*** Official Tennis Thread ****

[thelast10]

Basically no one can think of a plausible reason why Nadal would fake appendicitis. What's more likely is he was just given some extremely powerful drugs and they managed to dull the pain enough for him to believe he can play on. These are world class athletes, they will have the best drugs on the planet at their disposal, stuff far more potent than what any of the ordinary population has access to.

He's already confirmed that he's going to need surgery but wants to try and do it after the ATP finals (clearly, due to what Dominik explained above in relation to the rankings, Nadal wants to keep that #2 spot and seems desperate to play because of it). Judging by his poor performance against Lopez though, he might be better off just calling it quits for the rest of the season.

I have to disagree on this.... They don't make pain killers that are only available to the elite of the elite... It would make no sense for a pharmaceutical company to make a pain killer stronger than anything they have, A. Because they would lose their ass with such a small market B. Anything stronger than what the strongest pain killer is now, they would either nod out hardcore, or overdose...

**especially since in tennis you need your reflexes to be 100%, even the lower end of the spectrum pain killer that would dull some pain is narcotic and especially if they have no tolerance to it, the strongest ones NO CHANCE.... You would have qualifiers beating the big 4 if they were all on the strongest of the strong pain killers....

***I was addicted to opiates for 7ish years I know first hand....

[VictorJustice]

Unbe-****in'-lievable, Stepanek did it again. Inna Puhajkova.

[Tuga88]

I have to disagree on this.... They don't make pain killers that are only available to the elite of the elite... It would make no sense for a pharmaceutical company to make a pain killer stronger than anything they have, A. Because they would lose their ass with such a small market B. Anything stronger than what the strongest pain killer is now, they would either nod out hardcore, or overdose...

**especially since in tennis you need your reflexes to be 100%, even the lower end of the spectrum pain killer that would dull some pain is narcotic and especially if they have no tolerance to it, the strongest ones NO CHANCE.... You would have qualifiers beating the big 4 if they were all on the strongest of the strong pain killers....

***I was addicted to opiates for 7ish years I know first hand....

Pain killers weren't the only thing he would have taken. Antibiotics would be the main remedy which would serve to reduce the inflammation, apparently enough for him to be able to play.

[ceizer1985]

The appendicitis procedure is fairly routine and certainly simpler than trying to play through it for a couple of months.

This story makes no sense. Maybe he just hates surgeries? He's going to seriously hurt himself.

[nvrstopworking]

That second Federer set today... a joy to watch. highly doubt he'll make it past djokovic tho unfortunately. shame that Fed - Djokovic isnt the final.

It's not the final... but it is. Everyone knows that either Fed or Djoker will smash whoever's on the other side in the next round.

Very proud of Roger for making it back to #2 (he'll pass Nadal after this tourney). Insane to think that he's still a top 3 player after all this time.

Please God... let him win a couple more majors!

[anibani]

It's not the final... but it is. Everyone knows that either Fed or Djoker will smash whoever's on the other side in the next round.

Very proud of Roger for making it back to #2 (he'll pass Nadal after this tourney). Insane to think that he's still a top 3 player after all this time.

Please God... let him win a couple more majors!

Oh wow really? wasn't aware he already got far enough to make it to #2. Impressive. can't believe people would say he needs to retire in 2011/2012 already and then he came back to Nr.1 and now the whole 2013 everyone wanted him to stop (honestly even I didn't believe he was gonna have a season like that) and now he's back to #2. I can only salute this exceptional athlete and can't wait for the semi today.

[Dominik]

Oh wow really? wasn't aware he already got far enough to make it to #2. Impressive. can't believe people would say he needs to retire in 2011/2012 already and then he came back to Nr.1 and now the whole 2013 everyone wanted him to stop (honestly even I didn't believe he was gonna have a season like that) and now he's back to #2. I can only salute this exceptional athlete and can't wait for the semi today.

Great achievement. I think that would make him the oldest year-end #2 if he can hang on to it.

Agassi was 32 when he finished 2002 behind Lleyton Hewitt and briefly returned to No. 1 at 33 but Roddick took the year end #1 before Federer dominated from 2004-2007.

It also highlights how this "Big 4" era isn't as strong as they wanted us to believe. If Federer in his twilight years can take the world No. 1 to 5 sets in a Wimbledon final then you better believe he'd wipe the floor with him at his peak.

Nadal would be strong on clay in any era but he's benefited greatly from the other surfaces slowing down. On fast courts he wouldn't be making many finals let alone be winning slams. Murray is a headcase who momentarily cashed in with the perfect coach for him (Lendl) and he'll probably never win another slam.

[anibani]

That game tho... he's looking good. Djokovic won't let anything like this happen in the second set though. He seems almost a bit surprised.

edit: OR HE WILL!

wonderful tennis by Federer. So dominant, so controlled, so easy. Beautiful.

[ohiostate124]

If I'm not mistaken, fed hasn't won Shanghai yet. Wow breakpoints 0/1 for Djokovic and 2/10 for fed.

[DanTD]

That second Federer set today... a joy to watch. highly doubt he'll make it past djokovic tho unfortunately. shame that Fed - Djokovic isnt the final.

Oh yee of little faith.

An almost flawless performance.

[Dominik]

Playing like a boss against the best in the world.

Goes back to what I was saying before that if he can trouble Novak in his twilight years, in 2004-2007 form he'd be cruising. Nice to see him in the final of another Masters. He's never won Shanghai. Can't underestimate a seasoned pusher like Simon who can frustrate any attacking player who's off their game. Hope he can get the job done tomorrow.

I won't lie, I thought he was done last year. To make a slam final, semis in 2 others, 5 Masters finals and winning one (maybe two tomorrow), back to #2... amazing turnaround.

[Mablung]

Great match. Wishing so hard Federer can pull out one more Slam win at least.

[Dominik]

Fed serving like Raonic.

Game duration: 47 seconds.

[TheLionHeartX]

33 years old out of prime Fed leads 27 year old prime Nole 3-2 this year.

[ceizer1985]

[sammy21]

I remember that match clearly. Djokovic looked invincible that year, then Fed came in and rolled him in 4 sets at the french. He actually had a chance of beating Nadal in the final too, if Nadal hadn't resorted to his usual cheating tactics.

[Dominik]

I remember that match clearly. Djokovic looked invincible that year, then Fed came in and rolled him in 4 sets at the french. He actually had a chance of beating Nadal in the final too, if Nadal hadn't resorted to his usual cheating tactics.

Federer was up 5-2 first set. Nadal calls for the trainer complaining about his foot which he then had strapped. Federer never won another game. 7-5 Nadal. Never heard another word about the injury either.

The following year at Indian Wells in their semi Nadal decides to run off and take a piss when Roger is serving for the match. Fortunately that stunt didn't work and Federer won in straight sets and beat Isner in the final.

It's a shame Federer doesn't troll him back to mess with his OCD mind. Too classy for that. Del Potro isn't afraid to get in his face but still keep it respectful.

[nvrstopworking]

I remember that match clearly. Djokovic looked invincible that year, then Fed came in and rolled him in 4 sets at the french. He actually had a chance of beating Nadal in the final too, if Nadal hadn't resorted to his usual cheating tactics.

Although the record has been fairly even (19-17 Fed?) I've always thought that Roger had Novak's number. No matter how well Djoker plays Roger's always in there. I think that he's the one player that Djoker still fears.

Overjoyed that Rog won that semi. On to the finals with no let down plz.

[Dominik]

Not trying to hype it up but there's still a chance Federer can finish the year #1 and tie Sampras (6 years).

If he wins today the gap with Djokovic will be cut to 990 points.

Djokovic is defending 2500 points:

Paris (W 1000) + London (W 1500).

Even though he's scheduled to play them both his wife is expecting their first child.

Federer isn't defending much at all and his best result was reaching the Paris semis (360). He can also pick up points in the Davis Cup final.

[Dominik]

"It was definitely one of the best matches he has played against me, that's for sure," the 27-year-old Serb exclaimed. "He's playing as good as ever."

"My plan is now to go back home and hopefully become a father," he added, while expressing his gratitude to his Chinese fans. "(It was) a great, great run. I enjoyed it very much. But the story doesn't end here. I'll come back next year. I'll look forward to win some more matches in China.

"The fans were fantastic, both his fans, my fans. The stadium was packed. The atmosphere was amazing. These kind of matches you enjoy as a player to play. Obviously I want to thank everybody for coming out, especially my fans for being so supportive of me."

[anibani]

Not trying to hype it up but there's still a chance Federer can finish the year #1 and tie Sampras (6 years).

If he wins today the gap with Djokovic will be cut to 990 points.

Djokovic is defending 2500 points:

Paris (W 1000) + London (W 1500).

Even though he's scheduled to play them both his wife is expecting their first child.

Federer isn't defending much at all and his best result was reaching the Paris semis (360). He can also pick up points in the Davis Cup final.

don't make me dream…

honestly though, it will be a hard mental test and it will really depend on Djokers privat life to a certain point… I underestimated him so many times so who knows?

[Dominik]

A close match but that's 2 wins out of 5 Masters finals this year. Expected Simon to be dangerous as a pusher with nothing to lose who could easily capitalize on Roger having on off day after playing what would have felt like a final against Djokovic.

Average match as to be expected with Simon but he got the job done.

[ceizer1985]

[nvrstopworking]

Another feather in Fed's cap. Hard to believe that he'd never won in Shanghai before.

If he can lead Switzerland to a Davis Cup win would that be EVERY major title for him?

Too bad he lost to Murray in the Olympics. A gold medal (in singles play) might be the only thing missing.

[ohiostate124]

I hope he finally gets a dc. Its not really that important in the grand scheme of individual accolades, but as a fan, I would like to see him get one. A singles gold would be nice but atleast he has a gold medal.

[Dominik]

Epic fail by Raonic.

Lost to a 116th-ranked qualifier in Moscow, 2nd round.

Currently 8th in "Race to London" but he's leaving the door open for Ferrer and Murray.

[Willrey]

Epic fail by Raonic.

Lost to a 116th-ranked qualifier in Moscow, 2nd round.

Currently 8th in "Race to London" but he's leaving the door open for Ferrer and Murray.

Hope he doesn't make it to London, I'm going again this year and don't want to see a serve bot. Would rather watch Murray.

[thelast10]

Epic fail by Raonic.

Lost to a 116th-ranked qualifier in Moscow, 2nd round.

Currently 8th in "Race to London" but he's leaving the door open for Ferrer and Murray.

LOL.... He got that (whatever that magazine was) jinx.... lol

[Willrey]

mirin, watch both shots

[Dominik]

Awesome. Deserved a bigger stage so more people could see it like Federer's US Open tweener.

Shame his results dropped off after Wimbledon. He should be in the Top 8 at London.