2021 In Between Grand Slam Thread

yerwanthere123

New thread for a new year. Here's to hoping we can see as much tennis as is reasonably possible

Here's the ATP provisional schedule



And the WTA

yerwanthere123

Anyone wanna try make some predictions for 2021?

At the very least I think we'll definitely get all of the grand slams played this year. I don't think we'll have a single tournament worldwide played with a full crowd, everything will be either behind closed doors or with significantly reduced attendances.

I think we'll see at least one new grand slam winner on the WTA side, and probably all four grand slams divided amongst four different women. We've seen seen a lot of meteoric rises and surprising champions on the WTA side inside the two to three years, and a return to teenagers winning grand slams. I'm trying to think of who the next one might be, perhaps Leylah Fernandez? I know next to nothing about her, but she finished last year inside the top 100 and got a win over a top 5 player also, so I think she'll continue to ascend the rankings. Could she win a grand slam? Who the hell knows, but I highly doubt anyone would've picked Swiatek, Kenin or Andreescu to win one a year before they did.

I don't see much changing on the ATP side, I think the slams will still be divided amongst Djokovic and Nadal. Perhaps Thiem will win another and maybe Federer will have one last throw of the dice at Wimbledon, though I wouldn't be surprised if we don't have any new winners. Could see Sinner becoming a big threat at the slams, but 2021 might still be a bit too soon to lift a trophy.

I unfortunately think we'll see a lot of dumb players continue to ignore Covid-19 rules and restrictions, with lots of players exposing themselves to be dickheads. Don't think Djokovic would be dumb enough to do it again, but wouldn't be surprised to see more of the same from Thiem, Zverev, Querrey and co. But I'll give them a chance and hope for the best!

Girly Gal

Two predictions for 2021, first Djokovic to surpass Federer weeks at No 1 and second Rafa to win the FO, really sticking my next out there.
I think if we are to see any of the younger generation to win slams, it'll be at the AO or USO, don't see them winning at FO or Wimbledon. I think it'll be Federer's last season and he'll go all out to win Wimbledon and or the Olympics, don't think he win either tbh.
On the women's side I think Serena will continue to come up short at the slams and could retire at end of season. Wouldn't be surprised to see 4 different winners at the slams with Osaka and Halap among the main contenders and probably an outsider winning 1 slam.
Don't think we'll see full crowds at all unfortunately, but, all 4 slams will take place.

josip

Grand Slams

• Men: Thiem, Nadal, Djokovic, Thiem
• Women: Everyone except Williams
• Hector to post multiple times during each GS that they might as well give it to Nadal

lostcat

Girly Gal wrote: »

Two predictions for 2021, first Djokovic to surpass Federer weeks at No 1 and second Rafa to win the FO, really sticking my next out there.

As far as I understand it the ATP has decided to continue the protection of last years ranking points until March 2021. As Djokovic won basically everything until March 2020 his hold on the No 1 ranking till March seems unbreakable, so he will likely surpass Federers record of weeks as No 1 'by default'.

The AO will be interesting, I don't think Djokovic is the overwhelming favourite he previously was.

Anyone but Nadal wining the French would be a huge shock, however the year is going to be weird, he may not be able to 'tee up' his run as well as he usually does but it shouldn't matter.

I expect Federer to have a final tilt at Wimbledon and the Olympics before bowing out, but I'm not sure he is going to be fit/sharp enough to win anything. It will be nice to watch him try.

I find it increasingly hard to care about many of the others to be honest, will be mildly interesting to see them develop but until they start beating the older lads in Slams, I still find it hard to take them seriously.

Predictions: Djokovic and Nadal to each pick up a slam, Thiem to win one also, as well as the Olympic gold, Djokovic to end up year end No 1 again depending on what happens at Wimbledon.

Looking forward to it.

dominatinMC

Tend to agree with the general sentiment on here in that:

1. AO is more open that previous years and Djokovic is not the overwhelming favourite as usual. Thiem has a good chance imo
2. Nadal is a lock for the FO. Even if certain leadup tournaments are cancelled this year (doubtful tbh), Nadal showed us last year that - contrary to popular belief - the buildup doesn't necessarily matter to him. He will surpass Feds GS record this year
3. Fed will go all-out to win Wimbledon and it would be a fairytale ending, and I can see him doing so IF Djokovic is beaten by someone else. Possible, but unlikely. Would be the sports story of the decade, only one year in
4. USO, as always, will be the most open. Hard to call and all depends on form/injuries at that stage of the year
5. Djokovic will surpass Fed for weeks at No.1 - inevitable really.
6. Fans will return to matches! Maybe they will only do so in limited numbers, but I think most tournaments from March/April onwards will have a sizeable amount of fans. Badly needed too, as a lot of matches last year felt dull and dismal without the atmosphere

yerwanthere123

Few random bits of news; Andy Murray has withdrawn from Delray Beach due to flight risks associated with covid-19, is aiming to play the Australian Open.

Maybe some of ye didn't notice it missing above, but Indian Wells has already been cancelled. They're hoping to play it some time later in the year but that'll hardly happen.

In disappointing news, The ATP/WTA Live App has been discontinued for some unknown reason. Such a simple, easy-to-use resource, it's a baffling decision for it to be let go.

Australian Open preparations hit a major hiccup when owners of penthouses in one of the Australian Open quarantine hotels objected to players staying there. Apparently another one has been found with an announcement due next week, but really not the kind of stuff we want to be hearing when the players are due to arrive in ten days. Hope it all proceeds as seamlessly as is possible.

lostcat

If theres one useful thing Covid has shown us, it's that players are more than capable of using a towel without assistance and I hope that ball kids continue to be relieved of this 'duty' in the future once the pandemic recedes.
I never gave it much thought but, on reflection, the optics were always odd.

yerwanthere123

lostcat wrote: »

If theres one useful thing Covid has shown us, it's that players are more than capable of using a towel without assistance and I hope that ball kids continue to be relieved of this 'duty' in the future once the pandemic recedes.
I never gave it much thought but, on reflection, the optics were always odd.

Yeah I think a lot of people feel the same, not missing the sight of watching children having to handle the players manky towels. Most of the time it's only used tactically anyway, so I hope it doesn't come back.

yerwanthere123

World #29 Dayana Yastremska provisionally suspended for doping offences

https://twitter.com/ITFMedia/status/1347196958864269312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1347196958864269312%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennisforum.com%2Fthreads%2Fbombshell-yastremska-busted-for-doping.1377980%2F

Naturally, she's pleading her innocence

https://twitter.com/D_Yastremska/status/1347199074626396161

Not even sure exactly what mesterolone metabolite is, or how any form of "contamination" would be possible, but she seems like an unsavoury character all round so I wouldn't be inclined to believe her.

Girly Gal

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

World #29 Dayana Yastremska provisionally suspended for doping offences

https://twitter.com/ITFMedia/status/1347196958864269312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1347196958864269312%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennisforum.com%2Fthreads%2Fbombshell-yastremska-busted-for-doping.1377980%2F

Naturally, she's pleading her innocence

https://twitter.com/D_Yastremska/status/1347199074626396161

Not even sure exactly what mesterolone metabolite is, or how any form of "contamination" would be possible, but she seems like an unsavoury character all round so I wouldn't be inclined to believe her.

Don't know anything about her, apart from this doping incident what else has she done or said for you to describe her as an unsavory character?

yerwanthere123

Girly Gal wrote: »

Don't know anything about her, apart from this doping incident what else has she done or said for you to describe her as an unsavory character?

I was primarily referring to her on court behaviour. Fond of taking medical time outs when she's losing, and has retired when down match point on three separate occasions. Perhaps it's happened even more than that, idk, so generally she's got form for being a bit of a cnut

Joe_ Public

I see Francesca Jones, 20 year old from leeds, has qualified for aussie main draw. Has a rare medical condition which meant she was born missing a finger on either hand and a toe on right foot. Docs told her she'd never be able to play professional tennis. Media are going to love her but understandable, very inspiring story for dark times.

yerwanthere123

Sabalenka starts the new season where she left off, wins the tournament in Abu Dhabi for her third consecutive title. Remains to be seen if she can bring this form to the slams.

Delighted to see Tsvetana Pironkova get through qualies and make the main draw for the Australian Open. Rebecca Marino made it through also, will play her first grand slam in eight years. Disappointed to see Ana Konjuh lose though, and especially to a doper.

De Minaur wins his fourth career title in Antalya, playing just two games after Bublik retires. Sebastian Korda, son of Petr, will play the Delray beach final against Hurkacz later today. It completely passed me by that he made the fourth round of RG back in October, where he won four games against Nadal.

Christian Harrison came through qualies to make the SF's of Delray Beach, his first time making an ATP main draw since July 2018. He marked the occasion by getting fined $3,000 for refusing to wear a mask in one of his post match interviews and pushing his anti-mask views on Instagram ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ He'll play the doubles final with his brother Ryan.

OnlyFans star Tomic is still playing tennis apparently, and has qualified for the Australian Open main draw. So has 17 year old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who I think someone on here mentioned before? 23 year old American Michael Mmoh made it through also, his mother is Irish so at least there'll be some Irish representation in Melbourne, however tenuous.

lostcat

Andy Murray reported as being covid positive, likely in doubt for the AO.

Tennys Sandgren also had it but seems to no longer be 'contagious' and hopped on a plane to Aus, much hilarity apparantly ensued.

whiterebel

Yes, Murray has it but still hopes to play. Maybe its just me, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least not to see a slam this year. I'm still mystified why Qatar and Dubai would let hundreds of people in to facilitate Australia.

Joe_ Public

Would be surprised if murray can still play, given how strict the australian authorities have been in relation to pandemic control. Not sure why he's still even considering it tbh.

whiterebel

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Would be surprised if murray can still play, given how strict the australian authorities have been in relation to pandemic control. Not sure why he's still even considering it tbh.

Shocked even more about Sangren. I could just see him getting on the plane at one end, and everyone else getting off the other end......

Joe_ Public

whiterebel wrote: »

Shocked even more about Sangren. I could just see him getting on the plane at one end, and everyone else getting off the other end......

I'm not surprised at all about sandgren tbh, kind of behaviour you might expect from him. Just cos he already has virus is no reason to be able to fly as you can still transmit even if you have antibodies, far as i know anyway. I'd expect better from Murray though.

whiterebel

Joe_ Public wrote: »

I'm not surprised at all about sandgren tbh, kind of behaviour you might expect from him. Just cos he already has virus is no reason to be able to fly as you can still transmit even if you have antibodies, far as i know anyway. I'd expect better from Murray though.

The Aussie authorities let him in - that's what I'm surprised at.

Joe_ Public

whiterebel wrote: »

The Aussie authorities let him in - that's what I'm surprised at.

Ah right, i get ya. Am surprised at that too, expected them to be very strict about it.

yerwanthere123

Maybe something of a blessing in disguise for Andy (assuming covid isn't in any way serious for him, obviously). I doubt he was gonna go far anyway, might be better to start again with a few smaller tournaments before he plays a slam again.

2lazytogetup

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Maybe something of a blessing in disguise for Andy (assuming covid isn't in any way serious for him, obviously). I doubt he was gonna go far anyway, might be better to start again with a few smaller tournaments before he plays a slam again.

Sadly, i cant see Murray doing much on his return. his game was revolved around being a retriever which is harder being older. Though Djoko is a retriever and still going strong.hmmm.

hopefully that new German 'Sinner' will produce some more good results in 2021.

Royale with Cheese

What's the turn out for the AO going to be like? If I were on the tour with no hope of winning the tournament (like most players) I'd probably be happy to give it a miss given the quarantine requirements this year. Unless I really needed the money.

yerwanthere123

2lazytogetup wrote: »

Sadly, i cant see Murray doing much on his return. his game was revolved around being a retriever which is harder being older. Though Djoko is a retriever and still going strong.hmmm.

hopefully that new German 'Sinner' will produce some more good results in 2021.

Yeah I don't think Murray has much more to give to tennis either, but at the same time it'd be nice for him to go out on his own terms. And what are you insinuating about Djokovic? :pac:

Btw Sinner is Italian of Austrian heritage.

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

What's the turn out for the AO going to be like? If I were on the tour with no hope of winning the tournament (like most players) I'd probably be happy to give it a miss given the quarantine requirements this year. Unless I really needed the money.

Most are eager to play, there hasn't been many high profile withdrawals. Murray obviously probably won't be playing, and Madison Keys tested positive also. I'd expect a few more will have to withdraw between here and February 8th.

Also:
https://twitter.com/tumcarayol/status/1350246891397779458

Everyone on this flight is now confined to their rooms for two weeks, not allowed out even for tennis practice, meaning that if they play the warm up event they won't have hit a single ball in the fortnight prior. I imagine these players will now forego the warmup event and use it practice instead. Azarenka, Stephens and Nishikori are the biggest names apparently on the flight. Messy, messy situation.

josip

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Everyone on this flight is now confined to their rooms for two weeks, not allowed out even for tennis practice, meaning that if they play the warm up event they won't have hit a single ball in the fortnight prior. I imagine these players will now forego the warmup event and use it practice instead. Azarenka, Stephens and Nishikori are the biggest names apparently on the flight. Messy, messy situation.

Did everyone have to submit a negative PCR test from 48 hours or less prior to boarding the plane?

Floppybits

josip wrote: »

Did everyone have to submit a negative PCR test from 48 hours or less prior to boarding the plane?

Bandreescu coach has tested positive on arrival in Australia despite a negative test 72 hours earlier. He said he doesn't know how he contracted it.

https://twitter.com/jon_wertheim/status/1350462282497748995?s=19

mzungu

Not an ideal way to prepare for a slam, but stuff like this happening was always a risk.

Hopefully all involved have a speedy recovery and the tournament doesn't suffer anymore major setbacks.

Hector Savage

40,000 Australians stranded from home and are not allowed to enter Australia!!!

These are Australian *citizens* !! but their paranoid nazi government are in a panic over 1 case of Covid.

Meanwhile 1000's of elite tennis players just swan on in .....


Boycott the AO this year ...

Floppybits

72 players now in strict quarantine in Australia after another flight had positive covid tests. 3 flights now.

josip

Floppybits wrote: »

72 players now in strict quarantine in Australia after another flight had positive covid tests. 3 flights now.

Wouldn't it have been preferable to require that people on these flights test 72 hours before departure and to isolate/quarantine until the departure time?


Or were some of these scheduled flights?

yerwanthere123

So that's three flights involving 72 players so far, including a flight from Dubai which has most of the qualifiers. Also:

https://twitter.com/reid_butler9/status/1350648880015106054

And here's Kuznetsova and Yastremska (who's supposed to be banned?) on the flight over. I mean..

https://twitter.com/MSMWatchdog2013/status/1350673185369296899

Saw some mention of trying to create a 'bubble within a bubble' for the quarantined players. Messy start to the season, to say the least!

Girly Gal

Not a great lead in into the tournament, looks like it could have been handled better

Floppybits

Weren't all these flights chartered by the Australian Open to get the players to the tournament so that the players wouldn't be traveling on regular flights?

yerwanthere123

Floppybits wrote: »

Weren't all these flights chartered by the Australian Open to get the players to the tournament so that the players wouldn't be traveling on regular flights?

Yep, that's what happened I think. Unless some private flights were allowed?

whiterebel

They had chartered 15 planes to ferry everyone in. Thats why Aussies world wide are going mad. They want to get home and can't.
If this keeps up they'll be going straight to finals.....

2lazytogetup

@yeronethere.

Your man sinner is Italian but from same place as Seppi where its culturally closer to German way of life.

Lot of insinuations about djoko, I meant djoko as a retriever. Though djoko never misses.

Hector Savage

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

So that's three flights involving 72 players so far, including a flight from Dubai which has most of the qualifiers. Also:

https://twitter.com/reid_butler9/status/1350648880015106054

And here's Kuznetsova and Yastremska (who's supposed to be banned?) on the flight over. I mean..

https://twitter.com/MSMWatchdog2013/status/1350673185369296899

Saw some mention of trying to create a 'bubble within a bubble' for the quarantined players. Messy start to the season, to say the least!

Little stasi curtain twitcher, they expect people to be muzzled for an 18 hr flight ??


edit - im referring to the twitter user here...

Floppybits

The Australians are not happy with this moaning tennis players and now Djokovic issuing a list of demands. Tomic's girlfriend is either thick or is just winding people up for a laugh.

https://twitter.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1351064435654324226?s=09

Joe_ Public

After the debacle that was his tournament last summer djokovic should really just zip it on this occasion. Walking pr disaster zone that fella!

Floppybits

Joe_ Public wrote: »

After the debacle that was his tournament last summer djokovic should really just zip it on this occasion. Walking pr disaster zone that fella!

And he wonder's why he isn't as popular as Federer or Nadal.

josip

I think this is just stupid journalism trying to get a few likes from readers who should know better.
On the RTE website they say that it was "reportedly" a list of demands and then in the next sentence, refer to it as a request. Big difference, which is it?

"World number one Novak Djokovic - who arrived on a virus-free flight and is being allowed to train in a bio-secure bubble - reportedly sent a list of demands to tournament organisers that included allowing players to move to private homes with tennis courts.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews rejected that request,"

As one of the big 3, he should be speaking out and trying to improve the conditions for other tennis players, not keeping his mouth shut.
Many of the players quarantined for 2 weeks are from the qualifiers and any requests/demands from them would be flatly ignored.
Hopefully we will see Nadal and Federer also try to improve the conditions for these other players.

2 weeks confined to a hotel room is not fun, either physically or psychologically.
Especially for a top level sports person preparing for one of the major sporting events of their calendar.

yerwanthere123

josip wrote: »

I think this is just stupid journalism trying to get a few likes from readers who should know better.
On the RTE website they say that it was "reportedly" a list of demands and then in the next sentence, refer to it as a request. Big difference, which is it?


As one of the big 3, he should be speaking out and trying to improve the conditions for other tennis players, not keeping his mouth shut.
Many of the players quarantined for 2 weeks are from the qualifiers and any requests/demands from them would be flatly ignored.
Hopefully we will see Nadal and Federer also try to improve the conditions for these other players.

2 weeks confined to a hotel room is not fun, either physically or psychologically.
Especially for a top level sports person preparing for one of the major sporting events of their calendar.

Yeah but... it's a global pandemic. Many thousands of Australians are stranded abroad and would to be in Djokovic's position. So he can kindly stfu.

josip

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Yeah but... it's a global pandemic. Many thousands of Australians are stranded abroad and would to be in Djokovic's position. So he can kindly stfu.

That's a bit harsh, he's not asking for things for himself; he wasn't affected.
He's asking for other players.
It's not Djokovic's or the other players' fault that there are Australians abroad who can't get home.
That's a decision made by the Australian government.
The same government that decided they wanted Melbourne to go ahead; they could have cancelled like Wimbledon did last year.

lostcat

josip wrote: »

That's a bit harsh, he's not asking for things for himself; he wasn't affected.
He's asking for other players.
It's not Djokovic's or the other players' fault that there are Australians abroad who can't get home.
That's a decision made by the Australian government.
The same government that decided they wanted Melbourne to go ahead; they could have cancelled like Wimbledon did last year.

have to agree with most of the above.
Djokovic isn't responsible for ex PAT Austrailians. He does seem to want to chime in on the conditions of professional tennis players (per his involvement in the new players council, which while its potential usefulness can be argued either way at the moment but hey, hes trying something).

in hindsight, the tournament should probably not have gone ahead, i'm not sure how 14 days in a hotel room can prepare one for professional sport of any sort (chess or darts excluded maybe)

there is going to be a rolling wave of positivie tests, reports of someone sticking their head out a window, players getting cabin fever, and there is also the whole issue of some players being in lockdown in Victoria while a load of others (inc Djokovic) are able to get some fresh air in Adelaide.

yerwanthere123

https://twitter.com/MallowNews/status/1351128297174917121

:pac:

2lazytogetup

https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/tennis/djokovics-mask-slips-again-in-australian-open-gaffe-39983906.html

great article from the telegraph that the independent published. real tongue in cheek. i enjoyed it as im no fan of djokovic. kyrios summed it up well at the end of the article.

josip

I'm a fan of Djokovic so I think he was dead right to ask for better conditions, even if it was unlikely some of them were going to be allowed.
I think he was an idiot hosting the tournament last year and for his opinion on vaccines.

Equally good article in the BBC today.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/55730099

Would it have been so difficult for the Australians to quarantine them in a hotel without mice and where you could open the windows?
But the Aussies are implying it's the players' fault for feeding the mice.

Some of the meals they are being supplied with looks like school cafeteria stuff.

In fairness Kyrios calling anyone a tool is the height of irony.

I will give Djokovic one thing - he actually speaks out and is no hotel mouse

As said above - goofy idea and worse execution on "his" tournament last year and would not agree with him about vaccines but no harm in voicing his opinion here

The Aussies get very defensive and "patriotic" about any criticism that comes their way.

They could have done some better planning for eventualities I think.

lostcat

Melbourne presses pause on play for a day due to a covid case in a hotel. I really hope the Slam, when it starts, dosen't decend into a mess.

whiterebel

lostcat wrote: »

Melbourne presses pause on play for a day due to a covid case in a hotel. I really hope the Slam, when it starts, dosen't decend into a mess.

I think that horse has bolted. I really don't know how the Australian government is allowing this to go on. 30,000 visitors a day? I don't see it ending well.