Tennis Season 2012: Australian Open Build-Up

[Justices]

With virtually no rest in the ridiculously short off-season, the players are already hard at it and ready for the first events of the year ahead of Melbourne on the 16th of January. Quite a few guys carrying injuries into 2012 due to the heavy 2011 schedule so it's going to be tough.

Novak looking good. Roger looking good. Nadal's body not looking good at all. Murray looking VERY good. I have a bet on with another PH member (20 notes I think) and a fair bit more with the bookmaker that Murray will be picking up his first slam this year. He is just too strong right now and his mind seems to be ready to accept that he can put both hands on and lift the trophy above his head. He's just put Ivan Lendl on his team, although I am not entirely sure what he'll be doing as his REAL coach NEVER gets the credit he fully deserves. When he takes his first slam it will be galling for him to have someone steal his glory. Either way, so long as it helps him lift a title (and win my bets) I am all for it.

Great season of tennis ahead regardless.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/31/sport/tennis/ten...

[JNW1]

Thought Djokovic looked like he was running on empty at the O2 in November but the short break seems to have done him some good to judge by his efforts in Abu Dhabi; ok it was only an exhibition event but to beat Federer and Ferrer for the loss of only 6 games is still no mean achievement!

I agree that 2012 will be the year when Murray finally wins a Grand Slam and it could well be in Australia later this month. Personally I think having Lendl in his corner will be an enormous help as not only does Lendl know what's required to win Grand Slams, he also knows what it takes to bounce back and be successful in the majors after losing several GS finals. I seem to remember people questioning early in his career whether Lendl could produce the goods on the big occasion and I think he lost 4 GS finals before he finally won one; however, once he got the monkey off his back he went on to win 8 Grand Slams and, whilst I'm not saying I think Murray will match that, I do believe that once he wins one a few more will follow. I think most people accept that Murray's game is good enough to win a GS so if Lendl can help get his mind right I reckon he's got an excellent chance of having a great season!

[chippy17]

not much to add but looking foward to this year, some young guys looking good like Tomic and Dimitrov, would like to see some young'uns starting to win

looks like Fed has injured his back but now on 20 match winning streak which is nice, can I just say loving his stick although it is just a pj for him but the new Wilson Pro Staffs look great

yes great move from Murray so glad he went for it and got one of the greats on his side, although Lendl has never coached before so we shall see but he certainly won't put up with any on Murray's tantrums

Djoker looking ominously good,

Nadal getting into his groove, has added some weight to his racquet this year to give him a bit more depth and grunt hopefully make a difference as this was where he was being undone by Djoker

[chippy17]

noooo Fed has pulled out of Doha with back injury, only second time in his entire career he has ever pulled out

Edberg stepped in to play Tsonga, would like to see that

[amare32]

Murray looking more impressive with more matches under his belt in Brisbane. He dispatched Tomic today with relative ease.

Federer will be one of the main contenders with Rafa just behind.

Djokovic remains the one to beat as plexi cushion at AO will suit his game as do Murray's.

I really do hope Lendl will have a positive impact on Andy over the course of 2012 and a first slam win is just around the corner.

[Justices]

Stosur's domestic ad campaigns run day and night. I assume her sponsors thought she'd make it past the first round.. Tough game this tennis.

[chippy17]

Justices said:

Stosur's domestic ad campaigns run day and night. I assume her sponsors thought she'd make it past the first round.. Tough game this tennis.

well she has been having a shocking time at home, only one match win all 'summer'finding the home pressure tough I would think, also after winning a major players can have a torrid time for a while, the high of winning followed by the grind of daily tour life etc

Lendl did not look like a happy bunny after Murray lost the 1st set...

Edited by chippy17 on Tuesday 17th January 11:56

[Justices]

Solid play so far. A bit of a rusty start in R1 but important to get through opening round nerves. 14-2 so far in three Aussie Opens is fine stuff.

[chippy17]

it'a all going off now:

even though I disapprove you gotta love the extreme to which one of my fave players took this to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QQtG9Vwfoo&lc=...

same match:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv7gAhhcb24

and lastly 'I was robbed':

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/video/index.ht...

[Justices]

Very annoyed Dolgopolov lost that one. Can't afford to turn on and off against a counter-puncher like Tomic. Thrown away what should have been a very good showing (together with my bet, the swine). He was defending a goof few points too from last year! Bah.

[Justices]

Very annoyed Dolgopolov lost that one. Can't afford to turn on and off against a counter-puncher like Tomic. Thrown away what should have been a very good showing (together with my bet, the swine). He was defending a goof few points too from last year! Bah.

[Justices]

Very annoyed Dolgopolov lost that one. Can't afford to turn on and off against a counter-puncher like Tomic. Thrown away what should have been a very good showing (together with my bet, the swine). He was defending a goof few points too from last year! Bah.