2025 Tennis thread

[Nadal Fan]

Originally Posted by Izzle

I guess I'm the only one cheering for Sinner eh?

I'm not trying to be a jerk but what is it about Sinner that makes you a fan over Alcaraz? I could see being a Fed fan over Nadal back in the day they were both so engaging as players, but Alcaraz seems so much more entertaining than Sinner. I recognize his greatness but to me his game isn't nearly as exciting.

[dash_pinched]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1964418224797147517

[puffnstuff]

Sabalenka won the ladies singles 6 -3 7- 6

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

Sabalenka won the ladies singles 6 -3 7- 6

Great tournament for Amanda Anisimova and getting that win over Iga was sweet redemption. Sabalenka is just too tough on hard courts at the moment.

[dash_pinched]

That winning smile...

https://twitter.com/user/status/1964443629793267825

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by Nadal Fan

I'm not trying to be a jerk but what is it about Sinner that makes you a fan over Alcaraz? I could see being a Fed fan over Nadal back in the day they were both so engaging as players, but Alcaraz seems so much more entertaining than Sinner. I recognize his greatness but to me his game isn't nearly as exciting.

I like both, which is weird when you're supposed to build an altar to one and drink haterade for the other. I prefer the Alcaraz flair, but I can see how one might prefer quiet ruthless efficiency over showmanship and bravado.

[Nadal Fan]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

I like both, which is weird when you're supposed to build an altar to one and drink haterade for the other. I prefer the Alcaraz flair, but I can see how one might prefer quiet ruthless efficiency over showmanship and bravado.

I don't hate Sinner at all, I actually think he's the more consistent player. I also think he's a good guy off the court. Most people I talk to prefer Alcaraz I was just curious what is it about Sinners game that would draw someone to him rather than Alcaraz.

[Izzle]

Originally Posted by Nadal Fan

I'm not trying to be a jerk but what is it about Sinner that makes you a fan over Alcaraz? I could see being a Fed fan over Nadal back in the day they were both so engaging as players, but Alcaraz seems so much more entertaining than Sinner. I recognize his greatness but to me his game isn't nearly as exciting.

Good question.

Rather than player, I'm more a fan of the style of the player and how that style contributes to the symmetry of the game. A player who is consistent with both forehand and backhand, who has a great serve and phenomenal movement will likely be my pick. Alcaraz has those, but Sinner is just a bit more consistent.

This article by Hugh Clarke probably best exemplifies my preference.
https://hughclarke.substack.com/p/th...big-3-part-iii

I love how balanced the yellow arrows are compared to the red and cyan. I love the symmetry of the heat map. The very last chart in the article is a modification of the first chart I mentioned previously, red and cyan has changed, but I love that yellow has remained consistent.

I feel Sinner exemplifies that pattern the best. Now given his consistency and huge power from both wings and that's made me a fan and cheering for him over Alcaraz.

Ultimately, I'm looking for a great game and no doubt these two will deliver.

[Inglewood Jack]

Hugh Clarke is a prerequisite course for participating in this thread

[Izzle]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

Hugh Clarke is a prerequisite course for participating in this thread

Beautiful writer and great insights. My favorite writer amongst all sports writers.

ETA: IIRC, big credit to you Inglewood Jack. I think you were the first one to bring his articles up here. Thanks for introducing him to me.

[dash_pinched]

You'd think the US Open would want to have such a blockbuster final on a different day that the first Sunday of the new NFL season. I know it's been this way for some time now and the tennis schedule is already too jammed as is.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

I like both, which is weird when you're supposed to build an altar to one and drink haterade for the other. I prefer the Alcaraz flair, but I can see how one might prefer quiet ruthless efficiency over showmanship and bravado.

Yeah, the contrasting styles are what makes it so intriguing to watch, Alcaraz has the Federer flair and Sinner has the Djokovic cold and calculating precision.

[Nadal Fan]

Match has been delayed 30 minutes boo

[dash_pinched]

The Mango Menace just couldn't stay away.

[atb]

Brutal for the ticketholders stuck outside

[dash_pinched]

Charlie lining up his water bottles just like Rafa - Sinner should knock them over ala Lukas Rosol lol

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by atb

Brutal for the ticketholders stuck outside

They just showed a shot outside by the security gates and it looked like thousands of people still waiting. Imagine spending thousands of dollars to attend this match and you're stuck at the security gates.

[dash_pinched]

That could be the match right there.

[dash_pinched]

Congrats to Carlos, I just wish the match was a little more competitive, but Charlie was just much better than Jannik today.

[Nadal Fan]

Still no man has ever won the US Open without dropping a set which is pretty unbelievable