Grade for NBC : F
Once again, taped tennis ruled the second week of Wimbledon and their ALL time zones is ridiculous. See where the writers are blasting NBC for their decision. When NBC shows live tennis, they get good ratings. As one writer said, NBC could have put the Today Show on and let either MSNBC or USA cover Wimbledon. If that does not solve the problem, just let ESPN and Tennis Channel cover the entire Wimbledon.

just stop with your fashion comments.

btw the recession is over.

Mac could not stop gushing about Fed prior to, during and after Wimbledon. I am a Fed fan but...

Great stuff, Steve. I disagree about Sampras, though. Thought it was a diva moment - when you fly Net Jets, don't you arrive on time?

Steve, I also give murray a B- but for not all the same reasons.
You say Murray has a problem with majors because "big-hitting opponents have three sets to find their range," but in two out of his three matches that went beyond three sets it was his 'big hitting' opponents (Wawrinka and Roddick) who won the first set with Murray then taking the second - if anything Murray was the one 'finding his range'. The other 4-setter (Kendrick) went murray's way anyway after he lost a set 2 tie-break. But I'm with you regarding his need to use all his tools. He also needs to get rid of a passivity that creeps in at times where he needlessly prolongs rallies that he has the shots to kill much sooner. A little less of the chess player and more of the boxer could have taken game 1 of set 3 when when he had 0-40 on Roddick's serve (how many players had 0-40 on roddick's serve?) - IMO the game where he lost the match.

Hat off to A-rod for coming through 14 sets in the last 3 rounds - the 5th set of the final alone was the equivalent length to 3 X 6-4 sets. Incredible stamina for a 28 year-old.

A+ to Stefanki, the difference between Randy and Mandy.

Cool!

That was fun.
Agree completely re Del Potro..this kid is fast becoming my fave!
Steve Tignor- for best one-liner, Bjorn Borg - Where, exactly, did he get that skin? A+

roddick is 26.

"He still has to find a way to use everything he’s got."

Steve: Very good point about Murray. I was also surprised at how little he came to the net against Roddick.

May be Fed is doing it deliberately. Something to write about him other than the sublime display of his. Remember in '04 through '07 there was nothing that was not covered about his tennis (all sorts of adjectives and superlatives). May be dude is bored with himself. Amusing himself and others. I got to believe this as once he takes his jacket off, he is back into the crinky-eyed, frowny TMF that he is.

Thanks for always telling the truth.

Master Ace, I cannot agree with your comment about NBC more. They deprived us of an amazing semifinal match between the two Andys. I was stuck listening to it on Radio-Wimbledon.

Federer Fashion, 2009 Edition: F
uh oh, now you're gonna get it.

I agree MA, I also give an F to NBC. Terrible what they do.

Steve, I'm a great admirer of your analysis, and really only come to this site to see if you've written anything new if I'm honest. I also said initially that I was very grudging with my admiration for your mind because I have a tendancy to be cynical of folk who seem very intelligent and rational as they are most often of differing opinion from the fickle masses...hence my cynicism of sincerity.

That problem has long since gone, else I wouldn't be here. Strangely though, I now find you the complete opposite - a harsh critic of strict expectations.

I'm always curious as to what you say of the top 4, and the consistency in it. For the large part you are spot on in my opinion, whether you are explicit or subtle...but you're certainly consistent.

Which brings me to your analysis of the two 'heir apparents', Djokovic and Murray.

You clearly have a high opinion of Andy Murray, as it has shown throughout the year and since last year, and why not as you seem a purist (I suppose much like myself and hence often finding myself agreeing with you in your expressions). You clearly feel Novak Djokovic is talented enough to be part of the elite. But your grading of late where they are concerned is intriguing...well, no - actually I'm beginning to find it a little disconcerting given I've just gotten to feel comfortable trusting your rational judgement and now I'm thrown off it.

With your grading of Djokovic, it seems proportionate I guess, both at RG and W; but then compare it to Murray, and it's baffling if you were to compare the two. You gave practically a similar grading to both of them at RG despite Murray getting to Quarters for the first time and clearly making strides on clay, while Djokovic failed miserably in the 3rd round. I know Murray let himself down in a set, but was largely powerless against a player infinitely more experienced than him on clay. This was only Murray's 3rd French Open, and so many matches on clay.

At Wimbledon you give him a B- for getting to the semis, and just missing out, despite acknowledging the pressure, and probably having watched some impressive matches where he wasn't just defensive. So a B- for semis, the same as Del Potro in 2nd round and just above Djokovic struggling in quarters and much of the tournament?

Now, don't get me wrong; this isn't an outcry in defence of Murray lol...I highlight it because I'm curious as to how your rational mind works...genuinely (I'm in no way being sarcastic).

This isn't limited to these grades, but generally your reflective articles and previews too when talking of Andy M, even when you went to watch him play at W. Even the one after Queens was muted applause, with a hint of excitement of possibly fulfilling your lofty expectations of him at Wimbledon.

Rather than suspecting you don't like the guy, on the contrary: the way I see it, you seem to expect a LOT from Andy Murray as a player, probably more than any of the others in fact, to the effect of REALLY wanting to see him flourish and therefore never daring to say too much, and if you do have to say anything let it be by harshest of measures. It's easier to criticise a player you have such high expectations of quality from - especially if you are looking out for it so intensely.

It reminds me of ateacher I once had at school that I gradually understood saw me in highest regard in my entire class, but I got treated the harshest, and despite coming out top after every test he was harsher on me becuse he expected so much of me.

Or am I mistaken? Do you really not like the guy? I find that hard to believe given the tiny sparks of extremely complmentary comments you throw in at times. Blink and they never happened...but they do...strikingly ;)

I'm with Master Ace: F for NBC; not only for the tape-delay but also for the Ted Robinson and John McEnroe commentary. I usually enjoy them but this year's final was terrible. I ended up listening to the BBC on the radio and watching it on TV with mute button on. Not the ideal thing because of the picture delay on the TV but it was much more enjoyable. I doubt Mary Carillo would have made it any better, she's just the worst.

Why is everyone hating on Fed's outfit? It really wasn't that bad. It's Wimbledon, and Nike wants to test the fashion boundary. Nothing wrong with that. Cheers mate.

Steve - another great piece.
However, it needs saying again and again, especially for us mega tape-delayed folks on the West Coast ...
NBC: F
NBC: F
NBC: F

Nice post, Steve. Word on Djokovic, Murray, Safina, well everyone.

"when you fly Net Jets, don't you arrive on time?"
LOL.

btw the recession is over"
Is it really?? That's wonderful news, which I had something tangible to confirm it ;-)

Well getting an F for style after winning the whole thing, 15th GS, 6th Wimbledon and #1 ranking can't be too hard to take :))))

As usual Steve no complaints from me. I also enjoyed watching Melanie and Sabine. Hope they continue to do well.

What happened to my post?

btw the recession is over"
Is it really?? That's wonderful news, which I had something more tangible to confirm it ;-)

I'm sure that after winning the whole thing, his 15th GS, 6th Wimbledon and #1 ranking, Roger can take the F for fashion :))))

As usual Steve no complaints from me. I also enjoyed watching Melanie and Sabine. Hope they continue to do well.

*wish* not which

I usually think Master Ace is spot on but regarding NBC's coverage, I have to disagree - an F is too generous. It was a big fat ZERO.

An F for Fed Fashion!! The military jacket was ludicrous and definitely stuff for blog fodder but the "15" jacket should have been a "NO WAY - absolutely not!" I don't care who he was playing, it was wrong and classless to put that on after the match, not to mention a heart breaking match for RAndy.

sm - the recession is FAR FROM OVER!

A round of applause for Melanie Oudin - I hope we are just beginning to hear about a long and successful career.

Don't count Venus out - she will get another Wimby before she retires. Anyone but Serena and this title was hers.

NBC sucks ass

Fed...seriously...the clothes? Made him look like a fool. He Does NOT know how to win with grace...

Andy R A+ Made me soooo proud ...cried!

Melanie Oudin !!! Yes Yes Yes!

Rafa..Come back we need you!

A+ to Stefanki
F to NBC how can you not show the Semis live, I wish they contract would end already
B to Rogers outfit, I understood the military like jacket was to symbolizes his battle for his title again, but it wasn't his best

I don't understand all of the Fed fashion talk. Does nobody pay attention to what they wear anymore? The man dresses well. I think it's about time someone did more than walk out in boring athletic wear. Don't like it? Get over it. If you're there or watching for the tennis, the clothes don't matter. If you have an eye for fashion, it's nice to see someone who cares about their appearance and puts some effort into their style of dress.