bridiej

I really wanted Roddick to win the semi-final, he's my favourite current player.

Must admit I get caught up in Henmania, Wimbledon is my favourite tennis tournament and it would just be so good to have a Brit win it, but he's just not up to it and will never do it!!

JackTheLad

He's from Adelaide

Another humour bypass I know, but why stick it to South Africans when hes one of your countrymen?

JTL

Hutch

Says on the three web-sites I turned up in Google in about 5 seconds flat that Henman was born in Oxford, England. Never let the facts get in the way of a good rant though, eh.

OzTennis

Just a few observations:

I thought Hewitt was very subdued for much of the match and seemed to be trying to win over the Aussie public who don't like him.

The crowd was strangely subdued for much of the match but that was in part due to a realisation when Safin hit form that he was going to win. I couldn't imagine some of the crowd at Wimbledon shouting for 'Henmania' to be toned down - the Fanatics were asked to shut up by Aussies in the crowd.

Hewitt would not be in the top 20 purely based on his technique. Henman is technically far superior to Hewitt for example. However, he usually has an unquenchable determination to win and I for one admire him for that. OK, his gestures can be over the top but that is how the guy fires himself up. 'He can be annoying but he's one of ours' is how a former player put it.

Safin deserved to win, particularly after beating (an injured) Federer and then Hewitt. No one will beat Federer when he is fit and in the mood. Roddick is an extremely likeable player but until he develops a better double handed backhand and learns how to volley he will not win a major - particularly with the likes of Federer and Safin around. Henman will never win a major because he isn't tough enough mentally and he is past 30 now.

I thought Hewitt and Safin gave excellent after match speeches and there was a lot of mutual respect between them (and Hewitt and Roddick and Safin and Federer in the semis).

Beck might look like Lleyton but Klijsters was more so! I hope she isn't a quick 'Kim replacement'!

Alicia Molik has shown tremendous improvement and I couldn't help thinking when Davenport caved in against Williams that she would have put up a better fight. She did well to win the doubles (with Kuznetsova) and Draper and Stosur won the mixed; so with Hewitt in the final and record attendances and TV audiences and so many memorable matches, it was a terrific 2005 Australian Open.

I too look forward to the Ashes (still chuckling at someone saying they would be the closet Ashes). It should be more competitive than of late and it will be interesting to see how England do against a strong Test side (SA, WI and NZ with due respect aren't the calibre of Aust, India or Pakistan).

Just a final thought. If the umpire tells spectators off for talking during a rally why is Sharapova allowed to shout so loud when at other times she can play silently? Which reminds me about Peter Ustinov's comment about Monica Seles who previously was the loudest shouter. 'I'd hate to be in the room next door on her wedding night'.

OzTennis

bridiej

Take your point about Henman, but wasnt Agassi over 30 last time he won Wimbledon??

A thought on the crowd - if it's anything like Wimbledon then a lot of the final's tickets get swallowed up by corporates therefore the actual "fans" dont get much of a look in. Does the same happen in Oz? Would seem strange otherwise as there was a lot of support for Hewitt in the semi-final.

I hope Roddick does improve his game as he's got a lot of talent, plus (in the words of Tim Nice-but-Dim) he's a bloody nice bloke!!


And not bad eye candy either...

OzTennis

Agassi was in his 20's when he won Wimbledon but he has won other Grand Slams in his 30's eg Australia. The big difference is that Henman is a serve-volleyer whereas Agassi is a baseliner (with the most exceptional hand eye co-ordination). Once you get past 30 you are that split second slower on volleying so that is why I don't think Tim has a realistic chance at Wimbledon now. With a favourable draw he will get to the last 8 or maybe 4 but will come up short again unfortunately.

Tickets for the Australian Open go more to 'punters' because they are predominantly sold through ticket agencies on a first come first served basis. Wimbledon tickets are distributed mainly by ballot to LTA members and through clubs and more do tend to end up in corporate hands. The interesting thing with the Australian Open is how so many people of a particular nationality can get seats together when one of their countrymen/women is playing eg rows of Swedes when Johannsen played, all the Fanatics together.

The only time I went to Wimbledon I managed to get some prime seats on centre court at the opposite end to the Royal Box where all the old players sit. Imagine my great delight when Mr and Mrs OzT found they were seated next to Mr and Mrs Ken Rosewall.

OzTennis

bridiej

i'm hoping to go to Wimbledon this year for the first time - it's something I've been wanting to do for years and every year I say "Next year I'm going" but it never happens. Hopefully we will be in Oz next year so really it's my last chance!!!

JohnoBronco

Well since all recent previous Ashes series have been slaughters there is a very high chance this will be the closet ones for years - With respect until recently S Africa were rated number 2 in the rankings until England replaced them and we've beaten Pakistan Home and away in the last 2 series against them - India granted are tough at home but not so strong away

Hutch

There's no doubting that the Oz team are the finest in the world, but I think everyone's hoping that the Ashes are at least a contest this time round.

JohnoBronco

I dont dispute that Australia are the best side - just dont think it will be the usual walk in the park!!!

OzTennis

SA have slipped to at least 5th (from memory). However, you are right, England should be more competitive than at any time in the last 20 years. It will be interesting to see how the 'next Donald Bradman', Michael Clarke does. As if Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Gilchrist and Martyn weren't enough to worry about, along comes Clarke. Personally I can't see anyone bowling them out twice for few enough runs on more than one or two occasions but hope springs eternal!

OzTennis

JohnoBronco

Who said anything bout bowling them out 2wice - I'm hanging out for loads of rain and 5 draws!!!!

JackTheLad

errr, I was talking about Hewitt refer to my previous posts. It helps if you include a quote from the post you are replying to so we know who or what your complaining about.

Cheers,
JTL

Zebra4

I like Lleyton. The crowd are divided because they prefer easy to like nice guys like Pat Rafter and Ian Thorpe. Hewitt's on court antics aren't pretty.

I admire him because he's a fighter, he's tenacious and he's passionate about playing for his country. Pitched against bigger, stronger players he's in with a shot as he's a great retriever. He's always gracious in defeat.

C'mon Lleyton, there are loads of us wanting you to reclaim Wimbledon.

bridiej

I was very impressed by the way he fought back after losing the first set in the semis.



Was very unimpressed that Roddick went off court to change his t-shirt though - where's the fun in that!!