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The Tennis Thread

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,339
54,974
I only mentioned the term GOAT because you did it first, haha. I really can't speak about that because I only started watching tennis at the US OPEN of 1999.

Rafa definitely can win a couple more majors, but he needs to hurry up because players like Thiem, Medvedev and Zverev are finally coming off age, and it's not going to get any easier from now on. But after he won the US Open last year, I can't rule him out from anything.

1999?! You are upsettingly young! ;)

Laver won the calendar year grand slam in 1962 (no I wasn't watching!), then turned pro so couldn't play on that circuit. Tennis went open after the Oz Open in 1968 and in 1969 he won the calendar grand slam again. And some of the old players reckon that Pancho Gonzalez, who turned pro even earlier, was better still. We'll never know is the only conclusion tbf, especially with today's equipment, training, diet etc etc.

Thiem's 26, so it's good to see him come through, but I agree that Medvedev and Zverev (after a terrible 2019) are looking good. Plus there's Tsitsipas & Shapovalov, De Minaur & Sinner (who looks a great prospect). Will any of them take the next step to major winner before Djokovic overtakes Federer? Only one way to find out!!
 

ralvy

AVB my love
Jun 26, 2012
2,505
4,603
1999?! You are upsettingly young! ;)

Laver won the calendar year grand slam in 1962 (no I wasn't watching!), then turned pro so couldn't play on that circuit. Tennis went open after the Oz Open in 1968 and in 1969 he won the calendar grand slam again. And some of the old players reckon that Pancho Gonzalez, who turned pro even earlier, was better still. We'll never know is the only conclusion tbf, especially with today's equipment, training, diet etc etc.

Thiem's 26, so it's good to see him come through, but I agree that Medvedev and Zverev (after a terrible 2019) are looking good. Plus there's Tsitsipas & Shapovalov, De Minaur & Sinner (who looks a great prospect). Will any of them take the next step to major winner before Djokovic overtakes Federer? Only one way to find out!!

Sadly, I'm not that young. I'm less than two months away from being 32. (n)

Yeah, I think is impossible to know, and as far as I understand tennis has changed so much over the years, to the point that it's hardly the same sport anymore. So I think it's a bit pointless to talk about the goat. All I know is Djokovic and Thiem should be an amazing match, and I can't wait!
 

aliyid

Well-Known Member
Dec 28, 2004
6,944
19,929
Not normally a massive fan of the women’s game but this final is shaping up very nicely.

If Muguruza can find her game again she’ll win it but my god this American is battling away. Looks like emotions could get the better of her though as she keeps wiping away tears but you can see how much she wants it
 

aliyid

Well-Known Member
Dec 28, 2004
6,944
19,929
On the discussion of Djokovic being the GOAT he’s very tough to love. Technically hes one of the best and his numbers will be up there with Rafa & Fed but he’s missing that likability factor.

In footballing terms I always think of it as:
  • Djokovic = Ronaldo (machine like efficiency)
  • Nadal = Messi (dazzling wow factor)
  • Federer = Zidane (graceful silky artist)
 

Chris12

Well-Known Member
Mar 6, 2013
7,293
13,252
Djokovic will win this match. Once Djokovic makes a final and provided it isnt Nadal on the other side, no one is going to beat him (IMO). The "new" guys just dont have the experience/mentality.

Djokovic will break the GS records but there is something off about him for me which is why I am not really a fan. Great tennis player though.
 

haxman

Well-Known Member
Jan 14, 2007
16,911
8,146
Go on Thiem!!! It's time we had a changing of the guard in men's tennis, the big 3 have dominated for far too long.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,339
54,974
Thiem had the chance there, and couldn't take it. Djokovic didn't look as infallible as normal but a worthy winner.

We need a new champion in one of this year's majors!
 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,885
62,564
Casper Ruud took his first ATP title in Buenos Aires last night. Up to top 40 in the world and only 21 years old.

He's a clay specialist and has been mentored by Nadal for the last couple of years so watch out for him in Roland Garros. He lost to Federer in round 3 there last year.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,339
54,974
Good win for Dan Evans today in 3 v. Fognini. Good to see him back after his stupidity, and playing the best tennis of his life.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,339
54,974
Djokovic says he may not return to tennis when the time comes if that depends on being vaccinated against Covid-19 because he doesn't believe in vaccinations.

Oh dear, oh dear.

He has just gone down in my estimation.
 

Rocksuperstar

Isn't this fun? Isn't fun the best thing to have?
Jun 6, 2005
53,290
66,758
Djokovic says he may not return to tennis when the time comes if that depends on being vaccinated against Covid-19 because he doesn't believe in vaccinations.

Oh dear, oh dear.

He has just gone down in my estimation.

Was just reading this story - I wonder how long he's had that stance and if the ATP knew about it? I've always wondered how anti-vaxxers get on with traveling to places where they have yellow fever, dengue or malaria without having jabs before they go; Do they just figure they'll not get it or do they just "not get it"?
 

Gbspurs

Gatekeeper for debates, King of the plonkers
Jan 27, 2011
26,946
61,828


Great player and hilarious to boot.


I do enjoy watching these style of matches but it reminds me of one aspect of Wimbledon I really hate and its the exaggerated crowd noises. Every extended point sounds like 100 posh old women just had an orgasm with every additional shot. Drives me mental.
 

aliyid

Well-Known Member
Dec 28, 2004
6,944
19,929
News coming through that Djokovic & his wife have tested positive for COVID-19.

After Dimitrov also came back with a positive test it looks like they started up the exhibitions a bit too soon.

Just hope it doesn’t affect this battle of the brits exhibition too much as good to have some live tennis back on tv.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,339
54,974
News coming through that Djokovic & his wife have tested positive for COVID-19.

After Dimitrov also came back with a positive test it looks like they started up the exhibitions a bit too soon.

Just hope it doesn’t affect this battle of the brits exhibition too much as good to have some live tennis back on tv.

Along with Coric and two of the trainers.

There were crowds with no distancing, hugs at the net, and (video of) an evening at a night club where a contagious time was had by all!

The "Battle of the Brits" Live on Prime right now is very different. No crowd, ballkids, linespeople, fist bumps, or handshakes.
 

wooderz

James and SC Striker
May 18, 2006
8,766
4,507
News coming through that Djokovic & his wife have tested positive for COVID-19.

After Dimitrov also came back with a positive test it looks like they started up the exhibitions a bit too soon.

Just hope it doesn’t affect this battle of the brits exhibition too much as good to have some live tennis back on tv.
They all sat next to each other in the players box hugging and hand shaking and what not. No face masks. It was pure lunacy. Nole is a bit of an antivaxxer too isn't he? That event should have just been closed by authorities really
 
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