2024 ATP General News

[MargaretMcAleer]

It feels that way to me too. Novak is giving all he's got, but it's not enough anymore. It was a good match yesterday, doesn't look like exhibition. Sinner is clearly a better player now and has the edge. I think Novak likes a match up against Alcaraz more than against Sinner.

Alcaraz didn't give Rafa any chances. The old man fought well and played decent game considering the retirement, but Alcaraz was dialed in and too good.

Don,
Novak still has a good chance of making the end of year finals, due to making the final in Shanghai, Novak is ranked in 6th place, he is also on the entry list for Paris Masters I noticed.

 

[Moxie]

I haven't seen this until now. Thanks for posting. Rune's part looks like @Jelenafan had a hand in directing it.

The whole thing! I was already thinking of him when I had just seen the art direction on the stills. Before I even saw the viking ship.

 

[mrzz]

I can't believe that no one posted the promo video. Game of Thrones takes up tennis. It definitely explains why Rune was involved. They needed a viking ship!

Barbie is more of a Viking than Rune.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

39 yo Stan Wawrinka WC gets his first top ten wins since August 2023, defeating Rublev 76(5) 76(5) to reach the SFs in Stockholm 39 W and 14 aces.
Ageless Wawrinka is the 3rd oldest SF in ATP history following Connors, who was 40 y, 5 months when he reached 1993 San Francisco and Ivo Karlovic, who was 39 yo, 10 months when he made the final 4 at the 2019 Prune.
NOTE:
Friday's defeat was a setback to Rublev's hopes of qualifying ATP Finals for the fifth consecutive year. Rublev remains eighth in ATP Live rave to Turin, but the 4 players below him are still competing at ATP250 level this week.
BTW No 7, No 8 and No 9 have all lost in the QF on Friday in the ATP Race to Turin

 

[Moxie]

Barbie is more of a Viking than Rune.

Barbie is kick-ass. Seek a better example.

 

[mrzz]

Barbie is kick-ass. Seek a better example.

Ken's ass does not count

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jiri Lehecka plays a great match to defeat Tsitipas 64 64 to reach the SF in Antwerp
#13 Tommy Paul was the only top 15 player to win today.
#7 Rublev, #8 Ruud, #9 De Minaur, #11 Tsitpas , #15 Tiafoe all lost.
#10 Dimitrov won in straight sets against Stricker 63 62 to reach the SFs in Stockholm

 

[kskate2]

I can't believe that no one posted the promo video. Game of Thrones takes up tennis. It definitely explains why Rune was involved. They needed a viking ship!

I didn't post it because I thought it a bit over the top, even for an overpriced exho, but what do I know?

 

[Moxie]

I didn't post it because I thought it a bit over the top, even for an overpriced exho, but what do I know?

A BIT?? I couldn't resist posting it because of the butch Game of Thrones iconography, which seems popular around here. A producer friend and I have been trying to guess how much that cost to produce.

 

[Moxie]

Ken's ass does not count

You clearly didn't see the movie.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Joao Sousa, who retired earlier this year, is the new voice of the ATP Director of Player Communication. In this newly created position, Joao will be responsible for coordinating player meetings, communicating ATP strategies and supporting the Player Advisory Council.He will also work with players to ensure their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.
Joao speaks six languages fluently and has a very good relationship with pretty much everyone on tour.Joao has been working with the ATP basically since he retired in April.Went to Wimbledon and US Open for meetings, he will be in Vienna , Bercy and Turin

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Six Kings Slams,
3rd place match between Djokovic v Nadal, Djokovic winning 62 76(5) nice hug at the net after the match. ( Rafa was given a gold tennis racket as a gift)

 

[El Dude]

Alcaraz takes the first set in a tiebreak.

These guys are really good. This match--and tournament--feels like a big title, in terms of the fierceness of competition. I guess the Saudis are trying to emulate the Grand Slam Cup from the 90s, which didn't offer ATP points but was akin to a Masters but with bigger money.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Alcaraz takes the first set in a tiebreak.

These guys are really good. This match--and tournament--feels like a big title, in terms of the fierceness of competition. I guess the Saudis are trying to emulate the Grand Slam Cup from the 90s, which didn't offer ATP points but was akin to a Masters but with bigger money.

Sinner has to get more direction on his first serve to Carlos for starters, he is doing the same like in their match at Beijing, Carlos too quick on the return and what a Brain Fail from Jannik with the drop shot in the TB, Jannik started well in the 1st set leading at one point 4-1 before Carlos reeled him in.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Lets see if you can consolidate this 2nd break in the 2nd set Jannik, you have to get more direction on your 1st serve for starters,
What do you know Jannik consolidated, though this 2nd set is now over yet, Jannik leads 5-3
Another break and Jannik wins the 2nd set 63, he also found his return game which helped he won 13 of the last 16 points, good fight back
We have a decider!

 

[El Dude]

I know they're different players than Roger and Rafa, but I'm a bit reminded of their match-ups in terms of a certain dynamic. Sinner, like Roger, has an aggressive game with those deep shots and blazing forehands; Alcaraz with his crazy athleticism, seems capable of defending it and pulling some magic. Sinner hits an unforced error. Rinse and repeat.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sinner d Alcaraz 67(5) 63 63
A fun match with some great rallies and shots between these 2 players
Sinner receives 6 millions dollars, not bad pocket money at all!
When you consider Champions prize money in 2024
AO2.11 million
RG $ 2.6 million
Wimbledon $3.51 million
USO $ 3.6 million

 

[El Dude]

Two great players.

Anyhow, still not clear about the prize money. Evidently it is $14.3M total, $1.5M minimum each, and then $6M for the winner. Some math:

winner = $6M
$1.5M x 5 other players = $7.5M

$6M + $7.5M = $13.5M, with 0.8M to spare. Does Alcaraz get that, thus $2.3M?

Not that it matters!

 

[Kieran]

Sinner d Alcaraz 67(5) 63 63
A fun match with some great rallies and shots between these 2 players
Sinner receives 6 millions dollars, not bad pocket money at all!
When you consider Champions prize money in 2024
AO2.11 million
RG $ 2.6 million
Wimbledon $3.51 million
USO $ 3.6 million

Oil dollars. A pity tennis is also becoming contaminated, but whatever!

Just an interesting quick take on this one since I didn’t see it

Bit of history that I think @Fiero425 will remember and appreciate: Connors was on a roll against Borg in the mid-seventies until Bjorn win an exo against him, the Pepsi Challenge or some such lucrative friendly, and it changed the dynamic of their rivalry. I believe that Borg lost only once more against Jimbo, at the USO final in 78, but otherwise held the whiphand.

And all because he won a meaningless match in an exo…

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Two great players.

Anyhow, still not clear about the prize money. Evidently it is $14.3M total, $1.5M minimum each, and then $6M for the winner. Some math:

winner = $6M
$1.5M x 5 other players = $7.5M

$6M + $7.5M = $13.5M, with 0.8M to spare. Does Alcaraz get that, thus $2.3M?

Not that it matters!

I will have to check how much Carlos receives as RU