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French Open 2021

Floppybits

A few days away from the second Slam of the year. I guess for the men's Nadal has to be favourite. Is there anyone that beat him here? As for the ladies for me its wide open with 3 or 4 players that can win. I see Osaka has said she is not doing any press at the French Open for her mental health. I don't see her winning it.

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Slashermcguirk

If Djokovic brings his A game it could be an epic match, that's a big if though. I really feel the 1st set is crucial for Novak. If he could somehow nick it, then I think it could be a great contest. He doesnt tend to be a fast starter and that would be the worry here. Giving Nadal an early lead on Chatrier is a disaster.

Fingers crossed it's a great match and may the best player win. Just have to hope Tsitsipas wins the other semi as I think he would make the final most competitive

[Deleted User]

I would be surprised if "Djokodal" @ RG is as one-sided as last year.

Last year I thought that Nadal was unplayable at RG

Hopefully Djokovic can keep serving as well he has been this week

Hopefully also he arrives as pumped up as he left the court last night (maybe he told the wife to hold off on any action until Friday night!) and that he can avoid letting Nadal's OCD antics getting to him

Then we have a match (I think).

[Deleted User]

Winners win.

It's not bridge.

I doubt if Berrettini is offended.

If anything he's privileged to encounter a great at the business end of a slam to see what's required to be a great.

To see the enduring hunger.

These matches mould the ones who come after.

Maybe Berrettini can make it to rise another level, (he's a bit lacking in pace) maybe he won't. But he has an idea what the level is first-hand.

Otherwise standards slip down and down. Into the abyss.

Aka WTA.

Augme

Furze99 wrote: »

That's why I thought Djokovic's antics last night were so poor - it's as if in his head he thinks he has a divine right to win. How dare some upstart take a set off him, save two match points etc. It was piss poor behaviour towards a player further down the rankings who has a good a right as any to break through. It's a bully mentality - Serena has done it as well against younger players in the past. I used to admire Novak and as said above regarded him more highly than other two, but when his true colours show through - he's just shown up to be quite unlikable.

Billy mentality? Please. This up and coming players need to stop being so mentally weak if they feel what Novak did is disrespectful tbh. Maybe of they showed the same passion and emotion they wouldn't be still struggling to perform on the big occasions.

Christy42

Rob2D wrote: »

That's the game.

John McEnroe: "Basically, it's a sport for killers."

I think all sports are like that. Even if you have been on the worst streak you need to think that this one is yours.

In most sports I have seen the top guys being described as arrogant. And they normally agree with it.

Fed seems to have the charisma at times to not seem it quite as much but it is still there.

Rob2D

Furze99 wrote: »

That's why I thought Djokovic's antics last night were so poor - it's as if in his head he thinks he has a divine right to win. How dare some upstart take a set off him, save two match points etc. It was piss poor behaviour towards a player further down the rankings who has a good a right as any to break through.

That's the game.

John McEnroe: "Basically, it's a sport for killers."

Slashermcguirk

I think people misunderstand Novak, he is just an intense player. He has built a career on playing his best tennis when it matters most and so often with crowd support against him because he broke up the duopoly between Federer and Nadal.

What is interesting to note though is he is very popular with players on tour. He is often spoken about very favourably by the next Gen, thiem, zverev, Medvedev etc all talk about how approachable he is off court compared to Fedal. You even just have to listen to Medvedev runner up speech in this years Australian open. Murray and Wawrinka are good friends with him and I have heard countless other players say he is among the nicest guys behind the scenes.

I think he does certain things on court that he shouldn't but I think he is hugely misunderstood. There is so much snobbery in tennis and he so often has to battle his opponent and the crowd simultaneously. The fact is the more the crowd try and bring him down it only inspires him and makes him more determined to win.

Just look at what he put up with in the Wimbledon final in 2019 and at us open final in 2015, both vs Federer. He was playing against the whole stadium but as is so often the case, he silenced them all. He and Nadal are the ultimate competitors

Furze99 wrote: »

That's why I thought Djokovic's antics last night were so poor - it's as if in his head he thinks he has a divine right to win. How dare some upstart take a set off him, save two match points etc. It was piss poor behaviour towards a player further down the rankings who has a good a right as any to break through. It's a bully mentality - Serena has done it as well against younger players in the past. I used to admire Novak and as said above regarded him more highly than other two, but when his true colours show through - he's just shown up to be quite unlikable.

Furze99

Girly Gal wrote: »

Was the Nadal v Djokovic semi final ever really in any doubt, men's tennis really is getting boring now. Rinse and repeat for Wimbledon as the winner between Djokovic and Nadal will most likely win there too. Men's tennis really needs one of the next gen guys to come through and win a slam or two, it ain't gonna happen here and highly unlikely at Wimbledon either, maybe at the US or AO, but, I'd still fancy Djokovic or Nadal for both, then we're back at next year's FO and we all know who's going to win that!

That's why I thought Djokovic's antics last night were so poor - it's as if in his head he thinks he has a divine right to win. How dare some upstart take a set off him, save two match points etc. It was piss poor behaviour towards a player further down the rankings who has a good a right as any to break through. It's a bully mentality - Serena has done it as well against younger players in the past. I used to admire Novak and as said above regarded him more highly than other two, but when his true colours show through - he's just shown up to be quite unlikable.

Hector Savage

Some posts have been deleted i see, (not mine - well one where I quoted said post) guess some truths can't be said ...

Slashermcguirk

I think 2007 - 2016 was absolute peak. 2010 and 2011 were immense, the level Nadal played in 2010 and Djokovic in 2011 was off the charts. It was like two players from a parallel universe.

quote="Girly Gal;117385806"]I agree with most of the above, certainly the women's game has been poor since around the late noughties, Serena really had no competition for around 10 years, looks like it might be starting to pick up again, but, they're all so inconsistent it's unbelievable really.
The standard in the Men's game was amazing from around 2005 to 2016 and while the big 3, certainly Nadal and Djokovic still play to a high level, the general standard hasn't been as good since around 2017 onwards. The fact Federer and Nadal contested the AO final in 2017 after both had long layoffs was a real indicator that the general level had dropped off. Still much more competitive than the women's game and the level much higher, but, certainly a level below what we saw between 2005-2016, tbf we'll never probably see that level of tennis again. We've been lucky to witness probably the 3 greatest players play each other over the last 15 years or so and it only when they are gone that we'll really appreciate how good they were. The next gen lads are a few levels below.[/quote]

Girly Gal

Slashermcguirk wrote: »

I think the mens tennis is super. You are watching three of the greatest players of all time fighting it out year after year. Their longevity at the top just shows how remarkable they are. Make no mistake, the players these guys have been beating over the past 10 years have been really good:

Wawrinka, Murray, del potro, cilic, tsitsipas, Ferrer, Medvedev, thiem, nishikori, Tsonga, berdych, Nalbandian. All of these guys in another era could win multiple slams but they are playing against freak talents. I know Wawrinka and Murray have both won 3 slams but the fact that most of those guys have not even won one slam just shows how competitive mens tennis has been.

The womens on the other hand has been an utter shambles for nearly 15 years. The moment Henin retired and the likes of Hingis and Clijsters fell away there was no competition. Henin had a great record against Serena but she retired so young, after that Serena had no rivals the past 10 years and the players she did face regularly never had enough game.

When Nadal, Djokovic and Federer retire, it's going to leave a gaping hole in mens tennis. We may never see ths likes of them again.

I agree with most of the above, certainly the women's game has been poor since around the late noughties, Serena really had no competition for around 10 years, looks like it might be starting to pick up again, but, they're all so inconsistent it's unbelievable really.
The standard in the Men's game was amazing from around 2005 to 2016 and while the big 3, certainly Nadal and Djokovic still play to a high level, the general standard hasn't been as good since around 2017 onwards. The fact Federer and Nadal contested the AO final in 2017 after both had long layoffs was a real indicator that the general level had dropped off. Still much more competitive than the women's game and the level much higher, but, certainly a level below what we saw between 2005-2016, tbf we'll never probably see that level of tennis again. We've been lucky to witness probably the 3 greatest players play each other over the last 15 years or so and it only when they are gone that we'll really appreciate how good they were. The next gen lads are a few levels below.

Slashermcguirk

Absolutely and rivalries make sport. The matches between Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have been so epic. While Nadal has a pretty lopsided record vs Federer due to playing styles just look at the other head to heads:

Djokovic 29 Nadal 28
Djokovic 27 Federer 23

The fact that all 3 adapted to the different surfaces has made it all the better and impressive

Rob2D

I'll have to agree that this really is the best outcome. I'd much rather watch these legends than some loser kids. IMO tennis is going to become so incredibly boring AFTER these guys retire. I can forsee myself starting to watch a lot more of the Champions tour in the future......

I'll continue rooting for the old guys. Just like if you sent me back in time to '91, I know who I'd be shouting for then as well: "If he didn't want it, I was more than happy to stay out there and try to take it." :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56bXXhHfYaY

Slashermcguirk

I think the mens tennis is super. You are watching three of the greatest players of all time fighting it out year after year. Their longevity at the top just shows how remarkable they are. Make no mistake, the players these guys have been beating over the past 10 years have been really good:

Wawrinka, Murray, del potro, cilic, tsitsipas, Ferrer, Medvedev, thiem, nishikori, Tsonga, berdych, Nalbandian. All of these guys in another era could win multiple slams but they are playing against freak talents. I know Wawrinka and Murray have both won 3 slams but the fact that most of those guys have not even won one slam just shows how competitive mens tennis has been.

The womens on the other hand has been an utter shambles for nearly 15 years. The moment Henin retired and the likes of Hingis and Clijsters fell away there was no competition. Henin had a great record against Serena but she retired so young, after that Serena had no rivals the past 10 years and the players she did face regularly never had enough game.

When Nadal, Djokovic and Federer retire, it's going to leave a gaping hole in mens tennis. We may never see ths likes of them again.

Girly Gal

glasso wrote: »

I think that it's great.

2 of the best ever players still playing at a great standard, who amazingly still have the hunger and passion after so many great achievements and some good up and comers.

WTA on the otherhand consists of 50 flakey plodders and cry-baby millennials who have the consistency of an Irish Summer and the standard is muck on the whole.

average world ranking of 42 in the semi-finals of a grand slam ffs.

even the commentators don't have a rashers who they are.

pathetic.

I agree with you regarding the women's game, it's been like that for years, but, disagree regarding the up and comers in the men's game they aren't up to standard, only one player (Theim) in their twenties has won a slam and only because Djokovic got disqualified at the US Open, that's shocking, they're even struggling to make slam finals, even an over the hill Federer has a better record than any of the next gen guys over the last 5 years at GS level. When Djokovic and Nadal do retire, we'll see outsiders comes along and win some slams, also if Tsitsipas for example ends up winning 10 slams which is possible, but, only wins them when Djokovic and Nadal retire, could he really be described as a great of the game?

seligehgit

I'm looking forward to this clash of the titans as much as ever.

[Deleted User]

Girly Gal wrote: »

Was the Nadal v Djokovic semi final ever really in any doubt, men's tennis really is getting boring now. Rinse and repeat for Wimbledon as the winner between Djokovic and Nadal will most likely win there too. Men's tennis really needs one of the next gen guys to come through and win a slam or two, it ain't gonna happen here and highly unlikely at Wimbledon either, maybe at the US or AO, but, I'd still fancy Djokovic or Nadal for both, then we're back at next year's FO and we all know who's going to win that!

I think that it's great.

2 of the best ever players still playing at a great standard, who amazingly still have the hunger and passion after so many great achievements and some good up and comers.

WTA on the otherhand consists of 50 flakey plodders and cry-baby millennials who have the consistency of an Irish Summer and the standard is muck on the whole.

average world ranking of 42 in the semi-finals of a grand slam ffs.

even the commentators don't have a rashers who they are.

pathetic.

Royale with Cheese

Nadal won't get near the Wimbledon title. Barring some kind of absolute miracle from Federer you can probably just hand the title to Djokovic now unless he clocks a line judge in the face again or something.

Girly Gal

Was the Nadal v Djokovic semi final ever really in any doubt, men's tennis really is getting boring now. Rinse and repeat for Wimbledon as the winner between Djokovic and Nadal will most likely win there too. Men's tennis really needs one of the next gen guys to come through and win a slam or two, it ain't gonna happen here and highly unlikely at Wimbledon either, maybe at the US or AO, but, I'd still fancy Djokovic or Nadal for both, then we're back at next year's FO and we all know who's going to win that!

Furze99

I’m not referring to his shouts of triumph on ‘winning’. Two points before that, Berettini saved a match point with a great forehand and Novak lost it. Ranted at his team, kicked the side hoarding. Should have forfeited the game there & then. Nothing went against him, yer man beat him with a good shot. That roaring was bad gamesmanship. I prefer Novak to Nadak & Federer on the whole but that’s just very poor. Be good to see Rafa put some manners on him now.

Augme

I think trying to get the umpire to delay starting the game clock because it suits your age and style of play is a much better example of really bad gamesmanship then showing emotion when you win a match.

yerwanthere123

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

I'm just hoping Djokovic can push Nadal in the semi enough to make the final a little bit interesting. Hopefully Tsitsipas gets through in straight sets to make the final somewhat interesting too. Worst case scenario is Zverev somehow getting through... he won't take 5 games off Nadal.

He's a long long way from the favourite but Tsitsipas can beat Nadal, he just needs absolutely everything to go his way on the day.

I do think Tsitsipas will win slams but can't see it happening just yet. I'd forgotten how young he is, just 22! Definitely thought he was 24/25.

Slashermcguirk

I think it's hard to judge, when you are playing in the pressure cauldron these guys are competing in. I think removing the crowd has a huge impact on the players and that was the reason for that emotion at the end.

Playing in front of an empty stadium must be the most bizarre feeling after all the fans were there. You hear so many elite athletes during Covid saying they just cannot up their game with no crowds. Its messing with their heads.

Unfortunately Nadal awaits. He is big time up against it but had he lost that 4th set it was definitely curtains

quote="HeidiHeidi;117384642"]No worse than a "rain stopped play", or a delay to close the roof.

Can't agree on the roaring and shouting, highly disrespectful to the opponent IMO.[/quote]

Hector Savage

Furze99 wrote: »

Very poor gamesmanship from Djok at the end. Leaves a bad taste. There’s ways to win and that’s not one of them.

Yeah you're right , he should timewaste during the game, constantly pump his fists and scream VAMOS - even when it's 15-0 on his own serve at 0-0 1st set ... constantly give them the evil eye during the game, pick his arse, intimidate the umpire ...etc ...

Royale with Cheese

I'm just hoping Djokovic can push Nadal in the semi enough to make the final a little bit interesting. Hopefully Tsitsipas gets through in straight sets to make the final somewhat interesting too. Worst case scenario is Zverev somehow getting through... he won't take 5 games off Nadal.

He's a long long way from the favourite but Tsitsipas can beat Nadal, he just needs absolutely everything to go his way on the day.

C__MC

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

What??

Djockovic and nadal winning slams continously

Ffs Federer could even wimbledon

Only slam that throws a wobbler is the US.

HeidiHeidi

C__MC wrote: »

Boring, another semi final which is basically the final

How long can this go on for?.

What??

C__MC

Boring, another semi final which is basically the final

How long can this go on for?.

HeidiHeidi

Slashermcguirk wrote: »

Great to see that passion. Ridiculous removing the crowd and the break in play it created. You have to admire the phenomenal intensity that Novak brings. Might not be everyone's cup of tea but it shows how much him and Nadal care. They put everything on the court

No worse than a "rain stopped play", or a delay to close the roof.

Can't agree on the roaring and shouting, highly disrespectful to the opponent IMO.

[Deleted User]

Furze99 wrote: »

Very poor gamesmanship from Djok at the end. Leaves a bad taste. There’s ways to win and that’s not one of them.

you're right.

should have meekly dropped out of the tournament right there and then as he knows that he's likely to lose in the next round and saved himself for Wimbledon!

he's free to show some engagement and passion in victory.

It's over at that point.

It would be ignorant to do it during the match.

in fact it's good to see and it should be obvious that it's actually quite the compliment to Berrettini.