The Official Tennis Thread (Vol. 2024 Oz Open Nadal Out)

[The_Isomotion31]

I think the ATP needs a jerk that can actually beat the big boys. It won't be Grigor that's for sure.

Things are way more fun with a proper villain.

 

[otakuant]

Kvitova gets the big win over the Queen. Not surprised that she was able to beat Serena, but of course you'd think her first win against the World No. 1 would be on grass. Kuznetsova's having a bit of a resurgence... That's her first win against Masha in over half a decade. The next few weeks on clay should be very interesting...

The ATP and WTA draws for Rome are out. The 1st/3rd and 2nd/4th seeds are in the same section of the draw for the second Masters event in a row. Hope that trend continues into Roland Garros the Rafael Nadal Invitational. Raonic's skipping Rome. He's currently playing Andy, but seems to be suffering with the same foot problem he had in Monte Carlo.

 

[aepps20]

Excellent form from Petra and Kuzzy. Serena did good work this week and looked much better than she did at Fed Cup.

 

[Sinner]

Crazy that Serena & Masha only won a combined 11 games today.  

Anyway, Kei & Daveed up next... should be a good one.

 

[Sinner]

Shockingly bad tennis by Rafa.  Don't think I've ever seen him this bad.  Incredible, really. 

 

[otakuant]

World No. 7 Nadal.

 

[Sinner]

26 UFE's in 17 games just ain't gonna cut it. 

He won't have many points to defend post-Wimbledon, so he'll need to take advantage of that. 

 

[thadangerousmind]

Shockingly bad tennis by Rafa.  Don't think I've ever seen him this bad.  Incredible, really. 

You clearly missed The Australian Open this year then lol.

 

[Sinner]

^ No, I felt this was worse.  He missed a lot of neutral balls... by a lot. 

 

[aepps20]

Rafa needs to pick it up

 

[britkicks]

But come on guys give my man some credit - two clay court titles in one week that's no fluke

 

[Sinner]

No one's saying it was a fluke.  He played very good tennis... very solid... very aggressive.  The fact was Rafa was just very poor.   Andy didn't need to take his level up.  In fact, he played even better vs Nishikori in the semis.  

Obligatory Madrid trophy pic.

 

[The_Isomotion31]

Under Armour on a top 10 player still feels weird to me. Not sure why. Probably because I still have their original campaign slogans in my head from when the company first started.

 

[Sinner]

UA's had a pretty decent 2015... Spieth, Curry and Murray... 

Meanwhile...

 

[shogun]

Has ua made tennis shoes for murray yet or is he still wearing adidas shoes?

 

[Sinner]

^ Via his IG... still being tested.

 

[The_Isomotion31]

Yo. Is that his wedding ring tied to his shoe? Props.

I just keep mine in the little compartment in my racquet bag when I play.

 

[Sinner]

^ Yep, they've been talking about it all week!  Though not the only tennis player to do so... I think Kevin Anderson does it as well... and I'm sure there are others. 

 

[Sinner]

 

[shogun]

Those shoes look nice. I hope he double knots the ring to the shoelaces then ties them. I'd be paranoid of losing something like that on my shoe.

 

[otakuant]

Looking forward to Nole vs. Kei. Besides Nadal obviously, I think Nishikori is one of the few players that could be a serious threat to Djokovic in Paris.

 

[Sinner]

A meh 1st set, but Kei turned up the KeiStation tennis in the 2nd... 3rd set's better... but quality's still a bit up & down. 

 

[firepower]

Obviously can't write off the other semi-finalists, but looks like Masha's on course for another clay court final showdown with Halep 

Just out of interest when are we finally supposed to be getting that extra fortnight's break between Paris and Wimbledon... this year or next? I forget.

 

[Sinner]

^ I think it's this year... but just 1 extra week. 

EDIT

2-week gap in prior years... 3 this year. 

 

[firepower]

Ah, good looks, thought it was 2 for some reason.