zippi Posted September 10, 2021 Posted September 10, 2021 1 hour ago, cheekyboy said: With all due respect, I think your memory of Seles and Hingus is a little on the short side if you feel Fernandez at 19 is showing more talent than Monica and Martina. Yeah I'm fully aware that's how it may seem, however as far as raw talent I would say a 100% yes. And please understand that talent does not necessary equal results or even wins. I've seen most matches that were televised of Monika Szeles from about 87-88 onwards and yes she might have got even more amasing things were it not for that nutter fan of Steffi's in Hamburg 1993. And Hingis's achievements are right up there at the top of women's tennis ever. So I'm not trying to short change them. However tennis has moved on since those days by a substantial margin. Even the simple things such as the automated line calls speed up the game allot - and that's just the tip of the iceberg of the greater demand on tennis player performance physically and mentally today vs 20 to 30 years ago. However these things are highly subjective and members of my own extended family will be the first to say that I'm 100% wrong at least relating to Monika if not both. So YMMV peoples naturally. Just my own take on it.
metal beat Posted September 10, 2021 Posted September 10, 2021 really looking forward to the Fernandez vs Radacanu final. Both have been highly impressive, more so their mental strength than playing better than anyone else. Although Radacanu not dropping a set or even anyone scoring more than 4 games in any set is highly impressive. But, it does show that most of the top ten girls have the mental strength of a marshmallow. Pliskova is a perineal choker, but at least she has been to a couple of major finals, unlike Svitolina or Sabalenka. IMO, it really does show Barty missed a golden opportunity this year, however Rogers played the match of her life get thrashed the next match and probably never repeat it. The two mens semis will be unbelievable. I believe Jokers biggest test will be in the semi vs Zverev. should be a ripper. 2
cheekyboy Posted September 10, 2021 Posted September 10, 2021 1 hour ago, zippi said: Yeah I'm fully aware that's how it may seem, however as far as raw talent I would say a 100% yes. And please understand that talent does not necessary equal results or even wins. I've seen most matches that were televised of Monika Szeles from about 87-88 onwards and yes she might have got even more amasing things were it not for that nutter fan of Steffi's in Hamburg 1993. And Hingis's achievements are right up there at the top of women's tennis ever. So I'm not trying to short change them. However tennis has moved on since those days by a substantial margin. Even the simple things such as the automated line calls speed up the game allot - and that's just the tip of the iceberg of the greater demand on tennis player performance physically and mentally today vs 20 to 30 years ago. However these things are highly subjective and members of my own extended family will be the first to say that I'm 100% wrong at least relating to Monika if not both. So YMMV peoples naturally. Just my own take on it. Like I said, if you’re to anoint a player to that level ahead of players of the caliber of Seles and Hingus and making a direct comparison, you have got to look at their respective records. I was also watching the girls play today with a strong recollection of players past and I didn’t see girls better than what I recall Seles and Hingus being, but hey, what would I know about women’s tennis? Cheers, Keith 1
metal beat Posted September 10, 2021 Posted September 10, 2021 (edited) 7 minutes ago, cheekyboy said: Like I said, if you’re to anoint a player to that level ahead of players of the caliber of Seles and Hingus and making a direct comparison, you have got to look at their respective records. I was also watching the girls play today with a strong recollection of players past and I didn’t see girls better than what I recall Seles and Hingus being, but hey, what would I know about women’s tennis? Cheers, Keith The biggest tragedy of all was Steffi's uncle(I am kidding) stabbing Seles at her absolute peak. Seles would have won at least another half dozen majors if she hadn't been stabbed, imo. Probably more. Probably never at Wimbledon but she was unstoppable on other surfaces. Steffi certainly made sunshine while rain poured on Seles after the stabbing. Edited September 10, 2021 by metal beat 2
zippi Posted September 10, 2021 Posted September 10, 2021 24 minutes ago, metal beat said: The biggest tragedy of all was Steffi's uncle(I am kidding) stabbing Seles at her absolute peak. That is one of the biggest tennis tragedies ever, most likely the biggest ever. 1
metal beat Posted September 10, 2021 Posted September 10, 2021 10 minutes ago, zippi said: That is one of the biggest tennis tragedies ever, most likely the biggest ever. And we have players like Osaka complaining about the tennis media is bad for their mental health. Yet at the same time are making millions spending too much time on non tennis related endorsements. Strange world we live in.
zippi Posted September 10, 2021 Posted September 10, 2021 40 minutes ago, metal beat said: And we have players like Osaka complaining about the tennis media is bad for their mental health. Yet at the same time are making millions spending too much time on non tennis related endorsements. Strange world we live in. Yeah you gotta laugh - don't wanna stereotype people, generations, whatever - however today's youth just assume it's gotta be 100% always and the minute it's not - a meltdown (talking 1st world mostly, but not exclusively at all). It might be telling that the 2 ladies in the final have backgrounds such as Ecuador/Filipino (Fernandez) and Chinese/Romanian (Raducanu). Although neither were born in those countries it still signifies they may have gone through some levels of adversity, migrant experiences and stages where not everything went to an absolute plan resulting in the mental toughening and combined just so with the tennis aspects and training. It's in the mind and if it's not in the mind - you gotta get it in there somehow. I just look at them and realise the other women at the top seldom demonstrate a firm, solid level of composure and mental toughness that Emma and Leylah have demonstrated (so far at least, and despite their inexperience in the majors). Perhaps the fact they haven't got a big contract that they're playing to keep or earn another one based on the performance in the major etc... we shall see.... 2
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted September 10, 2021 Volunteer Posted September 10, 2021 1 hour ago, metal beat said: And we have players like Osaka complaining about the tennis media is bad for their mental health. Yet at the same time are making millions spending too much time on non tennis related endorsements. Strange world we live in. 10 minutes ago, zippi said: it's gotta be 100% always and the minute it's not - a meltdown These comments sadden me. R U OK? day was only yesterday, 1
metal beat Posted September 10, 2021 Posted September 10, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, sir sanders zingmore said: Edited September 10, 2021 by metal beat
LHC Posted September 10, 2021 Posted September 10, 2021 My memory may also be poor. My memory of Seles is mostly her grunt and that infamous stabling. She did made a come back, but you are correct we'll never know. Hingus has a beautiful game, but unfortunately no match against the power hitters of her days.
metal beat Posted September 10, 2021 Posted September 10, 2021 Well Medvedev just gave young Felix a tennis lesson. Now lets see how Zverev goes against Joker. Hopefully a great match. 2
cheekyboy Posted September 10, 2021 Posted September 10, 2021 40 minutes ago, metal beat said: Well Medvedev just gave young Felix a tennis lesson. Now lets see how Zverev goes against Joker. Hopefully a great match. I’m also looking forward to a great match, Shane, and Djokovic has got to be thinking about that Grand Slam being only two matches away and slam #21 to go ahead of Rafa and Roger and the Grand Slam, both happen at precisely the same time. Cheers, Keith 2
zippi Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 This is 1st set dropped by Novak for sure with Zverev breaking for 4-5.
zippi Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 (edited) Dropped the first, however Novak's 2nd set assault well and truly under way: like on cue 3-0 up in some 15-16 minutes or even less? Don't know exactly but it felt super quick. Edited September 11, 2021 by zippi spelling
zippi Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 Such a rally - 53 shots for Zverev to save a set point in the 3rd set. However there's no saving the 2nd set point: Djokovic 2 sets to 1 up.
zippi Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 Zverev stepping up another gear and breaking in the 4th for 2-1. Needing to consolidate, however there's real hope of a 5 setter, especially if he does. C'mon!!!!! 1
cheekyboy Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 (edited) Well, Novak lost the 2011 semi final at the French to Roger Federer and in 2015 he lost the French final to Stan Wawrinka and in both those years he won the other three slams, Australian, Wimbledon and US Opens. So, he has come this close before, but of course this one is different because he knows how close he is. Two sets all now, so that dream of a Grand Slam for Novak has come down to winning set number 18 to keep that dream alive. This last set is much watch stuff!! Cheers, Keith Edited September 11, 2021 by cheekyboy 1
zippi Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 Zverev starting the 5th set in much the same way as he started the 2nd. At this rate Novak has this in a bag in under 20 minutes time.
metal beat Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 (edited) It is refreshing to watch tennis without players milking and wasting every second between points and between each change of ends. Both these guys are talking well less than the 90 seconds between change of ends. Rafa, are u listening? Although, Zverev might want to slow it down now thou Edited September 11, 2021 by metal beat 1
zippi Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 (edited) Wheels have fallen off completely off of the Zverev's game. I feel Novak is far from his best form, however can muster just the right amount of magic to win convincingly. edit: update 5-0 in the 5th. Zverev to serve. My money is on 6-0 to wrap up the 5th. Edited September 11, 2021 by zippi
cheekyboy Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 Well done Novak in the end and in getting out of this one. A bloody good tennis match really, some low moments, but mostly highs. Big drop of level from Zverev in the 5th early, but that was a big step up in that last set from Djokovic too………do you think the drop shot might have been discussed as a tactic in the Djokovic camp? Novak got a little shaky serving for it at 5-1 and Zverev definitely went up a level or two there as well. Next is Medvedev, so does he win his first slam title or does Novak prevail? Medvedev has a great tennis mind and is always learning, so I think the final might be an even more difficult task for Djokovic. If the final reaches the same standard as this semi, I’ll be happy………..bring it on! Cheers, Keith 1
cheekyboy Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 (edited) 33 minutes ago, zippi said: Wheels have fallen off completely off of the Zverev's game. I feel Novak is far from his best form, however can muster just the right amount of magic to win convincingly. edit: update 5-0 in the 5th. Zverev to serve. My money is on 6-0 to wrap up the 5th. Well, I know others will have a different perspective (mileage), but I don’t think Novak’s form was all that far from his best, albeit with a few lapses, I thought his overall level was very high, especially against an opponent that was also playing at a very high level, with the exception of that major dip in the 5th set. No donut in the last either…………that would have screwed with Zverev’s head! Cheers, Keith Edited September 11, 2021 by cheekyboy 2
zippi Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 (edited) Great insight Keith as always. @cheekyboy Zverev definitely on a super high level - except when it counted. I feel he lost the match in the 2nd set. And then just imploded in the first 5 games of the 5th. To a certain extent it seems to me that Novak doesn't care much either way if he's up or down in the first set. However uses it to settle into the match and really analyse the opponent. And then just swoopes the 2nd set in a breeze - this sort of thing happens with monotonous regularity in his matches - almost clockwork like. Edited September 11, 2021 by zippi 1
cheekyboy Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 (edited) 20 minutes ago, zippi said: Great insight Keithey as always. @cheekyboy Zverev definitely on a super high level - except when it counted. I feel he lost the match in the 2nd set. And then just imploded in the first 5 games of the 5th. To a certain extent it seems to me that Novak doesn't care much either way if he's up or down in the first set. However uses it to settle into the match and really analyse the opponent. And then just swoopes the 2nd set in a breeze - this sort of thing happens with monotonous regularity in his matches - almost clockwork like. Yep, it clearly comes down to experience for Novak in these big matches over his younger and less experienced opponents. I really don’t think he would be dismissing the first set though, especially in a 3 set match, but it probably isn’t as big an issue in a 5 set match for him though. I had a mate in Sydney over 40 years ago now who use to call me keithy and because he knew I didn’t like it much, he kept it up and morphed it into keithyboy which over time morphed into cheekyboy and although he was the only one who ever called me that, the nickname stuck…………..useless bit of information for you there! Cheers, Keith Edited September 11, 2021 by cheekyboy 1
blybo Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 2 hours ago, cheekyboy said: I don’t think Novak’s form was all that far from his best, albeit with a few lapses, I only saw (most of) the 3rd set, but from 1-1 till near the end of that set Novak looked very wobbly to me, and had the extended ball bouncing thing going on, but he got through it in the end because his worst is not as bad as most others. His self believe is excellent, pity he's so un-likable. My daughter had a meltdown towards the end of the set and I had to take her for a drive to calm her down... godamn these lockdowns 1
Recommended Posts