2025 ATP General News

[mrzz]

2025: Canada Strikes Back.

Greatest state in America!

 

[kskate2]

Glad Shapo came through. Let's see what he can do when he joins the rest of civilization for the Sunshine tourneys.

 

[mrzz]

@Moxie has always said that Shapo's game is all over the place (or something very similar), I could see what she was talking about, but I always thought there was something else to it. Watching today's final set, I finally concluded that, no, nothing else, his game simply has this strange feel that something is out of place, some -- please don't get me wrong, I like the kid -- amateurish flavor to it. Shapo is to tennis what jazz is to music: Never two shots the same.

 

[Moxie]

@Moxie has always said that Shapo's game is all over the place (or something very similar), I could see what she was talking about, but I always thought there was something else to it. Watching today's final set, I finally concluded that, no, nothing else, his game simply has this strange feel that something is out of place, some -- please don't get me wrong, I like the kid -- amateurish flavor to it. Shapo is to tennis what jazz is to music: Never two shots the same.

If you're saying that Shapo's game lack's discipline, I agree, but if the comparison means you think that jazz does, we'll have to disagree on that.

 

[Fiero425]

Glad Shapo came through. Let's see what he can do when he joins the rest of civilization for the Sunshine tourneys.

Very impressive effort! I'm so happy for Denis! I was so afraid he might turn into one of those "perennial also-rans;" all flash, winning nothing! Getting past Fritz early & Paul in the SF was no small feat so he earned this victory over Ruud!

 

[mrzz]

but if the comparison means you think that jazz does

No, that's not the comparison. The common element is improvisation. You made quite a leap...

 

[Moxie]

No, that's not the comparison. The common element is improvisation. You made quite a leap...

That was my other guess, but it gives Denis too much credit for what is really just a lack of discipline.

 

[mrzz]

That was my other guess, but it gives Denis too much credit for what is really just a lack of discipline.

But that is the point. I get that the lack of discipline is a problem, and the improvisation is a direct consequence of that. But you cannot deny that getting into the top 10, winning ATP tournaments in spite of that means that you must have something else clicking pretty well.

 

[Moxie]

But that is the point. I get that the lack of discipline is a problem, and the improvisation is a direct consequence of that. But you cannot deny that getting into the top 10, winning ATP tournaments in spite of that means that you must have something else clicking pretty well.

We're basically arguing the same point, only you're cutting him more slack. I think he's wasted his gifts, one of which could be improvisational skills, if he had more discipline. That's my rap on him all along...lack of discipline.

 

[Jelenafan]

Shapo never improved his game, sort of like he goes for broke and if it drops in he looks amazing.

Think of as a youngster beating world # 1 Rafa, its the same game: the defense is still suspect and the footwork messy.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have mutually agreed to continue their player - coach partnership until, at least Wimbledon
( source thetimes.com/sport/tennis)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

ATP500 Rio Open,
Main draw wild cards,
Joao Fonseca
Thiago Monteiro
Felipe Meligeni Aves
( Thiago Wild entered directly)

 

[mrzz]

ATP500 Rio Open,
Main draw wild cards,
Joao Fonseca
Thiago Monteiro
Felipe Meligeni Aves
( Thiago Wild entered directly)

All Brazilians. Everybody knows João Fonseca by now, but he grew up playing in the club were the tournament is played. Thiago Monteiro has carried Brazilian tennis in his shoulders for years, he deserves ten more wild cards IMO, also had his first big win right there, in 2016, beating Tsonga (then #9), again as a wild card. Felipe Meligeni is the cousin of former French Open semifinalist Fernando Meligeni (who blew a 2x0 lead in the semis). I am not a fan of him, to be honest...

Thiago Wild just beat current champion Dias Acosta in his home turf, in the first round of the Buenos Aires ATP 250. Wild is also extremely talented, the main difference between him and Fonseca is between the ears. Maybe the rise of Fonseca will give him a good example to follow.

 

[El Dude]

All Brazilians. Everybody knows João Fonseca by now, but he grew up playing in the club were the tournament is played. Thiago Monteiro has carried Brazilian tennis in his shoulders for years, he deserves ten more wild cards IMO, also had his first big win right there, in 2016, beating Tsonga (then #9), again as a wild card. Felipe Meligeni is the cousin of former French Open semifinalist Fernando Meligeni (who blew a 2x0 lead in the semis). I am not a fan of him, to be honest...

Thiago Wild just beat current champion Dias Acosta in his home turf, in the first round of the Buenos Aires ATP 250. Wild is also extremely talented, the main difference between him and Fonseca is between the ears. Maybe the rise of Fonseca will give him a good example to follow.

Thiago Wild is a bit of a disappointment, no? A couple years ago he looked like he could be something--won his first title at 19, came close to top 100, but then stagnated since and never really developed. I think there were injury issues and 2024 was his first full year on the ATP tour level, but still didn't reach the top 50.

 

[mrzz]

Thiago Wild is a bit of a disappointment, no? A couple years ago he looked like he could be something--won his first title at 19, came close to top 100, but then stagnated since and never really developed. I think there were injury issues and 2024 was his first full year on the ATP tour level, but still didn't reach the top 50.

He had a few injuries, yes, but the real problem lies elsewhere. He has the talent, he has the speed and the strength. But the story is ugly... He still has time to turn it around, though.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Finally due to rain delay yesterday I get to watch Fonseca v Etcheverry now on court
Clay being my favorite surface and Fonseca's game translates well on the clay, first time I have watched him on clay

 

[don_fabio]

Fonseca is hitting winners left and right. This guy has a cannon instead of a tennis racket.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Fonseca is hitting winners left and right. This guy has a cannon instead of a tennis racket.

He is a delight to watch isnt he, I also like the way he carries himself on court, he has the 'full package'
Fonseca will serve for the 1st set 5-3, in windy conditions
2nd serve Ace from Fonseca
A bit of a wobble serving out the 1st set, he wins 6-3

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

On debut in Buenos Aires Fonseca wins 63 63 over Etcheverry
Well done young man!
I have to ask mrzz who was his coaches in his junior days, they taught him well, his technique is wonderful on his shots, one area he can improve on is his bhand, which isnt bad, he is the real deal!

 

[mrzz]

On debut in Buenos Aires Fonseca wins 63 63 over Etcheverry
Well done young man!
I have to ask mrzz who was his coaches in his junior days, they taught him well, his technique is wonderful on his shots, one area he can improve on is his bhand, which isnt bad, he is the real deal!

As far as I know, he still has the same coach from the junior days. Maybe as a little kid he had a different trainer.

Watched the full second set. Etvecherry did everything he could, hanged by the skin of his teeth in a lot of service games, but couldn't deal with Fonseca's power. Also, his defense and variation are solid, even when Etcheverry raised his level, he could not open a crack in his defense.