Early Roland Garros Chat

[Moxie]

But yeah, I hear you Moxie. I'm a also a bit of a closet Grigor fan, which isn't very fun. There are tons of players that I hope to see do well, and the whole NextGen cohort that I avidly follow. But the Slams are the cream of the crop, and regardless of who wins I like to see high drama.

I've got to sympathize with you for being a Dimitrov fan. I was a Safin fan, and it seems like a similar hell. As to the old guard (Fedal) doing well, that's one thing and would be weird, if they weren't so talented, but the NextGen is beginning to step up, and I think that's where some of the drama is coming in. You've got the swashbucklers, Zverev and Kyrgios, esp. And it's not just talent, it's grit and drive that we're looking at. Thiem obviously, in that category, but Goffin is showing a lot of heart. I won't go down the list, but for all that Fedal are ruling the roost again, atm, there is a changing of the guard happening, and that's what's going to keep you watching Rome and RG.

 

[El Dude]

Britbox, meet Fiero. He's here now - get used to it.

I've got to sympathize with you for being a Dimitrov fan. I was a Safin fan, and it seems like a similar hell. As to the old guard (Fedal) doing well, that's one thing and would be weird, if they weren't so talented, but the NextGen is beginning to step up, and I think that's where some of the drama is coming in. You've got the swashbucklers, Zverev and Kyrgios, esp. And it's not just talent, it's grit and drive that we're looking at. Thiem obviously, in that category, but Goffin is showing a lot of heart. I won't go down the list, but for all that Fedal are ruling the roost again, atm, there is a changing of the guard happening, and that's what's going to keep you watching Rome and RG.

Well, I'm not a huge Dimitrov fan - just a mild one, so it is a gentle hell.

The changing of the guard seems to be the second tier only - with Ferrer, Berdych, Tsonga, as well as lesser players like Gasquet and Isner, fading away as Kyrgios, Zverev, Thiem, Goffin, even Grigor, etc, take their place. What remains to be seen is who will emerge and rise to the top. We are probably, improbably, still a couple years away from that.

 

[Moxie]

Britbox, meet Fiero. He's here now - get used to it.



Well, I'm not a huge Dimitrov fan - just a mild one, so it is a gentle hell.

The changing of the guard seems to be the second tier only - with Ferrer, Berdych, Tsonga, as well as lesser players like Gasquet and Isner, fading away as Kyrgios, Zverev, Thiem, Goffin, even Grigor, etc, take their place. What remains to be seen is who will emerge and rise to the top. We are probably, improbably, still a couple years away from that.

Yeah, I kind of thought about saying that. And it's not a bad place to be...the lower rungs of the 10-Ten, or the various teens. Seems terrible to think of it as a "2nd Tier." But we're looking for replacements for some of the greatest tennis players of all time. Note how Federer and Nadal are not easily dislodged, given a bit of an opening. The ruckus at the moment is happening a little below the tree line, and they may well have to wait until their betters have given over completely. But it's an interesting scrum.

 

[El Dude]

Yeah, I kind of thought about saying that. And it's not a bad place to be...the lower rungs of the 10-Ten, or the various teens. Seems terrible to think of it as a "2nd Tier." But we're looking for replacements for some of the greatest tennis players of all time. Note how Federer and Nadal are not easily dislodged, given a bit of an opening. The ruckus at the moment is happening a little below the tree line, and they may well have to wait until their betters have given over completely. But it's an interesting scrum.

The situation has some mirroring in history - like in the early years of the Open Era, when 30-somethings Rosewall and Laver still ruled the roost, winning six of the first seven Open Era Slams, all at 30+ years old. According to TennisBase.com, Laver and Rosewall were 1-2 as late as 1971, when they turned 33 and 37, respectively. Of the younger generations, only Arthur Ashe, John Newcombe, and Jan Kodes won Slams in the first three years. Laver and Rosewall remained dominant as a more moderately talented generation that included Newcombe, Ashe, Nastase, and Smith rose to their peak, and didn't really truly fade until an even younger group rose in 1974, led by Connors and Borg.

So the similarity I see is:

Laver/Rosewall = Big Four
Players born 1939-42 = Players born 1989-92 (Weak generations)
Ashe/Newcombe/Nastase/Smith/Kodes/Okker (all born 1943-46) = NextGen (born 1993-98ish)
Connors/Borg (born 1952-56) = Next truly great players, of Millenial generation (1999-?)

It isn't exact, but there is some resonance.

 

[atttomole]

I am disappointed that Roger decided not to play RG. He should have given it a try, to get match practice, given that he has been inactive for more than 2 months. It could turn out to be a bad decision if he performs badly at Wimbledon.

 

[britbox]

I am disappointed that Roger decided not to play RG. He should have given it a try, to get match practice, given that he has been inactive for more than 2 months. It could turn out to be a bad decision if he performs badly at Wimbledon.

He's got the two grass tune-ups these days - Stuttgart and Halle, so probably feels he can hit his stride with those. As far as I'm aware he still intends playing both of them, so he probably thinks that will be enough. I'm still surprised he's not playing RG though.

 

[atttomole]

He's got the two grass tune-ups these days - Stuttgart and Halle, so probably feels he can hit his stride with those. As far as I'm aware he still intends playing both of them, so he probably thinks that will be enough. I'm still surprised he's not playing RG though.

Hopefully he gets into form with the grass warm ups. I also thought he had a decent chance to do well at RG, or even win it.

 

[Carol]

LOL, Carol always wants to make this a partisan thing, perhaps because she doesn't understand being a tennis fan first, a fan of a particular player second. But to clarify, I'm not saying it will be boring if Nadal wins, but that it will be boring if he isn't challenged ("breezes"). I wouldn't be upset if he wins; I like Rafa, and would like to see him win another. I just want to see a dramatic, nail-biting Slam like AO was.

I understand perfectly well what is to be a tennis fan first and it was why my respond to you

 

[Carol]

Did someone think seriously that Roger without have played any tournament on clay he would have had any chance to win RG?

 

[Fiero425]

I am disappointed that Roger decided not to play RG. He should have given it a try, to get match practice, given that he has been inactive for more than 2 months. It could turn out to be a bad decision if he performs badly at Wimbledon.

What do you mean? Roger took off months and won AO over his oldest rival in the final! In the old days, it was pretty routine for specialist to skip an event they knew was not conducive to winning on surface they preferred! Top players skipped Paris all the time seeing it as just a formality to the great Bjorn Borg at the time! I seem to remember Spanish players taking offense at seeding that dropped them at Wimbledon due to upsets early! They just took it off their schedules for a while! There's a reason Nadal's been loan Wimbledon winner from Spain since the days of Santana! I suggested Roger quit RG years ago; his last worthwhile attempt in 2011 stopping Nole's winning streak at 43 in the SF! "Thanks Roger!" :scratch: I wouldn't mind him taking another Wimbledon and setting himself apart from Nadal! It doesn't look like Nole will catch either playing like this; struggling in 2nd round to some qualifier in Rome today! :suicide:

 

[atttomole]

What do you mean? Roger took off months and won AO over his oldest rival in the final! In the old days, it was pretty routine for specialist to skip an event they knew was not conducive to winning on surface they preferred! Top players skipped Paris all the time seeing it as just a formality to the great Bjorn Borg at the time! I seem to remember Spanish players taking offense at seeding that dropped them at Wimbledon due to upsets early! They just took it off their schedules for a while! There's a reason Nadal's been loan Wimbledon winner from Spain since the days of Santana! I suggested Roger quit RG years ago; his last worthwhile attempt in 2011 stopping Nole's winning streak at 43 in the SF! "Thanks Roger!" :scratch: I wouldn't mind him taking another Wimbledon and setting himself apart from Nadal! It doesn't look like Nole will catch either playing like this; struggling in 2nd round to some qualifier in Rome today! :suicide:

I mean that if he loses early at Wimbledon, he may regret not having played RG, where in spite of not being the favorite, he can win it. Wimbledon can be tricky because he could meet someone playing inspired grass court tennis, alla Sergio Stakhovsky. Wimbledon is not a shoo-in for him either.

 

[atttomole]

Yes, the 2011 RG match against Djokovoc is the only match I rooted for Roger to lose, but to my disappointment, he played lights out.

 

[Fiero425]

Yes, the 2011 RG match against Djokovoc is the only match I rooted for Roger to lose, but to my disappointment, he played lights out.

Too bad Roger couldn't keep it up! Reminded me of Hana Mandlikova playing out of her mind to beat Martina at Wimbledon in the '81 SF! The next day she couldn't hold onto her racket against Evert, gifting the title! It took years to repay her in '86 SF, then dropped final to Martina! I'm rambling a lot about the past today! Turning 60 last month will do that to you I guess! :cuckoo:

 

[El Dude]

I understand perfectly well what is to be a tennis fan first and it was why my respond to you

LOL, you are absurd.

Another frequent mistake you make: conflating all Federer fans as one. I have given appreciation for Rafa, both after winning Rome (actually read what I write, Carol), and also in general. I am a tennis fan first, a Roger fan second. Please don't project your blind fangirlism onto me.

 

[El Dude]

As far as Roger skipping RG goes, think of it this way: Already he realizes it is a very low probability tournament. Further, and more importantly, he won't have played in a couple months, then to come back for a one big clay tournament, before going to grass...that might be hard to adjust to. He has his eye on Wimbledon and playing RG could actually impact his chances. Even though I'm disappointed, I get it.

 

[Carol]

LOL, you are absurd.

Another frequent mistake you make: conflating all Federer fans as one. I have given appreciation for Rafa, both after winning Rome (actually read what I write, Carol), and also in general. I am a tennis fan first, a Roger fan second. Please don't project your blind fangirlism onto me.

Come on El Dude, who you are trying to "fool" with that? not to me :lulz2:. And not call me 'blind fangirl' anymore when you obviously are a huge Roger fanboy pretending being a fair poster because....sorry....you are not!

 

[ftan]

For you maybe it will be bore but for many RAFA followers if Rafa would win his 10 title would be extraordinary
We'll see Wimbledon but I hope to see a new winner

Here you go Carol, corrected ur statement

 

[ftan]

As Rafa has said this earlier, trying to give us tennis fans a players viewpoint, Roger has been playing very aggressive and playing on clay he would need to change his style a bit. One/2 shots would not finish the points, he wud hav to run a lot more. So it makes sense he doesnt wanna change what is working for him.
I will miss him ofcourse, but thanks to Tennis Channel I wont be able to watch French Open anyways. Stuttgart can't come soon enough.
Congrats Rafa for his 10th French Open

 

[El Dude]

Come on El Dude, who you are trying to "fool" with that? not to me :lulz2:. And not call me 'blind fangirl' anymore when you obviously are a huge Roger fanboy pretending being a fair poster because....sorry....you are not!

Carol, I don't claim to be objective (if that is what you mean by "fair"), just more objective than you. But that's really not saying much.

 

[Carol]

Here you go Carol, corrected ur statement

I don´t have to correct any statement but if someones want a new winner in RG why I can´t want the same in Wimbledon?