The real Tennis thread.

[Red Rick]

I didn't know this but Karatsev is the first Grand Slam debutant ever to reach the semi-final (in the Open Era). And he is holding his ground against Djokovic so far.

Maybe another one of my classic jinxes.

You were saying?

Looks like Karatsev has triggered Djokovic into playing his best tennis in a long time. He's coming out of nowhere but I think he's tactically doing everything right vs a better opponent.

 

[tobydawq]

You were saying?

Looks like Karatsev has triggered Djokovic into playing his best tennis in a long time. He's coming out of nowhere but I think he's tactically doing everything right vs a better opponent.

You should have banned me yesterday.

 

[BullsFan22]

His career has been marred by injuries and other setbacks.

 

[Red Rick]

His career has been marred by injuries and other setbacks.

Karatsev? Could be, I'd never heard of him before. I do know he was awarded the award for best young Russian a long time ago.

Respectable showing from Karatsev IMO. Djokovic just a big step up from what he's played before. Fun player to watch, would be great if he establishes himself in the top 50.

 

[sir fly]

Discouraging signals toward challengers.
Maybe the best match to notice the difference between the generations.
Solid technique and stamina can get you far, but not beyond complete and seasoned players.
As if at one point the coaching switched to accelerated courses.
Laws of market.

 

[Red Rick]

Discouraging signals toward challengers.
Maybe the best match to notice the difference between the generations.
Solid technique and stamina can get you far, but not beyond complete and seasoned players.
As if at one point the coaching switched to accelerated courses.
Laws of market.

Tbh I think younger players tend to be technically worse than the Big 3 purely technically, and I think they also have worse shotmaking ability and my pet theory that's down to growing up with poly strings in the junior game on already slowed courts.

 

[BullsFan22]

Tbh I think younger players tend to be technically worse than the Big 3 purely technically, and I think they also have worse shotmaking ability and my pet theory that's down to growing up with poly strings in the junior game on already slowed courts.

I think the biggest difference is mental toughness. The big three, especially Nadal and Djokovic are way ahead of the younger generation in that category.

 

[Red Rick]

I think the biggest difference is mental toughness. The big three, especially Nadal and Djokovic are way ahead of the younger generation in that category.

Nah. If it was just mental toughness they would've won something just by sheer variance by now cause no amount of mental toughness is gonna override all fluctuations of form etc. When Nadal and Djokovic are healthy and on their game, they're still the 2 best players in the world on any surface apart from Fed being better on grass than Nadal.

 

[tobydawq]

Nah. If it was just mental toughness they would've won something just by sheer variance by now cause no amount of mental toughness is gonna override all fluctuations of form etc. When Nadal and Djokovic are healthy and on their game, they're still the 2 best players in the world on any surface apart from Fed being better on grass than Nadal.

Not sure about Nadal still being better than Medvedev on non-clay. I know you don't think that highly of the Russian but I think he will win this tournament.

 

[sir fly]

Looks like the match against Nadal took plenty out of Tsitsipas. Not the same energy level today (both mental and physical).
It required less effort from Medvedev, but the job still had to be done. Fine demeanour and composure he has.

 

[Red Rick]

Not sure about Nadal still being better than Medvedev on non-clay. I know you don't think that highly of the Russian but I think he will win this tournament.

I don't know what was up with Nadals fitness this tournament, but Medvedev might indeed be better at the AO HC. Still back Nadal at the USO, and I think Nadal should've straight setted him in 2019. On grass I'd still pick Nadal as well, though they didn't play there in 2020.

I actually think Medvedev is the best of the nextgen but I'm very hesitant to call him a favorite based on todays match.

 

[Intra45]

Tbh I think younger players tend to be technically worse than the Big 3 purely technically, and I think they also have worse shotmaking ability and my pet theory that's down to growing up with poly strings in the junior game on already slowed courts.

I actually agree with you on your theory, sounds a lot like something i've been thinking

 

[Gigs_98]

Can't trust the next gen to do f*cking anything

 

[tobydawq]

Really disappointing match. Good we have some cross-wind action elsewhere.

 

[sir fly]

Promising beginning with break trading, but the experience turned the match in the oneway street.
I guess it's easier to hold the nerves while frontrunning.
It won't surprise me if this was the fastest Djokovic's (GS) title.

 

[Red Rick]

Can't trust the next gen to do f*cking anything

They can talk and tweet a lot tho.

I wasn't particularly high on Medvedev but I didn't expect this sort of meltdown. But the betting odds being nearly even and fan polls favoring Medvedev was just completely overreacting to Medvedevs semi where Tsistipas just played a really bad match and compeltely dismissing Djokovic' insane record at the AO once he gets to the semifinals.

There was Medvedevs recent record, including 12 consecutive top 10 wins (or 13), but no Grand Slams and he didn't face an opponent like Djokovic today. He did lose the USO semi to Thiem in straights, and I honestly think his mental toughness is a bit overstated cause he's stoic as ***, but he has had his meltdowns in matches before.

If there's any player I blindly trust to be a mental fortress, it's Djokovic at the Australian.

 

[BullsFan22]

Wasn’t expecting a straight set win, a four and perhaps a five setter with good quality. Medvedev beat himself. Once he lost the first set he seemed to not care. Shame.

 

[Red Rick]

Wasn’t expecting a straight set win, a four and perhaps a five setter with good quality. Medvedev beat himself. Once he lost the first set he seemed to not care. Shame.

He just crumbled under pressure. And because of the otherwise stoic attitude it looks like not caring. And he just does not have the tools to deal with Djokovic if Djokovic is outplaying him and he's on a bad serving day himself.

It's actually a big deal about all of the nextgen. None of them have great forehands to just get hot and force the issue.

 

[Red Rick]

Medvedev to hit #1 this year.

Still wont win a Grand Slam.

 

[tobydawq]

Medvedev and Zverev both lost in the first round of Rotterdam today...

I think Red Rick hopes that Rublev will suffer the same fate tonight (okay, his is a round 2 match but still).

 

[Red Rick]

Medvedev and Zverev both lost in the first round of Rotterdam today...

I think Red Rick hopes that Rublev will suffer the same fate tonight (okay, his is a round 2 match but still).

These 2 really made me wonder how big their starting fees were. I think at some point Zverev didn't play Washington cause they wouldn't cough up $400,000.

Rublev too good for Murray as expected. Good showing in the first set. Also, Murray is his own best commentator.

 

[tobydawq]

These 2 really made me wonder how big their starting fees were. I think at some point Zverev didn't play Washington cause they wouldn't cough up $400,000.

Rublev too good for Murray as expected. Good showing in the first set. Also, Murray is his own best commentator.

It was good to see him again. I can't remember when I last saw him play but it must be more than two years ago.

And Federer is back next week.

 

[sir fly]

It was good to see him again. I can't remember when I last saw him play but it mudt be more than two years ago.

And Federer is back next week.

Federer's riding Paris - Nice?!

 

[Red Rick]

Federer's riding Paris - Nice?!

He's playing Doha. Plays Dubai the week after. Pretty tough fields for a 250 and 500.

 

[Red Rick]

Djokovic playing Miami after all. That and the extended COVID rankings should keep him at #1 probably, unless Nadal sweeps the clay or something crazy