BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells, CA, 2025 - ATP Masters 1000

[Jelenafan]

LOL at Rafa being arrogant. I mean, he might have a touch of it (how could he not?) but he always struck me as more humble than Novak and Roger.

Anyhow, I tend to agree with Kieran about the annoyance of the young guys. Let's not forget that this is "Generation Selfie." They all grew up with smart phones and social media. Novak is a bit older, but as Kieran said he's been a bit needy: "I'm great, love me too!"

Face it you guys, we are old…..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

There is truth in there that dispels this notion they are the same player because they play under the Spanish flag. Not so much that Nads was a more complete player. Charlie definitely has more shots, but Nads was a more mature player. He was absolutely relentless back then and played every point like it was MP. Charlie is not there yet and may never be if he insist on showboating first.

I think of Alcaraz more as an 'opportunistic' player.Sure he knows about set play and his coaches no doubt brief him on his strengths matches up against his opponents weakness, but I feel he goes 'off script' more often than a player should, quite frankly that is a 'weakness' in my opinion.

 

[El Dude]

Face it you guys, we are old…..

True, though in my old (or middle) age, I've also come to the conclusion that not everything new is good or better. I tend to see the West as being in cultural decline, and selfie/social media culture is illustrative of societal rot, not just us being old fogies yelling, "kids these days!"

 

[kskate2]

Face it you guys, we are old…..

Speak for yourself. I'm flawless & classically elegant and don't you forget it

 

[kskate2]

I think of Alcaraz more as an 'opportunistic' player.Sure he knows about set play and his coaches no doubt brief him on his strengths matches up against his opponents weakness, but I feel he goes 'off script' more often than a player should, quite frankly that is a 'weakness' in my opinion.

It's a weakness and frankly a sign of immaturity. I don't take issue with the celebrations as much as what you mentioned yesterday. His shot selection at times was head scratching. I'm sorry, Jack is a nice player, but he's kind of one note. The way to beat these tall, servebotish players is to get them moving. Make them play defense instead of relying on offense all the time. Then you'll see how many points they can win when they cannot fire those cannons standing still.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It's a weakness and frankly a sign of immaturity. I don't take issue with the celebrations as much as what you mentioned yesterday. His shot selection at times was head scratching. I'm sorry, Jack is a nice player, but he's kind of one note. The way to beat these tall, servebotish players is to get them moving. Make them play defense instead of relying on offense all the time. Then you'll see how many points they can win when they cannot fire those cannons standing still.

His shot selection and UFE from Alcaraz was his undoing in the match, lets see how he goes in Miami,

 

[El Dude]

I wonder if what is going on with Alcaraz is that the tour has adjusted to his brilliant play, and now he needs to tighten up the fundamentals and mental game and find a more consistent default approach, rather than trying to create a highlight reel with every shot. His opponents aren't quite as wowed by him, and are finding ways to play solidly enough to beat him. So Carlos has to tighten things up, and take a more measured approach - and allow the brilliance to arise in key moments, rather than as a tactic for every point.

 

[kskate2]

I wonder if what is going on with Alcaraz is that the tour has adjusted to his brilliant play, and now he needs to tighten up the fundamentals and mental game and find a more consistent default approach, rather than trying to create a highlight reel with every shot. His opponents aren't quite as wowed by him, and are finding ways to play solidly enough to beat him. So Carlos has to tighten things up, and take a more measured approach - and allow the brilliance to arise in key moments, rather than as a tactic for every point.

I don't doubt it, but JCF knew this last year. It's why they started having rally drills. It was about this time last year when JCF told Charlie he could not go for an outright winner until he struck x amount of rally balls. He was trying to tame that showboating play then, but it still rears its head. Like you mentioned, he can get away with it against most players because they are still enamored w/ his ability, but there's a growing handful that have studied him and have the right weapons to disrupt his game.

 

[El Dude]

Anyhow, I see the final as on Rune's racket. If he can maintain his level of play and mental game, he'll beat Draper. But if he stumbles and/or channels Rune v. 2023-24, Draper could sneak in and win.

 

[kskate2]

Anyhow, I see the final as on Rune's racket. If he can maintain his level of play and mental game, he'll beat Draper. But if he stumbles and/or channels Rune v. 2023-24, Draper could sneak in and win.

The Danish Angel will have the correct game plan and I believe he will execute it. You're right, he needs to stay focused like he did against Meddy.

 

[Moxie]

The Danish Angel will have the correct game plan and I believe he will execute it. You're right, he needs to stay focused like he did against Meddy.

I think this is not so much the "breakout" of Rune this week, so much as him finally settling down to play the kind of ball he needs to to follow up all that talent in the breakthrough. Like we've been begging him. I'd love to see him rewarded for it by winning today. This was kind of for @El Dude.

As to Carlos and showboating, I do not think that was the problem yesterday, nor the field getting inured to brilliant play. He just played really poorly. He said he'd practiced poorly and came in nervous. What's that about? Who knows. But I don't think the general rap on Carlos fits what happened yesterday.

Anyway, ¡Vamos, Holger!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I think this is not so much the "breakout" of Rune this week, so much as him finally settling down to play the kind of ball he needs to to follow up all that talent in the breakthrough. Like we've been begging him. I'd love to see him rewarded for it by winning today. This was kind of for @El Dude.

As to Carlos and showboating, I do not think that was the problem yesterday, nor the field getting inured to brilliant play. He just played really poorly. He said he'd practiced poorly and came in nervous. What's that about? Who knows. But I don't think the general rap on Carlos fits what happened yesterday.

Anyway, ¡Vamos, Holger!

Sorry I disagree regarding Carlos, and you know I am one of his biggest fans full stop
This has been happening a lot in his game to date, his shot selection yesterday was poor, in moments where he should have been playing 'percentage tennis' he decided to 'show boat' has dips in his game, mentally, something he has to improve on, also the amount of UFE from him yesterday was poor for a player of his level, yes all players have bad days at the office, that said the match was on his racquet and he let it slip away, he had all the momentum from the 2nd set he should have gone on with it.
I did read he felt nervous, but those nerves should have been gone the way he played in that 2nd set.
Lets see how he fares in Miami

 

[Jelenafan]

The Danish Warrior’s axe is chipped today.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

There should be a rule that players cannot wear identical outfits!
Jack to serve for the biggest title of his career 5-2
Well done Jack a well deserved victory from start to finish 62 62! he took the racquet out of Rune's hand
Your first Masters 1000 title!
Jack will be No 7 on Monday when the rankings come out
Tommy Haas is still a most handsome man!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

A really nice speech from Holger, had a good tournament making the final, you showed good tennis throughout IW, take all the positives into Miami good luck
Great speech Jack now go and enjoy your first Masters 100 title you deserved it!

 

[El Dude]

Well, my streak is broken in the final. Holger got smashed. Congrats to Draper, a new big title winner. There's now been a new big title every year since 2017.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well, my streak is broken in the final. Holger got smashed. Congrats to Draper, a new big title winner. There's now been a new big title every year since 2017.

Dont be so hard on yourself you did have the 2 finalists this year at IW, I picked Alacaraz from the start to 3 peat
Lets see what happens in Miami

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I find this rather disturbing,
Medvedev is currently the only Top 30 player who hasnt reached any finals in the last 52 weeks!
He did play well in some matches at IW, making the SFs, though Rune too good, players have improved and Medvedev hasnt.

 

[kskate2]

I find this rather disturbing,
Medvedev is currently the only Top 30 player who hasnt reached any finals in the last 52 weeks!
He did play well in some matches at IW, making the QFs, though Rune too good, players have improved and Medvedev hasnt.

He made the SF's this year, but he had a similar response after losing to Nads in 22. Took him almost over 12 months before he won a 250 in Mexico.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

He made the SF's this year, but he had a similar response after losing to Nads in 22. Took him almost over 12 months before he won a 250 in Mexico.

Corrected to SFs, I feel his game has plateaued, lower ranked players have defeated him like at the AO this year,, he has slipped to No 8 in the rankings after IW, he needs a good tournament in Miami