2015 French Open

[f3d0r]

I didn't watch it, hopefully will find time to see a repeat on the Tennis Channel, but yeah Wawrinka is a beast when he has his A-game. I watched some of his beatdown of Federer and his power is off the charts.

So is there a "Big Four" in men's tennis any more? Djokovic is still in his peak years, but Federer may not win any more majors and Nadal was humbled on his best surface this year and is injury prone. Murray's won only two majors. Maybe Stan and the Djokivic will be the Big Two now with Murray possibly making it a Big Three.

Wow, i was rooting for Novak so he could get his record of all 4 slams, but my, if you aint going to win win, do it like that.

It was a incredible standard, and Wawrinka shot making him today made him neigh impossible to play, especially that he was serving so well.

Can someone name me a more improved sport than Tennis, back 90's you would be lucky to get more than 4 strokes, now you are getting 20/30 stroked as standard and sometimes you can get 50 plus strokes with the top guys.

It really is an epic sport skill wise. Name me a more complete sport than what tennis is currently Stamina, Power, Speed, Reactions, anticipation, hand eye, skill/touch and high iq tactics.

Its no wonder in the mens game blacks struggle to impact on the caste system....

 

[Don Wassall]

I do think the top tennis players rank among the very best all-around athletes to be found, if not the best. What is most impressive is that they can play at that level for four or five hours in long matches. Quite a contrast to so many "amazing" black football players in the U.S., who are gassed after a few 10 second plays and have to waddle to the sideline for some Gatorade.

 

[f3d0r]

I do think the top tennis players rank among the very best all-around athletes to be found, if not the best. What is most impressive is that they can play at that level for four or five hours in long matches. Quite a contrast to so many "amazing" black football players in the U.S., who are gassed after a few 10 second plays and have to waddle to the sideline for some Gatorade.

good point, and i am soon to do a thread on the changing dynamics of "when is a male prime in sports"(i think its in its 30's now with knowledge, diet and training techniques but ill do a thread on that soon) however one of the sports that currently tests my theory out is tennis, as its a real young mans game. Wheras in boxing you can fight twice a year, and literally spar for say a southpaw fighter you have coming up. Thats not the case with Tennis, because you have 7 matches over 2 weeks with several different styles, and you have to do that ALL year round. Incredibly wearing on joints etc.

 

[Don Wassall]

I would say 30s are the best decade for a man in general, as he has accumulated some (but not yet enough) wisdom and is still in prime shape physically if he takes care of himself.

As far as professional athletes, it depends on the sport. Gymnastics, ice skating and swimming among others are the realm of the very young, often teenagers. I read recently about how even the very best hockey players usually put up their best stats in their early to mid-20s, Wayne Gretzky being a good example. In other sports the early 30s can be peak years, while the best golfers can excel into their early 40s but golf is not a physically taxing sport aerobically.

 

[Quiet Speed]

I marvel at the all around abilities of the elite tennis players. The combination of exacting hand-eye coordination, fitness, and athletic movement puts them right there at the top . Some people still mock the sport. A poster or two has come on this forum and acted as if tennis was akin to tiddlywinks or badminton.