Tennis Random, Random (On Court)

[ti-amie]

I agree with him.

[skatingfan]

I disagree. Plenty of talented players succeed, and many of them were not hard working.

[ponchi101]

I disagree. Plenty of talented players succeed, and many of them were not hard working.

Xavier Malisse.
Marcelo Rios.
Nick. Kyrgios.
Alexander Bublik.
Yannik Noah (no, he did NOT spend the time on court).
I am certainly missing many more.

[ashkor87]

I disagree. Plenty of talented players succeed, and many of them were not hard working.

Xavier Malisse.
Marcelo Rios.
Nick. Kyrgios.
Alexander Bublik.
Yannik Noah (no, he did NOT spend the time on court).
I am certainly missing many more.

John McEnroe hardly ever practiced..

[ti-amie]

Can I argue that the game was different back when JMac et al were playing? The man not on the list, Ivan Lendl, changed all of the "I just show up and play tennis" attitudes in the men's game.

[skatingfan]

Can I argue that the game was different back when JMac et al were playing? The man not on the list, Ivan Lendl, changed all of the "I just show up and play tennis" attitudes in the men's game.

I think it also depends on how you define success in the game - if the standard is Serena & Novak, well then you need talent, and hard work.

[nelslus]

McEnroe also played and won a ton of doubles matches. He was clear at the time that doubles was all the practice that he needed for his singles.

[ponchi101]

Can I argue that the game was different back when JMac et al were playing? The man not on the list, Ivan Lendl, changed all of the "I just show up and play tennis" attitudes in the men's game.

Totally agree. The reason he is the most unheralded tennis figure in all of tennis history, to me. He changed the entire way people had to train in order to be successful.
However.
I would never even dare to say that Lendl was not talented. He did not have the talent that Mac had at the net (who did?) but he had amazing touch. I remember seeing hit a serve long and when the opponent hit it back (the call was underway) it went straight back at Lendl. He "caught" the ball out of the air, in that sweeping motion of letting the ball just land on your strings, as if nothing. The cloud erupted clapping (it was as soft as it could be done) and didn't even acknowledged that. He got ready for his second serve. He was a superior athlete, his foot work and stamina were off the scale, and his power was not easy to imitate. He was superbly talented.
Nobody gets to play at the ATP level without massive talent. And nobody gets to play at the top level without having one or both the items mentioned here. What has happened is that nobody gets to the top 10 without having both. And to get to #1, you need both in copious amounts. It is not difficult to see.
But, of course, Moratogliuo is trying to sell the idea that it is all hard work, because that is what he can bring to the table. He is trying to say that coaches matter a lot.

[ti-amie]

[ti-amie]

Doubles stars Ram & Salisbury Split
The doubles team won three consecutive US Open titles from 2021-2023
September 26, 2024


Corinne Dubreuil

One of the best doubles teams of this generation, Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury, announced their split on social media this week following a successful six-year partnership.

“Six years is a long time in the life of a professional tennis player,” Ram wrote on Instagram. “Joe and I had some amazing wins, some epic matches and moments, and some gut wrenching losses.”

“We played together for six years, but we made memories and friends for a lifetime... and for that I’m truly grateful."

In their six-year partnership, the duo was one of the most successful doubles teams on the ATP Tour, winning four major trophies together. After hoisting their maiden Grand Slam title at the 2020 Australian Open, the pair found dominance at the US Open, where they won three straight titles from 2021-2023.

Aside from their success in major tournaments, Ram and Salisbury also won back-to-back titles at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2022 and 2023. In October 2022, Ram, then 38 years old, made history when he became the oldest first-time World No. 1 in PIF ATP Doubles Rankings history. Salisbury also reached World No. 1 in April 2022.

“I really enjoyed our six years playing together,” Salisbury told ATPTour.com. “We had some great success, more than we anticipated or thought that we would do. We are really proud of everything we’ve done together. We have worked really hard and got the best out of each other.”

“We have loved every minute of it, even the ups and downs,” Salisbury said. “We have had a lot of tough times to come through and achieve the highs that we have had. We are proud of everything we have done and grateful to have had this amazing partnership.”

Ram is competing this week at the China Open in Beijing alongside Austin Krajicek, with whom he won the silver medal at the Paris Olympics earlier this year. Salisbury is not in action this week.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/ram-sal ... 0Instagram.

[skatingfan]

Someone needs to check on nelsus.

[ti-amie]

[ti-amie]

[ti-amie]

[nelslus]

Someone needs to check on nelsus.

LOL, I knew this was coming. Before last year's US Open, I thought they were going to quit. TBH, I am just somewhat startled that they didn't at least keep playing this year to try to qualify for the end of year championships. They are both gonna lose a ton of points. I do find it kind of sad that too many doubles players don't try to stick it out a bit longer. Lulls are gonna happen with any doubles team. BUT, Rajeev is ancient, and Joe ain't getting any younger, so....

PS: The NAME is nelslus.