*Official* Tennis Thread

[Niall]

Absolute slaughter in the Alcarez match, Novak not got a hope on Friday against him in this form.

 

[Anil]

It’s a slam, Djokovic will find a way to win…

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

Iga Swiatek is a machine , haven't seen such a dominant young tennis player since Serena Williams in the 2000's ..

 

[Niall]

French Open 2023: Aryna Sabalenka 'does not support' Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko

Aryna Sabalenka says she does not support Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko "right now" because of her nation's support of Russia's war in Ukraine.

www.bbc.com

Better from Saba tbf after she doubled down on her silliness by standing at the nets for Svitolina , what exactly did she expect to happen? Interestingly Svitolina gave a thumbs up to the 2 Russian girls Blinkova and Daria but did not acknowledge Saba whatsoever!

A little annoyed to see Ons out, was looking forward to her v Iga as always a fun match.

 

[Anil]

Iga Swiatek is a machine , haven't seen such a dominant young tennis player since Serena Williams in the 2000's ..

She is playing well but considering both Sabalenka and Rybakina have had her measure this year, she is definitely not anywhere near as dominant as prime Serena...also she still has her problems on grass, faster hard courts, indoor courts etc so is not an all-court threat yet...even last year when she was way more successful, she still struggled at Wimbledon and some other faster surfaces...

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

She is playing well but considering both Sabalenka and Rybakina have had her measure this year, she is definitely not anywhere near as dominant as prime Serena...also she still has her problems on grass, faster hard courts, indoor courts etc so is not an all-court threat yet...even last year when she was way more successful, she still struggled at Wimbledon and some other faster surfaces...

Yep that's true but she's still so young and already on 3 grandslams going for no.4 .. She's incredible on clay 119 wins from 136 matches .

 

[Anil]

Yep that's true but she's still so young and already on 3 grandslams going for no.4 .. She's incredible on clay 119 wins from 136 matches .

Agreed, she is my favorite active player and she still has plenty of time to adapt and be more successful on other surfaces...

 

[Niall]

Iga will figure out grass quickly enough, just needs to play some more events before it. She was ambushed last year by Cornet who is always handy on the surface.

Totally forgot her semi final opponent Maia has beaten her in Toronto their only previous encounter , maybe it won't be the procession that some think.

 

[Anil]

No one thinks it will be a procession though...in fact Sabalenka will be the favorite if Iga does make the final.

 

[Niall]

No one thinks it will be a procession though...in fact Sabalenka will be the favorite if Iga does make the final.

Was referring to the semi tomorrow v Haddad which could be trickier than people think, but Iga will be fav in a final v Saba for sure.
Not an overwhelming one obviously.

 

[Anil]

Was referring to the semi tomorrow v Haddad which could be trickier than people think, but Iga will be fav in a final v Saba for sure.
Not an overwhelming one obviously.

Yes I agree with the first part. However if Swiatek plays to potential, she will get past Haddad Maia especially on clay but Sabalenka is a completely different story. She may be ranked no: 1, but Sabalenka is significantly the more in-form player coming in and that's irrespective of surfaces.

 

[Molehill]

Article in Today's Times (hidden behind paywall) where Andy Murray suggests that Saudi Arabia, having already come for Boxing, Football and caused all manner of issues in golf, will undoubtedly be coming for Tennis next (it seems an obvious target in the Sportswashing Collective). He said he wouldn't play there and he probably won't have to worry about it, but what happens if the Tour Finals end up there?

 

[Niall]

Article in Today's Times (hidden behind paywall) where Andy Murray suggests that Saudi Arabia, having already come for Boxing, Football and caused all manner of issues in golf, will undoubtedly be coming for Tennis next (it seems an obvious target in the Sportswashing Collective). He said he wouldn't play there and he probably won't have to worry about it, but what happens if the Tour Finals end up there?

Dunno dude.

I know that's a meek answer but sportwashing is everywhere sadly, look at the premier league for example.
I think they will get involved in as many sports as they can and nobody will turn them away especially tennis.

Sucks but what can you do ?

 

[Niall]

Muchova is such a fun player , shame about all the injuries over the years.

 

[wpdavid]

Nothing to do with the French Open, but just a heads up to anyone interested that there is a really watchable mini-series of 3 episodes on BBC iPlayer called 'Gods of Tennis'. I think it's unmissable for anyone who watched or is interested in some of the biggest names from the 1970s and 1980s. Great interviews with most of the main protagonists and lots of clips from a very different world. Anyway, back to Paris ....

 

[Anil]

that was a remarkable rally from muchova in the 3rd set...coming into the final with a lot of confidence, she will prove a tough opponent for iga...

 

[Anil]

Absolute slaughter in the Alcarez match, Novak not got a hope on Friday against him in this form.

you were saying?

 

[ashley bach]

It’s a slam, Djokovic will find a way to win…

He's just relentlessly ruthless, doubt he'll give Carlos a chance to get out of this hole. You know your douchebags very well.

 

[ashley bach]

And there's another break, just carving him to pieces now.

 

[Anil]

have seen this particular douchebag all his career...