Tuning Up for AO - 2014

[GameSetAndMath]

This is how the current top 10 players decided to tune up for AO.

1. Nadal ---- Mudabala Exo followed by Doha

2. Djokovic --- Mudabala Exo only (does not need practice for AO)

3. Ferrer --- Mudabala Exo, Doha and then Auckland (he needs to hire a scheduler in
his team, plays too many events and plays the week before AO)

4. Murray --- Mudabala Exo followed by Doha

5. Del Potro --- Sydney (Don't know why an elite player plays the week before AO).

6. Federer --- Brisbane and then a single exo match with Tsonga in Melbourne

7. Berdych --- Doha and then AAMI Classic

8. Wawrinka -- Mudabala Exo, Chennai and then AAMI Classic.

9. Gasquet --- Doha and then AAMI Classic

10. Tsonga --- Mudabala Exo, Hopman Cup and exo match with Federer in Melbourne.

 

[Kieran]

Novak doesn't need practice for Oz? Chap must be cocky!

Thanks for the list, can't wait for it all to begin again... :clap

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Novak doesn't need practice for Oz? Chap must be cocky!

Thanks for the list, can't wait for it all to begin again... :clap

This is not the first time. He has played in AO without playing a tune-up for
at least the last couple of years (if not more). Oh, I forgot to mention that
he won AO every time he choose not to do tune-ups.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Thanks GSM. I want to see a Nadal-Murray match in one of those events before AO.

 

[Moxie]

Novak doesn't need practice for Oz? Chap must be cocky!

Thanks for the list, can't wait for it all to begin again... :clap

This is not the first time. He has played in AO without playing a tune-up for
at least the last couple of years (if not more). Oh, I forgot to mention that
he won AO every time he choose not to do tune-ups.

Djokovic has also eschewed a tune-up on grass before Wimbledon, and both choices seem to be working out pretty well for him.

 

[tented]

Thanks GSM. I want to see a Nadal-Murray match in one of those events before AO.

I would also love to see them play again, but I would rather it be after Murray has been back a while, and is more match-fit and prepared to take on Rafa. Seeing them play when it's only Andy's third or fourth match since his return probably wouldn't be too interesting. I would prefer to wait for Indian Wells or Miami, for example.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Thanks GSM. I want to see a Nadal-Murray match in one of those events before AO.

I would also love to see them play again, but I would rather it be after Murray has been back a while, and is more match-fit and prepared to take on Rafa. Seeing them play when it's only Andy's third or fourth match since his return probably wouldn't be too interesting. I would prefer to wait for Indian Wells or Miami, for example.

I only want to see it early because I would like to see where his form is really at. Against inferior guys, I will not totally be able to see it, nor will he.

 

[Riotbeard]

I would like to see Murray and rafa at the AO semis, but that is for a variety of reasons

 

[Kieran]

I would like to see Murray and rafa at the AO semis, but that is for a variety of reasons

Reason #1: hopefully the match lasts 27 sets and four days and if he wins, Rafa is knackered by the end of it.

Reason #2: hopefully the match lasts 27 sets and four days and if he wins, Andy is knackered by the end of it.

Reason #3: You just love watching Rafa beat Andy...

 

[Riotbeard]

I would like to see Murray and rafa at the AO semis, but that is for a variety of reasons

Reason #1: hopefully the match lasts 27 sets and four days and if he wins, Rafa is knackered by the end of it.

Reason #2: hopefully the match lasts 27 sets and four days and if he wins, Andy is knackered by the end of it.

Reason #3: You just love watching Rafa beat Andy...

Actually I agree with all three of those! I like Rafa's game much more than Andy's.

Reason #4: Wanna see how Andy does against rafa, now that he got his big boy pants. Although I expect it to go according to the old script.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Just bumping this thread up so that fans can track their stars during the
tune-up.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Thanks GSM. I want to see a Nadal-Murray match in one of those events before AO.

Sorry, could not provide what you wanted before AO.

I don't think it will happen in AO also. Murray will flame out well before
he sees Nadal's shadow.

You got to wait till March to see this possible match at IW or Miami.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

^ You might be right, but I am not sure about Murray's situation. Is he healthy? Was the recent loss due to form, or lack thereof, or was he hurting? Is he pushing himself full tilt, or is he timid a bit? I have not seen him at all. If he is healthy, he might be able to play himself into form at the AO. He has at least 2-3 easy matches. You never know.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

^ You might be right, but I am not sure about Murray's situation. Is he healthy? Was the recent loss due to form, or lack thereof, or was he hurting? Is he pushing himself full tilt, or is he timid a bit? I have not seen him at all. If he is healthy, he might be able to play himself into form at the AO. He has at least 2-3 easy matches. You never know.

I have not seen him play either. From what I read, I understand that back is not the
issue. Stamina seems to be more of an issue primarily and form seems to be a secondary
issue. It looks like both of these problems will vanish gradually as he gets more match
practice. But, I doubt that they will vanish before AO.

 

[herios]

So Milos is not only does snorkeling for New Years, he also prepares for AO playing at the Hopman Cup. He plays alongside Bouchard for Canada.
He beat so far Tomic and Seppi, but lost to a polish guy I have never heard about, Panfil. Results:

http://hopmancup.com/results/completed-matches

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

So Milos is not only does snorkeling for New Years, he also prepares for AO playing at the Hopman Cup. He plays alongside Bouchard for Canada.
He beat so far Tomic and Seppi, but lost to a polish guy I have never heard about, Panfil. Results:

http://hopmancup.com/results/completed-matches

Panfil? Ok...Well at least he is playing (Milos)

 

[GameSetAndMath]

^ You might be right, but I am not sure about Murray's situation. Is he healthy? Was the recent loss due to form, or lack thereof, or was he hurting? Is he pushing himself full tilt, or is he timid a bit? I have not seen him at all. If he is healthy, he might be able to play himself into form at the AO. He has at least 2-3 easy matches. You never know.

You can assess his situation based on his own words directly. He openly says it is
not realistic for him to win AO.


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-it-would-be-unrealisticof-me-to-expect-to-win-the-australian-open-9035687.html

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Murray may opt for Chennai as prep for AO in 2015. This may actually happen
considering Mahesh Bhupathi is one of his promoters and I guess he at least partly
owns Aircel Cehnnai as well.

There will be three advantages for him in Chennai.

1. He will get the warm weather which will be a) good for back and
b) provide comparable conditions to Melbourne.

2. He will get a weak field thus guaranteeing reasonable match practice.

3. That will be a short flight to Melbourne and he does not have to deal
with jet lag that much upon reaching down under.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/chennai-open-2014/Biryani-loving-Murray-is-keen-on-playing-in-Chennai/articleshow/28300901.cms

 

[Moxie]

What opinion of Novak having no more tune-up before the AO? Good? Bad? Indifferent?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

What opinion of Novak having no more tune-up before the AO? Good? Bad? Indifferent?

Good for him. Does not work for others. Don't try to imitate.

He did not play in anything other than Mudabala in 2012 and 2013. He
won Mudabala in each of these years. You know what happened in these
years in AO.

Do you see a pattern here? BTW, He won Mudabala in 2014.