2022 ATP General News

[Moxie]

Well saying the F word 3 times to the umpire......."You dont even look at me, your too proud to look at me your like a King
Sorry in my book that is 'disgraceful". Mo kept his patience, Umpiring is just a 'thankless job"
I wonder if Patrick M will reel him in on his behavior seeing he is his new coach.

Fair enough. Either they didn't show that part on my tv, or I wasn't watching. I did see him give Mo a limp, no-look-in-the-eye handshake at the end. Rune ought to realize who his "betters" are, and Mo is one of them. As I said, I am off him, and it would take a lot to convince me otherwise.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Here's a random question: Who will end up with more Slams, Carlos Alcaraz or Iga Swiatek?

Probably Iga. I feel like Carlos still unfortunately is in that Nadal/Djokovic era and once they start losing it will be open competitive season on the men’s side. The women are more inconsistent, and Iga really is the only one who has found any relative consistency.

 

[El Dude]

Indeed, Felix seems to be really coming good. After so many finals without a win, he scored the rare hat-trick today.

Shapo is so undisciplined, and Im beginning to wonder if he has no tennis IQ to speak of. @Sundaymorningguy was bemoaning his lack of patience, for all of his gifts. Everyone keeps waiting for him to stop with the ball-bashing and use them, but 5 years is a long time. Not that there's been NO improvement, in the attempts to construct points, etc. I'll keep hoping he can still become the player he might be. The final today was winnable for him. He and Medvedev had both been looking formidable all week, though Medvedev, at least, hadn't faced much opposition. He won that second set by taking advantage of a small drop in level from Denis, but that's the champion's way. And Daniil is a massively more intelligent player than Denis.

Gasquet is an interesting comparison...so much early promise, so little to show for it. I'd argue that Shapo has even more gifts, with his great serve, but I see what you mean about wandering around in the 10s/20s and not winning a lot of titles. Denis should read that and shudder. He will unlikely face the same competition as Gasquet, though who knows.

Gasquet is such a fascinating cautionary tale of judging early promise. I know I've said this before, and we all know that he and Rafa are born just 2 weeks apart, came up in juniors together. The French were looking at Richard as the future of French tennis. And it's not even like he hasn't had a decent, and well-remunerated career. Reached #7. But 15 titles, all 250s. At 18, he and Nadal were seen in the same light, with the same futures. It can seem like an unfair comparison, but much more was anticipated from Richie. And it's not even like he was a perpetual head-case, like Safin and Nalbandian. He just never came good. Realistically, he was overrated as a youngster.

Good stuff. Yeah, if you dial back to the beginning of 2005 and someone from the future was to say, "Gasquet and Nadal will have 22 Slams between the two of them...how do you think they are divided up?" No one would have said "0-22." But yeah, clearly Gasquet was overrated, and also he had "Frenchman's Disease" and never seemed able to hunker down in the pressure zone (See, Monfils, Paire, etc).

Shapo also reminds me a bit of Alexander Dolgopolov, who had a certain unique brilliance to him but clearly no game plan. If Shapo is a step more talented than Gasquet, he's two steps more talented than Dolgopolov - so I think he'll put together a much better career (already has). But my point is, there are a lot of talented guys that end up floating in the #10-30 range, but lacked the discipline and/or focus to be top 10 guys.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I think with Shapo he could get there with the right coach, but most players are so stupid and stubborn with their coaching situations.

 

[Moxie]

Good stuff. Yeah, if you dial back to the beginning of 2005 and someone from the future was to say, "Gasquet and Nadal will have 22 Slams between the two of them...how do you think they are divided up?" No one would have said "0-22." But yeah, clearly Gasquet was overrated, and also he had "Frenchman's Disease" and never seemed able to hunker down in the pressure zone (See, Monfils, Paire, etc).

Shapo also reminds me a bit of Alexander Dolgopolov, who had a certain unique brilliance to him but clearly no game plan. If Shapo is a step more talented than Gasquet, he's two steps more talented than Dolgopolov - so I think he'll put together a much better career (already has). But my point is, there are a lot of talented guys that end up floating in the #10-30 range, but lacked the discipline and/or focus to be top 10 guys.

I try so hard to resist that notion of French players flaking up by the top, but it's really hard. There was a time, a few years back, when I was following how many French and Spanish players were in the top 100. For a long time, there were about 15/16/17 each. Yet, since 2000, France has won DC one time, Spain 6. France has no #1 singles player in the history of the rankings. (Noah got to #1 in doubles. I kept looking, I was so astonished by this. Tell me if I'm wrong.) France has a strong federation, they are a great tennis country, so I don't know what that's about.

Dolgopolov, now THAT'S a name we haven't heard for a long time. (Unfortunate auto-immune disease, or something.) But he's a good call as to comparison. Such a weird game. I think everyone said that he was hard to play because even HE didn't seem to know what he'd do next.

I agree with your general point that there are so many talented guys out there, in the upper 10-30. They just lack something. At the risk of rudeness, I would say it's mostly "cojones." By which I guess I really mean: competitive drive, for the most part. Add in discipline, opportunism, tennis IQ and focus.

 

[Fiero425]

I try so hard to resist that notion of French players flaking up by the top, but it's really hard. There was a time, a few years back, when I was following how many French and Spanish players were in the top 100. For a long time, there were about 15/16/17 each. Yet, since 2000, France has won DC one time, Spain 6. France has no #1 singles player in the history of the rankings. (Noah got to #1 in doubles. I kept looking, I was so astonished by this. Tell me if I'm wrong.) France has a strong federation, they are a great tennis country, so I don't know what that's about.

Dolgopolov, now THAT'S a name we haven't heard for a long time. (Unfortunate auto-immune disease, or something.) But he's a good call as to comparison. Such a weird game. I think everyone said that he was hard to play because even HE didn't seem to know what he'd do next.

I agree with your general point that there are so many talented guys out there, in the upper 10-30. They just lack something. At the risk of rudeness, I would say it's mostly "cojones." By which I guess I really mean: competitive drive, for the most part. Add in discipline, opportunism, tennis IQ and focus.

Another underachiever from the "Lost Gen." IMO! IIRC, in the 2015 Cinci Masters SF, Alex Dolgopolov took Djokovic to the limit, needing to save multiple MP's! Novak went down to Fed in the final! I recall his father having a huge influence on his game; ala Tsitsipas!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Fair enough. Either they didn't show that part on my tv, or I wasn't watching. I did see him give Mo a limp, no-look-in-the-eye handshake at the end. Rune ought to realize who his "betters" are, and Mo is one of them. As I said, I am off him, and it would take a lot to convince me otherwise.

Agree with your thoughts, it is a shame the youngster is talented, unless he changes his attitude like you I am off with him as well

 

[El Dude]

I try so hard to resist that notion of French players flaking up by the top, but it's really hard. There was a time, a few years back, when I was following how many French and Spanish players were in the top 100. For a long time, there were about 15/16/17 each. Yet, since 2000, France has won DC one time, Spain 6. France has no #1 singles player in the history of the rankings. (Noah got to #1 in doubles. I kept looking, I was so astonished by this. Tell me if I'm wrong.) France has a strong federation, they are a great tennis country, so I don't know what that's about.

I can't think of a great French player since before WW2, with Cochet, Borotra, Lacoste, and one other guy I'm forgetting who made up the "Four Musketeers." I believe Yannick Noah is the last--and only--Frenchman to win a Slam in the Open Era.

I mean, Tsonga is the best of the Big Three era and before him...Guy Forget? And then Noah. So the three best Frenchmen of the Open Era might be Noah, Tsonga, Forget. Not a great list.

(Just looked up the 4th...Jacques Brugnon...a solid singles player, but better known for doubles)

Dolgopolov, now THAT'S a name we haven't heard for a long time. (Unfortunate auto-immune disease, or something.) But he's a good call as to comparison. Such a weird game. I think everyone said that he was hard to play because even HE didn't seem to know what he'd do next.

He was a lot of fun to watch and easy to root for.

I agree with your general point that there are so many talented guys out there, in the upper 10-30. They just lack something. At the risk of rudeness, I would say it's mostly "cojones." By which I guess I really mean: competitive drive, for the most part. Add in discipline, opportunism, tennis IQ and focus.

Yep, I think that's a lot of it. I think just recently it was Novak who said the talent level of even the top 20-30 players is a lot closer than it seems, that the difference is mostly mental.

 

[Jelenafan]

Wow I get back to the forum and sweet cherubic Holger is being unfairly bashed yet again. Ever since he was cruelly maligned by that well known Norwegian thug Casper “Hitman” Ruud, poor Rune is being portrayed as petulant &spoiled. Not true, his mom defends him even now as the best son possible. Danes use the English F*** word much more easily in everyday conversations than Americans do. Perhaps little Holger was inviting the chair to afternoon tea after the match.

The Danish angel is simply overly enthusiastic and bubbling with competitive zeal. Holger’s point construction is way above what it was in Indian Wells this year and the serve is coming along nicely. Back to back finals, beating Stefano in the prior one. Not bad at age 19 to have reached 4 tour finals, winning 2. He’s climbing up the ranks nicely, up to a career high #18.

Fun fact: Holger has beaten both crown princes (Zverev & Tsitsipas) in winning his titles.

The one lone Holger fan in this shocking Dane teenager bashing forum. (Not that I’m judging)

 

[tented]

What was the bad blood about?

His agent demanded a huge appearance fee, which angered the organizers. To save face, Roger donated the money to a charity.

 

[Tennis_Steve]

I've been catching up on matches on Amazon Prime.

Very pleased for Felix. 1000pts in 3 weeks! Good match up with Rune. He just couldn't be consistent enough.

Shapo showed how to beat Med on indoor hardcourt in the first set of the Vienna final.
Couldn't sustain it!
Rinse and repeat... So hard to maintain that level.

On to Paris. Deep breath! More Great matches coming up.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Stan Wawrinka will join Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem and Gael Monfils at the Diriyah Tennis Cup in Saudi Arabia, from December 8-10.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Nick Kyrgios has apologised to a fan he accused of being ' drunk out of her mind' during this year's Wimbledon final and donated
20,000 pounds to a charity of her choice, following a legal case. ( the age.com.au)

 

[Kieran]

Nick Kyrgios has apologised to a fan he accused of being ' drunk out of her mind' during this year's Wimbledon final and donated
20,000 pounds to a charity of her choice, following a legal case. ( the age.com.au)

He didn’t have any mental health issues blocking this trial, fortunately. Maybe his ex should accuse of him of drinking lemonade when he looks more like a boozer, he’d gladly face her in court then, followed by a few sherbets with his legal team after.

But isn’t this case a funny thing to get upset about? What material damage did he do to the woman he accused hyperbolically of drinking about 700 beers? He was in the heat of a match, surely she understood this?

 

[TheSicilian]

He didn’t have any mental health issues blocking this trial, fortunately. Maybe his ex should accuse of him of drinking lemonade when he looks more like a boozer, he’d gladly face her in court then, followed by a few sherbets with his legal team after.

But isn’t this case a funny thing to get upset about? What material damage did he do to the woman he accused hyperbolically of drinking about 700 beers? He was in the heat of a match, surely she understood this?

Didn't security try to throw her out? I'm sure when you have paid £300+ for a ticket it's not good to be hassled by security and possibly kicked out because a player thinks your drunk

 

[Kieran]

Didn't security try to throw her out? I'm sure when you have paid £300+ for a ticket it's not good to be hassled by security and possibly kicked out because a player thinks your drunk

She got her fifteen minutes, but really - a lawsuit? It seems frivolous to me, but I get your drift, she didn’t ask for extras with them drinks

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

He didn’t have any mental health issues blocking this trial, fortunately. Maybe his ex should accuse of him of drinking lemonade when he looks more like a boozer, he’d gladly face her in court then, followed by a few sherbets with his legal team after.

But isn’t this case a funny thing to get upset about? What material damage did he do to the woman he accused hyperbolically of drinking about 700 beers? He was in the heat of a match, surely she understood this?

Quite frankly I was suprised this went to court, apparently it did scar her mentally? what next lol!

 

[Kieran]

Quite frankly I was suprised this went to court, apparently it did scar her mentally? what next lol!

I know. She’ll be photographed drunk celebrating and take us all to court for laughing…

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Alcaraz is out of the ATP Finals with abdominal injury, internal oblique muscle tear,, ( people whined about him retiring for) also Davis Cup Finals, estimated recovery time 6 weeks.
Taylor Fritz is into the final spot.
Rune would make it as 1st alternative, if he could beat Djokovic tomorrow.Hurkacz at present is the 1st alternative.

 

[kskate2]

Alcaraz is out of the ATP Finals with abdominal injury, internal oblique muscle tear,, ( people whined about him retiring for) also Davis Cup Finals, estimated recovery time 6 weeks.
Taylor Fritz is into the final spot.
Rune would make it as 1st alternative, if he could beat Djokovic tomorrow.Hurkacz at present is the 1st alternative.

This is terrible news.