Quote from: Shaka Shart on Today at 11:15:50 AMYeah, honestly a lot of the American men suffer from the same issue. They're inexplicably horrific at closing out matches.

It's way harder than it looks of course but when you've trained that hard for that long it's very odd they all seem to suffer from the same brain lapses in big moments.

It was over a longer period of time but Shelton employed a pretty inexplicable strategy vs sinner which made absolutely no sense for the whole match. Maybe their coaching? I dunno

I think Fritz and Shelton are in much different spots in their careers.  But you're right, closing has been a problem.  Taylor's foot speed is nowhere near the very top players, nor are his volleys.  Shelton still has a very vulnerable backhand.  From my observations shot selection and strategy has also been a bit dumbfounding at times.  Shelton is the better athlete.  He has to improve his backhand.  As for Fritz?  He seems to have the game to get a major but can he improve at the net?  Because he's very reluctant to come in even when he controls points. 

Measles
Are
Here
Again

Quote from: JakeBarnes on Today at 10:41:39 AMI just hope he comes into the season scrappy and hungry.

I hope his activity level when on the game is nonstop.

Quote from: BM1090 on Today at 10:47:04 AMA shame. He played really damn well and just made some bad decisions at key times. He could have won that match.

Disappointing to hear.  It sounds like Fritz should have won the 4th set and that Alcaraz wasn't in top form. 

Quote from: JWags85 on Today at 11:06:02 AMThat's kind of his whole career, isn't it?  Another sort of puzzling player.  Top 5 in the world right now, rightfully.  Top 25 all time in career ATP earnings...but he's never really won ANYTHING.

He's been a high level (top 40ish) pro for 6 years now.  But he up until today, he had one other GS SF appearance (US Open final last year).  He only has 1 ATP 1000 win and 1 ATP 500, and neither are in the last 3 years.

Jack Draper for example, right behind him in the rankings, has a 1000 and 500 win in the last year.  Zverev, right in front of him, has 2 1000s and 2 500s in the last 2 years, plus 2 GS SF and 2 GS F.

Fritz has the goods but he just needs to figure out how to finish a tournament.

Yeah, honestly a lot of the American men suffer from the same issue. They're inexplicably horrific at closing out matches.

It's way harder than it looks of course but when you've trained that hard for that long it's very odd they all seem to suffer from the same brain lapses in big moments.

It was over a longer period of time but Shelton employed a pretty inexplicable strategy vs sinner which made absolutely no sense for the whole match. Maybe their coaching? I dunno

Quote from: tower912 on Today at 10:36:23 AMI hope he doesn't throw away his shot.

I've heard it said that you only get one, so you better not miss your chance to blow.

Fred Again is awesome.  His work with Sonny is great as well.  Also a plug for the Quest for Fire youtube video Sonny did is great. 

Have you ever listened to Chromeo, Wags?  It isn't EDM, but it's still poppy dance music.

Quote from: BM1090 on Today at 10:47:04 AMA shame. He played really damn well and just made some bad decisions at key times. He could have won that match.

That's kind of his whole career, isn't it?  Another sort of puzzling player.  Top 5 in the world right now, rightfully.  Top 25 all time in career ATP earnings...but he's never really won ANYTHING.

He's been a high level (top 40ish) pro for 6 years now.  But he up until today, he had one other GS SF appearance (US Open final last year).  He only has 1 ATP 1000 win and 1 ATP 500, and neither are in the last 3 years.

Jack Draper for example, right behind him in the rankings, has a 1000 and 500 win in the last year.  Zverev, right in front of him, has 2 1000s and 2 500s in the last 2 years, plus 2 GS SF and 2 GS F.

Fritz has the goods but he just needs to figure out how to finish a tournament.

Quote from: Shaka Shart on Today at 10:42:44 AMIt's a nice all around racquet. I've hit with it a couple times out of curiosity.

Fritz's head today however, not so nice

A shame. He played really damn well and just made some bad decisions at key times. He could have won that match.

The three men left all grew up middle class to poor 🤬