Australian Open 2020

dominatinMC wrote: »

Not for me. Agree that it has the best atmosphere (although USO is probably a close second), but I think the scheduling/timing of the event (being at the start of the calender year) just doesn't do it for me. And the time difference is an issue too, particularly in the early rounds. For me, I'll always associate the "core" of the tennis season with the Summer months, and the build up to the FO and Wimbledon make them special. Obviously, everyone has there own preference though

Yeah I think January is just way too early in the year for it

I always associate elite events with being well into the season in a given sport. I personally don't understand a major tournament taking place only a few weeks into a new season.

Would personally like them to be scheduled much more like the golf

jr86 wrote: »

Steady yet he's only 2 matches played

Lets see how he gets on today against a home player who he lost to at a slam before

Well at least i haven't been left with egg on my face so far anyway :pac:

Millman is always tricky for Fed. Add the night match element and home crowd atmosphere and it becomes even trickier

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

I want her to beat Court's 'record' but I can't root for her either, so it's a weird catch-22. I mean Serena isn't a very nice person but Margaret Court is repulsive.

I know we'll be a while waiting but maybe Coco Gauff will ultimately do it!!

Great to see her backing up her Wimbledon run.

I'm unsure whether Nadal could have handpicked a better third round opponent than Carrena Busta

Weaponless players aren't beating Nadal

Let's see how he looks against thiem presuming they both make the quarters. Won't be as easy when he has winners flying past him and someone who can go toe to toe on rallies

I've a sneaky feeling Thiem could dump him out here

Kyrgios won't have the discipline but even that could be a slog for Rafa

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Realistically i think she has this year and next to do it, after that you're seriously pushing boat out. It's not impossible by any stretch, but dont fancy it personally, more inclined to think her winning days are done. Its not quite a vintage era exactly but there are still enough players there, likes of Andreescu or Barty, against whom i dont think her power or intimidation factor will be enough. Admire her for keeping on though, and hope she does it for point made above in relation to the odious Court.

I'd like to think she won't win anymore but put someone like sharapova, radwanska or Errani across the net from her last July at the Wimbledon final and she would be currently holding that title despite turning up at the event rusty, blatantly unfit and even somewhat indifferent at times (committing to mixed doubles with Murray, seriously?)

Luckily halep is a very talented player who bet her off the court but I could very well see Serena powering her way through the rounds at Wimbledon and the US for the next year or 2 at least with possibly only the draw gods standing in her way

I think Williams has done wonders for women's tennis, without herself and her sister ratings would never be what they are over the last two decades, she's a huge draw wherever she goes. Add to that she's been important too over the years in ensuring hopeless players like errani haven't been fluking majors. In an era where many of the top players have struggled for consistency Serena has ensured the standard of the game overall hasn't fallen off a cliff completely.

Her time is well up now though, she's much slower, her mental strength has declined astronomically, she's not in the same planet fitness wise as she was. She's relying on aura alone and brute power these days.

But I can't blame anyone not wanting to see her winning any more after that embarrassing affair at the US open final v Osaka. There's been plenty more incidents over the years but that was the real coup de grace. Don't get me wrong her story is inspiring, and she ideally would be a superb role model but so much is spoiled by such diva and drama queen behaviour

In today's celebrity worshipping society though once someone is a champion of their sport it seems they can behave how they like and fans will just lap it up