. Neither can Nadal or Nole. Perhaps only Federer since he's got a great set of serves as well which he can rely on pretty easily.