2021 ATP General News

[Moxie]

Murray beat Haase (yes, he's still around, too,) after dropping first set and being down a break in the 2nd in Rotterdam. Also, Nishkori beat FAA there.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

murray plays andrei rublev in rd2 so thats a tough one.

alcaraz the wonderkid is playing a spanish challenger and won in 1st rd.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Murray beat Haase (yes, he's still around, too,) after dropping first set and being down a break in the 2nd in Rotterdam. Also, Nishkori beat FAA there.

Good job by murray..FAA was jaded but good win by the fragile samurai that is made of glass

 

[Jelenafan]

That's KS, though Marty McFly makes me laugh. I tend to refer to him as David Goffin. I'm not really a fan of the goofy nicknames. It makes it hard for other people to know who we're talking about, and it's a bit "clubby."

I reserve the right to call Federer "Methuselah" especially when his uber fans start disparaging any wins by his opponents based on besting an ancient, creaking , arthritic and decrepit Roger.

 

[Moxie]

I reserve the right to call Federer "Methuselah" especially when his uber fans start disparaging any wins by his opponents based on besting an ancient, creaking , arthritic and decrepit Roger.

Fair enough. Realistically, who could be mistaken for Methuselah, but Roger. I do wonder how some Fed fans keep claiming that his prime was over in 2007. 10 Majors later, or whatever.

 

[Front242]

Fair enough. Realistically, who could be mistaken for Methuselah, but Roger. I do wonder how some Fed fans keep claiming that his prime was over in 2007. 10 Majors later, or whatever.

Just 'cos your prime is over doesn't mean you're finished. Djokovic and Nadal are also well past theirs so the exact same thing applies to them. Re Federer, his movement back in his prime years of 2004-2007 was at its best. Likewise, his forehand was beastly back then. If he got his racquet on a forehand, the point was essentially over 90% of the time. These days he's a good few steps slower reaching for forehands on the run, esulting in way more shanks or balls into the net and his FH in general just completely lost its bite. Same happened to Roddick who had a beastly FH in his prime and it went all loopy and timid as he aged. You can't be at your best forever. Federer of 2004-2007 would destroy his modern day self.

 

[Moxie]

Just 'cos your prime is over doesn't mean you're finished. Djokovic and Nadal are also well past theirs so the exact same thing applies to them. Re Federer, his movement back in his prime years of 2004-2007 was at its best. Likewise, his forehand was beastly back then. If he got his racquet on a forehand, the point was essentially over 90% of the time. These days he's a good few steps slower reaching for forehands on the run, esulting in way more shanks or balls into the net and his FH in general just completely lost its bite. Same happened to Roddick who had a beastly FH in his prime and it went all loopy and timid as he aged. You can't be at your best forever. Federer of 2004-2007 would destroy his modern day self.

He may have been absolute peak until 2007, but to say his prime tennis years were over at 26 is ludicrous. I think we all know why Fed fans pick 2007. I'm not arguing that there is no affect to aging, a la Cali, and I'm certainly not saying the Big 3 could any of them be said to be prime now. I'm not talking about Fed at 25 vs. Fed at 39 FFS. We've argued terms before around here, but "prime" isn't the same as "peak."

 

[tennisville]

He may have been absolute peak until 2007, but to say his prime tennis years were over at 26 is ludicrous. I think we all know why Fed fans pick 2007.

Let me guess, it's because he started losing to Fish, Roddick, Stepanek, Simon, Karlovic, and Blake. People he owned prior to 2008

I dont believe in the concept of primes by the way. Its too arbitary and becomes speculation instead of numbers

 

[Moxie]

Zverev and Medvedev already dumped out of Rotterdam.

 

[Front242]

Only Nadal fans could possibly like that, especially Medvedev being out so soon.

 

[Jelenafan]

Only Nadal fans could possibly like that, especially Medvedev being out so soon.

What would you rate the chances of winning a Major for both Medvedev and Zverev? Personally I think the sleeping grumpy Russian Medvedev hurdles are the big 2, Novak and Rafa, so with his relative youth and learning from the unique pressures of a Major, I say he has excellent chances of winning a Major, I'd give him a 60-75% probability to do it within the next 5 years. With Zverev, I dunno, it seems the hurdle is more his own mental weaknesses, so even with Nadal/Novak gone, others could still present obstacles to him. My guess is 25% at best for him.

 

[Front242]

What would you rate the chances of winning a Major for both Medvedev and Zverev? Personally I think the sleeping grumpy Russian Medvedev hurdles are the big 2, Novak and Rafa, so with his relative youth and learning from the unique pressures of a Major, I say he has excellent chances of winning a Major, I'd give him a 60-75% probability to do it within the next 5 years. With Zverev, I dunno, it seems the hurdle is more his own mental weaknesses, so even with Nadal/Novak gone, others could still present obstacles to him. My guess is 25% at best for him.

In full agreement with those estimations. Don't hold out much hope for Zverev but I reckon Medvedev has several in him. He'll have his chances at the AO and USO for quite a while. Needs a better game plan next time he reaches a slam final though.

 

[Jelenafan]

In full agreement with those estimations. Don't hold out much hope for Zverev but I reckon Medvedev has several in him. He'll have his chances at the AO and USO for quite a while. Needs a better game plan next time he reaches a slam final though.

Yup, if Medvedev can figure out how to harness his restless *energy* in a good way, the way for example Novak does. Medvedev doesn't have a Roger/Rafa type of personality. He's more volatile/tempermental, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. More the Connors, Mac, Safin mode. It still kills me how his coach walked out of the stadium in middle of his AO tirade saying he hoped that would calm the grumpy Russian down. That was hilarious.

 

[Front242]

Yup, if Medvedev can figure out how to harness his restless *energy* in a good way, the way for example Novak does. Medvedev doesn't have a Roger/Rafa type of personality. He's more volatile/tempermental, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. More the Connors, Mac, Safin mode. It still kills me how his coach walked out of the stadium in middle of his AO tirade saying he hoped that would calm the grumpy Russian down. That was hilarious.

LOL, I didn't even know his coach left. That's hilarious. He had plenty to be grumpy about that day. Went in with no game plan whatsoever. I'm not buying that amazing Djokovic domination some people were posting here. He was there for the taking once Medvedev caught up in set 1 and he bottled it by not even forcing the TB and then after breaking in set 2 he gave it right back and lost the plot and played crap the whole remainder of the match and it wasn't all Djokovic at all. Medvedev's serving was dog shit.

 

[Moxie]

Only Nadal fans could possibly like that, especially Medvedev being out so soon.

FYI, that comment was made without editorial comment. I realized later, because ATP made a headline of it that that meant Med lost his chance to get #2 at this tournament. He's close enough that he'll get it, and I'm not fussed about that. Plus I like him and prefer to see him doing well. I think he'll get a Major before 5 years. I'm less enthusiastic about Zverev than I was, and am a bit worried about his head, frankly.

 

[Front242]

FYI, that comment was made without editorial comment. I realized later, because ATP made a headline of it that that meant Med lost his chance to get #2 at this tournament. He's close enough that he'll get it, and I'm not fussed about that. Plus I like him and prefer to see him doing well. I think he'll get a Major before 5 years. I'm less enthusiastic about Zverev than I was, and am a bit worried about his head, frankly.

No worries, he'll have plenty of chances at both top spots this year.

 

[Moxie]

No worries, he'll have plenty of chances at both top spots this year.

Agreed. I just posted on the Rankings Thread that I am not convinced Rafa will play Miami, so even there, for #2. (Obviously, even if Rafa does play, DM will still have a shot there.)

 

[Front242]

Probably wise to come in 100% for clay season tbh. We'll see how many younger players over play this season. Wonder if Thiem will cut things back as historically his scheduling has been completely brainless.

 

[Moxie]

Probably wise to come in 100% for clay season tbh. We'll see how many younger players over play this season. Wonder if Thiem will cut things back as historically his scheduling has been completely brainless.

If Rafa has nothing more on his HC schedule than Miami, I think you're right...concentrate on clay. While Rafa claimed to demure from the USO swing last year, I think we all believe it was mostly about protecting RG. Thiem has definitely got something to learn about his scheduling. Actually, as Rafa did in his earlier years. One would think that he has a good grasp now as to how to peak at RG. I do think Djokovic will play Miami, and Medvedev. I wonder if Thiem will skip it. Also, like you, I expect Medvedev to do better at RG this year, but it will be interesting to watch his journey on clay this season.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

If Rafa has nothing more on his HC schedule than Miami, I think you're right...concentrate on clay. While Rafa claimed to demure from the USO swing last year, I think we all believe it was mostly about protecting RG. Thiem has definitely got something to learn about his scheduling. Actually, as Rafa did in his earlier years. One would think that he has a good grasp now as to how to peak at RG. I do think Djokovic will play Miami, and Medvedev. I wonder if Thiem will skip it. Also, like you, I expect Medvedev to do better at RG this year, but it will be interesting to watch his journey on clay this season.

I would be suprised if Novak plays Miami,considering he said he would take some time off to heal his abdominal problem
I have always said Theim over plays full stop.,he really has to look at is scheduling going forward.
Medvedev has the game for clay,lets see how he does in the coming clay season.