Monte Carlo Masters 2018

[DarthFed]

He didn't shake Bernardes' hand. I hadn't seen that. I did notice that you only get a cuddle from him at the net if he wins. I get that he's in a delicate place in his comeback, but if he's going to be all Amor y Paz when he wins, he should be Amor y Paz when he loses. Otherwise, just play tennis and leave off the bromides.

Lol this is rich coming from a Rafa fan. He was all about hugging Novak until the latter got great and started beating him. Nole is generally considered the most gracious player on tour. If he's more moody now it's pretty telling of his current state.

 

[Moxie]

Lol this is rich coming from a Rafa fan. He was all about hugging Novak until the latter got great and started beating him. Nole is generally considered the most gracious player on tour. If he's more moody now it's pretty telling of his current state.

I was sure I was going to hear about this. Rafa isn't the serial cuddler that Novak is. And I get if players don't love each other, whomever they are. Why should they? They're rivals. You should be the first to understand that it's not all fun and games and hugs. I don't know who says that Novak is the "most" gracious player on tour. I think the top guys are pretty gracious. But, if Novak is going to set himself up with his "Amor y Paz," then he's living in a glass house, and can be seen to be picking and choosing when he's loving and when he's peaceful.

 

[DarthFed]

i think you've blocked out the dark era in your mind when Nole was giving you many bad days. Win or lose he was often hugging his opponents even in the biggest matches. He's someone who has never been destroyed by losses the way Roger and Rafa clearly are. I often wondered how Nole was actually that good when he has what I consider a clear competitive disadvantage. If he's actually pissed off when he loses now that's a positive.

 

[Moxie]

i think you've blocked out the dark era in your mind when Nole was giving you many bad days. Win or lose he was often hugging his opponents even in the biggest matches. He's someone who has never been destroyed by losses the way Roger and Rafa clearly are. I often wondered how Nole was actually that good when he has what I consider a clear competitive disadvantage. If he's actually pissed off when he loses now that's a positive.

No, I did say he's a serial hugger, though it has gotten worse since he got to #1. I don't see where he was at a clear competitive disadvantage. Or that he wasn't destroyed by losses. Clearly, he has been. You just assume that if he gives a hug after the match that he means it. Which means more: the hug, or the tears? Or the occasional raspberry to the crowd. I don't know what makes you think he doesn't feel some of these loses just as bitterly. He's the best actor/performer amongst all of the professional guys playing. He can mug up a performance however he wants. It doesn't mean that's how he feels.

 

[the AntiPusher]

No, I did say he's a serial hugger, though it has gotten worse since he got to #1. I don't see where he was at a clear competitive disadvantage. Or that he wasn't destroyed by losses. Clearly, he has been. You just assume that if he gives a hug after the match that he means it. Which means more: the hug, or the tears? Or the occasional raspberry to the crowd. I don't know what makes you think he doesn't feel some of these loses just as bitterly. He's the best actor/performer amongst all of the professional guys playing. He can mug up a performance however he wants. It doesn't mean that's how he feels.

I was sure I was going to hear about this. Rafa isn't the serial cuddler that Novak is. And I get if players don't love each other, whomever they are. Why should they? They're rivals. You should be the first to understand that it's not all fun and games and hugs. I don't know who says that Novak is the "most" gracious player on tour. I think the top guys are pretty gracious. But, if Novak is going to set himself up with his "Amor y Paz," then he's living in a glass house, and can be seen to be picking and choosing when he's loving and when he's peaceful.

Novak didn’t began all this “hugging crap” prior to his Bollywood fiasco “.. check the tapes.. Since Bollywood Novak has been hugging mostly everyone except Roger who I don’t think he faced since then.

 

[Moxie]

That's not so. I think he gave Rafa a good hug when Rafa won USO '10 and the career slam. Came to the other side of the net, IIRC. But no more than a quick handshake at the net after that tough loss at RG '13.

 

[El Dude]

Watching Rafa play on clay is watching the greatest player/court combination in probably all of tennis history...how can a tennis fan not get something out of that?

 

[the AntiPusher]

Who selected this Draw. DARTH OR FRONT.. the top half may be the most loaded half i ever recall at MC

 

[Moxie]

Watching Rafa play on clay is watching the greatest player/court combination in probably all of tennis history...how can a tennis fan not get something out of that?

Thank you. That's what I was trying to say to @MartyB above.

 

[mrzz]

Bernardes has the guts to give warnings to the top dogs. He is the GUOAT.

 

[Moxie]

Bernardes has the guts to give warnings to the top dogs. He is the GUOAT.

You like him because he's Brazilian. He's pretty great, but I think the GUOAT is Mohamed Leyhani.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Also of note, and esp. @isabelle : Richard Gasquet reached his 500th career win today by beating Mischa Zverev. In doing so, he foiled the match between the Zverev brothers, who have yet to play each other on tour. I was wondering....obviously, we have the Williams sisters who have played each other many times. Anyone know the last time we had brothers playing each other? Anyway, we'll still have to wait for this one.

In 2001 the Lopez brothers played against each other in a challenger.

 

[Moxie]

In 2001 the Lopez brothers played against each other in a challenger.

I hope you don't mean Feliciano and Marc.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I hope you don't mean Feliciano and Marc.

Yes, they were what I meant. The smiley is because I know they are not. They are almost like brothers from other mothers.

 

[Moxie]

Yes, they were what I meant. The smiley is because I know they are not. They are almost like brothers from other mothers.

Oh, believe me, one of my favorite jokes is "the Lopez brothers." Good one. But I guess the answer to my question is the McEnroe brothers.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Despite this being Rafa's season, I am one of those tennis fans who enjoys clay matches as well. However, I have not got a chance to see much this week due to work. Hope to see some good SF and F in the weekend.

 

[mrzz]

You like him because he's Brazilian. He's pretty great, but I think the GUOAT is Mohamed Leyhani.

In fact, in general I have a prejudice against my fellow countrymen. If Layhani was the GUOAT you would not misspell his name

 

[Mastoor]

Mastoor wants to feed him a schnitzel and Mary Carillo says she wants to feed him a hoagie.

His wife feeds him with icecream. That's not healthy food.

 

[Mastoor]

Who selected this Draw. DARTH OR FRONT.. the top half may be the most loaded half i ever recall at MC

They handpicked it.

 

[mrzz]

Clearly you missed the first set, but otherwise, it was a fun match between Seppi and Nishikori. Good to see Kei playing well. And Seppi, because I like him.

I agree that Thiem looks less than his best. He IS coming back from foot injury, but he should really have closed out the first set (though credit to Novak for hanging tough and taking it.) Anyway, that won't get it done v. Rafa. If Nadal keeps up this level, I don't see who can take him, for now.

Yep, I just got almost all of the final set of the KN x AS match.

No one can't take Nadal out if them all keep their current levels. 2017 Thiem would make a match out of it, 2018, at least so far, no. The only opening I see in Nadal's game now is that he is not counter punching at 100% (just a meager 89%). So if his opponent really is able to keep the foot in the gas, and is playing like hell, he might have a shot.

BTW good match between Dimitrov and Goffin, saw most of it during breakfast. Dimitrov had a good sportsmanship moment. Goffin was serving for the second set at 5x4, it was 0-15, Dimitrov conceded a point that would give him 0-30, both the lines judge and Lahyani rulled a Goffin ball out, Dimitrov call it in -- even with Lahyani coming down and confirming it out. 15-15 instead of 0-30, but he yet broke it in a 12 minutes game. BTW, Dimitrov being Dimitrov, when you least expect he is on the SF's.