2023 ATP General News

[Jelenafan]

I think it's true that he'll be coming into the USO more relaxed than, say, 2 years ago with the CYGS on the line, but he's had a lot of reason to go in with confidence many times before...and he was a lot younger. Points to defend is a non-issue. His window for winning Majors is closing, and NY has always been a challenge which he hasn't often met. He's made 3 x SFs, 6 x Fs, and won 3 titles there. For the best on HCs, he'll know that's not a great record. I know why you say he's "underperformed," (see previous sentence,) but remember that you have to take a win away from someone else, if you try to say he should have done better, meaning having won another title, or two. I'm not sure which one you'd take away. Anyway, the pressure to do better in New York will be there. As will the spit and vinegar to prove he's not done. It will be interesting to see what he's got left in the tank.

FWIW, Medvedev seems the only current older generation player that consistently gives Novak fits. If the draw pans out to his playing Daniil & Carlos in the SF/Finals back to back that would be a very difficult row to hoe.

 

[Moxie]

FWIW, Medvedev seems the only current older generation player that consistently gives Novak fits. If the draw pans out to his playing Daniil & Carlos in the SF/Finals back to back that would be a very difficult row to hoe.

Not to give you a hard time, but sort of hilarious that Medvedev is "older generation." He's 27. We're thinking Novak "might" get a hard one-two punch from someone 9 years younger, then 16 years younger. If he keeps surviving trials like that, then, either they're all wimps, or he IS Nosferatu.

 

[Front242]

FWIW, Medvedev seems the only current older generation player that consistently gives Novak fits. If the draw pans out to his playing Daniil & Carlos in the SF/Finals back to back that would be a very difficult row to hoe.

Or 2 very difficult hoes to row?

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

In recent years, the US Open has been the slam where the unexpected happens. I don't think Alcaraz or Djokovic will win this slam. I think the winner will come from here:

Medvedev (+700)
Sinner (+1200)
Rune (+2200)
Ruud (+3500)
Tiafoe (+5000)

 

[the AntiPusher]

I had to sit through that match and when Rafa had to take a MTO he was booed, I could not believe he actually won a set off Stan, he could hardly serve, that match was a complete nightmare, Rafa had played soo well to get to the final, I vowed and declared then I would never watch Rafa in a final live at the AO again!

Yeah MM Rafa needed more time for the anti-inflammatories meds to kick in.. Too bad it just wasnt his day. I cant imagine how it must have felt for you to sit through that match and watch our Champion suffer like that. Again.. the Tennis Gods are not always fair

 

[the AntiPusher]

Or 2 very difficult hoes to row?

In recent years, the US Open has been the slam where the unexpected happens. I don't think Alcaraz or Djokovic will win this slam. I think the winner will come from here:

Medvedev (+700)
Sinner (+1200)
Rune (+2200)
Ruud (+3500)
Tiafoe (+5000)

Again, Everyone else will have to play exceptional and all Novak has to do is play his normal level to win this championship. Meddy Yes the exception but the rest of that field on that list I would not bet my hard earn $100 that they could win. Who knows I guess anything is possible.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Again, Everyone else will have to play exceptional and all Novak has to do is play his normal level to win this championship. Meddy Yes the exception but the rest of that field on that list I would not bet my hard earn $100 that they could win. Who knows I guess anything is possible.

Well if we go by stats the USO is Novak's worst Grand Slam with only 3 wins from 8 finals? from memory, I will be interested to see how he performs in Cinncy before the USO, before making him the favorite for this year's USO, what I am most looking forward to is seeing if Alcaraz can defend his title at the USO, can he handle the pressure of being the defending champion, to me that is harder than winning a GS title in many ways. Remember too, we have the hard court specialist Medvedev in the mix

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kei Nishikori is a late withdrawal from Citi Open, Washington, ( knee) replaced by LL Shimabukuro who will play against L. Harris

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Toronto Update:
OUT" Shapovalov ( knee)
IN" Nishikori

 

[the AntiPusher]

Kei Nishikori is a late withdrawal from Citi Open, Washington, ( knee) replaced by LL Shimabukuro who will play against L. Harris

I don't know why it was a later withdrawal. We all knew on this board he wasn't durable to play two tournaments back to back

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I don't know why it was a later withdrawal. We all knew on this board he wasn't durable to play two tournaments back to back

I suppose he waited to the last minute to see if his knee would be okay,hopefully he will be okay to play Toronto

 

[the AntiPusher]

@tented @kskate2 Okay what's up with the Sharapova ball bouncing before the service for MMOH ..I keep waiting for him to scream or squeak like Maria

 

[kskate2]

AP,

If you are around Fritz has won the title in Alanta, still waiting for your return post to me, is Fritz as good as Andy Roddick, though Roddick did manage to get to a GS final
BTW this is Fritz 6th ATP title, he has the 2nd most titles among active American men, behind Tented's favorite John Isner

No. Fritz is not as good as A-Rod (at least not yet). Andy reached several slam SF and F and actually won the USO. He also beat the top players a few times.

 

[Fiero425]

@tented @kskate2 Okay what's up with the Sharapova ball bouncing before the service for MMOH ..I keep waiting for him to scream or squeak like Maria

OMG, you "cursed" Hurkacz who was knocked out by MMOH! Such a disappointment! So many of these players w/ so much talent, but just can't keep it together for very long! Between physical issues and mental en oui w/ the Tour being so long, guys like Hurk, Khachanov, & Shapavalov are blowing it! We're already seeing cracks w/i the latest crop w/ Tiafoe, Fritz, & Sinner! Alcaraz is holding up well so far! Very impressive! We'll see for how long! I see a successful USO comeback w/ Novak since he resents dirt being kicked onto his grave so prematurely!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

No. Fritz is not as good as A-Rod (at least not yet). Andy reached several slam SF and F and actually won the USO. He also beat the top players a few times.

Oops thanks Kskate I forgot Roddick won the USO

 

[kskate2]

Oops thanks Kskate I forgot Roddick won the USO

It's OK. He was the last US man to do anything significant and this year is surprisingly the 20 year anniversary of that win. My how time flies...

 

[Moxie]

In recent years, the US Open has been the slam where the unexpected happens. I don't think Alcaraz or Djokovic will win this slam. I think the winner will come from here:

Medvedev (+700)
Sinner (+1200)
Rune (+2200)
Ruud (+3500)
Tiafoe (+5000)

There hasn't been a repeat winner on the men's side since Roger won it 5x in a row 2004-08, that's true. I wouldn't give you a nickel for Ruud, and , while I think likewise Tiafoe is a long-shot, I like him, and my friend AP backs him, so I'll give him a chance. It's too far away to game anyone else, but Carlitos and Novak are still the men to beat, giving Medvedev a decent shot to repeat.

Again, Everyone else will have to play exceptional and all Novak has to do is play his normal level to win this championship. Meddy Yes the exception but the rest of that field on that list I would not bet my hard earn $100 that they could win. Who knows I guess anything is possible.

This is what I mean about saying that a player has a "normal level" or best level the whole of his career. Novak's "normal level" isn't necessarily what it once was. He played his "normal level," though not his A-game, (meaning "exceptional,") throughout Wimbledon, and it proved not enough in the final. And that was grass, where he would be said to have had more of an edge than on HCs, where most players excel, to the extent of their gifts. I think that unless the draw-gods and the upset-gods are exceptionally kind to him, he knows that he's going to have to find his A-game at the USO to win it. I do think @Jelenafan has a point, though, in that Alcaraz poked the bear at Wimbledon, and he's going to be gunning for it. I don't think he really needs extra motivation, but he's free of the pressure of the CYGS. He's also aware that the competition is stiffening, and that they probably sense blood in the water. Novak is a great champion, and he'll be planning to peak for the 2nd week in New York.

 

[Moxie]

It's OK. He was the last US man to do anything significant and this year is surprisingly the 20 year anniversary of that win. My how time flies...

He also won the North American swing, with the $1M bonus, that year. Rafa won it in 2013, IIFC. But I think they don't offer it anymore?

 

[Moxie]

Frances wins the first set v. Karatsev in the TB. Go, Frances!! Win your hometown tournament!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

He also won the North American swing, with the $1M bonus, that year. Rafa won it in 2013, IIFC. But I think they don't offer it anymore?

Aussie Pat Rafter also won it in 1998, Roddick in 2003 and Rafa in 2013, it was called the triple hard courts those 3 were the only players to win it from memory in the open era