Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2025, Monaco, ATP Masters 1000

[Kieran]

Yes, but, he had that awful ankle injury at RG in 2022 and the recovery wasn't smooth, so that sort of explains the gap in performance in '22-'23, right? Nor sure what explains the paucity of titles in 2019-20, because he was aged 21-23. Arguably, those should be prime years. The injury comeback is different, I'd say.

His birthday is in 12 days. He'll be 28. He's getting to be a little long in the tooth for having such a slump, if he doesn't shake himself out of it soon. I agree that losing in the final at the AO, and with such a poor showing, did break him somewhat. But, like Medvedev's similar, that's on him, too. An athlete has to put losses behind them, including bad ones. It all adds up to why I don't like his chances of winning a Major.

I think Sasha met Sissy in a GS final, it would be the only goalless draw in tennis history…

 

[Moxie]

I didn't see the first set of Musetti d. Lehecka, (which the Italian lost 1-6,) but he was playing some inspired tennis later in the match. Looking good with the short hair cut, I forgot to mention recently ago.

I never had much of an opinion of Lehecka, one way or another, but after he got broken for the 2nd time in the 3rd set, (and smashed his racquet to bits,) he totally gave up, barely responding to Musetti's play, who won the next game to love, and thus the match. Giving up is not acceptable, even if it's only for 4 points at the end. I was less than impressed by that.

 

[mrzz]

Looking good with the short hair cut, I forgot to mention recently ago.

We on the High Council of the Universal One Handed Backhand don't consider looks to be the most important thing that our Shiny Knights have to consider, but it is not irrelevant. In that regard, the code of conduct of the Noble One Handed Backhand Player states that, and I quote:

"Players are free to have their hair in the way they feel it is correct. They must remember, however, that long haired people inspire noble deeds among the ones who are close to them, not to mention that this way they look really better than the rest."

Too bad that poser Tsitsipas only read the last part. I told the council we were making a huge mistake when we let him join the order. I told them. I told them!!!!

 

[kskate2]

I think Sasha met Sissy in a GS final, it would be the only goalless draw in tennis history…

We already lived through that w/ the Covid USO. It was a bloodbath that will go down in history as his one chance to win a slam. Neither player was better after that match. In fact Domi got worse and now he's off the tour. Not interested in seeing Zed in any more finals.

 

[Moxie]

Charly seemed to have warmed to the conditions, after that first set. Then Cerundolo only won one game.

 

[Moxie]

Djokovic never did warm up to the conditions, or to Tabilo, so his Monte Carlo is over.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Charly seemed to have warmed to the conditions, after that first set. Then Cerundolo only won one game.

The Dangerous One level dropped big time, I am happy that Carlos won the match, it gets the monkey off his back at MC
Interesting to hear that Carlos prefers to play on HC than clay, Hmmm, after he won his match against The Dangerous One

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Djokovic never did warm up to the conditions, or to Tabilo, so his Monte Carlo is over.

Tabilo seemed to have his number on clay? he extends his H2H 2-0, quite frankly it was a poor showing from Novak, he also said that himself after the match
Stats Novak W 18 UFE 29

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Good to see my other picks come through Foki my dark horse won
Rublev and Marat also won their match against Monfils

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

One of the things I will miss when Gasquet retires at Roland Garros this year, is his many grip changes, if anyone has seen Richard live, you will know what I mean, or in a tournament in a break and the camera is on Richard, he is there changing the grips on his racquet

 

[mrzz]

One of the things I will miss when Gasquet retires at Roland Garros this year, is his many grip changes, if anyone has seen Richard live, you will know what I mean, or in a tournament in a break and the camera is on Richard, he is there changing the grips on his racquet

Yep. He changes the over grip in 3.4 seconds. I guess he can change 20 of those before I even remove my old one (and I change a lot of over grips for a club player).

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Meddy just got broken serving for the match against Muller, now 5 all, a tight match, on Meddy's least favorite surface
Muller wins the 2nd set 75, toilet break
Going 3

 

[don_fabio]

Djokovic never did warm up to the conditions, or to Tabilo, so his Monte Carlo is over.

Judging from the post match interview, he doesn't really care. He has hinted before the tournament that he is not yet ready for clay. Said that he doesn't have high expectations here. Maybe he had hoped to get bunch of nobodies in early rounds.

I think he's a bit pissed he lost to Tabilo for the 2nd time and in 1st match in MC. Didn't get enough match practice, but what is worse is that he is not trying hard enough. Who wants to pay and watch that?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Judging from the post match interview, he doesn't really care. He has hinted before the tournament that he is not yet ready for clay. Said that he doesn't have high expectations here. Maybe he had hoped to get bunch of nobodies in early rounds.

I think he's a bit pissed he lost to Tabilo for the 2nd time and in 1st match in MC. Didn't get enough match practice, but what is worse is that he is not trying hard enough. Who wants to pay and watch that?

Quite frankly Don it was a poor showing from Novak, 18 W UFE 29, makes me wonder why he played in the first place? I feel he had enough time to practice?, Novak lives there a lot of the time? he is entered in Madrid lets see how he fares there,

 

[don_fabio]

Quite frankly Don it was a poor showing from Novak, makes me wonder why he played in the first place? I feel he had enough time to practice? he is entered in Madrid lets see how he fares there,

Probably because his house is around the corner.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Probably because his house is around the corner.

I just added that to my post to you lol!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I had to adjust my glasses Meddy just hit a high bhand volley
Meddy has righted the ship in the 3rd set and leads 4-1 over Muller
Meddy d Muller 76(6) 57 62 to make the round of 16

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Round 16 matches,
Alcaraz vs Altmaier First meeting
Fils vs Rublev H2h Rublev 1-0
Draper vs Foki First meeting
Musetti vs Berrettini H2H 1 all first meeting on clay
Tsitsipas vs Borges H2H Tsitsipas 1-0
Popyrin vs Ruud First meeting
Medvedev vs de Minaur H2H Meddy 7-3
Tabilo vs Dimitrov H2H Dimitrov 2-0

 

[kskate2]

After Djoke's dismissal from his home tourney, will we need to send the medics to check on @Fiero425

CC: @MargaretMcAleer @Moxie @don_fabio

 

[Moxie]

Judging from the post match interview, he doesn't really care. He has hinted before the tournament that he is not yet ready for clay. Said that he doesn't have high expectations here. Maybe he had hoped to get bunch of nobodies in early rounds.

I think he's a bit pissed he lost to Tabilo for the 2nd time and in 1st match in MC. Didn't get enough match practice, but what is worse is that he is not trying hard enough. Who wants to pay and watch that?

Oh, I think he cares. He didn't get where he is by not caring. He said he felt horrible about how he played. He said he didn't expect much on clay, yet, but you know he didn't expect to go out first round. He said he didn't have an explanation for how he played. Or he did, and he didn't. THEN he said, "I don't care," which I took to mean he mostly didn't care to explain it to reporters anymore.

I don't know that he wasn't trying hard. He just couldn't find it. As the NYTimes said today, "This year’s defeat to Tabilo...had the air of a player seeking his footing during a change of surface, while balancing a desire to peak at the biggest of events with the slow erosion of consistency that comes with time." He needs some wins and reps for his consistency and his confidence.

FWIW, Jason Goodall and Paul Annacone think that if Novak gets #25, it'll come at Wimbledon, due to the lack of competent players on grass, and the fact that it's basically easier on the body. (Well, not the knees.)