2021 ATP General News

[Moxie]

It is his mental concentration in 5 set matches....remember he had MPs against Dominic in last year's USO final? and should have won in 3 sets,then faded away.He can win finals in 3 sets matches,his mentality in GS is poor.Same at the Olympics they were 3 set matches.His serve of course is questionable.
Tennis to me is 80% mental.

I do remember that, and I agree about tennis being so mental. That's partly why we are Nadal fans, after all...because he's so much tougher than everyone else in the head dept. It is thrilling to watch him out-think and out-maneuver an opponent, even on the days when he's being out-played. His detractors hate that, but it is part of the game. And why we're against coaching on-court, most of us. I do think Rafa was born with a certain focus and intensity, and other players need to acquire it, if they can, but I don't think it's beyond some of them. Players on the men's side who I think could step up to great things if they'd harness their mental flabbiness: (in no particular order,) Shapo, FAA, Tsitsipas, Zverev, Medvedev. And Kyrgios, if he could ever care enough. Maybe I'm missing someone, but those stand out to me. Look at Stan Wawrinka. He had a strong game, but a weak head. Then he hooked up with Magnus Norman, a great coach. Why did Stan point to his head all the time when he won? Because he knew the difference. That difference got him 3 Majors. And Peter Lundgren pulled Marat Safin's head together for just long enough to get him his 2nd Major. It's possible. Some combination of talent, work, and a great coach. We'll see who can do it, but I haven't written off Zverev. Though I do think he should send his dad back home. Same with Tsitsipas.

 

[Fiero425]

I think skipping Toronto was a good idea but skipping Cincy is not a good idea. He need to wipe out the negative energy of Olympics with a win in Cincy so that he can go to USO more positively. He had two weeks time to recharge. That should be good enough.

I think Djokovic and his team know what's best! So far they've been right a lot more than not while winning majors in bunches to catch Fedal when most thought it impossible! When he got to 12, some of us already thought he should be proclaimed the BOAT after stellar seasons in 2011 and 2015! With any luck and his normal mental toughness, Nole should do even better by closing this deal on a CYGS! That missed Olympic GOLD could actually save him!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I do remember that, and I agree about tennis being so mental. That's partly why we are Nadal fans, after all...because he's so much tougher than everyone else in the head dept. It is thrilling to watch him out-think and out-maneuver an opponent, even on the days when he's being out-played. His detractors hate that, but it is part of the game. And why we're against coaching on-court, most of us. I do think Rafa was born with a certain focus and intensity, and other players need to acquire it, if they can, but I don't think it's beyond some of them. Players on the men's side who I think could step up to great things if they'd harness their mental flabbiness: (in no particular order,) Shapo, FAA, Tsitsipas, Zverev, Medvedev. And Kyrgios, if he could ever care enough. Maybe I'm missing someone, but those stand out to me. Look at Stan Wawrinka. He had a strong game, but a weak head. Then he hooked up with Magnus Norman, a great coach. Why did Stan point to his head all the time when he won? Because he knew the difference. That difference got him 3 Majors. And Peter Lundgren pulled Marat Safin's head together for just long enough to get him his 2nd Major. It's possible. Some combination of talent, work, and a great coach. We'll see who can do it, but I haven't written off Zverev. Though I do think he should send his dad back home. Same with Tsitsipas.

Hang on Sasha has had some great coaches and got rid of them....Ivan Lendl? who said he really did not put 100% into training? maybe having his dad as his coach,he can get away with things.I also agree. with The Young Greek needs to find another coach than his dad,he needs to find a coach that can take him ,to the next level,.Lets face it at the end of the day it is up to the player if he wants to succeed,a coach can only do so much off court.You cannot keep 'spoon feeding players' they need to step up.

 

[Moxie]

I think Djokovic and his team know what's best! So far they've been right a lot more than not while winning majors in bunches to catch Fedal when most thought it impossible! When he got to 12, some of us already thought he should be proclaimed the BOAT after stellar seasons in 2011 and 2015! With any luck and his normal mental toughness, Nole should do even better by closing this deal on a CYGS! That missed Olympic GOLD could actually save him!

There is a chance that the Olympics was his steam-valve, but I don't buy it. Novak has wanted that OG medal, outwardly stated since 2012. There is no prize he doesn't covet, and he's been pretty forthcoming about that. My theory, which no one bit on, was that, after losing to Querrey at Wimbledon in 2016, losing first round in Rio to delPo was a double-blow, and helped precipitate his 2-year walkabout. I know his fans like to say that that 2 years between Majors was about injury, but I think most of us can see it was a mental break. And I believe that losing early in Rio was a huge disappointment and set-back. Once again, he's licking his wounds, and he's figuring out how best to come back to win in Flushing Meadows. But the pressure is intense, and he's not really the best at handling pressure, IMO.

 

[Moxie]

Hang on Sasha has had some great coaches and got rid of them....Ivan Lendl? who said he really did not put 100% into training? maybe having his dad as his coach,he can get away with things.I also agree. with The Young Greek needs to find another coach than his dad,he needs to find a coach that can take him ,to the next level,.Lets face it at the end of the day it is up to the player if he wants to succeed,a coach can only do so much off court.You cannot keep 'spoon feeding players' they need to step up.

Sorry, I didn't mean to say that a coach can spoon-feed it. What I was saying is that some guys who aren't the best, mentally, but with really good game, can cross the rubicon. Yes, I absolutely agree that it's about the player, but I'm saying that Zverev showed some real grit to beat Novak in Tokyo, rather surprising all of us. And that might translate. Just because he has never done well at Majors doesn't mean that he can't, going forward. He's 24. Stan became a better player at 28-29? And Safin, for all of his potential, finally pulled his head out of his own ass, for one final flourish, at about 29, too. You can't teach talent, but you can wrangle mentality and confidence, even if for a short period of time. Look at Cilic. (I know, "Cough Drop," whatever.) He pulled together 7 great matches to win the USO. And Roger didn't even blow that SF...he was served off the court. Take any of those guys I mentioned and focus them for 7 matches, and they could win the USO, not the least of them Zverev, finalist last year. I think it was @GameSetAndMath who pointed out that the USOpen of all of the Majors has more non-Fedalovic wins than it doesn't, over the last since them times.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sorry, I didn't mean to say that a coach can spoon-feed it. What I was saying is that some guys who aren't the best, mentally, but with really good game, can cross the rubicon. Yes, I absolutely agree that it's about the player, but I'm saying that Zverev showed some real grit to beat Novak in Tokyo, rather surprising all of us. And that might translate. Just because he has never done well at Majors doesn't mean that he can't, going forward. He's 24. Stan became a better player at 28-29? And Safin, for all of his potential, finally pulled his head out of his own ass, for one final flourish, at about 29, too. You can't teach talent, but you can wrangle mentality and confidence, even if for a short period of time. Look at Cilic. (I know, "Cough Drop," whatever.) He pulled together 7 great matches to win the USO. And Roger didn't even blow that SF...he was served off the court. Take any of those guys I mentioned and focus them for 7 matches, and they could win the USO, not the least of them Zverev, finalist last year. I think it was @GameSetAndMath who pointed out that the USOpen of all of the Majors has more non-Fedalovic wins than it doesn't, over the last since them times.

I am yet to be that impressed by Sasha,yes he can win finals in 3 set matches,GS are still eluding him,I am not a fan quite frankly.
The Young Greek played well in 2 sets against Novak at RG and then went missing,then had a dreadful Wimbledon,lets see if he can find his game again on the HC's.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Cincinnati update:
OUT: Djokovic
IN: Struff
Next: Pella

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Players on the men's side who I think could step up to great things if they'd harness their mental flabbiness: (in no particular order,) Shapo, FAA, Tsitsipas, Zverev, Medvedev. And Kyrgios, if he could ever care enough.

I agree with everyone you listed except for FAA. To me FAA's game seems to be very basic one. He does not have anything particular that makes him standout. Lot of people joined his bandwagon because he shares TMF's birthday (which is almost like believing in numerology). I know why you listed him here. That is because he lost several finals. If he has so much trouble losing winnable finals in itsy bitsy tourneys, I don't see him anyway close to being a contender at GSs at this time. He may become a contender some day. But, it is at least three years away, if he ever becomes one.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Not because of his tennis, but because of the pressure. It will come up in every press conference, and maybe that is partly why he's avoiding the tour by skipping Cincy. I could understand if he doesn't want to keep fielding the same question.

May be he should pull a "Osaka" and say he won't attend pressers at USO. I think Novak is a Buddhist and practices meditation and so he should be able to handle it.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

There is a chance that the Olympics was his steam-valve, but I don't buy it.

The best steam valve for Novak is to lose in Cincy after winning Olympics. But, he did not get my memo.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Looking closely, the entire set of tournaments in the Asian Swing are cancelled completely this year (two ATP 250s in China, Beijing 500, Tokyo 500 and Shanghai 1000). I think they did a good thing by doing so.

 

[Moxie]

Watching Kyrgios v Opelka, which is kind of fun and kind of boring.

 

[Moxie]

I agree with everyone you listed except for FAA. To me FAA's game seems to be very basic one. He does not have anything particular that makes him standout. Lot of people joined his bandwagon because he shares TMF's birthday (which is almost like believing in numerology). I know why you listed him here. That is because he lost several finals. If he has so much trouble losing winnable finals in itsy bitsy tourneys, I don't see him anyway close to being a contender at GSs at this time. He may become a contender some day. But, it is at least three years away, if he ever becomes one.

Has nothing to do with Roger's birthday, but happy belated to both. FAA has made a lot of finals, and is only just 21 (as of yesterday.) He was pegged early by our friend @El Dude. He's got a lot of upside. I'm a little bit bored right now of folks on the forums who have not patience for 21-25 year olds. If El Dude hadn't called FAA out early, you'd barely care about him. Give some of these kids some breathing room, why don't ya?

 

[Moxie]

Uh, oh, Kyrgios is blowing up. Lost the 2nd set in the TB.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Uh, oh, Kyrgios is blowing up. Lost the 2nd set in the TB.

Typical Nick K dont you think lol!

 

[Moxie]

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from Cinncy tournament (these remours that have been circulating are true)
Novak confirms he will be at the US Open hoping to win the calendar slam

Needs time with the family, and to chill. What ever happened to the talk of that left shoulder injury? Oh, right...there wasn't one.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

In defense of my local NY Open, it's played in Long Island, which is a schlep for most people. They probably thought they'd pick up rich people from eastern LI and CT. But Covid didn't help, since it was such a young tournament, and doesn't attract elite players. Still, I think Dallas is a better choice, if an indoor tournament makes sense there next winter, as Covid is so bad in TX.

There are four big states: NY has USO, CA has IW, FL has Miami. It is only fair that TX gets one (may be they should be given a 500).

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Needs time with the family, and to chill. What ever happened to the talk of that left shoulder injury? Oh, right...there wasn't one.

Pigs might fly as I posted when he withdrew from the Mixed Doubles at the Olympics......maybe if he quit smashing racquets on court his shoulder issues going forward will disappear

 

[Fiero425]

Pigs might fly as I posted when he withdrew from the Mixed Doubles at the Olympics......maybe if he quit smashing racquets on court his shoulder issues going forward will disappear

I can't criticize! I was from a generation that went thru rackets like razor blades! Lucky for me they were still relatively cheap being made of wood! I literally stopped counting at 60 rackets! Some were broken whiles others were just given away or sold because they weren't conducive to my attacking game! I finished off playing with the last 2 rackets bought for my BD by my mom! She flew them out to me in California; 2 Wilson Pros back in '97! That's as oversized as I'd go back then besides Yonex R-7 Martina played with back in the mid 80's!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I can't criticize! I was from a generation that went thru rackets like razor blades! Lucky for me they were still relatively cheap being made of wood! I literally stopped counting at 60 rackets! Some were broken whiles others were just given away or sold because they weren't conducive to my attacking game! I finished off playing with the last 2 rackets bought for my BD by my mom! She flew them out to me in California; 2 Wilson Pros back in '97! That's as oversized as I'd go back then besides Yonex R-7 Martina played with back in the mid 80's!

Lucky for you Uncle Toni wasn't around