2026 Tennis thread

[dash_pinched]

Nice, Fonseca breaks Sinner serving for the match. The kid has played an excellent match tonight.

Edit: Sinner wins in two tie-breaks, Fonseca showed tonight that the hype is deserved.

[jg13]

so good haha

https://twitter.com/user/status/2030472637693198402

[dash_pinched]

Bianca victorious again at the WTA 125K event in Austin. Some very encouraging signs that she is working her way back and is now just outside the top 150 in live rankings.

[dash_pinched]

Wow, what a point just now between Draper and Djoker.

Edit: The one two points after was damn fine as well.

[jg13]

Here it is

https://twitter.com/user/status/2031926841750012112

[Erick Estrada]

Another fantastic evening match. Djokovic surprisingly sloppy in that tiebreaker.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Another fantastic evening match. Djokovic surprisingly sloppy in that tiebreaker.

Yup, Draper blinked serving for the match at 5-4 in set 3 and then Novak with some inexplicable shot selection in the tie-break.

[troutman]

Vicky at #9 in live rankings. Personal best.

19 years old.

Acclaimed tennis coach Rick Macci has backed Victoria Mboko to crack the top five of the WTA Rankings in 2026 and ultimately challenge for Grand Slam titles. [MSN]

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Yup, Draper blinked serving for the match at 5-4 in set 3 and then Novak with some inexplicable shot selection in the tie-break.

The his drop shot was not very good all match so curious to try one at a crucial point in the tiebreaker. Interesting stat from the match was Djokovic serving nearly 10 mph faster on 1st serve than the last time he won the tournament in 2016. Just goes to show how much faster the game is getting and that high end play in 2016 likely doesn't get the job done in 2026.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The his drop shot was not very good all match so curious to try one at a crucial point in the tiebreaker. Interesting stat from the match was Djokovic serving nearly 10 mph faster on 1st serve than the last time he won the tournament in 2016. Just goes to show how much faster the game is getting and that high end play in 2016 likely doesn't get the job done in 2026.

The game is faster and more guys are hitting harder, but it's also pretty clear that Novak doesn't have near the endurance that he had in 2016. That's likely the reason why he's going to the drop shot, he's looking to end the point quickly one way or the other.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The his drop shot was not very good all match so curious to try one at a crucial point in the tiebreaker. Interesting stat from the match was Djokovic serving nearly 10 mph faster on 1st serve than the last time he won the tournament in 2016. Just goes to show how much faster the game is getting and that high end play in 2016 likely doesn't get the job done in 2026.

Hugh Clarke backs up your assertion about the speed of the game, in his Sinner Fonseca analysis

https://hughclarke.substack.com/p/si...n-wells-fourth

“yeah tactics are cool and all, but have you tried hitting every ball at 100 mph?”

[dash_pinched]

Sending all the big guns, great to see...

https://twitter.com/user/status/2032082408099455105

[EldrickOnIce]

Excited for the Mboko/Sabalenka match!
Be interesting go see how better prepared Vicki is this time. She is playing great tennis right now. Unfortunate that the draw sees them meet already, as this could have been the final, maybe.
I expect Vicki to push her hard and maybe win a set, I do not expect her to win.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Excited for the Mboko/Sabalenka match!
Be interesting go see how better prepared Vicki is this time. She is playing great tennis right now. Unfortunate that the draw sees them meet already, as this could have been the final, maybe.
I expect Vicki to push her hard and maybe win a set, I do not expect her to win.

I'm wondering how long it takes until Sabalenka's grunting drives me nuts. I'm setting the over/under at 5 minutes lol.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

I'm wondering how long it takes until Sabalenka's grunting drives me nuts. I'm setting the over/under at 5 minutes lol.

Hahahaha
Mute!

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

The game is faster and more guys are hitting harder, but it's also pretty clear that Novak doesn't have near the endurance that he had in 2016. That's likely the reason why he's going to the drop shot, he's looking to end the point quickly one way or the other.

There were also a few points in the 3rd set where he came in behind some first serves that were ripe for passing shots. I do that too when I'm tired and it typically goes as bad for me as it did for him last night.

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

I'm wondering how long it takes until Sabalenka's grunting drives me nuts. I'm setting the over/under at 5 minutes lol.

Whenever I see discussions of best of five WTA matches, the first thing that comes to mind for me is having to endure 5 sets of her grunting.

[EldrickOnIce]

So hard to break Sabalenka, with that serve

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

So hard to break Sabalenka, with that serve

Yeah, not sure who get more free points on serve, her or Rybakina. I like floating the return back with no pace though, it's worked a few times.

[dash_pinched]

That's a big hold by Vicky just now saving two break points.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

That's a big hold by Vicky just now saving two break points.

She's doing exactly what I was hoping she would do. You love to see the growth. The first time they played, Sabalenka overwhelmed her in the first set. Not today