2024 Tennis Thread

[dash_pinched]

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8...That's the number of racket smashes Greikspoor just did as he drops the first set in a tie-break.

[Nadal Fan]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1766953974706393191

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Shapo is playing better tennis than Felix these days...

Yeah Shapo is showing signs as he's lost some really close 3 set matches to good players (should have beat Bublik a few weeks ago and Musetti a couple of days ago). Felix is struggling against qualifiers and not competitive against top players. It's like his game is just gone. How far is he willing to let his play sink before he finally moves on from Fontang as it's early but already looking like another lost year. I get the feeling this could be the year where he finally has to make the big decision that he's struggled to make for some time.

[Inglewood Jack]

even if he changes coaching teams immediately, there's no guarantee that the incoming coach is willing to push a serve and groundstroke rebuild. Felix has to be willing to do that, and that could take a full year before results start to show. Ugh, why does it feel like we have to get used to rebuilds everywhere now.

[Erick Estrada]

I'm still hopeful that one of Shapo or Felix can have a mid-career resurgence. It's going to take a lot of work on their end to fix some of their issues and maybe the right coach.

[dash_pinched]

The Phoenix Challenger event kicks off this week, maybe both Felix and Shapo should enter the tourney if possible.

[Nadal Fan]

Remember when Canada won the Davis Cup, or when Felix and Shapo were both in the semis of a Grand Slam.....seems like a lifetime ago given their recent results

[dash_pinched]

Holger Rune recently cut loose Sev Luthi, Felix and Fed share the same birthday, come on FAA make the call.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Nadal Fan

Remember when Canada won the Davis Cup, or when Felix and Shapo were both in the semis of a Grand Slam.....seems like a lifetime ago given their recent results

The thing about Davis Cup though is it's just one match and all these matches are being played indoors where both Felix and Shapo thrive. Quite a different scenario as opposed to a grand slam or Masters 1000 where you have to string together a series of good performances. Also, having Vasek available for doubles in Davis Cup is a huge advantage for Canada as well.

In the rallies that went 5+ shots yesterday against Carlitos, Alcaraz won 25 of them. Felix won 9. If the serve+1 is not working for Felix, he's going to be in trouble. Basically, all the best returners on tour can nullify Felix's serve and everybody knows to hit to his backhand because there's no confidence in that stroke these days.

[dash_pinched]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1767291148287070573

[dash_pinched]

^

La Monf comes back for a set and down love-3 to win a 3 hour and 15 minute battle against Cam Norrie.

[dash_pinched]

I certainly did not have lucky loser Luca Nardi taking out Novak tonight.

[atb]

Let’s go Nardi! Was at IW last week and watched his qualifying match, ended up losing but some unreal rallies. Ran into him watching Arnaldi and then again at our hotel. Super nice kid, what an amazing result.

[Inglewood Jack]

young Italians on tour determined to shut Djoker out this year

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

young Italians on tour determined to shut Djoker out this year

Musetti is thinking I'm not that old and then sees Sinner, Arnaldi, and Nardi passing him by

[Inglewood Jack]

And if you don't know, now you know

https://twitter.com/user/status/1766942024672927854

[Nadal Fan]

I question Novak's motivation these days. All his peers have retired or barely play anymore, he's already the winningest player in history, he has nothing left to achieve. It's understandable really, can't be that ultra focused forever.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Nadal Fan

I question Novak's motivation these days. All his peers have retired or barely play anymore, he's already the winningest player in history, he has nothing left to achieve. It's understandable really, can't be that ultra focused forever.

I think a lack of motivation and focus is playing a role, but these young kids don't have any scar tissue when it comes to playing Novak. They see other young guys like Sinner and Rune beating him and they come into the match believing that they can come away with the win. That was some clean ball-striking by Nardi last night, I thought some untimely double-faults might do him in, but he kept his composure when it counted.

[dash_pinched]

The other thing I will add is that the Italians are obviously doing something right with the development of tennis players in their country and a big reason is how many ATP Challenger events that they host. Last year, they had 23 ATP Challenger events and they give their most promising players plenty of opportunities to play against seasoned pros as well as other up-and-coming players.

It is interesting to note that in 2023, Italy hosted 23 ATP Challengers in all. By comparison, the United States, which has 33 times the geographic size as Italy and has 280 million more people, hosted one fewer ATP Challenger with 22.

This article discusses Arnaldi's development and how challenger events played a big part in that development.

https://www.worldtennismagazine.com/archives/22561

[GirlySports]

Djokovic might be going through the motions, saving himself for the Olympics, the only thing he's never won.