2015 Australian Open Final: S. Williams vs. Sharapova

[Sundaymorningguy]

I'd like to see Serena really tailor her schedule towards peaking right at slam time. If she has her sights this year on Wimbledon and the US Open I would hope she doesn't play too hectic a clay season. I think she got what she wanted out of Roland Garros and doesn't really need to have such a full clay season. Staying healthy in the next few years is of the utmost importance.

They have the extra week built in this year between Roland Garros and Wimbledon as long as she doesn't over cook her summer schedule I would say go for Roland Garros. She doesn't have to play Charleston since she went out early last year, and she shouldn't. I would do personally Stuttgart and Madrid and skip Rome. A Madrid/ Rome schedule is good too. Summer I would do Montreal/Toronto and Cinci and leave it at that.

Of all the clay events leading up to Roland Garos,I would skip Madrid,it is high altitude,fast clay court,more light a hard court,I would always play Rome,good preparation for Roland Garos,it is a true clay court,with true bounce.

She can't skip Madrid it is mandatory. I would have preferred Rome been the mandatory anyway.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Serena has a bit of breathing room now on the ranking which is good because she does have a shot at surpassing Chris in number of weeks at number 1. She just needs 37 more weeks at number 1 to do it. With little to defend at the slams until the US Open really Maria and Halep have big numbers to defend during clay season, I don't see any reason why Serena can't make it 37 weeks.

Wow, I didn't realize Serena was getting that close to Evert. Actually I was going to make the Women's Weeks at No. 1 Quiz today (did the Men's yesterday) so I'll have to take a look. How many tour titles does Serena have in all now? (There's another quiz I hope to make)

Nowhere near Navratilova, Evert, and Graf that's for sure! Her part time play over the years is going to inevitably hurt her in a lot of ways when it comes to tennis history! Wiki says 65 and in 6th place! What a time to think about her legacy and record; near the end of it! :nono uzzled :angel:

While I agree their number of titles is impressive, the only thing the general public remembers are the slam numbers. They don't care whether Serena, Graf, Evert or Martina won Rome or whatever other minor tournaments they won. I think Serena is trying to shore up the numbers she knows she will be remembered for which is the slams and any interesting fact that comes with the numbers she attains and the weeks at number 1. She alluded to in her interview after the Australian that now she has some breathing room between her and the others where ranking is concerned, so she does care about keeping it it seems.

 

[Fiero425]

Wow, I didn't realize Serena was getting that close to Evert. Actually I was going to make the Women's Weeks at No. 1 Quiz today (did the Men's yesterday) so I'll have to take a look. How many tour titles does Serena have in all now? (There's another quiz I hope to make)

Nowhere near Navratilova, Evert, and Graf that's for sure! Her part time play over the years is going to inevitably hurt her in a lot of ways when it comes to tennis history! Wiki says 65 and in 6th place! What a time to think about her legacy and record; near the end of it! :nono uzzled :angel:

While I agree their number of titles is impressive, the only thing the general public remembers are the slam numbers. They don't care whether Serena, Graf, Evert or Martina won Rome or whatever other minor tournaments they won. I think Serena is trying to shore up the numbers she knows she will be remembered for which is the slams and any interesting fact that comes with the numbers she attains and the weeks at number 1. She alluded to in her interview after the Australian that now she has some breathing room between her and the others where ranking is concerned, so she does care about keeping it it seems.

Impressive? How dismissive; 167, 157, 107 is more than twice as many titles as Serena! That can't be ignored!

 

[Calvy]

Nowhere near Navratilova, Evert, and Graf that's for sure! Her part time play over the years is going to inevitably hurt her in a lot of ways when it comes to tennis history! Wiki says 65 and in 6th place! What a time to think about her legacy and record; near the end of it! :nono uzzled :angel:

While I agree their number of titles is impressive, the only thing the general public remembers are the slam numbers. They don't care whether Serena, Graf, Evert or Martina won Rome or whatever other minor tournaments they won. I think Serena is trying to shore up the numbers she knows she will be remembered for which is the slams and any interesting fact that comes with the numbers she attains and the weeks at number 1. She alluded to in her interview after the Australian that now she has some breathing room between her and the others where ranking is concerned, so she does care about keeping it it seems.

Impressive? How dismissive; 167, 157, 107 is more than twice as many titles as Serena! That can't be ignored!

Even Martina stated, today's game, there is primary focus on the slams and not the tour events. Also, Serena has had more time out from the game due to injury and health by far then any of the greats she's mentioned with...

Now, I don't consider Serena, because, yes, she lacks the overall numbers, but, her career is by no means a disappointment in comparison of the others which you seem to be implying.

There always that one individual when you're celebrating that try to be negative in one manner or another. Let her fans have this celebratory moment.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Nowhere near Navratilova, Evert, and Graf that's for sure! Her part time play over the years is going to inevitably hurt her in a lot of ways when it comes to tennis history! Wiki says 65 and in 6th place! What a time to think about her legacy and record; near the end of it! :nono uzzled :angel:

While I agree their number of titles is impressive, the only thing the general public remembers are the slam numbers. They don't care whether Serena, Graf, Evert or Martina won Rome or whatever other minor tournaments they won. I think Serena is trying to shore up the numbers she knows she will be remembered for which is the slams and any interesting fact that comes with the numbers she attains and the weeks at number 1. She alluded to in her interview after the Australian that now she has some breathing room between her and the others where ranking is concerned, so she does care about keeping it it seems.

Impressive? How dismissive; 167, 157, 107 is more than twice as many titles as Serena! That can't be ignored!

I didn't say that I was ignoring it, but the average person on the street could care less if it isn't a slam. Those are what you get remembered for not winning Miami while impressive to us who love tennis is probably not even on the average person's mind.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

They have the extra week built in this year between Roland Garros and Wimbledon as long as she doesn't over cook her summer schedule I would say go for Roland Garros. She doesn't have to play Charleston since she went out early last year, and she shouldn't. I would do personally Stuttgart and Madrid and skip Rome. A Madrid/ Rome schedule is good too. Summer I would do Montreal/Toronto and Cinci and leave it at that.

Of all the clay events leading up to Roland Garos,I would skip Madrid,it is high altitude,fast clay court,more light a hard court,I would always play Rome,good preparation for Roland Garos,it is a true clay court,with true bounce.

She can't skip Madrid it is mandatory. I would have preferred Rome been the mandatory anyway.

It is a shame the WTA dosent have the ATP rule where a player can skip a mandatory event,depending on how long you have been on the tour and the overall matches you have won,I forgot that the WTA dosent share the same policy.

 

[Fiero425]

While I agree their number of titles is impressive, the only thing the general public remembers are the slam numbers. They don't care whether Serena, Graf, Evert or Martina won Rome or whatever other minor tournaments they won. I think Serena is trying to shore up the numbers she knows she will be remembered for which is the slams and any interesting fact that comes with the numbers she attains and the weeks at number 1. She alluded to in her interview after the Australian that now she has some breathing room between her and the others where ranking is concerned, so she does care about keeping it it seems.

Impressive? How dismissive; 167, 157, 107 is more than twice as many titles as Serena! That can't be ignored!

I didn't say that I was ignoring it, but the average person on the street could care less if it isn't a slam. Those are what you get remembered for not winning Miami while impressive to us who love tennis is probably not even on the average person's mind.

Well they're all idiots! With that disparity, fans of tennis should know better! :cover :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Fiero425]

Of all the clay events leading up to Roland Garos,I would skip Madrid,it is high altitude,fast clay court,more light a hard court,I would always play Rome,good preparation for Roland Garos,it is a true clay court,with true bounce.

She can't skip Madrid it is mandatory. I would have preferred Rome been the mandatory anyway.

It is a shame the WTA dosent have the ATP rule where a player can skip a mandatory event, depending on how long you have been on the tour and the overall matches you have won. I forgot that the WTA dosent share the same policy.

So what you have and want more of are fake injuries and a lot of lying! That's what bothered me the most about the Williams'; playing when they felt like it! Outside interests have come back to haunt them IMO! They didn't think the rules pertained to them and were probably taken to task behind the scenes! I know it happened a lot at the beginning of their careers; insolent, snobby, and totally full of themselves! Never been a fan of their act; the screeching, intermittent play, and for the most part not taking the sport seriously! No other top players have been this petulant, ignoring all decorum and history! Now that both are in their 30's, they're trying to re-write the script and their spotty history; fat chance as long as I'm around! :eyepop uzzled :dodgy:

 

[Kirijax]

Maybe the casual tennis fan could not care less, but as a die-hard fan of all things tennis, I always take into account what Navratilova/Evert did on the tour during the 70s and 80s. Their longevity, their lack of big injuries, their commitment to the tour, Navratilova's commitment to doubles, etc. They are from a different era but they did something that Serena has not done. And Serena has done some things they have not done. When looking at numbers alone, you can't ignore those insane numbers Navratilova left behind, but when I think of GOAT, they are all up there. They all have their accomplishments and they are up there at the top together. None better than the other. That's the way I look at it.

 

[Fiero425]

Maybe the casual tennis fan could not care less, but as a die-hard fan of all things tennis, I always take into account what Navratilova/Evert did on the tour during the 70s and 80s. Their longevity, their lack of big injuries, their commitment to the tour, Navratilova's commitment to doubles, etc. They are from a different era but they did something that Serena has not done. And Serena has done some things they have not done. When looking at numbers alone, you can't ignore those insane numbers Navratilova left behind, but when I think of GOAT, they are all up there. They all have their accomplishments and they are up there at the top together. None better than the other. That's the way I look at it.

Thanks! Another true fan that won't let history be forgotten! :clap :heart: :angel:

 

[sk310]

She can't skip Madrid it is mandatory. I would have preferred Rome been the mandatory anyway.

It is a shame the WTA dosent have the ATP rule where a player can skip a mandatory event, depending on how long you have been on the tour and the overall matches you have won. I forgot that the WTA dosent share the same policy.

So what you have and want more of are fake injuries and a lot of lying! That's what bothered me the most about the Williams'; playing when they felt like it! Outside interests have come back to haunt them IMO! They didn't think the rules pertained to them and were probably taken to task behind the scenes! I know it happened a lot at the beginning of their careers; insolent, snobby, and totally full of themselves! Never been a fan of their act; the screeching, intermittent play, and for the most part not taking the sport seriously! No other top players have been this petulant, ignoring all decorum and history! Now that both are in their 30's, they're trying to re-write the script and their spotty history; fat chance as long as I'm around! :eyepop uzzled :dodgy:

Right... Everyone looks to you for the answer on how we should judge the careers of two women. Please go spread your thinly veiled racism somewhere else. "Insolent" and "petulant" are the exact same kind of code words as "uppity."

 

[sk310]

While I agree their number of titles is impressive, the only thing the general public remembers are the slam numbers. They don't care whether Serena, Graf, Evert or Martina won Rome or whatever other minor tournaments they won. I think Serena is trying to shore up the numbers she knows she will be remembered for which is the slams and any interesting fact that comes with the numbers she attains and the weeks at number 1. She alluded to in her interview after the Australian that now she has some breathing room between her and the others where ranking is concerned, so she does care about keeping it it seems.

Impressive? How dismissive; 167, 157, 107 is more than twice as many titles as Serena! That can't be ignored!

I didn't say that I was ignoring it, but the average person on the street could care less if it isn't a slam. Those are what you get remembered for not winning Miami while impressive to us who love tennis is probably not even on the average person's mind.

I think I get what you're saying and I kind of agree with one caveat. To me the only person who I really care about overall titles for is Navratilova. The sheer magnitude, length, and reach of her career is why I look at those numbers and could care less if she has the most slams. Thats not even to mention the insane doubles career she had. It's a testament to longevity and love of the game that did not subside as age rolled took its toll. For me its kind of like Steffi for me doesn't really need to be number one in any other category as she is the slam leader in the open era. For me that automatically places here at least in the top 2 running for GOAT especially when (until now) she had the next two beat by 4.

 

[Fiero425]

It is a shame the WTA dosent have the ATP rule where a player can skip a mandatory event, depending on how long you have been on the tour and the overall matches you have won. I forgot that the WTA dosent share the same policy.

So what you have and want more of are fake injuries and a lot of lying! That's what bothered me the most about the Williams'; playing when they felt like it! Outside interests have come back to haunt them IMO! They didn't think the rules pertained to them and were probably taken to task behind the scenes! I know it happened a lot at the beginning of their careers; insolent, snobby, and totally full of themselves! Never been a fan of their act; the screeching, intermittent play, and for the most part not taking the sport seriously! No other top players have been this petulant, ignoring all decorum and history! Now that both are in their 30's, they're trying to re-write the script and their spotty history; fat chance as long as I'm around! :eyepop uzzled :dodgy:

Right... Everyone looks to you for the answer on how we should judge the careers of two women. Please go spread your thinly veiled racism somewhere else. "Insolent" and "petulant" are the exact same kind of code words as "uppity."

Racism? You're a fool! You think because I criticize these ladies I must be something that isn't possible? :lolz: :clap :laydownlaughing - I must have gotten that moniker while I was growing up; heaven knows I was worse than them! :lolz:

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

She can't skip Madrid it is mandatory. I would have preferred Rome been the mandatory anyway.

It is a shame the WTA dosent have the ATP rule where a player can skip a mandatory event, depending on how long you have been on the tour and the overall matches you have won. I forgot that the WTA dosent share the same policy.

So what you have and want more of are fake injuries and a lot of lying! That's what bothered me the most about the Williams'; playing when they felt like it! Outside interests have come back to haunt them IMO! They didn't think the rules pertained to them and were probably taken to task behind the scenes! I know it happened a lot at the beginning of their careers; insolent, snobby, and totally full of themselves! Never been a fan of their act; the screeching, intermittent play, and for the most part not taking the sport seriously! No other top players have been this petulant, ignoring all decorum and history! Now that both are in their 30's, they're trying to re-write the script and their spotty history; fat chance as long as I'm around! :eyepop uzzled :dodgy:

I totally disagree....players cant be thinking breathing tennis 24/7...no wonder we have seen some players in the WTA with Burn Out.

I think it is a great idea for all players to have outside interests apart from their profession? I know I do,I am a trained midwife,I dont go around thinking,breathing about delivery babies 24/7 if I did I would have turned Mad by now,one of my outside interests has always been tennis.

I also believe the time the Williams' sisters had to have time away from the tour,due to injury,surgery and also personal family problems has increased their love and passion for the game,quite frankly we as tennis fans are blessed these two champions players are still playing the game they love at their respective ages.

 

[Fiero425]

It is a shame the WTA dosent have the ATP rule where a player can skip a mandatory event, depending on how long you have been on the tour and the overall matches you have won. I forgot that the WTA dosent share the same policy.

So what you have and want more of are fake injuries and a lot of lying! That's what bothered me the most about the Williams'; playing when they felt like it! Outside interests have come back to haunt them IMO! They didn't think the rules pertained to them and were probably taken to task behind the scenes! I know it happened a lot at the beginning of their careers; insolent, snobby, and totally full of themselves! Never been a fan of their act; the screeching, intermittent play, and for the most part not taking the sport seriously! No other top players have been this petulant, ignoring all decorum and history! Now that both are in their 30's, they're trying to re-write the script and their spotty history; fat chance as long as I'm around! :eyepop uzzled :dodgy:

I totally disagree....players can't be thinking breathing tennis 24/7...no wonder we have seen some players in the WTA with 'Burn Out.'

I think it is a great idea for all players to have outside interests apart from their profession? I know I do; I am a trained midwife. I don't go around thinking and breathing about delivering babies 24/7. If I did, I would have turned Mad by now. One of my outside interests has always been tennis.

I also believe the time the Williams sisters had to have time away from the tour due to injury, surgery and also personal family problems has increased their love and passion for the game. Quite frankly we as tennis fans are blessed these two champion players are still playing the game they love at their respective ages.

Interesting! :angel:

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

But then again, I don't prescribe to the GOAT mentality. I can appreciate what different players brought to the game. What their records mean for the sport and what it took to acheive it.

 

[tenisplayrla08]

The GOAT conversation is a fruitless one for the most part. But the era differences are just too great. Navratilova and Evert were just the best out there. Serena is the best out there but, the racquets have changed. Steffi "only" won 107 titles which shows that the amount of tournaments around to play and the amount of tournaments needed to play to make a decent living or better was already going down. If Serena gets anywhere near 80 titles, I'll consider that right up there with those girls. Yes, 167 and 157 is just gargantuan. But the racquets being the way they were, the girls who were not as good just didn't have as much leverage. Serena can be upset by someone playing extremely strong because they have a racquet that can hit it past her. And she does the same thing obviously. She and Venus made it that way more than ever before.

I love Steffi and I don't fault her for very little doubles play at all. But.... for me, and I'll always catch at least some flack for this, but there is an asterisk over her career. And it's name is Monica Seles. I have a hard time believing Steffi gets to 22 if Seles doesn't get stabbed. Seles did and so Steffi was definitely the best around still after that and deserved her 4 to 6 titles she won after the stabbing. She won 11 slams, after Seles' stabbing. She may have made it to 18. But she wouldn't have gotten to 22. I don't know. There's nothing I can do about it and I don't want to take away from her because she was amazing and dominant. But it has always bothered me and it always will. Seles had a new game and that rivalry deserved a lot more. Hate it. I mean, the Seles stabbing has implications on the late 90s overall. I don't think Hingis has near the success she had if Seles is never stabbed. Serena and Venus' early years could have been somewhat different. And Seles herself would probably be part of the GOAT talk in my opinion.

Anyways, all these ladies are just amazing. I'm glad Serena has passed Martina and Chrissy because that's the only way she can compete with them up here. She's got Chrissy in the doubles category. So that helps her there. But against Martina, who was only stopped at 18 because of Chrissy and then Steffi's dominant game. And well, the same goes for Chrissy. If Martina doesn't exist she'd have beaten Court's record by 5 or 10. They were just so much better than everyone else. So many grand slam finals and semis. It's insane. Serena had many foes. All of whom she was and is better than but who can beat her a bit more because they've got similar power and a strong racquet. Just so much more depth these days. Even though it would be wrong to say that Chrissy and Martina didn't have to deal with Goolagong Cawley and Casals and Shriver and Austin and Wade and Barker and Mandlikova and more.

Tough discussion. Which is why it's probably better to just say they're all amazing and they all feel great to be mentioned in the same breath as one another. They're more than happy to recognize each others achievements.

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Anyways, GOAT conversation aside, congrats to Serena. It was nice to see Maria play better as the match went on. As tennis.com wrote in the preview, her forehand was actually quite helpful. She beat Serena with it a good bit. It just wasn't enough. Her serve is still a big problem against Serena. but it really does come down to the fact that I think Serena respects her more than anyone else on tour and just plays at such a high intensity against her. She knows Maria will fight to the end so she knows she has to close the door every single point. She plays her best tennis against Maria and while Maria is amazing, she's just not good enough. Maybe if she'd never injured her shoulder and had to change her service motion she could have ended the streak years ago. But, she did get that injury and it did change her career.

A lot of solid tennis this fortnight. But a lot of not so great tennis too.

Welcome to the top the game Madison Keys. Playing like you belong finally.

 

[special700]

Anyways, GOAT conversation aside, congrats to Serena. It was nice to see Maria play better as the match went on. As tennis.com wrote in the preview, her forehand was actually quite helpful. She beat Serena with it a good bit. It just wasn't enough. Her serve is still a big problem against Serena. but it really does come down to the fact that I think Serena respects her more than anyone else on tour and just plays at such a high intensity against her. She knows Maria will fight to the end so she knows she has to close the door every single point. She plays her best tennis against Maria and while Maria is amazing, she's just not good enough. Maybe if she'd never injured her shoulder and had to change her service motion she could have ended the streak years ago. But, she did get that injury and it did change her career.

A lot of solid tennis this fortnight. But a lot of not so great tennis too.

Welcome to the top the game Madison Keys. Playing like you belong finally.

When you hear Serena says "she respects Maria more than anyone on the tour" then you can post that comment here. Until then do not try to read what's in Serena's mind. FYI - Serena brings her best against everyone not just Maria. And she really does not have to bring her best against her because she whips her butt continuously....please give me a break with that post. It's time to stop with the stupid shoulder injury when are you all going to get off that 22 min in and out surgery band wagon. It has been played out now for years so stop that crap it aint flying anymore.
.

 

[RJD11]

Anyways, GOAT conversation aside, congrats to Serena. It was nice to see Maria play better as the match went on. As tennis.com wrote in the preview, her forehand was actually quite helpful. She beat Serena with it a good bit. It just wasn't enough. Her serve is still a big problem against Serena. but it really does come down to the fact that I think Serena respects her more than anyone else on tour and just plays at such a high intensity against her. She knows Maria will fight to the end so she knows she has to close the door every single point. She plays her best tennis against Maria and while Maria is amazing, she's just not good enough. Maybe if she'd never injured her shoulder and had to change her service motion she could have ended the streak years ago. But, she did get that injury and it did change her career.

A lot of solid tennis this fortnight. But a lot of not so great tennis too.

Welcome to the top the game Madison Keys. Playing like you belong finally.

When you hear Serena says "she respects Maria more than anyone on the tour" then you can post that comment here. Until then do not try to read what's in Serena's mind. FYI - Serena brings her best against everyone not just Maria. And she really does not have to bring her best against her because she whips her butt continuously....please give me a break with that post. It's time to stop with the stupid shoulder injury when are you all going to get off that 22 min in and out surgery band wagon. It has been played out now for years so stop that crap it aint flying anymore.
.

Thank you Special