2018 Australian Open - Early Chatter

[Shivashish Sarkar]

One change I would say in Kyrgios is that he seemed to really care about winning that match.

Kyrgios is in the right mindset now. Mentally, he looks actually good, nothing like Tomic. Seems to be in the mix already. And, he will be a factor at AO.

 

[El Dude]

Let's not forget that all Tomic and Kyrgios have in common is that they are Australians with bad attitudes. Other than that, it is like comparing Marcel Granollers and Rafael Nadal.

 

[mrzz]

One change I would say in Kyrgios is that he seemed to really care about winning that match.

Well, you know that I never bought that "don't care" stuff for one second.

 

[herios]

Let's not forget that all Tomic and Kyrgios have in common is that they are Australians with bad attitudes. Other than that, it is like comparing Marcel Granollers and Rafael Nadal.

Ok, now you went overboard.

 

[herios]

I am now a little more optimistic.
Nole played today in Kooyong and beat Thiem 6-1, 6-4.

 

[Front242]

Ok, now you went overboard.

Agreed. Tomic is very talented and I personally think it's not all down to him not caring even though he has said so himself in interviews. People have probably already forgotten Tomic had bilateral hip surgery (at age 21 I believe) so his lack of trying and not moving much may not all be choice. The guy could barely move and yet still only lost the 1 set he played at the AO 2014 by 6-4 to Nadal. He was just standing there unable to move but firing winners like nothing making a monkey out of him till 4-4. You can't do that without a lot of talent. At 6' 5" he also has a very good serve and it's a shame how his career has gone. I reckon without the bilateral hip surgeries and his dad as his coach he could have been a much, much better player.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

Agreed. Tomic is very talented and I personally think it's not all down to him not caring even though he has said so himself in interviews. People have probably already forgotten Tomic had bilateral hip surgery (at age 21 I believe) so his lack of trying and not moving much may not all be choice. The guy could barely move and yet still only lost the 1 set he played at the AO 2014 by 6-4 to Nadal. He was just standing there unable to move but firing winners like nothing making a monkey out of him till 4-4. You can't do that without a lot of talent. At 6' 5" he also has a very good serve and it's a shame how his career has gone. I reckon without the bilateral hip surgeries and his dad as his coach he could have been a much, much better player.

Hearing about his injury thing is sad. It's understandable if a player limited by his condition tends to express disinterest in the game.

 

[mrzz]

I am now a little more optimistic.
Nole played today in Kooyong and beat Thiem 6-1, 6-4.

Highlights here.

Seems quite a practice session. Djokovic's first serve looks to be very good, but the second very bad.

 

[Denis]

Is the draw Friday? I am really looking forward to seeing Novak doing well. Does he get protected ranking? Is Nadal playing? Sorry for my absence and complete lack of informedness, first time in years I could not bear to watch tennis in months.

 

[herios]

Is the draw Friday? I am really looking forward to seeing Novak doing well. Does he get protected ranking? Is Nadal playing? Sorry for my absence and complete lack of informedness, first time in years I could not bear to watch tennis in months.

Normally the draw for slams are held on the Friday before the event would begin.
Just read the organizers in Melbourne made an exception and will held the draw Thursday night.

 

[atttomole]

The AO Open draw is out. Djokovic, Thiem, Del Potro and Alex Zverev in Federer's half. Sock, Isner, Young, Cilic and Dimitrov in Nadal's half. Federer starts against the Slovenian Bedene and Nadal faces Burgos in the first round.

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

When is the schedule coming out?

 

[Federberg]

I think it's come out. Trying to find a site where it's easy to post it here

 

[Federberg]

https://ausopen.com/sites/default/files/2018-01/MS_2018_01_11.pdf

 

[Federberg]

Basically Roger has Stan, Novak, Delpo, Raonic, Zverev, Goffin, Querrey, Berdych and Thiem in his half. Oh joy...

 

[Federberg]

Rafa has Kyrgios, Anderson, Dimitrov, Sock, Mueller and Cilic

 

[herios]

I am still seeing 32 seeds. I thought they would go down to 16?

 

[Federberg]

I am still seeing 32 seeds. I thought they would go down to 16?

Y I was a bit confused about that too. Maybe it's supposed to be AO19?

 

[DarthFed]

Nice cupcake draw for Nads. Kyrgios and Dimitrov are in their own quarter so he only would face one in the semis if he gets there. Aside from that the only decent threat in his half is Cilic.

We will see for Fed, it could be tough if seeds play out (Raonic 4th, Del Po QF, Novak/Stan in semis. Given everyone who is still out that's about as tough as it could get.

 

[Federberg]

Nice cupcake draw for Nads. Kyrgios and Dimitrov are in their own quarter so he only would face one in the semis if he gets there. Aside from that the only decent threat in his half is Cilic.

We will see for Fed, it could be tough if seeds play out (Raonic 4th, Del Po QF, Novak/Stan in semis. Given everyone who is still out that's about as tough as it could get.

Delpo is a concern, but we need to see how fast the court plays now. At least Novak and Stan get to destroy each other