Tennis

[MU82]

Interesting stuff from Yahoo Sports on the "lost generation of men's tennis" ...

The "Big Three" have so thoroughly dominated men's tennis this century that they created a "lost generation" of players who were born at the wrong time.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, men's tennis routinely had years with four different major champions. Then came Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who won 66 of 80 Grand Slams between 2003 Wimbledon and the 2023 French Open.

‌With Federer now retired and Nadal nearing the end of his career, a sense of parity has returned to the sport. Heck, even Djokovic showed his mortality last week in Melbourne.

So far, the beneficiaries of this shift have been players born in the 2000s, with Carlos Alcaraz (born in 2003) and Jannik Sinner (born in 2001) winning three of the last six majors.

Lost in the mix? Slightly older players — those in their late 20s and early 30s — who could never get over the hump during the peak years of the Big Three's reign.

Consider this: 25 women born between 1989 and 2000 have won major singles titles. For men, that number is just two: 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem (born in 1993) and 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev (born in 1996).

Young Millennials like Grigor Dimitrov (born in 1991), Kei Nishikori (born in 1989) and Milos Raonic (born in 1990) have never toppled the big boys.

Neither have older Gen Zers like Taylor Fritz (born in 1997), Stefanos Tsitsipas (born in 1998) and Karen Khachanov (born in 1996).

Looking ahead: What will become of this lost generation once Djokovic and Nadal call it quits? Will they finally get their chance to win some titles? Or will they be stymied by Alcaraz, Sinner and other players born this century, much like they were by the Big Three?

[Sandstone]

Hsieh Su-Wei has won 4 grand slam titles in the past 8 months, with 4 different partners. Amazing.

[cheebs09]

I'm most amazed at the longevity. I remember Agassi at the end could barely moved it seemed, and he retired around 36. I believe he was considered rare to be playing that late into his career.

In general, I'm amazed Rafa was able to play past 30 with his style of play.

[Sandstone]

I'm most amazed at the longevity. I remember Agassi at the end could barely moved it seemed, and he retired around 36. I believe he was considered rare to be playing that late into his career.

In general, I'm amazed Rafa was able to play past 30 with his style of play.

Some players used to retire at 30, or even younger.

It's a different time with $$$, nutrition, fitness, scheduling, surfaces, travel, technology, training, coaching, so many things etc...Women can take a year off, come a parent and come back and play.

Nadal frequently took time off. The most years in a row Nadal played all 4 slams for example, is 3 years.

[Plaque Lives Matter!]

I'm most amazed at the longevity. I remember Agassi at the end could barely moved it seemed, and he retired around 36. I believe he was considered rare to be playing that late into his career.

In general, I'm amazed Rafa was able to play past 30 with his style of play.

I was certain Rafa's knees would go in young 30s. A testament to his incredible athleticism that they didnt.

[lawdog77]

I was certain Rafa's knees would go in young 30s. A testament to his incredible athleticism that they didnt.

The PEDs helped too

[Plaque Lives Matter!]

The PEDs helped too

The Jake Arrieta of tennis?!

[Sandstone]

Since Bob Bryan became Davis Cup Captain last year, 100% of Americans ranked in tbe top 50 have said yes when he's asked them to play.

The team that will play Ukraine (in Lithuania):

Fritz
Eubanks
Korda
Krawczyk
Ram

[Plaque Lives Matter!]

I played tennis against a dentist last night and didn’t hear one conspiracy theory the whole time

[Herman Cain]

Williams family news ……

https://nypost.com/2024/04/26/real-estate/serena-williams-stepmother-must-sell-florida-home/

[MU82]

Rafa, finally playing without pain (at least for now), is winning in Madrid. But he's still not sure what shape he'll be in for the French Open.

https://sports.yahoo.com/top-ranked-swiatek-reaches-quarterfinals-142117426.html?.tsrc=1317

MADRID (AP) — After spending more than three hours on the court and earning a hard-fought victory, Rafael Nadal was feeling optimistic again.

Nadal's body withstood its toughest test yet at this Madrid Open in a 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 win over 91st-ranked Pedro Cachin on Monday.

He didn't show any signs of physical limitations in a victory that earned him a spot in the round of 16 at the clay-court tournament where he is the record five-time champion.

“It’s positive, now I don’t feel that something went wrong on my body, but I need to wait until tomorrow, being 100% honest,” he said. “I am trying my best to keep dreaming. Tomorrow is another day to keep dreaming. To keep playing in front of this amazing crowd and, to me, that means everything.”

Nadal will next face 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka. He said he needs “to find a way to be able to play days in a row and still be competitive.”

“I don’t know if I am in that moment yet,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion said. “Let’s see what can happen tomorrow."

The 37-year-old Nadal is trying to get in shape for next month's French Open. Since his latest injury layoff, he's had two matches in Barcelona and was pessimistic about his physical condition after arriving in Madrid. But he's won three more times in the capital.

Related: When clicking around my YTTV listings the other day, I stumbled over a documentary on Tennis Channel about the incredible 2008 Wimbledon final between Nadal and Federer. It was interesting to watch the highlights again, all these years later, and to hear the two legends talk about it and their friendly rivalry. Equally interesting: Even as they talked about how their careers had continued to excel after that match, and even as the narrator talked about how the two were dominating tennis, Djokovic wasn't mentioned. He was pretty good, too. Still is.