Tennis

[cheebs09]

Lot of errors but a ton of great rallies. I think whoever wins the third set wins this.

[MuggsyB]

Wow.  Having some difficulty following on my phone.  Hopefully Rafa finds a way to pull out the 3rd set.  Does anyone know if the curfew is in effect like the other night?  It could be interesting forcing fans to leave this one.

[MuggsyB]

BTW this match is already 3+ hrs and they are still in the 3rd set!!

[BM1090]

Going to be interesting when they kick the fans out in 30 minutes lol

[MuggsyB]

Dammit!!    Son of a duck.  Gonna be tough for Rafa now. 

[21Jumpstreet]

Unbelievable third set. I rarely watch men’s tennis, and this is an outstanding match.

[Billy Hoyle]

Going to be interesting when they kick the fans out in 30 minutes lol

reminds me of those marathon Ivan Lendl v. Mats Wilander US Open matches, but a little more exciting.

[cheebs09]

Feels over. Bummer.

Novak’s box ditching their masks is very on brand.

[MU82]

Rafa looks spent. Making easy mistakes. Third set was incredible, took a lot out of him.

And Djokovic making all the shots.

[MuggsyB]

Rafa looks spent. Making easy mistakes. Third set was incredible, took a lot out of him.

And Djokovic making all the shots.

Now you know why I was nervous!

I will be rooting for Tsitsipas but I don't see Djoker losing.  He may roll through Wimby and the USOpen as well.

[cheebs09]

Novak is one of the few, if not the only one, that can play just as good as defense as Nadal. So many would be winners that Novak gets back and can flip the point quickly.

[MuggsyB]

I think we can all agree that putting those two on the same half of the draw was absurd?

[shoothoops]

Djokovic vs Nadal.

Nadal served as well as he had all Spring in the first set. And looping balls to Djokovic’ backhand were working as Djokovic predictably pressed early. Also way too many ineffective (backhand) drop shots from ND.

ND makes the service return adjustment and moves back, something he doesn’t normally like to do. Getting more patient, allow RN to be a more offensive player. (RN serve went from 80+% to 59%)

Ridiculous level at times. RN had his chances, double fault in tie breaker, loose forehand volley long, etc…but fatigue can cause those things as he admitted afterwards.

3 out of 5 is very different from 2 out of 3. (That’s an actual big debate for some making slams 2 of 3 vs 3 of 5 to emphasize quality over physical war of attrition) RN said during clay season, let’s see who can take 3 sets vs 2 in Paris, emphasizing the difference. Point to point consistency, one hour long sets. It’s different.

Stats can be quirky. Nadal wins so often in Paris, that one of them is only one time in his career has Nadal come from 2 sets to 1 down to win in Paris. (John Isner)

Tsitsipas wins his 38th match of the year. Took his foot off of the gas up two sets and got away with it. Allowing a side to match later, where Zverev’s length and court coverage gives him and advantage. Pushed him back much of the match. Tsitsipas is a top 3-4 player in the world this year.

Krejcikova is going for both the singles and doubles titles, the first since local French player Mary Pierce. They will play Iga Swiatek and American Bethany Mattek Sands. (looking for her 6th)

Robin Montgomery fell in juniors round of 16. Russian heavy Women’s Juniors left.

American Desirae Krawczwk won the mixed doubles title with Joe Salisbury.

[MuggsyB]

Tsitsipas needs to take this first set.  The Djoker isn't quite on his game yet.  5 aces already for Stephanos is a good sign. 

[MuggsyB]

Crazy 1st set.  Djoker is not playing near his top level but props to Tsitsipas for breaking at 6-5 and taking the tiebreaker. 

[MuggsyB]

Djoker may very well win the Grand Slam this year.  You have to give that guy credit.

[shoothoops]

Another elite level match, Tsitsipas and Djokovic. Novak played at a very hugh level first set, serving at 90+%, ridiculous. But Tsitsipas was a little better during points. Djokovic returned to that level in the 5th. Stef didn’t get enough easy points off of serve. He couldn’t buy a first serve in the 5th.

It’s very difficult to maintain level for 3 of 5 against top players. High looping shots to Stef’s backhand were effective throughout. Too many curious strategy decisions from Stef. Too far back on 2nd serves. Going for down the line backhands at crucial game scores. Caught ball watching a bit in the 5th. Stef had his chances. Just a little dip, while Djokovic maintained a high level throughout. Neutralizing points, finding endless lines. An as expected match.

Barbora Krejcikova pulls off the French Open double winning singles and doubles. First time in 21 years, 8th time ever. Playing with Katerina Siniakova. 3 GS doubles 3 mixed doubles to go along with first singles. From 115th in the world last year to steadily breaking through a half dozen events getting deeper. Very aesthetically pleasing all court game and form.

[MU82]

I am a Rafa fan, so I'd like him to finish with the most Grand Slam titles.

But I realize Djokovic almost surely will end up with more, and I recognize what an amazing talent Novak is. We have been lucky to get to watch him play all these years. It's incredible that the stars were aligned in a way to give us Novak, Rafa and Roger at the same time.

[MuggsyB]

I'm wondering how many GS titles Seles would have won? I didn't realize she snagged 8 by the age of 19.  I saw Chris Evert interview her and was beyond impressed with her honestly about all of the suffering she endured.  All I know and remember is she was a ball machine with great pop on her groundies and incredibly tough mentally.  It's terrible what happened to her and she may very well have dominated for a decade after the stabbing incident.

[MU82]

I'm wondering how many GS titles Seles would have won? I didn't realize she snagged 8 by the age of 19.  I saw Chris Evert interview her and was beyond impressed with her honestly about all of the suffering she endured.  All I know and remember is she was a ball machine with great pop on her groundies and incredibly tough mentally.  It's terrible what happened to her and she may very well have dominated for a decade after the stabbing incident.

It was terrible, obviously. We’ll never know how great her career might have been.

[MuggsyB]

It was terrible, obviously. We’ll never know how great her career might have been.

I didn't realize how young she was when she took over the sport from Graf.  Her upbringing is also incredible.  She had no indoor tennis courts in Yugoslavia.  Basically hit against a wall during the winter months.

[shoothoops]

Past players didn’t count/prioritize winning the four major titles over everything else. The money wasn’t as big at slams. Sponsor money wasn’t as big either. Winning slams and counting slams wasn’t as much of a thing until the modern era.

Players played week to week, just to make $. Over-scheduling, more injury, less advances in injury prevention and recovery.

In the past there were far greater discrepancies in playing surfaces. The surfaces of the modern era are much more uniform. In particular grass and hard courts are much slower.

Novak Djokovic for example is well known for his past allergy and digestive issues. He struggled a lot in certain weather environments. He went Gluten Free long before it was a thing and made several changes that changed his career. Otherwise no chance he wins as much.

Many players skipped Australia until the mid to later 1980’s and after. The French was also skipped by some others.

Today’s money allows players to control schedule, skip events, rest, recover. Focus today is on fewer big event money and prestige of winning slams.

When players get injured today often they are less career threatening than in the past. And recovery is much faster and better.

Winning tourneys total, and being number 1 meant as much as winning slams.

Players that retired super young. Injuries. Skipping events.
Technology advances allow for more physical and power playing. It’s a different style. Players that retired young to have families.

Money for coaching. Advances in training, science, nutrition. Money and advances in sports psychology. Money to sponsor young players without $ means.

Money to rent houses at slams and events and stay in better surroundings with a team of people than the past and many others. Money for travel. Improvements in travel.

Comparing eras is silly season.

McEnroe skipped 19 majors in a 15 year period. Borg won 6 of the 8 French Opens he entered and then retired at 25. Evert missed the French Open 6 times and Australia 14 times. Jimmy Connors missed over 20 Australian Opens and about 10 French Opens. Lots and lots of examples here.

Djokovic has missed exactly one major in his career. One of all four majors combined since 2006. Federer went almost 18 years before missing his first grand slam tourney. Nadal has only missed a few more than the other two.

It’s silly season when people compare different eras. Or say all time this or that.

There’s no question Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic are the best players of their overlapping eras. And that’s great. Good for them. Good for tennis. But that’s as far as it goes.

There will be future best of era players and best of era play as well.

There are some fun stats, but they are to be kept in some perspective.

Djokovic is the first player to win all four majors twice. He is also the first player since Jim Courier in 1992 to win the first two majors of a year. It doesn’t happen often because it’s difficult. He is trying to go for all four plus the Olympics)

The sport will always be bigger than any one player. Who isn’t excited for Chris Eubanks’ big Challenger Title win in Orlando today? Or Frances Tiafoe’s grass court title today in Nottingham? Big wins for both today.

[MU82]

Past players didn’t count/prioritize winning the four major titles over everything else. The money wasn’t as big at slams. Sponsor money wasn’t as big either. Winning slams and counting slams wasn’t as much of a thing until the modern era.

Players played week to week, just to make $. Over-scheduling, more injury, less advances in injury prevention and recovery.

In the past there were far greater discrepancies in playing surfaces. The surfaces of the modern era are much more uniform. In particular grass and hard courts are much slower.

Novak Djokovic for example is well known for his past allergy and digestive issues. He struggled a lot in certain weather environments. He went Gluten Free long before it was a thing and made several changes that changed his career. Otherwise no chance he wins as much.

Many players skipped Australia until the mid to later 1980’s and after. The French was also skipped by some others.

Today’s money allows players to control schedule, skip events, rest, recover. Focus today is on fewer big event money and prestige of winning slams.

When players get injured today often they are less career threatening than in the past. And recovery is much faster and better.

Winning tourneys total, and being number 1 meant as much as winning slams.

Players that retired super young. Injuries. Skipping events.
Technology advances allow for more physical and power playing. It’s a different style. Players that retired young to have families.

Money for coaching. Advances in training, science, nutrition. Money and advances in sports psychology. Money to sponsor young players without $ means.

Money to rent houses at slams and events and stay in better surroundings with a team of people than the past and many others. Money for travel. Improvements in travel.

Comparing eras is silly season.

McEnroe skipped 19 majors in a 15 year period. Borg won 6 of the 8 French Opens he entered and then retired at 25. Evert missed the French Open 6 times and Australia 14 times. Jimmy Connors missed over 20 Australian Opens and about 10 French Opens. Lots and lots of examples here.

Djokovic has missed exactly one major in his career. One of all four majors combined since 2006. Federer went almost 18 years before missing his first grand slam tourney. Nadal has only missed a few more than the other two.

It’s silly season when people compare different eras. Or say all time this or that.

There’s no question Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic are the best players of their overlapping eras. And that’s great. Good for them. Good for tennis. But that’s as far as it goes.

There will be future best of era players and best of era play as well.

There are some fun stats, but they are to be kept in some perspective.

Djokovic is the first player to win all four majors twice. He is also the first player since Jim Courier in 1992 to win the first two majors of a year. It doesn’t happen often because it’s difficult. He is trying to go for all four plus the Olympics)

The sport will always be bigger than any one player. Who isn’t excited for Chris Eubanks’ big Challenger Title win in Orlando today? Or Frances Tiafoe’s grass court title today in Nottingham? Big wins for both today.

You're fun.

[MuggsyB]

Past players didn’t count/prioritize winning the four major titles over everything else. The money wasn’t as big at slams. Sponsor money wasn’t as big either. Winning slams and counting slams wasn’t as much of a thing until the modern era.

Players played week to week, just to make $. Over-scheduling, more injury, less advances in injury prevention and recovery.

In the past there were far greater discrepancies in playing surfaces. The surfaces of the modern era are much more uniform. In particular grass and hard courts are much slower.

Novak Djokovic for example is well known for his past allergy and digestive issues. He struggled a lot in certain weather environments. He went Gluten Free long before it was a thing and made several changes that changed his career. Otherwise no chance he wins as much.

Many players skipped Australia until the mid to later 1980’s and after. The French was also skipped by some others.

Today’s money allows players to control schedule, skip events, rest, recover. Focus today is on fewer big event money and prestige of winning slams.

When players get injured today often they are less career threatening than in the past. And recovery is much faster and better.

Winning tourneys total, and being number 1 meant as much as winning slams.

Players that retired super young. Injuries. Skipping events.
Technology advances allow for more physical and power playing. It’s a different style. Players that retired young to have families.

Money for coaching. Advances in training, science, nutrition. Money and advances in sports psychology. Money to sponsor young players without $ means.

Money to rent houses at slams and events and stay in better surroundings with a team of people than the past and many others. Money for travel. Improvements in travel.

Comparing eras is silly season.

McEnroe skipped 19 majors in a 15 year period. Borg won 6 of the 8 French Opens he entered and then retired at 25. Evert missed the French Open 6 times and Australia 14 times. Jimmy Connors missed over 20 Australian Opens and about 10 French Opens. Lots and lots of examples here.

Djokovic has missed exactly one major in his career. One of all four majors combined since 2006. Federer went almost 18 years before missing his first grand slam tourney. Nadal has only missed a few more than the other two.

It’s silly season when people compare different eras. Or say all time this or that.

There’s no question Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic are the best players of their overlapping eras. And that’s great. Good for them. Good for tennis. But that’s as far as it goes.

There will be future best of era players and best of era play as well.

There are some fun stats, but they are to be kept in some perspective.

Djokovic is the first player to win all four majors twice. He is also the first player since Jim Courier in 1992 to win the first two majors of a year. It doesn’t happen often because it’s difficult. He is trying to go for all four plus the Olympics)

The sport will always be bigger than any one player. Who isn’t excited for Chris Eubanks’ big Challenger Title win in Orlando today? Or Frances Tiafoe’s grass court title today in Nottingham? Big wins for both today.

I didn't exactly compare the eras.  I simply asked how many titles could have Seles won had her career not been tragically changed forever.  And btw in tennis, boxing, golf, gymnastics, and all individual sports people always make comparisons.

[MU82]

I didn't exactly compare the eras.  I simply asked how many titles could have Seles won had her career not been tragically changed forever.  And btw in tennis, boxing, golf, gymnastics, and all individual sports people always make comparisons.

Don't you dare! Not allowed!