Talk About Tennis 2.0

Shelton acquitted himself well - he is maturing as a player. Still has a tendency to either overcook the shot when he has a winner set up on the big points or play it too safe. I still think he's got slam potential.

He strikes me as somebody that is in love with "The Show". He loves to hit a big winner and plays for the crowd. And that can hurt you sometimes.
But, as you say, he has slam potential. The strokes are there.

I'm finding myself in an unusual position before the final. I think I was only once in this mood - before US Open 2012 final. I always was rooting for Novak against Murray. But not on that occasion. Back then I thought that the loss in that final could ruin Murray. And even though he was not my favorite, I did not want for this to happen. It is similar here: generally I would root for Sinner against Zverev. But I don't want Zverev to be ruined, for that reason I want him to win. Going forward tennis will be more interesting with him as a slam winner.

That is a valid point.
I know I am one of the few people here that defends Zverev. But I will grant that sometimes he has behaved less that gallantly. I want him to win because I find Sinner, as likeable a guy as he is, extremely boring on court. Which I know it odd, because both these guys have very similar styles.
And I agree that if Zverev wins, tennis becomes more interesting. Sinner and Carlitos are great for the sport, but a third slam winner and contender would be much better.

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 4:47 pm

ashkor87 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 11:45 am Hardly any quick points in the entire tournament.. even the biggest hitters cant put the ball away. Good for those who want a long match but probably not goood for the players or, indeed, for the game as a whole..

Agree. And it can't be good for the sport when every match you play becomes a war of attrition and you are subjecting your body to such an extreme test.
I wonder how much damage and wear you cause on your arm. The legs we know.

Should a format change be considered? 3 sets until the finals, semi's, or quarters?

Owendonovan wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2025 2:55 am

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 4:47 pm

ashkor87 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 11:45 am Hardly any quick points in the entire tournament.. even the biggest hitters cant put the ball away. Good for those who want a long match but probably not goood for the players or, indeed, for the game as a whole..

Agree. And it can't be good for the sport when every match you play becomes a war of attrition and you are subjecting your body to such an extreme test.
I wonder how much damage and wear you cause on your arm. The legs we know.

Should a format change be considered? 3 sets until the finals, semi's, or quarters?

No. I would not like that.
Make the courts faster, and change the balls. Make hitting winners easier.
I can tell when I, a complete weekend whinner, am playing my best tennis regarding consistency later in my life, because the balls I use are so heavy I can keep then in easier. My elbow then reminds of my age, but my strokes are more consistent.

We'd see serves at 170 mph.

Let's give that a try.