Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2021, Monaco, ATP Masters 1000

[Moxie]

I'm not talking as much about post match interviews but, yes, that's definitely true there too re comments to the media. None of it comes across as genuine a lot of the time but all the top players are boring af and pc in post match speeches as Gulbis and Kyrgios have pointed out with Djokovic being the most robotic sounding as if he's reading from a clipboard. I'm talking more about the hard man walk in between points in general that Nadal has similar to Tsitsipas. Neither are 300lb bodybuilders so it just looks dumb to me Guys in the gym who aren't even big do it and I just laugh at it 'cos it's dumb. But they all do something that annoys other people and that's just human nature.

That bothers you? Game face? @mrzz saw Rafa play in a relatively small venue once and told us, in a complimentary way and using some Brazilian expression I can remember, that he comes off on court like the biggest badass in the world. I don't see what's wrong with that. And I don't see it in Tsitsipas. Whatever.

 

[napo]

Looking at Barcelona draw, a Nadal - Tsitsipas F is very possible. Looking forward to that.

 

[Front242]

That bothers you? Game face? @mrzz saw Rafa play in a relatively small venue once and told us, in a complimentary way and using some Brazilian expression I can remember, that he comes off on court like the biggest badass in the world. I don't see what's wrong with that. And I don't see it in Tsitsipas. Whatever.

It's not just Nadal as I pointed out, Tsitsipas does it too as do tons of not very hard looking guys at all in the gym. If you're not big then walking like a hard man is just dumb to me and it mostly makes me laugh.

 

[don_fabio]

Disapointing final. Tsitsipas too good today and Rublev looked out of gas.

Tsitsipas will probably take Thiem's role this year RG as at least some sort of a threat. Don't see Thiem shaping up to a perfect form this year, he has injury issues, but looks also some of it is mental as well.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Oh well I thought the Young Greek would win (deep down) Rublev played well below par.
As for The Young Greek being a threat to Rafa at RG We Gonna See No?
As for Theim he has not been the same player since the finals in London last year to me,I am not a fan of him full stop.
This talk of RG is soo premature as there are a lot of clay tournaments to be played before RG.

 

[Front242]

Sinner could meet Bautista-Agut in the 3rd round of Barcelona. If that happens, it's 3 times very recently.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sinner could meet Bautista-Agut in the 3rd round of Barcelona. If that happens, it's 3 times very recently.

Actually the same thing happened just recently in the women's tournament,very strange indeed.

 

[Front242]

Actually the same thing happened just recently in the women's tournament,very strange indeed.

Most crazy stat I've seen at slams is Isner drawing Kohlschreiber in R32 for 3 straights years 2012, 2013, 2014 at the USO. And Kohlschreiber won all of them (That's not so strange). Bit of a tough one for Isner.

https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/john-isner-vs-philipp-kohlschreiber/i186/k435

 

[Moxie]

Actually the same thing happened just recently in the women's tournament,very strange indeed.

Sinner and RBA are playing on the women's tour?! Only kidding. Who did that happen with on the women's side?

 

[Moxie]

Oh well I thought the Young Greek would win (deep down) Rublev played well below par.
As for The Young Greek being a threat to Rafa at RG We Gonna See No?
As for Theim he has not been the same player since the finals in London last year to me,I am not a fan of him full stop.
This talk of RG is soo premature as there are a lot of clay tournaments to be played before RG.

Agreed that it is way too early to game RG, but we also can't help ourselves. Plus, the conversation every year is "Who Can Beat Rafa on clay/at the French?" Those who are not fans are always hoping for someone, which is understandable.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sinner and RBA are playing on the women's tour?! Only kidding. Who did that happen with on the women's side?

Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Pliskova have played 3 times in a row,latest was in Miami tournament in 2021,Jessica has now defeated Karolina 3 zip

 

[Moxie]

Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Pliskova have played 3 times in a row,latest was in Miami tournament in 2021,Jessica has now defeated Karolina 3 zip

Actually, I did see that. Thanks for the trivia answer!

 

[don_fabio]

Agreed that it is way too early to game RG, but we also can't help ourselves. Plus, the conversation every year is "Who Can Beat Rafa on clay/at the French?" Those who are not fans are always hoping for someone, which is understandable.

Not only non-Rafa fans, I would say tennis fans in general would prefer much more to see Rafa lose in RG instead of same scenario year after year. It adds to excitement to watch tennis, if a strong favourite loses you have a feeling you witnessed something special. Same could almost go with AO, too many Novak wins there as well.

 

[Moxie]

Not only non-Rafa fans, I would say tennis fans in general would prefer much more to see Rafa lose in RG instead of same scenario year after year. It adds to excitement to watch tennis, if a strong favourite loses you have a feeling you witnessed something special. Same could almost go with AO, too many Novak wins there as well.

Yes, I agree with that, though my point was directed specifically to the conversation around here, with is more factional. Serious Rafa fans are the only ones not bored with him winning RG, I'm pretty sure that's true. Likewise all but serious Nole fans in terms of the AO, maybe.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Yes, I agree with that, though my point was directed specifically to the conversation around here, with is more factional. Serious Rafa fans are the only ones not bored with him winning RG, I'm pretty sure that's true. Likewise all but serious Nole fans in terms of the AO, maybe.

That's just like saying and telling Hedi Klum or Hallie Berry .."Dear I'm tired of you serving me breakfast in bed wearing your see thru teddy .. Please Let Rosie O'donnell service me in the future.! NEVER get bored or tired of Perfection. What these two tennis geniuses are creating are pure masterpieces. I think the challenge is whenever someone can challenge them while they are close or near their peak prime. That's what made Roger vs Pete encounter at SW19 such a Masterpiece. Unfortunately, it was their only meeting on a tennis court.

 

[Jelenafan]

That's just like saying and telling Hedi Klum or Hallie Berry .."Dear I'm tired of you serving me breakfast in bed wearing your see thru teddy .. Please Let Rosie O'donnell service me in the future.! NEVER get bored or tired of Perfection. What these two tennis geniuses are creating are pure masterpieces. I think the challenge is whenever someone can challenge them while they are close or near their peak prime. That's what made Roger vs Pete encounter at SW19 such a Masterpiece. Unfortunately, it was their only meeting on a tennis court.

There is the concept that dominant players/teams , "stars" so to speak, generate more interest in a sport. Tiger Woods golden years brought more interest to the golf, as did Arnold Palmer, etc. Tom Brady, as much as many dislike him, certainly hasn't "hurt" the NFL, and if he wins another SB, as much as many prefer he not win, doesn't make the NFL lose fans. Ditto Michael Jordan and his domination.

Dominant players bring discussion, media attention, etc. STARS do that.

Rafa's domination of Roland Garos is jaw dropping because it's carried across his best years AND Federer's best years AND Novak's best years. Look how many years he won RG when those guys were #1. That is a very unique distinction. A span of 15 years and counting: I don't think having no names win Roland Garos for 3-4 straight years is suddenly going to bring more fans/interest, but that's just me.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

the groovy greek finally breaks through at masters level, wins 2nd "big title" after 2019 wtf,

surprising week in the end..all that stagnant big 3 stale air was blasted away for a most refreshing change.

 

[the AntiPusher]

There is the concept that dominant players/teams , "stars" so to speak, generate more interest in a sport. Tiger Woods golden years brought more interest to the golf, as did Arnold Palmer, etc. Tom Brady, as much as many dislike him, certainly hasn't "hurt" the NFL, and if he wins another SB, as much as many prefer he not win, doesn't make the NFL lose fans. Ditto Michael Jordan and his domination.

Dominant players bring discussion, media attention, etc. STARS do that.

Rafa's domination of Roland Garos is jaw dropping because it's carried across his best years AND Federer's best years AND Novak's best years. Look how many years he won RG when those guys were #1. That is a very unique distinction. A span of 15 years and counting: I don't think having no names win Roland Garos for 3-4 straight years is suddenly going to bring more fans/interest, but that's just me.

Good post JLB. If you get a chance to watch live any of the big three play against each other which so is rare. Even if they are playing against the other 40 ranked or higher players, it's truly mesmerizing. E.g. I saw Novak and Daniil playing at Cincy 2019 semi's. Every point was a wild ride..The amount of spin they put on the ball and how quickly they get back into the "recovery position". They make it so effortless..It's reminds me of watching hockey, tv is great but live is just mouthwatering.

 

[El Dude]

There is the concept that dominant players/teams , "stars" so to speak, generate more interest in a sport. Tiger Woods golden years brought more interest to the golf, as did Arnold Palmer, etc. Tom Brady, as much as many dislike him, certainly hasn't "hurt" the NFL, and if he wins another SB, as much as many prefer he not win, doesn't make the NFL lose fans. Ditto Michael Jordan and his domination.

Dominant players bring discussion, media attention, etc. STARS do that.

Rafa's domination of Roland Garos is jaw dropping because it's carried across his best years AND Federer's best years AND Novak's best years. Look how many years he won RG when those guys were #1. That is a very unique distinction. A span of 15 years and counting: I don't think having no names win Roland Garos for 3-4 straight years is suddenly going to bring more fans/interest, but that's just me.

This is a good point but I think it is an instance where opposing views can both be true. So while I think what you say is true, I also think that many fans like the idea of RG being more uncertain, with a variety of possible champions not just the usual "Rafa will win it unless he loses a limb. Oh wait, maybe X player will finally do it. Nope. What were we thinking?" This can't simply be reduced to griping Novak and Roger fans, but is just tennis fans wanting a more competitive tournament than we've had for most of the last 15 years.

Rafa's dominance of RG is extremely impressive and unique in tennis history - no one has dominated a Slam or surface the way he has, and in fact no one is particularly close. The only thing I can find in tennis history that is somewhat similar is Ken Rosewall's 20-year Slam winning span, his first in 1953, his last in 1972 (Both Roger and Rafa have 16-year spans, Novak's is 14 years, Pete's is 13). And that is still quite different, if also very impressive.

It is kind of like the greats all have crowns with jewels on it. Rafa, Roger, and Novak have more jewels than anyone else, with the possible exception of Rod Laver. But Rafa is the only one who has a ruby.