Tennis

[Not A Serious Person]

From a competition standpoint, this is huge!  I wonder if they will push back the start a week to let these quarantine payers prepare better.  It means a lot of money for them.

And ... it is nice to be a top-five player where you can fly private and not have to worry about this.

[shoothoops]

From a competition standpoint, this is huge!  I wonder if they will push back the start a week to let these quarantine payers prepare better.  It means a lot of money for them.

And ... it is nice to be a top-five player where you can fly private and not have to worry about this.

The Australian Open is paying for all flights for all players and staff. There are 18 flights, from three locations, all at 20% capacity.

[shoothoops]

American Amanda Anisimova, will miss the 2021 Australian Open due to COVID-19, joining American Madison Keys. She tested positive in Abu Dhabi, the day before her flight.

[Not A Serious Person]

Getting nasty!

Novak Djokovic clarifies his looser quarantine restrictions requests in statement
https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Novak_Djokovic/94298/novak-djokovic-clarifies-his-looser-quarantine-restrictions-requests-in-statement/

Kyrgios hits out at 'tool' Djokovic as tense Australian Open buildup continues
https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/30736773/tennis-kyrgios-hits-tool-djokovic-tense-australian-open-build-continues



and the players in quarantine in Australia are now testing positive

Australian Open: Two more players 'test positive' amid quarantine row
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-55713453

[shoothoops]

Getting nasty!

Novak Djokovic clarifies his looser quarantine restrictions requests in statement
https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Novak_Djokovic/94298/novak-djokovic-clarifies-his-looser-quarantine-restrictions-requests-in-statement/

Kyrgios hits out at 'tool' Djokovic as tense Australian Open buildup continues
https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/30736773/tennis-kyrgios-hits-tool-djokovic-tense-australian-open-build-continues



and the players in quarantine in Australia are now testing positive

Australian Open: Two more players 'test positive' amid quarantine row
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-55713453

This has gone on for several years between Djokovic and Kyrgios. Nick doesn't like him. He's not shy about saying so. He believes Djokovic is inauthentic.

Djokovic is one of the smaller group of players that rents a house with a nearby tennis court at majors, for his large support team. He had to limit his team at U.S. Open. But he was allowed to rent a house in the bubble.

Krygios gets into plenty of hot water with his own behavior, but he is more of a team player, not high maintenance. He's also gotten into it with Nadal before as well. Nadal doesn't care for Nick's antics. NK is pretty good friends with Murray and some of the American and Canadian players. He also likes Fed.

Djokovic, Serena, Nadal will be playing a charity exhibition in Adelaide, away from Melbourne before the AO.

Most players have an awareness and respect of the pandemic situation and have posted as such. But there are always going to be a few that don't read the room.

Many players are practicing in their rooms, and making fun videos such as this one from Heather Watson:

https://twitter.com/HeatherWatson92/status/1351825945477353478?s=19

https://twitter.com/BenRothenberg/status/1351082397916393475?s=09

[MU82]

Kyrgios is a clown.

Just my opinion. Others are welcome to love him.

[Not A Serious Person]

Kyrgios is a clown.

Just my opinion. Others are welcome to love him.

Kyrgios also has "issues" with Nadal and Rafa hates him.

That said, he might be the most talented player on the tour.  When he gets focused (which is not often) he can dominate anyone, including Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. 

This is what makes him so frustrating ... the talent/potential is obvious.  Just never lives up to it.

[MU82]

Kyrgios also has "issues" with Nadal and Rafa hates him.

That said, he might be the most talented player on the tour.  When he gets focused (which is not often) he can dominate anyone, including Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. 

This is what makes him so frustrating ... the talent/potential is obvious.  Just never lives up to it.

Results matter. I'll believe he's "the most talented player on the tour" when I see him win a major.

At least Nastase won a couple of times.

I'm sticking with "clown."

[Not A Serious Person]

Results matter. I'll believe he's "the most talented player on the tour" when I see him win a major.

At least Nastase won a couple of times.

I'm sticking with "clown."

Lots of tennis experts and professional coaches think Kyrgios has the potential/talent to be among the “big 3.”  Only a handful of players worldwide are in the category (Theim,  Medvedev, Tsitsipas).

The reason Kyrgios is not ... many of them use your term ... clown.

A waste of talent.

[shoothoops]

Good look at the capacity crowd Adelaide, Australia exhibition match between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka...prior to the upcoming Australian Open:

https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1355028885474168832?s=19

[MuggsyB]

Lots of tennis experts and professional coaches think Kyrgios has the potential/talent to be among the “big 3.”  Only a handful of players worldwide are in the category (Theim,  Medvedev, Tsitsipas).

The reason Kyrgios is not ... many of them use your term ... clown.

A waste of talent.

Exactly right.  Complete waste of talent.  His serve alone should make him a top 5-10 player.  He's also a douchebag because he never gets what it means to be a professional athlete.

[shoothoops]

89 matches today covering six different events in Melbourne. An extra event was added to get some match play for those who had longer quarantines.

70's and 80's weather stretch. .

Australian Open begins next week.

[Not A Serious Person]

Exactly right.  Complete waste of talent.  His serve alone should make him a top 5-10 player.  He's also a douchebag because he never gets what it means to be a professional athlete.

I find Kyrgios so frustrating.  He could be such a force but he's such a head case (clown/douche) that it will never happen.

Then you look at a guy like Diego Schwarzmann.  5' 7" and plays WAY beyond his ability.  His work ethic and dedication are admirable.  The guy tries so hard.  The fact that he is a consistent top 10-15 is remarkable.

If Schwarzmann had Kyrgios talent, no one would ever win another major again.

[JWags85]

I find Kyrgios so frustrating.  He could be such a force but he's such a head case (clown/douche) that it will never happen.

Then you look at a guy like Diego Schwarzmann.  5' 7" and plays WAY beyond his ability.  His work ethic and dedication are admirable.  The guy tries so hard.  The fact that he is a consistent top 10-15 is remarkable.

If Schwarzmann had Kyrgios talent, no one would ever win another major again.

I’d like to think he’s growing up a bit. He was very thoughtful, charitable, and introspective off the court this year. From pandemic aid to wildfire assistance to just a more admirable approach to life in general, it seems like it might be clicking a bit.

That being said, I’ve always been of the mind that he doesn’t really love tennis. It seems funny to think given how much of a fun leisure activity it is for many, and how many would kill to play a game at the highest level like him, but I think it really is just a job for him. That doesn’t justify a lack of professionalism or his fits of tanking, but it does kind of explain some of the difference in approach compared to others and his mercurial attitude towards competing.

[shoothoops]

A security guard at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne tested positive for COVID-19. 500-600 players will isolate until returning negative tests.

[MU82]

As if on effen cue ...

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios smashed his racket and threw it into the empty stands at the Murray River Open — a warmup for the Australian Open — on Friday.

The scene occurred after he lost his serve to go down 4-5 in the second set. He was awarded a point penalty as a result, after receiving an audible obscenity warning earlier in the game.

Kyrgios was complaining of a left knee injury for most of the match and ultimately lost to Borna Coric 6-3, 6-4.

What a freakin' tool.

[JWags85]

As if on effen cue ...

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios smashed his racket and threw it into the empty stands at the Murray River Open — a warmup for the Australian Open — on Friday.

The scene occurred after he lost his serve to go down 4-5 in the second set. He was awarded a point penalty as a result, after receiving an audible obscenity warning earlier in the game.

Kyrgios was complaining of a left knee injury for most of the match and ultimately lost to Borna Coric 6-3, 6-4.

What a freakin' tool.

Come on Mike, He broke a racket and swore, WONT SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN!! If this is anyone other than Kyrgios, even another top 25 player, it likely doesn’t even mention reporting especially in the quarters of a warm up tourney. I would wager even with his temper, he wouldn’t throw a racket into the stands if there were fans present.

Even the most classy player like Fed has broken plenty of rackets mid match, been fined for swearing on camera, etc...

Non story IMO, but Kyrgios bad boy behavior stories drives the all important clicks!

[MU82]

Come on Mike, He broke a racket and swore, WONT SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN!! If this is anyone other than Kyrgios, even another top 25 player, it likely doesn’t even mention reporting especially in the quarters of a warm up tourney. I would wager even with his temper, he wouldn’t throw a racket into the stands if there were fans present.

Even the most classy player like Fed has broken plenty of rackets mid match, been fined for swearing on camera, etc...

Non story IMO, but Kyrgios bad boy behavior stories drives the all important clicks!

Hmmm ... but it WAS Kyrgios, and it was typical Kyrgios. Over and over and over again. Like Nastase, he cultivates his bad-boy image. Unlike Nastase, he doesn't win anything of note.

And on the relatively rare occasion when those who actually have won something do this kind of thing, it does get mentioned in the articles about the matches. Now, whether a U.S. newspaper chooses to publish such an article, that's a different thing.

Has nothing to do with THE CHILDREN! It has to do with not being a tool.

Just IMHO. Others can (and obviously do) think otherwise.

[shoothoops]

Australian Open begins tonight.

WTA pre Australian Open, Ash Barty wins her first event after not playing on tour for 11 months. Defeats Garbi Muguruza who was dominant much of the event. Americans playing well, include, Ann Li, Jenn Brady, Kenin, Serena Williams, Danielle Collins, Shelby Rogers, Whitney Osuigwe. Sloane Stephens has been hitting with Jenn Brady. She looks fit, plays well in Australia, but hasn't played well recently. Pegula and Venus also in the mix for a few rounds. Ann Li playing her best yet here. Coco Gauff has a tough draw, but if her serve holds up, can make a run. Serena has a tough draw as well. Others playing well include Halep, Kvitova, Sakkari, Mertens, Azarenka, Putinseva, Sabalenka, Fernandez, Osaka. Will be interesting to Andreescu.

Djokovic a favorite on the Men's side. It's his favorite event. But there are plenty of other options too.

Daniil Medvedev and Andre Rublev lead Russia to the ATP Cup Title. Medvedev has won 14 straight matches. Ten of them have been vs ATP Top 10:

Schwartzman (3 times)
Zverev (3 times)
Djokovic
Nadal
Thiem
Berretini

[MU82]

RAFA!

Actually, I know it’s his weakest major. That loss to Fed a few years back especially sucked. Hoping he has one more Aussie win in him.

[MuggsyB]

I find Kyrgios so frustrating.  He could be such a force but he's such a head case (clown/douche) that it will never happen.

Then you look at a guy like Diego Schwarzmann.  5' 7" and plays WAY beyond his ability.  His work ethic and dedication are admirable.  The guy tries so hard.  The fact that he is a consistent top 10-15 is remarkable.

If Schwarzmann had Kyrgios talent, no one would ever win another major again.

Great call on Schwartzmann.  That dude is a grinder with tremendous heart.  Great wheels and lateral quicks. 

Side note....it would be nice if there was an American male capable of winning a GS. 

[MuggsyB]

RAFA!

Actually, I know it’s his weakest major. That loss to Fed a few years back especially sucked. Hoping he has one more Aussie win in him.

Rafa is one of my 5 favorite athletes of all-time.  Incredible tenacity and overall consistency.  His mastery and domination on clay is without question one of the greatest accomplishments ever in sports.  It's not like he's been thumping scrubs the last 15 yrs at Roland Garros. 

[shoothoops]

Great call on Schwartzmann.  That dude is a grinder with tremendous heart.  Great wheels and lateral quicks. 

Side note....it would be nice if there was an American male capable of winning a GS.

It would.

But this is why we enjoy the strong play and depth of American Women. Kenin, Stephens, Williams all with recent years Slam titles. Keys has come very close a few times. Lots of talent on the Women's side.

Frances Tiafoe gets Novak Djokovjc in round 2. And, the winner of that gets the winner of Americans Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka. So if one of these three better American players wants to make a run, one of them will have to take out Djokovic in Round 2 or 3.

[MU82]

Rafa is one of my 5 favorite athletes of all-time.  Incredible tenacity and overall consistency.  His mastery and domination on clay is without question one of the greatest accomplishments ever in sports.  It's not like he's been thumping scrubs the last 15 yrs at Roland Garros.

He's so much fun to watch - such an athlete. And, as you say, so tenacious. Plus all his little quirks make him endearing. Put all that together with not just talent but the way he has improved even after he got to 30+ years old, and what a competitor.

If he can win this, he'd not only pass Fed but he'd be the only pro ever with at least 2 titles at each major -- just another incredible accomplishment.

[Not A Serious Person]

It would.

But this is why we enjoy the strong play and depth of American Women. Kenin, Stephens, Williams all with recent years Slam titles. Keys has come very close a few times. Lots of talent on the Women's side.

Frances Tiafoe gets Novak Djokovjc in round 2. And, the winner of that gets the winner of Americans Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka. So if one of these three better American players wants to make a run, one of them will have to take out Djokovic in Round 2 or 3.

Kenin is the defending AO champion.  American women are becoming a global power in Tennis.