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Roger Federer wins the US Open!!! - Again

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tennis
3K views 77 replies 9 participants last post by  WayneC 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I love tennis as much as Don loves wooden boxes, and today I enjoyed watching Roger Federer win the US Open for the 4th time in a row. Even though he didn't play his best, whenever he had to win the big points, he prevailed.

I thought that this could be a woodworking topic because years ago, they used to use WOODEN racquets ;^D

Are there any other tennis lovers our there in L J land?
 
#3 ·
He's a machine! I didn't watch him play as I was watching to see if Dale Jr. was going to make the Chase for the Nextel Cup, as well as watching Tiger win the BMW by 2 shots. However, to be alive during the time of Federer and Woods? It's pretty cool. Now, I was also alive during the time of Borg, Mcenro, Connors, Courier, Lendel and Sampras, as well as Nicklaus and too many golf greats to mention…the 21st Century hasn't been a let down.
 
#4 ·
Roger could possibly be the best tennis player in the history of the game. He is an absolute genius out there on the court. Guys like Roddick and Nadal make it look hard when they play, but Roger makes it look easy, because he's THAT good!

He really doesn't have that far to go to break just about every record there is in tennis.

I think the comparison of him to Tiger Woods is an unfair comparison. It takes an INCREDIBLE amount of ATHLETIC ABILITY to do what Roger does on the tennis court. To compare swinging a golf club from a stationary stance to moving all over a tennis court sprinting to this side and then to that side, swinging your racquet takes a whole lot more overall athletic ability and stamina. It takes no stamina to swing a golf club from a stance. That's why guys like John Daly can win in golf. He wouldn't last (5) minutes in a tennis match. Many golfers are not in very good shape, but they can still swing a golf club and even win tournaments. In tennis you can't get by just swinging a tennis racquet, you also have to be able to run fast and do amazing acrobatic maneuvers to win points. That's why I don't think it's a fair comparison. Tiger only has to be good at swinging his club, Roger has to be in superior physical condition every time he wins another title.
 
#5 ·
Hey Tom, it was great game.. I've been watching it too and it ended 1.30 AM my time ug… Novak is getting better and better and has coach from Slovakia but I'm glad Roger won this one and hope he will reach 14 grandslam titles like Pete Sampras next year and maybe more in the next years…
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
Debbie,

No doubt Tiger has muscles, but he wouldn't last 30 minutes on the court in professional tennis. He is in good shape FOR A GOLFER, but he would have to be in TEN TIMES better shape to have half a chance at a professional tennis title. It takes more than swinging a club / racquet to get to the top in tennis - you must be in tip-top physical condition to win titles in tennis. Guys like John Daly or Craig Stadler (aka, "The Walrus") wouldn't have a prayer in a professional tennis match.

That's also why golfers have longer careers at the professional level. Andre Agassi retired from professional tennis when he was 36 years old. You can play golf professionally much longer than that (into your sixties if you want). That's why I think it's RIDICULOUS to compare how many titles a pro tennis player and a pro golf player have. It's a comparison of apples and oranges. It would be like comparing a olympic down hill skier with a billiard player.
 
#10 ·
Tom, the comparison was between two athletes that have mastered their game and are at the top of the heap. No disservice meant to either man. As they are apparently (according to both in interviews) great friends who play golf and tennis together, I felt the comparison could be made. I'm sure Mr. Federer would have some difficulty making the cut on the Nationwide Tour, let alone the PGA Tour. However, I agree it's an apples to elephants comparison if you want to look at them both with a tennis racquet in their hand.

And now for something to lighten up this discussion, a comment that my father made regarding both games, but because you love tennis so much, I'll poke it at you…."Tennis would be a great game, if it wasn't for the people that play it." Please know I'm giggling in my chair when I say it. :)

Oh, my mother was Turkish Jr. Womens Tennis Champion back in her day. Both games get a lot of attention in my house.

Cheers!
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
Oh my. You're right Tom. I should be ashamed comparing the two of them. As much I think the media can go take a big jump in a lake, it looks like Sports Illustrated, ESPN, TSN, and the New York Times have all made the same comparison. I take it back. I would hate to be considered as agreeing with the media. You're right. They can't be compared…shame on me.
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
Mot,

Now, about that comparison of Mr. Federer not making the cut in the PGA. Sure, he couldn't swing a club like Tiger (because it's not his sport), but it wouldn't be because of physical fitness or athletic ability.

But, Tiger couldn't make it in tennis, not because he couldn't swing the racquet quite as good as Roger, but because of the physical fitness and stamina which is required in that sport. That's why it's an apples and elephants comparison. Guys that play golf ride on golf carts to the next hole. Tennis players RUN on EVERY point, and jump, and slide, and even get injured. When was the last time a golfer got injured playing golf. Not that I've got a problem with golf or golfers, it's just that they cannot be compared to tennis players because of many differences.

Most likely, Tiger will be able to play his game well into his old age. If his sport was tennis, there is no way he could pull that off. So, of course, he should be able to pile up more titles in a lifetime - he'll be able to do it twice as long. That's why it's an unfair comparison IMHO.
 
#16 ·
devil's advocate-although you can't compare lifetime averages, you could compare event averages..(wins per major events played)

and I think I saw a golf player with a blister on his finger once, due to swinging the club!
and I'd hate to say that some of the golf players are NOT in as good of shape, because I don't know what they do in their off time.

the fitness levels required for some careers is unbelievable. My daughter and I were watching a percussion group perform recently.. and, my oh my, the endurance level, the physical stamina, the muscles … and the show was over an hour long. They were bamming, jumping, running, twisting, ... the entire time. Fit as a fiddle - or drum, I should say.

And here I sit.. blogging out on the couch.

Tom, I'm curious, are you a tennis player? You are obviously really passionate about the sport and the players.
 
#17 ·
LOL…Hardly a humble opinion, Tom. I think the PGA guys would take exception to the "golf cart," comment, however, as I grow weary of being taken out of context this morning, I'll move on. :)
 
#18 ·
I was just speaking with Martin. He makes an excellent point that probably neither Roger, nor Tiger, could hold a candle to Lee when it comes to a demilune veneered table. Champions in our own right, I guess.
 
#19 ·
Debbie,

Yes, I am a tennis player and have been since I was twelve. I have a good idea of what it takes to play a (5) set match and believe me, it takes a lot - much more than 18 or even 36 holes of golf. I have also played golf and know something of what is required to win in that sport. There is a lot of finesse and skill in golf, and it's a difficult sport to be good in (not to mention all the money it costs to buy clubs, lessons, and green fees), but the physical agility and athleticism aren't as important.

Both of my (2) sons are good tennis players, and we have had some absolutely wonderful times out on the court. In fact, we'll be playing this weekend when they both come to town!
 
#21 ·
I'm sorry Mot, I forgot that you're a golfer. But I still think you're a great guy!

Just having a little sport talk here.

I agree that Lee is a "master" at what he does as is Mark and others here at L J land.

Believe me, I don't worship professional athletes, but I guess I had to let off some steam over this comparison. But, ultimately, in the big scheme of things, it doesn't matter a hill of beans.
 
#26 · (Edited by Moderator)
I guess some don't.


It must really make you
not knowing, heh, Deb!

Don't fret, just
and all will be revealed in time!


Google smilies. If you belong to other forums, most have emoticons like that. Tom and I just hijacked them from Woodnet.
 
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