Tennis
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Naomi Osaka wins again. 
And Djokovic
On 2/20/2021 at 8:09 PM, jkjk said:Naomi Osaka wins again.
Osaka, Barty, Halep, Kenin, Muguruza and Serena are going to be the clearest threats at most tournaments, I'd say, closely followed by Swiatek who perhaps still needs consistency off the clay. Then, form and fitness permitting, Sabalenka, Brady and Andreescu too. That's a pretty exciting top ten.
On 2/21/2021 at 11:02 PM, jkjk said:And Djokovic
The younger guys still can't seem to figure out how to win a slam against Djokovic or Nadal.
I heard it said once that the big three hunt as a pack, in that winning a slam would require another player to play and beat two of the three. One is difficult, two is near impossible. Should be interesting to see if that dynamic returns when Federer does.
On 2/26/2021 at 4:42 PM, Michael* said:Osaka, Barty, Halep, Kenin, Muguruza and Serena are going to be the clearest threats at most tournaments, I'd say, closely followed by Swiatek who perhaps still needs consistency off the clay. Then, form and fitness permitting, Sabalenka, Brady and Andreescu too. That's a pretty exciting top ten.
The women's field is deep. There are a few names that could be added to that list which are not contenders every week but could win any time.
On 2/27/2021 at 12:56 AM, jkjk said:The women's field is deep. There are a few names that could be added to that list which are not contenders every week but could win any time.
It's interesting that some of the names I'd usually associate with high rankings and being a threat at any given time suddenly feel less relevant. Not to say they're in decline, but Svitolina, Pliskova, Konta, Garcia and maybe even Bertens have seemingly gone from being the best of the rest to just "the rest".
Then again, a lot of the most notable exits we've seen recently were at least somewhat quarantine-related, so it would probably be wrong to read too much into unexpected outcomes.
On 2/26/2021 at 4:42 PM, Michael* said:I'd say, closely followed by Swiatek who perhaps still needs consistency off the clay.
She won this weekend to prove you right.
And Roger is back 
18 hours ago, Stormbringer said:And Roger is back
It'll be fascinating to see how high a level he can reach, hopefully he'll be competing with Nadal and Djokovic again. The younger guys have struggled to consistently deliver at slam level, maybe just maybe Federer still can.
45 minutes ago, Michael* said:
It'll be fascinating to see how high a level he can reach, hopefully he'll be competing with Nadal and Djokovic again. The younger guys have struggled to consistently deliver at slam level, maybe just maybe Federer still can.
Hopefully he'll be up there again.
And even though it was rather evident yesterday that he had been away from competition for over a year, there were still glimpses of his usual genius.
To state the obvious, Roger's 2021 is all about Wimbledon.
I've been lucky enough to witness a few high-level sporting events in person (football, tennis and cycling mostly), but honestly the only time I've been really and truly blown away was watching Federer play.
He might well be at the stage where talking about another slam feels a bit fanciful, but I think he'll be competitive. Even if he comes back for a year and resembles his former self, I'll put that down as a big win.
27 minutes ago, Michael* said:I've been lucky enough to witness a few high-level sporting events in person (football, tennis and cycling mostly), but honestly the only time I've been really and truly blown away was watching Federer play.
When and where was that, if you dont mind me asking?
6 hours ago, elfstone said:When and where was that, if you dont mind me asking?
Not at all. I saw him play Kei Nishikori at the London ATP tour finals in 2015 (I've never been to Wimbledon which I guess is the ultimate). It wasn't Federer at his absolute peak and the match was one that he might easily have lost but honestly, some of the points were just dazzling to see at close quarters.
Nadal, Djokovic and Federer in the same half of the draw at Roland Garros, which is a rarity in itself, but it's also a chance for either Thiem to get another shot or for a new face to make a debut appearance in a slam final.
On 5/27/2021 at 8:08 PM, Michael* said:either Thiem to get another shot or for a new face to make a debut appearance in a slam final.
Option #2 it is, then. 
1 hour ago, Michael* said:Option #2 it is, then.
That was unexpected.
Hopefully, Naomi Osaka is okay after withdrawing from the tournament this evening. On one hand, I suppose I can see the perspective of people saying hey, she earns millions per year and this is the least one can do. On the other, post-match pressers have been unwatchable for a very long time now. The questions are basic at best, clueless at worst and usually met with curt, disinterested answers that offer as little as possible.
The best solution for all concerned would probably be to think about revamping the format. It's a real shame that one of the most forthcoming and insightful speakers on the tour is being put off doing them.
24 minutes ago, Michael* said:Hopefully, Naomi Osaka is okay after withdrawing from the tournament this evening. On one hand, I suppose I can see the perspective of people saying hey, she earns millions per year and this is the least one can do. On the other, post-match pressers have been unwatchable for a very long time now. The questions are basic at best, clueless at worst and usually met with curt, disinterested answers that offer as little as possible.
The best solution for all concerned would probably be to think about revamping the format. It's a real shame that one of the most forthcoming and insightful speakers on the tour is being put off doing them.
I thought her explanation about withdrawing helped explain her state of mind, dealing with depression, etc. She also said she should have announced her desire to avoid the pressers differently.
One part of the tennis authorities (I forget who said it) response that made me laugh was the idea they need to make everything equal for all players. Things are never equal for everyone in any sport.
From a sporting perspective, with Osaka's withdrawal and Andreescu's loss, that quarter of the bracket is open for anyone hoping to make a run.