2016 Tennis Thread

[Resolute 14]

I think the biggest problem is that Serena is a tennis player. Many of others are aspiring models who also play tennis. We harp on Genie for it, but she isn't the only one. Serena has the most talent, easily. But my impression is she also works much harder than most as well.

[Inglewood Jack]

I doubt that aspiring model theory. have you seen how many photo shoots Serena does for Nike and her other endorsements? she probably spends way more time in front of cameras and doing media commitments than any other WTA player.

Genie does have a very active instagram/twitter presence, but to assume this means her and any other girl not winning slams is slacking off just doesn't work for me. besides, if these girls were really concerned about preserving their modelling looks, they wouldn't be spending every single day practicing and playing out in the sun, clogging up their pores with sweat and wrecking their skin with constant grimacing and straining.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Serena is one of the few pure power players in the women's game. And of course she's an all-time physical specimen. Add in the way she was brought up by Richard (i.e. strictly), and it's no shocker she's so far and away the best player currently. Combine all that with a very down women's game overall, and it's just the perfect storm for one player to dominate at a borderline historic level.

I think that's what makes what Novak is doing all the more impressive. While there is a lack of young up and coming star talent (and one of the few, Kyrgios, is ####ed in the head), the current top 10 has lots of very talented guys in their peak, and old man Federer somehow still being #2 overall. The men's field is better and deeper, and Novak is arguably dominating it more than Serena is dominating the women's field.

[bomber317]

Time for some Chang underhand serves!

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The thing in women's tennis that has somehow deteriorated is the serve. I'm not sure why this has happened. The players mentioned above (Capriati, Clijsters, Davenport, Henin, Hingis and even Venus) had decent to good serves. Obviously not as good as Serena's but enough to trouble Serena on returns.

Today nobody except Serena can serve worth a damn. Sharapova, Radwanska, Wozniacki all the way down to Bouchard have terrible serves that Serena just punishes.

Vika is the only other player with a decent serve and game. Lisicki has a great serve but can't do anything else.

[Inglewood Jack]

I think Djoker has a very distinct physical advantage over the rest of the field. he's been proven to be stronger, faster, more flexible and more durable than his rivals. even if you assume the other guys are similarly skilled, Djoker is going to dominate the 5 set format by attrition alone. that's why he's only beatable on very fast courts in 3 sets where a hot/cold run or pure luck can make a difference.

this is the progression of all sports, every generation produces athletes of a higher physical calibre. it doesn't take anything away from what the previous greats did, but in my opinion Djoker won the genetic lottery just as Serena has, and is using it to the fullest.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

^All of those attributes could have been used to describe Nadal. I think it's more that Novak is currently at his peak.

I think that's what makes what Novak is doing all the more impressive. While there is a lack of young up and coming star talent (and one of the few, Kyrgios, is ####ed in the head), the current top 10 has lots of very talented guys in their peak, and old man Federer somehow still being #2 overall. The men's field is better and deeper, and Novak is arguably dominating it more than Serena is dominating the women's field.

See, I have the opposite reaction to Novak's placement. There just aren't any generational talents in the men's game right now, because the last two are old and broken down.

I'm with you that there seem to be a higher number of very good players, but there are no Federer, Nadal, Sampras class guys right now besides - arguably - Novak. And I really wouldn't put Novak on the same tier as those guys when they were at their peak, as Novak currently is.

[polak]

I wish we could see Roger at his peak versus Novak right now.

Bummed that Fed lost. O'well. Lets go Roanic. What time is that match?

[GirlySports]

same 1:30am

[CofR]

Who's staying up for tonight?

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by CofR

Who's staying up for tonight?

I'll be brewing the coffee tonight

[InBurkeWeTrust]

1:30am.. not sure if I have it in me lol

[dash_pinched]

As for tonight's match, Milos is in tough as Murray is playing very well. As much as Milos will need to rely on his serve, I think his return game might be the deciding factor. If he remains aggressive by coming to the net and keeping the rallies short, he definitely has a chance to reach the finals.

[CedarMeter]

How many ranking spots would Milo's move up if he makes it to the final?

[polak]

Originally Posted by CofR

Who's staying up for tonight?

Do you guys not have to go to work in the morning? I'd love to attempt it but that would potentially put you in bed around 3 or 4? Work at 9.

That's not possible for me. I'm impressed at those who can pull it off.

[GirlySports]

i can't.. if he makes the final i can stay up saturday night

[Senator Clay Davis]

Get the power nap in for about 3-4 hours (so asleep by 9-10pm), and it's usually enough. Yeah you're groggy as #### the next day but it's 3 or 4 times a year. And I only get up for matches worth getting up for. Aussie is weird because if you don't stay up and go to work by the time you get home, the next day has already started in the tournament.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by CedarMeter

How many ranking spots would Milo's move up if he makes it to the final?

The live rankings have him currently up three spots from 14 to 11.

http://live-tennis.eu/

[Mango]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

I'll be brewing the coffee tonight

My plan is to stay up, combined with an early power nap. We'll see if it actually happens

[CofR]

Originally Posted by polak

Do you guys not have to go to work in the morning? I'd love to attempt it but that would potentially put you in bed around 3 or 4? Work at 9.

That's not possible for me. I'm impressed at those who can pull it off.

Shift worker, I'm working nights tonight anyway so I'll be up.

[bluck]

I'll be up as well. Go Milos!