Tennis

[MU82]

Sinner has had to grind while Djokovic has only had to play two sets (both of which he lost) in the last 4 days.

[MuggsyB]

Zverev looks a good 7 inches taller than Alcaraz.  Hopefully Carlos has his A game tonight.  He's had some trouble with the German giant. 

[MuggsyB]

Alcaraz has the best court coverage I've ever seen.  Better than Rafa.  He's not as consistent, but he has more power and speed. 

[MuggsyB]

Crazy loose game there from Carlos.  That just can't happen at this stage of the tournament.

[MuggsyB]

VAMOS!!!  Carlos may have read my post. 

[MuggsyB]

Carlos is now the youngest player to ever win all 4 Majors. 

[MuggsyB]

Alcaraz is also the youngest player ever to reach 7 slams. 

[MU82]

Carlos was brilliant, as usual, during the biggest points. There were several times Novak made what seemed to be a great point-ending shot, only to watch Carlos make an amazing return.

So fortunate, as fans, that we get to go right from Nadal/Federer/Djokovic to Alcaraz/Sinner.

[MuggsyB]

Carlos was brilliant, as usual, during the biggest points. There were several times Novak made what seemed to be a great point-ending shot, only to watch Carlos make an amazing return.

So fortunate, as fans, that we get to go right from Nadal/Federer/Djokovic to Alcaraz/Sinner.

Agreed.  But what happens if Carlos elevates his game another notch?  Uh-Oh.
I don't think he's at his peak.  He could become much more consistent and learn to tee off on his backhand down the line more often. 

I have never seen a faster player or anyone with the shot variety Alcaraz posseses.   Fed had a lot of shots too, but Alcaraz has even more tools including his dropper.  As far is pure talent?  Id slot him #1.  That doesn't mean he'll be the GOAT, or surpass 25 slams, but it's certainly possible.  It's about whether he can stay healthy for 12-15 years. 

[MU82]

Agreed.  But what happens if Carlos elevates his game another notch?  Uh-Oh.
I don't think he's at his peak.  He could become much more consistent and learn to tee off on his backhand down the line more often. 

I have never seen a faster player or anyone with the shot variety Alcaraz posseses.   Fed had a lot of shots too, but Alcaraz has even more tools including his dropper.  As far is pure talent?  Id slot him #1.  That doesn't mean he'll be the GOAT, or surpass 25 slams, but it's certainly possible.  It's about whether he can stay healthy for 12-15 years. 

Agree 100%. He could end up being Rafa and Federer in a blender with more power. Good health, as you say, will be paramount. Plus, some athletes just burn out when they're still great, so that can't be discounted, either.

[MuggsyB]

Agree 100%. He could end up being Rafa and Federer in a blender with more power. Good health, as you say, will be paramount. Plus, some athletes just burn out when they're still great, so that can't be discounted, either.

I would say pretty definitively he's
better than the Big 3 at his age.  But you're right, there are a number of other factors that will determine whether he catches them.  Health is obviously #1.  He may burn out, have outside distractions, or a guy 6'8 that moves like Sinner with a 175 mph serve could come along.  He has significantly more power than all of them and just better feel.  Fed was amazing but his one-handed backhand could break down.  The mental toughness of Nadal and the Djoker are just off the charts.  I actually think Fed had the most talent of the 3, but Nadal would just attack his backhand like an unstoppable rebel force. 

[BM1090]

There's a lot of talent in Martin Damm's racquet if he puts it together. Moves really well for a 6'8 kid too.

[MU82]

Watch this amazing point between Djokovic and Draper at Indian Wells ...

https://x.com/kendallbaker/status/2031950535910121712?s=46&t=o_YcooE_NLDk6nCdvDo7Hw

[Shaka Shart]

Watch this amazing point between Djokovic and Draper at Indian Wells ...

https://x.com/kendallbaker/status/2031950535910121712?s=46&t=o_YcooE_NLDk6nCdvDo7Hw

Lobbing is frowned upon in pickleball

[MuggsyB]

Alcaraz/Sinner in Monte Carlo is about to start.  Simmer seemd yo be playing better.....but we'll see. 

[MuggsyB]

Sinner just hit a 107 mph forehand!  WTF?

[Uncle Rico]

Sinner just hit a 107 mph forehand!  WTF?

Roids

[BM1090]

Shelton won the ATP 500 event in Munich today. First American man to win a 500 level event or higher on clay since Agassi in 2002.

Second ATP 500 title for him this year, back to 6th in the world. His game has really grown.

[MU82]

Alcaraz is in danger of missing the French Open due to a wrist injury. He's already pulled out of this week's Madrid Open, and is awaiting more tests before deciding on Roland Garros.

If Alcaraz doesn't play, it definitely would decrease the amount of time I spend watching the tournament, and I'm guessing I'm certainly not alone there.

Get well, Carlos!

[wadesworld]

Alcaraz is in danger of missing the French Open due to a wrist injury. He's already pulled out of this week's Madrid Open, and is awaiting more tests before deciding on Roland Garros.

If Alcaraz doesn't play, it definitely would decrease the amount of time I spend watching the tournament, and I'm guessing I'm certainly not alone there.

Get well, Carlos!

He should take steroids like Sinner.

[BM1090]

Alcaraz is in danger of missing the French Open due to a wrist injury. He's already pulled out of this week's Madrid Open, and is awaiting more tests before deciding on Roland Garros.

If Alcaraz doesn't play, it definitely would decrease the amount of time I spend watching the tournament, and I'm guessing I'm certainly not alone there.

Get well, Carlos!

You're definitely not alone, but it'd be interesting to be one upset away from a new major champion.

[MU82]

You're definitely not alone, but it'd be interesting to be one upset away from a new major champion.

Yeah, I'd almost surely tune in to the semis and finals for that very reason.

[MUBurrow]

You're definitely not alone, but it'd be interesting to be one upset away from a new major champion.

Saw a stat the other day that the ATP points gap between #3 in the world and each of us is less than the gap between the top two and #3.

[BM1090]

Saw a stat the other day that the ATP points gap between #3 in the world and each of us is less than the gap between the top two and #3.

Yep and it's not particularly close. Zverev has 5165 points and he's 7800 behind Alcaraz in 2nd

[MuggsyB]

Alcaraz is out for the French Open. 

Very upsetting.