Hopman Cup

[Moxie]

Roger and Djokovic won RG because they took care of business and won 7 matches. And please, Djokovic would've been overwhelming favorite if they played in 2016 or did you forget he had won 7 in a row and 15 sets in a row. Djokovic wasn't anything special indoors until 2011 and Roger has been alright in his mid 30's but not too great indoors anymore (look who he's lost to at the last couple YEC's). Nadal has had plenty of opportunities, tough to call it a very competitive tournament when it is easy as cake to make the semis.

You spend a lot of time around here complaining about circumstances that have worked against Roger, like surface changes, etc. When I mention a real and immediate impediment, i.e., both Roger and Novak at the YEC, specifically, you sniff. Sorry, but if not for Roger and Novak, Rafa would have won YEC, and done better at HC. Likewise for them on clay. Is what it is.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It has nothing to do with Hopman Cup which is an exhibition and pointless, yet you took the time to mention it. :cuckoo:

Hopman cup is not an exhibition event. It is an ITF event as opposed to ATP event. That's all. It is "pointless" as
only ATP can award points and not ITF.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Right, but you ignore my point about 2 of the greatest ever are great on HCs, and esp on indoor. This is one of the main reasons that Rafa has such a poor record on indoor HCs, especially at the YEC. He has played in finals there. He has more than a few times been 2nd best to Roger and Novak on indoor HC. You complain a lot about Rafa getting so much on clay, but you don't recognize that he has to compete against 2 guys who are all-time best on HC and esp. indoor. If it's not one, it's the other. Basically, that's why he's never won the YEC. Not the same at RG. Only Rafa was there to block them. Roger won because Soderling took out Rafa. Novak won because Rafa couldn't even compete that year. If there were 2 players the equivalent of Nadal at the French Open, there is a good chance that neither Novak nor Roger would have completed the career slam. I think you take my point.

In that case, Ralph would have won only five RG titles and his overall GS titles would be just 12 and he will be behind even Nole.

 

[Moxie]

In that case, Ralph would have won only five RG titles and his overall GS titles would be just 12 and he will be behind even Nole.

Not if we make an equivalent out of it. Novak and Federer are 6 years difference in age. This presumptive also great clay-courter would also have to be some staggered age. However, back to the real world and such as it is, you have no comment about my point that Federer and Djokovic have managed to block Nadal out of the YEC. It has been very handy, their difference in age, as to effectively shut Nadal out of a WTF. He has been unfortunate to be boxed in between the two of them in several ways...Fed having free run for a few years before Nadal broke off of clay, and Djokovic coming out of his shell just when Rafa might have had his own time. That, and combined with injuries has made it amazing that Nadal has the 17 Majors and many titles that he has. They are 3 great champions playing in the same era, more or less, but it is Nadal that has suffered from the timing of the other two, one has to say.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

Sorry guys but Fedal wars is the ugly derailment of this thread that I cannot stand. Has Nad ever played HC? Never. So his name should not be even mentioned here. Please keep this thread on topic and move the above discussion (esp Darth vs Moxie) elsewhere.

As the speaker representing main sponsor (Mastercard) said at the ceremony, this tournament is "priceless", in line with his company's slogan. Nothing to add from me. Both Fed and Zverev vowed to return next year, the latter to finally clinch his dreamed title that Fed has denied him twice in a row. Of course OZ also brought in strong team (local Matt Ebden + Ash) and I'm sure they would continue doing so as the hosts. So at least 3 strong teams are lined up. Then we have USA where Serena is pretty much given, she just needs a better partner because Tiafoe is not the one, as I said elsewhere if USTA were serious they would have asked Mike Bryan to play.

The supposed problem ITF is seeing in continuing HC tradition is the new ATP team event next year clashing with it. I think not all male players will be interested in that ATP event. Out of 5 male players I mentioned above, maybe only Mike Bryan would be enticed to it, others would prefer Perth for sure as their AO prep.The added bonus for players from EU is: easier staged travel to Melbourne with a one-two week stop in Perth allow for better acclimatisation and far lesser jetlag. Jetlag is a big deal, that's what Fed himself was saying. So why don't they listen to what the most revered player is saying, rather than to ATP bureaucrats, and keep this tourney going? If not, they not only disappoint the fans in Perth but deny Zverev the revenge he vowed so solemnly at the ceremony. It'd be a shamefully stupid decision by ITF to cancel such memorable tourney because of the supposed unavailability of male players due to scheduling mess within ATP. As I said, some players prefer HC over new ATP team event, I'm sure the missing 4 or so players can be found from top 100 and/or double/mixed specialists like Bryan. I'm not talking about female players, because they are unaffected.

 

[Ricardo]

Fedtards downplay Nadal's incredible achievements at the iconic & legendary Davis Cup, but somehow the meaningless Hopman Cup exhibition is relevant.

What is meaningful to players can definitely be meaningless to wheelchair fans, as we all know.

 

[Moxie]

NYTimes had an interesting article about the history and future of the Hopman Cup, with some local issues sprinkled in. Very enjoyable and informative, for those who care about Hopman Cup.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

As the speaker representing main sponsor (Mastercard) said at the ceremony, this tournament is "priceless", in line with his company's slogan. Nothing to add from me. Both Fed and Zverev vowed to return next year, the latter to finally clinch his dreamed title that Fed has denied him twice in a row. Of course OZ also brought in strong team (local Matt Ebden + Ash) and I'm sure they would continue doing so as the hosts. So at least 3 strong teams are lined up. Then we have USA where Serena is pretty much given, she just needs a better partner because Tiafoe is not the one, as I said elsewhere if USTA were serious they would have asked Mike Bryan to play.

.

I hope Hopman Cup does not vanish (whether or not Fed plays in it). It is a unique event.

However, you should take these player's statements right after the tourney is over with a grain of salt. Someone is not going to openly say right after the tourney that they will not return there.