Other Sports: Page 67 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One more in the Tolly

Other Sports

invisibleman18

Although the Ashes avatar was appropriate with it starting this week, it's time for a change now. 🙂

Burnwinter

Timothy wrote:
That relatively poor fitness and weight issues are endemic in women's tennis. Unless there's a reason so many of them are fat that I can't think of?

Sure but that's basically devaluing the women's tour.

Besides if they were that shit, and if fitness was that definitive an issue the first reasonably fit woman to come along would knock them off right?

asajoseph

Maybe if they played 5 sets...

Captain

Burnwinter wrote:
Timothy wrote:
That relatively poor fitness and weight issues are endemic in women's tennis. Unless there's a reason so many of them are fat that I can't think of?

Sure but that's basically devaluing the women's tour.

Besides if they were that shit, and if fitness was that definitive an issue the first reasonably fit woman to come along would knock them off right?

Isn't that what the Williams sisters did/do?

RocktheCasbah

Anyone calling Djokovic a bottler after that match (and what he went through in the semi final, not to mention what he's acheived over the last 3 years) shouldn't be watching professional sport in my view.

Massive, massive kudos to Andy Murray. I had a sneaky feeling for him this year. The way the draw opened up, Djokovic not quite being at his imperious best and what appeared to be his (Murray's) almost unwavering focus. That said, it's easy for me to sit here and say that, it's another thing to go out and win it. And do it in three sets against the world number 1.

A tremendous acheivement, I'm delighted for him.

Rex

Was very impressed by Murray - and somewhat disappointed in Djokovic.

Djokovic didn't play his best tennis. Too timid and sloppy when he attacked the net, and had way too many unforced errors. Murray was there all the time though and took advantage. Also, every time Djokovic upped his game and looked as if he was getting going, Murray responded in a big way.

Kudos to Murray for an excellent match. On the day Djokovic was not good enough to make it into a great match for the neutrals.

Qwiss

You'd have to be disappointed with Djokovic. I know he had that semi but it looked to me like a few of the calls early on distracted him more than they should have. Its a pity he didn't put up more of a fight because Murray really gave it his all and I'd have loved to see if he could have kept up the intensity for 5 sets.

Deserved his win though Murray. Its always good watching someone win while playing so many amazing shots.

So congrats to Tam and any other Scots.

Burnwinter

Isn't that what the Williams sisters did/do?

Except when they don't?

Captain

I don't watch tennis but the narrative is generally that if either of the williams sisters rocks up in good condition, they generally are heavy favourites and win or make the final.

Of course, they aren't always in good condition according to the reports...

--

Andy Murray probably going to be sirred soon

Burnwinter

Captain wrote:
I don't watch tennis but the narrative is generally that if either of the williams sisters rocks up in good condition, they generally are heavy favourites and win or make the final.

Sure, but we're in what is acknowledged to be an unusual era for men's tennis at the moment—there's been prolonged actual competition between more than just one or two top players for several years. Just saying.

Also, the Williams sisters are renowned for not turning up if anything.

I've played devil's advocate in this and I'm not a huge tennis fan any more. Among other things, tennis is a highly culturally specific sport, and it's evident the best players are almost always people who've been pushed into the sport from a young age.

From this distance, that hothouse environment seems to lead to a lot of the ego problems, coaching problems, and family eccentricities and feuds that beset the sport. It also seems to shut a lot of potentially superior athletes out of competing in both men's and women's tennis.

At the same time, however, if there were genuinely an easy threshold of entry to women's tennis because of an endemic lack of condition and/or ability then there would be better women players knocking at the door, wouldn't there?

invisibleman18

The Ashes is here. Really fired up for this. My favourite sporting event outside football and it's the first Ashes in my lifetime that we've been massive favourites but that just makes me more nervous to be honest. You never underestimate an Australian sports team and I think it will be a lot closer than people are saying. Can see it going down to the 5th test. I also think it will be a reasonably low scoring series. I'm not massively worried about any of their batsmen but Clarke and am very confident in our bowlers, but am worried about their bowling attack which seems to be developing into a force. Bring it on!

Burnwinter

We're fucked. Strongly considering hitting snooze until the return series.

Bold Tone

I think it is not going to be the "walkover" everyone seems to be predicting.

invisibleman18

We've won the toss and bat first. Team as expected. Cook, Root, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Bairstow, Prior, Broad, Swann, Finn, Anderson

Australia spring a surprise by handing a debut to Agar. Age 19 and 10 first class matches, massive call. Also expected Warner to be back in the side. Watson, Rogers, Cowan, Clarke, Hughes, Smith, Haddin, Siddle, Pattinson, Starc, Agar

invisibleman18

Clarke with a few tears in the national anthem there. Love the passion this thing brings.

Rohit

That is the weakest looking Australian XI i can ever remember.

invisibleman18

Massive wide first ball from Pattinson, not quite Harmison, followed up with a bye down the leg side.

invisibleman18

Umpire checking the light meter already. 😆

Chris Rogers has the most ridiculous first class record. 240 games, just under 20,000 runs, average of 50.38 and 60 centuries. For probably any other country he'd have played 100 tests, but for Australia this is just his 2nd at age 35, the first coming in 2008. Another one of those unlucky Australian batsmen to have played at the same time as all those greats.

Good to see Andrew Strauss in the back of the commentary box. Looking forward to hearing his take on things.

invisibleman18

Bugger. Poor shot there from Cook. No need to go for that at this stage.

« Previous Page Next Page »