OH, my friend, I had to give ya s**t.ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 14, 2024 5:50 pmSince you made a point of mentioning me.nelslus wrote: ↑Sun Jul 14, 2024 5:02 pm ...
PS- LET me now emphasize how WRONG ponchi has been with Carlos. Starting with how ponchi would not have been surprised if Carlos had not won a clay tournament this year. Granted- Carlos DID only win one clay tournament this year....![]()
IN any case- YAY CARLOS!!!!!!!!!!!!![]()
To begin. I like Carlos A LOT. I love the game. I love the attitude. He is great for the sport. I voted for him in the poll
But many years ago, I reached the limit of betting against Novak and getting burned. After the Wimbledon injury (vs Berdych) I thought he was done. Well, he was far from that.
He did not face a murderers' row this tournament, but he handled it precisely in that fashion. I saw the Fearnsley match, and Novak lost one set. Because he was toying with the guy. So, he was playing well.
Anyway, extremely glad I was wrong. And I agree with you that I hope the Novak era is over. But he just made the finals at Wimbledon after a knee operation. I will still not bet against him.
The Novak PTSD is real for many of us. Obviously, we could still see Novak have a Sampras moment or two (NOT the Olympics, PLEASE!!!!) BUT- results are results. Pre-surgery, Novak's results were pretty bad this year. And, toying with his opponents or not- he lost two sets before the final. He got incredibly lucky to make the final. Ridiculous draw. Sure, it ain't Novak's fault that seeds in his half fell out. Still- I truly think there are a few players who could have beaten Novak at Wimbledon this year. At some point, I have seen so many greats when you can tell that the great results are just over. When you just have to stop expecting the big wins. Over and over again this year, not just here but other sites, I have seen folks get so excited over- Rafa is playing!! Andy is playing!! Folks....stop already. (NOW, watch Rafa win the Olympics gold medal....) OF course, you can never completely write off one of the Best Evers. Nevertheless....
AND, you recently have at times been, IMO, quite the Carlos Doubter. I mean, I sure couldn't really argue about this with anyone, with the results and level of play Alcaraz was showing after last year's Wimbledon. But- it just felt inevitable that, sooner than later, Carlos was gonna get it all back together again. Albeit, even I am pretty shocked that he somehow managed to pull off the French Open/Wimbledon double.
Who knows what is going to happen with Carlos now. But, GEEZ, I do seriously wish the tennis commentators would just give Carlos and Sinner a break already. Asking Carlos in his post-match interview something like how he thinks he will stand up against the GOAT records. I mean, there are way too many variables. Injuries, illnesses, losing interest, other new great players showing up. Who knows what Carlos will look like at 25, or 30, or freakin' 38-or-whatever. Carlos has four Slam titles, Sinner has- well, one. Let them breathe already. We can't ever expect to see the levels of Novak/Roger/Rafa ever again. (AND, if Carlos gets there, I am all for that).