Tennis

[MuggsyB]

Diallo is an interesting player.  6'8 with tremendous athleticism and extreme power.  He has to improve his 2nd serve.  I wonder why he can't execute the kick serve? 

[MuggsyB]

Really rough performance from Coco yesterday.  16 double faults, 50+ unforced errors.  Shelton also got rolled.  Hopefully both of them figure it out at the US Open.  Personally, I think Coco should completely revamp her serve.  It's remarkable she's been so successful with this major problem.  What happens is she's afraid to unload and then starts just spinning it in.  This leads to more problems because she constantly decelerates. Her toss is also all over the place.  Get a competent coach, fix the serve, and many more majors will be the result. 

[MU82]

Not that it's anyone's fault, but how would you have liked to have paid big bucks to watch the Cinci final ... expecting to see another Alcaraz-Sinner classic ... only to have Sinner quit after 5 games because he was sick? Ugh.

[MU82]

Yesterday's Medvedev match was QUITE the spectacle. I won't do it justice by explaining what happened here, so if you like tennis - and/or wacky athletes doing wacky things - I recommend checking out some highlights on YouTube.

[MUBurrow]

So Medvedev has obviously lost it and would probably benefit from some time off.

But that being said, I've been shocked at how commonly umpires have been granting "second first serves" for any kind of small disruptions after a missed first serve.  I get that delays or disruptions can throw off the server, but to me, giving them a do-over on the first serve is a MUCH larger advantage than the delay is a disadvantage.  I think it was a Ben Shelton match I was watching where he was returning and willingly gave a second first serve, and then something happened and the umpire gave a THIRD first serve.  That's such a big advantage, I just don't get how they're given out like candy.

[MU82]

So Medvedev has obviously lost it and would probably benefit from some time off.

But that being said, I've been shocked at how commonly umpires have been granting "second first serves" for any kind of small disruptions after a missed first serve.  I get that delays or disruptions can throw off the server, but to me, giving them a do-over on the first serve is a MUCH larger advantage than the delay is a disadvantage.  I think it was a Ben Shelton match I was watching where he was returning and willingly gave a second first serve, and then something happened and the umpire gave a THIRD first serve.  That's such a big advantage, I just don't get how they're given out like candy.

I thought the same thing. But the commentator simply said that the rules call for it. I'm no expert on tennis rules, but if that's the case then the rule needs to be changed.

In this particular case, I actually thought the umpire showed great restraint in not docking Medvedev a point (thereby ending the match) when Medvedev told an already amped-up crowd that the umpire was rigging the match.

[Jockey]

Really rough performance from Coco yesterday.  16 double faults, 50+ unforced errors.  Shelton also got rolled.  Hopefully both of them figure it out at the US Open.  Personally, I think Coco should completely revamp her serve.  It's remarkable she's been so successful with this major problem.  What happens is she's afraid to unload and then starts just spinning it in.  This leads to more problems because she constantly decelerates. Her toss is also all over the place.  Get a competent coach, fix the serve, and many more majors will be the result. 

Simplistic. Idiotic.

[Shaka Shart]

I thought the same thing. But the commentator simply said that the rules call for it. I'm no expert on tennis rules, but if that's the case then the rule needs to be changed.

In this particular case, I actually thought the umpire showed great restraint in not docking Medvedev a point (thereby ending the match) when Medvedev told an already amped-up crowd that the umpire was rigging the match.

According to the rule it should have been awarded a first serve. I don't have a problem with it. I am pretty generous when it comes to that when playing because of the amount of rhythm associated between a first and a second serve.

I actually don't think Medvedev would have cared at all in 99.9% of other situations but he saw a very opportunistic way to completely turn over the mood and pressure. And it damn near worked. The ump was absolutely awful in controlling the crowd or the players. He should have called about 5 different time violations on Medvedev before he actually did.

Also Medvedev is a great heel. Just an absolute crazy person like many in the sport, but he embraces it.

[JWags85]

I actually don't think Medvedev would have cared at all in 99.9% of other situations but he saw a very opportunistic way to completely turn over the mood and pressure. And it damn near worked. The ump was absolutely awful in controlling the crowd or the players. He should have called about 5 different time violations on Medvedev before he actually did.

Also Medvedev is a great heel. Just an absolute crazy person like many in the sport, but he embraces it.

Yea if it was a random game at like 3-2 in the set or something, I agree.  But it was match point and it was on a razors edge. 

"He just wants to go home, he doesn't like to be here anymore.  Remember he gets paid by the match, not by the hour"...is unhinged but f***ing incredible from an entertainment standpoint.  And him whipping the crowd into a frenzy and then standing there bemused and smirking was just absolute theater.  Made even better by the huge winner to get the break and him not even reacting, just sauntering down the baseline to his towel with a wry smile. 

HUGE props to Bonzi for digging deep in set 5.  After Medvedev absolutely smoked him in Set 4, I thought it was gonna be an ugly finish.

And totally agree about Medvedev as a heel.  He's been whiney and petulant in the past which has made him annoying.  He's been a poor sport and condescending which has been very unlikable.  But this relatively recent embracing of the heel role, the cocky villain, its absolutely awesome to watch and has made his matches great, especially cause he's got kind of a wonky game to him.

[MUBurrow]

According to the rule it should have been awarded a first serve. I don't have a problem with it. I am pretty generous when it comes to that when playing because of the amount of rhythm associated between a first and a second serve.

Yeah, I saw that Taylor Fritz said something similar, so it seems like it really was the right call. Having really just gotten much more into tennis in the past few years, I'm just surprised that second first serves are given so freely in the rules. Seems like a disproportionate advantage for disrupted rythm.

[JWags85]

Yeah, I saw that Taylor Fritz said something similar, so it seems like it really was the right call. Having really just gotten much more into tennis in the past few years, I'm just surprised that second first serves are given so freely in the rules. Seems like a disproportionate advantage for disrupted rythm.

It was the correct call but its a pretty terrible rule execution.  Especially cause you watch the replay and the cameraman literally didn't begin is move or do anything disruptive until the ball was in the net.

[MU82]

It was the correct call but its a pretty terrible rule execution.  Especially cause you watch the replay and the cameraman literally didn't begin is move or do anything disruptive until the ball was in the net.

The only real terrible thing was Medvedev inciting the crowd by accusing the umpire of rigging the match. Thrilled that he lost.

[MU82]

Not sure if Jelena Ostapenko is a racist, but she's certainly a sore loser and a dumbass.

[JWags85]

Not sure if Jelena Ostapenko is a racist, but she's certainly a sore loser and a dumbass.

She's been unhinged for a LONG time.  In a sport of mercurial and temperamental athletes, she's probably been the most unpredictable in the WTA for a long time.  Has never been able to control her emotions (one of the only female players I ever remember winning a set against a far inferior opponent without winning a service game cause she was too busy screaming at her coach and thumping 2nd serves into the net, but breaking serve back repeatedly cause she was a far more talented player on the baseline) and always been a sore loser. 

I saw a tweet I thought was perfect, it was basically "I don't think Ostapenko is racist, she's just an pretty boy to anyone and everyone" and that pretty much sums up what I've thought about her for years before this ever happened. 

[Shaka Shart]

She's been unhinged for a LONG time.  In a sport of mercurial and temperamental athletes, she's probably been the most unpredictable in the WTA for a long time.  Has never been able to control her emotions (one of the only female players I ever remember winning a set against a far inferior opponent without winning a service game cause she was too busy screaming at her coach and thumping 2nd serves into the net, but breaking serve back repeatedly cause she was a far more talented player on the baseline) and always been a sore loser. 

I saw a tweet I thought was perfect, it was basically "I don't think Ostapenko is racist, she's just an pretty boy to anyone and everyone" and that pretty much sums up what I've thought about her for years before this ever happened. 

Telling someone they have no education to their face after losing because they didn't apologize after a fluke shot is unbelievable loser behavior. I tend to not think it was racially based but one should probably know better than to say something that could have those connotations. Especially over something so innocuous

[JWags85]

Telling someone they have no education to their face after losing because they didn't apologize after a fluke shot is unbelievable loser behavior. I tend to not think it was racially based but one should probably know better than to say something that could have those connotations. Especially over something so innocuous

I saw she also claimed Townsend didn't warm up in the proper way/order too.  Just an absolute lunatic.

I tend to think she was in full Euro snob mode and it wasn't racially motivated, rather prototypical condescending towards Americans and lack of class/respect/education whatever.

[Shaka Shart]

I saw she also claimed Townsend didn't warm up in the proper way/order too.  Just an absolute lunatic.

I tend to think she was in full Euro snob mode and it wasn't racially motivated, rather prototypical condescending towards Americans and lack of class/respect/education whatever.

Intentions aside, maybe she should try not losing in the second round to an unseeded player in straight sets

[JWags85]

Intentions aside, maybe she should try not losing in the second round to an unseeded player in straight sets

Maybe she should try to get therapy and a compentent sports psychologist, might solve both issues.  But nah, better to continue to spiral as you start to approach the downside of your career.

[MU82]

I remember watching Ostapenko win the French Open when she was an unknown 19-year-old. She had a high-risk-high-reward playing style that was entertaining to watch, and an ebullient personality that won over the crowd.

But she failed to live up to her potential, and now is obviously a dope and a sore loser (and possibly a racist).

[WarriorFan]

If you consider where Ostapenko comes from, it's hardly possible to even be a racist.  The whole racism thing is a very American concept.  Townsend did a couple of unsportsmanlike things, Ostapenko called her out for it, and suddenly ends up the bad guy.  She definitely should have read the situation better, that's for sure, but the press trying to make a race case out of it - ridiculous.

[JWags85]

If you consider where Ostapenko comes from, it's hardly possible to even be a racist.  The whole racism thing is a very American concept.  Townsend did a couple of unsportsmanlike things, Ostapenko called her out for it, and suddenly ends up the bad guy.  She definitely should have read the situation better, that's for sure, but the press trying to make a race case out of it - ridiculous.

I mean, you can speak much better to Eastern Europe, such as where she's from, and I don't disagree on the latter part of your post, but racism as an American concept is insane.  The racism in Spain/Italy/Greece would make Americans blush.  The casual racism I hear from the otherwise lovely and polite people in Belgium would fit right in with a caricature of a villainous Southern plantation owner.

And don't get me started on SE Asia 

[wadesworld]

I mean, you can speak much better to Eastern Europe, such as where she's from, and I don't disagree on the latter part of your post, but racism as an American concept is insane.  The racism in Spain/Italy/Greece would make Americans blush.  The casual racism I hear from the otherwise lovely and polite people in Belgium would fit right in with a caricature of a villainous Southern plantation owner.

And don't get me started on SE Asia 

Yup. The idea that racism doesn't happen outside of America is wild.

[Shaka Shart]

If you consider where Ostapenko comes from, it's hardly possible to even be a racist.  The whole racism thing is a very American concept.  Townsend did a couple of unsportsmanlike things, Ostapenko called her out for it, and suddenly ends up the bad guy.  She definitely should have read the situation better, that's for sure, but the press trying to make a race case out of it - ridiculous.

What she accused her of doing isn't unsportsmanlike though. I play tennis competitively and if you scream "come on" on a net court maybe it's a thing but it's really not a big deal. The warm up thing is out of the ordinary but as long as you make sure the shots are warmed up (the pros have everything warmed up beforehand) it's not a thing.

It's why I said I don't think it's racism but she hardly needs our defense when it comes to being irrationally a sore loser. If anything she should know where she is playing might interpret her dipsh** comments as racist. 

However I don't think I agree with the "it's not possible to be racist because she's from an ethnically white country" is really an argument when you played on the global pro tour for years.

I don't think that's what you truly meant but we don't have to make excuses for this player.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I mean, you can speak much better to Eastern Europe, such as where she's from, and I don't disagree on the latter part of your post, but racism as an American concept is insane.  The racism in Spain/Italy/Greece would make Americans blush.  The casual racism I hear from the otherwise lovely and polite people in Belgium would fit right in with a caricature of a villainous Southern plantation owner.

And don't get me started on SE Asia 

My daughter who spent a semester in France and lived there for a year after graduation said the French frequently made racist comments. 

[BM1090]

Sucks bad for Shelton, he was playing so well.