BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells, CA, 2026 - ATP Masters 1000

PhiEaglesfan712

Major Winner
Joined
Sep 7, 2022
Messages
1,572
Reactions
1,357
Points
113
Yes but remember the first 2 players of the Big 3 had slaughtered each other for 6 years before Novak located his nuts and joined in. They were battle weary, ageing and wounded during most of the 2010’s when Novak made hay. And they were essentially completely gone when Novak won his third career slam unopposed. He’s the beneficiary of incredible largesse. But yeah, you enjoy it better that that way. You believe it’s something other than what it is..
Federer may have been aged during the 2010s, but aside from 2016, he was pretty much healthy the entire decade. Only in his final two years, 2020 and 2021, was Federer battle weary and wounded.

(Some days, though, I still hold out hope that Federer will make a comeback after his Hall of Fame induction. The way his career ended, with his final set being a bagel at Wimbledon, will never sit right with me.)
 

britbox

Multiple Major Winner
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
28,515
Reactions
7,061
Points
113
Location
Gold Coast, Australia
Federer may have been aged during the 2010s, but aside from 2016, he was pretty much healthy the entire decade. Only in his final two years, 2020 and 2021, was Federer battle weary and wounded.

(Some days, though, I still hold out hope that Federer will make a comeback after his Hall of Fame induction. The way his career ended, with his final set being a bagel at Wimbledon, will never sit right with me.)
Apparently the tickets for the ceremony sold out in two minutes... although that could be due to Mary Carillo fans coming to see her inducted.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Kieran and Murat B.

Front242

The GOAT
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
23,146
Reactions
4,090
Points
113
I think it goes a bit far to call the MS 1000s "filler." Though, they have diminished them with the larger field and the 2-week format. Used to be, there was nowhere to hide in a 1000...all top players, and no days off.
Plus they used to be best of 5 in the final. Rome 2006 was as good as any slam final.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fiero425