2022 ATP General News

[Moxie]

Well the only way to test yourself both physically and mentally is to enter a tournament it has been 10 months since he has played.

That's what makes me wonder if he's feeling gun-shy.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

That's what makes me wonder if he's feeling gun-shy.

Maybe,he has to commit to playing soon,or I feel his wrist and hand is still not 100%

 

[Jelenafan]

Theim has run out of options because you can only move the chains so far until you back into the endzone. Either he plays the claycourt season runup to the French Open, or he doesn’t. If he doesn’t, yet claims he has no injury then it has to be personal issues.

Theim claims he’s most comfortable on clay but actually his best results have come on hard courts, a Major win (2020) , a 5 set Major final (2020), a Masters win ( IW) and 2 ATP YE finals (losing narrowly both times).

It’s weird with him because outside of the French Open itself, he’s more like a Nicholas Almagro type of dirt baller. Feasting on 250’s & 500’s but not all that successful in the other red clay tourneys. He’s made Madrid Finals a couple of times, but I think of that Masters in altitude more like a HC. That USO win almost seemed to drain him both physically & mentally, he seemed like a shell of his former fighting self; regardless of the subsequent injury which is why there is such mystery about his hiatus.

However I take him at face value he’s good to go, and I certainly think with his Roland Garros track record he could groove himself into match toughness to be a dark horse contender at Roland Garros. He’s that good at the French.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Breaking News!

Alexander Zverev has been issued an additional US$25,000.A suspension for a period of eight weeks from any ATP sanctioned event.
However,the fine and suspension are withheld on condition that,over a probation ending 22nd February 2023,( 1 year from the incident),the player does not incur a further Code Violation that results in a fine.
In short Zverev will be allowed to keep competing on the ATP Tour,probation is now in force for 1 year and will be fined and suspended for 2 months if a similar behavior happens.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Breaking News!

Alexander Zverev has been issued an additional US$25,000.A suspension for a period of eight weeks from any ATP sanctioned event.
However,the fine and suspension are withheld on condition that,over a probation ending 22nd February 2023,( 1 year from the incident),the player does not incur a further Code Violation that results in a fine.
In short Zverev will be allowed to keep competing on the ATP Tour,probation is now in force for 1 year and will be fined and suspended for 2 months if a similar behavior happens.

A big joke. So basically he abused an umpire and he is forgiven and will be punished only if he does it again. lol

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

A big joke. So basically he abused an umpire and he is forgiven and will be punished only if he does it again. lol

Agree.Apparently being an umpire,linesperson,ball person these days,you are not protected by abusive,verbal behavior by a player,name me another sport that also follows the same guidelines?
Personally speaking I think he should have been suspended from at least 2 tournaments,and under take a anger management course.

 

[don_fabio]

To me, it's either physical, or mental. Doesn't make sense not to get back into the mix, if he's physically ready. There is only one 500 available on clay (either Houston or Morocco, but they are played the same week,) before he gets thrown into a pretty heavy clay schedule.

I am sure you meant 250

Anyway, Thiem is really a mystery ever since he won the USO. I agree with you and what @Jelenafan said. I am leaning more to the mental side issues. He has suffered from a burn out and it took a tool on him and his body I would guess.

It does seem strange that he is actually more successful on HC than on red clay. It's the impression that he has been many times to the bussiness end of RG, semis and final that makes us think he better on clay, but he actually never won anything big on clay. How many RG finals he played? 2? And how many times he lost in semis? I would say maybe also 2? What about clay masters?

 

[Moxie]

I am sure you meant 250

LOL...that's me being lazy.

Anyway, Thiem is really a mystery ever since he won the USO. I agree with you and what @Jelenafan said. I am leaning more to the mental side issues. He has suffered from a burn out and it took a tool on him and his body I would guess.

It does seem strange that he is actually more successful on HC than on red clay. It's the impression that he has been many times to the bussiness end of RG, semis and final that makes us think he better on clay, but he actually never won anything big on clay. How many RG finals he played? 2? And how many times he lost in semis? I would say maybe also 2? What about clay masters?

Great points about his HC numbers, and the perception of him, on clay. If he's saying he wants to return on clay because he feels most comfortable there, that could be true for him, whatever the numbers. But the hesitancy to come back does feel a bit mental, at this point.

 

[Moxie]

Agree.Apparently being an umpire,linesperson,ball person these days,you are not protected by abusive,verbal behavior by a player,name me another sport that also follows the same guidelines?
Personally speaking I think he should have been suspended from at least 2 tournaments,and under take a anger management course.

Also, having a cloud over your head via an investigation of domestic abuse, (which investigation is clearly NOT happening,) has no bearing on this seeming sanction as if it were a first-time offense. And as if it weren't an especially egregious offense. As @Nadalfan2013 says above: it's a big joke.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Also, having a cloud over your head via an investigation of domestic abuse, (which investigation is clearly NOT happening,) has no bearing on this seeming sanction as if it were a first-time offense. And as if it weren't an especially egregious offense. As @Nadalfan2013 says above: it's a big joke.

I also have to agree with Kskate, we also discussed this on the WTA News.the ATP is 'spineless'
In regards to the investigation last I heard the ATP have hired a third party to investigate the domestic abuse allegations,which started in October.....it is now March....the joke continues.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Well, he's a very good swimmer, I'd say, but he's also a good swimmer on hards. And everywhere else. I'm not too sure what his rationale is here, unless he's nervous about coming back? This is understandable, but the best way for a good swimmer to face his fear of drowning is to dive into the pool, and swim...

Remember back to the days of the poster Samson aka Clay Death.Whenever Rafa's career would need a reboot or Kickstart , Samson would suggest to begin on the Clay because Nadal could get his timing and confidence. At the time, most of Us hardcourt tennis enthusiasts felt that it was a bit hokey about Samson's theory but it was extremely extraordinary point on. Nadal would go on those 20 matches winning streaks which propelled him into RG and the channel slam SW19 until his body was beset by nagging injuries due to overplaying. Non of Us know as much about Thiem as we thought we knew of Nadal. One thing I can say is the wrist is one of the most delicate parts of the anatomy of a tennis player. All the magic is in the wrists if you understand where I'm going with this. A very good tennis player I knew of in my time in Chicago once injured his ligaments in his wrist. At the time we didn't think much of it because we have seen numerous players loose time on the court resting because of torn or stretched ligaments being damaged. This one guy made an incredible error in his medical judgement. He has an HMO insurance plan and waited 4-6 months for his insurance coverage to change to a PMO. Well, when his wrist were finally scheduled to meet with the wrist surgeon specialist, his ligaments"dried up" and could no longer be repaired. His tennis playing career was OVER. We just witnessed the end of JMDP who had numerous wrist injuries. Everyone's previous points are very valid in regards to Dominic's confidence and I am hopeful his judgement is the best for his career going forward.

 

[Kieran]

Remember back to the days of the poster Samson aka Clay Death.Whenever Rafa's career would need a reboot or Kickstart , Samson would suggest to begin on the Clay because Nadal could get his timing and confidence. At the time, most of Us hardcourt tennis enthusiasts felt that it was a bit hokey about Samson's theory but it was extremely extraordinary point on. Nadal would go on those 20 matches winning streaks which propelled him into RG and the channel slam SW19 until his body was beset by nagging injuries due to overplaying. Non of Us know as much about Thiem as we thought we knew of Nadal. One thing I can say is the wrist is one of the most delicate parts of the anomy of a tennis player. All the magic is in the wrists if you understand where I'm going with this. A very good tennis player I knew of in my time in Chicago once injured his ligaments in his wrist. At the time we didn't think much of it because we have seen numerous players loose time on the court resting because of torn or stretched ligaments being damaged. This one guy made an incredible error in his medical judgement. He has an HMO insurance plan and waited 4-6 months for his insurance coverage to change to a PMO. Well, when his wrist were finally scheduled to meet with the wrist surgeon specialist, his ligaments"dried up" and could no longer be repaired. His tennis playing career was OVER. We just witnessed the end of JMDP who had numerous wrist injuries. Everyone's previous points are very valid in regards to Dominic's confidence and I am hopeful his judgement is the best for his career going forward.

Very good points, brother!

 

[the AntiPusher]

Very good points, brother!

Thanks brotha. How many times have you replayed the AO final? It's really my favorite come from behind victory of Rafa ever!

 

[Kieran]

Thanks brotha. How many times have you replayed the AO final? It's really my favorite come from behind victory of Rafa ever!

Oh I hate to admit in public but several times! I particularly like watching the 11th game of the final set, and how Rafa rebooted instantly after the lousy, nervous and catastrophic for us all, tenth game. Fabulous opening point with a winner, and even from 30-15 behind, he put Daniil on the back foot. I still don't know how we all survived it!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

ATP, WTA, ITF and the four majors will make a joint chartiable donation of US$700,000 in aid of humantarian relief and to support the Ukraine Tennis Federation and players at the BNP Paribas Open will be seen wearing ribbons in Ukraine's colors.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Andy Murray will donate all of his prize money earning from the rest of the this season to Unicef's Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Oh I hate to admit in public but several times! I particularly like watching the 11th game of the final set, and how Rafa rebooted instantly after the lousy, nervous and catastrophic for us all, tenth game. Fabulous opening point with a winner, and even from 30-15 behind, he put Daniil on the back foot. I still don't know how we all survived it!

Kieran, Did you see the look of a shark in the eyes of Rafa's ? It was like he smelled blood and Daniil's game was the prey. I didn't recall seeing that when he played Roger in the AO17 final or 2012 final at AO vs Novak. Even last week, Rafa has finally opened the shoulders and I look forward to how he will play the channel slams.

 

[Jelenafan]

Remember back to the days of the poster Samson aka Clay Death.Whenever Rafa's career would need a reboot or Kickstart , Samson would suggest to begin on the Clay because Nadal could get his timing and confidence. At the time, most of Us hardcourt tennis enthusiasts felt that it was a bit hokey about Samson's theory but it was extremely extraordinary point on. Nadal would go on those 20 matches winning streaks which propelled him into RG and the channel slam SW19 until his body was beset by nagging injuries due to overplaying. Non of Us know as much about Thiem as we thought we knew of Nadal. One thing I can say is the wrist is one of the most delicate parts of the anatomy of a tennis player. All the magic is in the wrists if you understand where I'm going with this. A very good tennis player I knew of in my time in Chicago once injured his ligaments in his wrist. At the time we didn't think much of it because we have seen numerous players loose time on the court resting because of torn or stretched ligaments being damaged. This one guy made an incredible error in his medical judgement. He has an HMO insurance plan and waited 4-6 months for his insurance coverage to change to a PMO. Well, when his wrist were finally scheduled to meet with the wrist surgeon specialist, his ligaments"dried up" and could no longer be repaired. His tennis playing career was OVER. We just witnessed the end of JMDP who had numerous wrist injuries. Everyone's previous points are very valid in regards to Dominic's confidence and I am hopeful his judgement is the best for his career going forward.

Definitely Theim’s been injured and like you said wrist issues are so dicey and potentially career threatening.

I’ve always liked Theims’s attitude, just hardworking and IMO not an entitled Diva but a nose to the grindstone player.

After the 2020 USO win you could see how he was so spent, but at the start of 2021 he was abysmal. THAT was surprising to me, because Theim seemed a level headed guy but he even voiced publicly his lack of desire. In prior years he was a bit defensive about the tales of his training ( denied the hauling a tree on his back, running through the forest at night, etc) but he conceded he could put in 12 hour days of practice. So Ala Jim Courier I wondered if a little burnout once he got to a Major win , because unlike some of the other younger guns, hes a bit older ( now he’s 28).

To me that was the most complete meltdown of motivation and focus since the days of Matts Wilander back in 1989( and even then only after a focused year of Matts winning 3 Majors and getting to # 1). So you add the genuine injury and I’m really curious about his comeback.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Very good points, brother!

Remember back to the days of the poster Samson aka Clay Death.Whenever Rafa's career would need a reboot or Kickstart , Samson would suggest to begin on the Clay because Nadal could get his timing and confidence. At the time, most of Us hardcourt tennis enthusiasts felt that it was a bit hokey about Samson's theory but it was extremely extraordinary point on. Nadal would go on those 20 matches winning streaks which propelled him into RG and the channel slam SW19 until his body was beset by nagging injuries due to overplaying. Non of Us know as much about Thiem as we thought we knew of Nadal. One thing I can say is the wrist is one of the most delicate parts of the anatomy of a tennis player. All the magic is in the wrists if you understand where I'm going with this. A very good tennis player I knew of in my time in Chicago once injured his ligaments in his wrist. At the time we didn't think much of it because we have seen numerous players loose time on the court resting because of torn or stretched ligaments being damaged. This one guy made an incredible error in his medical judgement. He has an HMO insurance plan and waited 4-6 months for his insurance coverage to change to a PMO. Well, when his wrist were finally scheduled to meet with the wrist surgeon specialist, his ligaments"dried up" and could no longer be repaired. His tennis playing career was OVER. We just witnessed the end of JMDP who had numerous wrist injuries. Everyone's previous points are very valid in regards to Dominic's confidence and I am hopeful his judgement is the best for his career going forward.

Dominic Thiem decided against wrist surgery and went down the road of alternative therapies? and still has wrist and hand pain,though he says in his latest post they are good?.He hasnt played a tournament in 10 months.Now decided to come back in the clay season.I went to his official website and it said next tournament TBA.In hindsight maybe he should have had the surgery and rehab.Del Potro also took the route of alternative therapies and in the end had to have surgery.
BTW Thiem has not been the same player after he won the USO,he admitted it took a toll on him mentally.

 

[Carol]

Rafa practicing with Korda who is one of his huge fans