2023 Tennis Thread

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by Izzle

/goat debate

It was over years ago, but this is the final quantitative measure that any detractors could have pointed to in support of either Rafa or Roger.

[Izzle]

Lol... Novak with that tacky jacket and 23 stitched on it. Same thing was done in the AUS open and 22

[Nadal Fan]

Congratulations to Novak on his 23rd major, the one thing that is crazy is that there is really no one that has consistently figured him out. Maybe Rune or Alcaraz can be that guy but right now there is no one playing in his league he is the best player in the world by a mile.

Also in terms of the GOAT debate, this win puts him on top for this generation, slams are the most important tournament today and he has the most. But that wasn't always the case, I mean Bjorg played in one AO because no one uses to care about it.

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by Izzle

Lol... Novak with that tacky jacket and 23 stitched on it. Same thing was done in the AUS open and 22

He's not a classy guy. He wonders why he isn't loved to anywhere near the extent the other guys are, but deep down I'm sure he knows it's because he's a dickhead.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

He's not a classy guy. He wonders why he isn't loved to anywhere near the extent the other guys are, but deep down I'm sure he knows it's because he's a dickhead.

He's an enigma, that's for sure. He does some good things and overall I think he's a good person, but some of the decisions he makes and things that he says just leave you scratching your head.

[dash_pinched]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1667932265198780418

[Izzle]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

He's not a classy guy. He wonders why he isn't loved to anywhere near the extent the other guys are, but deep down I'm sure he knows it's because he's a dickhead.

Nah, I disagree. He's a hothead on the court. But he's always been gracious to his opponents in victory or defeat.

He might not be as "loved", but whatever. Hard numbers get etched on the trophies.

[dash_pinched]

Andy Murray won a tourney today as well (the Surbiton Challenger grass event).

[Nadal Fan]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Andy Murray won a tourney today as well (the Surbiton Challenger grass event).

Andy Murray winning two grand slam titles against Djokovic is looking more and more impressive every year.

[Nadal Fan]

What are some absolute classic Djokovic matches that you can remember? His 2012 AO win against Nadal and his 2019 Wimbledon title against Federer come to mind, but outside of those two what are the best most epic matches he has played in?

[Izzle]

Originally Posted by Nadal Fan

What are some absolute classic Djokovic matches that you can remember? His 2012 AO win against Nadal and his 2019 Wimbledon title against Federer come to mind, but outside of those two what are the best most epic matches he has played in?

You have to include the 2013 FO sf against Nadal too. Amazing match that one.

The 2011 US open sf against Fed with the FU forehand return which totally discombobulated Fed. Fed was so salty in the presser after too.

AO 2019 vs Nadal. Even Nadal admitted that that was the highest level of tennis he had faced ever.

[dash_pinched]

Aside from Medvedev and Covid, the only person capable of stopping Novak at a grand slam these days:

[Izzle]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Aside from Medvedev and Covid, the only person capable of stopping Novak at a grand slam these days:

Perhaps only at the French open. The other opens don't have line judges anymore.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Izzle

Perhaps only at the French open. The other opens don't have line judges anymore.

That's true and I think next year will be the last year at the French Open. I think I heard 2025 will have electronic line calling at Roland-Garros.

[Izzle]

Gotta think Djokovic is a favorite for Wimbledon. US open has always been tough for Djokovic. However, he's said that now he focuses only on grand slams. Avoiding other tournaments or taking them easy so as to be in game shape, might make him fresher coming into the US open. So badly want to see a CYGS in my lifetime.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

It was over years ago, but this is the final quantitative measure that any detractors could have pointed to in support of either Rafa or Roger.

Feds it is. One handed backhands trumps all.

What's next 2 handed forehands like Seles?

[cam_calderon]

I think he wins Wimbledon, but for whatever reason New York seems like the hardest place for him to win, Rafa dominance in Paris aside.

A calendar year slam would be cool to see.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

I think he wins Wimbledon, but for whatever reason New York seems like the hardest place for him to win, Rafa dominance in Paris aside.

A calendar year slam would be cool to see.

Given the lack of grass court specialists these days I expect he should win Wimbledon providing his arm is all good but there are a lot of guys like Medvedev and Alcaraz that excel on hard courts. I feel bad for Ruud not being able to win a set in two FO finals and I thought he had a chance in that first set as he was hit for hit with Djokovic until the tie breaker and after that his level dropped and he played like a defeated player. If he's going to continue to get to Grand Slam finals he needs to learn how to maintain a higher level for an entire match as it's kind of a bummer for the final to be a formality. You can't throw in the towel after the first set like that.

[dash_pinched]

Milos won his opening service game on his return to the tour despite four double faults.

Edit: And then breaks Kecmanovic to go up 2-love

[dash_pinched]

Back on serve now, but the serve + 1 was working well for Milos in that last service game.

Edit: Milos breaks again and then consolidates to take the opening set 6-3. Shaking off the rust on the serve, but the ground strokes are looking quite good after such a long layoff.