2021 ATP General News

[Moxie]

I will say this: Tsitsipas has impressed me in terms of mental resiliency and toughness this 2021 season. He is playing very well this season so far...the only match that I thought he played "bad" or "gave away" the match is the Mexico Open Final against Zverev. Other than that, he has been solid this year. I hope he continues to play well throughout the 2021 season.

Like I always said, out of the "young" players (Medvedev, Zverev, and Rublev), he has the highest ceiling. If he can somehow return better on hardcourts, he will be a complete player.

I agree with this. Tsitsipas has a lot of detractors around here, but we're looking for the younger players that are going to hang tough and play with belief. Right now, Stefanos, Rublev and the newer addition Karatsev, maybe? are doing that. Tsitsipas lost today to Rafa on clay in Barcelona, so no shame in that, but he hung tough into late in the 3rd set. He played with game and belief today. He came up just short, but I don't think he squandered anything. I don't know if he has a higher ceiling than Medvedev, who also has a lot of tools, but we'll see where their respective ambitions and games will take them in the rest of the season, and going forward. I like Rublev, but he needs to work on his all-around game.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I agree with this. Tsitsipas has a lot of detractors around here, but we're looking for the younger players that are going to hang tough and play with belief. Right now, Stefanos, Rublev and the newer addition Karatsev, maybe? are doing that. Tsitsipas lost today to Rafa on clay in Barcelona, so no shame in that, but he hung tough into late in the 3rd set. He played with game and belief today. He came up just short, but I don't think he squandered anything. I don't know if he has a higher ceiling than Medvedev, who also has a lot of tools, but we'll see where their respective ambitions and games will take them in the rest of the season, and going forward. I like Rublev, but he needs to work on his all-around game.

I have no real problem with the Young Greek except this tirade he is having with umpires,he needs to curb that ASAP,some say he has gotten a bit too 'big for his boots'.I also think he has improved his concentration levels he showed that against Rafa in the final at Barcelona,he would want to after 'that final with Sasha,when he went 'walkabout'.In regards to Rublev I feel he needs to have more variety in his game and Medvedev he needs to 'apply himself in matches' not just when it suits him.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I agree with this. Tsitsipas has a lot of detractors around here, but we're looking for the younger players that are going to hang tough and play with belief. Right now, Stefanos, Rublev and the newer addition Karatsev, maybe? are doing that. Tsitsipas lost today to Rafa on clay in Barcelona, so no shame in that, but he hung tough into late in the 3rd set. He played with game and belief today. He came up just short, but I don't think he squandered anything. I don't know if he has a higher ceiling than Medvedev, who also has a lot of tools, but we'll see where their respective ambitions and games will take them in the rest of the season, and going forward. I like Rublev, but he needs to work on his all-around game.

The reason I say Tsitsipas has a higher ceiling than Medvedev is because Tsitsipas can play well on multiple surfaces (Clay, Hard, and possible Grass?). Tsitsipas has won a ATP Tour Final crown (indoor hard court) and has won 1 Masters 1000 crown (Clay). In addition, he has reached a semifinal on both Clay court and hard court. On the other hand, Medvedev has only shown that he could only play in one surface so far (to his credit, he has played really well on that one surface).

For Tsitsipas, it is a just matter of putting the pieces together and hopefully find a new and better belief in his game. Winning against Nadal at AO, winning MC for his 1st 1000 Master crown, and pushing Nadal to a tight 3-set match at Barcelona will definitely give some confidence boost going forward.

 

[the AntiPusher]

With the altitude and faster conditions, Madrid Masters would seem Tsitsipas's best shot. Personally I like his chances against anyone on clay not named Nadal, but of course the tennis Gods will probably conspire to place them in the same qtr at Roland Garos , after having them first face Sinner, Karatsev and Musetti in the same quarter.

Good points..Let's not forget the Dominator, Thiem will be back. If he is healthy. He could regained his mastery of the clay courts which is second only to Rafa's game.(Sometimes Novak's level is the same as Thiem)

 

[the AntiPusher]

I have no real problem with the Young Greek except this tirade he is having with umpires,he needs to curb that ASAP,some say he has gotten a bit too 'big for his boots'.I also think he has improved his concentration levels he showed that against Rafa in the final at Barcelona,he would want to after 'that final with Sasha,when he went 'walkabout'.In regards to Rublev I feel he needs to have more variety in his game and Medvedev he needs to 'apply himself in matches' not just when it suits him.

On clay, there's too much time to "think " if you know what I mean for Daniil Medvedev game. I don't think he has the patience it requires to be a good to excellent on the clay..I think if he was able to commit to trying to hit through someone like Stan did when he won the RG over Novak.(that's still one of my all-time favorite RG finals.

 

[Front242]

God those 'pink socks' LOL!

Haha was thinking same thing

 

[Front242]

The reason I say Tsitsipas has a higher ceiling than Medvedev is because Tsitsipas can play well on multiple surfaces (Clay, Hard, and possible Grass?). Tsitsipas has won a ATP Tour Final crown (indoor hard court) and has won 1 Masters 1000 crown (Clay). In addition, he has reached a semifinal on both Clay court and hard court. On the other hand, Medvedev has only shown that he could only play in one surface so far (to his credit, he has played really well on that one surface).

For Tsitsipas, it is a just matter of putting the pieces together and hopefully find a new and better belief in his game. Winning against Nadal at AO, winning MC for his 1st 1000 Master crown, and pushing Nadal to a tight 3-set match at Barcelona will definitely give some confidence boost going forward.

Just so long as they don't play each other I guess.

https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/daniil-medvedev-vs-stefanos-tsitsipas/MM58/TE51

 

[the AntiPusher]

Just so long as they don't play each other I guess.

https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/daniil-medvedev-vs-stefanos-tsitsipas/MM58/TE51

YeS , Tsits has been getting bullied by the crazy Russian for years..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

On clay, there's too much time to "think " if you know what I mean for Daniil Medvedev game. I don't think he has the patience it requires to be a good to excellent on the clay..I think if he was able to commit to trying to hit through someone like Stan did when he won the RG over Novak.(that's still one of my all-time favorite RG finals.

Well he has openly admitted he does not like clay just before he got COVID,this year,'Patience is the key on clay....good point.Though I must admit he has the game for clay.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Just so long as they don't play each other I guess.

https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/daniil-medvedev-vs-stefanos-tsitsipas/MM58/TE51

It will be interesting to see if Medvedev will be good enough on Clay to actually face Tsitsipas.

On the other hand, Medvedev is a tough match up for Tsitsipas on hard courts for reasons I stated in other threads.

 

[Jelenafan]

Good points..Let's not forget the Dominator, Thiem will be back. If he is healthy. He could regained his mastery of the clay courts which is second only to Rafa's game.(Sometimes Novak's level is the same as Thiem)

True.

Theim from recent interviews plans to play both Madrid and Rome, which could be enough prep. Of course the swirling questions with Dominic center on how much of his prolonged absence is physical versus mental; he’s admitted that post USO win it’s been hard to keep his motivation/focus.

I find Dominic an interesting case because despite his rep as a clay master; he's never actually won a Masters on clay, and surprisingly his best non RG results come at Madrid Masters as a 2 time finalist. Which leads me to believe he uses the spring clay court season to condition/match tough himself to peak at Roland Garos. 2020 was an anomaly, but look at the previous 4 years, SF, SF, Finalist, and Finalist in Paris, as good a record of anyone not named Nadal. So if Theim plays both Madrid and Rome his results may be ho-hum, but that won't necessarily rule him out from doing well at RG if his head/body are healed up sufficiently.

 

[Front242]

YeS , Tsits has been getting bullied by the crazy Russian for years..

Awww, poor Tsitsipas.

 

[Front242]

It will be interesting to see if Medvedev will be good enough on Clay to actually face Tsitsipas.

On the other hand, Medvedev is a tough match up for Tsitsipas on hard courts for reasons I stated in other threads.

They've only played once on clay in 2019 at Monte Carlo which Medvedev won (the match that is, not the title). I hope Medvedev isn't affected in any way by covid and is currently practicing and has a good clay season like 2019 (apart from RG). He's done terribly at RG, losing in the 1st round every year since 2017 so plenty of room for improvement there.

https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/daniil-medvedev-vs-stefanos-tsitsipas/MM58/TE51

 

[Moxie]

True.

Theim from recent interviews plans to play both Madrid and Rome, which could be enough prep. Of course the swirling questions with Dominic center on how much of his prolonged absence is physical versus mental; he’s admitted that post USO win it’s been hard to keep his motivation/focus.

I find Dominic an interesting case because despite his rep as a clay master; he's never actually won a Masters on clay, and surprisingly his best non RG results come at Madrid Masters as a 2 time finalist. Which leads me to believe he uses the spring clay court season to condition/match tough himself to peak at Roland Garos. 2020 was an anomaly, but look at the previous 4 years, SF, SF, Finalist, and Finalist in Paris, as good a record of anyone not named Nadal. So if Theim plays both Madrid and Rome his results may be ho-hum, but that won't necessarily rule him out from doing well at RG if his head/body are healed up sufficiently.

This is an interesting recounting of Thiem on clay in recent years. interestingly pointed out that he hasn't won a MS1000 on clay. He has been accused in the past of over-playing. I don't know if he was strategizing correctly to peak for Roland Garros, though he has done well there. But maybe this year, being forced (by injury and/or ennui) to skip some of the tune-ups, he might just be more peak for the French.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Belgrade will host a second ATP250 tournament in the week prior to Roland Garos,to be held at the Novak Tennis Centre May 22-29
Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils are on the entry list

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa just became first player in ATP history to win 450 on two different surfaces . That's astonishing..more than just the King of Clay only.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I'm having a hard time finding a dvr recording of the Barcelona final..does anyone know of any ?
Thanks

 

[Fiero425]

I'm having a hard time finding a dvr recording of the Barcelona final..does anyone know of any ?
Thanks

Usually on YouTube! ;-)

 

[the AntiPusher]

Usually on YouTube! ;-)

It's not yet there my friend... wonder why ?

 

[Moxie]

Usually on YouTube! ;-)

I could only find highlights: